Things to Do in Sonoma County this Weekend

From the Harvest Fair to the GranFondo, mark your calendars for fun events coming your way.

(Photo by Beth Schlanker)

(Photo by Beth Schlanker)
(Photo by Beth Schlanker)

This weekend is the 42nd annual Harvest Fair at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Saturday, thousands of cyclists will ride scenic Sonoma County roads for Levi’s GranFondo. Petaluma kicks off a month of Dia de Los Muertos festivities with this Sunday’s opening ceremony. All this and more is in our list of things to do.

FRIDAY, Sept 30

Sonoma County Harvest Fair: In its 42nd year, the best of Sonoma County’s bounty is highlighted in 3 days of tasting and celebration at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. This traditional community event features world-class wines, award winning beer and delicious culinary treats, plus the much anticipated grape stomp, live music, a classic car show and more. Tickets are $5 admission, or $55 for admission and tasting tickets. Find out all the details at harvestfair.org. (Sept 30-Oct. 2)

7500 bicycle riders crowd the start of Levi Leipheimers King Ridge Gran Fondo, Saturday Oct. 1, 2011 at Finley Park in Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2011 Kent Porter
7500 bicycle riders crowd the start of Levi Leipheimers King Ridge Gran Fondo. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat)

SATURDAY, Oct. 1

Levi’s GranFondo: This Saturday, thousands of cyclists from all over the globe will ride the scenic routes of Sonoma County. During and after the race, attend the FondoSonoma Festival at the Finley Center in Santa Rosa, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event includes performances by The Sam Chase & The Untraditional, The Pulsators and more. Find out all the details at levisgranfondo.com.

North Bay Belly Dance Bazaar: Come to Siren’s Studio in Sebastopol this Saturday and Sunday for a weekend of dance, music, food and fun. The event will feature over 100 dancers, plus a competition and workshops, live music, and a fire show. Admission is $20. Find out all the details at northbaybellydancebazaar.net. (Oct. 1-2)

Classic Sports Racing Group Charity Challenge: This weekend’s racing event at Sonoma Raceway is revving its engines for a good cause. More than 200 vintage race cars will hit the track to raise funds for Sonoma County youth groups through Speedway Children’s Charities. Tickets are $12-$40. Find out more at sonomaraceway.com. (Oct. 1-2)

(Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Sunday kicks off a month of events surrounding El Dia de Los Muertos. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

SUNDAY, Oct. 2

Summer Concerts at the Village: This Sunday, get your dancing shoes on when the Jami Jameson Band brings you an energetic array of swing, jazz and blues to boogie to. The performance takes place 1-4 p.m. at the Village Terrace near Cattleman’s, and is, as always, free to attend. Find out more at mvshops.com.

Calabash: This Sunday, view gourds in a whole new way when artists share their gourd-created art at Food for Thought in Forestville. The annual event features gourds given a new life as instruments, accessories, sculptures and everyday objects. Enjoy a silent auction, live music, tours through the Food for Thought gardens and more. Tickets are $50-$55. Find out more at fftfoodbank.org.

El Dia de Los Muertos Opening Day: Sunday kicks off a month of events surrounding El Dia de Los Muertos, starting with a festival and Health Fair at St. Vincent de Paul Church Plaza. The event will include music, dance and traditional foods. Find out more at bit.ly/PetalumaDiaDeLosMuertos.

More Upcoming Events:

Ayesha Curry (Photo by Rebecca Chotkowski)
Ayesha Curry: ‘Women in Conversation’ series with ‘The Seasoned Life’ author, 7 p.m. Oct. 7, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. (Photo by Rebecca Chotkowski)

Friday, Sept. 30

Wesla Whitfield: ‘Music From the Movies,’ Sonoma Film Institute fundraiser, 7:30 tonight, Schroeder Hll, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $30. 664-2606, sonoma.edu/sfi.

Emmylou Harris: Thirteen-time Grammy-winning country-Americana singer-songwriter, 8 tonight, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $49-$69. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

‘Threepenny Opera’: Musical satire with mayhem and madness, opens 8 tonight, runs through Oct. 23, 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa. $15-$38. 523-4185, 6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Saturday, Oct. 1

Tracy Morgan: ‘Picking Up the Pieces’ stand-up comedy tour, 8 p.m. Saturday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $49-$65. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Johnny Vegas & The High Rollers: Disco, soul, Motown and classic rock, noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra: Fifteen top jazz musicians, including Wynton Marsalis, 7 p.m. Saturday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $50-$110. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Sunday, Oct. 2

Omara Portuondo: Latin jazz and balladry with the 85-year-old Cuban performer, 7 p.m. Sunday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $40-$95. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Monday, Oct. 3

‘Haunted Sonoma County’: Premiere of Petaluma filmmaker Tom Wyrsch’s documentary about local supernatural occurrences, 7 and 9 p.m. Monday, Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma. $15. 996-9756, sebastianitheatre.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Charlie Quimby: Author of ‘Inhabited’ and ‘Monument Road,’ 7 p.m. Tuesday, Copperfield’s Books, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 578-8938, copperfieldsbooks.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 5

Eowyn Ivey: Lit Night series with ‘To the Bright Edge of the World’ author, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Copperfield’s Books, Petaluma. Free. 762-0563, copperfieldsbooks.com.

Jewish Film Festival: First of six films, ‘Wounded Land,’ 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol. $10-$13. jccsoco.org.

Thursday, Oct. 6

Nicholas Sparks: Conversation with the New York Times bestselling author of 20 books, 7 p.m. Thursday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $40 includes ‘Two by Two.’ 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Lorca Hart Trio: Versatile drummer and his group, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Cloverdale Arts Alliance. $20. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.

Matt Mauser’s Tribute to Sinatra: ‘Concerts Under the Stars’ season finale, 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Friday, Oct. 7

Ayesha Curry: ‘Women in Conversation’ series with ‘The Seasoned Life’ author, 7 p.m. Oct. 7, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $125 for three-speaker series, includes book. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Blind Scream Haunted House: Three haunted houses, coffin burial, movies, zombie paintball, 7 p.m. Oct. 7, select days through Halloween, near Sally Tomatoes, Rohnert Park. $10-$30. 837-1928, blindscream.com.

Jean Hegland: Book launch for the Sonoma County author’s ‘Still Time’ novel, 7 p.m. Oct. 7, Occidental Center for the Arts. Free, donations accepted. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.

‘Leaving Home’: Santa Rosa Junior College original play opens 8 p.m. Oct. 7, Newman Auditorium, SRJC Santa Rosa campus. $12-$18. 527-4307, theatrearts.santarosa.edu.

Saturday, Oct. 8

Greg Kihn Band: Rock ’n’ roll and pop music, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $25. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

Art Trails: Sebastopol Center for the Arts presents open studio tours of 160 diverse Sonoma County artists, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 8-9 and 15-16. Free. 829-4797, sonomacountyarttrails.org.

Chris Smither: Folk and blues singer-songwriter in concert, 8 p.m. Oct. 8, Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. $23-$26. 823-1511, seb.org.

‘XXc Icons of Photography’: The best of world photography, exhibit opening, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 8, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. $5-$15. 939-7862, svma.org.

Pride and Joy: ‘Rockin’ Concert’ season finale, noon-3 p.m. Oct. 8, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com

Colbie Caillat: Pop singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist, 8 p.m. Oct. 8, Uptown Theatre, Napa. $45-$60. 259-0123, uptowntheatrenapa.com.

Sunday, Oct. 9

Gator Nation: ‘Concert Under the Terrace’ season finale, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 9, ‘Concert Under the Terrace’ season finale, Village Terrace, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 5453844, mvshops.com.

Scott Capurro: Stand-up comic known for his deliberately provocative material, 8 p.m. Oct. 9, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $15-$20. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.