IF YOU DUG THE TRIANGLE, or the drums, or clapping your hands, or humming along, or playing any of the roles so many us played as kids back in music class, then you know the power of song, of lyrics, of percussion and dance that is often found in such a magical place. And even though many of us are years out of school, there are ways to support a school's creative spaces, those spaces that encourages children to dig tunes, to discover great artists, and to one day know the joy of connecting with a powerful chorus, an album, or a live show. One path to helping schoolkids have a chance to rock the recorder, try out the bongos, and jump and clap along? Attending fundraisers committed to music education. One is just ahead, at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, and its very mission is as top-level as its name: Petaluma Music Festival. And that goal? "Keeping Music in Schools." "Proceeds from this annual event," which is taking place in 2017 on Saturday, Aug. 5, "will be distributed among Petaluma's public elementary and secondary schools to provide funding for their music programs," reveals the site. Good stuff, and on the line-up?
CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD... is the headliner, with Scott Law & Ross James' Cosmic Twang with special guest Lebo, Poor Man's Whiskey, Stu Allen and Friends, T Sisters, Moonalice, and several other bands ready to take the stage. There are 14 bands in all, with a quartet of stages, and a kid-fun area, too. In fact, no surprise, but this festival is very family friendly, and all young people who are 12, or not quite 12, will be admitted with their families for free. The drinking water? Also free. The eats? Belly-filling. The brews? Think foamy flavor from Lagunitas Brewing Company. And on the soundful spectrum there are opportunities for meet-and-greets and autographs with the artists. Get into the music program sunshine, and feel the power of a summertime, multi-act, multi-stage vibe-tacular, in Petaluma on the first Saturday in August.
