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Arts & Entertainment

Lagunitas Launches New Mini-Amphitheater

Alt-Americana star James McMurty is first to take the stage of brewery's new open-air venue

Petaluma music fans can now catch their favorite acts at the brand new Lagunitas mini amphitheater, which opened Monday night with a 300 plus concert for those in the know.

The brewery already hosts music events at its location on North McDowell Boulevard, but the new venue, located on the side of the business, will cater to dedicated music fans and sell tickets. Monday's inaugural show featured alt-Americana legend James McMurty, a sample of the type of talent Lagunitas owners want to attract to the venue.

“We’ll still have the beer garden,” said owner Tony Magee, “but that’s more of a social setting. But somebody like McMurtry doesn’t want to play to somebody’s back. The beer garden is for local bands, lesser-known acts – the shows are in the daytime, five times a week, and we’ll still be doing that.”

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The new amphitheater evolved when the business was excavating for a new brewhouse foundation, and had a lot of dirt that needed to be disposed of.

“This was the nearest, cheapest place to dump it, and once it started taking shape it evolved into the mini-amphitheater," said Magee. "It sounds corny, but it’s sort of  a gift back to Sonoma County who’ve been so cool to us.”

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McMurtry, a singer-songwriter with a decidedly populist bent, was a crowd pleaser. Some of his songs have been overtly leftist – “Cheney’s Toy” and “We Can’t Make it Here Anymore” come to mind – and even his more personal songs spell out a disaffection that’s not only personal but social and economic.

He’s got a strong voice, if limited in range; his 12-string guitar playing rings with rhythm and harmonics, and those in the audience who knew his material were clearly loving it. Plans for future shows at the amphitheater include Richard Thompson, John Hiatt, and McMurtry and his full band.

 “We’d like to attract national acts on their off-nights,” said Magee. “I want it to be a musician’s gig, where you can stand up there and see the audience,” he added. “I’ve seen McMurtry four or five times, and I’ve never seen him enjoy himself so much. So from that point of view, it was a success.”

The next show at the mini amphitheater will be on Sept. 29, featuring the group Gomez and local performer Trent Yaconelli. Tickets to the 6 p.m. free concert will only be available at the KRSH offices in Santa Rosa on a first come, first serve. For more info, visit www.lagunitas.com/420/index.html

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