What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Sebastopol Pride March, two summer concert series, comedy, wine, protest and more
Wine Trivia at Region
Monday, June 2, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Region, 180 Morris St., Sebastopol.
Bring your friends and family who love a good challenge. Region will be ready with fun, useful and interesting wine facts—putting your wine knowledge to the test. Drink a little, eat a little, learn a little, and possibly win. Get 25% off The Farmer’s Wife restaurant menu, which includes the best gourmet sandwiches and salad in Sonoma County (along with killer fries). DRNK Wines is the featured winery for this event. Reserve your spot. (Note: Sebastopol Times owner Dale Dougherty is a part owner of DRNK Wines.)
Pro-Democracy Rally
Tuesday, June 3, 4:30 pm to 6 pm, at the corner of Main Street and Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol. Free.
With joyful hearts and a determination to protect democracy, come to all four corners of our main intersection weekly. Bring a friend. And, yes, it does make a difference.
Mend & Befriend
Tuesday, June 3, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy 12), Sebastopol. Free.
Got some mending you’ve been putting off? It’s time to come to the Sebastopol Grange for the next Mend & Befriend! Share this invitation with friends, bring clothes or fabric for the swap, enjoy chatting while crafting or mending!
Sebastopol Pride March and Flag Raising
Tuesday, June 3, 5 pm. Meet at Many Rivers Books & Tea, 130 S Main St., Sebastopol. Free.
Please come to Many Rivers on Main Street at 5 pm on June 3 for brief intersectional comments about the march. There will be a short march around the corner to city hall for a city flag raising at 5:30 pm. Also, please come to the council meeting at 6 pm for a proclamation and resolution.
Sebastopol City Council
Tuesday, June 3, 6 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol.
The council will hear five presentations on the city’s insurance (CIRA), the city manager search, the pension stabilization fund, the Cost Allocation Plan, and the police response at Elderberry Commons. There are also four public hearings on city vacancies, the lighting assessment district, capital improvement plan and budget. There will also be some regular agenda items on employee compensation. See the agenda and documentation here.
Beginning Improv
Tuesday, June 3, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at Main Street Theater, 104 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $215.26
Beginning Improv 6-week series. Welcome to this gentle and super playful introduction to the world of improv. The focus is on games and exercises designed to get us out of our judging minds into a playful state of flow. Start exploring scene work while learning the basic elements that make improv work. You’ll learn to think on your feet (which actually means to STOP thinking), trust your instincts, and work collaboratively with others. Expect lots of laughter, spontaneity, and unforgettable moments. Register here.
Peacetown Summer Concert Series
Wednesday, June 4, 4 pm to 8 pm, at Ives Park, Sebastopol. Free.
Come party in the park with Peacetown. Opening concert features Poor Man's Whiskey and Audio Aquarium. Wine of the week is Halleck Vineyards, and the artist of the week is Carol Mills. Three food trucks and lots of fun. (See our recent article on Peacetown.)
Summer Concert Series at The Barlow
Wednesday, June 4, 4 pm to 8 pm, at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol. Free.
Join the Barlow each Wednesday, beginning June 4, for live music, a street market, food, beer, wine, and fun. Opening concert on June 4 features Fleetwood Macrame. (See our recent article on the Barlow’s Summer Concert Series.)
Film: 25 Cats from Qatar with director Q&A
Wednesday, June 4, 4 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
The nation of Qatar has a street cat population equal to the entire human population of the country—and growing fast. Disease is rampant, and local adoption is rare. “25 Cats from Qatar” follows one mission, led by a network of multinational underground animal rescuers in Doha and a Milwaukee flight attendant/cat cafe operator to transport out 25 lucky felines and find homes for them abroad, all the while searching for a long-term solution to the crisis. Q&A with director Mye Hoang to follow 7 pm screening. Get tickets.
Silent Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
6 pm to 6:30 pm every Wednesday at the Living Peace Wall between the Rialto Theater and the downtown plaza.
Come gather in silence every Wednesday eve for a brief peace vigil, standing together in the memory of all those who have died in the conflict, and all those who are suffering with hunger and fear, in the hope of a true and lasting ceasefire. No flags, no signs, no speeches.
Intro to Social Square Dancing
Wednesday, June 4, 6 pm to 7 pm, at Wischemann Hall, 465 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Looking for joy? Modern social square dancing is fun to learn and fun to dance in this supportive community of square dancers. You’ll be dancing the very first night. Walk-ins welcome. Come early for registration and better parking. No partner needed, casual attire. Everyone welcome—lesbian, gay, straight. Register.
Standup Comedy: Aaron Foster, “Mostly Jokes”
Thursday, June 5, 8 pm to 9:30 pm, at Main Street Theater, 104 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $15.
Comedian Aaron Foster brings his award-winning and darkly funny “Mostly Jokes” show to The Main Street Theater in Sebastopol for one night only as he prepares to tape it as his first special later this year. Doors at 7:30 pm, show starts at 8 pm and runs about 75-80 minutes, no intermission, and no crowd work. Foster grew up with a bipolar father and a schizophrenic brother and he himself has been diagnosed with depression. Strangely, this turned out to be good fodder for comedy. “Mostly Jokes” was named “Best Solo Show” at the Tucson Fringe Festival in January and has received reviews such as: “A laugh every twenty seconds.” “I’ve never laughed so hard about mental health.” “Subversively hilarious, laugh out loud gallows humor.” Get tickets.
Chimera First Friday
Friday, June 6, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Chimera Arts & Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Stop by to meet your local community of makers, get a tour of the facility, enjoy some fine libations and food, and hear some great local music. You can also have some fun with our hands-on activities and live demonstrations. Admission, demonstrations, tours and music are all free. Beer, wine, and food are offered at a modest price.
Opening of the Playground Cafe
Saturday, June 7, from 8 am to 4 pm, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol.
The grand opening for The Playground Cafe at St. Stephens. There will be live music and lots of activities for kids (and the young at heart), including glitter tattoos by Toyworks, rock painting, games, cards and yard games. Live music includes Julie & the Wheelbarrow at 11:30 am and Ali and Warren of Mini Music at 2 pm. (See our article on the cafe.)
Art at the Source Open Studios
Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8 and 14-15, 10 am to 5 pm, at open studios around the county. Free.
Art at the Source Open Studios opens this weekend. Plan your tour by attending the preview exhibit at SebArts, 282 S. High St, Sebastopol, or visit the online gallery here. Then hit the road to visit artist studios near and far in Sonoma County.
Mocktail Making Demo & Book Signing with Jen Newens
Saturday, June 7, 11 am to 12 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $16.
Come to Gold Ridge Organic Farms for a mocktail-making demo with Jen Newens, author of Monday Night Mocktails. Jen will lead a live demonstration and share her top tips for crafting vibrant, alcohol-free drinks—perfect for warm weather and casual gatherings. Focusing on seasonal ingredients and simple techniques, she’ll show you how to create refreshing, flavorful mocktails you can easily make at home. You'll also get to sample some of her delicious creations. Get tickets.
Design and Paint Your Own Mural with Family and Friends
Saturdays, June 7- July 12, 12:30 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $175.
Join local muralist, Dave Gordon, for this intensive 5-week mural course. Participants will explore themes for their personal mural, creating a workable design, followed by prepping and painting. Learn about murals from around the world, as well as techniques and materials to ensure a quality project. With each 4'x 8' plywood mural, you’ll refine your ideas, learn successful design concepts, and create images that make a statement. Ages 14 and up. Reserve your spot.
Sip Soirée at The Barlow
Saturday, June 7, 1 pm to 7 pm, at various spots in the Barlow. $65-$70.
Come to the Barlow’s Sip Soirée, an open-air celebration of local wine, food and connection. Stroll The Barlow and enjoy curated tastings from some of Sonoma County’s best wineries, plus light bites to pair. Whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or just looking for a fun day out, this event is the perfect way to sip, savor and socialize in the heart of Sebastopol. Ticket includes tastings from a curated selection of local wineries; complimentary bites from local purveyors; access to exclusive Soirée Lounge from 3 pm to 7 pm; and a commemorative tasting glass. Get tickets.
Dgiin at Furthermore Wines Sebastopol
Saturday, June 7, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Furthermore Wines, 3541 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol. $22.54.
Sonoma County’s favorite French gypsy band hits Furthermore Wines for a fun night of dancing and revelry. Dgiin is a melting pot of French, American, and Quebec artists with various influences. Français, Américains, Quebecois—they all unite around a repertoire of music in French with a healthy dash of Spanish guitar, a pinch of brass, a violin, bass, and percussion, all tied together with sibling vocals. Get tickets.
Run Club Celebration at Taft Street
Sunday, June 8, 10 am to 1 pm, at Taft Street Winery, 2030 Barlow Lane, Sebastopol. $11.54
Enjoy a day of fitness, fun, friendship, and fantastic wine, sponsored by Taft Street Winery. Here’s the itinerary for the day: 10-10:10 am—Arrival/Welcome to Taft Street Winery, Sebastopol. 10:15-11 am—5K Fun Run (optional) beginning at the winery. Start your morning with an energizing, flat, scenic, out-and-back 5K run, jog, or walk through the local Sonoma County countryside. From11 am to 1 pm—Run Club Celebration: Pack a wine country picnic or snacks and enjoy the winery’s back patio and a little bocce ball and corn hole. Find out more and reserve your spot.
Pop-Up Father’s Day Cards
Sunday, June 8, 1 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $60.
In this unique class, explore the foundations of pop-up design and paper cutting while creating one-of-a-kind pop-up greeting cards for Father’s Day. Students will learn foundational folds for pop-up elements and then create their own cards. Students can personalize provided pop-up design templates or dream up their own imaginative way to use the folds they have learned to create their own pop-up design for their cards. Reserve your spot.
Sunday Blues Jam: June Session
Sunday, June 8, 3 pm to 5 pm, at the Sebastopol Center for the Art, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. From $5.
Come to SebArts every second Sunday of the month. The goal here is to foster a vibrant and welcoming community of blues musicians and enthusiasts, providing a space for exploration, collaboration, and the preservation and celebration of blues music. This gathering is a monthly session for all ages, open Blues Jam for both instrumentalists (guitar, harmonica, bass, etc.) and vocalists, with emphasis on traditional tunes, mostly blues standards from Country to Electric blues (and some Rockabilly). A vocal mic and amp provided, but otherwise, please bring your own instruments, equipment, amps, etc. Register here.
BEYOND SEBASTOPOL
Occidental World Music & Dance Festival
Saturday, June 7, 10 am to 9 pm, at the Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental. $85.
Third annual celebration of world folk traditions in music, song and dance. Explore music and dance traditions from around the world at this third annual event. Enjoy selecting from dozens of hands-on workshops presented by masters of their respective traditions as well as jam sessions, performances, demonstrations and presentations. A musical instrument lending library allows you to try acoustic instruments from around the globe. Get tickets.
See What’s Happening Sonoma County for more music listings.
Want us to feature your event in “What’s happening this week in Sebastopol?” Submit your events to the Sebastopol Community Calendar. This is one of the many resources I use to put this column together.