Things to Do in Sonoma County this Weekend

Hold on to your hats, folks — this weekend is filled with fun.


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Hold on to your hats, folks — this weekend is filled with fun to be had. This Saturday, head to Petaluma for the annual Rivertown Revival on the banks of Steamer Landing Park. On Friday and Satuday, laugh yourself silly at the Sonoma County Comedy Fest at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. And take a step back in time at the 17th annual Civil War Days in Duncans Mills. All this and more is in our list of things to do. 

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‘Fantastical Family Night,’ part of ‘Broadway Under the Stars’ series, plays Friday at Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen.

FRIDAY, July 15 

Sonoma County Comedy Fest: Two nights of comedy are coming to the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa when Crushers of Comedy presents the Sonoma County Comedy Fest. On Saturday and Sunday evenings, enjoy hilarious stand up comedy from celebrated Bay Area comedians like Priya Prasad, Ronn Vigh, Kevin Camia and more. Tickets are $40 one day, and $70 for both. Festival attendees get a discount on music and dancing at the Lounge at the Flamingo each night after the show just by showing their wristband. Find out all the details at www.crushersofcomedy.com. (July 15 – 16)

Parks Make Life Better Bash: July is National Parks & Rec Month, and the city of Santa Rosa is celebrating with a party at Howarth Park. From 5-8 p.m. this Friday, enjoy free entertainment such as animal barn tours, stage entertainment, fun giveaways and more. The Sonoma County Traveling Fair will also be there to offer a preview of the upcoming fair. Find out more at pd2go.net/ParksBash.

Festival Napa Valley: Ten-day festival opener, Kristin Chenoweth recital, 6 p.m., Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga. Sold out. 346-5052, festivalnapavalley.org.

Royal Jelly Jive: Swingin’ soul jive, ‘Friday Night Live’ outdoor concert series, 7 p.m., Cloverdale Plaza. Free. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.

The Deer: Austin-based avant-folk group, 9 p.m., HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $10. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.

The Rock Collection: Melvin Seals, Greg Anton, Stu Allen, Lebo and J.P. McLean, 8:30 p.m., Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $25. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

‘Merrily We Roll Along’: Opening night, Stephen Sondheim musical, Summer Repertory Theatre, 8 p.m., Burbank Auditorium, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa. $15-$25. 527-4307, summerrep.com.

‘Fantastical Family Night’: ‘Broadway Under the Stars’ series, 5 p.m. picnicking, performance 7:30 p.m., Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen. $29-$134. (877) 424-1414, ttcsonoma.org.

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The Rivertown Revival festival takes place 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. (Photo by John Burgess)

SATURDAY, July 16

Rivertown Revival: This Saturday, turn back the clocks for an old-timey celebration on the banks of the Petaluma River. Steamer Landing Park will be transformed into a town that time forgot with costumes, music, art boat races, $5 weddings and more. The festival takes place 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and admission is $10 adults, and $5 kids 17 and under. Find out all the details at rivertownrevival.com.

Civil War Days: In its 17th year, the largest Civil War reenactments in Northern California returns to Duncans Mills. On Saturday and Sunday, take a step back in time as history is portrayed by hundreds of reenactors. Battle times take place 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $12, kids 6-12 are $6, and kids under 6 are free. Parking is $5. Find out all the details at www.civilwardays.net. (July 16 – 17)

Art is Medicine Show: Celebrating 8 years of bilingual, bicycle-powered theatre, this traveling theater company is embarking on Southwest Community Park in Santa Rosa for an afternoon of storytelling. Starting at 4 p.m., kick back on the grass and enjoy as this free program by the Imaginists entertains. They will also perform Friday night at Landpaths/Bayer Farm. Find out more at theimaginists.org/2016tour.

Alive!: All-women’s jazz quintet reunion concert, 8 p.m. Saturday, Occidental Center for the Arts. $25. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.

Midsummer Garden Tea: Song of Sonoma Chorus, hat contest, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, Santa Rosa. $50. 524-5445, lutherburbank.org.

The Babys: British rock group, plus local rock duo V², 8 p.m. Saturday, House of Rock, Santa Rosa. $40-$55. 791-3482, rockstaruniversity.com.

‘West Side Stories Presents Bil Lepp’: Nationally renowned storyteller with host Dave Pokorny, 8 p.m. Saturday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $15. westsidestoriespetaluma.com.

Cheeseballs: Top San Francisco dance band, Bastille Day ‘Dance on the Lawn,’ noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Chateau St. Jean Winery, Kenwood. Free. 257-5784, chateaustjean.com.

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The largest Civil War reenactments in Northern California returns to Duncans Mills on Saturday and Sunday. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)

SUNDAY, July 17

Poetry at the Bean Affair: This Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m., the Bean Affair in Healdsburg presents poet Russ Messing who will read from his most recent book of poetry,

“Midnight’s Breathing:” Following his reading, the stage will open for anyone else who would like to read poetry or brief prose. Find out more at hbglitguild.org.

Trevor McSpadden: Country musician/acoustic guitarist, 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Rossi’s 1906, Sonoma. Free. 343-0044, rossis1906.com.

Jess Petty: Trumpeter and vocalist, the Michael Brandeburg Jazz Trio, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Valley of the Moon Music Festival: Sixteen-day chamber music festival opener, 4 p.m. Sunday, Hanna Boys Center, Sonoma. $20-$40. valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org.

A Peek at Next Week…

The Sonoma County Fair opens July 22. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
The Sonoma County Fair opens July 22. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)

Monday, July 18

‘Mr. Schulz Goes to Washington’: Presidential-themed Peanuts comic strips and memorabilia, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa. $5-$12. 579-4452, schulzmuseum.org.


Tuesday, July 19

Hot Summer Nights: Hear four local authors read from their books 7-8 p.m. every Tuesday in July at Copperfield’s Books, 775 Village Ct. Santa Rosa. redwoodwriters.orgcopperfieldsbooks.com.

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: Legendary singer of hits like “Grease” and “Sherry,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $79-$125. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.


Wednesday, July 20

Marian Palaia: ‘Books & Brews’ book-talk series with ‘The Given World’ novelist, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Calistoga Inn. Free. 942-1616, copperfieldsbooks.com.

David McCarroll: Beethoven with Festival Orchestra 2 featuring the violin virtuoso, Mendocino Music Festival, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Tent Concert Hall, Main Street, Mendocino. $12-$49. 937-2044, mendocinomusic.org.

Soul Fuse: Funk, soul and fusion band, ‘Peacetown Summer Concert Series,’ 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Ives Park, Sebastopol. Free. 823-1511, peacetown.org.


Thursday, July 21

Native Elements: Reggae and Caribbean beat, ‘Rockin’ the River’ outdoor concert series, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Guerneville Plaza. Free. rockintheriver.org.

Toronzo Cannon: Chicago electric blues guitarist, ‘Krush Backyard Concert Series,’ 6 p.m. Thursday, KRSH radio, Santa Rosa. Free. krsh.com.


Friday, July 22

Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express: Folk rock band, ‘Friday Night Live’ outdoor concert series, 7 p.m. July 22, Cloverdale Plaza. Free. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.

Sonoma County Fair: Opening day July 22, (runs through Aug. 7, closed Mondays), admission 11 a.m.-9 p.m., ABBA tribute band at 7:30 p.m., Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa. $6-$12. 545-4200, sonomacountyfair.com.

Grace Potter: Alternative rock musician and her band, 8 p.m. July 22, SOMO Village Event Center, Rohnert Park. $39.50-$42.50. somoconcerts.com.

Hollywood Vampires: Hard rock with Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry, 7:30 p.m. July 22, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $40-$135. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

George Lopez: ‘Thats True Comedy Tour,’ 8 p.m. July 22, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $55-$250. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

The BluesBurners: Funk, rock, electric blues and rhythm and blues band, ‘Funky Fridays’ outdoor concert series, 7 p.m. July 22, Hood Mansion, Santa Rosa. $10. 833-6288, funkyfridays.info.


Saturday, July 23

Jack Stuppin: ‘Past Tense, Present Tense’ exhibit reception for nationally known Sonoma County painter, 5-8 p.m. July 23, IceHouse Gallery, Petaluma. Free. 778-2238, icehousegallery.org.

‘Dancing Under the Stars’: Salsa lessons 6:30 p.m., live music by Orquesta La Original 7-10 p.m. July 23, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Geyserville. $25-$30. 857-1400, francisfordcoppolawinery.com.

Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet: Jazz, hip-hop, funk, calypso and reggae ensemble, 8 p.m. July 23, Occidental Center for the Arts. $15-$18. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.

‘Forty Years of Cheers!’: Wine Road festival with live music, food, wine, kids’ activities, art and crafts, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 23, outside Healdsburg City Hall. Free. wineroad.com.

Ingrid Michaelson: Indie pop and folk musician, 7 p.m. July 23, Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville. $80-$110. (888) 769-5299, robertmondaviwinery.com.

Smokey Robinson: Acclaimed Motown singer-songwriter in concert, 5 p.m. July 23, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg. $80-$129. 431-1533, rodneystrong.com.

‘Blues at the Green’: Taj Mahal, Hot Tuna and Marcia Ball, 7:30 p.m. July 23, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

The Sun Kings: Beatles tribute band, ‘Rockin’ Concerts’ series, noon-3 p.m. July 23, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Dr. John & The Nite Trippers: New Orleans’ musical legacy, 8 p.m. July 23, Uptown Theatre, Napa. $40-$50. 259-0123, uptowntheatrenapa.com.


Sunday, July 24

‘Werther’: Recorded live presentation from The Royal Opera in London, 1 p.m. July 24, Summerfield Cinemas, Santa Rosa. $16-$20. 525-8909, summerfieldcinemas.com.

The Disorderly House Band: Americana/folk rock and electric, ‘Music on the Lawn’ series, 2:30-4:30 p.m. July 24, St. Francis Winery, Santa Rosa. Free. 538-9463, stfranciswinery.com.

Hot Rods: Classic oldies tribute band, 1-4 p.m. July 24, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Reckless Kelly: Austin-based alternative country and rock ’n’ roll band, 8:30 p.m. July 24, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $22. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers: Pop vocalist and saxophonist, 7:30 p.m. July 24, House of Rock, Santa Rosa. $50-$65. 791-3482, rockstaruniversity.com.

Marcia Ball: Texas boogie-woogie, ‘Sundays in the Park’ concert series, 6-8 p.m. July 24, Todd Grove Park, Ukiah. Free. 463-6231, cityofukiah.com.