Sebastopol
Butterfly Effect at Gold Ridge
On Saturday, Oct. 11, Gold Ridge Organic Farms hosts Butterfly Effect—an immersive evening of art, music and purpose pairing creativity with impact. Fresh from her show in Prague, artist and humanitarian Layla Love presents 40 original works exploring art as a vehicle for change. She’s joined by art critic Anthony Haden-Guest, MMA champion Max “Pain” Griffin and Gold Ridge founder Brooke Hazen for conversations on art, purpose and protecting what we love. Live performances by Lily Fangz and Louise Solywoda will animate the night, alongside dance, chocolate pop-ups and superfood elixirs. The event supports Rise of the Butterfly, Redemption House and Reef Revival, organizations dedicated to empowering survivors of trafficking and restoring ocean ecosystems. 5:30–8:30pm, Saturday, Oct. 11, Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 387 Canfield Rd., Sebastopol. Free admission. Details and RSVP at bit.ly/Layla-Love.
Sebastopol
Fools’ Paradise (lost?)
A cinematic “love letter to our wild” comes to Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol on Wednesday, Oct. 8, with two screenings of Fools’ Paradise (lost?), at 1 and 7pm—each followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Alexandra Lexton, founder of Lex Productions. The 7pm discussion will be moderated by author and mindfulness teacher Mark Coleman. Filmed across numerous landscapes, the documentary explores how healing ourselves and the planet begins with reconnection to the natural world. Through intimate portraits of adventurers, scientists and changemakers—including nature photographer Jody MacDonald, author Florence Williams, Indigenous scholar Lyla June, ecotherapist Dr. John Francis and others—Lexton reveals stories of resilience, reciprocity and renewal. Part science, part soul, Fools’ Paradise (lost?) invites audiences to rediscover their own inner wild while confronting the urgent call to protect the outer one. 1 & 7pm, Wednesday, Oct. 8, Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol.
Filmmaker Q&As follow both screenings. Details at rialtocinemas.com.
Larkspur
Lavay at the Lark
Marin Jazz and the Lark Theater present Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers for a night steeped in the golden age of American jazz. Known for their pitch-perfect renditions of Count Basie, Dinah Washington, Bessie Smith and Little Esther Phillips classics, the band delivers a balanced blend of swing, blues, R&B and New Orleans soul. Led by powerhouse vocalist Lavay Smith, the group’s all-star lineup is a favorite among dancers and jazz purists alike—the Skillet Lickers have headlined major venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center and SFJAZZ, where they remain the most-booked act in the organization’s history. 7:30pm, Saturday, Oct. 25, Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur. Tickets $65–$75. marinjazz.com.
Fairfax
Spirit of Diwali
Spirit of Diwali with the Laya Arts Collective brings the color and rhythm of India’s festival of lights to the Marin County Free Library. Led by dancer Priya Narayana, this family-friendly performance illuminates the story of the Ramayana through the classical Bharatanatyam dance form—blending movement, music and myth in a celebration of light over darkness. 1–1:45pm, Saturday, Oct. 18, Marin County Free Library, 2097 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax. Free. Sponsored by the Friends of the Marin County Free Library. Details at bit.ly/3VREDDA.
