What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Sebastopol Business Town Hall, the Community Awards, three festivals, a blessing of the animals and so much more
By Elsie Lennox and Laura Hagar Rush
Woodturning demonstration on Main Street
Monday thru Sunday, Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, 10 am to 5 pm, at Sebastopol Gallery, 150 N. Main St., Sebastopol. Free.
Kalia Kliban will be demonstrating woodturning in the front window of Sebastopol Gallery all this week, making bowls, tops, mallets and more. Come watch the shavings fly! On Oct. 5, she’ll be stopping the demo around 3 pm so she can set up for her artist talk, “From the Tree to the Bowl,” which will run roughly from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. Look for our article on Kliban tomorrow.
Academic Talent Search
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Academic Talent Search is a free college-prep program which assists income-eligible, first-generation college-bound students to succeed in college. At this event you will be able to access fee waivers for college applications, the SAT/ACT, and AP testing. Register now.
Sebastopol Grange Potluck and talk on the Community Seed Exchange
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 5:30 pm to 8 pm, at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. $10.
Everyone is invited to join grangers and friends at the monthly general meeting. Social time starts at 5:30 pm, followed by a potluck dinner, music and program. The Grange will serve an assortment of Thai dishes: spring rolls, curry/rice, and Pad Thai. Please bring a complimentary food item for eight to share, lovingly labeled, and your own dishes and utensils. The guest lecturer is from The Community Seed Exchange, which is an all-volunteer group of local gardeners and seed savers. They maintain a grassroots community seed library that supports Sonoma County gardeners with free, locally grown, open-pollinated, pesticide- and GMO-free seeds.
Business Listening Session and Town Hall
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Sebastopol business owners are invited to share their voices at a special Business Listening Session with the Sebastopol City Council. The city of Sebastopol is launching its new Economic Gardening Program, designed to help local businesses thrive, and wants direct input from the business community. City leaders are asking: What challenges are slowing your business growth? What opportunities could strengthen Sebastopol’s business climate? How can city government better support your success? How can communication on permitting and policy be improved? This event is more than a meeting—it’s a chance to connect with decision-makers, network with fellow entrepreneurs, and shape future city programs. RSVP.
Sebastopol’s 49th Annual Community Awards Celebration
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Russian River Vineyards, 5700 Hwy. 116 N., Forestville.
Come to the 49th Annual Community Awards. Join the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the best of Sebastopol 2025, including the Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Business of the Year and much more. Register now.
The Indivisible Sonoma County Film Series: Leviathan
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $11.50.
In a Russian coastal town, Kolya is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits a lawyer friend to help, but the man’s arrival brings further misfortune for Kolya and his family. A film about the dangers of political corruption and an overweening state and the havoc that can cause in the lives of ordinary people. Panel discussion to follow 7 pm screening. Get tickets.
Fall Risk Screening
Friday, Oct. 3, 1 pm to 4 pm, at Wischemann Hall, 465 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Determine if you are at risk for falling by completing a series of simple physical and cognitive tests designed to assess your balance, strength, and mobility. Understanding your risk factors empowers you to take preventive steps through exercises, home safety modifications, and lifestyle changes. Sponsored by the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, this screening is by appointment only and is at Wischemann Hall not the Senior Center. Expect to be there for 45 minutes. Registration is required. No walk-ins. Call us to schedule an appointment: 707-829-2440.
Intro to Dance (Grades 7-12)
Friday, Oct. 3, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Discover the joy of social dance—a skill that lasts a lifetime! In this fun, beginner-friendly class, teens will learn popular partner styles while building confidence, connection, and rhythm. No experience or partner needed. Just wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can move in. Grades 7-12. Register here.
Chimera First Fridays Open House
Friday, Oct. 3, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Chimera, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Chimera Arts, Sonoma County’s maker space, continues their First Fridays at Chimera Arts, a showcase of the local maker community. There will be live music, food and beverages, activities and live demonstrations.
North Bay Print & Poetry Festival
Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 am to 6 pm, at the Graton Town Square, 9155 Graton Road, Graton. Free.
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of North Bay Letterpress Arts at the North Bay Print and Poetry Festival on Saturday. Hosted by North Bay Letterpress Arts and ReVillage, this free, one-day event celebrates the power of the printed and spoken word. Featuring local vendors, food trucks, live poetry, music, and the signature Steamroller Print Event, the festival brings together printmakers, poets, and publishers for a vibrant day of community and creativity.
SoCo Pagan Fest
Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 am to 4 pm, at Miss Daisy’s Magical Wonderland, 790 Hurlbut Ave., Sebastopol. Free (with food donation) or $10.
Sonoma County’s First Annual PaganFest is a family-friendly pagan festival of love and light, featuring magick, music, drumming, ritual, workshops, vendors and farm-to-table food. Thi s event, which is free with the donation of a non-expired canned or dry food, is hosted by Math and Melissa Reed and the Misty Moons coven. Profits (after event expenses are paid for) go to support Miss Daisy’s Wonderland. RSVP on Facebook, though this is not required.
Many Moons Festival
Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 am to 7 pm, at Ives Park, 7400 Willow St., Sebastopol. $10 in advance/$15 at the gate.
Attend the Many Moons Festival—a vibrant celebration of Asian American, South and Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander traditions and contemporary culture. This festival intends to bring the community together for a day of heritage, unity, and joy. Experience a full day of delicious Asian and Pacific Islander food; handmade and imported crafts; wine, beer and sake; live music and cultural performances; an ethnic fashion show; workshops and demonstrations; nonprofit informational booths, and a dusk lights celebration. 12 and under are free. Get tickets.
Capturing the Holidays with Your iPhone
Sunday, Oct. 5, 12 pm to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $85.
In this fun and informative class, you’ll learn how to take better, more meaningful photos during the season’s most memorable moments—your iPhone is the perfect tool to help you capture it all. Demonstrations will be shown on an iPhone, but all smartphones are welcome. Whether you’re capturing a Thanksgiving dinner or the glow of a menorah or Christmas tree, you’ll walk away with new confidence and practical skills. Reserve your spot.
Sebastopol Cemetery Walk (seated performance only)
Saturday, Oct. 4, 5 pm, at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol.
This year the Sebastopol Cemetery Walk has added a seated performance in St. Stephen’s outdoor amphitheater for those who can’t make the walk through the cemetery. Local actors will perform all six vignettes, based on the lives of people buried in the cemetery, and then you’ll go to the parish hall for an apple dessert. There are just a few spots left so get your tickets now.
Dinner & a Movie at the Rialto: Babette’s Feast
Sunday, Oct. 5, 5:30 pm to 7 pm, at Rialto Cinema, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $76.50.
Prior to the screening of the film, “Babette’s Feast,” enjoy a delicious meal, prepared by food writer and chef Michele Anna Jordan and Rialto Cinemas’ kitchen team. The dinner is inspired by the film’s indulgent meal, with vichyssoise topped with a poached quail’s egg, buckwheat crepes & tiny potatoes with American golden caviar, quail and chicken liver mousse in a puff-pasty nest, haricots verts, and a very French dessert. Get tickets.
Blessing of the Animals at the Playground Cafe
Sunday, Oct. 5, 1 pm to 2 pm, at The Playground Café, St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol. Free.
All creatures great and small are invited to the Blessing of the Animals this Sunday at the Playground Café at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. This event is open to the entire community and welcomes not only pets but also stuffed animals and photos of beloved pets who can’t be there in person.
Sebastopol Wineries Collective Tasting
Sunday, Oct. 5, 1 pm to 3 pm, at Naidu Wines, 2567 Blucher Valley Road, Sebastopol. $25
Join Naidu, Pax and Reichwage Winery for a collaborative tasting at the Naidu property in the beautiful rolling hills of Sebastopol. Enjoy tasting wines from all three producers, along with cheese and charcuterie. Get tickets.
Kaleidoscope Exhibit
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Gather at the Sebastopol Regional Library and meet the photographers on exhibition, whose collection, Kaleidoscope, An Exhibit of Vivid Photographs by the Santa Rosa Photographic Society, is on display in the library forum room Sept. 22 through Nov. 15. Enjoy refreshments, conversation and art.
Celebration of Life for Jeffrey Edelheit
Sunday, Oct. 5, 4 pm to 6:30 pm, at Community Market Garden Taproom, 6742 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
You are invited to celebrate the life of Jeffrey Edelheit—a father, a grandfather, a mentor, and a friend to so many. He carried joy, love, and support in everything he did, and he gave it so freely to everyone around him. This will be the family’s celebration of life for Jeffrey, and all are welcome. The evening will include live music and taiko drumming, sound healing meditation and prayer with Chris Young-Ginzburg and Heather Hanson, designated speakers, and a time for anyone who feels called to share. See the Sebastopol Times story about him.
Chestnuts available starting this week
According to Laura Aho, “The gorgeous chestnuts from Luther Burbank’s famous 4-trunk tree are starting to fall.” Contact Aho at 707-696-0572 to purchase some. $2.50/lb.” Read our story about Aho’s yearly chestnut adventure.
See What’s Happening Sonoma County for more Sebastopol music listings.
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.