What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Peter Coyote at Copperfield's, Banksy film at SebArts, Science Buzz Cafe, Coffee with the Mayor, music, and more

Emergency Prep Help
Mondays, Aug. 11 and 25, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Come to this free, two-part workshop with expert speakers, free go-bags, and incentives. This Senior Center workshop will be held offsite at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. Register now.
Science Buzz Cafe: World of Asteroids, Comets & Meteorites
Monday, Aug. 11, 6 pm, at The Abby at HopMonk, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $10.
Astrophysicist Mary Barsony will describe our amazing universe and the objects that abound. Come see the million-dollar meteorite, too.
Carbon Conversations: Free solar and/or battery for your home. Is it for real?Monday, August 11, 7 pm via Zoom
Join Tor Allen of the Rahus Institute in Sebastopol for this Zoom meeting about government solar/battery programs. See if you might qualify here. Register for the Zoom.
Sebastopol Grange Home Gardener Produce Exchange
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 5 pm to 5:45 pm, at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Road (Hwy. 12), Sebastopol. Free.
Bring your extra produce to the Grange to share and trade. Anything leftover will be donated. Master Food Preservers will be at each Produce Exchange/Donation ready to answer food preservation questions as well as provide ideas for preserving everything from our gardens and the summer season.
Jewish Film Festival: Among Neighbors
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1 pm and 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
Using hand-drawn animation to bring the past to life, “Among Neighbors” investigates the story of a small, rural town where the longstanding peace between Jewish and Polish neighbors was shattered by World War II. The film focuses on one of the town’s last living Holocaust survivors, and an aging eyewitness who saw Jews murdered there — six months after the Nazis were defeated. Q&A with filmmaker Yoav Potash to follow screenings. Get tickets.
Coffee with the Mayor
Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 4 pm to 5 pm, at Sebastopol City Hall, 7120 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
The Sebastopol “Coffee with the Mayor” event is a monthly opportunity for residents to connect with Mayor Stephen Zollman in an informal setting. The mayor will be present to answer questions, hear ideas, and discuss community issues with residents. Local coffee and donuts will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable cups.
Poetic Medicine: August Session
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 4 pm to 5:30 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. Sliding Scale: $10/$15/$20.
The practice of “poem making” offers a means to express the metaphors and meaning of the joys and suffering we experience in ourselves and bear witness to in others. Poetry can be a salve for the heart and soul. It is a way of speaking what is true in our hearts and is often difficult to access without a creative spark. You do not have to be a "poet" or even a "writer" to allow words and feelings to pour through your pen. Reserve your spot.
Peacetown Summer Concert Series at Ives Park: Fleetwood Macramé band
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Ives Park, 7400 Willow St., Sebastopol. Free.
Fleetwood Macramé has become one of the Bay Area’s most exciting tribute bands. What began as a simple exercise in fun has turned into an awe-inspiring live experience complete with show-stopping renditions of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits. Audience participation is encouraged, and Bay Area crowds are coming in droves to sing along with Fleetwood Macramé. The band will play two sets. Come out and enjoy the show!
Peacetown Summer Concert Series at HopMonk: Joe Craven & Frisky
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 6 pm to 8:30 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Joe Craven & Frisky is an energized, intergenerational acoustic groove trio comprised of three fiddlers, a guitarist, mandolinist, three vocalists and one percussionist... all rolled into three musicians. The threesome is fronted by award-winning music veteran of 45 years, Joe Craven, who has played & recorded with many well-known artists, including Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, David Lindley and many more. Sumaia Jackson and Colin Cotter are great players who bring muchness to the Frisky Trio.
OutWatch Film Festival: Cloudburst
Thursday, Aug. 14, 1 pm and 6:50 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $11.50.
This hilarious, foul-mouthed lesbian road trip movie co-stars Oscar-winning actors Olympia Dukakis (Stella) and Brenda Fricker (Dotty). Stella and Dotty are a lesbian couple in their seventies from Maine. First, Stella has to break Dotty out of a nursing home that Dotty’s granddaughter had moved Dotty unwillingly into. Then they embark on a Thelma-and-Louise-style road trip to Nova Scotia to get married. Along the way, they pick up Prentice, a hitchhiker traveling home to Nova Scotia to visit his dying mother, and the three bond as they travel together. Get tickets.
Dementia Conversations
Thursday, Aug. 14, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, at Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol.
An education program presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. Join the Senior Center for a free workshop on how to navigate tough but essential conversations when a loved one shows signs of dementia. Get practical tips, real support, and caring guidance. Register now.
Vardo Traveling Theater Company presents: Animal Farm
Thursday, Aug. 14, 7:30 pm to 10 pm, at Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy. 12), Sebastopol. By donation.
Step into a world where “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” The Vardo Traveling Theater Company is proud to present George Orwell’s timeless fable, Animal Farm—a powerful and poignant “fairy tale” for modern times. Witness the classic story unfold as the animals of Manor Farm rise up against their human oppressors, only to find themselves under a new, more insidious tyranny. Enjoy this unforgettable evening that promises to provoke thought and spark conversation.
Painting with Soft Pastels
Fridays, Aug. 15-22-29, 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 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 (underpainting using an alcohol wash), simplifying color choices, types of mark making, layering colors, and blending. Reserve your spot.
Exit Through The Gift Shop: A Banksy Film + Graffiti Artist Panel
Friday, Aug. 15, 5 pm to 8 pm, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $20.
Come to this special screening of “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” the Oscar-nominated documentary directed by the elusive street artist Banksy. This thought-provoking and often humorous film delves into the underground world of street art, blurring the lines between art and commerce, authenticity and spectacle. Following the screening, stay for a dynamic panel discussion featuring local graffiti and street artists, including The Velvet Bandit (@thevelvetbandit), Ricky Watts (@rickywatts), AmandaLynn (@alynnpaint), and Ryan Petersen (@ryanpetersenart). The panel will explore the evolution of street art, its impact on communities, and the fine line between rebellion and recognition. Wine and snacks will be available. 5 pm, doors open; 5:15 pm, film screening; 6:30 pm, intermission/community art activity; 7 pm, Graffiti/Street Artist panel. Get tickets.
Copperfield’s Presents: Greg Anton & Peter Coyote
Friday, Aug. 15, 7 pm to 8 pm, at Copperfield's Books, 138 North Main St., Sebastopol.
Copperfield’s Books is thrilled to welcome Greg Anton and Peter Coyote to Sebastopol for a musical celebration featuring Greg's riveting new book, It's About Time. Take a hazy trip to the 197s with Greg and Peter, where rock and roll reigns supreme. This event will include a reading, a memorable conversation and harmonious tunes. Audience Q&A and book signing to follow the discussion. This event is free and open to the public. Registration required for seating. Reserve a seat and/or book.
Cheeseboard Workshop
Saturday, Aug. 16, 11 am to 1 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $87.25.
Join Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ resident cheese expert, Alli Keyser-Marti, for an hands-on cheese board workshop! Explore how to create your own beautiful board, showcasing a wide array of flavors, textures, and colors. Learn how to incorporate a variety of edible flowers and fresh herbs, local honey, apple cider syrup, balsamic vinegar, EVOO, olives, artisan bread, crackers, and dips to accompany the best local cheeses made by artisan producers from Sonoma County and beyond. All ingredients and materials are included in the ticket price. You’ll get to take home your creation to share with friends and family—or enjoy right here at the farm! Get tickets.
Dgiin at Furthermore Wines
Saturday, Aug. 16, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Furthermore Wines, 3541 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. $20.
Sonoma County’s favorite French gypsy band hits Furthermore Sebastopol for a fun night of dancing and revelry. Dgiin is a melting pot of French, American, and Quebec artists with various influences. They all reunite around a repertoire of music in French with a healthy dash of Spanish guitar, an inch of brass, a violin, bass, and percussion, all tied together with sibling vocals. Get tickets.
Taft Street Winery’s Singer-Songwriter Outdoor Series: Greg Abel with 3 Acre Holler
Sunday, Aug. 17, 2 pm to 4:30 pm, at Taft Street Winery, 2030 Barlow Lane, Sebastopol. $10.
Come to Taft Street Winery for an afternoon of original music and acoustic storytelling under the trees. Our very own Greg Abel returns to the Taft Street stage, opening the show with a solo set of heartfelt songs. He’ll then be joined by Sonoma County’s 3 Acre Holler—trio Cori Wood, Layne Bowen, and Paul Paul Shelasky—for a collaborative set filled with rich harmonies and rootsy Americana vibes. Get tickets.
See What’s Happening Sonoma County for more Sebastopol music listings.
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