What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Rotary's Centennial Celebration in Ives Park, Reimagining Downtown Sebastopol workshop, music, seed-saving, and more

David Lynch Retrospective
Now to May 22, varied times, at Rialto Cinemas 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol.
The David Lynch Retrospective at the Rialto Cinemas continues with the films Blue Velvet, Dune, Elephant Man, Eraserhead, Inland Empire, Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive, Twin Peaks, and Wild at Heart. Go here, then scroll down to see the Lynch films.
Screenagers film: Under the Influence–Addressing Vaping, Drugs & Alcohol
Monday, May 19, 6 pm to 8 pm, Analy High School Theater, 6950 Analy Ave., Sebastopol.
Come to the Analy Theater at Analy High School for a free, eye-opening event focusing on the impact of vaping, drugs and alcohol on today’s youth. This documentary will shed light on the dangers and provide valuable insights to help parents and teens navigate these challenging issues. Don’t miss this opportunity to educate yourself and your loved ones. Learn more.
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 20, 6 pm, at Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
The city council will discuss and consider an action plan for city council goals/priorities, complete with estimated budgets and funding sources. The council will also discuss a budget amendment for the payment of the lease for a new fire truck, the cost of which will be split by Gold Ridge Fire Protection District. In addition, the council will decide whether to waive some or all fees for the 3rd of July Fireworks and Music Festival Special Event Permit ($6,930.00), Peacetown Summer Concert Series ($1,550), and the Many Moons Festival, sponsored by the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of the North Bay ($725). For more details, see agenda and documentation.
Curious about psychedelic medicine? Ask us anything!
Wednesday, May 21, 6 pm to 7 pm, at Soft Medicine Sanctuary, 186 N. Main St., Sebastopol. Free.
Are you curious about psychedelic medicine? What is safe? Which ones are legal? Can it really help depression/anxiety/PTSD/suicidal ideation? What does it feel like? How do you handle a "bad trip"? What does the science say? How do you find a reliable source for information? Come to this free, educational ‘Ask Us Anything’ session with Dr. Suegee Tamar-Mattis and Moksha Donohue, LMFT, both licensed professionals with specialized training and years of experience in psychedelic medicine, and get your questions answered. Grab a cup of tea and a snack at Soft Medicine, and settle into the warm, comfortable environment for a cozy and enlightening chat with two experts. Event by Liminal Medicine and Soft Medicine Sanctuary.
‘Reimagining the Core’ Community Workshop
Thursday, May 22, 3 pm to 7 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
The city of Sebastopol is leading a mobility study to enhance the accessibility, safety, and vibrancy of our downtown. The goal? A more walkable, bike-friendly downtown that supports smoother traffic flow and advances the City’s environmental goals. After gathering input from the community last fall, the project team is now developing draft alternatives, and we need your feedback to move forward. The project team is hosting a workshop at the Sebastopol Arts Center with interactive activities and opportunities for small group discussions. There will be a short, optional presentation around 3 pm and 6 pm. Drop-in for any amount of time to chat with city staff and the consultant team about the project. Snacks, refreshments, and kids’ activities will be provided! Learn more.
Blood Orange Marmalade Making Class
Friday, May 23, 10 am to 1 pm, Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $88 and up.
Join chef and food preservationist Merrilee Olson, founder of Preserve Farm Kitchens, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms for a hands-on workshop celebrating the vibrant flavors of blood oranges. With years of experience transforming farm-fresh ingredients into culinary treasures, Merrilee will guide you through the process of creating delicious marmalade from scratch. In this immersive two-and-a-half-hour class, you’ll learn the secrets to achieving the perfect balance of sweet and tangy and take home your own jar of handcrafted Blood Orange Marmalade plus your very own apple blossom pink apron. Morning tea included. Boxed lunch add-on available (48-hour advance ordering required). Register now.
Four Pianists with Barbara Higbie, Tammy Hall, Adrienne Torf and Mary Watkins
Friday, May 23, 7 pm to 9:30 pm, at Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental. $35.
This is a once in a lifetime concert celebrating the music and friendship of four pianist/composers who've worked over 5 decades in Jazz, Classical, Gospel, Folk, New Age and Women’s Music, including appearances on over 400 albums, Grammy nominations, Bammy Awards, and thousands of shows around the world. Featuring Mary Watkins, Barbara Higbie, Tammy Lynne Hall and Adrienne Torf. Get tickets.
The Complete Unknowns: Tribute to Bob Dylan
Friday, May 23, 8 pm, at HopMonk, the Abbey, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $30.
The show will be a celebration of songwriting by the icon, Bob Dylan and a nod to the recent film about his life and early years as a musician. Get tickets.
Seed Saving Basics class
Saturday, May 24, 10:30 am to 11:30 am, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol. Free.
People have been saving seeds for thousands of years, preserving some of the seeds of the most productive crops to grow again the following year. Practice informal plant breeding by choosing to save seeds from plants that have the best traits like fruit quality, yield, maturity date, disease resistance or other qualities. Being a successful seed saver doesn’t require an advanced degree, but it does demand careful planning and a basic understanding of plant reproduction. This class will provide a helpful overview of the basics of seed saving from the backyard garden. Learn about plant families, the difference between hybrids and open pollinated varieties and how to prevent cross-pollination. Find out what are some of the easiest plants to grow out for seeds. With a little practice you’ll be able to contribute to the seed library we curate and share your homegrown seeds with the community.
Rotary Centennial Celebration: Sunday in the Park and a Century of Service
Sunday, May 25, 12 pm to 4 pm, at Ives Park, 7400 Willow St., Sebastopol. Free.
Help us celebrate a century of ‘Service Above Self’ by the Rotary Club of Sebastopol. Great 60s music. Centennial Cake for all. Bring your own blanket or chairs. Food, beer, wine and other concessions. Live Music: 11:45 am to 12:15 pm - Sebastopol Community Band; 12:35 pm to 1:35 pm - Senior Discount Band; and REVOLVER Band is the headliner from 2 pm to 4pm. Kiddie area; games, glitter tattoos, balloon animals. Entry on Jewell Street near fire station or through the Sebastopol Art Center parking lot. Thank you, Sebastopol for 100 years of great community partnerships.
How to Cope with Hearing Loss
Sunday, May 25, 2 pm to 3 pm, at Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss, this program presented by the Hearing Loss Association of America is for you. Tips and techniques for living with this condition, as well as technical information about hearing assistive technology will be offered. Registration is required for this event. Register now.
Samantha Rose Swartz’s Giving Up the Ghost, A Daughter’s Memoir
Sunday, May 25, 3 pm to 5 pm, Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental. Free.
New York Times bestselling ghostwriter, Samantha Rose, steps forward to unravel the mystery surrounding her mother’s suicide. What begins as a solitary journey of grief shifts form when her mother returns from the shadows beyond to reconcile her irreversible choice. Raw, deeply revealing, and with resilient humor throughout, Giving Up the Ghost explores the layered complexity of mental health, the love between mothers and daughters, and how, in the aftermath of inconceivable loss, we can release our inner ghosts and write a new story for ourselves. Free admission, all donations gratefully invited. Selected readings, on-stage conversation with fellow writer and close family friend, Miriam Silver. Q&A, book sales & signing. Refreshments for sale.
See What’s Happening Sonoma County for more 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.