La Force to Be Reckoned With
La Force, the solo project of Montreal-based songwriter Ariel Engle, appears at the Sebastiani Theatre May 14 in support of her new album, XO SKELETON. The LP has earned praise and support from such outlets as The Washington Post (“lush pop and R&B tunes where warm tones swaddle heavy thoughts”). Engle is perhaps best known as the lead vocalist in Broken Social Scene since 2017 and can also be heard singing on the most recent album from Big Red Machine. She is touring as the supporting act to critically lauded singer-songwriter-filmmaker Caroline Rose. XO SKELETON explores such heady themes as the finality of death or whether another person’s love can or cannot bestow a sense of protection. The show begins at 7pm, Tuesday, May 14, at the Sebastiani Theatre, 476 1st St. E, Sonoma. For tickets and more information, visit bit.ly/rose-laforce.
Petaluma
Too Cool
Cool Petaluma, a nonprofit that inspires local climate action through community building, invites all residents to attend its Third Annual Resource Expo at the Petaluma Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Dr. The event is from 5 to 8pm on Tuesday, May 21. At the expo, local experts will share resources and answer community questions surrounding five main topic areas: preparing for emergencies, rethinking consumption, transforming transportation, improving buildings and restoring nature. “This year will be bigger and better than ever, with a new live stage for demonstrations and mini-workshops,” says Natasha Juliana, co-founder of Cool Petaluma. “Supplied with information and inspiration, we’ll all find it easier to continue on our journey to becoming more resilient and planet friendly—block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood.” More info at coolpetaluma.org/expo2024.
Marin County
Public Works
Marin County hosts its first-ever Public Works Fair on May 18, coinciding with the 64th annual National Public Works Week. This family-friendly affair showcases the vital role of public works in our communities and Marin’s infrastructure (FYI: Marin Public Works oversees 52 public facilities, over 420 miles of roadway, 56 bridges and eight watersheds). The festivities begin at 10am and run until 2pm at the Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Ave of the Flags, San Rafael, and will feature activities for all ages, including demonstrations and interactive presentations to hands-on experiences and photo ops with heavy-duty machinery. High school students and their parents may explore the various internship opportunities available. Live music, face painting, games and snacks abound—and are completely free. Motorists are encouraged to utilize the Exhibit Hall parking lot at 20 Ave of the Flags in San Rafael. Or hop on the SMART train to the Civic Center station. For more info, call 415.473.6530 or visit bit.ly/marin-pub-works.
Novato
Hypno Comedy
Comedy hypnotist Gary Conrad brings his brand of subconscious satire to Novato’s Trattoria Ghiringhelli for an evening in which “volunteers come on stage, enter a hypnotic state and then experience Lewis Carrollesque scenarios in which they transform into famous singers, dancers, comedians and sports personalities; return to being five years old; switch genders; misplace their body parts,” according to promoters. Conrad has been seen on The View and has shared the air with Danny Bonaduce, FOX-TV’s Mancow Muller, Crook & Chase, Opie & Anthony, Rick & Bubba, Don & Mike and Ed Lover & Dr. Dre. Additional bonafides include stage time with such legends as Tony Bennett, Barbara Walters, Cher, Lenny Kravitz and even the late Tiny Tim. The show begins at 8pm, Thursday, May 10, at Trattoria Ghiringhelli, 1535 S. Novato Blvd., Novato. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit garyconrad.com.
