Visitors to Sonoma County choose this destination for a variety of reasons. For most, it's the wine and wineries. For others, it's the vast outdoor recreational opportunities. However, as guests become acquainted with the county, they find that there is indeed much more to Sonoma than just tasting wine and hiking through the Redwood forests.
Cultural opportunities in Sonoma County are vast and are found in many towns and cities throughout this artistic county. You'll find that going to a play or musical, hearing a concert, or visiting a cultural exhibit is the perfect way to round out your trip to Sonoma.
Theater Companies
In the county seat of Santa Rosa - Sonoma's largest and most populous city - you'll be treated to a number of choices when it comes to theater. The Actors' Theater of Sonoma County is located here, dedicated to developing new actors, directors, and playwrights. Their productions are often interesting and cutting-edge. Also in Santa Rosa, there's the Sixth Street Playhouse, home to the Santa Rosa Players. This theater company offers more familiar fare, including great musicals, all in a cozy old-fashioned 184-seat theater. They've been honored many times for their outstanding productions. In addition, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts brings live theater and music to all ages.
The historic town of Petaluma boats the Cinnabar Performing Arts Center. Cinnabar is an intimate center designed as a home for performance artists, professionals and students alike. They present a wide range of works, including opera.
In Sebastopol, the Sonoma County Repertory Theater produces plays for all ages, including a children's theater series. Also check out the season at the Main Street Theater. Both are intimate venues offering excellent productions.
Rohnert Park's Spreckels Performing Arts Center brings theater, music, and dance to life for visitors to enjoy. The Center operates three venues including the Bette Condiotti Experimental Theatre, dedicated to presenting "unusual" arts offerings; and the Pacific Alliance Stage Company, highly acclaimed within the North Bay area for its excellent productions.
Musical and Dance Ensembles
The town of Petaluma has its own ballet company - the Petaluma City Ballet - which is a pre-professional regional ballet company offering quality productions of classical and contemporary works by local and guest artists.
The Santa Rosa Symphony, which performs at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, presents nearly two dozen concerts between October and May, including a special series of family offerings gauged for young children and their parents.
The Cotati Philharmonic - now the American Philharmonic Sonoma County - offers a broad range of orchestral music. They perform at the Spreckels Center in Rohnert Park.
There are also a number of smaller ensembles that perform throughout the year, including the Sonoma County Bach Choir and the Sinfonia Baroque of Sonoma County.
Festivals
The many festivals of Sonoma County testify to the rich community spirit present in this region. Festivals are used to celebrate a number of things and occasions, from food and wine to the coming of a new season. Click on our City Search to learn more about specific festivals in each area.
