Things to Do in Sonoma County this Weekend

Here's your weekend lineup.


THINGS

Looking for something fun to do? Here’s what you can look forward to this weekend. Get your apple fix this weekend at the Gravenstein Apple Fair. Enjoy some good old fashioned river fun at the Healdsburg Water Carnival. Place your final bets on the last day of this year’s Horse Racing at the Fairgrounds. All this and more is in our list of things to do.


FRIDAY, Aug. 12

Wags, Whiskers & Wine Gala: This Friday, join Trentadue Winery in Geyserville for an evening of wine, food, animals and more. The annual event includes auctions with impressive prizes, live music, a gourmet dinner and more. The event starts at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are $175. Find out all the details at trentadue.com.

Romeo & Juliet: We Players presents Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, running this Friday through Sept. 25 at Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park. The outside matinees offer a 360 degree sphere of performance, and is timed with the sunset. Tickets are $45-$80. Find out more at weplayers.org.

An Author Walks Into a Bar: Come to Jamison’s Roaring Donkey this Friday at 7 p.m. to meet author Drew Magary, the author of “The Hike.” If you buy a book at this Copperfield’s sponsored event, your drink is free. In Magary’s fantasy novel, he incorporates the world of classic folk along with elements from video games for a journey propelled by heart, imagination and survival. Find out more at www.copperfieldsbooks.com.

Movies in the Park: Grab the family and a picnic blanket for an evening under the stars in front of the big screen. Howarth Park presents “Hotel Transylvania 2” as this Friday’s pick for Movies in the Park. The event starts at 7:30 p.m., with the movie beginning at dusk. The movie is free, and there will be food to purchase from local vendors. Find out more at pd2go.net/HowarthMoviesInThePark.

Big Fish: Based on the novel and screenplay by Daniel Wallace, Spreckel’s Theatre Company presents “Big Fish,” the story of a traveling salesman who is also a charismatic teller of tall tales. The show runs Aug. 12-28, and tickets are $16-$26. Find out all the details at www.spreckelsonline.com.

Jazz on the River: Every Friday night, the Peter Welker Sextet performs just outside Graffiti in Petaluma, playing jazz from 6-8 p.m. The no cover event features music by Deborah Winters, Randy Vincent, Mel Martin, Chris Amberger and Peter Welker. Find out more at peterwelker.com.

Petaluma Library’s Summer Booksale: This weekend, add to your book collection when Petaluma Regional Library holds their seasonal book fair, offering a trove of great reads at a bargain. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. is Children’s Sale Day. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., all books are half off. More sale days Aug. 17-20, and new books are added daily. Find out all the details at sonomalibrary.org.

John Simmons, age 12, right, and his sister Katherine, age 8, compete in the second round of the apple pie eating contest at the Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol, California, on August 8, 2015. Gravenstein Apple Fair
John Simmons, age 12, right, and his sister Katherine, age 8, compete in the second round of the apple pie eating contest at the Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

SATURDAY, Aug. 13

Gravenstein Apple Fair: The 43rd annual event takes place Aug. 13 & 14 at Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol, with live music, local food, cider, microbrews, family fun and more. $8-$20. Kids 5 and under free. www.gravensteinapplefair.com

Healdsburg Water Carnival: Enjoy a day of mermaids, rubber ducks, a giant swan and more when the Healdsburg Water Carnival comes to the Russian River this Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 5 pm., enjoy old-fashioned revelry at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy a day of water fun. Find out all the information at pd2go.net/HburgWaterCarnival2016.

City Kids Festival: This Saturday, low-income families are invited to Juilliard Park in Santa Rosa to help get their kids ready for school. The event will include free backpacks and school supplies, plus food, activities and more. Registration is required to receive backpacks and supplies. The event begins at 10 a.m. For more information, visit srmission.org.

Mutts & Models Fashion Show: Strutting the runway this Saturday at the Santa Rosa Plaza are some adorable dogs with stylish humans. Julie Nation Academy is partnering with Sonoma County Animal Services, showing off the latest fashions for back-to-school shopping along with dogs and puppies available for adoption. The show starts at 2 p.m. at Center Court. Find out all the details at pd2go.net/muttsmodels2016.

Swing Dancing Under the Stars: Dance the night away at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville in a night of wine, food and dancing in their outdoor Pavillion. This Saturday, live music will be performed by rockabilly swing band Lost Dog Found. Come at 6 p.m. for lessons, then dance 7-10 p.m. Cost for this 21-plus event is $25-$30 per person. Find out more at francisfordcoppolawinery.com.

ugo Herrera races Es Mi Cielo across the finish line in front of the pack to take first place during the first day of horse racing at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Thursday, July 30, 2015. (CRISTA JEREMIASON / The Press Democrat)
Horse racing at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa coming up on Sunday. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)

SUNDAY, Aug. 14

Last Day of Horse Racing at the Fairgrounds: The fair might be over, but the horses are still racing. Grab a seat and bid on your favorite horse before the races end for the season. Tickets are $3-$5, or more for specialty seating. Find out more at sonomacountyfair.com.

McKenna Faith: Nashville country musician from Ukiah, ‘Sundays in the Park’ season finale, 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Todd Grove Park, Ukiah. Free. 463-6231, cityofukiah.com.


OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS… 

Friday, Aug. 12

‘The Plot Against Shakespeare’: Sonoma County playwright David Beckman’s new play, ‘Shakespeare in the Cannery’ performance, 7 tonight, Railroad Square, Santa Rosa. $5-$28. shakespeareinthecannery.com.

‘Official Blues Brothers Revue’: Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty, 8 tonight, House of Rock, Santa Rosa. $45-$60. 791-3482, rockstaruniversity.com.

‘The Taming of the Shrew’: Raven Players’ production of Shakespeare’s classic battle of the sexes, 8 tonight, Bear Republic courtyard, Healdsburg. $10-$25. 433-6335, raventheater.org.


Saturday, Aug. 13

‘Desi Comedy Fest’: South Asian comedy festival, 11 comedians, 7 p.m. Saturday, Muscardini Cellars, Kenwood. $30-$35. 933-9305, muscardinicellars.com.

‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’: Musical comedy, Summer Repertory Theatre season closer, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Burbank Auditorium, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa. $18-$25. 527-4307, summerrep.com.

Men of Worth: Celtic musicians James Keigher and Donnie Macdonald, 8 p.m. Saturday, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $25-$30. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

‘Exposure: The Female Nude in Photography’: Opening exhibit of 120 photographs, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Art Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa. $7-$10. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.


Sunday, Aug. 14

McKenna Faith: Nashville country musician from Ukiah, ‘Sundays in the Park’ season finale, 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Todd Grove Park, Ukiah. Free. 463-6231, cityofukiah.com.

Rabia Chaudry: Author of ‘Adnan’s Story’ in conversation with Press Democrat columnist Chris Smith, 2 p.m. Sunday, Copperfield’s Books, Petaluma. Free. 762-0563, copperfieldsbooks.com.

Zulu Spear: World music, ‘BBQ on the Lawn,’ 4 p.m. Sunday, Rancho Nicasio. $20. (415) 662-2219, ranchonicasio.com/music.


Monday, Aug. 15

Blind Pilot: Indie folk band, 4:20 p.m. Monday, Lagunitas Brewery, Petaluma. Free, reservations full, wait list. 769-4495, lagunitas.com.


Tuesday, Aug. 16

Scott Stapp: ‘The Voice of Creed,’ alternative rock, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $33. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

Mother Truckers: Rock band, ‘Tuesdays in the Plaza’ outdoor concert series, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Healdsburg Plaza. Free. ci.healdsburg.ca.us.


Wednesday, Aug. 17

Jeff Beck & Buddy Guy: Premier guitarists, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $79-$149. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

The Pulsators: Rock ’n’ roll dance band, ‘Peacetown Summer Concert Series,’ 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Ives Park, Sebastopol. Free. 823-1511, peacetown.org.


Thursday, Aug. 18

Erik Castro: Conversation with ‘Harvester’ photojournalist, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Christie Marks Fine Art Gallery, Santa Rosa. Free, call for reservations. 695-1011, christiemarksfineart.com.

Caravanserai: Music of Santana, ‘Rockin’ the River’ outdoor concert series, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Guerneville Plaza. Free. rockintheriver.org.

Gator Nation: Zydeco/Cajun music, ‘Farm Nights Concerts,’ 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Windsor Town Green. Free. 838-1260, townofwindsor.com.

‘Guitar Ancestors’: History talk and performance by Dominic Schaner, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Museums of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa. $15. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.


Friday, Aug. 19

Silk Road Ensemble: Classical music with Yo-Yo Ma and 16 other artists, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$125. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

‘Drawing the Tiger’: ‘Best of the Fest’ summertime film series, 7 p.m. Aug. 19, Sebastopol Center for the Arts. $12. sebastopolfilmfestival.org.

‘Animal Crackers’: Marx Brothers’ comedic mayhem, opening night, 8 p.m. Aug. 19, 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa. $15-$38. 523-3544, 6thstreetplayhouse.com.

BeauSoleil: Cajun dance band, ‘Friday Night Live’ outdoor concert series, 7 p.m. Aug. 19, Cloverdale Plaza. Free. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.

Volker Strifler: Blues, rock and Americana, ‘Funky Fridays’ outdoor concert, 7 p.m. Aug. 19, Hood Mansion, Santa Rosa. $10. 833-6288, funkyfridays.info.


Saturday, Aug. 20

Trevor Noah: ‘Lost in Translation’ with the ‘Comedy Central’ host, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$75. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Cotati Accordion Festival: Weekend festival opener, accordion music, vendors, food, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 20, La Plaza Park, Cotati. $15-$19. (888) 559-2576, cotatifest.com.

Dixie Giants: New Orleans jazz, KRCB ‘Concerts in the Garden’ series, 4-6 p.m. Aug. 20, Chroma Gallery, Santa Rosa. Free. 293-6051, chromagallery.net.

Sonoma County Veg Fest: Vegetarian/vegan food, speakers, entertainment, films, kids’ activities, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 20, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $5. 540-1760, socovegfest.org.

Kingsborough: Santa Rosa-based rock ’n’ roll and blues band, 9 p.m. Aug. 20, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $10. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.

Pop Rocks: Cover band, ‘Rockin’ Concerts’ series, noon-3 p.m. Aug. 20, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.


Sunday, Aug. 21

Broadway Under the Stars: ‘Dance the Night Away’ closing night, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21, Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen. $42-$134. (877) 424-1414, transcendencetheatre.org.

Foreverland: Michael Jackson tribute band, ‘Dance on the Lawn,’ noon-3 p.m. Aug. 21, Chateau St. Jean Winery, Kenwood. Free. 257-5784, chateaustjean.com.

‘Music in the Vineyards’: Ariel Quartet, chamber music, Beethoven program, 5 p.m. Aug. 21, Inglenook Winery, Rutherford. $60. 258-5559, musicinthevineyards.org.

The Brothers Comatose: Folk, bluegrass and Americana band, 7 p.m. Aug. 21, Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena. $35-$45. 963-4555, longmeadowranch.com.

Dean Grech: Jazz guitarist and vocalist, 1-4 p.m. Aug. 21, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Huey Lewis & The News: Rock ’n’ roll band, 5 p.m. Aug. 21, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg. Sold out. 431-1533, rodneystrong.com.