Published in the September 12 – 25, 2018 issue of Morgan Hill Life

I am so pleased to announce that GVA Café has finished their remodeling after the pipe burst from above flooding their music venue and causing major damage closing the café for about two months. They are doing it in style by presenting one of the best harmonica players in the world, Jason Ricci, Saturday Sept 15. If Jimi Hendrix played the harmonica he would have sounded like Jason Ricci. Fast high runs, over-blowing, over-bending and every note he plays has a meaning. He is truly one of the hottest harp players in the world of harmonica and always carries a first-rate band.

GVA Café will also be the main sponsor of the acoustic stage at the two-day Taste of Morgan Hill Festival which will be taking place on Monterey Road in downtown Morgan Hill Sept. 29 and 30. There will be lots of music on two stages with mouth-watering food and an expanded Kid Zone making it fun for the entire family.

The Third Street Stage is the main stage with a total of 11 acts during the two days, including Moondance, Undercover, Mike Osborn, The Usual Suspects, Rock The Heat, Michelle Lambert, Fastlane, The Cocktail Monkeys, and Bent with a very special Street Dance Saturday night featuring James Wesley from Nashville opening the show for headliners The Hitmen.

The GVA Café Acoustic Stage will take place on Second Street and have 11 acts during the two days as well featuring many of the most talented acoustic musicians in the area.

Saturday brings in Steve Siacotos, Aprylle Gilbert, Steve Barbour, Tom Drake, Steven Gary, and Free Spirit.

Sunday includes Lost Coast Duo, Rick & Rae, Cookin’ Fenny Duo, Lambert Malloy & Company, and closing the festival Austin Freeman. The music begins at 10 a.m. both days.

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On another note, the front porches at many homes in downtown Gilroy will be singing with live local music at this year’s Porchfest 2018. On Saturday, Sept. 15, local musicians will donate their time and talent to be part of this year’s famous front porch music event.

Bring your chairs and coolers and enjoy a wide variety of free live local music spanning the entire list of music genres including jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock, bebop, folk, country, originals and oldies. The music begins at 1 p.m. and goes until 6 p.m. The music is absolutely free and you are invited to bring your well-behaved children to this annual musical event on the front porches of homes on Hanna Street, Fourth Street, and Fifth Street.

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This month the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley are celebrating their Fall Passport event which is an entire month-long party at 32 wineries in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Many of the venues including Clos LaChance, Seeker, Satori, Lion Ranch, Martin Ranch, Cooper-Garrod Vineyards, Sarah’s, Dorcich Family Vineyard, Miramar, The Stomping Ground  and Morgan Hill Cellars will offer live music along with tastes of their fine wines.

You can purchase a ticket that is good throughout the month for tastings and special deals on select wines and other benefits at all participating wineries. Passports are available online or at five locations (Guglielmo Winery, Fortino Winery, The GrapeVine, Bubbles and the Gilroy Welcome Center).

Passports can be purchased at participating wineries, as long as supplies last for $45. Your passport allows you to wine taste the entire passport month and when you visit the many participating local restaurants, wine bars, hotels and transportation company partners during the entire month, you will receive exclusive discounts such as free corkage, half price appetizers, overnight stay discounts and discounts on transportation.

For all the information visit santaclarawines.com

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Finally, The Houserockers have stepped into Joe Sharino’s shoes to carry on the Guglielmo music tradition that Joe so beautifully sold out every time he stepped on their stage. More details on those events coming down the road with a number of shows planned for 2019.

Got a music tip? Email Mark “Fenny” Fenichel at [email protected].