Fall arts 2023: Marin gears up for a season of fun

As summer ends, autumn brings a full and diverse arts season to Marin County, with events and performances to suit just about everyone’s desires — from art aficionados to movie and theater buffs to comedy live music fans.

With a fun, jam-packed schedule of fun coming up, grab your calendars and make sure you don’t miss out on what’s ahead.

Art

ÆRENA Galleries

Where: 53 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley

Admission: Free

Information: aerenagalleries.com

• Through Sept. 15: “Lightness of Being,” paintings by Thomas Monaghan

Artiquity Gallery

Where: 2 Inverness Way North, Inverness

Admission: Free

Information: 415-669-4229; artiquitygallery.com

• Sept. 2 to 30: Michael O’Shea’s “Slipstream”; reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 2

Art Works Downtown

Where: 1325-1337 Fourth St., San Rafael

Admission: Free

Information: 415-451-8119; ArtWorksDowntown.org

• Through Sept. 16: “Beyond”; reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8

• Through Sept. 29: Ram Sundararajan’s “Weaving with Clay,” “River Mumma” by Fairfax resident Sharon Virtue and Irene Bee Kain’s “Light & Dark”; reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8

• Nov. 18 through Jan. 20: “The Small Works Exhibit”; reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8

Bay Model Visitor Center

Where: 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito

Admission: Free

Information: 415-289-3007

• Through Sept. 10: Golden Gate Marin Artists’ “Interpreting Nature” group show

• Sept. 11 to Nov. 11: Works by fiber/DIMENSIONS artists; artist receptions from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 28

Belvedere Tiburon Library

Where: 1501 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon

Admission: Free

Information: 415-789-2665; beltiblibrary.org

• Through Oct. 22: “By 94920: Celebrating Creativity By Local Artists”

Bolinas Museum

Where: 48 Wharf Road, Bolinas

Admission: Free for exhibits; $150 to $165 for cocktail party

Information: 415-868-0330; bolinasmuseum.org

• Through Sept. 10: 31st annual Benefit Art Auction; last call cocktail party from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Peace Barn in Bolinas

• Through December: “Celebrating 40 Years of Bolinas Museum”

• Nov. 18 to Dec. 31: “Hardly Strictly Mini: A Biennial Benefit Exhibition and Sale”

Civic Center Galleries

Where: First and third floors of the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael

Admission: Free

Information: marincounty.org

• Through Oct. 12: “Adapting to Wildfire,” a juried exhibit of artist exploring what it means to adapt to wildfire

College of Marin Fine Arts Gallery

Where: Performing Arts Building, 835 College Ave., Kentfield

Admission: Free

Information: 415-485-9494; gallery.marin.edu

• Through Sept. 8: “Fine Arts Department Faculty Exhibit 2023”

• Oct. 2 to 27: “The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas”

Desta Gallery

Where: 100 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley

Admission: Free

Information: 415-384-8762; destagallery.com

• Through Sept. 23: “Rooted in Wonder” group exhibit

Falkirk Cultural Center

Where: 1408 Mission Ave., San Rafael

Admission: Free

Information: 415-485-3328; cityofsanrafael.org/falkirk

• Through Sept. 15: “Mixing it up with Mixed Media Exhibition,” featuring 50 artists

• Oct. 13 to Nov. 17: “Activation,” works by Terra Linda Ceramic Artists; reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12

Gallery Commonweal

Where: 451 Mesa Road, Bolinas

Admission: Free

Information: 415-868-0970; commonweal.org/gallery

• Sept. 11 to Oct. 20: Waz Thomas’ “Making the Cut”; reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 1

Gallery Route One

Where: 11101 Highway One, Point Reyes Station

Admission: Free

Information: 415-663-1347; galleryrouteone.org

• Through Sept. 9: “The Box Show”; final bidding and auction closing from 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 9

• Sept. 16 to Oct. 22: Works by Forest Knolls artist Xander Weaver-Scull, Charles Anselmo and West Marin artist Laurie Sawyer

• Oct. 28 to Dec. 3: Works by Steven Hurwitz, Dale Eastman and Austin Buckingham

The Image Flow

Where: 328 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo

Admission: Free

Information: 415-388-3569; theimageflow.com

• Through Sept. 29: Edward S. Curtis’ “Shadow Catcher”

• Oct. 9 to Dec. 22: Seventh annual “Alternative Process Photography Exhibition”; opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14

Marin Art and Garden Center

Where: The Studio, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross

Admission: Free

Information: magc.org

• “State Park Splendor: Paintings to Benefit Parks California,” benefit show by BayWood Artists, 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10

• Sept. 16 to Nov. 26: “26th Annual International Exhibition of Botanical Art”; opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 17

MarinMOCA Open Studios

Where: 500 and 501 Palm Drive, 781 and 789 Hamilton Parkway, Novato

Admission: Free

Information: marinmoca.org

• Meet and mingle with more than 40 artists in a variety of mediums, 2 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 10

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art

Where: 500 Palm Drive, Novato

Admission: Free

Information: 415-506-0137; marinmoca.org

• Through Oct. 8: Marion Faymonville’s “Black River”

• Through Dec. 23: Barbara Stauffacher Solomon’s “Land(e)scape”

• Sept. 9 to 30: “ART FWD Annual Benefit Art Auction”

• Oct. 21 to Dec. 23: “There is Magic Here”; reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 21

Marin Society of Artists

Where: 1515 Third St., San Rafael

Admission: Free

Information: 415-454-9561; marinsocietyofartists.org

• Through Sept. 3: “Hearing the Music”

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival

When: Sept. 23 and 24

Where: Old Mill Park, 64 Cascade Drive, Mill Valley

Admission: $15 to $25

Information: mvfaf.org

• The annual festival features more than 130 local and national artists, live music, children’s entertainment and food and drinks

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts

Where: 616 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley

Admission: Free

Information: 415-388-4331; ohanloncenter.org

• Through Oct. 3: “Women Artists Making Their Mark” online show

• Sept. 5 to Oct. 12: “Wabi-sabi Exhibit”; opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5

• Sept. 1 to 26: Vickisa’s “The Muse of Music”; opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5

• Oct. 17 to Dec. 15: “Autumn’s Palette” online show

• Nov. 1 to Dec. 9: “Off the Shelf!” altered book show and auction; opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7; closing party with live auction from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9

Robert Allen Fine Art

Where: 301 Caledonia St., Sausalito

Admission: Free

Information: 415-331-2800; robertallenfineart.com

• Through Oct. 27: “Abstracts on Canvas,” group show featuring Beatrice Findlay, Carol Lefkowitz, Richard Saba and Geoffrey Williams

• Nov. 2 to Feb. 29: “Abstracted Landscapes on Canvas,” works by Nick Coley, John Maxon and Nance Miller

Robert Green Fine Arts

Where: 154 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley

Admission: Free

Information: 415-381-8776; robertgreenfinearts.com

• Sept. 1 through Oct. 29: Works by Ed Moses and Anne Labovitz

Sarah Shepard Gallery

Where: 1007 Larkspur Landing Circle, suite 5, Larkspur

Admission: Free

Information: 415-295-7791; sarahshepardgallery.com

• Sept. 14 to Oct. 28: Rachel Kaye’s “Green Flash”; reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 14

Sausalito Center for the Arts

Where: 750 Bridgeway, Sausalito

Admission: Free

Information: sausalitocenterforthearts.org

• Through Sept. 10: “Paint Sausalito: The First Annual Plein Air Show and Paint Out”

• Sept. 15 to Oct. 8: “Finding Form”; artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16

• Oct. 13 to Nov. 5: “Milagros and Memories”

Seager Gray Gallery

Where: 108 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley

Admission: Free

Information: 415-384-8288; seagergray.com

• Sept. 1 to Oct. 1: Joe Brubaker’s “Being There”; Reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9

Upstart Modern

Where: 4000 Bridgeway, suite 100, Sausalito

Admission: Free

Information: 415-559-0020; upstartmodern.com

• Sept. 13 to Oct. 30: “Among the Trees,” works that reflects on the intertwined relationships between ourselves, trees and the planet; opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 13

Fairs and festivals

Biketoberfest 

When: Oct. 14

Where: Marin Museum of Bicycling, 1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax

Admission: $35 to $50

Information: marinbike.org/biketoberfest-fairfax-ca

• Enjoy brews from 18 brewers, an array of bike exhibitors, live music and much more

Corte Madera Lions EV and Classic Car Show

When: Sept. 9

Where: Overflow lot next to Nordstrom, Village at Corte Madera

Admission: Free

Information: cortemaderalions.com

• The Corte Madera Lions’ fundraiser will feature 15 EV dealers, 100 pre-1975 classic cars, food and drinks, a DJ, green technology vendors and more

Festival Independencia Salvadoreña

When: Sept. 17

Where: Lagoon Park, San Rafael

Admission: $35 to $42

Information: tickets.marincenter.org

• A festival that celebrates the traditions and customs of El Salvador with food and drinks, cultural arts and crafts, live music and exhibitors

Peace Fest

When: Sept. 23

Where: San Geronimo Valley Community Presbyterian Church, 6001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Geronimo

Admission: Free

Information: sgvcc.org/event/the-9th-annual-peace-fest

• In conjunction with the United Nations International Day of Peace, the festival features art exhibits, virtual reality, film screenings, yoga meditation and more

Tomales Festival

When: Sept. 3

Where: Tomales Community Park, Tomales

Admission: Free

Information: 707-879-8030

• The fest, which celebrates the area’s “Old California” heritage and way of life, will feature live music, crafts and food and drinks

Film

Bolinas Film Festival

When: Sept. 21 to 24

Where: The Starlight/Calvary Theater, Bolinas

Admission: Free to $125 for opening night gala

Information: bolinasfilmfestival.com

• This inaugural film festival will feature feature, documentary and short films, panel discussions and more.

Italian Film Festival

When: Sept. 30 to Nov. 4

Where: Angelico Concert Hall, 20 Olive Ave., San Rafael

Admission: $21 per show to $120 package

Information: dominican.edu/boxoffice

• Six different films highlight Italian film

Mill Valley Film Festival

When: Oct. 5 through 15

Where: Various locations in Marin and beyond, as well as online

Admission: $70 to $160 early bird tickets and passes, available through Sept. 7

Information: mvff.com

• The annual renowned film festival showcases feature, documentary and short films from all over the world, talks, special events and more

Music

Chamber Music Marin

Where: Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church, 410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley

Admission: $48 $190 for season subscription

Information: chambermusicmillvalley.org

• Ilya Yakushev, Oct. 8

• Alexander String Quartet, Nov. 12

Concerts in the Plaza

When: Sept. 9 and 10

Where: Mill Valley Depot Plaza

Admission: Free

Information: millvalleyrecreation.org

• The Mill Valley Arts Commission’s shows include performances by the Starduster Orchestra, the Carolyn Sills Combo, the Jenny Kerr Band, Mitch Woods & his Rocket 88s, Los Mendoza y Friends and more

Dominican Chorale

Where: Dominican University’s Angelico Concert Hall, 50 Acacia Ave., and the San Anselmo Presbyterian Church, 72 Kensington Road

Admission: Tickets available at dominican.edu/boxoffice soon, as well at the door

Information: dominican.edu/directory/dominican-chorale

• A performance featuring works by composers Ola Gjeilo, Kirke Mechem and Franz Biebl, Nov. 16 and 19

Hamilton Amphitheater

Where: 500 to 598 Hamilton Parkway, Novato

Admission: Free

Information: savehamiltontheater.org/opera

• Opera in the Amphitheater, featuring music, opera education, face painting and more, Sept. 9

Marin Center

Where: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael

Admission: Prices vary

Information: tickets.marincenter.org

• Gran Festival Chapin, Oct. 1

• Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival National Finals, Oct. 7

Marin Symphony Chamber Chorus

Where: Church of Saint Raphael, 1104 Fifth Ave., San Rafael

Admission: $20 to $37

Information: marinsymphony.org

• “Holiday Choral by Candlelight,” featuring the Marin Symphony Chamber Chorus, Marin Girls’ Chorus and Marin Symphony Brass and Percussion, Dec. 2 and 3

Marin Symphony

Where: Locations vary

Admission: Prices vary

Information: marinsymphony.org

• “Set 1: Farrenc, Mozart and Poulenc,” Oct. 14 and 15

• “Set 2: Stravinsky, Mozart and Beethoven,” Nov. 11 and 12

Old St. Hilary’s Landmark

Where: 201 Esperanza St., Tiburon

Admission: $20 to $30

Information: landmarkssociety.com

• Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, Sept. 10

• The Stinson Family Band, Oct. 29

• William Feasley, Nov. 19

• Musae, Dec. 10

San Rafael PorchFest

When: Sept. 17

Where: Gerstle Park neighborhood, San Rafael

Admission: Free

Information: sanrafaelporchfest.com

• The event features music by Matt Jaffe, Fawson, Third Coyote, Minus Mary, Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs! and much more

Sound Summit

When: Sept. 9

Where: Mountain Theater in Mount Tamalpais State Park

Admission: $60 to $120

Information: SoundSummit.net

• The popular musical gathering features Lord Huron, Sierra Ferrell, Kevin Morby, Brokedown in Bakersfield and Marin County’s beloved funkmasters Vinyl

Throckmorton Theatre

Where: 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley

Admission: Tickets to be available soon

Information: 415-383-9600; throckmortontheatre.org

• DjangoFest, Sept. 29 through Oct. 1

Theater/comedy

College of Marin drama department

Where: College of Marin, 835 College Ave., Kentfield

Admission: Prices vary

Information: pa.marin.edu

• Sept. 29 to Oct. 15: “Peter and the Starcatcher”

• Nov. 24 to Dec. 10: “A Doll’s House”

Curtain Theatre

Where: Old Mill Park, Mill Valley

Admission: Free, donations accepted

Information: curtaintheatre.org

• Through Sept. 4: “Romeo and Juliet”

Fairfax Theatre Company

Where: Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax

Admission: Free

Information: fairfaxtheatrecompany.com

• Through Sept. 10: Sam M. Parry’s “A Play On Words — A Bawdy Comedy On Shakespeare’s Life & Times!”

Marin Center

Where: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael

Admission: Prices vary

Information: tickets.marincenter.org

• San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition, Sept. 2 and 9

• “Late Nite Catechism,” Sept. 10

Marin Shakespeare Company

Where: Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, Dominican University, 890 Belle Ave., San Rafael

Admission: $15 to $40

Information: 415-499-4488, marinshakespeare.org

• “Twelfth Night,” through Sept. 3

Marin Theatre Company

Where: 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley

Admission: Prices vary

Information: 415-388-5200; marintheatre.org

• Through Sept. 24: “Odyssey”

• Nov. 24 to Dec. 17: “Dragon Lady”

Novato Theater Company

Where: 5420 Nave Drive, Novato

Admission: Prices vary

Information: novatotheatercompany.org

• Sept. 14 to Oct. 8: “The Addams Family”

Ross Valley Players

Where: The Barn Theater, Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross

Admission: Prices vary

Information: 415-456-9555, extension 1; rossvalleyplayers.com

• Sept. 15 to Oct. 14: “The Glass Menagerie”

• Nov. 17 to Dec. 17: “It’s a Wonderful Life”