This weekend, do something fun. Here are a few ideas. Be inspired by the TEDxSonomaCounty talks this Saturday. On Saturday evening, watch local stars bust a move at the Dancing with the Stars competition at Raven Theater. Then on Sunday, support fire victims by attending the benefit concert at Montgomery Village. All this and more is in our list of things to do.
Saturday, Nov. 4
TEDxSonomaCounty: This Saturday, the annual TED event in Sonoma County features inspiring speakers, artists and performers who will share ideas and wisdom under the theme of “A World With(out) Limits” at the Jackson Theater at Sonoma Country Day School in Santa Rosa. Doors open at 12:15 p.m., and tickets are $25-$45. Learn more at TEDxSonomaCounty.com.
Saturday, Nov. 4
Dancing with the Stars: The Sonoma County version of the hit TV show will be held this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Raven Theater in Healdsburg. The “stars” are local names you may recognize from the community, paired with professional dancers and ready to compete in a night you won’t forget. Votes are collected in the form of money, and benefits the North Bay Fire Relief Fund. Tickets are $35-$45. Find out more at raventheater.org.
Saturday, Nov. 4
Sonoma Bar Battle: The 11th annual battle of the bartenders takes place this Saturday at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building. In the spirit of “Iron Chef,” competing teams will be given a secret ingredient, and will have 10 minutes to create a cocktail that will wow the judges. The event will include tasting stations, an appetizer buffet and live music. 100% of the proceeds from the Sonoma Bar Battle will go to people affected by the fires. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45. Find out more at sonomabarbattle.com.
Sunday, Nov. 5
Sonoma Strong Benefit Concert: This Sunday, a few favorite local bands are coming together to help raise funds for North Bay fire victims. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Montgomery Village, hear live music from Pride & Joy, Pete Stringfellow, Gator Nation and Poyntlyss Sistars. Admission is free, and all money raised from food and swag sales will go to fire relief efforts. More information at bit.ly/2zMzVLY.
Sunday, Nov. 5
Wild Thang! Benefit Concert: Some of Sonoma County’s favorite bands are coming together this Sunday for a benefit concert at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma to raise funds for the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. Entertainment includes performances with The Easy Leaves, Highway Poets, John Courage, Josh Windmiller, Soul Fuse with guests Volker Strifler, Levi Lloyd and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All ages. Admission is $18. Find out more at mystictheatre.com.
Other upcoming events:
Friday, Nov. 3
Live in the Vineyard: Wine, food and 15 performers including Leann Rimes, today through Sunday, Napa Valley. Attend only by winning tickets. liveinthevineyard.com
Mariinsky Orchestra: One of Russia’s oldest and most distinguished musical institutions, 7:30 p.m., Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $50-$125. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu
Grateful Bluegrass Boys: String band, traditional bluegrass versions of classic rock favorites, 9 p.m., HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $10. 707-829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com
Bennett Friedman Quartet: Jazz performance, 8 p.m., Newman Auditorium, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa campus. $5-$10. music.santarosa.edu
Saturday, Nov. 4
HIRIE plus Nattali Rize with Clear Conscience: Reggae, 8 p.m. Saturday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $17-$20. 707-775-6048, mystictheatre.com
Wine & Food Affair: Wine and food pairings, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys. $60-$80, $30 designated driver. wineroad.com
Damage Inc.: Metallica tribute, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, House of Rock, Santa Rosa. $40-$50, benefits Oaks of Hebron. 707-791-3482, rockstaruniversity.com
Dancing with the Stars: Local celebrities and dance professionals, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Raven Theater, Healdsburg. $35-$45. Some proceeds benefit fire relief. 707-433-6335, raventheater.org
Sunday, Nov. 5
Sonoma Strong: Fire relief benefit concert, Poyntlyss Sistars, Gator Nation, Pride & Joy, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. VIP tables $450-$750. 707-545-3844, mvshops.com
Monday, Nov. 6
Santa Rosa Symphony: ‘Exhilarating Journey,’ includes Shostakovich’s ‘Festive Overture,’ 8 p.m. Monday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $29-$85. 707-546-8742, srsymphony.org
Tuesday, Nov. 7
Dia de los Muertos: Exhibit includes juried artwork of local students, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, History Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa. $7-$10. Through Nov. 30. 707-579-1500, museumsc.org
Wednesday, Nov. 8
Napa Valley Film Festival: More than 100 films plus Hollywood guests, food and wine. Opens Wednesday, Napa Valley. Through Nov. 12. $10-$695. nvff.org
Thursday, Nov. 9
‘Man Equals Man’: War and identity, cabaret-style, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park. $5-$17. Through Nov. 12. 707-664-4246, sonoma.edu
‘Letters to Dr. Q’: SRJC students read letters to former undocumented migrant, now renowned neurosurgeon-neuroscientist, 7 p.m. Thursday, Copperfield’s Books, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 707-578-8938, copperfieldsbooks.com
Shopkins Live!: Urban-style music, song and dance featuring kids’ Shopkins characters, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $25-$100. 707-546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org
Friday, Nov. 10
Les Arts Florissants: Baroque music performed on period instruments, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $35-$85. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu
Iris Jamahl Dunkle: Poet laureate shares latest collection, ‘Interrupted Geographies,’ 7 p.m. Nov. 10, Copperfield’s Books, Sebastopol. Free. 707-823-2618, copperfieldsbooks.com
Rhythm Future Quartet: Gypsy jazz ensemble, 8 to 10 p.m. Nov. 10, Occidental Center for the Arts. $25-$29. 707-874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org
Coco Montoya: Rock and blues guitarist, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 10, The Reel, Sonoma. $25-$30. 707-343-0044, thereelfishshop.com
Saturday, Nov. 11
Tetzlaff Quartet: String quartet, classical program, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $35-$50. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu
Air Supply: ‘Lost in Love’ soft rock duo, 8 p.m. Nov. 11, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $49-$165. 707-546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org
Juried Exhibition: Works by Petaluma Arts Center members, reception 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 11, Petaluma Arts Center. Free. Exhibit through Jan. 6, 2018. 707-762-5600, petalumaartscenter.org
Sunday, Nov. 12
Tango Buenos Aires: ‘The Spirit of Argentina,’ 3 p.m. Nov. 12, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $35-$85. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu
Marnie Breckenridge and Hope Briggs: Chamber concert, 4 p.m. Nov. 12, Newman Auditorium, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa campus. $29.75. 415-392-4400, communityed.santarosa.edu/chamber-concerts
Jazz Jam Benefit Concert: Fire relief fundraiser, local and Bay Area jazz musicians, 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 12, Paul Mahder Gallery, Healdsburg. $30 minimum donation. healdsburgjazzfestival.org
Mandolin Orange: Americana and folk duo from North Carolina, 7 p.m. Nov. 12, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Sonoma. $30. 707-938-5277, gunbun.com
Donna the Buffalo: Mix of cajun/zydeco, rock, folk, reggae and country, 8 p.m. Nov. 12 HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $17-$20. 707-829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com