What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
So many cool events this week! Peacetown, black artistry at Laguna Lab, Resist and Persist art opening at SebArts, (anti)tech opera, AI meetup, a mushroom art fair and more
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 16, 6 pm, at Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
There are five public hearings at this Tuesday’s Sebastopol City Council meeting: the status of vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts; street lighting assessment; a continuing look at the city budget and capital improvement budget; and the annual update to the schedule of user and regulatory fees There will also be an announcement of city council electoral openings—Councilmembers Sandra Maurer, Jill McLewis and Stephen Zollman’s seats will be up for election in November for a term that runs from 2026 thru 2030. Kiwanis is also asking for a fee waiver for the upcoming July 3 fireworks. See the agenda and documentation.
Exhibition on Screen: ‘Frida Kahlo: the Making of an Icon’
Tuesday, June 16, 1 pm and 7 pm, and Thursday, June 25, 1 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $21.50
Frida Kahlo is a phenomenon. She is arguably the world’s favorite female artist—beloved by young and old. But who was Frida Kahlo really? Everyone knows her face, but who was the woman behind the bright colours, the big brows and the floral crowns? Take a journey through the life of a true icon, discover her art, and uncover the true story of her rebellious, passionate and turbulent life. Using letters Kahlo wrote to guide us, this definitive film reveals her deepest emotions and unlocks the secrets and symbolism contained within her art. Get tickets.
Peacetown Summer Concert Series
Wednesday, June 17, from 5 pm to 8 pm, at Ives Park, 7400 Willow St., Sebastopol. Free.
Here’s Jim Corbett’s description of this week’s Peacetown Summer Concert: “Freestone Peaches bring the music of The Allman Brothers to life at Ives Park this Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Their dual harmonies, lead guitar riffs, double drums, tractor bass, Hammond organ and killer vocals will transport you back to the days at the Fillmore with Gregg, Duane and Dickie Betts. Besides the note-for-note licks, they lock into long dance jams that will delight your feet. Opening the show from 5:00-6 pm will be The Smokehouse Gamblers with original rock n’ roll, and energetic dance tunes. Peacetown is free, pet-friendly and people-friendly, too. Cold Beer, fine wine and refreshments available, with three food trucks and great vibes. Come early and set up your chairs. Weather will be in the high 70s. Perfect!”
The Indivisible Sonoma County Film Series: Pride
Wednesday, June 17, 1 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $11.50.
An extraordinary true story. It’s the summer of 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power, and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists to raise money to support the strikers’ families. Initially rebuffed by the Union, the group identifies a tiny mining village in Wales and sets off to make their donation in person. As the strike drags on, the two groups discover that standing together makes for the strongest union of all. Panel discussion to follow 7 pm screening. Get tickets.
Four rising stars of West Coast folk music: Laurin Hunter, Jolene Dixon, Paula Fong, and Lola Guthrie
Thursday, June 18, 8 pm, at Monk (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.
An evening of West Coast folk performed by some of today’s premier folk artists in the round. Performers include Laurin Hunter, Jolene Dixon, Paula Fong and Sebastopol’s own Lola Guthrie. Get tickets.
See more Hopmonk performers for this week, including Heartless and Danny’s Live Dead, here.
Sonoma AI Meetup for tech workers
Friday, June 19, from 4 pm to 7 pm, at a location in Sebastopol (location upon registration). Free.
This is an in-person event where registration is required to get in. Sonoma AI Meetups bring together remote tech workers to build a North Bay AI community, collaboratively learn, share ideas, and network with others who are building the future of AI. Attendees meet and learn about AI tools, AI infrastructure, and more. Learn more.
Inside/Out: Sonoma Black Artistry in Progress
Friday, June 19, 6 pm, at Laguna Lab, 117 Morris St., Sebastopol. $25 General Admission.
The creators of Inside/Out describe the performance this way: “In the darkness of the soil, we become. This is where you’ll find out why who we are matters to be able to create the art we make. No monoliths, no stereotypes, no artificial anything. All of us coming together to enhance the gifts we each bring. Through deep listening, deep witnessing, through love.” Featuring genre-defying vocalist Audio Angel; revolutionary rapper Damion Square; international electronic artist Eki Shola; soulful singer/songwriter Erica Ambrin; lyrical explorer King Lung; poetic music performer LaiddBackZach; community catalyst + rapper PaqGod; experimental DJ/producer Sicksentz. $25 for general admission, $13 for students/economic hardship tickets, and $38 for Pay It Forward tickets. Get tickets.
Juneteenth Celebration with A Melodious Affair
Friday, June 19, from 6 pm to 9 pm, at Community Market, 6762 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Join Community Market in this Peacetown pop-up where you will experience inspiring musical performances from extraordinary local talents presenting a collaborative show with music ranging from R&B, Soul, Funk, Latin Reggaeton, Hip Hop, and Rock. At the same time, enjoy beverages from Community Market’s Garden Taproom.
Got Christmas stuff? Donate it to the West County Museum
Saturday, June 20, 9 am to noon, at the West County Museum, 261 S. Main St., Sebastopol.
Do you have gently used Christmas or winter holiday items that you no longer use? Bring them to the West County Museum this Saturday, June 20. They’ll sell them in December at the Holiday Store at the Depot. 100% of the proceeds go to support the museum. Donations are accepted every other week on Saturdays: June 20, July 11 and 25, August 8 and 22.
Intuitive Floral Arranging
Saturday, June 20, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, at Gather, 122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $175.
Bring your love of flowers to Gather and discover the art of floral design in a setting that celebrates both creativity and craftsmanship. In this immersive workshop, you’ll learn to combine intuition with solid technique, creating arrangements that are as expressive as they are beautiful. Under the guidance of Nichole Skalski—artist, floral designer, and owner of the beloved Sonoma County studio California Sister—you’ll explore practices that let the flowers “have their say” while also mastering essential design elements such as color, texture, and form. Reserve your spot.
Paella at the Farm at Gold Ridge Organic Farms
Saturday, June 20, 11 am to 3 pm, Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol.
Savor the tastes of Spain with authentic paella by nationally acclaimed, locally owned Gerard’s Paella, all to the sounds of live Spanish guitar by Bay Area musician, Jean-Paul. You can also sample Gold Ridge’s award-winning organic olive oils and apple products or take a ride through the olive and apple orchards on an apple-themed decorative trolley. Food, drinks and orchard tour tickets available to purchase on the day of. Paella available from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm or until sold out. Learn more.
iContact: the tactile tech opera
Saturday, June 20, 1 pm to 4 pm, at Laguna Lab, 117 Morris St., Sebastopol. $40.
An immersive interactive ceremonial performance exploring our relationships to technology, nature and one another. The dystopian future arrives and our pet robots, aka phones, have grown larger than (real) Life. iPhone A Million And Eleven dangles heavy from the arm, and people have not looked at each other for well over a decade. Until some “thing” unexpected arrives on the planet to dissolve the numbness epidemic and re-awaken human Beings to (their) Nature. Movement and soundscape come together for a uniquely transformative experience. Please, as an audience member, wear all black. Your shoes will be placed near the entrance and personal belongings placed in a designated area. Your phones are invited to the Pet Robot Lounge for the show. Doors open at 12:30 pm. Get tickets.
OAEC Garden Tour
Saturday, June 20, 1 pm to 2 pm, at the OAEC Nursery at the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, 15290 Coleman Valley Road, Occidental. Free.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center’s demonstration gardens and living landscapes. Led by rotating OAEC staff, these tours offer an opportunity to explore our diverse food, medicinal, pollinator, and native plant gardens while learning about the ecological principles that guide our work. Learn more.
Art Exhibit: Resist and Persist opening reception
Saturday, June 20, 2 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol.
Artists have always responded at the forefront of cultural change. In times of unrest, art does not stay silent. It speaks truth, demands change, mourns loss and envisions hope. Come to the opening reception of this new exhibit at SebArt, offering powerful, original works that reflect the moment: art that confronts injustice, reclaims identity, honors resistance, or envisions hope. The exhibit runs from June 20 to July 26.
Trance Goats presents Alien Invasion: The Extraterrestrial Rave
Saturday, June 20, 7 pm to 2 pm, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol (in The Barlow).
When the skies open and the bass drops, the dance floor becomes Earth’s last defense. Jay2TheSun B2B Willow plays vinyl trance & techno set; Beau Kelly B2B Vic Vibez - melodic techno & progressive set; Fayad Moss B2B Mr Pickle - trance set; Evan Schram B2B PLC - techno & trance Set; Iaysu - psytrance set. Get tickets.
Mycological Association Mushroom Art Fair
Sunday, June 21, 10 am to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy. 12), Sebastopol. Free/$15 donation suggested.
A fun, kid-friendly event with local mushroom art, hands-on activities and workshops, food and more. Keynote presenter, Wilder Herbertson, will talk about mushroom dyes and where to find the mushrooms that contain these magical pigments. Here’s the schedule: 10:30 am - Mini Acrylic Mushrooms on Canvas - Miche Harris; 11:30 am -Papermaking with Polypores - Enrique Sanchez; 1 pm - Mushroom Dyeing & Shibori - Liz Vermillion & Setara Kasha; 1:30 pm - Watercolor Mushrooms - Holly Bazeley; 2 pm - Keynote: Dye Mushroom Ecology - Wilder Herbertson; 3:30 pm - Panel Discussion: All Things Mushroom Art - Local Fungal-Enthused Artists. The event is free, but a suggested donation of $15 is welcome. All workshops have materials fees. Get tickets.
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