What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Dec. 26-31: birding, Barlow tastings and so many New Year's Eve options!
Winging It Wednesdays: Laguna De Santa Rosa
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 8:30 to 10:30 am at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. Meet at the Occidental Road Parking Lot. Free.
Enjoy leisurely bird walks for all levels of experience on the last Wednesday of the month. These outings are designed especially for older adults to enjoy nature, each other’s company and the unique avian friends found at each park. Bring your binoculars or borrow a pair from us. Please bring your own water and snacks. We recommend participants dress in layers and bring a hat and sunscreen. Heavy rain cancels. Accommodations will be made for visitors with disabilities upon advance request. For more information, contact Michelle Karle. No registration required.
Sebastopol Mideast Peace Vigil
Wednesdays from 6 pm to 6:20 pm at the Peace Wall at the corner of McKinley and Laguna Parkway, Sebastopol. Free.
The Wednesday-night Silent Peace Vigil in Sebastopol has been meeting since the onset of the recent hostilities in Israel/Gaza in early October. The 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, they have now added a new goal: a call for a complete and immediate cessation of fighting and a return of all hostages. Everyone is invited to this weekly vigil (20 minutes of silence). Bring a chair if needed. There are no speeches, no signs, and no flags. This event is devoted only to peace and healing.
Barlow Tasting Tours
Thursday and Friday, Dec. 28-29, 11:30 am to 1 pm in the Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $70 per person.
This tasting tour of The Barlow will give a behind-the-scenes view inside some of The Barlow’s hidden gems. The tour showcases the specialty food and wine offerings of The Barlow, from handmade English cheese to classically foot-stomped wine. The tour will last 90 minutes and consist of seven stops, with multiple tastes and sips along the way. Reserve your spot.
Dances of Universal Peace New Year's Eve
Sunday, Dec. 31, 7:30 pm to 10 pm at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center's Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. $15-$20.
Dances of Universal Peace is a sung and danced prayer from a variety of wisdom traditions, accompanied by live music. No partner or experience required; all dances are taught in the moment. All are welcome! This group has been meeting regularly in Sebastopol for 30 years. Celebrate light, harmony, love and especially peace and new beginnings! (Masks optional. HEPA air purifiers will be going.) Learn more..
New Year's Eve Celebration at Region
Sunday, Dec. 31, 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Region, 180 Morris St., Sebastopol. $70.
Here comes 2024! Ring in the New Year at Region's 3rd Annual New Year's Eve Celebration, anytime from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Tickets include your reserved seat, a glass of Benovia Blanc de Noir, BBQ’d oysters from Nellie’s Oysters cooked onsite, and festive French macaroons from Renee's Baking, along with live music from Jacob Phillip Benning. Of course, the self-serve wine wall will be open with 50+ wines, plus there will be two beers from Barrel Brother’s Brewery and Dutton Estate Cider available to enjoy throughout the evening. Get tickets.
New Year's Eve with Spike Sikes and the Awesome Hotcakes
Sunday, Dec. 31, 8 pm at the Blue Ridge Kitchen Event Center in The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $35.
Soul. Swing. Rhythm & Blues. Jazz. Jump. It’s a sound that’s classic and simple, but when it’s done right, it hits the spot and has you grinning from ear to ear. Spike has spent years searching for this sound. From the Texas blues joints he cut his teeth in to the funky halls of New Orleans, he was always studying the music, trying to find just the right recipe, and now he’s found it. Get tickets.
New Year's Eve Dance Party at Crooked Goat Sebastopol
Sunday, Dec. 31, 9 pm at Crooked Goat Brewing, 120 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free admission.
One of the best New Year's Eve parties in town. Nothing fancy, just a great DJ, some killer late night grub and a Brut IPA release. Oh yeah, it’s also free admission. DJ Sweet Lou get’s the music rolling at 9 pm. Austin’s Southern Smoke BBQ will be serving authentic barbeque from 6:30 pm ’til midnight
New Year's Eve at Hopmonk with Con Brio and the Marshall House Project
Sunday, Dec. 31, 9 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $40.
Named for an Italian musical direction meaning “with spirit,” Con Brio is a San Francisco Bay Area seven-piece that plays energetic soul, psych-rock and R&B that’s as fresh and freethinking as the place they call home. Marshall House Project's goal is to create uplifting music laced full of twists and turns, conscious lyrics and sizzling guitar solos. Both are on a mission to get you dancing all night. Get your tickets.
Happy New Year from the Sebastopol Times. We’ll have more events for you in 2024.