Looking for something to do this weekend? We have a few ideas. This Friday, get your drink on at the annual Martini Madness competition in Sonoma. On Saturday, receive tips on cosplay in preparation for LumaCon at the end of the month. And also on Saturday, get an up close look at wild cats from around the world. All this and more is in our list of things to do!
Friday, January 8
Martini Madness: Celebrate olive season in one of the best ways – in a martini glass. This Friday, bartenders from all over Sonoma will vie for the title of best martini maker in the valley. The competition takes place 5-7 p.m. at MacArthur Place. The $45 general admission fee includes appetizers and martini tastes. For $95, you can attend Martini Madness, plus enjoy a 3-course olive-inspired dinner at Saddles. Find out all the details at olivefestival.com.
Friday, January 8
WAR at Uptown Theatre: You don’t even need to be an old-timer to know who WAR is. The quintessential Los Angeles street band first burst onto the charts with the classic worldwide hit “Spill The Wine”, followed by a host of Top 10 hits, including “Low Rider,” “Spill the Wine,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “Gypsy Man,” and “Summer.” Their new album, “Evolutionary,” showcases WAR’s genre-defying style, combining jazz, rock, funk, soul, R&B and Latin. They’ll perform live at Uptown Theatre in Napa, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30-$50. Find out more at uptowntheatrenapa.com.
Jan. 8-10
Santa Rosa Gem Faire: Whether you’re into making jewelry or just appreciate precious gemstones, you’ll want to make your way to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds this weekend, Friday to Sunday. Over 70 exhibitors will showcase fine jewelry, beads, precious metals, gems and more. Admission is $7. Find out more at gemfaire.com.
Saturday Jan. 9
Cosplay tips for LumaCon: Petaluma’s annual comic convention LumaCon isn’t until the end of January, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing for it. Veteran cosplayers, or costume players, will be sharing their plans, techniques and ideas for costumes and makeup at the Petaluma Library this Saturday. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., learn tips on creating your ideal costume without spending a fortune. Find out more at sonomalibrary.org.
Sunday, Jan. 10
Wild Cat Adventure: This Sunday, see five wild cats from around the world at the Sebastopol Community Center. This live show will share information on the species, and offer an up close view of these exotic felines. Past shows have features cheetahs, cougars, black leopards, ocelots and more. The show starts at 3 p.m., and admission is $5 for kids under 12, and $10 for adults. Find out more at seb.org or wildcatfund.org.
Other Upcoming Events
Friday, Jan. 8
‘Giants of High Baroque’: Live Oak Baroque Orchestra plays Vivaldi, Bach. 8 p.m. Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center. $15-$25. 866-955-6040, sonoma.edu.
“Into the Woods”: What happens in fairy tales after the ‘Happily everafter’? Classic musical with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim opens at 8 p.m. Closes Jan. 16. Spreckels Center for the Performing Arts, Rohnert Park. $16-$26. 588-3400, rpcity.org.
Saturday, Jan. 9
Petty Theft: Tribute band salutes Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. 8:45 p.m. Saturday. HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $18-$22. 829-7300, hopmonk.com.
Duran Duran Duran: Tribute band to you-know-who, plus Choppin Broccoli. 9 p.m. Saturday. Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $12-$15. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
‘Odysseo’: Spectacular show with 70 horses and 45 performers. Through Jan. 17 at AT&T Park, San Francisco. $29.50–$154.50. cavalia.net.
Verbal Abuse: Five-band punk, metal and rock roster also includes Infernal Damnation. Trecelence, Sepulchre, Shadow of Eve. 8 p.m. Saturday. Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. $8. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
‘Serial Murderess’: Dark comedy musical about women killers in three eras runs through Jan. 17 at Main Stage West, Sebastopol. $15-$25. 823-0177, mainstagewest.com.
Sunday, Jan. 10
Detroit Disciples: ‘Blues & BBQ,’ 5-8 p.m. Sunday. Twin Oaks Tavern, Penngrove. twinoakstavernpenngrove.com, 795-5118.
John Edwards: Self- described psychic medium. Noon Sunday. Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa. $60-$150. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.
Dave Mason & Traffic Jam: Rock legend live. 8 p.m. Sunday. Uptown Theatre, Napa. $40-$75. 259-0123, uptowntheatrenapa.com.
Le Jazz Hot: Gypsy jazz quartet. 7:30 p.m. Sunday.. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $15-$25. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.
Shen Yun: Chinese dance. through Sunday. War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. $60-$300. 888-633-6999, tickets.shenyun.com/sf.
Monday, Jan. 11
‘Pastoral Pleasures’: Santa Rosa Symphony and violinist Caroline Goulding. 8 p.m. Saturday and Monday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Weill Hall, Green Music Center. $20-$80. 546-8742, santarosasymphony.com.
‘In Football We Trust’: Community Cinema series screens documentary about Polynesian players in NFL. 1 & 7 p.m. Monday. Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol. Free. 525-4840, rialtocinemas.com.
Tuesday, Jan. 12
Public skating: Noon-2 p.m. & 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Snoopy’s Home Ice, Santa Rosa. 546-7147, snoopyshomeice.com.
Wednesday. Jan. 13
Harlem Globetrotters: The clown princes of the basketball court play at 7 p.m. Wednesday (and return Jan. 20) at Haehl Pavilion, Santa Rosa Junior College. $31. 866-777-8932. harlemglobetrotters.com.
Thursday, Jan. 14
‘Paradise Waits’: Ski & snowboard film. 6:30 p.m. Thursday Third Street Cinemas, Santa Rosa. $15. Fund-raiser for Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation. taskforceproductions.com.
Friday, Jan. 15
‘Other Peoples’ Money’: North Bay Stage Company. Opens 8 p.m. Jan. 15; ends Jan. 31. East Auditorium, Wells Fargo Center. $26. wellsfargocenterarts.org.
John Courage: Singer- songwriter, plus Rags, Owl Paws. 8:30 p.m. Jan. 15. HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $10. 829-7300, hopmonk.com.
‘Love, Loss and What I Wore’: Stage comedy by Sonoma Arts Live. Opens 7 p.m. Jan. 15; closes Jan. 24. Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma. 800-838-3006, sonomartslive.org.
Kool John: San Francisco hip-hop artist, plus SF rapper p-lo. 8 p.m. Jan. 15. $25. Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.
‘One Man, Two Guvnors’: Out-of-work musician falls in with two small-time rival gangsters. Opens 8 p.m. Jan. 15; closes Feb. 7. 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa. $15-$32. 523-4185, 6thstreetplayhouse.com.