What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
City Council Meeting, Sebastopol Library Book Sale, Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra, Laguna Docent training. Senior Center Saturday opening day party and more
Monday, Jan. 19, is Martin Luther King Day. We are unaware of any MLK events in Sebastopol, but the Press Democrat has a list of events happening elsewhere in the county. You can listen to King’s full “I have a dream” speech on YouTube.
Free America Walkout Rally
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2 pm to 5 pm, at the corner of Bodega Avenue and Main Street, Sebastopol. Free.
Walkouts and general strikes amplify the collective power of non-violent pro-democracy movements against authoritarian regimes. There will be a Walkout Rally in downtown Sebastopol from 2 pm to 5 pm—just one of more than 400 events across the country. Please wear red, white, and blue, bring signs, and stand in solidarity with your neighbors and those who love democracy and decency across the country.
Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $21.50.
Multi-award-winning filmmakers Phil Grabsky and David Bickerstaff delve into the hidden narratives of Caravaggio’s life, piecing together clues embedded within his incredible art. The intriguing self-depictions within his works—sometimes disguised, sometimes in plain sight—offer a rare window into his psyche and personal struggles. Get tickets.
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6 pm, at Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
The meeting will begin with interviews for openings on the Design Review Board, followed by an annual audit of financial reports for the year ended June 30, 2025. In addition, there will be a presentation on the streets scheduled for repair, a blight ordinance, a request for the city to co-sponsor a Micah’s Hugs narcan distribution box at 207 North Main Street, and an extension of contract for Interim City Manager. See the agenda and documentation here.
Luther Burbank Experiment Farm Work Day
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 9 am to 12 pm, at Luther Burbank Experiment Farm, 7777 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Join a cadre of enthusiastic volunteers in preserving and maintaining the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm every Wednesday from 9 am to noon. We need volunteers across the spectrum of gardening, leading tours, showing people around the cottage, selling items at the cottage gift shop, and more. All skill and ability levels welcome.
Scone-Making Class
Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, at Patisserie Angelica, 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol. $44.82.
Welcome the New Year by making scones with Slow Food Sonoma County. Join us in a fun, educational, and interactive class at Patisserie Angelica. Patisserie Angelica is a locally owned, award-winning French-style artisanal bakery. It has a Slow Food Snail of Approval. Our class will be taught by Maggie, one of the famous bakers at the patisserie. We will mix the dough and bake the scones, and then sit down to enjoy them with a pot of hot tea. The class is limited to 10 participants. Get tickets.
Indivisible Film Series: The American President
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1 pm & 7 pm, at the Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $11.50.
A widowed U.S. President running for reelection and an environmental lobbyist fall in love. It’s all above-board, but “politics is perception,” and sparks fly anyway. Get tickets.
Friends of Sebastopol Library Book Sale at SebArts
Wednesday through Sunday, Jan. 21-25, varied times, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
Sale includes adult/children/teen books. Most books are bargain-priced at $1, even the newest fiction. Most children and teen books are 25-50 cents. The sale is open to all. Proceeds help the Sebastopol Library continue its mission of providing great reading, wonderful free programs and fantastic services to West County. Please note that this library book sale will be held at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, as the Sebastopol Library is undergoing some construction. Cash or check. Opening night is Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. All day bargains on Thursday, Jan. 22, 10 am to 6 pm. Half-price day on Friday, Jan. 23, 10 am to 6 pm. $5 per bag day is Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 am to 2 pm; Free books day on Sunday, Jan. 25, 10 am to 1 pm.
Artificial Intelligence for Creatives
Thursday, Jan. 22, 6 pm to 9 pm, at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. $103.22.
Explore the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence in this introductory course for artists, makers, and other creatives. Using tools like ChatGPT for text generation and ideation, and MidJourney for AI-powered image creation, students will learn how to collaborate with AI to enhance their creative process in this 3-hour class. No technical background is required—just curiosity and a desire to experiment. The course also covers best practices, prompt engineering, and ethical considerations when working with generative AI. Reserve your spot.
Learning Laguna Docent Training Orientation
Friday, Jan. 23, 10 am to 12 pm, at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. Free.
Attend this orientation to find out if being a docent at the Laguna de Santa Rosa is a good fit for you. At the orientation, you will learn about the Laguna de Santa Rosa ecosystem, the work of the Laguna Foundation, and the role of ‘Learning Laguna’ docents, who are trained volunteers who teach the Learning Laguna school program in 2nd-4th grade classrooms throughout the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed and during student field trips to Laguna preserves. Register.
Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto
Friday, Jan. 23, 6 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol, $25.
Prepare to be amazed by the next generation of musical talent. Watch as extraordinary young musicians from the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra perform stunning solo works by iconic composers such as Mozart, Haydn, Vaughan Williams, Saint-Saëns, and more. With the expert accompaniment of Bay Area pianists Miles Graber and Keisuke Nakagoshi, this performance promises to be an unforgettable celebration of skill, passion, and musical excellence. $25 General Admission, $15 Students, $10 child under age 10. Get tickets.
Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Symphony Concerto
Friday, Jan. 23, 6 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $25.
Prepare to be amazed by the next generation of musical talent. Watch as extraordinary young musicians from the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra perform stunning solo works by iconic composers such as Mozart, Haydn, Vaughan Williams, Saint-Saëns, and more. With the expert accompaniment of Bay Area pianists Miles Graber and Keisuke Nakagoshi, this performance promises to be an unforgettable celebration of skill, passion, and musical excellence. Get tickets.
Soul Fuse
Friday, Jan. 23, at 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $25.
Soul Fuse delivers a polished, high-energy show designed for dance floors and headline slots. Members have performed with Ray Charles, The Doobie Brothers, Bruce Hornsby, The Tubes, and The Eagles—bringing world-class musicianship to our all-original, horn-driven sound. Tickets, this event is 21+. Get tickets.
Grand opening celebration of the Senior Center opening on Saturdays
Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 am to 2 pm, at Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High St., Sebastopol. Free.
For the first time ever, the Sebastopol Area Senior Center is opening its doors on Saturdays. Their new Saturday hours are 9 am to 2 pm, starting January 24, 2026. They’re having a party to celebrate on Jan. 24, from 9 am to 2 pm, with tours, live music, game tables, food, henna tattoos and an art gallery reception (12 pm–2 pm) and free mini-rides on the trishaw, great fun for the whole family! All ages welcome at this event. For more information, call 707-829-2440.
Rhythm Future Quartet in Occidental
Saturday, Jan. 24, from 7 pm to 9 pm, at Occidental Center For the Arts, 3820 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental. $35.
Renowned for their dynamic performances and innovative spirit, this world-class ensemble brings fresh excitement to the timeless sound of Gypsy jazz, blending masterful technique with modern flair. With virtuosic improvisation, irresistible rhythms, and a joyful sense of swing, Rhythm Future Quartet captures the heart of Django Reinhardt’s legacy while charting their own bold musical path. Get tickets.
Soul Brass Band: Mardi Gras Rolls West
Saturday, Jan. 24, at 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $30.
Soul Brass Band is the genre-bending creation of New Orleans percussionist and frontman Derrick “Smoker” Freeman, joined by an all-star cast of New Orleans heavyweights. Their sound is a fearless fusion of hip hop, jazz, second-line tradition, classic soul, and street-born swagger — modern, infectious, and undeniably alive. This event is 21+. Get tickets.
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. Submitting your event to the community calendar doesn’t guarantee that your event will make it into “What’s Happening this Week,” but it means that I will see it and consider it.
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