Vine Art The fourth annual Vine Art event in Santa Rosa’s South A Street arts district marries local artists with wineries, restaurants and great live music for what is frankly a flat-out cool event. This year, One World Band provide the tunes while open studios mark the streets and alleys of the area, and visitors grab a glass and taste and drink and dance and artwatch the evening away. June 4. $15 for winetasting. Beerfest Eat, drink and be merry to support an excellent cause when the 20th annual Beerfest to benefit Face to Face floods the outdoor areas of the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets include all food and beer tastings and a souvenir glass. With more than 40 microbreweries, this event is a who’s who of Northern California artisans. June 4, 1–5pm. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. Twenty-one and over (alcohol till 4:30pm). $40–$45. 707.546.3600. www.f2f.org. Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival Some 400 vintage vehicles prepare to race at the second annual Sonoma Historics, featuring the iconic McLaren as the featured marque. The race will take place at Infineon followed by a festival at Sonoma Plaza replete with wine and food tastings. Race, June 4–5; festival, evening of June 4. $20– $60. www.infineonraceway.com. Art at the Source Over 150 artists in 84 studios throughout western Sonoma County are open to the public during two weekends, June 4–5 and 11–12. Celebrating its 17th anniversary, Art at the Source provides an opportunity to look behind the scenes, meet the artists and snap up some great deals. Maps can be found at www.artatthesource.org or at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 6780 Depot St., Sebastopol. Free. 707.829.4797.
Robin Roemer
DjangoFest Mill Valley The great French-Belgian-Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt gets a fourday blowout of fans and players presenting concerts, workshops and, yes, “djam” sessions to honor his spirit and inimitable sound. June 9–12 at the 142 Throckmorton Theatre. 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. $45–$200. 415.383.9600.
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Friday Night Live The best little concert series in the best little north Sonoma County town of Cloverdale, with highlights Tommy Castro (June 10), Monophonics (July 8), Eric Lindell (Aug. 12) and the Breakestra (Sept. 2). Town Square, Main Street, Cloverdale. Free. www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org. Harmony Festival Celebrating its 33rd anniversary as an evolutionary green music festival, this year’s Harmony Fest brings Primus, the Flaming Lips, Michael Franti, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Krishna Das and many, many others. A people’s parade, goddess area, sustainable learning, skateboard course and “steampunk garage” complement speakers, including Mike Farrell from the television series M*A*S*H. Basically the biggest festival in the region, it runs June 10–12, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Presale tix still available online; camping available. $45–$180. www.harmonyfestival.com. Fairfax Festival Never one to say no to a party, Fairfax celebrates its 34th festival, a gentle riot of live music, great food and nice folks. Look also for the Fairfax Ecofest within the fest, as well as organic goods, art, music, kids’ area, flea market and more. Parade, 10am on June 11; festival, June 11–12 from noon. Downtown Fairfax. Free. www.fairfaxfestival.com. Novato Festival of Art, Wine & Music Two-day live music fest features area crafters, good things to eat and drink including a wine garden, and live music on two stages. Musical highlights include Carlene Carter (June 11)
FACE TO FACE Julie Goldman headlines Pride Comedy Night on June 4.
and Wonderbread 5 (June 12). Children’s area complete with petting zoo, bounce house and pony and train rides. Saturday– Sunday, June 11–12. Old Town Novato, on Grant, between Redwood Avenue and Seventh Street. Free. 415.472.1553. Sierra Nevada World Music Fest Slightly outside the North Bay but of avid interest to locals is this three-day roots reggae and worldmusic festival at Booneville’s Mendocino County Fairgrounds, running this year June 17–19. Acts include Toots & the Maytals, Steel Pulse, Ozomatli, Rebelution, Midnite, and many others, plus late-night dancehall. All three days, $150; one day, $60–$70; limited camping available. 916.777.5550. www.snwmf.com. Cotati Jazz Festival The “biggest little jazz festival” celebrates its 31st anniversary with food, music and fun. This free, all-day event encompasses every musical and nonmusical venue in downtown Cotati with the main acts slated for La Plaza Park. Performers include the Keith Andrew Band, Gumbo West, the Gomez Counter Band and a bit of local flavor
with the Tracy Rose Quartet of Petaluma. Check individual venues for bookings. June 18. www.cotatijazz.com. Rodney Strong Concert Series The 21st annual KJZY Summer Concert Series in the sunny grasslands behind the Rodney Strong winery kicks off its season with Rick Braun and Peter White (June 18), Euge Groove and Mindi Abair (July 23), Pat Benatar and guitarist Neil Giraldo (Aug. 7) and Chris Botti (Sept. 4). Rodney Strong Vineyards, 11455 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg. $50– $150. 707.869.1595. Marin Art Festival This “lawn party for the arts” features over 250 artists by the Lagoon in the Marin Civic Center in a twoday outdoor party that includes international food, live music, fine wine and brews, and more. In addition to paintings, jewelry and sculptures, patrons can enjoy a wide variety of Cajun, Greek and French fare. June 18–19, Lagoon Park, at the Marin Center, Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. $10; under 14, free. 415.388.0151. www.marinartfestival.com. ) 26
NO RTH BAY BO H E M I AN | MAY 1 8-24, 20 1 1 | BOH E MI A N.COM
comedians Julie Goldman and Ali Mafi on June 4. Plan on staying for the Pride Dance after the show. Wells Fargo Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 8pm. $19–$35. 707.546.3600.