Friday Night Live 2023

Friday Night Live returns May 24 - Aug 30, 2024 (dark July 5)

band lineup to be announced late April

Street Fair 6:00pm Live Music 7:00-9:30pm
Downtown Cloverdale at the Plaza

Friday Night Live at the Plaza, Cloverdale’s free summer concert series, has announced the lineup of bands scheduled to appear Friday nights from May 26 – Sept 1, 2023. Friday Night Live, produced by the Cloverdale Arts Alliance, will offer a variety of family-friendly activities every Friday evening throughout the summer.

Downtown Cloverdale comes alive with Friday Night Live at the Plaza. In addition to high-caliber, party and dance music delivered by a variety of bands hailing from across the United States, FNL visitors will find many other attractions. Dinner is available from a variety of food vendors and nearby restaurants; and premium Sonoma County wines and craft beers can be purchased by the glass. Hand-crafted arts, crafts and other unique, locally made items are available, along with a variety of kids’ activities, ensure there is something for everyone at Friday Night Live in Cloverdale. The Street Fair opens at 6:00 PM and music runs 7:00-9:30 PM.

Audiences are sure to experience the best of small-town America and free family-friendly, dance and party concerts at Friday Night Live at the Plaza in downtown Cloverdale all summer long.

For Prospective Bands

Priority consideration will be given to bands touring regionally/nationally that are upbeat, dance/party bands playing original music from a variety of genres. There is also the opportunity for local bands to support headline acts.

For consideration to have your band play Friday Night Live at the Plaza please email your band's website URL, and links to videos and/or music to Mark Tharrington (FNL Program Manager) mark@cloverdaleartsalliance.org 

Bands that are selected for the Friday Night Live concerts will be contacted by mid-April of the up-comming season.  Due to the high volume of submittals  we receive each year, we will only be contacting those that are selected.

Band information: directions to the venue [PDF] and Audio Hardware Listing [PDF]

2023 LINEUP

To download the Friday Night Live band lineup 2023 poster please click here [PDF].

Para una versión en español de la alineación de la banda 2023, haga clic aquí [PDF]


May 26 – Wreckless Strangers

Genre:  California Americana Soul  

Winery Sponsor: Reynoso Vineyards

Concert Sponsor: Calpine at the Geysers

 Wreckless Strangers is a collective of six seasoned Bay Area musicians known for their collaborative songwriting and high-energy live shows, performing an infectious blend of music they call "California Americana Soul."

 The band features Amber Morris (Premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach – members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

 Over the course of their six years together, the Wreckless Strangers have released two records and become fan favorites at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Their latest album, When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, was produced by GRAMMY-winning artist/producer/guitarist Colin Linden (Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Keb' Mo’, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant).

 

June 2 – Chris Jones & The Night Drivers

Genre: Bluegrass

Winery Sponsor: Chateau St Jean

Concert Sponsor: Tom & Cynthia LaConte

 “When I first heard Chris Jones over 25 years ago he became one of my favorite singers, and he continues to have one of the most distinctive and best voices in music, period. It’s like fine wine for the ears.” —Jim Lauderdale 

 Chris Jones & the Night Drivers make some of the most distinctively elegant yet driving bluegrass music heard anywhere today. Deeply rooted in tradition but never bound to it, they deliver original music with tight arrangements, emotional authenticity, and engaging humor. As actor and banjo player Steve Martin says, “Chris Jones’ voice is there with the great masters,” adding that the Night Drivers are “some of the best players in bluegrass.”

 Collectively, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers have won 18 IBMA awards and have racked up 21 #1 songs. The band’s latest release, their first all-original album, Make Each Second Last, has received rave reviews and has so far yielded an unprecedented eight consecutive #1 songs. Their song, "Riding the Chief," co-written by Chris and Thomm Jutz, was nominated for 2022 IBMA Song of the Year. They have topped both the Bluegrass Today and Roots Music Review airplay charts with the latest album.

 

June 9 – Clave Trébol

Genre: Sierreño, Norteño

Winery Sponsor: Rodney Strong

Concert Sponsors: Steve Kawa & Dan Henkle

 Born in Northern California in 2016, Clave Trébol’s upbeat and lively music has made its way into many celebrations and homes of people all over California. The more cheerful and party-music type twist on the “Sierreño” (Regional Mexican) genre has allowed them to leave their mark at every stage and presentation. As soon as they hit the stage, everyone better be ready to put on your dancing shoes to party all night long. Having a wide range of their very own original songs and some great covers songs with their special Clave Trébol twist, there is sure to be something for all musical tastes. CHEERS!!”

  

June 16 – Polyrhythmics

Genre:  Progressive Funk

Winery Sponsor: Murphey-Goode

Concert Sponsor: Reuser, Inc

 Polyrhythmics are a Seattle based progressive funk, psychedelic rock and modern afro-beat recording artist and national touring collective.

 Now on their sixth album and tenth year performing, Polyrhythmics, take all sonic exploration experiences of past albums combined with mad scientist experiments testing the tunes on the road and roll them into the final product that is Man from the Future. “We learn so much about how to get the sounds we want—and we do this ourselves. Every record we make, we build off the experiences of the last record,” says Schroff. The album was recorded at Studio Aleph and engineered and mixed by the band’s bassist Jason Gray at Blue Mallard Studios. It was then mastered by Doug Krebs of Doug Krebs Mastering and will be released on Color Red, record label and music platform founded by Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds.

 

June 23 – David Luning Band

Genre: Americana   

Winery Sponsors: Goldeneye, Kelley & Young

Concert Sponsor: Redwood Empire Sawmill

 “Rebellious troubadour” as called by Rolling Stone, David Luning is celebrated for his compelling, dynamic live performances sharing the stage with Tedeschi Trucks, Chris Issak, Robert Earl Keen, Jay Leno, Son Volt, Jackie Greene among others. Luning writes, records and performs all original songs. He can entertain and delight large crowds, performing solo with just guitar and harmonica. For this show, Luning will be joined by his killer band, comprised of Dave Sampson, Ben Dubin and Linden Reed

 

June 30 – The Pulsators

Genre: Rocking Rhythm & Blues

Winery Sponsors: Dry Creek Vineyard, Saini Vineyards

Concert Sponsors: Sonoma Clean Power

 The Pulsators have been ripping it up, tearing it down and rocking the house for decades. This is a band that truly loves what they do. Their own brand of original music has been described as a “spicy mix of hard driving Rockin’ Rhythm and Blues, New Orleans style funk and Rock Steady Reggae with a steady dose of the Blues thrown in.”

 Their repertoire is centered around their self-penned songs but they also like to throw in a few favorites by other artists such as Jimmy Reed, Huey ”Piano” Smith, Dandy Livingston and The Meters. The guys pepper their performances with gems from the Blues, Reggae, Ska and Rhythm and Blues genres.

 A longtime favorite of fans on their home turf and winners of three Press Democrat Reader's Choice Awards, the band has played extensively from California to Louisiana. They are renown for being a consistent and dependable crowd pleaser.

 

July 7 – The Nth Power

Genre: Soul, R&B

Winery Sponsor: Pine Mountain Cloverdale Peak

Concert Sponsors: Bob Scott & Tim McDonald, Exchange Bank

 Proving that soul music can be exponentially greater than the sum of its parts, The Nth Power is on a mission to share the light. Formed during an impromptu late-night jam at Jazz Fest 2012 in New Orleans, the relentlessly funky and soulful band believes in music as a higher power tapping into an energy that is simultaneously sexy and spiritual, with songs that will inspire audiences to dance, groove, make love or just stand there with goose bumps.

The trio hails from diverse musical backgrounds, races and creeds. Female powerhouse Nikki Glaspie was Beyonce’s world-touring drummer for five years before she joined Ivan Nevilles New Orleans funk outfit, Dumpstaphunk. Bassist Nate Edgar of Groovechild and John Browns Body perfectly complements singer and guitarist Nick Cassarino, who came from the Jennifer Hartswick Band and toured with Big Daddy Kane.

 

July 14 – QUITAPENAS

Genre: Afro-Latin

Winery Sponsor: Ferrari-Carano

Concert Sponsor: Geoff & Nancy Dalwin

 QUITAPENAS, one word – all caps, four syllables – all claps, gives you a taste of their rhythmic contagion. This tropical Afro-Latin combo was born under the warm California sun. They borrow aesthetics from the radical 60s, 70s and 80s. Each song echoes a remix of history and invites one to engage in the liberating evenings of Angola, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and beyond. The name means “to remove worries.” Everybody has a “pena” and the mission of QUITAPENAS is simple: to make you dance and leave you without a worry.

 QUITAPENAS was formed in 2011 around their shared love of dance rhythms from the Tropical Afro Latin diaspora. They assembled a group of like-minded friends to share the vision that went on to be QUITAPENAS. The group is made up of first generation son’s of immigrant parents from Guatemala and Mexico.

  

July 21 – Shinyribs

Genre: Swamp Funk 

Winery Sponsor: Pellegrini-Olivet Lane

Concert Sponsor: Delores & Gary Arabian

Shinyribs defies genres as a sonic melting pot of Texas blues, New Orleans R&B funk, horn-driven Memphis soul, country twang, border music, big band swing, and roots-rock. The Austin-based nine-piece (sometimes 10-piece) supergroup is led by Kevin Russell, the charismatic frontman with colorful suits and extravagant shoes who continuously swaps out an electric guitar for a ukulele and never falls short of creating a cinematic experience with on-stage antics that often include him donning a light-up cloak or leading a conga line through the crowd.

 Shinyribs was named Best Austin Band at the Austin Chronicle’s Austin Music Awards (2017, 2018), awarded Album of the Year for I Got Your Medicine (2017), and Best 2020-Themed Song for "Stay Home" (2020).

 

July 28 – Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings

Genre: Slide Guitar Blues        

Winery Sponsor: Pedroncelli, Unti Vineyards

Concert Sponsor: Redwood Credit Union

 Roy Rogers is one of the premier slide guitarists performing today. He is also an internationally acclaimed producer, having produced recordings for John Lee Hooker (4 GRAMMY Nominations and 2 GRAMMY Awards) and Ramblin' Jack Elliott (2 GRAMMY Nominations). He has received numerous accolades for his songwriting (GRAMMY Nomination for ‘Song for Jessica’ ), as well as his work on movie soundtracks and television.

 For nearly 30 years Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings have continued to bring the blues to its legions to fans around the world. Like his namesake, Rogers is a singer himself, and also a master slide guitarist with a distinctive and instantly recognizable style

 

August 4 – Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble

Genre: Zydeco & Blues

Winery Sponsor: Carpenter Wines

Concert Sponsor: Cloverdale Edward Jones, Ray's Food Place, Rotary Club of Cloverdale

 Curley Taylor and his band, Zydeco Trouble, hail from the heart of Creole country in Louisiana. Curley's soulful, bluesy vocals and the band's hard driving zydeco beat blend to create their unique style of zydeco and blues that keeps audiences dancing. It's always a party when Zydeco Trouble comes to town.

 Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble tour extensively throughout the US, playing festivals and clubs from New York to San Diego and from Florida to Seattle. Often playing to audiences who have never heard Zydeco music before, they make fans wherever they go.

 

August 11 – Young Dubliners

Genre: Celtic Rock

Winery Sponsors: Davis Bynum

Concert Sponsors: Cloverdale Ace Hardware, Papa's Pizza Café, Russ Bertuccelli & Joanne Menapace

The Young Dubliners are led by vocalist, guitarist and Dublin native, Keith Roberts who founded the five-piece Celtic rock group in Los Angeles in the early ‘90s. Since then, the band has released 9 full-length albums, had multiple chart appearances on Billboard, a live concert DVD, and earned a passionate legion of thousands of fans in North America and beyond. With a strong foundation in both the rock universe and the world of Irish music, The Young Dubliners stretch the limits of the mainstream appeal of Celtic rock.

Their career includes not only every major Celtic festival, but also tours with progressive rock legends Jethro Tull, John Hiatt, Collective Soul, Chris Isack and Great Big Sea (to name but a few). The Dubs lengthy history also includes TV performances at the 2001 Olympic Games, CBS Early Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live!

 

August 18 – The Dune Dogs

Genre: Carolina Country-fried Swamp n Roll

Winery Sponsors: Palmeri Wines

Concert Sponsors: MoE's Eagles Nest Deli, Rich & Amy Schaefers

 Conceived and delivered on Ocracoke Island, NC over 20 years ago, The Dune Dogs bring their own brand of “Carolina Country-fried Swamp n’ Roll” energy and vibe to every show…no two of which are ever the same. Fans say their sound “smells like country, tastes like rock n’ roll”…Call it what you want, most call it a runaway hayride through the Americana countryside. Expect visits “down east Carolina”…through Nashville, Memphis, Austin and on to California. Strap yourself in, get your good robe on and tape your ankles…these canine shenanigans will surely get a body moving.

 

August 25 – The Coffis Brothers

Genre:  Rootsy Rock  

Winery Sponsor: Amista, Ridge Vineyards

Concert Sponsor: Mark Jain, Rani Bella Jain & Danielle Civitillo, Val & Neena Hanchett

 “The Coffis Brothers mix a blend of folk, country and Rock with the intensity of personal lyrics into a gritty and often tender harmony of sound…A show that delivers one part Avett Brothers and one part early Neil Young for a full night of dancing and fun” ~ Santa Crus Weekly

 

September 1 – La Gente SF

Genre: Salsa, Cumbia, Reggaeton

Winery Sponsor: Roth Estate

Concert Sponsor: David McChesney

 La Gente SF was born in the eclectic San Francisco Bay Area and is led by Rafael Bustamante Sarria: singer-songwriter and voting member of the Recording Academy/Grammy's. La Gente SF has just released "Lotus Hotel" their first single and music video from their 5th studio album "Entre 2 Mundos"

 The group has created their own unique blend of World Music, Cumbia, Reggae, Salsa, Hip-Hop and Reggaeton. Their music and live shows fuse together rhythms, dances and cultural influences from all over Latin America and the Caribbean with a distinct San Francisco flavor, to create an infectious, high energy dance party.

Friday Night Live at the Plaza is produced by the Cloverdale Arts Alliance. Underwriting support is provided by a number of generous local individual, business, and winery sponsors. 

 Best way to enjoy Friday Night Live:

Festivities begin at 6:00 PM when the Street Fair opens with meals-to-go; sweet treats; wines and craft beers; locally crafted art, jewelry, clothing and wellness products; and kids’ activities.

  • Food booths at the Street Fair offer a wide variety of delicious meals. With choices from Fish n Chips to Meat Pies, BBQ oysters to Lamb Gyros, there is something for everyone. Local restaurants are also open for early bird and late-night specials.

  • Music runs from 7:00-9:30 PM.

  • Arrive early and bring your own lawn chair as seating/chairs are not provided. The concert seating area is limited.

  • Craft beer, local wines, and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase by the glass. 

  • The conditions of the ABC permit for Friday Night Live do not allow outside alcoholic beverages at the concerts. Also, please dispose of any alcoholic beverages purchased at the shows before you leave.

  • Sonoma County Health Department regulations do not allow dogs within the street fair area. Well-behaved dogs are allowed within the Plaza.

Friday Night Live at the Plaza is produced by the Cloverdale Arts Alliance. Underwriting support is provided by a number of generous local individual, business, and winery sponsors. 

FNL’s Community Angels are David McChesney, Delores & Gary Arabian, Steve Kawa & Dan Henkle, Geoff & Nancy Dalwin, and Tom & Cynthia LaConte. Sonoma Clean Power is a Platinum Sponsor, Presenting Sponsors are Calpine at the Geysers, Redwood Credit Union, Redwood Empire Sawmill and Reuser Inc. Major Sponsors are Bob Scott & Tim McDonald, Eagle Distributing, Exchange Bank, MoE’s Eagles Nest Deli, and Wine Industry Network. Media Sponsors include Cloverdale Connect. Grants received from Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and City of Cloverdale.

 For more information visit  www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org or call (707) 894-4410.