What's happening in Sebastopol this week?
Art Trails Open Studios Tour, the songs of Tom Lehrer, a lobster bash, fiddler Alasdair Fraser, psychic fair and more
Basic Still Life Acrylic Painting: One Light Source Method
Monday, Oct. 6, 10 am to 12:30 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol, $120.
If you have never painted with acrylic paints, have tried acrylic painting with not much success, or have been painting with other mediums and would like to learn acrylic painting—this beginning class is for you. Each student will create a still-life incorporating a small size object (like a favorite cup, small jewelry box, cigar box, pitcher, etc.) and a piece of fabric you choose from your own home. A variety of other objects and fruits will be provided to complete the set-up. Get tickets and learn what you should bring to this class. Reserve your spot.
League of Women Voters Zoom on Prop. 50
Monday, Oct. 6, 5 pm, on Zoom
We rarely list online events, but this one seemed promising. The local League of Women Voters is having a speaker on Zoom to discuss Proposition 50. The speaker is Pedro Toledo, a commissioner on the independent 2020 California Citizen’s Redistricting Commission. Find out more.
Film: The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & the Art of Survival
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
“The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & the Art of Survival” is a visually stunning and sweeping feature documentary that traces the life and survival of the renowned painter through her powerful paintings – from her rise to international stardom in 1920s Paris to her move to the United States in 1940, fleeing the rise of fascism, and her revival in the current art market. Q&A with director/writer/producer Julie Rubio and co-producer Blake Wellen to follow both screenings. Get tickets.
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 6 pm, at Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Climate Action Committee interviews, plus—whoa!—six presentations: Coordinated Entry, Mobile Support Team, police statistics, Gold Ridge Fire first quarter stats and volunteer participation, and fourth quarter updates on the city’s Enterprise Funds and the General Fund. The council will also vote whether to direct the city attorney to look into what the city could do about the evictions at Woodmark. Also, there’s a bunch of stuff on the consent calendar and some of these may be pulled and added to the regular agenda. See full agenda and documentation here.
Film: Fools’ Paradise (Lost?)
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1 pm and 7pm, at the Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
A local filmmaker who late in life acquired an organic apple farm, Alexandra Lexton found herself searching for “stories of others who’d reconnected with nature in different ways, then brought their experiences in some meaningful way into the world.” This documentary elicits wisdom from 10 such interviewees, including a globetrotting photographer, a journalist, a Navajo scholar, an ecotherapist, Marin’s famed “planetwalker” Dr. John Francis, and experts in mindfulness and climate change. Q&A with filmmaker Alexandra Lexton to follow both screenings! Get tickets.
Sebastopol Library Advisory Board Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 4:30 pm–6:00 pm, Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Members of the public are welcome to attend Library Advisory Board meetings. Regional LABs serve to advise the Library Commission on issues affecting each branch.
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
Thursday, Oct. 9, 8 pm, at Hopmonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $42.
The musical partnership between consummate performer Alasdair Fraser (“the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling”) and brilliant Californian cellist, Natalie Haas, spans the full spectrum between intimate chamber music and ecstatic dance energy. They continue to thrill audiences internationally with their virtuosic playing, their near-telepathic understanding, and the joyful spontaneity and sheer physical presence of their music. Get tickets.
‘Rooted in Graton’ Fall Flower Show & Plant Sale
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11, 9 am to 4 pm, at the Graton Community Club, 8996 Graton Road, Graton. Free.
Seasonal plant sales and floral displays, plus white elephant, garden art, handcrafted items including seasonal wreaths, terrariums, quilts, embroidered tea towels, crafts and collectible treasures for sale. Exciting raffle prizes. Live local music all day. All are welcome. Bring your family, neighbors and friends. Lunch served 11 am to 2 pm, $15. Coffee and tea with dessert available for purchase all day, $7.
Hallberg Butterfly Gardens Fall Plant Sale
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11, from 9 am to 4 pm, at Hallberg Butterfly Gardens, 8687 Oak Grove Ave., Graton. Free.
Hallberg Butterfly Gardens focuses on California native plants suited to support our local pollinators, especially butterflies. A few examples of plants they’ll have at this year’s sale are western azalea, fremontia, blue elderberry, ceanothus, foothill penstemon, western hazelnut, showy & narrow-leaf milkweed, silver lupine, nettle leaf giant hyssop, western raspberry, and much more. We have a great variety of plants for your backyard wildlife restoration projects. Sales by appointment only. See signup and a complete list of plants for sale here.
TLC’s 50th Anniversary Gala
Friday, Oct. 10, 6 pm, at Balletto Vineyards, 5700 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa. $275.
You’re invited to TLC’s 50th Anniversary Gala. TLC Child and Family Services is a nonprofit agency serving our community’s most vulnerable youth and children, including youth in foster care, LBGTQ+, BIPOC, unhoused, and transition-age youth. At the gala, enjoy award-winning wines, a live auction, entertainment, and a delicious meal, all against the backdrop of the beautiful Balletto Vineyards. All proceeds support youth in the TLC community. Get tickets.
Sonoma County Art Trails Open Studios Tour
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11-12 and 18-19, 10 am to 5 pm, at various art studio addresses. Free.
Sonoma County Art Trails is a free, county-wide open studios tour showcasing 155 local, juried artists. This premier annual event invites art lovers to step inside the studios where creativity comes to life—connecting directly with artists in the spaces where they work. Not sure where to go? Check out the Art Trails Preview Show at Sebastopol Center for the Arts or find a map and see examples of all the artists’ work at sonomacountyarttrails.org/
American Cornhole Organization Regional Tournament
Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 am, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free to varied cost.
Is this really a thing? Cornhole? Really? Find more info here.
Grand Opening of “The Second Harvest: From Waste to Wonder”
Saturday, Oct. 11, 11 am to 4 pm, at 11390 River Road, Forestville. Free.
Step into an apple orchard alive with over 50 vibrant sculptures by David McGraw. Wander among the art while enjoying music, local food, and fine wine. The grand opening of Davingy Orchard of Art is free to attend, offering something unforgettable for every visitor. Learn more.
Psychic Fair
Saturday, Oct. 11, starting at noon, at Milk and Honey, 123 N. Main St., Sebastopol.
The Psychic Fair is back, and they are trying something a little bit different this time. There will be all the local readers you love, during the day on a Saturday, as well as readings, book signings, hourly raffle prizes, and a whole lotta witchy fun. All tarot readings will be 10 minutes and cost $20. Readings will end at 6 pm, so don’t wait too long to get in line. Tickets for readings can be purchased at Milk & Honey the day of the event. At 6 pm, we will have an ancestor ritual to honor our beloved dead. Feel free to bring a picture or memento of your beloved dead for our ancestor altar. Learn more.
Sebastopol Rotary Club Lobster Bash
Saturday, Oct. 11, 5 pm to 10 pm, at Friedman Event Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. $150.
Sebastopol Rotary puts the “fun” in fundraisers. There will be great food, starting with a 1.5-pound fresh lobster for dinner with shrimp, corn, leeks, sausages, and potatoes cooked to perfection. Cocktails, wine, beer, and appetizers will be included along with a salad, bread and butter, and of course tasty desserts. There will be live music, dancing, a heads or tails game, a raffle, live and silent auctions. Get tickets.
The Butterfly Effect
Saturday, Oct. 11, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. By donation.
Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol will host an extraordinary evening blending world-class art, music, and purpose-driven conversation. Layla Love, whose poignant artworks evoke the interconnectedness of humanity and purpose, will premiere forty new original pieces that explore the transformative power of small gestures. Other speakers include art critic Anthony Haden-Guest, mixed martial arts champion Max Griffin, and Gold Ridge Farm owner Brooke Hazen. Get tickets.
Totally Incorrect! The Songs of Tom Lehrer
Saturday, Oct. 11, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $27 online or $30 at the door.
The gang of four—David Rosen, Noel Yates, Diane Beyer and Dan Fein—are carrying on Tom’s intention to use musical satire to expose hypocrisy, corruption and absurdity in society, and what better time to do just that than right now! You can call 707-401-0085 to make reservations or go here to buy tickets online.
A Night of Illusion Weekend Double Header
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 at 6 pm and Oct. 12 at 5 pm, at Subud Hall, 234 Hutchins Ave., Sebastopol. $12.15
Magician Ray Hoey is back with his favorite magic tricks and illusions, with guest performer, the multi-talented dancer Laura Henderson on Saturday. On Sunday, Hoey will be joined by guest performer Anala, belly dancer and Latin dancer. Get tickets.
Farmers of the Future Harvest Festival
Sunday, Oct. 12, 12:30 pm to 5 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Range of ticket prices.
A fun-filled gathering designed to inspire and educate the next generation. Spend the day connecting with local farmers and neighbors, discovering fresh produce, enjoying delicious local food, and learning valuable agricultural skills and insights into today’s environment. The event will also feature live music from Brett McFarland and the Freedom Fighters and The Good Bad band. Agricultural education is vital to cultivating the next wave of young leaders who will keep our communities strong, resilient and well-fed. This community gathering is in support of the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center’s youth programming. Get tickets.
Autumn Apple Tasting at the Grange
Sunday, Oct. 12, 1 pm to 3 pm, Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy 12.), Sebastopol. Free or by donation.
The Redwood Empire Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers invites everyone to come taste many kinds of locally grown, fresh, rare, heritage apples for free. You can also taste several varieties of other unique fall fruits, as well as drinks, pies and other fruity foods. Mingle with the enthusiasts who grow these unusual fruits. Learn about growing your own and helping to preserve fabulous heritage fruit varieties.