Napa Valley
After a year on hold, Festival Napa Valley welcome audiences back for a full program of events this summer. Marking the Festival’s 15th anniversary and celebrating the return to live events, the concert schedule includes opera, chamber music and jazz. Festival Napa Valley kicks off with an Opening Night recital on Friday, July 16, featuring soprano Lisette Oropesa (pictured) at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, and the festival’s lineup also boasts highlights ranging from a Tony Bennett tribute to the Arts For All Gala featuring superstar Jennifer Hudson to free symphonic concerts with Festival Orchestra Napa and more. July 16-25, tickets available at Festivalnapavalley.org.
Bolinas
For the last year, Bolinas Museum has partnered with photographers to take black-and-white portraits of Bolinas and Stinson community members for “Together Alone / Alone Together,” a project that is displayed in the museum’s windows. This week, the museum teams with Smiley’s Schooner Saloon for the project’s Together Again Open House. The evening includes a slideshow of portraits from the project and copies of the Together Alone / Alone Together book on hand. There will also be a story booth in which participants can record their own stories. Then, move to Smiley’s to enjoy live music on Friday, July 16, at 48 Wharf Rd, Bolinas. 5pm. Free. bolinasmuseum.org.
Rohnert Park
This past May, the SOMO Grove Dinner Series was one of the first ways for the North Bay to see live music in over a year. The series—which blends locally sourced meals and locally sourced bands at socially distant, outdoor shows—was such a rousing success, it’s returning for four new dates of live music featuring popular local acts. This week, the series hosts stellar vocalist Stella Heath leading the Billie Holiday Project for a night of jazzy tunes and dinner from Heirloom Café on Friday, July 16, at SOMO Village, 1100 Valley House Dr., Rohnert Park. Doors 6:30pm, Show 7:30pm. $35. Tickets at somovillage.com.
Ross
Native Californian explorer and writer Obi Kaufmann examined the state’s most precious resources in his books The California Field Atlas, The State of Water and The Forests of California. Now, Kaufmann returns to Marin Art and Garden Center to share a new presentation, “The State of Nature,” in which he speaks on a number of unfolding crises in California, the nation and the biosphere. Kaufmann will also sign copies of his books—which will be for sale—and he will celebrate the reopening of the center’s newly renovated and wonderfully rustic outdoor Redwood Amphitheater on Sunday, July 18, at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 11am. Free. Maringarden.org.
Glen Ellen
Inspired by the seafaring adventures of author Jack London and his wife Charmian, the Jack London Yacht Club has all the trappings of a traditional yacht club, except for the fact that the “yachts” measure 22 inches long. These miniature boats normally sail each spring in the Jack to Jack Yacht Race, though the pandemic canceled this year’s event. In its place, the club is popping mini Champagne bottles at the Anchors Aweigh Yacht Christening. Several small boats will be on display, and new members will christen their vessels, at a gathering with food, live music, auctions and more on Sunday, July 18, at Jack London Lodge, 13740 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen. 2pm. $55–$70. Jacklondonyachtclub.org.
