Latest Events in Portola Valley(July Updated)

Winner of 15 Grammy Awards, Michael Brecker’s unique voice and approach to the tenor saxophone influenced every saxophonist playing jazz today. This evening will celebrate his acoustic jazz compositions, performed by his brother, trumpeter Randy Brecker, along with Bay Area tenor player Tod Dickow and the trio Charged Particles. The quartet’s recording of these compositions was included on “Best of” lists in JazzTimes, Jazzwise, All About Jazz, the Mercury News, Glide Magazine, the Jazz Journalists Association Poll, and the Jazz Critics Poll. Michael Brecker’s biographer, Bill Mikowski, said that the quartet is “staggering in its authenticity.” And Downbeat said they offer “exciting, satisfying stuff.” The quintet’s sold-out performances at Ronnie Scott’s in London and Birdland in New York inspired unrelenting standing ovations. Nippertown Magazine said the band’s performance at the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival was “often thrilling” and “the peak set of the day”. The Oxford Times said their performance at the Spin Jazz Club was “brilliant”. Jazz and Blues Report said: “Charged Particles is definitely dazzling.” Jazz Podium said they are “a tight unit that keeps the band sound exciting and the intensity high.” L.A. Jazz Scene said they offer “exciting music” that JazzThing magazine says “sizzles and pulsates.” Recently called “the greatest trumpet player alive” by renowned guitarist Al Di Meola, Randy Brecker is an award-winning trumpeter, composer, and band leader who has helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B, and rock for five decades. His trumpet and flugelhorn performances have graced hundreds of albums by a wide range of artists from James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and Parliament/Funkadelic to Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa. After moving to New York City, he was a member of such prominent bands as Clark Terry’s Big Bad Band, the Duke Pearson Big Band, the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and the Horace Silver Quintet. He performed with the jazz-rock super-band Blood, Sweat and Tears, the seminal fusion group ‘Dreams’, Larry Coryell’s Eleventh House, Stevie Wonder, and Billy Cobham. In 1975, Randy and his brother Michael created the Brecker Brothers band, who released six albums and garnered seven Grammy nominations. Since then, he has been one of the busiest artists in jazz. Dickow is “one of the best saxophonists in the world” according to Jazz Life Magazine, and his playing has been recognized by outstanding soloist awards at the Pacific Coast Jazz Festival and the Outstanding Soloist award from Down Beat Magazine. He has appeared with numerous celebrated artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Jackie & Roy, Harry Connick Jr, Steve Allen, Terry Gibbs, Frank Sinatra Jr., Dave Brubeck, and many more. We'll pour tastes of our wines, and we invite you to bring a picnic. Wine will also be available for purchase by the bottle. The concert begins at 6pm. We’re open from 5:00 to 8:00. Picnic tables are not available; feel free to bring a blanket to spread on the ground, or beach chairs. Please consider carpooling or bicycling, as parking is very limited. Information Source: Portola Vineyards | eventbrite

Discover the secrets of becoming a pro cyclist with Bike Skills 201 -- Climbing + Descending Skills. Building on the foundation laid in Bike Skills 101, this co-ed clinic is designed to take your skills to new heights. Over the course of four hours, you will learn the art of climbing like a seasoned professional. From seated climbs to standing climbs, from short climbs to steep climbs, and even extended climbs, you will master them all. But that's not all. We will also equip you with the techniques needed to descend with speed and finesse. You will learn how to navigate fast, straight descents as well as technical switchbacks. By the end of this clinic, you will have the confidence and expertise to conquer any terrain. Please note that Bike Skills 101 is a pre-requisite for this clinic. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your cycling skills. Join us at Savvy Bike in Portola Valley on November 4, 2023, for this exclusive event. Ticket prices range from $95 to $195.

Bike Skills 201 -- Climbing + Descending Skills is an advanced clinic designed for those who are ready to take their biking skills to the next level. Building on the foundation laid in Bike Skills 101, this four-hour co-ed clinic focuses on the art of climbing and descending like a pro. Whether it's seated climbs, standing climbs, short climbs, steep climbs, or extended climbs, participants will learn the techniques needed to conquer any ascent. And that's not all - attendees will also be taught the intricacies of fast straight descents and technical switchback descents, ensuring they have the skills to tackle any downhill terrain. Please note that Bike Skills 101 is a prerequisite for this clinic, as it provides the fundamental knowledge needed to fully benefit from Bike Skills 201. Don't miss out on this opportunity to become a master of climbing and descending on your bike. Sign up now for Bike Skills 201 -- Climbing + Descending Skills.

Discover the art of climbing and descending like a seasoned professional at Bike Skills 201 -- Climbing + Descending Skills. Building upon the foundation laid in Bike Skills 101, this 4-hour co-ed clinic delves deeper into refining your techniques. Learn the intricacies of various climbs, from seated to standing, short to steep, and even extended climbs. Following this, master the art of descending with a focus on both swift straight descents and technical switchback maneuvers. It is essential to have completed Bike Skills 101 as a prerequisite for this clinic. The event will take place on May 19, 2024, in Portola Valley at Savvy Bike. Ticket prices range from $95 to $245. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your biking skills and conquer new heights with Bike Skills 201.

The morning will have a children's focus with story time of local authors' books and an hour of silly, sweet music and acts (fun for all). Who is more creative than children!? Who better to remind us how to see beauty in all things? Although kids will enjoy the art activities and music offered throughout the day, the morning is especially for them. 10:30 am -- Local Author Story Time There is a wealth of wonderful stories being published by clever writers in our community. This story time is for the Kid in all of us presented in conjunction with our wonderful Portola Valley Public Library. 11:00 am -- Variety Show & Musical Theater Local youth from the Portola Valley Theater Conservatory will perform selections from this summer's musical, Shrek Jr., and an original pre-show experience, The Stinking Onion. Information Source: Portola Valley Creative Circle | eventbrite

Bike Skills 201 -- Climbing + Descending Skills Bike Skills 201 is a continuation of what you’ve learned in Bike Skills 101. In this 4-hour co-ed clinic, we’ll teach you how to climb like a pro – seated climbs, standing climbs, short climbs, steep climbs, extended climbs. And then, we’ll teach you how to come back down again, focusing on a fast straight descent, and then a technical switchbacky descent. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 101. Information Source: Savvy Bike | eventbrite

Bike Skills 201 -- Climbing + Descending Skills Bike Skills 201 is a continuation of what you’ve learned in Bike Skills 101. In this 4-hour co-ed clinic, we’ll teach you how to climb like a pro – seated climbs, standing climbs, short climbs, steep climbs, extended climbs. And then, we’ll teach you how to come back down again, focusing on a fast straight descent, and then a technical switchbacky descent. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 101. Information Source: Savvy Bike | eventbrite

Bike Skills 201 -- Climbing + Descending Skills Bike Skills 201 is a continuation of what you’ve learned in Bike Skills 101. In this 4-hour co-ed clinic, we’ll teach you how to climb like a pro – seated climbs, standing climbs, short climbs, steep climbs, extended climbs. And then, we’ll teach you how to come back down again, focusing on a fast straight descent, and then a technical switchbacky descent. Pre-requisite: Bike Skills 101. Information Source: Savvy Bike | eventbrite

"Extraordinary horn work... the two horns play together rather than just soloing one after the other. This elevates this recording and demonstrates the value of continued, long time — over sixteen years — of playing together." -- JazzViews The Bicoastal Collective, a contemporary jazz partnership of Grammy award winning American saxophonist Aaron Lington and Canadian trumpeter/flugelhorn player Paul Tynan, explores new sounds in jazz by focusing on original compositions and melody-driven improvisations. Their six albums published by OA2 records (most recently, Chapter 6 released in 2023), have been met with critical acclaim. Sidemen featured on the Collective’s recordings feature such luminaries as Stockton Helbing (Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen) Tom Luer (Grammy-nominee, Bill Holman, Gordon Goodwin), Corey Christiansen (Grammy-nominee), Wayne Wallace (multiple Grammy-nominee), Steffan Karlsson (Eddie Gomez Trio), Bobby Selvaggio (Kenny Werner), and many others. We'll pour tastes of our wines, and we invite you to bring a picnic. Wine will also be available for purchase by the bottle. The concert begins at 6pm. We’re open from 5:00 to 8:00. Picnic tables are not available; feel free to bring a blanket to spread on the ground, or beach chairs. Please consider carpooling or bicycling, as parking is very limited. Information Source: Portola Vineyards | eventbrite