Must-see performances abound this fall

The summer concert season has sped by, with its free performances in the parks and country stars at county fairs. And during the coming month, the sound of music will gradually begin to move back indoors.

At the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park, where the back of Weill Hall opens up for lawn seating, there will still be chances to have it both ways. Weill Hall has more than half a dozen big-name concerts lined up, with both indoor and outdoor seats available, for September, starting Wednesday with Elvis Costello and the Imposters.

The fall season at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts gets rolling Sept. 11 with singer Jennifer Nettles of the hit duo Suglarland, and gathers momentum Sept. 20 with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Colbie Calliat.

Meanwhile, two beloved outdoor music festivals, among the last of the year, return in the weeks to come: B.R. Cohn Annual Charity Fall Music Festival in Glen Ellen, Sept. 19-22, and the Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival, Sept. 20-21.

And for those who are looking for more than live music, the next month offers other treats, including the annual Wings Over Wine Country air show in Santa Rosa on Sept. 20-21 and the Wine Country Film Festival, running Sept. 17-21.

Here's a sample of what's coming up:

Green Music Center: The September line-up is stellar for Weill Hall on the Sonoma State University campus: comedian Gabriel Iglesias, Sept. 5; eclectic singer-songwriter Ben Harper, Sept. 13; jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis with singer Cécile McLorin Salvant;, Sept. 20; soul diva Diana Ross, Sept. 23, and country star Trace Adkins, Sept. 26.

All of these shows will offer both indoor and outdoor seating.

The 2014-2015 season at Weill Hall officially opens Sept. 28 with a gala featuring a tribute to Frank Sinatra performed by singer and pianist Michael Feinstein.

The Santa Rosa Symphony opens its season Oct. 11 at Green Music Center, with the San Francisco Symphony playing Oct. 16. Tickets, information: 866-955-6040; sonoma.edu.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts: After offering a couple of younger talents, Nettles and Cailliat, the center offers a couple of old favorites, the classic rock band Heart on Sept. 25 and the 1960s comedy duo Cheech and Chong on Sept. 26. Popular rockers O.A.R. (short for Of a Revolution) play Sept. 30.

October offerings at Wells Fargo Center include comic Nick Offerman, from NBC's hit comedy series 'Parks & Recreation,' on Oct. 3, and classic soul acts The Temptations and The Four Tops on Oct. 23.

Tickets, information: 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

B.R. Cohn Annual Charity Fall Music Festival: Bruce Cohn's winery in Glen Ellen features Melissa Etheridge and The Wallflowers on Sept. 20 and Peter Frampton and Huey Lewis and the News on Sept. 21, with Los Lonely Boys playing both days.

Tickets: general admission one day, $79; two-day pass, $129.

The weekend also includes a gala dinner Sept. 19 and a golf tournament Sept. 22. Information: 1-855-235-2867; brcohnfallfestival.org.

Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival: Johnson's Beach in Guerneville hosts two days of live music Sept. 20-21, with saxophonist Boney James headlining the first day, and a roster that includes guitarist Gary Clark Jr., New Orleans trombonist and trumpeter Trombone Shorty and slide guitarist Roy Rogers on the second day.

Tickets: weekend pass, $80; single day, $50; single day child, $10. Information: russianriverfestivals.com.

Wings Over Wine Country: At the Pacific Air Museum's annual air show, held at the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, just north of Santa Rosa, the planes are the stars. This year's event on Sept. 20-21 features the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, among many others.

Tickets: $5-$18 in advance; $5-$20 at the gate. Information: 566-8380.

Wine Country Film Festival: Sonoma County's annual salute to cinema runs Sept. 17-22 at multiple venues.

One of the highlights will be the world premiere of the new documentary about Petaluma musician Bobby Jo Valentine. 'Bobby Jo: Journey of Singer-Songwriter' screens Sept. 22 at Deerfield Winery Ranch in Kenwood.

The evening opens with a live performance by Valentine at 7 p.m., followed by the film.

Festival tickets: $25, weekday pass; $45, weekend day pass; $85, festival pass for local residents only: $100, festival pass. Information: 935-3456; wcff.us.

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com.