Published in the November 21 – December 4, 2018 issue of Morgan Hill Life
With the realization that summer has passed and Thanksgiving is near, retail stores are now decorated for the holiday season while radio and television commercials are leaning away from turkeys and trending toward Black Friday and Christmas, so goes another outdoor concert season.
No more sitting outside on the patio of your favorite winery sipping some delicious wines and taking in the live music. No more downtown music concerts and certainly no more dancing in the streets while your favorite band is ripping out the tunes that have shaped our lives.
But live music is not gone by any means during this holiday season. Some of the wineries are now opening their tasting rooms as intimate live indoor music settings to get the public to come out and buy their fine wines, taste the latest blends and purchase gifts for the holidays.
In Morgan Hill, GVA Café continues to be the indoor hot spot for live music in their newly remodeled art gallery and music space next door to the café. Their very successful Chris & Friends Acoustic Open Mic Night is still jamming along every Wednesday evening. Check their calendar or Facebook page for details.
88 Keys Café continues to feature live entertainment and now another larger TV so you can watch all your favorite sports with a full bar, appetizers and dinner.
The South Valley Symphony is touting their latest holiday musical extravaganza “Holiday Hit Parade” Dec. 9. Featuring winter themes and holiday classics conducted by Anthony Quartuccio.
The show will be held at the Gavilan College Theater in Gilroy and tickets are still available for this fabulous night of music.
The wonderful Nutcracker dance show is truly an annual South County tradition presented by Lana’s Dance Studio. The shows are scheduled for Friday December 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday with two shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The show will be at the Gavilan College Theater.
For more details and tickets go to lanasdance.com. You can also buy tickets at BookSmart in Morgan Hill.
The local clubs and restaurants such as Bubbles and Sinaloa are continuing to bring in live music and the Farmer’s Markets rain or shine is still playing live music in the aisles.
Just because the weather is changing, the songs are not over. In Gilroy, the Longhouse Restaurant & Bar reopened earlier this year and has live music and dancing on the weekends.
Among the many wineries with live music, Clos LaChance begins their Holiday Kick-off Nov. 23 with David Johnson, Nov. 24 Johnny Neri performs his blend of Classic Rock. On Nov. 25 it’s The Mary Ellen Duo. All shows take place from 1 to 4 p.m. and are open to the public. On Dec. 2 Clos LaChance begins their December series Tunes on the Terrace with live music from 1 to 4 p.m. The Milias in Gilroy continues to offer live music Tuesday through Sunday in their bar area.
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On another note, please consider those less fortunate in Paradise and Magalia to the north and those in Southern California who have lost everything and are forced to endure the cold winter with no place to go and in need of everything.
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As a working musician the gigs have slowed down a little which always seems to be the case this time of year, but it gives me time to recharge my musical batteries, practice new songs, write more music and book venues for the upcoming year.
I am looking forward to leading the town in some Christmas songs Dec. 1 following the parade and tree lighting. If you are a musician I am sure you will agree this is the best time to work on your craft and plant the seeds that will grow into more musical gigs in 2019.
It’s a good time to start contacting venues to ensure you will be busy and certainly a good time to network with your other musical friends to exchange ideas.
Got a music tip? Send it to [email protected].
