Life Drawing Meet-Up
Monday, Nov. 9, from 6 pm to 9 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $20.
Join other artists and draw from a live model at this weekly session, which has no instructor. Participants must be 16 or older. Artists must also bring their own supplies. Register here.
Science Buzz Cafe
Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $10 at the door.
This Science Buzz Cafe features Doris Duncan, executive director at the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, for a talk on rescuing orphaned wildlife. Explore how injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife are rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to the wild, and learn how this organization works alongside the whole community to protect our local wildlife.
Poetic Medicine: An Instrument for Healing
Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 4 pm to 5:30 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $15.
Poet, author and palliative care nurse Redwing Keyssar leads this monthly session of listening to and writing poems in community. Participants do not need to be poets or writers. Register.
Veterans Day Lunch
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 am, at the Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Building, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Gold Ridge and Russian River Post 3919 will hold a special Veterans Day Lunch for veterans and their families at the Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Building (also known as Sebastopol Center for the Arts).
The Familiar Strangers
Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 6 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $5 cash at the door.
Peacetown at Hopmonk continues with Americana band The Familiar Strangers. The show is all ages and partially seated.
Film: The Great Dictator
Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 1 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $11.50.
Charlie Chaplin’s bold 1940 satire skewers Adolf Hitler while turning his own comic persona on its head. In his first full talkie, Chaplin plays two roles — a clownish “Tomainian” dictator and a gentle Jewish barber mistaken for him. This film is part of the Indivisible Sonoma County Film Series, and a panel discussion follows the 7 pm screening. Get tickets.
Electronics: Arduino 101
Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 pm, at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Suite 180, Sebastopol. $135.23.
Joe Szuecs, electrical engineer and software developer, and coder/LED extraordinaire Jim Wheaton of Harmonic Systems will teach this one-evening introduction to Arduino, an open-source microcontroller platform. In this class, students will get hands-on time with an Arduino Uno and build a simple project. A kit will be provided. Questions to joe@chimeraarts.org. Register here.
Laguna Lab Supper Club
Thursday, Nov. 12, 5:30 pm to 8 pm, 117 Morris St., Sebastopol. $63-$83.
A supper club is an intimate, salon-style evening where good food and provocative ideas come together around the table, creating space to exchange perspectives, grapple with the cultural questions of our time, and encounter new ways of seeing. Come curious, ready to share, listen, and meet interesting people beyond your usual circles. This week, the topic up for discussion is “What if our relationship to land could be rooted in reciprocity rather than ownership?” The Center for Ethical Land Transition (CELT) is part of a growing movement exploring new ways of relating to land, property, and place—supporting Indigenous land return, community stewardship, cooperative ownership, and other models that invite us to rethink who land is for and how we care for it. Get tickets.
Mindfulness for Children: A reading in English and Spanish with Mónica de la Fuente
Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 pm, at Many Rivers Books & Tea, 130 S. Main St., Sebastopol.
Many Rivers Books & Tea invites English- and Spanish-speaking families to join local author Mónica de la Fuente for an interactive reading of her mindfulness picture book, Something in My View. More than a traditional story time, this event will be a shared experience for children and the grown-ups who love reading to them. At first glance, the book is a simple story about bubbles. As the story unfolds, children and adults are invited to discover something unexpected through curiosity, conversation, and reflection. Following the reading, children will enjoy a bubble-inspired art activity.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Friday, Nov. 13, 11:30 am to 12:20 pm, at Hessel Grange, 5400 Blank Road, Sebastopol. $10 for Grange members and $15 for nonmembers.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention is a low-impact, mind-body practice for all ages and abilities that can be done standing, seated or both. It aims to ease joint pain and stiffness, build flexibility and strength without stressing the joints, and improve balance to reduce fall risk. No experience is necessary, and drop-ins are welcome. Questions? Contact Vickie at vickiegemini57@gmail.com.
Olio Nuovo Harvest and Milling Experience
Friday, Nov. 13, from 2:15 pm to 3:30 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $65.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the 88-acre farm’s olive harvest, from the trees to the first drops of the season’s oil. See how the olives are milled and pressed into Olio Nuovo, the “new oil” prized for its bright green color and peppery finish. Guests will be able to taste the fresh oil straight from the mill moments after the olives are crushed. Attendees should wear comfortable shoes suited to walking on a working farm. The outdoor experience may be canceled in wet weather. Tickets.
A Musical Celebration of Ukrainian & American Friendship
Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $40 online. $50 at the door.
Join Hromada for Ukrainian and American Friendship: A Musical Celebration—an evening of music, dance, and community celebrating the connection between Ukraine and America. Featuring musicians and dancers from both countries, this benefit concert will support Hromada’s initiatives in Ukraine, including bringing an unforgettable Christmas and ongoing support to children who have lost their parents because of the war. Purchase tickets. (Read our article on this event here.)
California Bluegrass Reunion
Friday, Nov. 13, music starts at 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern’s The Abbey, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $42.37. 21+.
The California Bluegrass Reunion is an annual celebration of California’s rich bluegrass tradition, featuring an extraordinary lineup of musicians with deep California musical roots who have all made significant contributions to the genre. This year’s concert brings together some of the finest talents in bluegrass and Americana music, including Bill Evans (banjo), Jim Nunally (guitar), Chad Manning (fiddle), Sharon Gilchrist (mandolin), Mike Witcher (resophonic guitar), Nell Robinson (vocals) and Max Schwartz (bass). These award-winning musicians have performed together in various combinations for decades, and for this year’s tour, the Reunion will feature an abundance of original songs and instrumentals. Tickets.
Floral Arrangement Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 am to 12 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $98.
Celebrate the beauty of each season with flowers! In every class, create a different arrangement using seasonal blooms and colors. Enjoy step-by-step guidance, learn floral design techniques, and connect with new friends. Leave with a beautiful arrangement you made yourself. No experience needed! Flowers, greenery, and vase included in the price of the ticket. Register here.
ADORN Holiday Jewelry Market
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15, from 10 am to 5 pm. at Chimera Art Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Suite 180, Sebastopol.
The North Bay Jewelry Arts Guild will hold its third annual holiday market and sale of handcrafted wearable art. Reserve.
Kombucha Brewing Fundamentals
Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, at Gather Sebastopol, 122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $150.
Learn to brew your own kombucha in this hands-on introduction to fermented tea. From preparing your first batch to experimenting with seasonal flavors, you’ll explore the techniques behind making this refreshing, naturally fermented beverage at home. You’ll learn how tea, sugar, and a SCOBY work together during fermentation, how to recognize when your kombucha is ready, and how to maintain a healthy culture. Tickets.
North Bay Decompression
Saturday, Nov. 14, noon to 2 am at Laguna Lab, 117 Morris St., Sebastopol. $20.
Calling all local burners for a night of bands, DJs, art cars, fire dancers, etc. We’re gathering at Laguna Lab in Sebastopol to relive and release this year’s Burn. Inside, live bands play through the afternoon and DJs take over as the sun goes down. Outside, theme camps share their gifts, artists show us what they’ve got, and art cars strut their stuff. It’s the first North Bay Decom since 2011, and it’s for everyone: Burners, first-timers, families and the Burner-curious. Come as you are, in your finest playa wear, and bring warm layers for the evening. This is an official regional Burning Man event hosted by Laguna Lab and Northbay Burners. Tickets.
Festive Wreath Making Class
Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1 pm to 3 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $175.
Goldridge Farms partners with the botanical experts from Flower Casita in Petaluma to guide you through crafting your very own holiday wreath, using an array of fresh seasonal greens, vibrant autumn leaves, and rich botanical textures—just in time for Thanksgiving. Tickets.
Our Wild Watershed- Owl Hill Film Screening & Q&A
Saturday, Nov. 14, 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm, at Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. $16.74 general admission, with a sliding scale.
Join the Laguna Foundation for its Our Wild Watershed series featuring a screening of “Owl Hill,” a 15-minute documentary exploring the community of owl box keepers and preservationists working to support and protect owls in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly in Sonoma and Marin counties. The film features Laguna Foundation volunteer Nick Jones, who helped establish and monitor the foundation’s Barn owl box cameras at the Laguna Environmental Center. Following the screening, filmmaker Sean Restivo will join Nick and representatives from All About Owls, for a conversation and Q&A about the film, local owl conservation, and the community working to protect these remarkable birds. Get tickets.
Gradina: Balkan Music
Saturday, Nov. 14, 7 pm to 9:30 pm, at Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental. $25.
Gradina is a Balkan music ensemble that celebrates the seasons and their festivals through song and dance, bringing Old World rituals to new light and new generations to revel in the staying power of gratitude for life on Earth. Get tickets.
8th annual SebastoSoul concert
Saturday, Nov. 14, doors open at 6:30 pm, music at 7:30 pm, at HopMonk Tavern’s The Abbey, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $25. 21+.
Don’t miss this powerhouse lineup of local talent ready to strip away daily stress and fill you with heart-wrenching vocals, gritty grooves and pure emotion. No pretense, just a room full of real musicians pouring everything onto the floor. 7:30 pm: Dillon Forsyth; 8:30 pm: Steph Salva & Friends; 9:30 pm: Sebastian St. James Band w/ members of Vinyl; 11 pm: Marshall House Project. Tickets.
Head West Artisan Market
Sunday, Nov. 15, from 11 am to 5 pm, at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol. Free.
The Barlow’s monthly artisan vendor market takes place on the third Sunday of the month from March through December. A rotating lineup of local makers, artists and small businesses sells handmade goods, art, apparel and home decor in the open-air market district.
Start your family tree: Discover your family’s story
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. Free.
This free talk and hands-on session will enable you to build a family tree in minutes; search census and military records; find birth, marriage and death records; explore historic newspapers; trace your ancestry back hundreds of years. You will leave the session with your family tree started. This event is presented by Michael Von der Porten, a sixth-generation Sonoma County resident, historian, researcher, author, and tour guide. Event sponsored by Western Sonoma County Historical Society. See this link for what to bring and more information.
Misner & Smith
Sunday, Nov. 15, with doors at 2 pm and the show at 3 pm, at HopMonk Tavern (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $22.
As part of Hopmonk’s Sunday Matinee series, Northern California duo Sam Misner and Megan Smith perform songs from All Is Song, an album they spent six years shaping. The show is all ages and fully seated. Tickets.
Upcoming later this month
Sebastopol is having its first Turkey Trot. Find out more about this event HERE.
What an amazing, diverse town we are so lucky to live in! So many things to do and I’m trying to lighten my schedule! What to do????