What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Intro to Zen, Advanced Style film, Senior Center Open House, burlesque and more

End-of-Life Choices in California
Monday, Aug. 18, 2:30 pm to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol. Cost: $5 members/$10 non-member.
Your life, your death, your choice. Discover compassionate guidance and resources for end-of-life planning in California. Mary Abbott and Willow Taraja, who volunteer with End of Life Choices California, will discuss sharing values and end-of-life wishes with loved ones; legal end-of-life options including California's End of Life Option Act (known as medical aid in dying); and the resources and support provided by End of Life Choices California. Register now.
Folk Farm Music Class: Duet Singing
Tuesdays, Aug. 19 to Oct. 7, 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm, at Folk Farm Music School at Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $253.
This 8-week course is designed to help you learn how to recognize and sing duet harmonies, while exploring the music theory of why harmonies work. In each class, we will learn a collection of folk, bluegrass and country harmonies. Register now.
The Indivisible Sonoma County Film Series: The Conformist
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 1 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $11.50.
Marcello Clerici (Jean-Louis Trintignant) is a member of the secret police in Mussolini’s Fascist Italy. He and his new bride, Giulia (Stefania Sandrelli), travel to Paris for their honeymoon, where Marcello also plans to assassinate his former college Professor Luca Quadri (Enzo Tarascio), an outspoken anti-Fascist living in exile. But when Marcello meets the professor’s young wife, Anna (Dominique Sanda), both his romantic and his political loyalties are tested. Get tickets.
Senior Center Open House
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 4 pm to 6 pm, at Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
Discover more about the wide range of services and programs the Sebastopol Area Senior Center offers. Get involved in the Senior Center’s vibrant community by joining classes and activities tailored for seniors. Explore the valuable resources available, including the dedicated LGBT+ program. Take advantage of convenient transportation options like the Trishaw. Meet knowledgeable instructors and learn about all the ways you can participate.
Deadline for grant applications for the SW100 Giving Circle is Thursday, Aug. 21
Do you run or volunteer for a local nonprofit serving West County? The deadline for grant applications for the SW100 Giving Circle is Thursday, Aug. 21. For comprehensive guidelines, application forms and important deadlines, visit sw100.org.
Our Wild Watershed: All About Native Oaks with April Lynch
Thursday, Aug. 21, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. $17-$27.
Join Master Gardener April Lynch for a vibrant and informative evening at the Laguna Environmental Center as she shares her deep love for native oaks. Through a stunning, high-definition slideshow of photographs taken over 15 years, April will take you on a virtual journey through chaparral, woodlands, and forests. Along the way, you’ll learn how to identify native oak species by their acorns, leaves, and flowers. Whether you're an oak enthusiast or just beginning to explore the wonders of our local flora, this colorful presentation is sure to inspire a deeper appreciation for these majestic trees and their role in our wild watershed. Get tickets.
Soldiers of Song: Ukrainian documentary
Thursday, Aug. 21, 6 pm to 9 pm, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol. $40.
Sebastopol World Friends presents a special community screening of the excellent documentary film, Soldiers of Song, about the efforts of musicians in helping people in Ukraine to respond to the darkness of the war. Doors will open at 6 pm for a wine/beer reception. Admission is $40. Proceeds benefit Sebastopol World Friends’ ongoing support for the renovation of a dormitory in Sebastopol’s sister city, Chyhyryn, Ukraine, which will eventually house hundreds of Ukrainian people who have been displaced from their homes. Get tickets.
Introduction to Zen Meditation & Practice
Thursdays, Aug. 21 to Oct. 6, 6:30 pm, at Rocks and Clouds Zendo, 618 S. Main St., Sebastopol. $40.
Join Rocks and Clouds Zendo for a practical, welcoming introduction to Zen meditation. This six-week course offers guided instruction in breath awareness, walking meditation (kinhin), metta (lovingkindness) practice, and core Zen teachings for daily life. Get tickets.
Annual Blanc Party
Friday, Aug. 22, 5 pm to 7:30 pm, at Emeritus Vineyards, 2500 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. $75.
Celebrate the new vintage of Hallberg Blanc with Emeritus Vineyards. This is a full-on white party – so dress to impress in white and come taste the new 2024 vintage. Chef Seamus will provide paired apps, and Keith will be pulling a few special bottles of red from the library to enjoy! Get tickets.
Velvet’s Mini Burlesque Show
Friday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, at Main Street Theater, 104 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $25.
Enjoy a brand-new, sparkly burlesque show at the historic, bite-sized Main Street Theater. Velvet’s Mini Burlesque Show promises a night of entertainment that aims to dazzle and electrify audience members, hosted by Sebastopol local Velvet Thorn. With fabulous performances from local burlesque artists Natasha Nightmare, Thotty McNaughty, Mimic Velour, ReynStorm and Nikki Six. Get tickets.
Under the Oaks Open House at the Laguna Environmental Center
Saturday, Aug. 23, 12 pm to 3 pm, at Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. Free.
Join us for an oak-inspired afternoon at the Laguna Environmental Center in celebration of our current art exhibit, selections from the Great Oaks Series by Adam Wolpert. Bring a picnic and enjoy our scenic landscape, with guided garden tours offered at 1 pm and 2 pm. Learn more.
Heirloom Tomato Tasting
Saturday, Aug. 23, 1 pm to 2:30 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $26.
Summer is tomato time! Join Gold Ridge Organic Farms for a 90-minute immersive exploration of heirloom tomatoes led by legendary local grower and Gold Ridge neighbor, Larry Wagner. This unique event combines education with delicious tastings as you discover the remarkable diversity of heirloom varieties. Get tickets.
Advanced Style with Ari Seth Cohen
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $15.
Come to SebArts for a screening of the documentary “Advanced Style,” followed by a panel discussion with photographer Ari Seth Cohen, creator of the Advanced Style fashion blog, along with several of his subjects. The discussion will be moderated by Andrea Caron, owner of the local clothing shop Silk Moon. Stay for a book signing of Advanced Pets and Advanced Style. Dress to impress! Get tickets.
Peace, Love & Goats: A Fundraising Festival for Goatlandia
Saturday, Aug. 23, 4 pm to 8 pm, at Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary, 1567 Cunningham Road, Sebastopol. $108.55.
Put on your bell-bottoms and flower crowns—it’s time to groove for a cause. Join Goatlandia for our annual party: Peace, Love & Goats Fundraising Festival, a 60s-themed celebration of kindness, community, and compassion. Enjoy an afternoon and evening full of delicious food prepared by the Goatlandia team; beer from Russian River Brewing; wine from local vintners; live music; games and gift shop; art and bake sales; arts and crafts for all ages; silent auction. Party with a purpose! Get tickets.
TERRIER + Misner & Smith at HopMonk
Saturday, Aug. 23, 7 pm to 10:30 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $30.57.
TERRIER is a folk duo composed of Erika Tietjen (T Sisters) and Ben Morrison (The Brothers Comatose). TERRIER’s resonant and twangy harmonies harken to beloved duos like John Prine and Iris Dement and the Civil Wars. Northern California-based unclassifiable duo Misner & Smith's beautiful vocal harmonies combined with truly inventive songwriting has made this band one of the most acclaimed acts in the Americana world. Get tickets.
Rialto Dinner & a Movie: The Lunch Box
Sunday, Aug. 24, 5:30 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $76.50.
Lonely housewife Ila (Nimrat Kaur) decides to try adding some spice to her stale marriage by preparing a special lunch for her neglectful husband. Unfortunately, the delivery goes astray and winds up in the hands of Saajan (Irrfan Khan), an irritable widower. Curious about her husband’s lack of response, Ila adds a note to the next day’s lunchbox, and thus begins an unusual friendship in which Saajan and Ila can talk about their joys and sorrows without ever meeting in person. The evening begins with an Indian meal. Indian cuisine is defined, in part, by a constellation of condiments that transport a meal from good to extraordinary. You’ll enjoy three chutneys, three raitas, coconut, raisins, and peanuts, and sip Michele’s handmade chai as you tuck into dal (soup), curry, rice, stuffed bananas, and more. Get tickets.