What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Bauhaus celebration, Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival, Literary Arts Summit, and the opening of the Pulp ~ Paper ~ Book exhibition at SebArts and so much more
Science Buzz Cafe: The Chapman Stick and other unusual musical instruments
Monday, March 9, at HopMonk Tavern (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $10.
Bob Culberston will perform, demonstrate, and describe the Chapman stick, a 12-string bass and guitar, all in one. He will also demonstrate the hand pan from Switzerland, the digeridoo from Australia, and the shruti box from India. Culbertson is famous not only for his technique, which allows him to play three to four parts simultaneously (e.g., bass line, chords, and melody), but also for his compositional talent.
You Got Gold — A Celebration of John Prine
Tuesday, March 10, 1 pm to 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $16.
This film is a star-studded tribute to the legendary songwriter, filmed in October 2022 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The event brought together acclaimed artists, friends, and family to share behind-the-scenes stories and perform classic songs, honoring Prine’s enduring legacy. Features Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Isbell, and Bob Weir and many others. Get tickets.
Bauhaus to Pond Farm: A Legacy on Film
Friday, March 13, 6 pm to 9 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $25.
A century after the Nazi regime shuttered the modern era’s most influential artistic movement, the final students of a great Bauhaus master return to Germany to re-discover the legacy of their teacher: Marguerite Wildenhain. 6 pm: reception and exhibition of Bauhaus pottery; 7 pm: screening of the film “Bauhaus Legacy”; 8 pm: panel with artists and filmmakers, including Will Schwarz, Kayla Liard, Brent Johnson, Jane Rekedal, Seth Capron, and Brian Martens. Learn more and get tickets.
Books at the Source: Literary Arts Summit
Saturday, March 14, 10 am to 6 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $204.
Connect with literary talent of the North Bay and beyond at this event featuring authors and teachers of fiction, memoir, nonfiction and poetry. Be inspired by workshops, readings, panel presentations and networking. An inspiring day designed to foster literary dialogue, nurture creativity, and forge meaningful connections. Get tickets.
Growing Great Tomatoes with Larry the Tomato Guy
Saturday, March 14, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $31.
Join us for a two-hour class designed to inspire and equip gardeners of all levels to grow delicious, healthy tomatoes. Legendary local heirloom tomato grower Larry Wagner will cover the essential techniques to help you succeed — from choosing the right varieties to harvesting ripe, flavorful fruit. Larry and his wife Cris have spent 25 years growing 400 heirloom tomato plants and over 70 varietals on the nearby Volkerts Family Ranch. They supply restaurants, donate to nonprofits, and share their harvest with friends and neighbors. Get tickets.
Dogwood’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, March 14, 11 am to 2 pm, at Hopmonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Join Dogwood for a celebration honoring a decade of saving lives, building community, and giving dogs and cats a second chance. Over the past ten years, Dogwood Animal Rescue has rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed thousands of dogs and cats, thanks to the unwavering support of our volunteers, fosters, adopters, donors, and local partners. Admission is free, and all are welcome. Arrive early — the first 50 guests will receive a special surprise gift as a thank-you for celebrating Dogwood’s anniversary.
The Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival
Saturday, March 14, 12 pm to 9 pm, at Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $50 general admission.
The Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival is coming up this Saturday. The lineup includes Laurie Lewis and Nina Gerber, 5 Mile Mountain Road, Monroe Crossing, The Evie Ladin Band, Jesse Appelman’s West Coast Stringband Project, Pulso de Barro, and more. There will be tons of picking, two workshops (vocal harmony, with Michaela Mae and Ryan Harlin, as well as a Mexican folk music workshop). The festival will finish off the evening with a square dance called by Evie Ladin with music by KC Heil and her dance band. Tickets are all-inclusive. Last year this event sold out so don’t wait to buy your tickets.
Get on the Bus - Funk Sessions
Saturday, March 14, 6 pm to 12 am, at Laguna Labs, 117 Morris St., Sebastopol. $12.
Laguna Lab teams up with The North Bay Get Down to launch a new live music series rooted in deep funk grooves, improvisation, and community energy. Get On The Bus – The Funk Sessions is a night dedicated to rhythm-forward, dancefloor-driven live funk, featuring touring heavyweights and local groove architects, all inside Sebastopol’s new art-forward creative space, Laguna Lab. Get tickets.
Charlie Hunter Trio
Saturday, March 14, 8 pm, at HopMonk, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $43.
Charlie Hunter is a guitarist, producer, and composer celebrated for his innovative approach to the instrument. He gained widespread recognition for his pioneering technique on an eight-string guitar, which he custom-designed to simultaneously play bass lines, melodies, and chords. Currently, he performs on 6- and 7-string guitars built by Hybrid Guitars, which creates fanned-fret instruments tailored to his specifications. Get tickets.
Graton Town Square Work Party
Sunday, March 15, 9 am to 1 pm, at Graton Town Square in downtown Graton.
Graton Town Square needs some love. The grass is long and lush, and the weeds have taken over the native plant bed. Drop by anytime between 9 am and 1 pm. Come for 5 minutes, say hello, take a stroll and/or get your hands dirty. Here’s what you can expect: 9 am to 11:30 am: weeding, pruning and general stewardship of the native plant bed and also shed organization; 11:30 am to 12 pm: break and potluck; 12 pm to 1 pm: town hall discussion.
Wildflower Seed Bomb Workshop
Sunday, March 15, 11 am to 1 pm, at Sebastopol Hardware Center, 660 Gravenstein Hwy., Sebastopol. $20.
Come to Sebastopol Hardware Store on Sunday, from 11 am until 1 pm to create seed bombs made from California native plant seeds that are good for pollinators, butterflies, and gardens. Create 6 to 8 bombs to take home in a mason jar with fabric and twine. Adults create seed bombs while kids paint flowers! Make seed bombs ($20) or bundle with kids painting experience ($35). Get tickets.
Pulp ~ Paper ~ Book Exhibition Opening Reception
Sunday, March 15, 2 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol.
Paper is one of the oldest artistic media. From parchment to books to vellum to wood products, humans print on every surface and make inks from everything on earth. Explore this fascinating world in the new exhibition, Pulp ~ Paper ~ Book, which runs from March 14 to May 3. The opening reception is this Sunday, March 15, 2 pm to 4 pm.
Awards Night at Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol
Sunday, March 15, 3 pm to 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $49.
Have you ever experienced Hollywood’s biggest night with an audience? Join with the Rialto to raise funds for Food for Thought and enjoy an evening of stargazing, suspense, and prizes. Food For Thought is a nonprofit organization providing free, healthy groceries, meals, and loving support to people living with serious medical conditions. Tickets are $49 and include food, beverages, games, trivia, prizes and a costume contest. Bring your best Hollywood glam or movie-themed looks. Get tickets.
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