Sonoma Magazine / Summer 2012 / SUMMER HAPPENINGS

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SUMMER HAPPENINGS

Summer Calendar 2012

 

The art of Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Through September 23
Throughout his creative life, Lawrence Ferlinghetti has drawn inspiration from themes that have inspired artists for centuries. This exhibition will focus on some of the major areas of inspiration in Ferlinghetti’s work, reflected in writings, paintings, and graphic works.
Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $5 adults, 12 and under, free; Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 551 Broadway, Sonoma; 707.939.7862;
svma.org.

Walk on the wild side

Through September 23
Entering the Wild features the work of five California artists who share a reverence for the natural world, and specifically for the animal kingdom. Each artist engages the viewer in a conversation about mankind’s relationship to nature. On view are sculptures and drawings by Jane Rosen, black-and-white photography by Lukas Felzmann and Richard Whittaker, photographic and video installations by Trish Carney, and mixed media installations by Adriane Colburn. Curated by Anne Veh.
Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $5 suggested donation; Gatehouse Gallery, diRosa Preserve, 5200 Carneros Highway, Napa; 707.226.5991;
dirosaart.org.

 

Cabaret in Napa

June 22 to July 1
The hit musical Cabaret comes to the Napa Valley Opera House courtesy of the Napa Valley Broadway Players. Set in a Berlin nightclub in the 1920s, the show boasts unforgettable songs like “Don’t Tell Mama,” “Two Ladies” and “It Couldn’t Please Me More.”
Friday and Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday
2 p.m.; $35 to $45; Napa Valley Opera House, 1030 Main St., Napa; 707.226.7372; nvoh.org.

The B-52s

June 24
Celebrating their 35th anniversary, the B-52s bring their catchy pop sound to the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. With songs like “Rock Lobster” and “52 Girls,” the bubbly music has a punk edge that has given the band the stamina to rock for decades.
8 p.m.; Person Theater, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa; 707.546.3600; wellsfargocenterarts.org.

 

Classic cars

July 1
Winery owner, music manager, philanthropist and car collector Bruce Cohn presents the fourth annual B.R. Cohn Charity Car Classic. Visitors can see the hand-picked collection of vintage cars from various eras and makes on display at the exhibit.
Noon to 5 p.m. Free.  BR Cohn Winery, 15140 Highway 12, Glen Ellen. Brcohn.com for details on how to register a car or more information.

A hometown Fourth of July

July 4
Park your lawn chairs on a Plaza sidewalk and watch the old-fashioned Fourth of July parade, hosted by the Sonoma Community Center. Stick around after the parade ends for all-day festivities, including live bands, food and wine, games, children’s activities and art exhibits. At dusk, volunteer firefighters set off and illuminating fireworks show from the General Vallejo Home.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sonoma Plaza; 707.938.4626, ext. 1.

“I Do” exhibit

July 12 through September 30
Exquisite display of vintage wedding gowns in a variety of styles and eras.
Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.; Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth St., Petaluma; 707.778.4398; petalumamuseum.com.

Earth, Wind & Fire

July 13
The sounds of the 70s will be alive and well when Earth, Wind & Fire rolls into the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. With hits like “September,” “Let’s Groove” and “Celebrate,” it’ll be a dance party that lasts into the night.
8 p.m.; $60 to $100; Person Theater, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa; 707.546.3600; wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Michael Feinstein in concert

July 13
Known as the “Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Michael Feinstein has been nominated for five Grammy awards. His 200-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and the Hollywood Bowl as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace.
8 p.m.; $85 to $95; Napa Valley Opera House, 1030 Main St., Napa; 707.226.7372; nvoh.org.

Fun Run at Gun Bun

July 15
Held in conjunction with the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon, the 5K Gun Bun Fun Run begins at the winery, winding down to the Sonoma Plaza for a wine and music festival.
Run times: 8:15, 8:20 and 8:25 a.m.; festival: 9 a.m. to noon, Sonoma Plaza; gunbun.com.

Sheryl Crow in concert

July 20
Songstress Sheryl Crow has been making hits for two decades and she brings her fun-loving sound to the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Known for hits like “I Wanna Soak Up the Sun,” “If It Makes You Happy” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road,” she has sold more than 35 million records and earned nine Grammys.
8 p.m.; $79 to $125; Person Theater, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa; 707.546.3600; wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Midsummer Mozart 2012 Festival

July 21
A beloved Bay Area institution, the Midsummer Mozart Festival was founded in 1974 by George Cleve and a regional consortium of classical musicians. Performances will be held at Gundlach Bundschu.
6 p.m.; Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma; midsummermozart.org.

County Fair time

July 25 to August 12
Cruise on in and enjoy 17 days of fun, with Wine Country racing, headline entertainment, carnival rides, junior and professional livestock shows and so much more. The Hall of Flowers theme is “Ports of Call.” Enjoy lots of free entertainment with the price of admission.
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed Mondays); admission price varies; 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa; 707.545.4200; sonomacountyfair.com.

Jazz Camp

July 30 to August 10
Jazz Camp Sonoma will be directed by bassist and educator, Andrew Emer. A former New York City resident, Emer has 20 years of professional experience that ranges from Broadway shows to the Grateful Dead. Campers will have individual mentoring on their instruments as well as studies in group dynamics. The two-week camp will culminate with a performance in a professional auditorium that will be open to the public.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $390; Hanna Boys Center, 17700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma; sonomavalleyjazzsociety.org.

City Party

July 31
The City Party, sponsored by Redwood Credit Union, is a time when almost the entire community of Sonoma Valley comes together for a picnic on the south lawn, and to dance to live music by Caravenserai (a Carlos Santana tribute band). Beer and wine for sale by Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley, with all proceeds benefiting Sonoma Community Center.
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; free; behind City Hall; sonomacommunitycenter.org.

 

Films at Gun Bun

August 4
Join us for our annual movie night under the stars. This year’s film is There’s Something About Mary. Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy music from a local band before the movie starts.
7 p.m. (doors open), 8:45 p.m. (movie starts); $15 advance/$20 at the door; Gundlach Bundschu, 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma; 707.938.5277.

Terence Blanchard

August 9
With five Grammys on his shelf, Terence Blanchard obviously knows how to blow a trumpet. He keeps classic jazz alive in a modern era with a new twist that makes his both smooth and spicy.
8 p.m.; $20 to $25; Napa Valley Opera House, 1030 Main St., Napa; 707.226.7372; nvoh.org.

Noche en Casbah

August 11
Jump onto a magic carpet for an Arabian night as La Luz Center transports spirited party-goers to Noche en Casbah. Enchantment will prevail over a colorful evening of entertainment, music, dancing and dining. The night assures a magical event, including an auction and a winner-takes-all raffle.
5:30 p.m.; $175; Hanna Boys Center, 17700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma; laluzcenter.org.

Seal with Macy Gray

August 11
With eight records, four Grammys and more than two decades’ worth of performances under his belt, Seal has proven he has staying power. Best known for his award-winning song “Kiss from a Rose,” Seal will perform at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts with Macy Gray, the hit-maker behind “I Try.”
8 p.m.; $65 to $85; Person Theater, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa; 707.546.3600; wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Red & White Ball

August 18
The Red & White Ball returns to the Plaza as a fundraiser for the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. Dave Martin’s House Party Band will once again take the stage. The sumptuous VIP meal will be provided by Grapevine Catering, and the “Picnic Party” caterer will be Big Jim’s barbecue from San Rafael. There will also be a raffle for a 2012 Fiat Pop courtesy of FIAT of Concord.
6 to 11 p.m.; Sonoma Plaza; 707.935.9566; ticket prices vary; svgreatschools.com.

Rubber Ducky Derby

August 19
Ladies and gentlmen, start your…duckies? The Annual duck derby benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley. Anyone can purchase a duck for $10, each of which will be raced across the pond at Gundlach Bundschu, thanks to some help from local firefighters. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest duck and, as always, the “dead last duck.”
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm; $10; Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma; 707.938.8544, ext. 106; bgcsonoma.org.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend

August 31 to September 2
The fifth annual Wine Country Weekend celebrates Sonoma wine, food and lifestyle. Produced in partnership by the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation and the Sonoma County Vintners, the 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend event features Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch, the 20th annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean, the new Sonoma Starlight Supper Club at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, and an assortment of intimate and exclusive winery lunch and dinner parties at multiple locations throughout Sonoma County. Proceeds from Sonoma Wine Country Weekend support Sonoma County nonprofit organizations; to date a cumulative total of more than $11 million has been donated by the local wine community.
$85 to $500 per person; SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.

 

Winesong

September 7 and 8
Stroll through the lush Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying vintages from 100 world-class wineries from Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and beyond and food from 50 of Mendocino County’s finest purveyors. The tasting is accented by nine different music groups performing a variety of styles including jazz, classical, big band and Celtic folk. This is a benefit for the Mendocino Coast Hospital.
707.961.4688; winesong.org.

The Foreigner

September 20 to October 7
From the producers of The Rocky Horror Show and Ze Show, CAPS productions and the Sonoma Theatre Alliance bring The Foreigner, by Larry Shue to Andrews Hall. This show is directed by Carla Spindt.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m.; $22; Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma; 707.938.4626, ext. 1; sonomacommunitycenter.org.

Gotta Crush

September 26 to 30
Have you ever romanticized about getting involved in a wine harvest and crush? Find out what it’s like this September in the Heart of Sonoma Valley with “Crush,” which allows unique access to dozens of Valley wineries, each of which has planned its own harvest celebration.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; $35 a person/$10 designated drivers; various locations; 866.794.9463; heartofsonomavalley.com.

Fashion in the Vineyards

September 29
This glamorous fashion show invites local “celebrities” to strut their stuff on the catwalk in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley. Even the young clubbers get in on the action. This year will feature clothes by Helen Lyall and Scott Lyall for Men. The day also includes a gourmet dinner.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, 100 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma; 707.938.8544, ext. 106; bgcsonoma.org.

United States Bocce Federation Tournament

September 30
Francis Ford Coppola Winery will be hosting the first Bocce tournament of the year.
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $40 per person/$160 per team; Francis Ford Coppola Winery, 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville; 707.857.1400; franciscoppolawinery.com.

 

Sonoma Plein Air

October 1 to 5
Sonoma Plein Air celebrates its 10th anniversary of celebrating the century-old technique of outdoor painting. The Sonoma Plein Air event raises funds to support art education programs for children in Sonoma Valley, raising more than $545,000 in its 10 years. There are different events to participate in throughout the week with a gala dinner Friday evening and an art exhibition and sale on the Sonoma Plaza on Saturday, which will also include live music and art demonstrations.
sonomapleinair.com