Santa Rosa
U.S. Poet Laureate
Join the Santa Rosa Junior College for the culmination of their Fall 2022 Arts & Lecture series, featuring a conversation with Ada Limón, the 24th and current United States poet laureate. A Sonoma-county native, Limón is the author of six books of poetry, including The Carrying, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 2018, and Bright Dead Things, which was a finalist for the same prize. She teaches at Queens University of Charlotte and hosts the critically-acclaimed and poetry-devoted podcast, The Slowdown. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden describes Limòn as “a poet who connects. Her accessible, engaging poems ground us in where we are and who we share our world with. They speak of intimate truths, of the beauty and heartbreak that is living, in ways that help us move forward.” Limón will speak Tuesday, Nov. 22 at the Santa Rosa Junior College Luther Burbank Auditorium, 1501 Mendocino Ave. 12pm. Free. www.santarosa.edu
Santa Rosa
Anita Lofton and Easy Queen
Spend an evening at Santa Rosa’s Lost Church with artists Anita Lofton and Easy Queen. Punk in origin, Lofton is transitioning to a more complex, developed sound, dubbed The Anita Lofton Project. Lofton is a singer/songwriter who played as part of the punk trio Sistas In The Pit, touring China and Europe and appearing in a U.S. tour with Iggy Pop and the Stooges during their reunion. Easy Queen is an Oakland-based trio that has built a following in the Bay Area celebrating the power of diversity, queer community and creativity. Their music is inspired by such bands as Sonic Youth, Neil Young, Jeff Buckley and Van Halen. Come check out this musical medley Friday, Nov. 18 at Lost Church Santa Rosa, 427 Mendocino Ave. Doors 7:30pm, show 8:15-10:30pm, with intermission. Tickets $15. www.thelostchurch.org
Novato
Pat Campbell Memorial Show
HopMonk Novato is hosting a show celebrating the long career of bluegrass bassist Pat Campbell. The afternoon will include an expansive appreciation of his career—Campbell was considered a bluegrass stalwart, and played with a pantheon of musical bigtimes, including Jerry Garcia, Michael Bloomfield, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Big Joe Turner. Music from David Nelson, Nick Gravenites, Mark Karan, David Getz, Craig Caffall, Bill Cutler, Joe New, Randy Rood, Diane Vitalich, David Freiberg, Linda Imperial, Kurt Huget, Dan Healy and more. Additional music will be provided by the Stockton Gang & Bluegrass/Acoustic Boys. The house band will be composed of Peter Harris, Steve Valverde, Dore Coller, Willow Van Den Hoeck, Robin Zickel, Marcus David and Steve Shufton. Chuck Poling will MC the event. The Pat Campbell Memorial Show will be Sunday, Dec. 4 at HopMonk Tavern, 224 Vintage Way, Novato. 2-6pm. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. www.hopmonk.com/novato
San Rafael
Cedars Holiday Craft Fair
It’s time again for the Cedars Holiday Craft Fair! For more than 100 years, Cedars has supported adults with developmental disabilities, helping them live dignified and joy-filled lives. The craft fair features one-of-a-kind artisan goods lovingly handcrafted by the Cedars residents and program participants. When buying a Cedars artist piece, 50% of the sales go to supporting the independent life of the artist who made it. There will be such gift options as handwoven textile napkins, placemats and table runners; homemade jams, marmalades and hot sauces; artisan soaps; and much more. This is a place to buy all the holiday gifts this year, and feel extra good about doing it. The Cedars Holiday Craft Fair is Wednesday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 17 at 2500 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 11am-2pm. Free. www.cedarslife.org
—Jane Vick
