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The Beat: Best in shows
May's gonna be a busy month...

by The Space Cowboy

Aloha! April was filled with great musical happenings, but May is brimming with just as many, and I feel compelled to look ahead and skip the recapping with the exception of two notes. Krickie's Sexy Sundays continue to pack them in while showcasing some of Marin's best musicians, female or otherwise. The last one, a CD release and birthday party for singer/songwriter Brindl, was awesome. The next sexiness will be Sunday, May 11, at Peri's. At a UC Berkeley performance last week, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder invited Jerry Hannan onstage for the encore to sing his song "Society" from the Into the Wild soundtrack.

On May 15 Wavy Gravy will celebrate his 72nd birthday with a benefit for his Camp Winnarainbow at 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. Moonalice—featuring Pete Sears, G.E. Smith and Barry Sless—will play, along with special guests Barry Melton and Mickey Hart. Modern Lovers legend Jonathan Richman, New Riders of the Purple Sage founder David Nelson and Ramblin' Jack Elliot will also appear. Wavy's Clown Conspiracy will delight the crowd, so bring the family. For more info, go to www.wavygravy.net .

Sonoma County hosts two impressive jazz festivals this May. If you don't have plans for Memorial Day weekend, take a look at the lineup for the Fourth Annual Sonoma Jazz Festival, May 22 to 25. Kool and the Gang play Thursday, Herbie Hancock headlines Friday, Diana Krall tops off Saturday and Bonnie Raitt and Al Jarreau close it out Sunday. Not too shabby. Starting May 30 is the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Charlie Haden, Bobby Hutcherson, Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain, Eddie Palmieri and Cedar Walton stick out among the many world-class names slated to appear. This begs the question: Where is the jazz festival in Marin County?

The one and only Austin de Lone is up to no good again with his "two guys, four hands, one piano" engagement at Sweetwater Station on Wednesday, May 7. Don't expect anything kinky, just musical merriment with old friend Paul Rodgers (Those Darn Accordions). He will return on May 22 with Paul O'Hara, ex-bandmate from Eggs Over Easy, the group that Austin came to Marin with in 1972 and was credited with starting London's Pub Rock scene in the early '70s. This time of year he can always be found jamming with Andre and the All-Stars at the Muir Beach Fire Department BBQ Fundraiser—Sunday, May 25. And if that's not enough, catch him on B-3 organ at Peri's Bar in Fairfax May 23 with some very special guests.

The crew at Murphy Productions continues to provide great music for southern Marin in the Sweetwater's absence. They have revived the Masonic Events Center across from City Hall in downtown Mill Valley and will host a CD release party for ex-Sons of Champlin guitarist Terry Haggerty on May 3. The Space Cowboy has learned that some VIPs will be dropping by. At the same location May 16, the unbelievable Motown revue Best Intentions performs and Fito Reinoso's Ritmo Y Armonia buff the dance floor with Cuban rhythms May 31. (Note: Shows there start at 8:30pm).

It's a great time of year to get out to Rancho Nicasio and see some of the world-class music they continually bring to Marin. On May 16 check out the long-awaited return of The Uptones, the Bay Area's best ska band of all time. Don't miss Grammy Award-winning blues legends (and ex-Muddy Waters sidemen) Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on May 22. Country music legend Carlene Carter (daughter of June Carter Cash) arrives May 24. If you don't know her music, track her down on the Web—this will be a memorable show. I would suggest funk/soul lovers hurry up and catch the Monophonics May 30 at 19 Broadway, while the cover is still $10. On May 3, Peri's hosts The Kehoe Nation featuring Brian Kehoe (MIRV, Les Claypool), an unbelievable talent with a sense of humor to boot. They rawk! Don't miss it.

Got a hot tip? E-mail The Space Cowboy at marinbeat@gmail.com