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MUSIC & ARTS
Music & Arts in Sonoma County
There is a wealth of music and art events in and around the Russian River area. From classical to blues, sculpture to spoken word, there is something for every interest during every season of the year.
Theater and Performance
The Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is a venue for a variety of performance acts and is located about a 20-minutes’ drive from the West Sonoma Inn. Close by Monte Rio is home to the energetic Pegasus Theater Company, which produces an inspired repertoire of American and international dramatic works year-round. The Sonoma County Repertory Theater organizes a variety of dramatic events, including the annual Sebastopol Shakespeare Festival each August.
Visual Arts
Every year in June, Art at the Source hosts its Open Studios in the nearby town of Sebastopol. People are encouraged to peruse the studios and take in the art produced by talented local artists. Likewise, artists along the coast showcase their works in the fall during the Sonoma Coast Open Studios Discovery Tour. This event is a free, self-guided tour along scenic Highway 1 that allows you to enjoy the artists’ creations at your own leisurely pace.
In October, Sebastopol is host to an annual sculpture festival called Sculpture Jam. Local artists come together for one weekend to create art pieces that they later install in locations throughout the town. Students, and everyone from youth to seniors, are warmly welcomed and encouraged to participate at this community event.
Music
Guerneville and communities throughout the surrounding area play host to a number of music festivals throughout the year, including the Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival, which takes place in September. The event draws large crowds, so staking out your place early at Johnson’s Beach is a must.
Another noteworthy festival is the annual Rockin’ and Rollin’ on the River, hosted by Korbel Champagne Cellars and located about a mile outside of town. This festival combines food, wine and fun as guests enjoy live rock music. Throughout the summer nearby Rodney Strong Vineyards hosts a similar series of concerts, called the Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series, that also include live music, food and wine.
Another popular Sebastopol music event that draws local music lovers is the High Country Sonoma County Bluegrass and Folk Festival. Each spring talented musicians bring out their fiddles, banjos and other instruments to perform old favorites, as well as new songs for the audience.
