What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Wow! So many events this week: Author TJ Klune and Irish music at SCCC, ethnobotany at Science Buzz, Fentanyl Awareness Day in the plaza, plus pickling, improv, music, art and more
Science Buzz Cafe: The Ethnobotany of Sonoma County
Monday, April 27, 7 pm, at HopMonk (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $10.
Alice Duvernell, MA, is the ethnobotanist who owns Biophilia Botanicals on South Main Street. She will explain how to turn your own backyard into a source of natural healing for your skin, body, and overall wellness. Alice will introduce the idea that we have all that we need growing right at our feet: common plants and the bounty from our gardens. They can work as powerful remedies, providing a practical toolbox for treating everyday ailments.
Cardinal Newman High School Modern Rock Band
Monday, April 27, 7 pm, at HopMonk, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $24.87.
Hopmonk is hosting several student/school-related rock bands this week and this one from Cardinal Newman High School is the first of them. All ages welcome. Get tickets.
Drip Irrigation Fundamentals
Tuesday, April 28, 4 pm to 6 pm, at Gather, 122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $90.
A well-designed drip irrigation system saves water while delivering moisture exactly where plants need it. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to design and install a simple drip system for your garden. Learn about tubing, emitters, filters, and regulators; design a layout for your garden beds; practice assembling a drip irrigation system; and leave with a clear plan and supply list to install a system at home. Good for beginning and experienced gardeners. Reserve your spot.
Preserve the Season: Intro to Pickling and Fermentation
Tuesday, April 28, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, at Gather, 122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $150.
Learn how to preserve fresh produce through pickling and fermentation in this hands-on workshop. You’ll explore both vinegar-based and salt-based methods while making a variety of flavorful recipes. Reserve your spot.
Spring Home Gardener Produce Exchange and Donation
Tuesday, April 28, 5 pm to 5:45 pm, at Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy 12), Sebastopol. Free.
Got extra produce or plants starts in your garden? Come to this free produce exchange. Bring plant starts, produce, seeds, and herbs to exchange. The regular, twice-monthly Produce Exchange season begins May 12.
Sebastopol Grange Gathering: Update on the state of local agriculture
Tuesday, April 28, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy 12), Sebastopol. $10.
Everyone is invited to join Grangers and friends at their monthly general meeting. Come for social time starting at 5:30 pm, followed by a potluck dinner, music and an update on the state of local agriculture from Evan Wiig of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers. We’ll discuss challenges, like climate change and federal cuts to local food programs, as well as find inspiration from grassroots advocacy to the celebration of the Year of the Woman Farmer, as declared by the UN.
Girl Scout Mermaid Party
Tuesday, April 28, 5:30 am, at Ives Park, 7400 Willow St., Sebastopol. Free.
Families in and around Sebastopol are invited to dive into this magical, mermaid‑themed Girl Scout event. Girls can enjoy a fun mermaid activity, learn about local Girl Scout opportunities, and discover how Girl Scouts helps kids build confidence, make friends, and explore new adventures. Parents should attend this event to experience Girl Scouts and learn how to join or start a troop near you. RSVP.
Sebastopol Planning Commission
Tuesday, April 28, 6 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
The planning commission will review the final “Sustainable Transportation Grant ‘Reimagining the Core’ Plan” and decide whether to recommend it to City Council. Find the agenda and documentation here.
MatchPint Tennis Series at the Barlow
Tuesday, April 28, 6 pm, at The Barlow Events Center, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15 per player.
Join USTA NorCal’s MatchPint series at The Barlow. MatchPint uses a modified version of tennis with lower-pressure red balls and smaller courts. The result is a slower-paced, easier-to-learn game that lets you rally right away, no experience needed. Just want to drop in? Single Matchday entry is $15 per player and also includes a complimentary beverage. Where tennis meets great vibes, drinks, and community! No equipment is needed, and all skill levels are welcome. Get tickets.
Native Plant Trivia Night with Laguna Foundation and the California Native Plant Society
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. Free/by donation.
Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just curious about what’s growing around you, this interactive trivia event has something for everyone. Enjoy rounds of friendly competition, test your knowledge, and discover fascinating facts about the native plants that support local wildlife and resilient landscapes. Learn more.
Beginning Improv 6-week series
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at Main Street Theater, 104 North Main St., Sebastopol. $215.26.
Welcome to this gentle and playful introduction to the world of improv. This class will focus on games and exercises designed to get us out of our judging minds and into a playful state of flow, and start exploring scene work while learning the basic elements that make improv work. You’ll learn to think on your feet (which actually means to STOP thinking), trust your instincts, and work collaboratively with others. Expect lots of laughter, spontaneity, and unforgettable moments. If you don’t consider yourself “naturally” quick, funny or outgoing, that’s no problem. You don’t need to be to do improv, all you need to do is show up—truly! You will surprise yourself, then watch your confidence grow. Reserve your spot.
National Fentanyl Awareness Day
Wednesday, April 29, 3 pm to 7 pm, at Sebastopol’s Downtown Plaza. Free.
An event to protect, inform, and support each other as our community faces the scourge of fentanyl. There will be a Narcan training and demonstration. While this day carries an important message, we’ve also created a fun, welcoming space for kids and families—so please come out, bring the kids, and enjoy a free afternoon together. Activities for kids include free crafts, face painting, glitter artists, hair tinsel and tattoos, popcorn, bubbles and games, music and a great community vibe. It’s completely free and open to all ages, and a great way to spend time together while also being part of something meaningful in our community.
Peacetown at Hopmonk: Doron & Friends
Wednesday, April 29, 6 pm, at HopMonk, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Doron and Friends is an ever-evolving musical project of Sonoma County mid-life retro-funky-folk-rocker Doron Amiran. Doron’s original songs celebrate life, love, and music, drawing inspiration from all the killer bands he grew up listening to in the ’60s & ’70s. Doron & Friends’ shows blend those songs with an eclectic array of covers, some that you probably know, and some that you probably don’t.
Indivisible Sonoma County Film Series: Clemency
Wednesday, April 29, 1 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $11.50.
Years of carrying out death row executions have taken a toll on prison warden Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard). As she prepares to execute another inmate, Bernadine must confront the psychological and emotional demons her job creates, ultimately connecting her to the man she is sanctioned to kill. Panel discussion to follow 7 pm screening. Get tickets.
Film: Power To The People: John & Yoko Live in NYC
Wednesday, April 29, 7 pm, and Sunday, May 3, 1 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $16.50.
Representing the only full-length concerts John Lennon, with Yoko Ono, performed after leaving The Beatles, Power To The People: John & Yoko Live in NYC is a multiscreen concert film of two massive Madison Square Garden live shows. This is a film restoration 20 years in the making, with every frame physically and digitally cleaned by hand. This definitive version has been newly restored, re-edited and remixed by an award-winning team, led by Sean Ono Lennon. Get tickets.
See more upcoming films at the Rialto here.
Rainbow Hike
Friday, May 1, 1 pm to 3 pm, at Ragle Ranch Regional Park. Free.
Rainbow hikes provide a place for intergenerational LGBTQIA2S+ people to come together, hike in parks, explore the natural world, and build community. Learn fun nature facts and share your nature knowledge as we explore together on the trails. Registration encouraged but not required.
Jizo Peace Project: Clay Gathering
Friday, May 1, 1:30 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $10.
Come to this 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. Reserve your spot.
First Fridays at Chimera Arts
Friday, May 1, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Chimera Art Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Chimera Arts, Sonoma County’s maker space, continues their First Fridays, where there will be live music from the Sonoma County band Pasiflora, food and beverages available for a minimal charge, hands-on activities and live demonstrations.
Dervish: Irish music
Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $30 general admission.
Described by the BBC as “an icon of Irish music,” Dervish has played at festivals from Rio to Glastonbury and has a line-up which includes some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, fronted by one of the country’s best-known singers, Cathy Jordan. Dervish is long-established as one of the biggest names in Irish music internationally. $30 general admission; youth tickets are $15; and VIP tickets are $55. Get tickets.
Justin Martin, Wolf Pack and more
Friday, May 1, 9 pm, at HopMonk (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $35.75.
The north bay’s most ferocious dance party. Bass drenched tech-house all night with special guests, local mixologists and resident selectors. Featuring Justin Martin, Tommy Echelon, MAYday, and Techni. Get tickets.
Succulents and Ceramic Garden Art Sale at SebArts
Saturday, May 2, 10 am to 2 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol.
Succulents are a great, fire-wise, water-wise and colorful plant for your garden. Sonoma County Master Gardeners is teaming up with the SebARTS Ceramics department to host a succulent sale. Find the perfect succulent to fill the ceramics the Art Center will be selling. Proceeds benefit UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County and the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Cash or checks only.
Chimera Classes: Knife Forging, Woodshop and 3D Printing
Saturday, May 2, 10 am, at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. $102-293.
Chimera is offering a slew of classes this weekend, including Knife Forging, Woodshop and 3D Printing. Get tickets by clicking on those links.
Sonoma County Farm Trails Spring Farm Tour
Saturday and Sunday, May 2 & 3, at varied locations around West County.
Blossoms, bees, and barnyard babies: There’s nothing more delightful than springtime along the Sonoma County Farm Trails. Choose your own agrarian adventure from dozens of farms and producers to discover where your food, fiber, and flowers come from. Take farm tours, meet farm animals, enjoy tastings and workshops, shop for the tastiest ingredients at charming farm stands, and support local small-scale agriculture while you’re at it. Registration is free and easy but required to access the insider’s guide and interactive map to the tour destinations.
The King Street Giants | Hillcrest Middle School Fundraiser
Saturday, May 2, 2 pm, at HopMonk, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $36.79.
Since 2012, The King Street Giants have brought their own special version of New Orleans music to the Bay Area and beyond. Whether they’re playing in clubs or on the streets, The King Street Giants are famous for radiating an infectious energy and always having a blast. In this fundraiser for Hillcrest, they will be joined by Spencer Burrows and Dilbeck Trio. Get tickets.
Cinco de Mayo: Loteria Night with Corazón
Saturday, May 2, 5 pm, at Golden State Cider, 180 Morris St., Sebastopol.
Join Golden State Cider for a Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring Lotería with Corazón Healdsburg. Enjoy an evening of games, music, and great cider with a live DJ and churro truck on site. From 6 pm to 8 pm, a portion of all sales will support Corazón Healdsburg, making it a night of fun with a purpose. Grab your friends, play a few rounds of Lotería, and celebrate.
Corduroy: A Pearl Jam Tribute and Mary Jane Mafia, a Green Day Tribute
Saturday, May 2, 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, $24.35.
Get ready for a night of pure ’90s grunge music and energy. Get tickets.
Music to My Ears Presents: The Addams Family
Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, varied times, at Main Street Theater, 104 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $15.
This is the final weekend for this spirited production of The Addams Family. This 60-minute adaptation features a talented cast of performers ages 10–17, bringing the iconic, delightfully macabre family to life with energy, humor, and heart. Enjoy an evening of theatrical fun filled with charm, wit, and just the right touch of spookiness. Matinee and evening performances. Get tickets.
Fellowship Story Circle with Gremnîr
Saturday, May 2, 6 pm to 9 pm, at Subud Hall, 234 Hutchins Ave., Sebastopol. $30-$40.
Join Gremnîr for a family-friendly night of story, dance and music with two events tied into one. First, the Story Circle, taking place from 6 pm to 7:30 pm for a select group of up to 20 attendees in a cozy, community-based setting. Listen to original stories by Gremnîr and share thoughts on the importance of story in culture before the musical ritual. Second, the ritual taking place from 8 pm to 9 pm for those who want to simply enjoy a night of original dark, ancient-sounding Nordic music with live dance from local performers. Get tickets.
Dave Silva & Nick Simmons Student Concert
Sunday, May 3, 2 pm, at HopMonk (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $19.17
Local music teachers and longtime friends Nick and Dave will be showcasing their students at HopMonk Tavern in Sebastopol. Enjoy an afternoon of fun as these musicians of all ages take the stage. Come cheer on these talented kids, teens and grown-ups at our end-of-the-school-year show. Up to 30 performers including three student bands. Get tickets.
Family Matinee: My Neighbor Totoro
Sunday, May 3, 11 am, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $4.50 to $6.50.
This acclaimed animated tale by director Hayao Miyazaki follows schoolgirl Satsuke and her younger sister, Mei, as they settle into an old country house with their father and wait for their mother to recover from an illness in an area hospital. As the sisters explore their new home, they encounter and befriend playful spirits in their house and the nearby forest, most notably the massive cuddly creature known as Totoro. Get tickets.
Pop-Up Mother’s Day Cards
Sunday, May 3, 1 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol, $50.
Explore the foundations of pop-up design and paper cutting while creating one-of-a-kind pop-up greeting cards for Mother’s Day. Students will learn foundational “folds” for pop-up elements and then create their own cards. Students can personalize provided pop-up design templates or dream up their own imaginative way to use the folds they have learned to create their own pop-up design for their cards. Reserve your spot.
Copperfield’s Presents: TJ Klune at SCCC
Sunday, May 3, 2 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $29-$35.
Copperfield’s is over the moon to welcome perennial staff favorite and NYT bestselling author TJ Klune to Sebastopol on Sunday, May 3rd in celebration of his enchanting and deeply stirring new novel “We Burned So Bright.” Klune is the author of fantasy and romantic fiction featuring gay and LGBTQ+ characters. This is a ticketed, off-site event at The Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. Each ticket includes admission for one, seating and a signed copy of his new book. Get tickets.
Celebrating Women: A Fundraiser benefitting The Living Room
Sunday, May 3, 2 pm, at Balletto Vineyards and Winery, 5700 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa. $125.
Join Balletto Vineyards for an afternoon of connection and celebration to support The Living Room, which supports women and children in urgent need or at risk of homelessness, providing care, community, and a pathway to stability, Enjoy live music from The Barn Wreckers, a captivating performance by Sol Flamenco, delicious food by Stark’s, and wine from Balletto, with outdoor lawn games and a lively, heartfelt community. This is more than an event. It’s a chance to come together in support of women and children in our community. Get tickets.
PEEK INTO NEXT WEEK: SOUP is a community dinner where your vote funds a local idea. Four people from our community will each share a project they believe could make our town better. Each presenter has four minutes to pitch their idea and answer questions from the audience. After hearing the ideas, we’ll share a simple meal together — soup, salad, and bread — and everyone votes for the project they believe in most. The project with the most votes takes home all of the money collected at the door to bring their idea to life. This event is Thursday, May 7, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy. 12), just east of town. Cost is $5 to $50 per person. Register here.
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 we 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 we will see it and consider it.
Something for everyone!
I'm really looking forward to SOUP at the Grange next week.