Things to Do in Sonoma County This Week


Whether you’re in love or you’re ready to mingle, we have a whole list of fun things for you to do this weekend. Learn about the birds and the bees, and the lemurs and the giraffes at the annual Wild Jungle Love tour at Safari West. Also happening this weekend is the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, the Steelhead Festival and Love Letters starring Chris Smith. All this and more is in our list of things to do.

Feb. 12-15
Cloverdale Citrus Fair: In its 124th year, this Cloverdale tradition takes place Feb. 12-15 at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds. This year’s features include live music, the Citrus Fair Queen, the Diaper Derby, a parade, entertaining competitions, the carnival and more. Find out all the details at cloverdalecitrusfair.org/cloverdale-citrus-fair.

Feb. 12-14
Couple’s Culinary Tour in Sonoma: This Valentine’s Day weekend, impress your sweetie with a Culinary Foodie Tour around the Sonoma Plaza. Limited to 4 couples each day, this tour features wine and food tasting, and a bottle of wine to enjoy after the tour. Price is $135. For all the details, visit facebook.com/sonomafoodandwinetour.

Friday, Feb. 12
Romance Cafe at Copperfield’s: This Friday, meet three great romance writers who will share snippets of their love stories. The evening is paired with Spice Sensuality Boutique, offering a chance to stock up on something new for the bedroom. Cost is free. Reserve your space at copperfieldsbooks.com.

Friday, Feb. 12
Valentine’s Book Swap: This Friday, bring your favorite book that features a love story to Book Passage in Corte Madera, and swap it with a book from another book lover. The event will not only introduce you to your next favorite love story, but will also include wine, appetizers and a chance to mingle with other readers. Admission is $12. Find our more at bookpassage.com.

Friday, Feb. 12-21
Love Letters at the Wells Fargo Center: This 10-day production, starting this Friday, will feature a rotation of players who will star in the two-person romance. This Friday and Saturday, the stars are Press Democrat columnist Chris Smith and YWCA CEO Madeleine Keegan O’Connell, who will share the lifelong friendship of two people through letters, notes and cards exchanged over 50 years. Tickets are $24. Find out all the details at wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Friday, Feb. 12
Pepperland’s Beatles Valentine’s Show: There will be no lonely hearts at this tribute party to the Beatles. This Friday, join in the fun at Hopmonk Tavern when Pepperland plays all your Fab Four favorites at the All You Need is Love Valentine’s Show. Admission is $10. Find out more at hopmonk.com.

Saturday, Feb. 13
Paws for Love Gala: View the art of shelter pets around Sonoma County at the annual gala event that benefits animals in need of a home. This year’s event will also include delicious food and wine, music and more. Plus, the live and silent auctions feature some unforgettable prizes. Admission to the event is $40-$50, and takes place 6-10 p.m. at the Finley Community Center in Santa Rosa. Find out more at pawsforlove.info.

Saturday, Feb. 13
Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival: Held on Saturday, this free festival throws the spotlight on our regions Steelhead Trout, and will also feature archery, food trucks, live music, art, beer and wine, tours and more. Held at the Milt Brandt Visitors Center at Lake Sonoma. More details at lakesonoma.org.

Saturday, Feb. 13
Love & Meritage Blending Party: In its 8th year, Topel Winery is holding their annual blending party at Hotel Healdsburg. Lovers and singles alike can enjoy crafting their own unique blends from 1-4 p.m., and take it home in a bottle with a personalized label. The event will also include wine pairings and delicious gourmet food. Cost is $75 per person, or $100 per couple. Find out more at topelwines.com.

Feb. 13 & 14
Wild Jungle Love at Safari West: See romance at its wildest when Safari West presents it’s annual Valentine’s weekend tour of exotic encounters between the beasts of the preserve. The Valentine Package includes a delicious brunch, a birds and the bees talk about animal courtship and the Safari Sex Tour. The adults-only event starts at noon both Saturday and Sunday, and costs $148.50 per person. Find out more at safariwest.com.

Feb. 13 & 14
Chocolate & Pairing: Nothing goes together like chocolate and wine, and Meadowcroft Wines agrees. This Saturday and Sunday, the winery will pair decadent chocolate truffles from Recherche Du Plaisir with every wine tasting. Find out more at meadowcroftwines.com/events-at-meadowcroft.

Sunday, Feb. 14
Valentine’s Love Run Through Healdsburg: Start out your day of love right with a festive 5K through Healdsburg. Benefiting the Healdsburg Youth Running club, this Sunday’s fun run will lead you through downtown, across the historic Memorial Bridge, to the scenic Russian River and back. Registration is $25-$40, and the event kicks off at 9 a.m. Find out more at pd2go.net/HealdsburgLoveRun2016.

Sunday, Feb. 14
Little Red-Haired Girls: This Sunday, in honor of Charlie Brown’s affection for a certain little red-haired girl, all little red-haired girls (and boys) are invited to attend the Schulz Museum for free. Current exhibits include Snoopy and the Red Baron, the making of The Peanuts Movie and Charlie Brown’s football hijinks. Find out all the details at schulzmuseum.org.

Sunday, Feb. 14
Valentine’s & Wine at D’Argenzio: This Sunday, you and your sweetheart are invited to an unforgettable night of wine and chocolate tastings at D’Argenzio Winery. The Santa Rosa event will feature a fondue fountain and a myriad of treats to dip into the flowing chocolate, as well as a glass of wine. The event takes place noon to 5 p.m., is only $15 per couple, Find out more at dargenziowine.com.

Sunday, Feb. 14
The Poyntlyss Sistars Valentine’s Day Party: Rock out with this popular dance band at Rossi’s 1906 in Sonoma this Sunday. The show will feature familiar dance hits from the ‘50s to now. Admission is free, and the party kicks off at 6 p.m. Find out all the details at rossis1906.com.

Add your event to the Press Democrat’s online calendar at pressdemocrat.com/events.

Other upcoming events:

Friday, Feb. 12

Cameron Carpenter: Digital organist’s new take on Bach, film scores & more. 7:30 p.m. Weill Hall, Green Music Center. $35 & up. gmc.sonoma.edu, 866-955-6040.

‘Kismet’: Broadway classic runs opens Fridayat 8 p.m. at Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park. Closes Feb. 28. $16-$16. 588-3400, rpcity.org.

Phil and Dave Alvin: Nominees for 2016 Blues Music Award perform at 8 p.m. at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. $25-$28. 823-1511, seb.org.

Saturday, Feb. 13

Madeline Eastman & Randy Porter Duo: Presented by Healdsburg Jazz. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Paul Mahder Gallery, Healdsburg. $25. healdsburgjazzfestival.org.

Musicians from Valley of the Moon Festival: Performers from annual summer fest plays Green Music Center’s Schroeder Hall. 3 p.m. Saturday. $30. gmc.sonoma.edu, 866-955-6040.

Sunday, Feb. 14

‘Valentine’s Evening’: Grammy-nominated reggae star Matisyahu. 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $30-$35. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

Santa Rosa Symphony Pops: ‘Love Is a Many Splendored Thing’ concert for Valentine’s Day. 3 p.m. Sunday. Wells Fargo Center. $37-$80. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

‘Music Inspired by Love’: Live ensemble performs Liszt, Dvorak, Brahms & more. 3 p.m. Sunday. Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. $25-$35. petalumamuseum.org.

‘To Rome With Love’: An evening of Italian food and music by a live trio. 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $50. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

‘St. Valentine’s Day Concert’: Four pianists perform at 2 p.m. Sunday. at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. $20, including parking. jacklondonpark.com.

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra: Opera mezzo-soprano Susan Graham guest-stars. Program features four compositions by Handel. 3 p.m. Sunday. Weill Hall, Green Music Center. $35 & up. gmc.sonoma.edu, 866-955-6040.

Monday, Feb. 15

‘Adam’s Rib’: Classic 1949 comedy starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. 7 p.m. Monday. Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma. $7-$9.50. 996-9756, sebastianitheatre.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 16

Pliny the Younger: The annual limited release of Russian River Brewing Company’s famed triple India Pale Ale in downtown Santa Rosa began Feb. 5 and ends Feb. 18, so time is getting short. Be ready to stand in line. 545-2337, russianriverbrewing.com.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

Ryan Keberle & Catharsis: Free jazz. 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday Paul Mahder Gallery, Healdsburg. healdsburgjazzfestival.org.

Thursday, Feb. 18

Manhattan Transfer Meets Take 6: Two top vocal ensembles in concert. 8 p.m. Thursday. , Wells Fargo Center. $55-$65. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Friday, Feb. 19

David Arora: Copperfield’s books presents forager/author of ‘Mushrooms Demystified’ at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, Sebastopol. $10; $30 for two, plus book. 823-1511, seb.org, copperfieldsbooks.com.

Jim Jefferies: Australian-born stand-up comic brings his ‘Freedumb Tour’ to Wells Fargo Center at 8 p.m. Feb. 19. $39.50-$49.50. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

The King’s Singers: Classical vocal ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Weill Hall, Green Music Center. $35 & up. gmc.sonoma.edu, 866-955-6040.

Noise Pop: San Francisco’s 10-day indie music fest opens Feb. 19 and continues at venues all over the city. Passes: $175-$375. Individual show tickets also available. noisepop.com.

Saturday, Feb. 20

Indigo Girls: Star duo plays at 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at Uptown Theatre, Napa. Sold out. Waiting list: 259-0123.
Wvrth: Northern California metal band tops five-group roster. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20. Phoenix Theatre, Petaluma. $10-$12. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.

Govinda: Gypsy roots & world music, plus Kaminanda, Psymbionic. 10 p.m. Feb. 20. HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $20. 829-7300, hopmonk.com.

Sunday, Feb. 21

Rickie Lee Jones: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $41-$96. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

‘Running Fence, 40 Years Post’: Revisit Christo & Jeanne-Claude’s famed 1976 art installation. Feb. 21-April 17 at the Art Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa. sonomacountymuseum.org.

Santa Rosa Symphony: Violinist Rachel Batron Pine featured. 8 p.m. Feb. 20 & 22; 3 p.m. Feb. 21. $20-$80. Weill Hall, Green Music Center. santarosasymphony.com.

Santa Rosa Junior College Wine Classic: More than 50 wines from 30 Sonoma County winemakers. 2-5 p.m. Feb. 21. Bertolini Student Center, Santa Rosa campus. $75. srjcwineclassic.com.

Written by Crissi Langwell & Dan Taylor for the Press Democrat.