Fall arts 2024: 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 and live music fans.
Grab your calendars and make sure you don’t miss out on what’s ahead.
Art
Anthony Meier
Where: 21 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
Admission: Free
Information: anthonymeier.com
• Through Oct. 11: “Quiet Riot,” works by contemporary artist Sarah Cain
Artist Within – A Cedars Gallery
Where: 603 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo
Admission: Free
Information: cedarslife.org
• Sept. 6 through Nov. 22: “Pet Parade,” a collaborative exhibit by Cedars and Marin Humane of pet-inspired works; reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6
Art Works Downtown
Where: 1337 Fourth St., San Rafael
Admission: Free
Information: artworksdowntown.org
• Through Sept 14: “Identities,” art exhibit on the theme of identity
• Through Sept. 21: “Tiny Creatures,” works by Salma Arastu inspired by microorganisms
• Through Sept. 27: “Life Between Us,” works by resident artist Alejandra Chavez; “Moons, Nature and Dreams,” works by Julia Baker
Bay Model Visitor Center
Where: 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Admission: Free
Information: 415-289-3007
• Through September: Immersive art installation by Sausalito artist Bret Arenson
Belvedere Tiburon Library
Where: 1501 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon
Admission: Free
Information: 415-789-2665; beltiblibrary.org
• Through Sept. 12: Exhibit of works by Bay Area artists inspired by buildings and structures
• Sept. 19 through Nov. 14: “Making Art in a Changing World,” exhibit by Bay Area artists; reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19; art talk from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10
• Sept. 20 through 22: “Mahatma Gandhi: Life and Legacy of a Peacemaker,” exhibit of stamps and other materials in honor of International Day of Peace; reception at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20
Blunk Space
Where: 11101 Highway 1, suite 105, Point Reyes Station
Admission: Free
Information: blunkspace.com
• Sept. 7 through Oct. 19: “Tabletop,” works by Lucy Stark and Fabien Cappello; reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 7
Bolinas Gallery
Where: 52 Wharf Road, Bolinas
Admission: Free
Information: 415-868-0782; bolinas-gallery.com
• Through Sept. 2: Retrospective of works by the late San Francisco folk artist Peter Lee Brownlee
Bolinas Museum
Where: 48 Wharf Road, Bolinas
Admission: Free for exhibits; $125 to $185 for cocktail party
Information: 415-868-0330; bolinasmuseum.org
• Through Sept. 8: 32nd annual Benefit Art Auction; cocktail party from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 7
• Through December: “Getting Here From There,” photography exhibit on the history of transportation to and from Bolinas
Book Passage
Where: 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
Admission: Free
Information: 415-927-0960; bookpassage.com
• Through October: Works by Mill Valley photographer Steve Disenhof
College of Marin’s Fine Arts Gallery
Where: 835 College Ave., Kentfield
Admission: Free
Information: 415-485-9480; gallery.marin.edu
• Sept. 23 through Oct. 18: “The Mt. Tamalpais Florilegium” group exhibit from the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists; reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 6
Community Media Center of Marin
Where: 819 A St., San Rafael
Admission: Free
Information: 415-721-0636; cmcm.tv
• Through Sept. 20: Paintings by Marin artist Larry Bryson
Equator Coffees
Where: 244 Highway 1, Mill Valley
Admission: Free
Information: 415-209-3733
• Through Sept. 30: Papier-mâché sculptures by Marin artist Matthew Larkin Cassell
Firehouse Coffee & Tea
Where: 317 Johnson St., Sausalito
Admission: Free
Information: 415-729-9159; firehousecoffeetea.com
• Through Sept. 29: Solo show by painter Catherine Moreno
Kim Eagles-Smith Gallery
Where: 23 Sunnyside Ave., Mill Valley
Admission: Free
Information: 415-981-1080; kesfineart.com
• Sept. 3 through Oct. 19: “Land and Sea,” solo exhibit by Marin contemporary landscape painter John McCormick
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art
Where: 500 Palm Drive, Novato
Admission: Free
Information: 415-506-0137; marinmoca.org
• Through Sept. 28: “As Above, So Below,” works by Lauren Jade Szabo; “ART FWD: Art All Around Us” exhibit and silent auction
Marin Society of Artists
Where: 1515 Third St., San Rafael
Admission: Free
Information: marinsocietyofartists.org
• Through Sept. 7: “Summer Vibes” members exhibit
Mill Valley Public Library
Where: 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
Admission: Free
Information: 415-389-4292; millvalleylibrary.org
• Through September: “Goodnight Mill Valley” exhibit on the Hurd family of children’s book authors and illustrators; Thacher Hurd talk at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18
O’Hanlon Center for the Arts
Where: 616 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
Admission: Free
Information: 415-388-4331; ohanloncenter.org
• Through Oct. 1: “Women Artists Making Their Mark” online gallery show
• Sept. 3 through 26: “Living with Climate Change … Or Not,” Marin resident Phyllis Thelen’s solo exhibit; talk at 5 p.m. Sept. 3 followed by a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Robert Allen Fine Art
Where: 301 Caledonia St., Sausalito
Admission: Free
Information: 415-331-2800; robertallenfineart.com
• Through Oct. 30: “Landscape Variations,” paintings by Marin artist Nick Coley, Beatrice Findlay and John Maxon
Robert Green Fine Arts
Where: 154 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
Admission: Free
Information: 415-381-8776; robertgreenfinearts.com
• Through Sept. 8: Works by the late abstract expressionist and West Marin resident Sam Francis
Sarah Shepard Gallery
Where: 1007 Larkspur Landing Circle, suite 5, Larkspur
Admission: Free
Information: 415-295-7791; sarahshepardgallery.com
• Through Sept. 21: “In the Sun,” paintings by Laura Pacchini
Sausalito Center for the Arts
Where: 750 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Admission: Free
Information: sausalitocenterforthearts.org
• Through Sept. 1: “The Art of Jerry Garcia,” an exhibit of drawings and paintings by the late Grateful Dead singer-guitarist and Marin resident Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead memorabilia and photography by Carol Scott; closing reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 1
• Sept. 3 through 29: “Paint Sausalito,” plein air paintings of Sausalito by 20 artists; “Wet Paint Day” afternoon preview showcase from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6; awards party from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7
Tiburon Town Hall
Where: 1505 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon
Admission: Free
Information: 415-435-7373; townoftiburon.org
• Sept. 3 through Oct. 26: “If Animals Could Talk,” solo exhibit by Marin collage artist Marta Stella Wendlinger; opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 3; closing reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26
Toby’s Feed Barn
Where: 11250 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station
Admission: Free
Information: 415-663-1223; tobysfeedbarn.com
• Through Sept. 29: “The Landscape of Marin,” solo show by Nicasio artist Thomas Wood
Town Books
Where: 411 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo
Admission: Free
Information: 415-526-3791; townbooks.org
• Through Oct. 31: “Bookagami,” hand-folded altered books by San Rafael resident Adrienne Biggs; reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6
Fairs and festivals
Biketoberfest
When: Oct. 12
Where: Marin Museum of Bicycling, 1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax
Admission: $37.74 to $69.24
Information: marinbike.org
• Enjoy craft brews, an array of bike exhibitors, live music and much more
Corte Madera Lions EV and Classic Car Show
When: Sept. 7
Where: Overflow lot next to Nordstrom, the Village at Corte Madera
Admission: Free
Information: cortemaderalions.com
• Corte Madera Lions Club’s fundraiser will feature local EV dealers, 100 pre-1975 classic cars, food, drinks, music and more
Corte Madera Oktoberfest
When: Oct. 5
Where: Old Corte Madera Square
Admission: $15 to $50
Information: cortemaderalions.com
• The Corte Madera Lions Club’s Oktoberfest party features a wide assortment of microbrews, live music and food
Sand Sculpture Contest at Drakes Beach
When: Sept. 7
Where: Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore
Admission: Free
Information: nps.gov
• See sculptures made with raw materials from Drakes Beach
Ember Stomp
Where: Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
When: Sept. 7
Admission: Free
Information: firesafemarin.org
• This timely wildfire prevention festival features live music, food trucks, wildfire exhibits and demonstrations, and activities for children
Fairfax Irish Festival of Music and Dance
When: Oct. 18 through 20
Where: Various locations in Fairfax
Admission: Free
Information: fairfaxirishfestival.com
• A celebration of Irish heritage and culture with live music and dance
El Festival de Artes Latinas
When: Sept. 7
Where: San Geronimo Valley Community Center, 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Geronimo
Admission: Free
Information: svgcc.org
• A celebration of Latin American heritage and culture with art, crafts, food, music and dance
Festival Independencia Salvadoreña
When: Sept. 15
Where: Marin Center’s Lagoon Park, San Rafael
Admission: $44 to $50; youth under 10 years old are free
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
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
When: Sept. 14 and 15
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
Marin Senior Fair
When: Sept. 18
Where: Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
Admission: Free
Information: 2024.marinseniorfair.org
• Food, music, dancing, a Mt. Tam Quilt Guild exhibit and booths with resources for seniors and those caring for seniors
International Day of Peace Festival
When: Sept. 17 through 22
Where: San Geronimo Valley Community Center, 6350 San Geronimo Valley Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Geronimo
Admission: Free; workshop registrations required
Information: sgvcc.org
• In conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with talks, performances, poetry, virtual reality and more
San Anselmo Community Parade
When: Sept. 14
Where: San Anselmo Avenue from Pine Street to Tamalpais Avenue
Admission: Free
Information: townofsananselmo.org
• Hometown parade followed by Live on the Avenue party with music and family activities
Tomales Festival
When: Sept. 1
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. 19 through 22
Where: The Starlight Theater, 5 Brighton Ave., Bolinas
Admission: $15 to $400
Information: bolinasfilmfestival.com
• The second annual film festival will feature an opening night gala, feature and short films, panel discussions and more
Italian Film Festival
When: Sept. 28 through Nov. 2
Where: Angelico Concert Hall, 20 Olive Ave., San Rafael
Admission: $21 per show to $120 package
Information: italianfilm.com
• Six different films highlight Italian cinema
Mill Valley Film Festival
When: Oct. 3 through 13
Where: Various locations in Marin and beyond, as well as online
Admission: $75 to $185 early-bird tickets and passes available through Sept. 12; general public single tickets on sale on Sept. 18
Information: mvff.com
• Marin’s most prestigious film festival features films from all over the world, talks and special events
Music
Chamber Music Marin
Where: Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church, 410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley
Admission: $48 per show; $190 for season subscription
Information: chambermusicmillvalley.org
• Horszowski Trio, Oct. 20
• Jasper String Quartet, Nov. 10
Concerts in the Plaza
Where: Mill Valley Depot Plaza
Admission: Free
Information: millvalleyrecreation.org
• Marin County singer-songwriter Meggy Travers, Iko Yaya, Forest Sun and Roberta Donnay, Sept. 7
• Bourbon Street Brass Band, Sean Carscadden, Meels and Nancy Fawson, Sept. 8
Hamilton Amphitheater
Where: 500 to 598 Hamilton Parkway, Novato
Admission: Free; $20 donation recommended
Information: savehamiltontheater.org/opera
• Opera in the Amphitheater, featuring performances of famous arias, food, trivia and more, Sept. 7
Marin Center
Where: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
Admission: Prices vary
Information: tickets.marincenter.org
• Tito Puente Jr., Oct. 4
• Three Ladies Sing the Blues, Oct. 18
• Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival National Finals, Oct. 19
• The Cole Porter Society Salutes Motown, Oct. 27
• Pride & Joy’s annual Halloween bash, Oct. 31
• Duke Ellington tribute, Nov. 23
• John Denver Christmas with the Rocky Mountain High Experience, Dec. 7
Marin Symphony
Where: Locations vary
Admission: $23 to $86
Information: marinsymphony.org
• “Chamber Music 1: Brahms,” Oct. 12 and 13
• “Masterworks 1: Kahn Conducts Brahms,” Nov. 9 and 10
• “Holiday Choral by Candlelight,” Dec. 7 and 8
Old St. Hilary’s Landmark
Where: 201 Esperanza St., Tiburon
Admission: $20 to $30
Information: landmarkssociety.com
• Berkeley Choro Ensemble, Sept. 8
• ARc duET, Oct. 6
• Stinson Family Band, Oct. 29
Throckmorton Theatre
Where: 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
Admission: Prices vary
Information: 415-383-9600; throckmortontheatre.org
• Cordula Merks and Britt Day, Sept. 11
• DjangoFest, Sept. 26 through 28
San Rafael PorchFest
When: Sept. 15
Where: Gerstle Park neighborhood, San Rafael
Admission: Free
Information: sanrafaelporchfest.com
• Free community event with performances throughout the neighborhood
Sound Summit
When: Sept. 7
Where: Mountain Theater in Mount Tamalpais State Park
Admission: $70 to $138.50
Information: soundsummit.net
• The popular musical gathering features Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile & the Violators, the California Honeydrops, Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge and Skyway Man
Theater & comedy
College of Marin drama department
Where: College of Marin, 835 College Ave., Kentfield
Admission: Free
Information: pa.marin.edu
• Sept. 27 through Oct. 13: “Macbeth”
Curtain Theatre
Where: Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
Admission: Free, donations accepted
Information: curtaintheatre.org
• Through Sept. 2: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Fairfax Theatre Company
Where: Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax
Admission: Free, donations accepted
Information: fairfaxtheatrecompany.com
• Through Sept. 21: Fairfax resident Sam M. Parry’s “Nora’s Ghost — Or Let There Be Life!”
Marin Center
Where: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
Admission: Prices vary
Information: tickets.marincenter.org
• San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition Finals, Sept. 21
• The Don’t Quit Your Day Job Dancers presents “The Wonder of Us” dansical, Oct. 24 through 26
• The Amazing Bubble Man, Nov. 16
Marin Shakespeare Company
Where: Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, 890 Belle Ave., San Rafael and 514 Fourth St., San Rafael
Admission: $15 to $40
Information: 415-499-4488, marinshakespeare.org
• “The Comedy of Errors” through Sept. 15
• Anthony Jefferson’s “The Bumpy Road Less Traveled,” Sept. 7
• Oakland Theater Project’s “Angels in America, Parts I & II,” Sept. 27 through Oct. 27
Marin Theatre
Where: 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley
Admission: $12 to $85
Information: 415-388-5208; marintheatre.org
• Oct. 10 through Nov. 3: “Yaga”
Novato Theater Company
Where: 5420 Nave Drive, suite C, Novato
Admission: $20 to $35
Information: novatotheatercompany.org
• Sept. 12 through Oct. 6: “Nunsense”
Ross Valley Players
Where: The Barn Theater, Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross
Admission: $21.60 to $37.80
Information: 415-456-9555, extension 1; rossvalleyplayers.com
• Sept. 13 through Oct. 13: “Crossing Delancey”
• Nov. 15 through Dec. 15: “Blithe Spirit”