What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
The 52nd Gravenstein Apple Fair, sacred gardening, new exhibition at SebArts, and so much more
Girl Scouts Welcome Troop
Monday, Aug. 4, 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm, at Ragle Ranch Park, 500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol. Free.
For families at or near Parkside and Oak Grove schools. A Girl Scout “Welcome Troop” is a way to introduce new girls and their families to Girl Scouting. The troop is led by Girl Scouts of Northern California Council person, Heather Wilber. Heather will lead up to three months of meetings before the troop committee of parents takes over to keep the fun going. The troop meetings are a safe space to create a positive and inclusive environment where girls can build confidence, make friends, and experience the fun and enriching activities Girl Scouts offers. Learn more.
Assemblymember Chris Rogers’ Sebastopol Town Hall today at 5:30 pm. The event will be held at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Learn more.
Monday Evening Dog Training
Monday, Aug. 4, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $45.
This course is designed to meet your pup’s social, physical, and mental needs, helping them reach their full potential as a balanced dog. Drop-in registration is a flexible option for busy schedules. See more information here and register here.
Film: Death & Taxes
Monday, Aug. 4, 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
“Death & Taxes” is a feature documentary about wealth, inequality and the American Dream, viewed through the lens of the estate tax and the very personal story of a father and son at odds over what kind of inheritance we want to leave our kids and our country. Q&A with Director Justin Schein to follow film. Get tickets.
Film - Ada: My Mother the Architect
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 1 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
Ada Karmi Melamede is one of the most accomplished architects in the world, but very little is known about her outside her home country of Israel. “Ada: My Mother the Architect” is a deeply moving portrait of an extraordinary woman directed by her daughter, filmmaker and former architect, Yael Melamede. Q&A with Director Yael Melamede to follow 7pm show. Get tickets.
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol.
At this week’s city council meeting, the council will hear an update from the developers of Hotel Sebastopol and hear from Nolan Sullivan, the new director of the County's Department of Health Services (which deals with homelessness). They will also discuss the creation of a Water/Sewer Fund Oversight Committee; Homeless Outreach Services contract with West County Community Services ($40K already budgeted); and a request from the Senior Center to fund an appraisal of their building (estimated cost up to $5K). See agenda and documentation here.
Understanding Medicare
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2:30 pm to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
Navigate Medicare with confidence: understand your options, coverage, and how to make smart financial choices. Medicare is confusing. HICAP can help. We will review important timelines, enrollment options and gain a better understanding of Medicare in general. This class is intended to help new and existing beneficiaries become ready for the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period October 15-December 7. Space is limited. Call to register: 707-829-2440.
Peacetown Summer Concert Series
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Ives Park, Sebastopol. Free.
Onye and the Messengers will headline this week's Peacetown in Ives Park. Families welcome. Come laugh, sing and dance.
Peacetown Summer Concert Series at HopMonk Tavern: The Blue-Bellies
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 6 pm to 8:30 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
The Blue-Bellies, a group of local musicians who have been playing around the county for decades, evolved out of the Smilin’ Iguanas and the Blue Moon Band. Their original songs, mostly written by members Gary Knowlton and Paul Larkin, cover a wide range of styles, and are fun, witty, and danceable. They also add their own twist to some diverse cover tunes.
Free Intro to Social Square Dancing
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 6 pm to 7 pm, at Wischemann Hall, 465 Morris St., Sebastopol.
Looking for joy? Modern Social Square Dancing is fun to learn and fun to dance with our club’s supportive community of square dancers. You’ll be dancing the very first night! No partner needed, casual attire, everyone welcome—lesbian, gay, straight. Walk-ins welcome. Come early for registration and parking. Learn more.
Shylah Ray: Soul Voice Singing and Live Performance
Thursday, Aug. 7, 3 pm to 9 pm, at Soft Medicine Sanctuary, 186 North Main St., Sebastopol. $23.
Shylah Ray Sunshine is a multi-award-winning singer/songwriter, musician, mother, activist, DJ and professional Vocal Coach. Originally from Canada, Shylah stands proudly as a First Nations Algonquin woman, now living in Southern California. An independent artist, ranging in Neo-Soul, R&B, new age Jazz with a touch of Blues and Hip Hop, she is most well known for her remarkably soulful and powerful voice. Schedule: 3 pm to 5pm: Intro to Soul Voice Singing & Song Circle; 7 pm to 9 pm: Live Performance with Sophia Rayne. Get tickets.
Strange Trip Comedy Show with LOL 707
Thursday, Aug. 7, 9 pm to 11 pm, at the Forestville Club, 6250 Front St., Forestville. $17.86.
Whether you’re into aliens, psychedelics, awkward family dinners, or just want to laugh so hard your third eye blinks — this show is for you. Featuring the one and only Marc Maple, a comic who dives headfirst into the twisted, hilarious, and delightfully demented corners of reality. Expect absurd tangents and mind-bending punchlines, plus special guests and surprise sets that’ll have you questioning reality (or at least your dating life). Get tickets.
Sacred Garden: Ecological Place Making and Ancestral Traditions
Friday, August 8-10, at Permaculture Artisans, Sebastopol. $400.
Come join this magical weekend of ecological landscaping, garden design, and traditional skills. In this 3-day, hands-on program, learn how to design and manage a self-sustaining, ecological food forest combined with an herbal medicine farm. Learn about ancient traditions of kitchen gardens and skill sets from around the world. Explore vital systems of sustenance developed by ancient peoples, discover how these systems are in use today, and how to incorporate them into your life and land. Register now.
Fiber Arts/Sewing: Machine Basics
Saturday, August 9, 10 am, at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. $87.21.
In this hands-on class, you will learn everything you need to set up your sewing machine for success. You will wind a bobbin, thread the machine, and learn how to adjust the machine settings. What are all of those stitches for? What do those attachments do and when should you use them? What kinds of threads and needles are appropriate? Learn the answers to these questions, and more, in this class! You will leave class with samples, notes and a newly found confidence in using your sewing machine. If you don't have your own machine, don't worry, you can use ours. Reserve your spot.
New Exhibition - Art of Play: Opening Reception
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S High St., Sebastopol.
How does play influence art making? How do artists interpret the concept of play in their work? Whether through experimentation with color, materials, and ideas, or through reflections on toys, playgrounds, and the role of play in child development, this exhibition encourages diverse and imaginative responses. From playful explorations of abstract concepts to representations of how play fuels creativity, artists are invited to share their unique perspectives. Each selected piece will be accompanied by a short artist statement describing the role of play in the creative process, offering deeper insights into the art and its inspiration. This exhibition runs from Aug. 9 to Sept. 7.
Gravenstein Apple Fair 2025
Saturday and Sunday, August 9-10, 10 am to 6 pm, Ragle Ranch Regional Park, 500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol. Varied ticket prices.
Good food, good music, and good vibes await you at the 52nd Anniversary Gravenstein Apple Fair. Celebrate all things apple, the best local food and drink, top regional music, ag-inspired fun for the whole family, exciting experiences connecting you to your neighborhood farmers and artisans, and much more. Buy your tickets online today and save up to 30%. Get tickets.
Family Fun: Monster Makers with Clay
Sunday, Aug. 10, 10:30 am to 1 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $40.
Transform clay into a one-of-a-kind little friend, using your imagination and your sense of humor. This class is suitable for ages 6 to adult and tailored to a family-friendly environment. For children under the age of 10, an older sibling or adult should register and attend and make a monster, too. Reserve your spot.
Art Show Reception: William Cutler
Sunday, Aug. 10, 2 pm to 4 pm, Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Come to the Sebastopol Regional Library and meet local artist William Cutler, whose collection, The Soul of Things, is on display in the Library Forum Room July 22 to Sept. 6. Enjoy refreshments, conversation and art.
Buzzy Martin’s Rocking Dinner Show and 70th Birthday Bash
Sunday, Aug. 10, 5:30 pm at Hopmonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.
Buzzy Martin returns for his famous rocking dinner show and his 70th birthday bash, performing songs from the upcoming Prodigy movie, “Guitar Man.” He will be sharing stories from his book, “Don’t Shoot, I’m the Guitar Man” and singing some of your fav cover songs too. It’s a family friendly music show.
Congratulations on turning your newspaper into something amazing, we have been missing this in Sebastopol for so many years. Much success as your audience grows!