What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Irish music, native bees, Neanderthals, how to meditate without trying, the third No Kings protest (and dance) and more
Origami with Sister City visitors from Takeo, Japan
Monday, March 23, 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm, at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
Enjoy a delightful afternoon with middle school students visiting from Takeo, Japan, as we learn the beautiful art of origami! This hands-on activity is a wonderful chance to connect with young visitors, share smiles, and experience another culture through creativity and conversation. Sebastopol World Friends will be joining us for this heartwarming exchange.
Science Buzz Cafe: The Neanderthals
Monday, March 23, 6 pm, at HopMonk Tavern (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $10.
Our species, Homo sapiens, is the last human standing, but it wasn’t always so. A couple hundred thousand years ago, we shared the planet—and possibly even the same caves—as several other species and subspecies of humans. This includes our close evolutionary cousins, the Neanderthals. After more than a century of studying Neanderthals, scientists now know these ancient people were anything but the brutish cavemen sometimes depicted in pop culture. They made and used tools and weapons fashioned from stones, bones and wood. They painted figures and symbols on cave walls and made jewelry. They cared for their elders and buried their dead. Also, Neanderthals aren’t really extinct. Bits and bobs of their DNA live on in the modern human genome, the result of interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals long, long ago. Mike Price, Science Magazine reporter, will share what scientists have learned about our species’ long-lost cousins, and how that hard-won knowledge is shaping our understanding of human history.
Botanical Drawing
Tuesday, March 24, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. Free.
Get your sketchbook ready for a chill night of drawing cool native plants with the Laguna Foundation and California Native Plant Society! Join us on this relaxing evening and explore nature through art. In this hands-on workshop, participants will carefully observe a selected plant and learn how to render it using colored pencils. With a guided, step-by-step approach, even beginners will feel comfortable and successful as they create their own botanical drawing to take home. Reserve your spot.
All Abilities Adventures: Birding
Thursday, March 26, 10 am to 12 pm, at the gazebo in Ragle Ranch Regional Park. Free.
Join us for an inclusive, all-abilities outdoor adventure. Participants will move along paved and hard-packed trails at a flexible pace, with opportunities to observe birds using binoculars, mounted scopes, photos, sound cues, and tactile activities. Hands-on stations include bird call listening, feather matching, and shape/silhouette observation. Participants may choose to stay at stations or explore further along the trail. This program is led primarily in English by bilingual staff who will support Spanish Speakers. No self-disclosure necessary—these programs are welcoming by design. Registration required. Register here.
Jane Siberry
Thursday, March 26, 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $42.17.
Jane Siberry is one of Canada’s most original and influential singer-songwriters. Best known for transcendent works like Calling All Angels, Love Is Everything, and the iconic Mimi On The Beach, she has created a singular body of work that defies categorization. Blessed with a sincere integrity and emotional depth, she has released 14 studio albums, and her songs have been covered by numerous artists, including k.d. lang. Get tickets.
No Kings 3 Dance Party
Thursday, March 26, 6 pm to 8 pm, at Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris Ave., Sebastopol. $10 donation.
Indivisible Sonoma County is hosting a Kick-Off Dance Party for No Kings 3 at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center on Thursday. Live DJ, dance and costume contests. Food truck, photo booth, and more.
Copperfield’s Presents: How to Meditate Without Even Trying by Peter Russell
Friday, March 27, from 7 pm to 8 pm, at Copperfield’s Books, 138 North Main St., Sebastopol. Free or $22.25 with book.
What if meditation didn’t require discipline, technique, or hours of sitting still but was actually something you looked forward to? In How to Meditate Without Even Trying, Peter Russell shares the liberating insight at the heart of his decades-long teaching: the harder we try to meditate, the more we get in our own way. Russell shows that true meditation is instead about the practice of allowing: releasing effort, relaxing the mind, and gently returning to the present moment. Audience Q&A and book signing with photo opportunities to follow. Registration recommended for seating. Free and open to the public. Register here.
Lúnasa
Friday, March 27, 7:30 pm, Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $35.
Hailed by the New York Times as “the hottest Irish acoustic band on the planet,” Lúnasa has thrilled audiences around the globe with their innovative arrangements and exceptional musicianship. Blending traditional melodies with contemporary flair, the group has redefined Irish music for a new generation—while honoring its deep roots. VIP Table for Two tickets also available. Get tickets.
Introduction to Native Bees with Emma Guzy
Saturday, March 28, from 10 am to 3 pm, at Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. $37.74.
Did you know that California is home to over 1,600 different species of bees? While most of us are familiar with the introduced European Honey Bee, Apis mellifera, and can probably recognize a bumble bee or carpenter bee, there is a wide diversity of bee species living in our gardens and natural landscapes, just waiting to be discovered and observed. Join entomologist and conservation specialist Emma Guzy for a workshop about native bees. We will start in the classroom setting with an overview of how to identify the major bee families in California. In the afternoon, we will observe bees in their natural settings as we explore the gardens and natural areas around the Laguna Foundation. Reserve your spot.
Metal Shop: An Introduction to MIG Welding and Metal Arts
Saturday, March 28, 8:30 am, at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. $321.96
A one-day class for beginners and others interested in doing welding, metal fabrication, or metal sculpture. Just a few tickets left. Learn more.
Exploring the Persian Culture Through Food—A Cooking Class
Saturday, March 28, from 9 am to 12 pm, at Viva Mexicana, 841 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol. $172.57.
delve into the delicious world of Persian cuisine! Learn how to prepare traditional dishes and explore the rich flavors and spices that make Persian food so special. This hands-on experience will not only teach you new recipes but also give you insight into the culture and history behind each dish. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your culinary skills and taste buds! In this class we will learn how to prepare the traditional Spring equinox celebration and the Persian New Year, Norouz. An herbaceous rice dish with tahdig and fresh saffron fried fish. Get tickets.
No Kings 3 March
Saturday, March 28, 10 am to 12 pm, at the corner of Main and Bodega (and surrounding intersections) in downtown Sebastopol.
The third No Kings protest against the Trump Administration’s assault on democratic norms happens this Saturday. Organizers hope this will be the largest protest ever in Sebastopol.
Distant Voices: An Introduction to Asemic Writing
Saturday, March 28, 10 am to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $165.
Asemic writing is the practice of creating artwork through marks that resemble handwriting, yet carry no literal meaning or readable text. We’ll begin with a slideshow exploring the depth and range of asemic writing. Looking at ancient scripts, global languages, symbols, the calligraphic line, and the work of contemporary asemic artists, we’ll expand our understanding of what is possible. From there, you’ll begin your own asemic journey. These marks can infiltrate and transform your current artwork or stand alone as independent works of art. Reserve your spot. (See other SebArts events here.)
Voices of the Valley and Broken Theatre: Documentary Film + Youth Theater
Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Graton Community Club, 8996 Graton Road, Graton. Adults are $23.18, and kids are $12.51.
A unique double-feature evening of theatre and film celebrating the people and stories of the Green Valley Watershed. “Voices of the Valley” is a 20-minute mini-documentary honoring the memories and visions of elders from the Green Valley watershed, including longtime residents, community icons, and cultural stewards. In “Sacred Conversations,” young actors bring to life golden moments from interviews with local residents, reenacted with all the emotion, nuance, and humor that real life holds. Drawn directly from the words of neighbors and elders, these stories weave together under the lights into a cohesive, multi-voiced performance that bridges generations and cultures. Get tickets.
Petty Theft at HopMonk Sebastopol
Saturday, March 28, 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $36.79
In early 2003, Petty Theft was born as a classic rock cover band, performing all around the San Francisco Bay Area to great responses and growing audiences. When it began focusing on the great music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the band quickly progressed to regular touring around the Bay Area, California and beyond. Get tickets.
Sonoma County Folk Society 5th Sunday Jam
Sunday, March 29, 1 pm to 5 pm, at the Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy. 12), Sebastopol.
The purpose of this jam is for everyone to enjoy playing music together. Bring your acoustic instruments and join in the fun. All levels are welcome.
The Family Rave
Sunday, March 29, 2 pm to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Adults $5, kids free.
Join us for another high-energy afternoon at The Family Rave – a vibrant, all-ages dance party where parents can relive their rave days, and kids can join in on the fun! Live DJs will be spinning feel-good beats to get everyone moving!! Come dressed to shine—neon, sparkles, and glow sticks encouraged! Get tickets.
Nattali Rize
Sunday, March 29, 6 pm, at HopMonk, The Abbey, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $30.57.
As part of her 2026 International ‘LIBERATE’ album tour, Nattali Rize and her show-stopping band make their way to the west coast of the USA for a select run of shows to unite the people with music. The Nattali Rize live show is world-renowned for being high-energy, thought-provoking, inspiring, and uplifting. The powerhouse band channels deep world and reggae influences to present an epic, one-of-a-kind experience. 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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