Just before the pandemic hit, there were a flurry of concerts. My son is in a band called, Peach Fuzz, which was formed in the Summer of 2019 in the drummer, Will's garage. After playing in the MSA Fall Soiree in September 2019 and at the MSA Winter Soiree on December 2019, they got a chance to play at the historic Phoenix Theater in Petaluma. Not only was this an opera house from the early 20th century, but a music venue and a movie house. It also being used to serve the youth in the area. The Phoenix Theater is now a non-profit run by a great guy, Tom Gaffey, who has spent his life refurbishing old movie houses. The venue has skateboard ramps for the kids. They have days where there is a free teen clinic to get health checks, birth control, testing, etc. They also have concerts like this one to help young bands like those that were playing last night. Please consider donating to the Phoenix. 

This evening was on Valentine's Day, so my husband and I shared a light dinner at a cool little cafe in Downtown Petaluma that was an intersection of our interests: wine and boardgames!

It is difficult to put in words what this night meant to me. In the back of my mind I knew that the pandemic was edging closer and possibly already here. I had to wrestle with the decision to go to a concert indoors. No one around me was as concerned as I was, so I was made to feel that I was overreacting. If they were right, I couldn't live with myself denying my son this opportunity and I would never miss any of his concerts. It was beautiful to see joyful young people creating music, dancing, and generally being energetic teenagers. Parents were instructed to steer clear of the mosh pit and that delighted my Gen X soul. 

In my humble opinion, the band brought it that night. Leo, the lead singer was just a master entertainer and commanded the stage. I also appreciate that my son and the bassist, Michael were able to play both guitar and bass. Will the drummer laid down those awesome beats. 

Photos of the band were taken by the talented Aiden King and the photos of the graffiti and the venue were taken by me.  It was such a great night. 

December is usually a time when there are all kinds of Winter concerts at Marin School of the Arts. 2020 meant pivoting music concerts online. Students that were used to performing live at the Performing Arts Center at Novato High, Sweetwater Music Hall, and the Novato Hopmonk were learning new skills like recording tracks, editing them together, and recording video to the music to create this. Megan, the vocalist pulled the final result together. 

This song was the final performance to the Winter Soiree and it was a great way to end a night of talented students and alumni of MSA. It was great that we could end that horrible year with the promise that good love is on the way. 

Infinity Rat is a band formed via the Marin School of the Arts Rock Band program. Infinity Rat is Lewis Castellucci (Guitar), Michael Cook (Bass Guitar), Trinity Vincent and Qiana Hester (Vocals), and Moises Spir-Uribe (Drums). Infinity Rat performed "Money" at the Marin School of the Arts Fall Soiree on September 13, 2019. 

Peach Fuzz is a band formed by students of the Marin School of the Arts Rock Band Program at Novato High School. Peach Fuzz is Leo Hirsch (Vocals and Guitar), Michael Cook (Bass Guitar), Lewis Castellucci (Guitar), and Will Roth (Drums). This debut performance was at the Marin School of the Arts Fall Soiree on September 13th.

Zach Lee is in the Musical Theater program at Marin School of the Arts, but is a singer-songwriter with a band who performed at the Soiree. The MSA Soiree is really brilliant for allowing students from any discipline to perform in or out of their own discipline. This event is organized by the students themselves and is always highly entertaining. Zach had earlier performed the National Anthem at a Giants game. 

The band "What's in the Box?" plays Violent Femme's song, "Blister in the Sun" at the Marin School of the Arts Spring Rock concert at the Novato Hopmonk Session Room on May 16, 2019.

For years DNA wanted to save Free Bird for their last song at their last concert. They never thought that they would get here, but most members are off to college now. 

After running through their extended last set twice, the members of DNA (Lewis, Jonah, Oliver, Lucas, and Spencer) sat with mentor Seth Affoumado of Sunnbolt Studios for some photos.