Santa Rosa
Opening Up
Those who have yet to set foot in recently reopened live-music venue the Lost Church can get a look at the intimate space during the Lost Church Holiday Happy Hour Open House. In addition to opening the big rolling doors that it resides behind, the venue presents a lineup of live music performed entirely by Lost Church staff members, including Josh Windmiller (the Crux), Michele Kappel (Secret Emchy Society/Yours Truly, Michele), Joshua James Jackson (Sharkmouth) and Bryce Dow-Williamson (DdW). Visit the Lost Church on Friday, Dec. 17, at 427 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 6pm. Free, RSVP requested. Thelostchurch.org.
Napa & Marin
Shop Local
Last-minute holiday shoppers can visit local crafters and artists at several markets this weekend. In Napa, Makers Market Open Air Marketplace gathers local producers and purveyors of gifts and goods on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 1300 First St., Napa. 11am to 5pm. Firststreetnapa.com. Meanwhile, the MC Arts Gallery presents its second Holiday Soul Bazaar on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18–19, at 100 Donahue Ave., Marin City. Mcartsandculture.com. Then, the French Market Marin presents “The Big Christmas Show” outdoors antiques market on Sunday, Dec. 19, at Marin Veterans Auditorium parking lot, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 9am to 3pm. Thefrenchmarketmarin.com.
Sonoma
Gift of Dance
After two years online and outdoors, Sonoma Conservatory of Dance is back onstage this weekend to perform their classic winter show, The Snow Maiden. This original ballet, based on Russian folklore, is a long-running holiday highlight for the conservatory, and this year’s production brings together current and former students, as Artistic Director Patricia O’Reilly welcomes back several alumni in positions new and old. The Snow Maiden dances its way into the audience’s hearts on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18–19, at Sebastiani Theatre, 476 First St. East, Sonoma. 1pm both days. $12–$22. Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test required. Sonomaconservatoryofdance.org.
North Bay
To the Moon
A North Bay musical tradition spanning 40 years, the Christmas Jug Band is back on tour and bringing with them a new single, “Christmas on the Moon,” an all-acoustic send-up of the recent billionaire space race. The jug band—featuring longstanding members like Austin de Lone, Gregory Leroy Dewey, Tim Eschliman and others—will also play their classic holiday hits when they take the stages on Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Big Easy in Petaluma; Sunday, Dec. 19, at Reel & Brand in Sonoma; and Wednesday, Dec. 22, at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley. Get details and tickets at Christmasjugband.com/live.
—Charlie Swanson
