What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Gravenstein Apple Fair, conceptual artist Kate Haug retrospective at SebArts, Angel Choir at Peacetown, Cat Video Fest and so much more
Sebastopol Girl Scouts – Bee a Daisy
Monday, Aug. 3, 4 pm to 5 pm, at Ives Park 7400 Willow St., Sebastopol. Free; RSVP requested.
A fun and informative Girl Scout welcome event for TK and kindergarten-aged youth and their families, hosted by Girl Scouts of Northern California. Young participants will learn about pollinators through bee-themed activities and crafts, while adults can find out about joining an existing Girl Scout troop or starting a new one in the community. For questions, contact Heather at hwilber@gsnorcal.org or (707) 524-9200. Register.
Sourdough Bread Basics
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, at Gather, 122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $165.
Ready to start baking sourdough at home? In this hands-on workshop, Tawnya Deeths of The Peaceful Acre Baker guides you through the essential techniques for creating beautiful, flavorful sourdough in your own kitchen. You’ll learn the foundations of mixing, fermenting, shaping, and baking naturally leavened bread, while demystifying starter care, flour selection, and the fermentation process. You’ll take home a living heirloom sourdough starter, one shaped loaf ready to bake that evening, one proofed dough to bake later, a rattan banneton basket, and recipes and workshop notes. Bring a stoneware or glass mixing bowl for transporting your proofed dough home; no prior sourdough experience required. Reserve your spot.
Hessel Grange Potluck with produce and seed exchange
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Hessel Grange, 5400 Blank Road, Sebastopol.
Join the members of the newly reopened Hessel Grange to share a meal and get to know each other and the community and celebrate the reopening of this shared community space. Bring a dish to share and, if you’ve got ‘em, seeds or homegrown produce to swap. Info at fluidroots
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 6 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
The Sebastopol City Council will consider an ordinance regulating newspaper racks and weigh reimbursing $350,354 in misallocated attorney costs to the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds. They will also discuss an ordinance to prohibit sitting or lying on public sidewalks, as well as legal options regarding graffiti and racial mockery by high schoolers at Safeway. Council will also get a report on the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) and next steps, including a $40,000 consulting agreement. The public may attend in person, by Zoom, or by phone. See agenda and documentation.
Film: Wild Inside
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 6:30 pm, and Sunday, Aug. 9, at 2:15 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $16.
In 2023, Flaco — a male Eurasian eagle-owl, the largest owl species in the world — was discovered missing from his cage at the Central Park Zoo in Manhattan. This documentary follows what happened after Flaco, who had lived his entire life in captivity, was released into New York City, revealing the delight, concern, and fascination of millions in the city and beyond. Director Penny Lane will appear in person for a Q&A at the Sunday, Aug. 9 screening. Get tickets.
Fiber Arts/Sewing: Beginning Sewing
Wednesdays, Aug. 5 to 26, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. $299.55
Learn the basics of sewing in this four-week series with no experience required, taught by Shannon Marshall, owner of Sonoma County Sewing Company. This is a series of four 3-hour classes and all supplies are included. Each week, there’s a different project, designed to be fun and easy for beginners, and all supplies are included. The skills you are learning during this series will set you up for success with any kind of sewing projects you want to get into. Register here.
Peacetown Concert in Ives Park
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Ives Park, Sebastopol.
Peacetown opens this week with The Familiar Strangers, playing from 5 pm to 6 pm. Put together by the ubiquitous Kevin Russell, The Familiar Strangers play an Americana grab bag of roots music from western swing to classic country, blues rock, swing jazz and even a little bit of gypsy jazz! They’re followed up by The Angel Choir, playing from 6:30 pm to 8 pm, a powerhouse of female singers, including Loralee Christensen, Dallis Craft, Candy Girard, Alison Paige, Ellie James, backed on guitar by the incredibly talented Emily Froberg. All of these amazing women are artists and stars in their own right, but coming together they create something unique and beautiful! As always, there will be food trucks, plus cold beer, fine wine and soft drinks for purchase. Folks are encouraged to set up chairs early in the day. Bring your loving heart and your dancing shoes!
Caltucky, Hoss Farm and Charlie Torch
Thursday, Aug. 6, 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $24.35
HopMonk presents a wild night of progressive bluegrass, jamgrass, and Northern California string-band energy. Rising jamgrass powerhouse Caltucky headlines alongside California all-star band Hoss Farm and the family-powered acoustic roots of Charlie Torch, featuring the Manning family of Berkeley’s renowned Manning School of Music. Expect blazing picking, harmony vocals and a dancefloor full of good vibes all night long. Mostly standing; 21+ only. Get tickets.
Chimera First Fridays Open House
Friday, Aug. 7, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Chimera, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Chimera Arts, Sonoma County’s maker space, continues its First Fridays at Chimera Arts, a showcase of the local maker community. There will be live music from Callie Watts and Kris Dilbeck, food and beverages, activities and demonstrations.
Sacred Garden: Ecological Place Making and Ancestral Traditions
Friday through Sunday, Aug. 7 to 9, 10 am to 4:30 pm daily, in Sebastopol (location provided upon registration). Tuition on a sliding scale: $400-$450.
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.
Film: Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies
Saturday, Aug. 8, at 4 pm, and Monday, Aug. 10, at 6:30 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $16.
Celebrate the 35th anniversary of an iconic Grateful Dead show as it returns to the big screen. Dead Heads around the world will gather for the Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies, featuring the complete June 17, 1991 concert from Giants Stadium. Get tickets.
The Beat Farmers with Gill Brothers Band
Friday, Aug. 7, 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $35.75
Return of The Beat Farmers, the San Diego roots-rock band that ran from 1983 to 1995 and built a reputation for a one-of-a-kind mix of cowpunk, rockabilly, blues, and boogie-woogie — a combination of music, mayhem, and stage presence that fans still remember. The original lineup featured Country Dick Montana, Jerry Raney, Joey Harris, and Rolle Love. The Gill Brothers Band opens. Mostly standing; 21+ only. Get tickets.
Rooted & Restored: Forest Hammock Floating Sound Bath
Friday, Aug. 7, 7 pm to 8:30 pm, at a private forested property in West Sebastopol (address provided upon registration). $55.
Settle into a hammock beneath the trees for a deeply restorative evening. The experience begins with a gentle yoga session led by Sunee of Soul-Fi Sound Healing, followed by a sound bath journey with crystal bowls, chimes, and elemental tones — all woven together with the natural sounds of the forest. Find out more.
Grandma’s All Apple Breakfast & Fritter
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9, 9 am to 12 pm, at the Sebastopol Masonic Center, 373 N. Main St., Sebastopol. Varied prices.
Now in its 37th year, this beloved tradition serves up “Grandma’s Apple Fritters” — a recipe you won’t find anywhere else. Stop by for breakfast on your way to the nearby Gravenstein Apple Fair or grab a boat of fritters to dine in or take out. The all-apple breakfast menu includes apple pancakes topped with fritters, bacon, scrambled eggs, homemade apple jam, homemade Gravenstein applesauce, apple juice, and coffee, tea or milk. Free parking is available behind the Masonic Center and on the street. All proceeds support the community activities of La Fayette Masonic Lodge. $17 adults; $9 children ages 8–12; free for children under 8. A boat of Gravenstein apple fritters is $10. Get tickets.
Gravenstein Apple Fair
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9, 10 am to 6 pm, at Ragle Ranch Regional Park, 500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol. Varied prices.
Now in its 53rd year, the beloved Gravenstein Apple Fair returns to Ragle Ranch Park. The fair offers a full weekend of local food and drink, music, crafts, games, agricultural demonstrations, family fun and apples, apples, apples. General admission: $23 adults, $10 children 6-12, free for kids 5 and under; family passes, $55 (online only, Aug. 7). Local discount and premium upgrades available. Get tickets.
Conservation Science + Art: Butterflies & Moths with Megan Gnekow
Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 am to 4 pm, at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. $145; all materials included.
Learn scientific illustration while exploring the conservation challenges facing California’s butterflies and moths. Join artist and educator Megan Gnekow to explore the threats these species face, practice accurate illustration techniques, and discover how human behavior affects butterflies, moths, and their host plants — plus steps you can take to help them thrive. The workshop is accessible to artists of all experience levels. Register.
CatVideoFest
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9 and 15-16, 12 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol.
CatVideoFest is a joyful compilation of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of submissions, sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. Each year, local theaters partner with nearby cat-focused charities and shelters, and a portion of ticket proceeds from every show goes directly to local cats in need — in this case, benefiting Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County. Get tickets.
End of Life Choices
Saturday, Aug. 8, 12:30 pm to 2 pm, at Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High St., Sebastopol. $8.
Join Mary Abbott and Taya Levine with End of Life Choices California for a compassionate and informative discussion designed to support you and your loved ones. Learn how to gently share your values and end-of-life wishes. Understand legal end-of-life options in California, including medical aid in dying. Gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind for future planning. All are welcome. Only a few spaces left. Call to register: (707) 829-2440.
La Luz with Spacemoth
Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $38.86 (including service fee). Mostly standing; 21+ only.
La Luz, the Seattle-formed band led by Shana Cleveland, has carved out a distinctive niche blending psychedelic rock, surf rock, and indie garage rock. Known for lush harmonies and dreamy melodies, their sound draws on the surf and psychedelic influences of the ‘60s wrapped in a modern indie aesthetic — nostalgic and forward-thinking at once. Spacemoth opens. Get tickets.
Kate Haug: Collaborative Practices — A Community Drawing Rally and Opening Reception
Saturday, Aug. 8, 2 pm to 6 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol.
This retrospective of Bay Area artist Kate Haug’s work engages the Bay Area’s history of technological innovation, political activism and testing of social structures. Collaborative Practices features Haug’s past projects, including “News Today: A History of the Poor People’s Campaign in Real Time,” “Summer of Love Trading Cards,” and “Public Post,” a collaborative wheatpaste that critiques digital culture. New work includes “Mothership,” an interdisciplinary dive into the complex space of Motherhood through community drawing and public programming.
From 2 pm to 4 pm, join a community drawing rally for “Draw Your Mother/ Draw Your Child” and make work to be hung in the gallery as part of the interdisciplinary work Mothership. From 4 pm to 6 pm, have a drink and celebrate the opening of Collaborative Practices. There will be a live performance starting at 4:30 pm which emphasizes collaboration and community as part of artistic practice.
Here are the exhibition-linked events in August.
15 Minutes for Moms/ with Sebastopol Regional Library Family Storytime - Aug 5,12, 19, 26
Science Buzz Cafe - The Science of Motherhood in Collaboration with Knowable Magazine - Aug 10
Zine Workshop “Draw Your Family / Draw Your Story” - Aug 15 & 16
