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Buster Keaton Double Feature

Live piano accompaniment to two classic Buster Keaton silent films, with introductions by author Jennifer Churchill. A night of music and nostalgia.

Join musician John Partridge as he performs a live piano soundtrack to two classic Buster Keaton films: One Week and The Balloonatic. Movies are Magic author Jennifer Churchill will give an introduction for each of these films. One Week was Buster Keaton’s first short film, and The Balloonatic was one of his last. Join us for a special night of laughter, music, and nostalgia.

One Week (1920) — One Week is a 1920 American two-reel silent comedy film starring Buster Keaton, the first independent film production he released on his own. The film was written and directed by Keaton and Edward F. Cline, and runs for 19 minutes. Sybil Seely co-stars. The film contains a large number of innovative visual gags, largely about either the house or to ladders.

The Balloonatic (1923) — A hapless amusement park attendant finds his runaway balloon ride has left him in a strange predicament.

Buster Keaton — Joseph Frank “Buster” Keaton (1895–1966) was an American actor, director, and pioneering comedian of the silent film era. Known as “The Great Stone Face,” he became legendary for his unwavering deadpan expression paired with highly inventive, death-defying physical stunts.


John Partridge

John Partridge is an American composer, conductor, and performer known for his original ragtime music, which blends traditional ragtime with classical influences.

Instagram: instagram.com/musicianjohnpartridge/
Website: jpartridge.com

Jennifer Churchill

Author and producer Jennifer Churchill is the host of the series “Classic Films For Kids” on The Film Detective channel. Her groundbreaking, wildly popular children’s book “Movies Are Magic” is about the history of film and was written in partnership with Turner Classic Movies.

Instagram: instagram.com/moviesaremagickidsbook/


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We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

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You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

  • All Levels
  • Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.
  • Beginning
  • Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.
  • Intermediate
  • Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.
  • Advanced
  • Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.

We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.

Registration Open

Date & Time

Thursday, October 8, 2026 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Location

276 East Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476

Category

Ages

All ages welcome. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Ticket Cost:

$10