Santa Rosa
Queer Sky
Santa Rosa, on the crease of urban and rural, is the perfect place to launch a reconnection with the night sky and the stars that are obscured by earthly development. Such is the intent of local musicians teaming up with the Robert Ferguson Observatory, which provides observational astronomy classes and star gazing parties. Produced by performer Brightdarkdawn, the show is a “two-hour immersive music concert that uses songs, video, and audience participation.” The queer-forward event evokes multiple cultural traditions of the interplay of light and dark, including by Sindhu Natarajan, a South Indian classically trained singer. I’ll Show You the Night, 6:30-8:30pm, Saturday, Jan. 27, Arlene Francis Center, 99 6th St., Santa Rosa. $20. Telescopes provided for stargazing.
Petaluma
Act Local
There may be no more beloved volunteer organization in Sonoma County than Daily Acts. The wisdom of taking little actions everyday to address the greatest challenges of our time could just be the answer to climate change and so much more that our world needs right now. The group has installed greywater systems, no-water native plant lawn conversions and a whole lot of hope. One such act is the maintenance of the Cavanaugh food forest every month. Join other volunteers to prep the garden for the growing season by pulling weeds, pruning plants and making friends. Cavanagh Center Food Forest Maintenance, 10am-12:30pm, Friday, Jan. 19, Cavanaugh Center, 426 8th St., Petaluma. Those who can’t attend can donate at dailyacts.org.
Napa
Get Those Chills
Has there ever been a better voice in popular music than Sade? From her pop debut in the ’80s right through to today, the sounds of Sade Adu continue to exceed nostalgia or kitsch. Her music sounds as contemporary as ever, almost more relevant than many a current chart topper. So all praise to singer Ariel Marin for her tribute performance of Sade material that will “transport you into a world of love, heartache, and soul.” And give those chills of joy. Ariel Marin – Tribute to Sade. Two shows, 6:30pm and 9pm, Friday, Jan. 19, Blue Note Napa, 1030 Main St., Napa. Tickets start at $35 with two drink minimum. Ages 8 and up.
Mill Valley / Online
With the Band
BandWorks runs music programs connecting developing players of all ages with bands of their peers. Students get an instructor and placement in a band. After practicing for eight weeks, the bands play a culminating show with youth and adult bands alternating. But performances like the upcoming show at Sweetwater are meant to be just the beginning. Says program manager Stace Wright, “Our whole goal is just to build bands, to help them find their people.” For those who can’t attend, a live video feed and an archive of past performances is online at facebook.com/bandworks. 5:30pm, Monday, Jan. 22, Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. $15. All ages.
