What's happening this weekend in Sebastopol?
Wow - so many things: Xmas at the Barlow, Rumi's Caravan, art and craft fairs, music and more
Jingle Bell Rock at the Barlow
Friday, Dec. 6, 5 pm to 8 pm, in the Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol. Free.
Bring your family and friends to enjoy an evening full of holiday cheer, featuring live music by jazz favorite The Billie Holiday Project (music starts at 6 pm), Christmas tree lighting at 6:30 pm, and ballet performance by Sebastopol Ballet at 5:30 pm. Plus experience the magic of falling snow! Shop unique gifts from local artisans. There will also be kids’ activities. Wine and beer bar—enjoy drinks with a portion of sales benefiting The Lost Church.
Chimera First Friday Open House
Friday, Dec. 6, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Chimera Arts is Sonoma County's community art and makerspace, offering memberships and classes to learn about woodworking, jewelry crafting, laser cutting, metal arts, and so much more. Admission is free at Chimera’s First Friday events, where visitors can enjoy local beer, wine, delectable food, arts and crafts, and live music — the performers for December are the local jazz-funk band, Sakoyana. Join other community members to eat, drink, dance, be merry and learn what Chimera is about.
Vocal Voyages
Saturday, Dec. 7, 7 pm, at Music to My Ears Theater, 104 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $10-$15.
Join Music to My Ears for an evening that celebrates the rich tapestry of vocal styles and talents. The study of singing is a profound journey of self-discovery, where one learns to breathe deeply, articulate text with emotion, and truly get to know oneself. Music to My Ears students have immersed themselves in this transformative process and are eager to share their vocal journey with you. Get tickets.
Goddess Crafts Faire
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, 11 am to 7 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $7-$20.
The Goddess Crafts Faire features exquisite handmade crafts from local and regional women. There will be non-stop entertainment all weekend long with dancing, singing, poetry, a drum circle and more at the Sebastopol Cultural Community Center. Learn more.
Bijoux: 15th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Sale and Open House
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, 11 am to 5 pm, at 583 Harrison St., Sebastopol. Free.
Handcrafted works by local artists. Unique and special—always creative.
Holiday Art and Maker’s Market
Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 am to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol.
Come out and celebrate the season at SebArts’ Annual Holiday Art and Makers Market at SebArts. On Sunday, Dec. 8, SebArts is bringing the community together for a day full of creativity and fun. Discover an amazing selection of work from local crafters, artists, and artisans. Enjoy tasty food, live music, and the opening reception of the popular Member’s Show in the gallery to make the day even more festive. Enjoy a joyful day of art, culture, and connection!
Advanced Wilderness First Aid
Sunday, Dec. 8, 12 pm to 2 pm, at Ragle Ranch Regional Park. Meet at the gazebo. $15.
Bumps, bruises, and bites, oh my! Advance your wilderness first aid skills while exploring Sonoma County’s beautiful parks. Park staff are thrilled to take you out and teach you how to best prepare for your adventures and respond to unexpected situations, whether you are a seasoned outdoors person or just starting to hit the trails. The cost is $15 for Sonoma County residents and $17 for out-of-county attendees. Register here.
Curious about human composting and end-of-life care choices?
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 pm to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy. 12), Sebastopol. Free.
Plan to attend the Terramation and End-of-Life Care presentation at the Sebastopol Grange, featuring speakers including Grange member Constance Miles and other local residents. Learn about this natural process that transforms human remains into nutrient-rich soil, as well as end-of-life care choices. This free event is open to the public, but seating is limited. Register early to secure your spot.
Author Visit with Henry Michalski: Torn Lilacs
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 pm to 3 pm, at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol.
Come to the Sebastopol Library for a conversation with Henry Michalski, author of Torn Lilacs: A True Story of Love, Defiance and Hope. Set during the dark days of WWII, Henry Michalski describes the heart-wrenching story of his parents’ survival. In epic, cinematic scenes, the reader is transported to the vast regions of Siberia and Kazakhstan in Central Asia.
Rumi’s Caravan
Saturday, Dec. 7, 3 pm to 4:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol. $25.
Rumi’s Caravan is a poetic ensemble dedicated to restoring the soul of the world through a revival of the oral tradition of poetry. The presentation is unscripted; all of the players have committed a body of poetry to memory. This will not be a reading or a slam, but rather a poetic conversation. Get tickets.
North Bay Letterpress Arts Open House & Holiday Sale
Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 pm to 4 pm, at North Bay Letterpress Arts, 925-D Gravenstein Highway S. Sebastopol (behind Beekind).
You are cordially invited to the annual Open House & Holiday Sale at North Bay Letter Press Arts. Come tour the shop, celebrate the work of our studio printers, and enjoy food, drink, and merriment. Free and open to the public.
Sebastopol Community Sing-Along: The Popular Songs of Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 pm to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Methodist Church, 500 North Main St., Sebastopol. $10 donation.
Open community singalong, under the acoustic dome of Sebastopol Methodist Church. Sing the popular songs of Christmas: Let It Snow, Deck the Halls, Silver Bells, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bell Rock, Feliz Navidad, and more. Led by pianist and organist Andy Darrow and song leader Nancy Berger. Free admission, but a $10 donation is encouraged to benefit future music programs. Lyrics songbook provided.
Lead with Love! Inter-Church Food Pantry Benefit Concert
Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 pm to 5:45 pm, at Community Church of Sebastopol, 1000 N. Gravenstein Hwy., Sebastopol. $10 or more donation.
All are invited to raise the roof in song at the second annual “Lead with Love” benefit concert to raise funds for the Sebastopol Area Inter-Church Food Pantry! Featuring amazing singers/composers/musicians/song leaders Benjamin Mertz and Melanie DeMore. Each will share solo songs as well as a few with backup by Joyful Noise Gospel Singers and also lead some with audience participation. No tickets are necessary, but do come early (doors open at 3:30 pm) because last year sold out and folks had to be turned away. The Inter-Church Food Pantry, on the property of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Sebastopol, provides both shelf-stable and fresh foods to all who are in need.