Santa Rosa
Poetry Found
Las Vegas-based poet and poetry slam grandfather AJ Houston is coming to Santa Rosa’s Lost Church this weekend to drop deep wisdom on the poetry-hungry ears. Many poetry open mics exist around Sonoma County, but there are no other poetry events quite like the Lost Church’s Found Poets. Poets are chosen as much for their performance chops as for their varied and intimate insights into the contemporary world. The shows have the feel of musical concerts with several openers and a headliner. Houston, who co-founded the Fort Worth Poetry Slam in 2000, definitely fits the bill. “I imagine in our duty as poets, writers, thinkers and producers of audible pictures we all have questions that have yet to be answered,” Houston says. Found Poets, doors 4pm, show 4:45pm, Sunday, Nov. 12. The Lost Church, 427 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. All ages. Some mature poetic content. $15. Get tickets at tinyurl.com/FoundPoetsSRNov12.
Cotati
Trees Do Jam
After Tom (Tree) Territo’s death in 2020, the nearly decade-old jam session he co founded at Spancky’s Bar was renamed in his honor. Now known as Tree’s Every Tuesday Night Blues Jam, the weekly event has hosted many great players over the years. Now hosted by Bill Alexander, the night starts with a set by a full blues band, then opens up to all who need to get the blues out. The downtown Cotati venue has an open space feel and a long bar, which invites audience participation, even from those not ready to get up on stage. As Territo used to say, “People want to play.” 7 to 11pm every Tuesday night at Spancky’s, 8201 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati. Free.
Healdsburg
La Sensation Cubaine
La Dame Blanche (aka, Yaite Ramos Rodriguez) is an artist not to be missed. Powerful and compelling, the Cuban singer, percussionist and flutist based in Paris brings together influences from hip-hop, hyperpop, dancehall and a variety of Latin music in her performances, with one coming up at Little Saint, Healdsburg. It is an experience of the ultra-feminine in its most vibrant form. Her recent album, Ella (or Her), leans into celebrating the empowerment of women. Daughter of the artistic director of the Buena Vista Social Club orchestra, Ramos Rodriguez gives tribute to her mother just as much as her famous father. “My mom makes everything shine, from the floors of the house to the music in my soul,” she has said. Doors 6pm, show 7pm, Thursday, Nov. 9. Little Saint, 25 North St., Healdsburg. Free. Arrive early. Full bar menu.
Larkspur
Wiped Away
“Every year, vast stretches of Canada’s richly biodiverse boreal forest region are razed for that most literally disposable of causes: the manufacture of toilet paper,” according to Michael Zelniker, director of the 2022 film, The Issue with Tissue—A Boreal Love Story. Told through the words of members of the First Nations and providing insights from scientists and activists, the documentary, to be shown at The Lark Theater, Larkspur, explores the connection between “colonial violence and unfettered extractive industrial exploitation,” providing lessons with significance well beyond the Boreal forests of the north. Special opening event at The Lark Theater (549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur) Sunday, Nov. 12, with refreshments from 4-5pm. Film at 5pm. Q&A with the director after the screening. Additional screenings at The Lark Nov. 10-17. $15.
