Napa
‘True North’
The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art presents its inaugural juried exhibition of North Bay art, “True North,” featuring over 40 artists from California’s North Bay counties. Family friendly, this show is on exhibit now through Jan. 15. As di Rosa’s executive director and lead curator Kate Eilertsen explains, “Our aim at di Rosa is to serve as a platform and incubator for art and artists in our region. ‘True North’ is key to this vision. A biennial exhibition of art from the North Bay, it will connect and empower artists across Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Solano counties for years to come.” In keeping with the inclusive incubator spirit of “True North,” the closing reception will be an Art Slide Slam, for artists in the North Bay to share their work in a poetry slam format, from 2:30-4pm, Saturday, Jan. 14. Submission details can be found on di Rosa’s “True North” exhibition page, dirosaart.org/true-north.
Novato
Laugh Trek
Standup comedy is back, as Novato’s Trek Wine pairs wine and wisecracks for an evening of comedy featuring Comedy Central veteran Dan St. Paul. A national headliner, St. Paul has opened for such entertainers as Ringo Starr, Natalie Cole and Vince Gill, and even the San Francisco Symphony (“I knew them when they were just a garage band,” he quips). Upon hitting 50, St. Paul pivoted his act to reflect the changes he was experiencing—“I’m a cylinder now. I can wear a belt anywhere on my body.” Special guest Ian Williams will also provide laughs. The show commences at 7:30pm, Saturday, Jan. 7 at Trek Wine, 1026 Machin Ave., Novato. Tickets start at $20 and are available via marincomedyshow.com.
Petaluma
‘The House on Liberty Street’
Petaluma’s heritage home district is the setting for Sonoma County author Frances Rivetti’s second novel, The House on Liberty Street: Home of Second Chances, now available from Fog Valley Press at local bookstores and online. Rivetti uncovers the dark side of Christmas in a taut, 24-hour-compressed timeline, a compact, deep tale of a resilient, all-female household on the brink of irreversible change. “Local readers will recognize the street that this fictional house is located on by St. Vincent’s Church,” says Rivetti. “While most of the action in the story takes place within the house, there are other familiar downtown and crosstown scenes in several chapters. The house itself, characters, names, incidents, businesses and places are the products of my imagination, or used in a fictional manner, however, and should not be interpreted as real. Certain long-standing institutions and businesses are mentioned, but the characters and action involved are entirely imaginary.” For more information, including upcoming readings, visit Francesrivetti.com.
Santa Rosa
Ice Skating
Downtown Santa Rosa is presently a winter wonderland, and not just because climate change has plunged the mercury well below freezing. “Sonoma County’s Destination for Season Long Holiday Fun” has its own spin on a favorite winter pastime—ice skating—which children of all ages are invited to do at the city of Santa Rosa’s annual Winter Lights Synthetic Ice Rink in Old Courthouse Square. Ice skates and helmet rentals are available through Dec. 31 (though wrist braces and air casts for ankles are available at the discretion of one’s healthcare provider…Just kidding, I’m having a Scrooge moment). For specific times, dates and tickets, visit downtownsantarosa.org/winterlights for links.
