What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Jan. 30 to Feb. 4: Election preview, Ukrainians, reggae, clean socks and more
Sebastopol Grange General Meeting and Elections
Tuesday, Jan. 30, 6 pm at Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy 12), Sebastopol. Free.
Join the grange folk for social time and a potluck dinner. Bring a dish to share and your own dishes. Following elections, we’ll have a presentation by Kathleen (Kay) Rivers, Ph.D., Director of Cotati Kids Heritage Grazing. This organization is committed to the preservation of critically endangered San Clemente Island goats through targeted grazing, which reduces fire danger and creates safer spaces in Sonoma County.
Lecture - Election 2024: A Preview of Stranger Things Still to Come
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2:30 to 3:30 pm at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High St., Sebastopol.
Our favorite political professor, David McCuan, is back to discuss the upcoming presidential election. As the 2024 Primary Election begins, what are the dynamics of the 2024 elections? We will focus on the advantages and challenges of re-election for presidents, what to expect on races in the House and Senate, and how this all impacts the politics of California and the nation moving forward. Learn more.
Coffee with Mayor Diana Rich
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 10 am to 11:30 am at Retrograde Coffee Roasters, 130 South Main Street, Sebastopol. Free.
Join Mayor Diana Rich for the first in this year’s “Coffee with a Council Member” series to be held at various spots around town. Come buy a cup of coffee and join the conversation. Ask questions and share your thoughts and ideas. Mayor Rich hopes to see you there!
Mideast Peace Vigil
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 6 pm, at the corner of Petaluma Ave. and McKinley by the Sebastopol Peace Wall
The Wednesday Night Silent Peace Vigil in Sebastopol, has been meeting since the onset of the recent hostilities in Israel/Gaza in early October. Our focus has been on mourning the loss of all innocent lives, Palestinian and Jewish alike, and to promote healing and the advancement of peacemaking. In light of the ongoing suffering and massive loss of life, primarily among the civilian population of Gaza, we now add to our goals, a call for a complete and immediate cessation of fighting, and a return of all hostages. You are invited to join this weekly vigil, Wednesday evenings at 6 pm, in front of The Living Peace Wall in Sebastopol, between the plaza, and the Rialto Theater, for 20 minutes of silence. Bring a chair if you need. There are no speeches, no signs, and no flags. We are committed only to peace and healing.
Speak-Teasy: Tea and conversation
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 6:30 to 9 pm at Soft Medicine Sanctuary, 186 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $5-15.
You are invited to enjoy a lightly curated space centered around engagement, education, poetry, community, philosophy, and mutual discovery, all through the Tea plant. Multiple tables will be set up with dedicated tea servers, holding space for theme-inspired conversation and story whilst serving high-quality teas with their own fascinating history, in a style inspired by traditional Chinese tea service and culture. Conversation will naturally waver between topics; the theme is simply an anchoring point. Learn more.
Community Presentation by Open World Delegation from Ukraine
Friday, Feb. 2, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Ave., Hwy. 12, Sebastopol. Free.
Sebastopol World Friends is pleased to present the Community Presentation by the delegation of six professionals from Ukraine, visiting Sebastopol through the Open World Program. Open World is a congressionally sponsored program that brings professionals from post-Soviet and developing countries to the U.S. to experience open government and study a variety of topics pertinent to their countries. Since 2008, Sebastopol World Friends has hosted seven Open World delegations from Ukraine. This group will stay in Sebastopol for two weeks focusing on the topic “Developing Child and Family Counseling Networks.” One of the highlights of their stay is the community presentation, which will showcase their professional experience in Ukraine and their initial impression of their stay in Sebastopol and the U.S. Don’t miss this unique opportunity. It is open to the public and admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.
Bob Marley Tribute w/ Sol Horizon
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2-3, 8 pm, at Hopmonk Sebastopol, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $20.
Sol Horizon is an original California nine-piece band that seamlessly fuses reggae with funk, rock, hip hop and world beats. Retuning for this long-standing tradition, Sol Horizon pays tribute to the global voice of reggae music, celebrating the life and legacy of Bob Marley at the Hopmonk Tavern Sebastopol. Get your tickets now; this show has sold out 6 years running.
Abstract Artists Laboratory
Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 am to noon, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $35.
Held every first Saturday at SebArts, Abstract Artists Laboratory is a space to meet and create together. Finding the time to paint is always a challenge, and if it has been months or years since you have painted there can be a palpable hurdle standing in one's way of getting out those brushes and sitting down in front of a canvas. This space allows you the time and space without creating an at home art studio or needing to immediately go out and buy a plethora of materials. Limited space available. Pre-registration required. Reserve your spot.
Fresh Pressed Flowers Workshop with Jan Lochner
Saturday, Feb. 3, 1 to 4 pm at Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. $35.
Experimenting and creating with pressed flowers is wonderful way to make thoughtful gifts for Valentine's Day and get ready for Spring! Local gardener and Laguna Foundation volunteer, Jan Lochner, will demonstrate techniques she uses to press and use flowers. We will make various useful items, from bookmarks and cards to window ornaments and refrigerator magnets. All workshop materials and supplies, including flowers, are provided. Participants need only bring an open creative spirit and a smile. Suitable for 8 years old and up (children must be accompanied by an adult). Reserve your spot.
Art Show Reception: Meet Artist Green Greenwald
Saturday, Feb. 3, 3:30pm to 5:30 pm at Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Meet artist Green Greenwald, whose collection of paintings entitled “Small Spaces,” is displayed at the Sebastopol Regional Library from January 30 to March 16. Enjoy refreshments, art, and conversation.
Sox Sesh
Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 am to 1 1pm at Blue Ridge Kitchen, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol.
Join us for an amazing event filled with music, laughter, and good vibes! Please wear you best socks. Please bring clean dry new socks for the homeless, battered women and children and funds to support Sonoma County Animal Shelter and community vet clinic. Get ready to groove to the beats of talented DJs, enjoy delicious food, and make unforgettable memories with friends. 11 am to 4:20 pm is kid friendly. 4:20 too 11 pm is 21 and over. Get tickets.
Paper Collage Valentines Day Cards
Saturday, Feb. 3, 2 pm to 5 pm at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $50.
Create one-of-a-kind cards by searching for treasure among troves of images, vintage magazine pages, fabric, peeled acrylic palette remnants, rice paper, origami and leaf skeletons. Let inspiration strike where it will by composing fun collage cards with loads of personality. These unique creations will be treasured by your friends and family. Reserve your spot.
Vitamin String Quartet
Sunday, Feb. 4, 7 pm to 9:30 pm at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris Ave., Sebastopol. $35. $65 VIP.
Long before Bridgerton broke the Netflix algorithm, Vitamin String Quartet had helped establish classical crossover as a genuine force in contemporary music. Fresh off high-profile placements in Seasons 1 and 2 of the aforementioned streaming smash, VSQ has “reached a mainstream, global audience” (Variety) and “charmed the world with their classical covers” (Nylon). New York Observer wrote, “VSQ’s atmospheric hits have made classical versions of pop music cool.” Get tickets.
SUBMIT YOUR EVENT to the Sebastopol Community Calendar, one of the many sources I use to put this column together.
Thank you for keeping us informed about what is going on in our town. AND especially thank you for including the Mideast Peace Vigel in this list of events. I have been going and am so glad that here in PeaceTown we are doing the Vigel!