What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Dec. 4-10: Sing-Alongs, Tree Lighting, and Holiday Ups and Downs
Handel's "Messiah" Open Sing Along - Practice Session/Open rehearsal
Monday Dec. 4, 7:30 to 8:30 pm at the north side dining room of Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. Free.
An open participatory event for singers and listeners of all abilities: Handel’s oratorio “Messiah,” known for its rousing “Hallelujah” chorus. This is the practice session for the public event on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Stained Glass: Holiday Ornament
Monday and Wednesday, Dec. 4 and 6, 6 to 8pm at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. $60.
Together we'll go through all the steps of making a piece: pattern transfer, glass cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering. Join this hands-on experience and choose from several project images and go home with a small piece of glass art, a suncatcher. All materials provided, but please bring your own lunch or snacks as needed. No one turned away for lack of funds. Please reach out if you have financial concerns with participation. Reserve your spot. This is a two-part event, Monday and Wednesday evening, 6-8pm!
Senior Saunter in the Laguna
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 10 am to 12 pm at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. Meet at the parking lot at Hwy. 12 entrance to the trail.
Senior Saunters are low-impact hikes designed to connect older adults with beautiful parks and each other. This month's hike will take place along the grassy trails off the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Please bring your own water and snacks. We recommend participants dress in layers and bring a hat and sunscreen. Most programs will happen rain or shine, but may be canceled during heavy rains. No registration required.
Sebastopol Mideast Peace Vigil
Wednesdays from 6 pm to 6:15 pm at the Peace Wall at the corner of McKinley and Laguna Parkway, Sebastopol. Free.
In memory of all victims of the Middle East war. No speeches, no music, no poems, no flags, no signs. Conversation/discussion to follow at the circular benches in the plaza.
Lawyers in the Library
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 5 to 7 pm at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Local attorneys offer free legal information and referrals. These lawyer consultations will last up to 20 minutes.
Sebastopol’s Tree Lighting
Thursday, Dec. 7, 5 to 8 pm in the downtown plaza. Free.
Enjoy performances by the Analy High School Jazz Band, Sebastopol Ballet, The Love Choir, and Mr. Music. The city will light the central Christmas tree and Santa will arrive on the fire truck!
Navigating the Holidays: Community Discussion
Thursday, Dec. 7, 7 to 8 pm at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center (Main Hall in the Green Room), 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Join Sebastopol Community Cultural Center and Buckelew Programs for a community discussion! Do you dread seeing your relatives? Do you spend the holidays feeling lonely? Have you found something that helps shine a little brightness through the winter gloom? Come enjoy refreshments and conversation as you join with fellow community members in discussing the ups and downs of the holidays season, and see if we can turn this time of year into something a little brighter together. Come solo or bring others along! Register here. (Anonymous registration, solely for logistical purposes.)
Home for the Holidays: A Family Collage Workshop
Thursday, Dec. 7, 6 to 8 pm at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $85.
In this collage class, you will design your own holiday tiny homes. Choose your color scheme in the traditional holiday colors, or a sophisticated neutral palette. Select a design that is whimsical or abstract. Design your tiny homes to match your family’s holiday heritage. Once completed your tiny homes can be displayed with a stand or hung on the wall. All materials are provided. Ages 12 and up. Reserve your space.
Cannabis and Seniors
Friday, Dec. 8, 2:30 to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High St., Sebastopol. $10.
Curious about how cannabis can help you live a healthier, happier life? Chris Muffoletto, Cannabis Community Educator, will present the ways cannabis works in the body to help improve sleep, alleviate pain and inflammation, and reduce anxiety. Register here.
Holiday Networking Party & Environmental Awards Celebration
Friday, Dec. 8, from 5 to 8 pm at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Road (Hwy 12), Sebastopol. $35.
Join members of local environmental groups for good food and drink, awards presentation, and visiting with old and new friends. This year Sonoma County Conservation Action is proud to present Ernestine Smith Environmentalist of the Year awards to Kathy Pons and Sonia Taylor; Lifetime Environmental Achievement awards to Margaret Briare and Norman Gilroy; and a Youth Environmental Award to Galen Freed-Wilhem. More information here.
Ridiculum Curriculum Holiday Comedy Tour
Friday, Dec. 8, 7 to 9:30 pm at Soft Medicine Sanctuary, 186 North Main Street, Sebastopol. $28.52
The Ridiculum Curriculum Tour Returns to you with our “Holiday Edition.” That’s right, it’s a whole new show complete with pagan feminist Christmas carols, spiritually materialistic gift manifestations, even more meaningful commercial pandering and as always, your chance to speak directly to God. What is spiritual satire? It's comedy that has fun with topics like new agism, spirituality, Yoga, psychedelics, religion, ecstatic dance culture, relationship anarchy culture. Get tickets.
Handel's "Messiah" Open Sing Along
Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 to 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol. $10-$20 at the door.
An open participatory event, for singers and listeners of all abilities: Handel’s oratorio “Messiah,” chronicling in vocal and instrumental music the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ, known for its rousing “Hallelujah” chorus. Composed and first performed in 1741, this presentation in Sebastopol is the 29th year under conductor John Maas; with string quartet and trumpet, and lead singers Christa Durand, Elizabeth Henry, and Benjamin Mertz. Concert on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. (Open rehearsal is Monday, Dec. 4, 7:30-8:30 pm at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol.)
Fall Color Play: Leaves, Berries, Fruit with Nina Antze
Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 am to 2 pm, at the Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. $60.
Fall into winter at the Laguna Education Center where we will be observing: rose hips, changing leaf color, flowers, fruits, seed pods, and other last vestiges of autumn. Working with colored pencils, learn to create interesting browns and grays and combine colors using blending and layering techniques, incorporating the basics of botanical drawing while enjoying the warmth of Heron Hall. All levels welcome. Reserve your spot.
Opening Reception for "Water" at the Sebastopol Gallery
Saturday, Dec. 9, 4 to 6pm at Sebastopol Gallery, 150 N. Main St., Sebastopol. Free.
Come to the opening reception of Sebastopol Gallery's current show, Water, which encompasses a selection of current and past works by Sonoma County ceramicist, Chris Boyd, and Sonoma County expressionist painter, Paula Matzinger.
Sirens Prohibition Winter Gala
Saturday, Dec. 9, 7 to 11 pm at Subud Hall, 234 Hutchins Ave., Sebastopol. $30-$40.
Sirens Prohibition Winter Gala, where you'll step into the 1920's, with burlesque, booze, live music and so much more! Dress in your finest vintage attire and prepare to dance the night away to live jazz music. See amazing burlesque dancers and gamble your funny money for real prizes. Indulge in delicious cocktails and mouthwatering bites as you mingle with fellow party-goers. This in-person event promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, dancing, and good company. Get tickets.
Downtown Holiday Market in Sebastopol
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10, 11 am to 4 pm in downtown Sebastopol on Main Street. Free.
Make an occasion of your holiday shopping this weekend at this two-day downtown fête with discounts, music, snacks and more.
Head West at the Barlow
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10, 11 am to 4 pm on McKinley Street in the Barlow. Free.
Head West is a local, outdoor marketplace of makers, merchants, crafters, designers and artists in partnership with The Barlow in Sebastopol
North Bay Letterpress Arts Open House
Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 to 4 pm at North Bay Letterpress Arts, 925-d Gravenstein Hwy. South, Sebastopol. Free.
North Bay Letterpress Arts members will be holding their annual Open House which is always a lot of fun! Peruse the printshop, purchase printed goodies, and listen to workshop attendees read their spontaneous poems.
Sebastopol Community Holiday Sing Along
Sunday, Dec. 10, 3 to 4 pm at the United Methodist Church 500 North Main St., Sebastopol. Free, donations accepted.
Sing Along of the great popular songs of Christmas for the Sebastopol community and visitors and friends. A participatory event, accompanied by pianist Andy Darrow and vocalist Nancy Berger. Free admission, donations accepted, voices welcomed, lyrics sheets provided. The songs are well-known: from “Deck the Halls” to “Feliz Navidad;” “Let It Snow,” “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” to “Chestnuts Roasting;” “Jingle Bells” to “Hark the Herald Angels.”
PEEK INTO NEXT WEEK: Historic European Songs of the Holidays in Choral Concert by The Old World Carolers is Sunday, Dec. 17, 3 to 4:30 pm at Sebastopol Methodist Church, 500 North Main Street, Sebastopol. $10
Dressed in 19th century clothing, Old World Carolers has been performing since 1985, building a repertoire to preserve hundreds of songs from throughout Europe. This is their 38th year in Sebastopol. Song sheets provided for audience to sing along to the European carols and holiday standards. Benefit for World Central Kitchen, a non-profit which brings humanitarian food relief worldwide, and church charities.