Marin County is bursting with festivals and other events throughout the fall season. Here is a great list of upcoming Marin events for September.
Sausalito Art Festival
Sausalito has long been hailed as an artist’s paradise, so hosting this excellent arts fest is a no-brainer. This year marks the 65th festival, and features fine art from hundreds of acclaimed artists. The weekend also includes an opening “Moroccan Nights” gala, a weekend of top-name musical entertainment from the likes of classic rockers Foghat, War, Pablo Cruise and the Tubes, gourmet food and beverages and more must-see attractions. Sept. 2-4. Marinship Park, Sausalito. Saturday–Sunday, 10am–7pm; Monday, 10am–5pm. $25-$30 and up; children under 12, free. sausalitoartfestival.org.
15th Annual Fairfax Car Show
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ross Valley, this show features more than 100 cars of all types, show & shine, awards, dash plaques, goody bags, T-shirts, a raffle and DJ. Sept. 10. 10am to 5pm. Free for spectators. Downtown Fairfax. marindirect.com/carshow.
Sound Summit
Sound Summit, an annual celebration and benefit for Mt. Tam presented by Roots & Branches Conservancy, boasts Phil Lesh & Friends, featuring Bob Weir, Jim James, of My Morning Jacket and more. The show sold out quickly, because it’s sure to be epic. Sept. 9. Mountain Theater, Mount Tamalpais State Park. 11am to 7pm. soundsummit.net.
Bolinas Museum Benefit Art Auction
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, this festive fundraising event features a social cocktail hour at the museum with a live auction of art donated by Bay Area artists, followed by a locally sourced selection of food, wine and live entertainment at the Peace Barn. Sept. 9. Auction at museum, 11am to 1pm, Peace Barn events start at 4pm. Bolinas Museum, 48 Wharf Rd, Bolinas. Peace Barn, 70 Olema Rd, Bolinas. $100 to $150. bolinasmuseum.org.
Art in the Park
Petaluma Arts Association presents the 60th annual community art event, that lets the public meet and view the works of several local artists. Paintings, sculptures, jewelry and more will fill Walnut Park, and a lineup of live music, food vendors and more will abound. Sept. 9-10, Petaluma Blvd S and D street, Petaluma. 10am to 5pm. Free. petalumaarts.org.
Trek Winery Harvest Festival and Antique Car Show
Celebrating five years in Novato, Trek Winery will feature a grape crush competition, antique car show, food, wine and live music. Sep. 10. Noon to 7pm. Trek Winery, 1026 Machin Ave, Novato. trekwine.com.
Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival
This event is all about the beer. A short list of the breweries participating includes Henhouse, Lagunitas, 101 North, Fieldwork, Headlands, Heretic, Plow, Fogbelt and Bear Republic. There’s also food tastings, live music and more, Sept. 16, Water Street, Petaluma (21 and over only). 1–5pm. $40; $20 for designated drivers. petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org.
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
The sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography and more of some 150 different artists will be on display under the redwoods at the foot of Mount Tamalpais. This 61st annual festival also includes live music by the Ross Howe Ensemble, the Nathan Bickart Trio and others, with a children’s grove of activities making this a family-friendly festival. All profits go to local schools and charities. Sept. 16-17. Old Mill Park, 320 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 10am–5pm. $5–$10; kids under 12, free. mvfaf.org.
Italian Film Festival
This long-running event is your best chance to savor the Italian experience, featuring critically acclaimed Italian films, both comedy and drama, shown over eight days with special guests and more. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 23-Nov. 4. Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 5:30pm. $16–$120 (series ticket). 415.473.6800.
Tiburon Taps Beer Festival
Sample more than 70 craft brews and munch on treats from local restaurants while listening to live ’80s music by Neon Velvet. Sept. 23. 1-4pm. $45, designated driver/$20. Shoreline Park, 311 Paradise Dr, Tiburon. tiburontaps.org.
Earle Fest
Annual benefit concert event for the Earle Baum Center of the Blind brings together two stages of music, food vendors, art and more. Los Angeles rockers Los Lobos headlines the day-long pop-up event, with support from The California Honeydrops, Tift Merritt, Nina Gerber, Timothy O’Neil, Dirty Cello, Charley Peach and others. Sept. 23. SOMO Village Events Center, 1100 Valley House Dr, Rohnert Park. 3pm. $55. somoconcerts.com.
Whistlestock
Photo credits visitmarin.org
In its fourth year, the annual benefit concert has a reputation as a not-to-be missed event. The 2017 line-up includes legendary performers Jesse Colin Young and Pure Prairie League, with food trucks, beverages and groovy vibes. Sept. 24. Marin Center Fairgrounds Island. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 12:30pm. $69 and up. tickets.marincenter.org.
Stepping Out to Celebrate Life
Breast-cancer fundraiser gala returns for its 22nd year with the theme “Passage to India.” Cocktails and a silent auction will kick off the night, followed by a fashion show featuring men and women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The Fundamentals provide the music for dancing, and a live auction will raise money to support underserved breast-cancer patients. Sept. 23. Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 5:30pm. $275. tocelebratelife.org.
New Century Chamber Orchestra
The orchestra kicks off its 2017-18 season with a debut appearance by British violinist Daniel Hope, leading the orchestra in a program of works by Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn and performing as soloist for a world premiere co-commissioned violin concerto by Alan Fletcher on Sept 24. Then, award-winning violinist and rising star Benjamin Beilman joins New Century on Nov. 12. Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 3pm. 415.392.4400.
Floating Homes Tour
Photo credit oursausailto.com
The Sausalito water-bound community invites visitors into their “Homefront on the Waterfront,” to see some of the world’s most unique and beautiful boat homes for this annual tour that also includes exhibits by local artists, authors and maritime-oriented nonprofits, food and refreshments and live music throughout the day. Sept. 30. Kappas Marina, Sausalito. 11am–4pm. $50-$55. 415.332.1916.
Article excerpts from PacificSun.com Falls Arts Guide by Charlie Swanson
