Mouthful: Oysterpalooza kicks off in west county

Oysterpalooza 2015! Oysterpalooza, which takes place at Rocker Oysterfellers Kitchen and Saloon on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, has become one of the most beloved west county events of early summer.

The festival gets started at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, with music on two stages beginning shortly thereafter.

This year’s bands include Arann Harris and the Farm Band; T Sisters; Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic; Beso Negro and Dixie Giants.

Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Kids ages 6 to 12 are $10.

The cost does not include food or beverages, which are available for purchase. Among the selections are barbecue oysters, oyster po’boys, red beans and rice, and brisket. Lagunitas brews will be on tap, along with local wines, cocktails and more.

Rocker Oysterfeller’s is located at the Valley Ford Hotel, 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford. For tickets, visit rockeroysterfellers.com and follow the prompts.

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Tea as Memories: One of our favorite Memorial Day Weekend events takes place at the beautiful oasis in southern Healdsburg, the Russian River Rose Garden (1685 Magnolia Drive). At the center of the three-day event is the Memorial Wishing Tree, where visitors write a personal message of memory and tie it to the tree with a pretty ribbon. There it flutters, with hundreds of other messages, throughout the weekend.

The garden and nursery are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Feel free to bring a picnic and linger but leave your pets, no matter how well behaved, at home.

A donation of $2 to $4 is requested and will get you a lovely cup of tea.

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Tea as Performance: The Imaginists (461 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa) hosts the final performances of a three-weekend run of “Tea (A Performance/A Discussion)” by Aaron Hughes, an Irag War veteran and an artist.

At the center of the performance is the brewing of tea in the Iraqi traditional, an activity that serves as a way to facilitate the discussion of uncomfortable topics that range from war, violence, oppression, love and more. A number of special guests will appear, including local veterans and activists, along with Amber Ginsburg, a Chicago-based artist who collaborated with Hughes.

The final two performances take place at 8 tonight and 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is “pay what you can,” and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. However, attendance is limited to just 25 people per performance so you should RSVP at theimaginists.org, where you can also read about the evolution of this fascinating project.

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Bodega Bay Community Farmers Market opens: This Sunday, the Bodega Bay Community Farmers Market opens for its 2015 season. The sweet little market is located behind the community center, at 2255 Highway 1 in Bodega Bay.

The market, though relatively small, is quite diverse in its offerings, with both duck and chicken eggs; fresh local meats, including goat and duck; olive oil; artisan breads; cheese and fresh local produce; along with honey, salsas and other condiments, chocolates and foods to enjoy on the spot.

The market is adjacent to a large field, perfect for kids and pups.

The market takes place every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of October.

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Shrubs Workshop: On Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Shed (25 North St., Healdsburg) hosts a hands-on workshop on shrubs, vinegar-based tonics that can be enjoyed with water, sparkling water, sparkling wine and in low-alcohol cocktails known as shims.

Gillian Helquist , Shed’s fermentation crafter, leads the workshop. Participants received 10 percent off Shed’s retail products on the day of the event.

Cost is $75 per person. To sign up, visit healdsburgshed.com or stop by.

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Shopping for Bees: On Saturday, May 23, Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery (11400 Graton Road, Sebastopol) hosts a special evening that will benefit the Sonoma County Beekeepers’ Association.

At the heart of the event is a Stella & Dot trunk show of jewelry with a raffle and, of course, delicious wines. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the association.

Admission is free.

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Eating for Furry Friends: On Wednesday, Diavola Pizzeria (21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville) hosts a special Dine and Donate event to benefit the Sonoma County Humane Society. All you need to do is enjoy a meal; 10 percent of the day’s sales benefit the organization.

You can even bring your pup, as dogs are welcome in Diavola’s patio.

If you’ve not been to Diavola yet, this is a perfect opportunity to discover this Italian-style restaurant, with a wood-burning oven, house-made pastas and house-made salumi.

To view complete lunch and dinner menus, visit diavolapizzeria.com. Diavola is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Sunset Supper Time: DaVero’s (766 Westside Road, Healdsburg) popular Sunset Supper season begins next Saturday night, May 30, with chef Jack Herron of Jimtown Store.

Herron has gained national recognition as the “Prince of Porc” for his work at the Grand Cochon event in Aspen. His menu for the DaVero event begins with braised pork jowl in sorrel with spicy pepper jam and caramelized onion biscuits with smoked salmon, olive oil, amaranth, chicharrones, pickled radishes and sunflower sprouts, served in the garden, with DaVero 2014 Schatz Family Vineyard Vermentino.

Next comes roasted baby beets, bitter greens, house-made ricotta salata, bacon and lemon verbena, followed by pit-roasted DaVero Farm heirloom pig, whole-grain mustard jus, pickled vegetables, creamy farro, mint and local mushrooms, with caramelized fingerling potatoes and crispy kale. The beet course will be served with DaVero 2014 Hawk Mountain Vineyard Estate Rosato, with DaVero 2013 Ponzo Family Vineyard Primitivo with the pork.

DaVero wines will be paired with every course.

Cost is $120 per person for the general public and $100 for club members. Seating is very limited so if you want to enjoy the first Sunset Supper of the season, snag your seat now by calling 431-8000 ext. 1 or emailing events@davero.com

For 2015, Sunset Suppers will be on Saturday evenings, not Friday evenings, as has been the tradition. Visit davero.com.

Michele Anna Jordan has written 21 books to date, including the new “More Than Meatballs.” Email Jordan at michele@saladdresser.com,. You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.