What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Ballet folklorico, spoken word poetry, ecstatic dance, CPR, beekeeping and more
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 3, 6 pm, at Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
The city council will review/approve the MOU for police and other city salaries, consider one-way and two-way alternatives for the downtown as developed through the Downtown Sustainable Transportation Grant process, and reconsider the placement of a Micah’s Hugs Narcan distribution box downtown. Find the agenda and documentation here.
Intro to Observational Drawing
Wednesday, March 4, 6 pm to 9 pm. At the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol.
Learning to draw is truly learning to see—a skill that anyone can be taught, practice and hone. Through demonstration, practice and reflective discussion, this class will explore the foundations of classical drawing techniques in a low-pressure environment. In this one-day introductory workshop, participants will get a peek into the process of building their drawing abilities through developing close observational skills and learning fundamental drawing techniques. This course is for anyone—beginners, those who haven’t practiced in years, or any artists who just want to learn more and practice with consistent feedback and guidance. Reserve your spot. (If you find this intro helpful and want to keep exploring, you can sign up for the three-week class that will be offered one month from now.)
Peacetown at Hopmonk: Familiar Strangers
Wednesday, March 4, 6 pm, at HopMonk (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Americana grab bag of music from western swing to country, bluegrass, folk, blues and even a little bit of gypsy jazz.
Spoken Word Poetry
Thursday, March 5, at 4:20 pm, at Sonoma Chocolatiers, 6988 McKinley Ave.,Sebastopol.
Enjoy an evening of spoken word poetry, chocolate and a warm beverage. Call or come in to the store to sign up if you’d like to perform. Poetry readings happen at Sonoma Chocolatiers on the first Thursday of every month.
Jizo Peace Project: Clay Gathering
Friday, March 6, 1:30 pm to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $10.
Join us for a monthly, heart-centered gathering where we come together to create Jizo guardians out of clay—symbols of compassion, protection, and peace. Rooted in the Buddhist tradition and echoed across many cultures, Jizo figures traditionally honor children and all who have passed, those in transition, and those in distress. This ongoing project is dedicated to remembering those lost to war, with a special focus now on the approximately 19,000 children who have perished in Israel and Gaza in recent years. Due to limited capacity, we are asking for a suggested donation of $10 to confirm your attendance. Bring a copy of your receipt to check-in at the painting/drawing studio, adjacent to the ceramics studio. Reserve your spot.
Ecstatic Dance Sebastopol
Friday, March 6, 7 pm to 9 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. $25.
Oakland artist MAYVN is an ecstatic dance DJ and wind instrumentalist, with globally focused sets laced with live clarinet and saxophone. Drawing from music conservatory training in ethnomusicology and performance, she melds rhythms and melodies from many cultural lineages. DJ sets include melodic downtempo, organic house, global bass, and desert beats. The Ecstatic Dance musical journey starts slowly for stretching and gradually quickens—taking you on a rhythmic wave where you’ll dance hard and sweat, slowing down again, ending with a gong sound bath and short meditation. Ecstatic Dance happens on the first and third Friday of the month. This is an all-ages event (kids under 12 free), no alcohol.
Analy Band Wagon Mattress Fundraiser
Saturday, March 7, 10 am to 4 pm, at Analy High School Cafeteria, 6950 Analy Ave., Sebastopol.
Who knew a pop-up mattress store could fund the arts? Custom Fundraising Solutions (CFS) will be setting up a complete mattress store in the Analy cafeteria. Every mattress sold brings money into the Analy music program. There will be at least 25 mattresses to try, sheet sets, adjustable frames, pillows and sheets, and so much more. Financing is available, and they will even deliver your new mattress and haul the old one away. CFS has a lowest price guarantee, and with name brands like Helix, Purple, and Beautyrest. Learn more.
American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid – CPR – AED Class
Saturday, March 7, 10:30 am to 1 pm, at the Sebastopol Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. $90.
Learn how to save a life. Focusing on recognizing and treating life-threatening situations in the critical minutes before 911 arrives, we will cover adult and infant CPR, AED (Automated External Defibrillator) use, and handling choking, as well as what to do in cases of severe bleeding, sudden illness, heart attack, stroke and more. This is an American Red Cross-certified, blended-learning class: 50% online and 50% instructor-led. After booking, you will receive a link directly from the American Red Cross with instructions on how to log in to complete the online portion of the class. This can be done at your convenience before we meet in person to practice our new skills with your friendly and experienced instructor. We’ll be using modern manikins and equipment in a small-group setting and answering questions along the way. Your American Red Cross certificate will be valid for 2 years. (This is not a library-sponsored event.) Reserve your spot.
Book event—Brave New Mind: The Art of Serene Readiness with Eric Maisel, Ph.D.
Saturday, March 7, 12 pm to 2 pm, at Copperfield’s Books, 138 North Main St., Sebastopol. Free.
Mental health experts, psychologists, therapists, and counselors have reported the rising levels of stress, depression, anxiety, worry, and fear, year after year, for the last two decades. Brave New Mind by Eric Maisel, Ph.D., offers ways to handle increasing stress in all areas of our lives and techniques to create a brave new mind equal to this moment.
SOVA Lion Dancing at Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Saturday, March 7, 12 pm to 1 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol.
Join the Sonoma Vietnamese Association Lion Dance Team as they welcome the Year of the Horse 2026. In Vietnam, lion dancing combines martial arts with folk dancing in order to mimic the animal’s movements. For all ages
Dirty Cello at Hopmonk Sebastopol
Saturday, March 7, 8 pm to 10 pm, at Hopmonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $30.57.
From Iceland to Italy and all over the U.S., San Francisco-based band Dirty Cello brings a high-energy and unique spin to blues, rock, and Americana. With wild vocals and world-class cello playing, the group is led by crossover cellist Rebecca Roudman. Dirty Cello is cello like you’ve never heard before. Get tickets.
Introduction to Beekeeping
Sunday, March 8, 10 am to 1 pm, Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy 12), Sebastopol. $30.
Annual in-person lecture and Q&A with Beekind owner and beekeeper Doug Vincent. Learn basic beekeeping information like how to get started with bees, use of equipment, and what to expect in your first year. Get answers to your questions. A must-have class if you are interested in keeping bees this spring or just curious about honeybees and beekeeping. Get tickets.
Family Ballet Folklorico Dance Workshop
Sunday, March 8, 10:30 am to 1 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $5-$10.
Celebrate culture, movement and togetherness in this joyful one-day Ballet Folklórico workshop for the whole family. Participants will be introduced to the vibrant rhythms, colorful traditions, and expressive footwork of Ballet Folklórico, a beloved Mexican dance form that tells stories of history, community, and celebration. Designed for all ages and experience levels, this hands-on workshop offers a fun and welcoming way for families to learn together, connect through dance, and explore cultural expression in a supportive environment. No prior dance experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to move! $10 for adults, $5 for children. Get tickets.
PEEK INTO NEXT WEEK: Books at the Source: Literary Arts Summit, Saturday, March 14, 2026; 10 am-6 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $204. An inspiring day designed to foster literary dialogue, nurture creativity, and forge meaningful connections, the Summit celebrates and expands our vibrant literary community. Authors and teachers from the North Bay and beyond will share their writing craft, publishing journeys, and books to inform your own writing practices and literary pursuits.
Good morning Laura,
Are you going to be reporting on the last city council meeting before tomorrow?
People are asking about BayRen.