Mill Valley
Lights, Camera and – COLOR!
Rina Neiman and Marsha Heckman are friends, artists and writers who turned their experience into a photography exhibition and self-professed “artnership.” Throughout the Covid pandemic, these local ladies decided to take up a new medium (along with their face masks) and hit the streets with cameras. Now, the photos they took are ready to be seen by the eyes of Marin’s art-loving community, in a Mill Valley Arts Commission exhibit called “Fantastic Voyage.” Heckman has lived in Mill Valley for 60 years and is the author and designer of eight lifestyle and flower books. Alongside being invited as the guest florist at the Obama White House, she has displayed pieces at St. Mary’s Cathedral and the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Kauai Museum. Neiman is a writer, artist and event producer who spent 10 years in Mill Valley before moving to the East Bay. She works in collage, jewelry making and design, mixed media and micro-dioramas. Nieman also published a book, titled Born Under Fire. To learn more about the exhibit, visit millvalleyrecreation.org. Rotating Art in The Depot Plaza is being presented at 87 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley.
Sebastopol
Case for Bass
Jen Runs is a Bay Area-based bassist, singer and songwriter who will soon regale the guests of HopMonk Tavern with an evening demonstration of her many musical talents. Runs is most notable for a prolific bassist career that’s taken her across the globe for performances…and now, she’s home with her aptly-named band, Jenerator. Her genres include folk, Americana, reggae, Grateful Dead (a genre unto itself) and “psychedelic jam funk.” All of these and more can be expected at the upcoming HopMonk performance, which is entirely free. Jenerator will play at HopMonk Tavern in Sebastopol from 6 to 8:30pm on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Visit jeneratormusic.com or hopmonk.com/sebastopol to learn more. This performance is located at 230 Petaluma Ave. in Sebastopol.
Napa
Inertia in Image
The upcoming “Moving Pictures” exhibition at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is an artistic experience unlike any other. This expansive collection of mixed-media pieces comes together to tell the story of some pretty serious concepts spanning 30 years within the political, global and social landscape of the world, the nation and the North Bay. Fast forward to today, and all that comes together in “Moving Pictures: A Survey Exhibition of Works by Deborah Oropallo and Collaborators.” These collaborators include fellow Bay Area artists and thinkers Michael Goldin, Jeremiah Franklin and Andy Rappaport. Climate change, political uprising and gender identity are only a few themes to take away from the artwork. The “Moving Pictures” exhibition will last from Oct. 5 through March 30 of next year. An opening reception for ‘Moving Pictures’ will take place from 5 to 7pm on Saturday, Oct. 5. Those who are not di Rosa patrons or members may attend the opening reception from 6 to 7pm at a cost of $10. To learn more about the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, visit dirosaart.org. The di Rosa is located at 5200 Sonoma Hwy. in Napa.
Occidental
Leave It to Beaver
Beavers–most everybody loves them, but how much do they actually understand beavers? Sure, they’re furry, water-dwelling creatures and dam adorable…but what about their origin story, history and place in the ecosystem? Where did they come from, where are they going and, most importantly, how can we help protect the beaver in years to come? Those who want to learn all they can about beavers won’t believe their luck, since the Acorn MusEcology Project is bringing the North Bay a concert series entitled, to no one’s surprise, “Beavers.” The Acorn MusEcology Project is a 22-voice choral ensemble based right in Sonoma County. The “Beavers” concert series is debuting this October and was put together by music director Sarah Dupre and creative director Robin Eschner. Lyrics include writing from William Stafford, Barry Lopez, Annie Dillard, Robin Eschner and Chris Jones, who is the founder of the Cornwall Beaver Project in England. Tickets to the Acorn MusEcology Project’s ‘Beavers’ event cost $25 per adult, while children aged 12 and younger are free. Friday’s show takes place at 7pm on Oct. 4, while Saturday and Sunday’s performances are at 3pm on Oct. 5 and 6. To learn more, visit occidentalcenterforthearts.org. Occidental Center for the Arts is located at 3850 Doris Murphy Ct.
