Rolando Morales December 2016 Newsletter

Rolando Morales will appear at Barone's December 2, 2016
Rolando Morales will appear at Barone’s December 2, 2016

Hola, Mi Gente!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!  I enjoyed mine.  I drove down to So Cal in time to be with my Mom on her birthday last week.  It was really important to me that I spend that precious time with her and make her smile.  I stayed through Thanksgiving and drove back up the following day in time to get into a small car accident on Black Friday night in Dublin on the way home, work all night wrestling with a failing “Mail” program with AT&T tech until 2am, and hit a private gig.  I think everything is finally up and running in time for a heavy December schedule.

This week in addition to my private shows, I’m happy to be returning to Barone’s Restaurant in Pleasanton this Friday night for a solo show at a first rate establishment.  I always enjoy the patrons and staff at this warm, welcoming venue.  Details below.

And on Saturday December 3, I return to The Vine at Bridges in Danville for a nice Latin Holiday version of my sound.  I’ll have my buddy Edgardo Cambon along to add his fire on Latin Percussion and vocals.  This might be my last appearance at The Vine for several months, so don’t miss it!  Details below.

Rolando Morales Duo at The Vine at Bridges featuring Edgardo Cambon
Rolando Morales Duo at The Vine at Bridges featuring Edgardo Cambon

Know, too, that I’m returning for our annual  Christmas “La Posada” Celebration for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Thursday December 8 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Rafael.  It’s a great opportunity for dining, networking, dancing and grooving to my music.  All the details are below.

The last public highlight happens on Saturday December 17 when I perform a special dinner show at RaeSet in Napa.  They’ll provide a special 3-course Asian fusion meal with paired beers, and I’ll do a show for each of two seatings.  All the details are below in the calendar.  Definitely make your reservations soon as seating is limited.  See www.raeset.com and order on line.  Details below in the Calendar. 

So check out your new December Calendar, come out and say Hey.  See you at the show!

Ciao,

Rolando 

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES DECEMBER 2016

Friday Dec 2, Barone’s Restaurant, 475 St. John St., Pleasanton CA, approx 7:30-10:30pm.   Rolando returns to one of Pleasanton’s premier dining establishments.  Enjoy exquisite meals, libations and Rolando’s vast repertoire in the Cocktail Lounge for a great night out.  See www.baronespleasanton.com(925) 426-0987.

Saturday Dec 3, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, approx 8-11pm.  The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot.  Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and munchies while grooving to this powerful duet.  Tonight Rolando reunites with the wonderful Latin percussionist/vocalist from Uruguay who leads Candela, the great Edgardo Cambón; and on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales.  This is only the second time they’re playing at this venue this year, so don’t miss it!  www.thevineatbridges.com(925) 820-7210.

Thursday Dec 8, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin Annual Christmas “La Posada” Celebration, Embassy Suites Hotel, 101 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael CA, 5:30 to 9:30pm.  Cecilia Zamora, President of this fine organization, has invited Rolando to play for this fun celebration with members and non-members interested in this influential body of community leaders.  Enjoy Rolando performing on solo guitar and voice as you unwind to cocktails and hors d’ouvres, your included dinner and then the presentation of three annual prestigious awards.   Then Rolando will play a spirited set for dancing to close the evening.  You will emerge having made meaningful connections and sharing new insights.  $50 members/$65 non-members.   RSVP and purchase online: http://www.tinyurl.com/XMASLaPosada2016.  For info call (415) 721-9686 or email hccmarin@um.att.com.

Thursday Dec 15, Piacere, 727 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 9070, 8-11 pm.  After 2 years away, Rolando finally returns to this fine Peninsula restaurant that takes you on a culinary tour of Italy.  Rolando will take you on a sensory tour of the Americas and beyond on solo guitar and voice.  Come along for the ride.  www.piacererestaurant.com(650) 592-2040.

Saturday Dec 17, RaeSet, 3150B Jefferson Street, Napa CA 94558, Two Dinner Seatings: 5 to 6pm and 7:15 to 8:15pm.  Two Shows: approx 6 to 7:15 and 8 to 9:15pm.  Rolando debuts at this local Napa Asian Fusion casual dining room which pairs great food, great beer and great music.  Tonight they offer two seatings for a special 3-course Asian-inspired dinner.  Rolando will serve up his own unique blend of international flavors on solo guitar and voice, tailoring his sound to the moment.  $50 includes show, 3-course dinner and a tasting of Almanac beers.  Limited seating!  Reserve now at (707) 666-2475www.raeset.com.

Thursday Dec 29, Piacere, 727 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 94070, 8-11 pm.  Rolando returns to this fine Peninsula restaurant that takes you on a culinary tour of Italy.  Rolando will take you on a sensory tour of the Americas and beyond on solo guitar and voice in the fun, lively bar area.   www.piacererestaurant.com(650) 592-2040.

Friday Dec 30, Don Pico’s Mexican Bistro, 461 El Camino Real, San Bruno, 6 to 9 pm.   Rolando  returns to this popular dining spot for the last time this year on solo guitar and voice in the intimate Restaurant Room.  (650) 589-1163 and see  www.donpicosbistro.com

All other shows are private.  Why not hire Rolando for your own private event?  He’s available for corporate shows, weddings, parties, concerts and festivals. The Rolando Morales group is available as sextet, quintet, quartet, trio and duo depending on your entertainment needs and budget.

Tonight Rolando Morales and Edgardo Cambón Duet will perform at Vines at Bridges

Vine July

Thursday July 14, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, approx 7-10pm.  After 2 months away, The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot for its only Thursday night appearance, coinciding with the Danville Car Show.  Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and munchies while enjoying this powerful duet.  Tonight Rolando reunites with the Latin percussionist/vocalist from Uruguay, the leader of Candela, Edgardo Cambón; and on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales.  Don’t miss it! www.thevineatbridges.com(925) 820-7210

Rolando Morales Public Performance July 2016

Rolando Morales , Estaire Godinez and David Belove will perform on Saturday July 23rd at Pairings Cellars in downtown Pleasanton.
Rolando Morales , Estaire Godinez and David Belove will perform on Saturday July 23rd at Pairings Cellars in downtown Pleasanton.
Rolando Morales Performances July 2016

Thursday July 14, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, approx 7-10pm.  After 2 months away, The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot for its only Thursday night appearance, coinciding with the Danville Car Show.  Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and munchies while enjoying this powerful duet.  Tonight Rolando reunites with the Latin percussionist/vocalist from Uruguay, the leader of Candela, Edgardo Cambón; and on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales.  Don’t miss it! www.thevineatbridges.com(925) 820-7210

Friday July 15, Don Pico’s Mexican Bistro, 461 El Camino Real, San Bruno, 6 to 9 pm.   Rolando  returns on solo guitar and voice in the intimate Restaurant Room.  (650) 589-1163 and see  www.donpicosbistro.com.

Saturday July 16, Wente Vineyards, Estate Winery and Tasting Room Patio, 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore CA 94550, 1-5pm.  Rolando’s first public Wente appearance was a hit, so he returns a second time.  Enjoy a superb wine tasting experience on the lovely Wente Estate and enjoy Rolando on solo guitar and voice out on the patio among the lush grounds of the Estate Winery.  www.wentevineyards.com/tasting-rooms/estate-winery-tasting-room.

Sunday July 17, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 2-5pm.  Enjoy a Mexican brunch at Carlos Santana’s lively cantina and Rolando performing on the newly renovated front patio on solo guitar and voice by the creek. He may be joined by     Bob Harrison on flute.  www.mariamariarestaurants.com,   (925) 946-1010

Friday July 22, Don Pico’s Mexican Bistro, 461 El Camino Real, San Bruno, 6-9 pm.   Rolando  returns on solo guitar and voice, now in the intimate Restaurant Room.  Call (650) 589-1163 and   www.donpicosbistro.com.

Saturday July 23, Pairings Cellars, 310 Main Street, Suite B, Pleasanton CA 94566, 8-11pm.  Rolando debuts at this brand new, exciting social hotspot in downtown Pleasanton.  This new wine bar will feature fine wines, tapas and the Rolando Morales Trio, featuring from Prince and George Benson, the charismatic Latin percussionist/vocalist    Estaire Godinez; from Pete Escovedo and Tito Puente, bassist David Belove; and Rolando Morales leading the way on guitar, guitar synth and voice.  Free! www.pairingscellars.com(925) 398-8846.

Sunday July 24, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 2-5pm.  Enjoy a Mexican brunch at Carlos Santana’s lively cantina and Rolando performing on the newly renovated front patio on solo guitar and voice by the creek. He may be joined by Bob Harrison on flute.  (925) 946-1010  to  www.mariamariarestaurants.com

Rolando Morales Duo at Fairmont July 28, 2016

Thursday July 28, The San Jose Fairmont, Lobby Lounge, 170 South Market St., San Jose CA, 9pm-Midnight.  Rolando returns for you South Bay fans to this elegant venue.  Celebrate the night with fine wines, unique martinis, appetizers and sushi along with the Rolando Morales Duet, this time featuring the Latin percussionist/vocalist from Dizzy Gillespie, Danilo Paíz; and Rolando Morales leading the way on guitar and vocals and his magic pedal board.  Free!  See www.fairmont.com/sanjose/ for info, or call (408) 998-1900.

Friday July 29, Don Pico’s Mexican Bistro, 461 El Camino Real, San Bruno, 6-9 pm.   Rolando  returns on solo guitar and voice, now in the intimate Restaurant Room.  Call (650) 589-1163 and  www.donpicosbistro.com

Sunday July 31, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 2-5pm.  Enjoy a Mexican brunch at Carlos Santana’s lively cantina and Rolando performing on the newly renovated front patio on solo guitar and voice by the creek. He may be joined by Bob Harrison on flute.(925) 946-1010.   www.mariamariarestaurants.com  

All other shows are private.  Why not hire Rolando for your own private event?  He’s available for corporate shows, weddings, parties, concerts and festivals. The Rolando Morales group is available as sextet, quintet, quartet, trio and duo depending on your entertainment needs and budget.  

Rolando Morales shares his thoughts about this week.

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“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”
                Martin Luther King, Jr., Stride Towards Freedom, 1958

Hola, Mi Gente!

It’s been a tough week for our country. So much tragedy and violence, needlessly inflicted. We feel burdened with pain and anger. We’re reminded of how little some things have changed over the last six decades. How do we as a nation move forward?

I thought President Obama delivered a beautiful, powerful speech today at the memorial for the five fallen officers in Dallas. Playing the role yet again of Consoler in Chief, he helped the nation cope with the violence which has traumatized our country, while at the same time, eloquently compelling us to admit to the real racial oppression that people of color experience daily. He urged us to listen to one another, to find the similarities that unite us and to empathize with and acknowledge the real pain each side experiences.

I was encouraged to hear him say that “we will need to act on the truths that we know. And that’s not easy, it makes us uncomfortable. But we’re going to have to be honest with each other and ourselves.” That’s the way forward.

At all my performances, I have been including special songs to ease our hearts and souls in these trying times. Even at last Saturday’s Sausalito Seahorse performance, our world class band played a rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On?” to an appreciative audience. Big thanks to Carlos Reyes, Estaire Godinez, Celso Alberti and David Belove for their talents, and to all of you who packed the Seahorse again.

This Thursday I’m doing a special show at The Vine at Bridges in Danville on Thursday July 14 with my talented buddy from Uruguay, Edgardo Cambón. I’ve been away from there for a few months, and they’ll have the 2016 Danville Hot Summer Nights Hot Rod and Classic Car Show happening right outside, so it’s definitely worth coming out for. Details.

I’m also returning to Wente Vineyards this Saturday July 16 from 1-5pm on solo guitar and voice. Details.

I’m also excited to be part of the Grand Opening of a new Wine Bar, Pairings Cellars on Main Street in downtown Pleasanton. We’ll be kicking off our appearances there next week Saturday night, July 23 with a great trio featuring the percussionist/vocalist from Prince, Estaire Godinez; the great bassist from Pete Escovedo, David Belove; and I’ll be there on guitar, guitar synth and voice. Details.

There’s so much more in store. Just check out the calendar, make your reservations and I’ll see you at the show!

Ciao,
Rolando

Edgardo Cambon joins Roland Morales at The Vine at Bridges, July 14, 2016

Edgar Cambon joins Rolando Morales tonight at The Vine at Bridges
Edgar Cambon joins Rolando Morales tonight at The Vine at Bridges

Thursday July 14, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, approx. 7-10pm.  After 2 months away, The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot for its only Thursday night appearance, coinciding with the Danville Car Show.  Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and munchies while enjoying this powerful duet.  Tonight Rolando reunites with the Latin percussionist/vocalist from Uruguay, the leader of Candela, Edgardo Cambón; and on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales.  Latin Jazz at its best. Don’t miss it!  www.thevineatbridges.com, (925) 820-7210.