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Spinal tap: Aubri Lane's 'Spine' will be featured at ArtTrails in October. Fall into Fall Fun New season offers bounty of art, music, dance, and more By Greg Cahill, Paula Harris, and Patrick Sullivan TAKE A HEADLONG leap into a fresh season of fun as North Bay arts organizations unveil their fall offerings. Jazz, opera, art studio tours, poetry--there's something for just about everyone over the next few months. August Kurt Weill Cabaret Actors Theatre presents a Berlin-to-Broadway-style musical retrospective of German songwriter Kurt Weill (Three Penny Opera, et al.), featuring Sonoma County songstress Betty Cole-Graham and a few friends. Aug. 31 to Sept. 29. Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $12. 707/523-4185. September Sausalito Arts Festival The works of 270 artists from around the world (selected from 1,200 entries) form the centerpiece of this huge three-day event over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-3) on the shores of San Francisco Bay. Hundreds of craft booths, a children's theater, gourmet food, fine wines, and premium beers are available. Add to that top-name entertainment, including Richie Havens and John Hammond (both on Sept. 1) and Dave Mason and the Bacon Brothers (both on Sept. 3). $15 for general admission, $7 for seniors, $5 for juniors (ages 5-12). 415/705-5555. Progressive Festival Lefty activists come together for an afternoon of networking, live music, and speeches from folks like Green Party activist Medea Benjamin and United Farm Workers organizer Salvador Mendoza. Sunday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Walnut Park, Petaluma Boulevard South and D Street, Petaluma. Free. 707/763-8134. Dashing Dan: The inimitable Dan Hicks brings his Hot Licks to the Russian River Jazz Festival, a weekend of sun, sound, and sand on Sept. 8 and 9. Photograph by Rory McNamara Russian River Jazz Festival It's all about sun, sand, and sound on the banks of the lazy Russian River when the Russian River Jazz Festival returns to Johnson's Beach in Guerneville Sept. 8-9 for a weekend of straight-ahead, smooth, and soul jazz. This year's lineup is still tentative, but it may include the following: Sept. 8, Bobby Caldwell, the Bob James Trio, the Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Bobby Hutcherson Quartet, and Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks; Sept. 9, the Jimmy Smith Quartet, Pat Martino with Joey DeFrancesco, and Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge. Tickets are $35-$80 for a one- or two-day pass. 707/869-3940. Art for Life Compassion is still in style, as the ongoing success of the Art for Life Exhibit and Auction demonstrates. Now in its 13th year, the annual silent auction--a benefit for Face to Face/ Sonoma County AIDS Network--thus far has raised more than $1 million for AIDS services in Sonoma County. Featuring more than 250 works of art donated by Bay Area artists, this year's free exhibit runs Sept. 6-8, from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Friday. The auction will be held Sept. 9, from 2 to 6 p.m. and includes food, wine, and live music, as well as a great opportunity to help people in need. Friedman Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. $50. 707/544-1581. Napa Wine and Crafts Faire Art and wine mingle in abundance at the Napa Wine and Crafts Faire, which features original art and crafts by 200 artists, plus live entertainment and beer and wine by the glass. Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. First Street in downtown Napa. 707/257-0322. Art in the Park Stroll beneath the shady trees in one of the county's most quaint Victorian neighborhoods while enjoying works by more than 50 exhibiting artists at this event sponsored by the Petaluma Arts Association. Sept. 8-9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walnut Park, between Fourth Street and Petaluma Boulevard at D Street, Petaluma. Free. 707/763-2308. Rhyme, Rhythm, and Song Poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and blues singer Sarah Baker headline this poetry and music fundraiser for the Sonoma County Book Fair and the Petaluma Poetry Walk. Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. Phoenix Theatre, 201 Washington St., Petaluma. $15 (available at most local bookstores). 707/544-5913. Moscow Chamber Orchestra Headed by Constantine Orbelian, the only American ever to become director of a Russian ensemble, this acclaimed group comes to Sonoma County for the first stop on its American tour. Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. $28. 707/588-3400. Glendi International Food Festival Greek treats and more await you at this two-day ethnic food fest. The 13th annual Glendi celebration will include Balkan music by Anoush and Edessa, folk dancing, crafts, and children's games. Delicacies from around the globe include Greek gyros, Russian piroshki, and baklava. Sept. 15, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sept. 16, from noon to 6 p.m. Holy Virgin Orthodox Church, 90 Mountain View Ave., Santa Rosa. $5. 707/584-9491. Redwood Arts Council Chamber Music This annual series features talented ensembles performing in intimate venues. On Sept. 15, catch the San Francisco Conservatory Strings performing works by Ravel, Haydn, and Mozart. On Oct. 13, enjoy Synchronicity, a piano and percussion duo that fuses classical and jazz sounds. On Nov. 3, the acclaimed Pacifica String Quartet comes to town. Concerts take place at various venues in Occidental and Sebastopol. Call for locations, times, and prices. 707/874-1124. Something's Brewing Quench your thirst in a serious way at the 16th annual Something's Brewing beer tasting and fundraiser for the Sonoma County Museum. The event offers unlimited beer tasting from more than 50 specialty breweries in Northern California, plus munchies. Sept. 21, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Veterans Building, Brookwood and Maple avenues (across from the fairgrounds), Santa Rosa. $35, or $15 for designated drivers. 707/579-1500 California Small Works Small but potent artwork from around the state (all pieces are 12 inches cubed or smaller) fills the room at this popular exhibit, which will be judged by San Francisco Chronicle art critic Kenneth Baker. Opening reception: Sept. 22, 4 to 7 p.m. The exhibit continues through Dec. 2, Wednesday and Friday, 1 to 4; Thursday, 1 to 8; Saturday-Sunday, 11 to 4 p.m. Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $2. 707/527-0297. Sonoma County Book Fair Year two of this event features readings, workshops, book signings, open mics, and panel discussions. Scheduled to appear are such North Bay authors as Diane di Prima, Noelle Oxenhandler, Gerald Haslam, Robin Beeman, and Jonah Raskin, as well as visitors like Chitra Divakaruni. Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Courthouse Square and other venues in downtown Santa Rosa. Free. 707/544-5913. Petaluma Poetry Walk Poets prowl Petaluma in this annual outpouring of free verse. Diane di Prima and Terry Ehret are among this year's readers. Sept. 16, noon to 7 p.m. Various downtown venues, including Copperfield's Books and the Phoenix Theatre. Free. 707/763-4271. Bayanihan-Philippine National Dance Company The National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines makes its North Bay debut with a performance that merges contemporary theatrical presentation and ancient cultural traditions. Sunday, Sept. 23, at 3 p.m. Marin Center, Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. $20, $25, $35. 415/472-3500. Celtic Festival Year seven of this annual Celtic music blowout features performances by Sandy Silva, Marc Bru, April Verch, Cucanandy, the Healy Irish Dancers, and many others. Sept. 28-30. Community Center and Laguna Youth Park, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $10-$20 at the gate; advance discounts apply. 707/823-1511. Camera Art 3 The North Bay's only all-photography art festival returns for another year of diverse images from dozens of local shutterbugs, guest speakers, and music by blues artist Sarah Baker. Sept. 22-23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Montgomery Village Shopping Center, Santa Rosa. Free. 707/539-1855. Fairfax Jazz Festival Legendary jazz vocalist Jon Hendricks and the Harold Jones Big Band headline this fourth annual event. Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.; Sept. 30, noon to 7 p.m. Various indoor and outdoor stages in downtown Fairfax. Prices vary. 415/453-5928. October Sculpture Jam IV Local sculptors give new meaning to the term "public art" as they team up to craft work before your very eyes. And keep your orbs peeled, 'cause this is the event that produced the controversial "Door to Hell" piece. Oct. 4-7. Old lumber yard (across from the Sebastopol plaza), Petaluma Avenue, downtown Sebastopol. Free. 707/829-4797. Così Fan Tutte The Western Opera Theater presents Mozart's timeless tale of love and fidelity. Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $22.50-$42.50. 707/546-3600. San Francisco Comedy Competition Up-and-coming comedians get to bare knuckles and brass tacks as they duke it out for supremacy in this event. Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $25 and $30. 707/546-3600. ARTrails Open Studio Tour Investigate the haunts and lairs of 149 Sonoma County artists during this 16th annual studio tour, which encompasses all sections of the county and a wide variety of artists, from photographers to painters to printmakers. A preview exhibit runs Oct. 5-25 at the SoFo2 Gallery (Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County), 602 Wilson St., Santa Rosa. A gala reception will be held at the gallery on Oct. 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The tour itself takes place on two weekends: Oct. 13-14 and 20-21. A catalog with maps will available at the gallery. 707/579-2787. Wadaiko Yamato Drummers Acclaimed Japanese taiko drummers perform a dynamic range of ritual forms with theatrical splendor. Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Marin Center, Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. $24 or $30 for adults; $16 for kids 14 and under. 415/472-3500. Rant and roll: Comedian Dennis Miller keeps it real on Nov. 2 at the Luther Burbank Center. November Dennis Miller Say what you will, but from Saturday Night Live to the National Football League, Miller's career has always erred on the side of intelligence--a rare mistake among today's comedians. Catch him live in this standup performance. Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $35-$55. 707/546-3600. Penn & Teller The bad boys of magic bring their award-winning, irreverent blend of comedy and magic to the North Bay stage on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. Marin Center, Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415/472-3500. [ North Bay | Metroactive Central | Archives ]