03 May 2013
New tours, wineries, art installations are what's new in Sonoma County
SONOMA COUNTY, CALIF. — The new trend in Sonoma County is to capture all that Wine Country has to offer in one location. Two new centers — The Barlow, in Sebastopol, and Shed, in Healdsburg — bring wine, food, art, and shopping together.
In other news, look for new ways to see Sonoma Wine Country, new restaurants with fresh culinary discoveries, new art exhibits, and a growing public market that revitalizes an old apple processing plant in Sebastopol.
There is always something new to discover in Sonoma County. With so many new reasons to visit, start planning your trip now at www.sonomacounty.com or call 800-576-6662.
CELEBRATING A CLASSIC
While Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds can't be considered new, try seeing it in a whole new light as the town of Bodega celebrates the film's 50th anniversary over Labor Day Weekend.
The B50 Festival kick-off event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 1. History buffs and Hitchcock enthusiasts will be able to tour film locations Potter's Schoolhouse (regularly closed to the public) and St. Teresa of Avila Church.
A gourmet dinner will be held at Casino Bar & Grill. Special appearances and a multimedia presentation are also slated for the event. Tickets for this event are $125. Space is limited and reservations are required.
The family friendly B50 Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, with a parade of "Tippis and Alfreds," complete with a marching band; tours of Potter's Schoolhouse and St. Teresa of Avila Church; a walking tour of the town; local culinary tastings at restaurants; a children's area; handcrafted merchandise; and memorabilia from the movie. Fees may apply to some of the activities. For more information, visit www.bodegabirds.com/festival.html.
SHED AND THE BARLOW
Shed
Shed is a new kind of grange located in Healdsburg, with a mission of bringing people together to learn about growing, preparing, and sharing food. It's a two-story, 9,800-square-foot structure with an open layout that includes a commercial kitchen, a wood-fired oven, café, wine bar, coffee bar, grain mill, pantry, and larder. It's a place to nurture the connections between good farming, good cooking, and good eating.
Visitors to the Shed can taste local ingredients at the Shed Café, the Coffee Bar featuring local Flying Goat coffee, or the first-ever Fermentation Bar with local wines, beers, kombuchas, natural sodas, and hard ciders.
Shed also features cooking classes and events that focus on farming and cooking. Shoppers can stock their home kitchen with local produce, and specialty items like smoked fish and salted capers, anchovies, homemade stocks, Liberty duck breasts and local eggs.
A mill inside Shed grinds wheat from local farms and corn for flour, meal and polenta. Their evolving collection of food products for sale is mostly local, and seasonal, with local stories they like to share with their customers.
Shed
25 North Street
Healdsburg, CA 95449
707-431-7433
www.healdsburgshed.com
be@healdsburgshed.com
Media Contact: Barbara Bowman
707-433-8484
barbara@bossdogmarketing.com
More New Businesses Opening at The Barlow
Located in a former apple processing plant in Sebastopol California, The Barlow (www.thebarlow.net) is the public market concept re-envisioned. Each month more businesses are opening their doors in this 220,000-square-foot campus for food, wine, and art.
The Barlow brings together the very best food producers, winemakers, brewers, and artisans to create a space that offers a direct connection between consumers and the makers of the local products they love. Find out more at www.thebarlow.net/.
Shops
Tibetan Gallery & Studio
Tibetan Gallery & Studio will be the home base for master Tibetan thangka artist, Tashi Dhargyal, who is commencing work on a massive thanbhochi (sacred scroll painting). This masterwork measures 20 feet by 14 feet. It will take three to four years to complete, and is the only such project outside of Tibet.
The gallery is more than 1,300 square feet with 30-foot ceilings, and will function as Tashi's working studio, but will also feature original thangka for sale, both by Tashi, and by the Institute for Tibetan Thankga Art (ITTA) students.
Tashi has trained and painted for 15-plus years. From 2006-2010, he was the artist-in-residence at the Ganden Monastery in Dharamsala. Both a master thangka painter and craftsman, he personally presented his work to HH the 14th Dalai Lama, who commended his skill and talent, and requested that Tashi continue to paint and teach. The studio welcomes requests from schools, sangha, and community for special presentations or events. Visitors can also join into his weekly classes.
Tibetan Gallery & Studio
6770 McKinley Street #130
Sebastopol, CA 95472
http://www.tashidhargyal.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TibetanArt
Media Contact: Heidi
707-509-3777
Studio@TashiDhargyal.com
http://www.PreserveTibetanArt.org
Ben Kinmont Bookseller
Ben Kinmont is the nation's foremost antiquarian bookseller specializing in 15th- to early 19th-century works on gastronomy and related topics.
After five years in lower Manhattan, Kinmont relocated to Sonoma County in 2003. He has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, and in Saveur, and Food Arts magazines. As an artist, his work has been exhibited at The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and at the Pompidou in Paris.
"We're now located in one of the richest culinary regions in the United States," said Kinmont. "At The Barlow, I'm surrounded by the brewers, winemakers, bakers and others that are the subjects of my inventory. It's really a perfect fit."
For more information, visit www.kinmont.com.
Tamarind
Tamarind is a contemporary clothing store offering elegant and unique lifestyle products from around the world. Andrea Kenner, a California native with extensive fashion design experience, is the visionary behind this new store.
The Tamarind brand reflects international personality and traditional values, especially eco-friendly clothes and American-made independent labels. Each carefully selected product has a story that shares the responsible environmental and business values that Tamarind advocates.
Tamarind is expected to open in late May.
Food and Wine
Sub Zero Ice Cream and Yogurt
Molecular gastronomy hits Sebastopol in May, with the arrival of Sub Zero Ice Cream and Yogurt. Desserts, including non-dairy options like soy, rice, or almond milk, are made to order with Sub Zero's unique flash freezing process.
The all-natural technique uses no freezers and results in the freshest, smoothest ice cream possible. Shop owner Jacki Negri is a member of the fourth-generation of the family who has owned and operated Negri's restaurant in nearby Occidental since 1938.
"With our eight bases, 40 flavors, and 35 mix-ins, we're pretty sure that we can satisfy any palate," said Negri. "We're looking forward to being part of The Barlow and are proud to be supporters of our local farmers."
For more information visit www.subzeroicecream.com.
Tasting Room for La Follette Wines
La Follette now has a tasting room open to the public at The Barlow. The winery was founded in 2001 by Greg La Follette as Tandem Winery. It was later renamed to LaFollette, where Greg has taken the reins on winemaking, blending science, passion and old-world winemaking techniques.
The La Follette tasting room is open daily at The Barlow from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Look for special events, and an occasional guest appearance by Greg La Follette on the bagpipes.
For more information visit, www.lafollettewines.com.
Tasting Room for Marimar Estate
This acclaimed Russian River Winery brings its award-winning wines and California hospitality with Spanish flavor to a second tasting room in the Barlow. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information visit www.marimarestate.com.
General information:
The Barlow
200 Morris Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707- 824-5600
www.thebarlow.net
Media Contact: April V Karr
707-824-5600 Office
707-479-2774 Cell
info@thebarlow.net
NEW TOURS AND WAYS TO GET AROUND WINE COUNTRY
Bicycle Tour through Historic Roche Vineyards
Visitors have an opportunity to get up close and personal with the grapes growing on the Roche family's private estate and vineyards. In one of the most unique winery and vineyard tours in the country, guests on a guided tour ride alongside olive trees, rows of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah vines on a bicycle.
Along the way they taste estate olive oil, and end the tour with a complimentary tasting of handcrafted wine made from the very vineyards they just visited. It is not uncommon for riders to see deer, quail, jack rabbits, wild turkeys, red-tailed hawks, and even coyotes while on their tour.
The one-and-a-half hour guided vineyard bicycle tour is available to riders of all levels and ages. Reservations are required and costs $79 per rider, with a minimum of two reservations required when booking. The tour can easily accommodate groups of up to eight riders at a time, and even larger groups with advance notice of at least 10 days. To make a reservation, call 707-996-6800, or email info@winecountrycyclery.com.
Roche Winery & Vineyards
122 West Spain Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
www.rochewinery.com
707-996-6800
Media Contact: Jason Klein
jason@rochewinery.com
415-272-1139 cell
Petaluma Stand Up Paddle
One of the hippest sports has come to Sonoma County. It's called Stand Up Paddling, an ancient form of surfing where the surfer uses a paddle to move through the water while standing on a surfboard. It originated in the Hawaiian Islands and it's a great way to enjoy the water, and get an excellent workout.
Petaluma Stand Up Paddle has a passion to share the sport and has a wide variety of paddles, clothes and accessories to choose from. In Sonoma County, visitors may choose to paddle in the Petaluma or Russian rivers, and the staff at Petaluma Stand Up Paddle is ready to give lessons, lead a tour, give a Stand Up Paddle Yoga Class, or take guests on an eco tour.
Petaluma Stand Up Paddle rents gear by the hour, or by the day. Beginners may sign up for their Sunset Paddle, which includes an introductory lesson, a guided paddle into Petaluma and back for $80 per person. Other tours and lessons are available by appointment.
Petaluma Stand Up Paddle (PSUP)
775 Baywood Drive, #105
Petaluma, CA 94954
707-765-1131
www.petalumasup.com
Media Contact: Trevor Ganaye, owner
petalumasup@gmail.com
707-765-1131
Pure Luxury Expands its Fleet
There are now more options and opportunities to get around Sonoma County with new offerings from Pure Luxury Transportation. The company has added three 56-passenger Motor Coaches, a 47-passenger shuttle bus, and another 12-passenger executive van to their existing stable of almost 100 vehicles.
Locally owned by husband-and-wife team Gary and Jennifer Buffo, Pure Luxury has grown from a one-vehicle limousine service to a full-service worldwide executive ground transportation company. Providing transportation for a wide variety of clientele, and using every type of vehicle available to their industry, Pure Luxury has become one of the most innovative transportation companies in the industry, and committed to excellent customer service.
Pure Luxury Transportation
4246 Petaluma Blvd N,
Petaluma, CA 94952
800-626-5466
www.pureluxury.com
Media Contact: Jennifer Buffo
707- 775-2920
jbuffo@pureluxury.com
Walk-a-Bout Healdsburg
Discover the scandalous stories, the haunted tales, and the secrets that lurk in the historic trees in the town of Healdsburg. Walk-a-Bout Healdsburg is a new way to learn about one of America's favorite small towns.
Guided by local resident and business owner, Lori Moore, Walk-a-Bout Healdsburg tours are an hour-and-a-half long, and include stops at a local bed & breakfast, and the Healdsburg Museum.
Tours cost $25 per person for up to four people. Group rates apply for parties larger than four. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 707479-7488 or emailing walkhealdsburg@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.walkhealdsburg.com.
Walk-a-Bout Healdsburg
Starts in Healdsburg Historic Plaza
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-479-7488
www.walkhealdsburg.com
Media Contact: Lori Moore
707-479-7488
walkhealdsburg@yahoo.com
NEW DISCOVERIES
New Carrier for Taking Home Sonoma County Wine
The Wine Check is a safe, convenient, and economical way to transport up to one case of wine to and from the airport. Wine lovers can check the FAA-approved bag with all full 12 bottles intact, while staying under the 50 pound airline weight limit for luggage.
The Wine Check was invented by local tour operator Shawnda Hansen, who saw visitors struggling to carry their souvenir bottles of wine from Sonoma County back home. The Wine Check encloses a wine shipper box inside the secure, padded case. It weighs less than five pounds, and the attached wheels and strap make it easy to roll behind you.
Suggested retail price for the Wine Check is $70, which includes a wine-shipper box. Visitors will find it available in many tasting rooms and retails shops throughout Sonoma County. For a complete list, visit their website at www.thewinecheck.com.
The Wine Check
PO Box 220
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
www.thewinecheck.com
Media Contact: Todd French
707-343-9463
todd@thewinecheck.com
Freeloader Boutique
The Windsor Town Green is home to the Freeloader Boutique, a new women's fashion store. They carry brands like BB Dakota, Jack by BB Dakota, Veronica M, Lucy Love, Izzy & Ali handbags, Ettika Jewelry and much more. The Freeloader Boutique is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Freeloader Boutique
9077 Windsor Road
Windsor, CA 95492
707-837-0745
Media Contact: Natalie Barlow
707-837-0745
freeloaderboutique@yahoo.com
Royal Care Lifestyle Expands Spa
Royal Care Lifestyle just finished a remodel of their spa, which includes the addition of a second couple's treatment room for clients to enjoy the power of relief shared. Royal Care Lifestyle is known for expertise in delivering advanced therapeutic massage for clients, offering a nurturing environment that is a wonderful escape from the day-to-day stresses of life, and travel.
Royal Care Lifestyle offers massage, aromatherapy, and facial cleanses for individuals and couples. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed Mondays.
Royal Care Lifestyle
192 Wikiup Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
www.rclifestyle.com/
Media Contact: Austin
707-544-LIFE (5433)
info@rclifestyle.com
RESTAURANTS
Santé at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Unveils New Renovations
The fine dining room at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa has just completed an extensive renovation, led by California based KNA Designs.
The dining room's new sleek design respects the property's minimalist design while maximizing the historic nuances and mission-style architecture of the Inn. Exotic woods, original flooring, local art, and contemporary furniture complete the Wine Country-inspired environment. The renovation also includes the addition of 56 al fresco, Santé Terrace seats, and will include a new Lobby Bar, scheduled to open in July.
Santé has earned a national reputation for outstanding food. Literally meaning "to your health," the restaurant is a celebration of innovative California cuisine and good taste.
Designed to exude the California Wine Country experience, Chef Andrew Cain showcases the region's abundant local products and world-famous wines. The menu reflects a commitment to sourcing ingredients locally and organically. The restaurant's Sonoma-centric wine list features boutique, limited production varietals and pairings to complement Chef Cain's works.
Santé is open nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 707-939-2415.
Santé at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission
100 Boyes Blvd.
Sonoma, CA 95476
www.fairmont.com/sonoma/
Media Contact: Michelle Heston
707-939-2477
michelle.heston@fairmont.com
Kendall-Jackson Redefines the Tasting Experience with Partake by K-J
Kendall-Jackson opens an eatery and tasting lounge in Healdsburg that specializes in wine flights and seasonal bites that celebrate the region's abundance of diversity and flavor, and time spent at the table with family and friends.
The innovative pairings feature ingredients from the winery's organic gardens and Sonoma County's culinary artisans, served with the handcrafted wines of Kendall-Jackson.
"Our wine-driven Bites & Flights menu is a collaborative effort between our culinary team and winemakers to carefully match the flavors, texture and weight of each dish with our wines," said Kendall-Jackson Executive Chef Justin Wangler. "We hope to elevate expectations of what a winery tasting experience can be."
The sophisticated and inviting space spans two rooms with seating for 55 guests: The Flight Club offers guided wine and food flights, while the Lounge has seasonal à la carte food and wine items that encourage guests to pick and choose from the menu.
Spring menu highlights include green garlic soup with crab toast paired with Kendall-Jackson Highland Estates Camelot Chardonnay and hand-cut fries soaked in Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
A special emphasis on wine education, a hallmark of the Kendall-Jackson experience, will provide classes and seminars on topics ranging from how wine is made to selecting the right glass for a specific wine.
Partake by K-J is located at 241 Healdsburg Ave. in Healdsburg. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. May through October, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. November through April, seven days a week, excluding major holidays. Reservations are suggested and can be made at info@partakebykj.com or visit partakebykj.com.
Partake by K-J
241 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, CA 95448
http://partakebykj.com/
Media Contact: Galen McCorkle
707-522-6401
galen.mccorkle@jfwmail.com
Haku Sushi Opens in Santa Rosa
This new Santa Rosa restaurant features traditional Japanese dishes, fresh seafood, and sushi rolls with names that will make you giggle. Customers rave about the creative and tasty "After School Special," "The Worst Boss I Ever Had," the "Silent but Deadly," and the "Funny Feeling Down There" sushi rolls.
Located in the Brickyard Center, Haku Sushi is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner, closed Monday. Look for a happy hour and cocktail menu coming soon.
Haku Sushi
518 Seventh St.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-541-6359
hakusushi@gmail.com
Media Contact: Han Soh
hakusushi@gmail.com
Art's Place
His name is Art Ibleto, but Sonoma County locals know him as "The Pasta King." For years, Sonoma County Fairgoers have lined up at the Pasta King's booth for his signature fair favorites.
Now locals and visitors can get them all year long at his new restaurant in Rohnert Park. The menu features Art's Half and Half Spaghetti, where customers get the best of both worlds with his pesto and marinara sauces. Look for Baked Polenta with Cheese and Marinara, Parmesan Truffle Fries, and Caesar Salad. The menu also features wood-fired pizzas, paninis, and focaccia bread made by Art's brother, Angelo, a Sonoma County food icon in his own right.
Art's place is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Art's Place
563 Rohnert Park Exressway
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-588-2787
www.facebook.com/pages/Arts-Place/323384751100668
Media Contact: Annette Ibletto Spohr
707-588-2787
Anets2boys@yahoo.com
Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Tap Room
A rock star chef is at the helm of this new Santa Rosa restaurant, literally. Owner and chef Gray Rollin has been the tour chef for professional musicians like Katy Perry, Motley Crue, KISS, the Black Eyed Peas and, most recently, Linkin Park.
In between gigs, Rollin has put down roots and opened Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Tap Room. The menu features locally inspired comfort foods, 20 craft beers on tap, and wine from throughout the "left coast," including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii.
The menu changes, but look for dishes like Seared Ahi with Avocado Puree and Pineapple Salsa, Asian Kale and Quinoa Salad, and Two Hog Mac and Cheese made with chorizo, smoked bacon, and pancetta.
Rollin is schedule to go back on tour in August, but has tapped partner and co-exec chef Reino Cruz and general manager Pablo Scurto to keep the restaurant running smoothly. Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Tap Room is open daily for lunch and dinner
Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Tap Room
523 4th St
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-526-5787
www.belly707.com
Media Contact: Pablo Scurto
pabloscurto@gmail.com
707-526-5787
New locations for Zazu Restaurant
One of Sonoma County's favorite destination restaurants will now have two more locations to check out. Chefs and owners, Duskie Estes and her husband, John Stewart, plan to open Zazu Kitchen + Farm in August in Sebastopol's new attraction called The Barlow. Zazu Kitchen + Farm joins other food and wine producers and artists in this unique center where visitors can see, taste, and interact with Sonoma County artisans.
Estes and Stewart are excited to work together, with Stewart making Black Pig Bacon, salumi, and gelato. Estes will be cooking in the kitchen making "porky snackage" like Black Pig Bacon Caramel Popcorn, Crispy Paprika Pig Ears, and Chicharrone Peanut Butter Cups.
In addition, the restaurant will grow produce on the north and west sides of The Barlow center, offering guests a chance to pick their own ingredients, and have the kitchen prepare them. Farm-inspired cocktails will also be on the menu.
In addition, Zazu on the River will open for a new season in May. This smaller Zazu "pork shack" is located on the property of Davis Family Vineyards, at 52 Front Street in Healdsburg. The menu includes BLT sandwiches made with Zazu's Black Pig bacon, and fresh tomatoes grown on the winery's property, or a caprese salad, and other fresh sandwich and salad creations.
Enjoy lunch in the outdoor seating surrounded by the organic garden where your lunch ingredients were just harvested. The Davis Family Vineyards tasting room is just a few feet away, as well as a bocce court, and the Russian River.
Zazu on the River is open Friday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., during the months of May through October.
Zazu Restaurant + Farm
200 Morris Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-523-4814
www.zazurestaurant.com
Media Contact: Duskie Estes
707-523-4814
eat@zazurestaurant.com
WINERIES
New Chef and New Bubble Room Menu at J Vineyards
Visitors to J Vineyards will get a chance to taste the fresh spring flavors of Sonoma County as the winery's new chef debuts a new menu in the acclaimed J Bubble Room tasting room.
Jason LaBue is the new executive chef at J Vineyards & Winery. He is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and a third-generation chef. His culinary career includes working in the kitchens of Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, The Farm at Carneros Inn, Murray's Circle at Cavallo Point in San Francisco, and at The Restaurant at Meadowood Resort in Napa Valley. With more than 10 years of professional culinary experience, he is a passionate proponent of local and sustainable farming and fishing.
"My new Bubble Room menus are elegantly composed dishes that feature complex flavors, all created to showcase J wines," adds LaBue. "I like big, refined flavors."
The new spring menu in the Bubble Room includes a "Chilled Pea Soup with Mt. Lassen Red Trout, Green Garlic, and Fennel. It is paired with the 2010 J Vineyards "Cooper Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Gris.
Another great pairing features Ahi Tuna Crudo, Orange, Avocado, Rice Crackers, and Fava Beans paired with J Brut Rosé. For reservations, visit www.jwine.com.
J Vineyards & Winery
11447 Old Redwood Highway
Healdsburg, CA 95448
www.jwine.com
Media Contact: Elisa Brennan
707-431-5647
elisa@jwine.com
Azari Vineyards Vineyard Tour and Barrel Tasting Experience
A new tour and tasting at this winery in the Petaluma Gap starts with a walk-through the 15-acres of estate vineyards with a member of the winemaking team.
Guests learn how the vineyard evolves through the seasons and the techniques the winery uses to create the best fruit possible. Next, guests get to see the fermentation techniques in the winery followed by a presentation of the barrel room and a tasting of Azari's latest vintage straight from the barrel.
On select days, the winery also fires up its wood-fired oven, and bakes pizzas to enjoy with their handmade wines. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead if they are interested in this experience.
Tastings at Azari Vineyards are $25 per person, with the fee credited toward the purchase of a bottle of wine. Tastings are scheduled Saturdays and Sundays at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. They ask that tastings be scheduled at least one day in advance.
Azari Vineyards
1399 Spring Hill Rd.
Petaluma, CA 94952
www.azarivineyards.com
707-347-9846
Media Contact: Chris Albin
707-347-9846
chris@azarivineyards.com
ART
Green Music Center Summer Headliners Announced; Independence Day Fireworks Return
The world-class Green Music Center announced the headliners for their first-ever summer season of music in the Sonoma Wine Country. Artists appearing include Josh Groban, performing with the Santa Rosa Symphony; Yo-Yo Ma who returns to the hall for the second time in a year to perform with theGoat Rodeo Sessions, which blends classical and bluegrass; retro-pop orchestra Pink Martin; and jazz trumpeter Chris Botti.
The GMC will also host an Independence Day celebration on July 4, a family-friendly Independence Day orchestral concert amidst an afternoon of festivities, and culminating in a dazzling fireworks display across the Sonoma County skies.
For orchestral music, GMC partners with Napa Valley Festival del Sole for a by the Grammy award-winning Russian National Orchestra, conducted by Carlo Montanaro and featuring Sarah Chang in Barber's Violin Concerto and Jean-Yves Thibaudet in the rarely-performed Saint-Saëns "Egyptian" Piano Concerto No. 5.
And the San Francisco Symphony comes to wine country for an evening of "Music from the Movies" with guest conductor Sarah Hicks and a very special narrator, as tunes from the silver screen come to life in a program that parents will appreciate, and kids of all ages are sure to enjoy.
Nestled in the picturesque foothills of Sonoma wine country, the Green Music Center is a focal point for arts in Northern California, with its spectacular 1400-seat Weill Hall.
During warm summer months, the 30-foot rear wall of Weill Hall fully opens to the adjacent lawns - similar to the iconic Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood after which the venue was modeled. Hundreds of picnic tables on tiered terraces and ample lawn seating expands the capacity for performances to nearly 6,000 patrons and affords concertgoers the chance to enjoy world-class music amidst the stunning settings of Wine Country.
Summer amenities include a variety of outdoor food and beverage options - in addition to the on-site Prelude Restaurant - and the convenience of pre-ordering meals and wine online.
Green Music Center at Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
http://gmc.sonoma.edu
866-955-6040
Media Contact: Jessica Anderson
Associate Director, Communications
Green Music Center
jessica.anderson@sonoma.edu
707-664-4122
Petaluma Arts Center Hosts New Exhibit
The new Cosmic Terrain exhibit is now on display at the Petaluma Arts Center and will be featured until June 2. The exhibit features individual and collaborative works by Bay Area graffiti artists, including Mars-1, Damon Soule, Oliver Vernon, and a large scale mural on the Phoenix Theater by North Bay artist Ricky Watts.
Longtime friends Mario Mars-1, Oliver Vernon, and Damon Soule have admired each other's work, shared ideas and created works on a collaborative basis. The artists transcend genres and labels with their surreal cosmic landscapes that rhythmically deconstruct and reconstruct our world. This work is being noticed in the contemporary art world, for its powerful new visual language of the moment.
North Bay resident Ricky Watts grew up painting in and around the alternative music and arts theater now known as the Phoenix Theatre. He recently created a prominent mural for the stage at the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco. As part of the Cosmic Terrain exhibition, Watts will create a dynamic mural featuring interlocking waves of color on the massive south wall of the Phoenix Theater, 201 Washington Street. He also has his own new gallery in Petaluma (see below).
The Petaluma Arts Center is a private, non-profit organization, open from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
Petaluma Arts Center
230 Lakeville Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
www.petalumaartscenter.org
Media Contact: Virginia May
707-762-5600 x 101
vmay@petalumaartscenter.org
New Ricky Watts Gallery
Artist Ricky Watts grew up in Petaluma and has now returned home to open his own art gallery. The 32-year-old Watts has just finished a five-story mural on the side of the Phoenix Theater, the largest in the city's history. In his gallery, near the mural, he will exhibit illustration and canvas work, as well as prints available for purchase.
As a child, Watts loved to draw, often creating comic strips involving epic battles between army ants and nuclear dinosaurs. In junior high, he and his friends experimented with spray paint under bridges around town.
Fascinated with the art of graffiti, by high school he was fully engaged in painting elaborate works under the cover of night. After graduation, he traveled up and down the West Coast, painting large murals and establishing himself as a premier street artist in the scene.
The Ricky Watts Gallery is open by appointment by calling 707-529-5250.
Ricky Watts Gallery
402 Petaluma Blvd. North
Petaluma, CA 94952
www.RickyWatts.com
Media Contact: Ricky Watts
707-529-5250
ricky@rickywatts.com
Towers Gallery Presents New Exhibit: "Bright Summer Lights"
Towers Gallery is a cooperative members gallery in Cloverdale located in a mid-18th-century Victorian house.
A new exhibit on display through June called "Bright Summer Lights" features artists Janet McBeen, a multi medium artist from Petaluma, and Adle Pruitt of Ukiah who works with oils. In addition, guests can enjoy the local talent from Cloverdale High School art students, as the gallery exhibits their work through a juried process selection showing a variety of mediums.
Towers Gallery also offers artisan studios for rent, and classes and workshops onsite. The gallery is open Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Towers Gallery
240 North Cloverdale Boulevard, Suite 2
Cloverdale, CA 95425
www.towersgallery.com
Media Contact: Cathy Thomas
707-894-4331
towersgallery@sonic.net
