Things to Do in Sonoma County this Labor Day Weekend

'80s nostalgia, zydeco and all things creole, coming up this weekend.

Ann Kay of Santa Rosa sways to the music of the Jimmy Breaux & The Cajun Cottonpickers band during Saturday’s Cajun Zydeco Music Festival in Sebastopol, September 7, 2013. (Conner Jay/The Press Democrat)

Cajun Zydeco Music Festival in Sebastopol
Cajun Zydeco & Delta Rhythm Festival coming up in Sebastopol on Saturday. (Photo by Conner Jay)

Looking for something to do this labor day weekend? We have a few ideas. Revisit the days you wish could be forgotten when the ‘Lost 80s Live” tour brings ‘80s music to SOMO Village. Get your fill of little yellow guys when “Minions” hits the big screen at Howarth Park. Celebrate all things creole at the Zydeco Festival in Sebastopol. All this and more is in our list of things to do.

FRIDAY, Sept. 2

Lost 80s Live: The decade of bad fashion, neon lipstick and aerosol hairspray is making a comeback this Friday when the Lost 80s Live tour makes its way to SOMO Village. Taking the stage are Flock of Seagulls, Berlin, Wang Chung, Cutting Crew and more. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $42.50. Find out more at somoconcerts.com.

Movies in the Park: Get your fill of a bunch of little yellow guys when “Minions” hits the big screen at this Friday’s Movies in the Park event at Howarth Park. 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.

Wine Country Weekend: Meet the people who make and grow your wine and food at a weekend celebration dedicated to the bounty of Sonoma County. This weekend’s events kick off Friday with dancing, drinks and food at Coppolla Winery for Sonoma Starlight. Then on Saturday, enjoy samples from over 200 wineries and chefs at the Taste of Sonoma. The event concludes Sunday with the ever-popular Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction, a fun-filled event that supports kids in the community. Find out all the details at sonomawinecountryweekend.com.

Get a taste of Sonoma at Wine Country Weekend. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
Get a taste of Sonoma at Wine Country Weekend. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

SATURDAY, Sept. 3

Melissa Etheridge in Rohnert Park: The soulful rock music icon will perform live at the Weill Hall this Saturday as part of the Green Music Center’s Summer Concert Series. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 lawn, $40 outdoor table and $45-$75 indoor. Find out all the details at gmc.sonoma.edu.

Zydeco Festival: This weekend, head to Ives Park in Sebastopol for the Cajun Zydeco & Delta Rhythm Festival. Benefiting West Sonoma County Schools, the 2-day event features nationally known and critically acclaimed bands, delicious Cajun foods, regional artists and more. Tickets are $30-$50, and kids under 12 are free. Find out more at winecountrycajun.com. (Sept. 3 -4)

Ann Kay of Santa Rosa sways to the music of the Jimmy Breaux & The Cajun Cottonpickers band during Saturday's Cajun Zydeco Music Festival in Sebastopol, September 7, 2013. (Conner Jay/The Press Democrat)
Ann Kay of Santa Rosa sways to the music of the Jimmy Breaux & The Cajun Cottonpickers band during Cajun Zydeco Music Festival in Sebastopol, September 7, 2013. (Photo by Conner Jay)

SUNDAY, Sept. 4

Petaluma River Marathon: Boaters will take part in a marathon and half-marathon on the Petaluma River, followed by a post-race potluck on the Foundry Wharf lawn. The event is free to watch, and $25-$150 to participate. Find out more at www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=4410.

MONDAY, Sept. 5

White Denim: Rock band, ‘Live at Lagunitas,’ 4:20 p.m. Monday, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma. Free, RSVP required. Full, call for wait list. 778-8776, lagunitas.com.

More Upcoming Events…

National heirloom expo
Don’t miss National Heirloom Expo, Tuesday-Thursday, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa. (Photo by Brian Dunne)

Friday, Sept. 2

A Case of the Willy’s: Funk, soul, rhythm and blues, ‘Funky Fridays’ season finale, 7 tonight, Hood Mansion, Santa Rosa. $10. 833-6288, funkyfridays.info.

Camila, ‘Tour Elypse’: Grammy-winning romantic Latin pop duo, 8 tonight, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $48-$126. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Ruthie Foster: Gospel blues, ‘Friday Night Live’ season finale concert, 7 tonight, Cloverdale Plaza. Free. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.

‘Most Happy Fella’: May-December love story, opens 8 tonight, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $9-$40. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

‘Capacity’: Dramatic play about Mileva Maric’S and Albert Einstein’s passionate marriage, 8 tonight, Main Stage West, Sebastopol. $15-$25. 823-0177, mainstagewest.com.


Saturday, Sept. 3

Paperback Writer: Beatles tribute band, noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Dginn: High-energy dance band, original songs and international covers, 8 p.m. Saturday, Occidental Center for the Arts. $10. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.


Sunday, Sept. 4

Pleasant Valley Sunday: The Monkees tribute band, noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

‘Last of the Red Hot Tenants’: Lois Pearlman’s one-woman play, 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Occidental Center for the Arts classroom. $10. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.


Tuesday, Sept. 6

‘SEED: The Untold Story’: Documentary film, filmmaker Q&A follows, 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Summerfield Cinemas, Santa Rosa. $8-$10.50. 525-8909, summerfieldcinemas.com.

National Heirloom Expo: Heritage food exhibits, speakers, contests, tastings and kids’ pavilion, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa. $15-$30. 773-1336, theheirloomexpo.com.


Wednesday, Sept. 7

Brad Meltzer: New York Times-bestselling picture-book biography series author, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Copperfield’s Books, Petaluma. Free. 762-0563, copperfieldsbooks.com.

Ray LaMontagne: Best folk album Grammy Award winner, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $59-99. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.


Thursday, Sept. 8

Dirty Cello: High-energy spin on blues and bluegrass, 5-8 p.m. Thursday, The Barlow Street Fair, Sebastopol. Free. 824-5600, thebarlow.net.

Tainted Love: Top music of the 1980s, 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.


Friday, Sept. 9

Tamin Ansary: Afghan-American author at World Affairs Council of Sonoma County luncheon presentation, noon, Sept. 9, Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa. $34. wacsc.org.

‘Gala Celebration’: Transcendence Theatre Company’s ‘Broadway Under the Stars’ season-ending showcase, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9, Jack London Park, Glen Ellen. $42-$79. (877) 424-1414, transcendencetheatre.org.

‘Hook’: Fantasy adventure, ‘Movies in the Park’ outdoor series, dusk Sept. 9, Howarth Park, Santa Rosa. Free. Bring low-back chairs or blankets. bit.ly/1DCVlLy.


Saturday, Sept. 10

Carl Hiaasen: Copperfield’s Books and Sonoma County Library host ‘Razor Girl’ author, 7 p.m. Sept. 10, Central Santa Rosa Library. Free. copperfieldsbooks.com.

‘Beer on the Plaza’: Unlimited specialty beer tastings, food, live music by The Pulsators, 2-6 p.m. Sept. 10, Healdsburg Plaza. $15-$50. sihealdsburg.org.

Boston Rocks: ‘Rockin’ Concerts’ series, noon-3 p.m. Sept. 10, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival: 10 a.m. Sept. 10-11, Johnson’s Beach, Guerneville. $10-$190. 869-1595, russianriverfestivals.com.

‘Art in the Park’: Petaluma Arts Association art show and sale, live music and food, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 10-11, Walnut Park, Petaluma. Free. petalumaarts.org.

Wanda Sykes: Stand-up comic and ‘Alpha House’ and ‘Black-ish’ actress, 8 p.m. Sept. 10, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $49.50-$59.50. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.


Sunday, Sept. 11

Ravenswood Winery 40th anniversary party: Wine, food, live music, noon-4 p.m. Sept. 11, Ravenswood Winery, Sonoma. $40, reservations required. 933-2342, ravenswoodwinery.com.

‘A Love of Wonder’: Pianist and vocalist Tammy Hall performs Stevie Wonder songs, 4 p.m. Sept. 11, 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. Sept. 11, Paradise Ridge Winery, Santa Rosa. $45. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.