The Gravenstein Apple Fair, happening on August 12 – 13, at lovely Ragle Park in Sebastopol, is known for its wonderful farm-to-table eats, local libations, and fun for the whole family at the “sweetest little Fair in Sonoma County.” But did you know the Fair is also a terrific music festival with a variety of the Bay Area’s favorite bands playing on two main stages?
Given the Fair is turning 50, this year’s lineup is all about having a blowout celebration for our Golden Anniversary. These acts will have you tapping your toes or even up on your feet as you can’t help but move to their amazing rhythms.
Saturday Lineup (in order of appearance)
The music starts Saturday morning at 11 am on the North Coast Organics (NCO) stage with the Wild Catahoulas. With their combination of traditional Cajun French Louisiana two-step and waltzes plus modern Zydeco sounds, you’ll be dancing before lunch! Joined by Louisiana-born button accordion master, Andrew Carriere, the Wild Catahoulas will kick off your Fair experience in style.
Next up on the North Coast Public Media (NCPM) stage, is Erica Ambrin and The Eclectic Soul Project. An American Idol favorite, Erica Ambrin created “a space for musicians from all walks of life, birthing the Eclectic Soul Project, a jam band homage to music formed in 2015.”
At 1 pm Dan Imhoff and Friends (NCO) will share their unique fusion of global and local musicianship. After performing for over 20 years in Northern California, Dan now splits his time between the Bay Area and Spain, joining his sound with Spanish musicians who bring their global perspective to the Gravenstein Apple Fair stage.
At 2 pm on the NCPM stage, Santa Rosa band The Crux will bring their energetic blend of music to the Fair. They have appeared as a chain-rattling folk punk crew, an unhinged gospel service, a theatrical film-noir jazz combo, and more…. Get ready for energy and fun.
3 pm on the NCO stage, don’t miss La Agencia’s authentic norteno style of regional Mexican music that will keep the fiesta going.
Rainbow Girls will be headlining at 4 pm (NCPM). A Bay Area legend, Rainbow Girls is, “a gang of sweet angels punching you in the heart.” As the organizers of the first all-female show at the famed musical venue The Fillmore in San Francisco, it’s clear Rainbow Girls are women who rock!
The Sam Chase and The Untraditional will close out Saturday with a performance you won’t want to miss.This Bay Area band with its legion of dedicated fans, blends rock and roll with folk music while maintaining the attitudes and sensibilities that come from growing up on a healthy diet of punk rock.
Sunday Lineup
When the Fair opens at 10 am, a Sonoma County original, The Love Choir, with their heavenly harmonies and messages of peace and kindness will serenade guests as they enter beautiful Ragle Ranch Park. It’s a delightful way to begin a visit to the Fair.
At 11:30 am take a listen to the Wreckless Strangers on the NCPM stage. A collective of six Bay Area musicians performing music they call “California Americana Soul,” they’re known for their collaborative songwriting and high energy live shows. Moving your body to the music is welcome.
At 12:30 pm on the NCO stage, experience the wonderful combination of Eki’ Shola and E. Doc Smith in a performance that’s sure to electrify. Eki’ Shola has been featured in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and is a KQED and Best of the Bay Editors’ pick. Her seamless blend of jazz, soul, and electronica transcends genres. Joining her on stage will be E. Doc Smith, an electronic percussionist, who’s performed with internationally famous musicians including Brian Eno and Madonna.
Guests won’t want to miss SambaDá at 1:30 on the NCPM stage. Made up of a group of diverse musicians, they create a vibrant sound that is a mashup of afro-samba-reggae-funk with universal appeal. Prepare to get up and dance.
Continuing the party will be SoloRio and Matt Szemela on the NCO stage at 2:30. SoloRio is a Americana’n rock stone soup collaboration band based in the North Bay. They’ll be joined by fiddle phenom Matt Szemela for a foot stomping good time.
Get ready for some “San Francisco Soul,” as Royal Jelly Jive takes the NCPM stage at 3:30. Led by dynamic frontwoman Jaleh, this group is armed with retro horns, heavy grooves, and catchy songs that are impossible to resist. You’re gonna love their funky dance party.
To close out two days of amazing music, the Fair will end with a bang as Bay Area favorite Poor Man’s Whiskey, will take the NCO stage at 4:30. Poor Man’s Whiskey’s live show and sound is a blend of high octane old time/bluegrass music (often done on traditional acoustic instruments) and a more psychedelic blues/jam rock style that calls upon their earlier influences such as Pink Floyd, Allman Brothers Band, and the Grateful Dead. Dedicated to seamless transitions between acoustic and electric styles they also maintain an exciting element of improvisation. It’s a performance you won’t want to miss!
Remember you can get all this fantastic music and so much more at the Gravenstein Apple Fair, happening on August 12-13, in Sebastopol at Ragle Ranch Park.
The full lineup for both days can be found here: https://gravensteinapplefair.com/music-festival/lineup/
