What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
History Buzz, Robert Reich, new seasonal cooking classes, enlightening comedy, the VFW car show, and more
History Buzz—Talking America, Part 2: West County Conversation about the idea of America
Monday, July 14, 6 pm, at Hopmonk, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $10.
Science Buzz Café turns into History Buzz this week as the group explores the three-century prelude to the founding of America. A few key biographies, significant events, wars, and treaties will be described for developing a 'sense of the times' and create the set and setting for igniting a conversation about the idea of America and its future.
Preserve the Season: Stone Fruit
Tuesday, July 15, 10 am to 2 pm, at Gather, 122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $150.
Capture the best of the harvest! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn the art of preserving seasonal fruit through canning, jamming, and other time-honored techniques. In these monthly classes, make two preserves, one beverage, and one preserved condiment. July features stone fruit. Guided by Christina Connelly of Apple Blossom Acre, you’ll take home delicious preserves and the skills to keep the season’s bounty alive all year long. Perfect for beginners and seasoned home cooks alike! In this class, you will make and take home Plum Cardamom Jam, Apricot Anise Jam, Honeyed Apricots, and Plum Vinegar. Reserve your spot.
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 15, 6 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
At the city council this week, there will be two informational presentations: the annual report on Hotel Sebastopol and a presentation from the Chamber of Commerce and downtown businesses on the Main Street America Program. In addition, the council will hear from the Sebastopol Library Staffing and Facilities Ad Hoc Committee, discuss possible amendments to City Council Protocols, and learn about “Economic Gardening” aimed at supporting the growth of homegrown businesses. They will also consider waiving city fees for the Living Peace Wall Induction Ceremony and whether to grant a Special Event Permit for Sebastopol Porchfest 2025. See the agenda and related documents here.
The Last Class: A film about Robert Reich
Tuesday, July 15, 4:30 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich might be famous for his public service, best-selling books, and viral social media posts, but he always considered teaching his true calling. “The Last Class” captures a master educator wrestling with the dual realities of his own aging and his students inheriting a world out of balance. Reich confronts the impending finality with unflinching candor, humor, introspection, and a rawness of emotion he has never shared publicly before. One thousand students fill the biggest lecture hall on the UC Berkeley campus—the last class to receive Reich’s wisdom and exhortations not to accept that society has to stay the way it is. His final assignment: Who will be the teachers of tomorrow? The 7 pm time slot, which features a Q&A with the director, is sold out but there are still tickets available for the 4:30 pm showing. Get tickets.
Author visit: Rachel Zemach at the library
Tuesday, July 15, 6 pm to 8 pm, Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol.
In celebration of Disability Pride Month, author and educator Rachel Zemach will discuss her compelling memoir The Butterfly Cage – Joy, Heartache, and Corruption: Teaching While Deaf in Public School. This in-person presentation is in ASL with English interpretation.
Find Your Center: Intro to Ki Aikido and Mindful Movement
Wednesday, July 16, 10:30 to 12:30 pm, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol. Free.
Discover how gentle movement and focused breathing can bring calm, clarity, and balance to your everyday life. Instructor Bill Phillips will lead a free two-hour introductory session in Ki Development and Ki Aikido—a practice that helps unify mind and body, reduce stress, and improve your response to life’s daily challenges. No experience is needed, and there’s only very light physical contact. This workshop is designed for adults of all ages and abilities, with a special welcome to those interested in mindfulness, conflict resolution, graceful movement, or staying grounded and centered as we age. The workshop will be held in the Parish Hall at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol. Come curious—leave refreshed and renewed.
Peacetown Summer Concert Series
Wednesday, July 16, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Ives Park, Sebastopol. Free.
Come party in the park with Peacetown. The Laurie Morvan Band and The Blues Defenders perform at Peacetown this week. Beer, wine, food trucks, and fun.
Summer Concert Series at The Barlow
Wednesday, July 16, 4 pm to 8 pm, in The Barlow, Sebastopol. Free.
Join the Barlow each Wednesday for live music, a street market, food, beer, wine, and fun. The concert this week features the Good Time Collective.
Silent Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
Wednesday, July 16, at 6 pm to 6:30 pm, at the Living Peace Wall between the Rialto and the plaza. Free.
Gather in silence every Wednesday evening for a brief peace vigil. Stand together in the memory of all those who have died in the conflict, and all those who are suffering hunger and fear, in the hope of a true and lasting ceasefire. No flags, no signs, no speeches.
The Indivisible Sonoma County Film Series—John Lewis: Good Trouble
Wednesday, July 16, 1 pm and 7 pm, Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
“Good Trouble” chronicles the life and career of the legendary civil rights activist and Democratic Representative from Georgia. Using interviews and rare archival footage, the film chronicles John Robert Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using interviews with Lewis, Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. Get tickets.
Chimera Makerspace and Porchfest Mixer
Thursday, July 17, 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, at Chimera Arts & Makerspace, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Come and enjoy community networking, live music, snacks and drinks. Learn about this year’s upcoming PorchFest.
Painting with Soft Pastels
Fridays, July 18 to August 1, 10 am to 12 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $150.
Explore the vivid world of soft pastel with master pastelist James R Reynolds. The three-session class begins with a short demonstration and introduction to this vivid and flexible medium. Then, students will begin a pastel painting of their own. The student is free to choose an image, but guidance will be available. Students will get individual attention in a supportive, friendly and non-judgmental atmosphere. Topics to be covered will include making a good start by underpainting using an alcohol wash, simplifying color choices, types of mark making, layering colors, and blending. Reserve your spot.
There are a several cool classes at SebArts this week. See them here.
Mayo & Friends: A Cooking Demo
Friday, July 18, 10:30 am to 12 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $35.
Homemade mayonnaise makes a luscious accompaniment to summer grilling. And it’s easier than you think. Learn one basic technique and you can make herby green goddess dressing and punchy garlicky aioli, too. What to Expect: a 20-minute guided stroll through our organic olive and apple orchards; a demonstration-style class in our charming Apple Cottage kitchen; educational insights on using olive oil to create luscious dressings; tastings of the finished products. Reserve your spot.
Art Reception for the Art Workshop of Western Sonoma County
Friday, July 18, 5 pm to 7 pm, at The Livery CoWork, 6940 Burnett St., Sebastopol. Free.
Come to this art reception and show celebrating the talented artists from the Art Workshop of Western Sonoma County (AWS). A new display of artwork from AWS members is now decorating the walls of The Livery CoWork. Visit us during this special reception to meet some of the artists and view their work. This event is free and open to the public. Light bites and refreshments will be provided.
Paint Monet’s Waterlilies
Saturday, July 19, 10 am to 12 pm, at Reichwage Winery, 1689 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol. $39.19.
Paint en plein air with local artist Gen Zorich, surrounded by the beauty of the Reichwage vineyard. Stay to picnic (déjeuner sur l'herbe, anyone?) with an in-house cheese and charcuterie board. A glass of wine is included in each ticket. This summer, bring France to you! Reserve your spot.
7th Annual VFW Car Show
Saturday, July 19, 10 am to 2 pm, at the Veterans Hall (SebArts), 282 High St., Sebastopol.
BBQ , raffle , music—and, of course, amazing cars! An optional breakfast will be served at 8:30 am. Car Entry will be $25 at the event. Learn more.
Cooking demo & book signing: Snacking Dinners with author Georgia Freedman
Saturday, July 19, 1 pm to 2 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms 3387 Canfield Rd, Sebastopol. $15.
Come meet Georgia Freedman, author of Snacking Dinners, for a relaxed cooking demo and book signing at Gold Ridge Organic Farms. Georgia will show you how to turn your favorite snacks into a satisfying, balanced meal with recipes that are simple, flexible, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking just for yourself or sharing with friends, Snacking Dinners makes it easy to put together a meal that feels special but doesn’t take hours in the kitchen. Get tickets.
Mindscape Sculpture Opening Event
Saturday, July 19, 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at Green Valley Farm + Mill, 13024 E. Green Valley Road, Sebastopol. $12.51.
Landscape shapes mindscape is the story of a large-scale sculpture being built in the woods out of materials gathered from forest tending and local mill waste streams. It is part of an experiment exploring ways that we can interweave stewardship and art to cultivate deeper meaning and connection with our local community, ecology, and our story of place. Statue unveiling at 6 pm. Must buy tickets in advance. Learn more.
Love and Laughter Ever After! An Evening of Enlightening Comedy and Joyous Celebration
Saturday, July 19, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, at Soft Medicine Sanctuary, 186 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $25.
At a time when we are divided by the beliefs in our heads, here’s a chance to unite around the love in our hearts! And the best way to do that is through hearty laughter. So you are invited to join us for an evening of cosmic comedy, music, and community celebration. Get tickets.
The Trade: Outdoor Marketplace
Sunday, July 20, 11 am to 5 pm, in the Barlow.
The Trade happens every third Sunday of the month. Shop from vintage and antique vendors and other local makers, while enjoying live music.
Market to Table: A guided farmer’s market & cooking experience
Sunday, July 20, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, at Gather, 122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $165.
A guided market tour and chef-led demo class designed to help you cook with the season—confidently and creatively. This class begins with a walk through the Sebastopol Farmers Market alongside Chef Laura, who will share tips on selecting peak produce and shopping intuitively, freeing you from the need to rely solely on recipes. From there, you’ll return to Gather’s kitchen to watch a live cooking demonstration focused on core knife techniques and simple, flexible preparations using what was sourced that morning. You’ll enjoy a full, market-inspired lunch and walk away with practical insights on how to cook seasonally, waste less, and plan meals around what’s fresh—not just what’s in a recipe.
Exploration in the Field of Fiber Art with Judith Content
Sunday, July 20, 1:30 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $25.
Judith’s presentation will begin with a slideshow featuring highlights of her long career in Fiber Art exploring contemporary interpretations of the Japanese dye technique: arashi-shibori. She will discuss the new and unexpected directions her work has taken over the last five years, particularly 3D sculptural compositions and ephemeral land art installations. This workshop is done in conjunction with the International Fiber Arts XII exhibit, which runs from now through August 3 at SebArts. Reserve your spot.
See What’s Happening Sonoma County for more Sebastopol music listings.
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