A Sunday wine-tasting event in Zamora promises fun and funds for a good cause
Matchbook Mixer hopes to ignite community support for Davis music education
A group of parents, joined together in a common cause as The Holmes Band and Choir Boosters, has put together what sounds like a terrific fundraiser just a short ride up the valley on Sunday, April 19 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Cleverly named as the Matchbook Mixer, it will take place on the beautiful grounds of the Matchbook Wine Company in Zamora.
The press release actually says “Zamora, California,” but I think we already know what state tiny Zamora is in.
If you don’t know where Zamora is, just take I-5 North out of Woodland and you’ll be there in a matter of minutes. If you hit Weed, you’ve gone too far.
In the 10 seconds it takes to tour this once-bustling burg, be sure to take a picture of the classic white prairie-style church known as St. Agnes, a source of great pride in this charming community.
Now I like alliteration as much as the next guy, but if it were up to me, I’d have gone with Matchbook Madness to up the voltage of this worthy event.
But no matter the name of this extravaganza, the music-minded students at Holmes Junior High School and all of us in the community who enjoy their stellar performances will be the beneficiaries of this afternoon of wine, music and auctioneering to support student music programs.
The Holmes Junior High Band and Choir programs, led by Luiz Coelho and Hannah Miller, will directly benefit from the Matchbook Mixer Madness through the purchase or repair of musical instruments, along with professional sectional instruction, performance opportunities and transformative field trip experiences. Also benefiting from the event will be the DJUSD Junior High Jazz Band.
Sounds like a win-win for everyone. Or perhaps a wind-wind, depending on which musical instrument you prefer.
Guests will enjoy curated wine tastings from Matchbook Wine and live musical performances by world-class artists.
Featured performers include classical superstar Joshua Elmore, who is a former student of Coelho and is now the principal bassoonist of the San Francisco Symphony.
Also performing will be local vocalist Ashley Bean, along with Wealth of Nations, a legendary jam band based in Davis that’s been playing the Sacramento scene for nearly a decade.
According to event organizers, there will also be a “lively” silent auction. Or at least as lively as a “silent” auction can be.
“This event is about more than fundraising,” noted Alpin Hong, who serves as president of the Holmes Band and Choir Boosters.
“It’s about strengthening our community and ensuring our kids learn the confidence, teamwork and power of self-expression that great music education provides.”
Community members and local businesses are invited to participate as sponsors or donate auction items or services to help boost the event’s impact.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities or to become involved in this project, contact Hong at alpinhonghboosters@gmail.com.
On a sparkling Sunday afternoon in Yolo County, what could be better than a visit to Zamora?
Trust me on this.
Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com