Big Band Sounds In Corte Madera

Swing with the 17-piece Ray Simpson Big Band, plays the music of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. These local musicians have performed professionally for years. You’ll hear arrangements created by the late Ray Simpson, along with favorites from Count Basie, Les Brown, Jimmy Lunceford, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, and Glenn Miller.

You can simply sit and listen to the band’s crooners and guest singers perform favorites like, “It Had to Be You,” and “Mack the Knife” or get out on the floor and dance the night away! The band is a perennial Italian Street Painting Festival favorite and fills the Main Hall at the Corte Madera Community Center every second Wednesday of the month from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Henna artist Rachel Anne Palacios will visit the Corte Madera Library on Tuesday at 4 p.m. teach teens to create intricate temporary designs on their hands or feet using the ancient Indian craft. Parental permission is required. The event is free.

• The farmers market takes over the Town Center in Corte Madera every Wednesday, from noon to 5 p.m. Looking for kitchen ideas? Check out the Recipe of the Week on Larkspur-Corte Madera Patch every Saturday morning.

• Just in case you missed Cinco de Mayo, join Mariela Herrera on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Corte Madera Library as she tells stories and lead songs in both English and Spanish.

• Join Elizabeth Wong and Jeffrey Lee to learn step patterns and dance positions for a range of social dances, including Waltz, foxtrot, cha cha, East Coast wing, Tango, and more! No partner necessary. The lessons start Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Corte Madera Recreation Center. You can practice your new skills at the Big Band dance that follows from 8-10 p.m.