Things to Do in Sonoma County this Weekend

Clear your calendars, we’ve got some fun for you this weekend.


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With a lineup that includes Keb’ Mo’, Sheila E., Chaka Khan and more, the 40th annual Jazz & Blues Festival is looking at another stellar weekend of music and river life, Sept. 9-11. (Photo by Conner Jay)

Clear your calendars, we’ve got some fun for you this week. Experience “Broadway Under the Stars” when Transcendence Theater presents their season closing gala celebration this weekend. Discover local grown music at this year’s American Roots Music Festival. Kick back in the river for the Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival. All this and more is in our list of things to do.

FRIDAY, Sept. 9

Movies in the Park: Embark on an adventure with the Lost Boys, Tinker Bell and a grown up Peter Pan when Howarth Park presents an outdoor showing of “Hook,” starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. The free event offers pre-show entertainment, with the movie starting around 7:45 p.m. Vendors are available with food for sale. Find out all the details at pd2go.net/HowarthMoviesInThePark.

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Howarth Park presents an outdoor screening of “Hook,” starring Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams on Friday, Sept. 9.

Broadway Under the Stars Gala Celebration: Closing out their season, Transcendence Theater presents a 3-night event packed full of powerhouse performances, community tributes and sentimental reflections. If you haven’t made it out to the Winery Ruins at Jack London State Park for this performance under the stars, this weekend is your last chance for the year. Picnicking starts at 5 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Find out more at transcendencetheatre.org. (Sept. 9-11)

Russian River Jazz Festival
Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival kicks off Saturday at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville, with a Wine Garden, water activities, plenty of food choices and a great live music lineup. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

SATURDAY, Sept. 10

American Roots Music Festival: In its 3rd year, this Bodega festival pays homage to locally music artists, delicious food and tons of family fun. From 2-9 p.m. Saturday, the afternoon will feature plenty of acoustic music from bands like The Dixie Giants, Frankie Boots & The County Line, Sonoma Aroma and more. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Tickets are $25, and kids under 10 are free. Find out more at facebook.com/BeOutsideMore.

Beer in the Plaza: This Saturday, enjoy unlimited tastes from a variety of local brewers when Soroptimist International of Healdsburg presents its 30th annual Beer in the Plaza. Taking place 2-6 p.m., the event raises funds for women and girls locally and around the world. Tickets are $45-$50 general admission, $20 designated driver and $15 for under 21. 5 and under is free. Find out more at sihealdsburg.org/beerintheplaza.html.

Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival: With a lineup that includes Keb’ Mo’, Sheila E., Chaka Khan and more, the 40th annual Jazz & Blues Festival is looking at another stellar weekend of music. The event takes place at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville, with a Wine Garden, water activities and plenty of food choices to accompany live music performances. Tickets are $55-$190. Find out more at russianriverfestivals.com. (Sept. 10-11)

Gavin deGraw
Multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw plays at the Green Music Center on Sunday. (Courtesy Photo)

SUNDAY, Sept. 11

Gavin DeGraw at GMC: The multi-platinum recording artist of song, “I Don’t Want to Be,” will perform live this Sunday at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show are $30 for lawn seating, and $45-$65 for indoor. Find out all the details at gmc.sonoma.edu.

Other upcoming events:

59th annual Art in the Park
Petaluma Arts Association puts on the 59th annual Art in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 10. (Courtesy Photo)

Friday, Sept. 9

Victims Family: Hardcore punk and jazz band, 7 tonight, Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. $10. Benefits musician Guthrie Lowe. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.

‘The Big Meal’: Left Edge Theatre comedy, opens 8 tonight, continues through Sept. 25, Luther Burbank Center Studio Theater, Santa Rosa. $25-$40. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Saturday, Sept. 10

Carl Hiaasen: Copperfield’s Books and Sonoma County Library host ‘Razor Girl’ author, 7 p.m. Saturday, Central Santa Rosa Library. Free. copperfieldsbooks.com.

Boston Rocks: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

‘Art in the Park’: Petaluma Arts Association art show and sale, live music and food, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Walnut Park, Petaluma. Free. petalumaarts.org.

Wanda Sykes: Stand-up comic and ‘Alpha House’ and ‘Black-ish’ actress, 8 p.m. Saturday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $49.50-$59.50. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

David Grisman Bluegrass Experience: Bluegrass/acoustic jazz band, 7 p.m. Saturday, Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena. $65-$75. 963-4555, longmeadowranch.com.

Sunday, Sept. 11

‘A Love of Wonder’: Pianist and vocalist Tammy Hall performs Stevie Wonder songs, 4 p.m. Sunday, Queen’s Lane Gardens, Petaluma. $30-$35 includes picnic. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

‘Celebrating Fountaingrove’s Nagasawa’: Wine, appetizers and program on Kanaye Nagasawa’s role in Fountaingrove’s history, 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Paradise Ridge Winery, Santa Rosa. $45. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.

Wendy DeWitt: Boogie woogie and blues, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Village Terrace, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Monday, Sept. 12

Dave Barry: Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times- bestselling humorist, 7 p.m. Monday, Copperfield’s Books, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 578-8938, copperfieldsbooks.com.

Tuesday, Sept. 13

Pat Metheny: Jazz guitarist, with blues and swing, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $30-$50. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Will Durst: ‘Elect to Laugh!’ one-man comedy show, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Main Stage West, Sebastopol. Sold out. 823-0177, mainstagewest.com.

Thursday, Sept. 15

Frobeck: Funk-rock band, ‘Rockin’ the River’ outdoor concert series season finale, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Guerneville Plaza. Free. rockintheriver.org.

Avett Brothers: Folk, bluegrass and southern rock band, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $45-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Ron ‘Tater Salad’ White: ‘Blue Collar Comedy’ cigar-smoking comedian, 8 p.m. Thursday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $64. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Kenny Metcalf’s ‘Tribute to Elton John’: ‘Concert Under the Stars,’ 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Friday, Sept. 16

‘50 Years of Dirt’: Country rock with iconic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

‘Zootopia’: Comedy adventure, ‘Movies in the Park’ season closer, dusk Sept. 16, Howarth Park, Santa Rsa. Free. Bring low-back chairs or blankets. bit.ly/1DCVlLy.

‘Baskerville’: Sherlock Homes mystery, opens 8 p.m. Sept. 16, runs through Oct. 9, Spreckels Theatre, Rohnert Park. $16-$26. 588-3400, ci.rohnert-park.ca.us.

Saturday, Sept. 17

“At Twilight” with North Coast Ballet California: Enjoy artistic samplings of local foods and beverages, live music and performances by the North Coast Ballet California. $55-$65. 21-plus. 7-9 p.m. Petaluma Arts Center. pd2go.net/AtTwilight

‘Artistry in Wood’: Sonoma County Woodworkers Association exhibit opening, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 17, History Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa. Runs through Oct. 9. $7-$10. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.

The B-52s: Party band, summer concert series season finale, 5 p.m. Sept. 17, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg. $84-$129. 431-1533, rodneystrong.com.

EarleFest: Lucinda Williams plus six bands, 2 p.m. Sept. 17, SOMO Village Event Center, Rohnert Park. Benefits Earle Baum Center of the Blind. $55. somoconcerts.com.

Glendi International Food Festival: Ethnic food and beverages, live music, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 17, noon-6 p.m. Sept. 18, St. Seraphim Church, Santa Rosa. $5. 584-9491, glendisantarosa.com.

Old Grove Festival: Poor Man’s Whiskey hootenanny band, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Armstrong Woods Redwood Forest Theater, Guerneville. Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods benefit. $10-$75. stewardscr.org.

Sunday, Sept. 18

Latino Heritage Month Fiesta: Outdoor event with authentic food, music, games and activities, 1-7 p.m. Sept. 18, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. Free. 800-7512, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally: Music and comedy, strong adult content, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.