Summer at the Center
It’s like summer camp for grown-ups!
Sonoma, California. Sonoma Community Center has announced the 3rd annual “Summer at the Center” series, where the magic of summer camp meets grown-up fun. Spend warm Thursday evenings discovering new skills, getting creative, and connecting with others in the Center’s beautiful Secret Garden. From hands-on workshops and culinary experiences to music, art, and cultural evenings, every class is designed to inspire, entertain, and bring people together.
Sip a refreshing beverage under the summer sky, meet new friends, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to try something new. At just $40 per class, Summer at the Center is an affordable and unforgettable way to make the most of your summer evenings.
The summer series kicks off with a Sip-n-Paint night featuring artist Jose Martinez on Thursday, July 9, at 7:00 p.m. His unique style of instruction makes even the most novice of painters feel like they’ve created a masterpiece during the class.
Just a couple of days later, on Saturday, July 11, the Center will host an outdoor ‘80s dance party with DJ StaRJay from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dressing up is definitely encouraged- preppy, hip-hop, new wave, neon… what was your scene? The $25 admission includes a drink ticket, and food trucks will be on site.
Continuing the Thursday evening series is the very popular “Clay & Chardonnay” on July 16 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Led by Meg Billingham, attendees will learn to make ceramic garlic grater plates and herb strippers to take summer meals to the next level. On July 23, at 5:30 p.m., Kelly Autumn will teach how to make reusable block-printed, food-safe, beeswax fabric wraps. No experience is required for either of these classes.
“A Night in Spain” invites you to experience the passion and artistry of Spanish tradition through an immersive flamenco lesson and live demonstration from Sophia de Leon Sanchez, where you’ll learn the rhythms, movement, and spirit behind this iconic dance. The Center’s Chef Gerardo Diaz will give a demonstration of the techniques and flavors that create classic Spanish tapas and sangria. Experience the blend of dance, food, wine, and connection on July 30, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
2024 brought Mamma Mia. 2025 was Wicked. This summer, Grease is the word! Join the Center for their annual movie musical sing-along in Andrews Hall on August 6. Relive the magic of Rydell High and dress your ‘50s best. Tickets are just $25 for this event, with refreshments available for purchase.
The summer nears an end with two final Summer at the Center hands-on classes. On August 20, Chef Diaz returns to teach “Street Corn & Salsas.” Sip, snack, and savor the tastes of summer in the Secret Garden. Jill Valavanis closes the series with “Crushing It: Botanical Impressions on Fabric” on August 27. Each participant will create a pair of cloth napkins. Both classes are from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
In addition, the Center will host several summer options, including its annual Pride event in partnership with Out in the Vineyard: a dinner and drag show in the Secret Garden on Saturday, June 20. “Valley Laughs,” a night of stand-up comedy in partnership with Smit Show Comedy in Andrews Hall, will take place on Friday, August 7. Jacobethan Theatre Workshop will bring Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar as their Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot) show to the Center’s back patio for two shows: an evening performance on Saturday, August 8, and a matinee on Sunday, August 9.
All of this leads up to the highlight of the summer, the Sonoma Community Center’s annual MUSE Gala on Saturday, August 15. Entering into the 75th year of service as a community center, this year’s honorees are YOU, the collective spirit that has sustained and grown the Sonoma Community Center for three-quarters of a century. Tickets for the gala will go on sale in June.
Summer at the Center and all the season’s special events can be registered for at SonomaCommunityCenter.org. The Center is located at 276 East Napa Street in Sonoma Valley.
About Sonoma Community Center
The Sonoma Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1953 to serve the communities of Sonoma Valley with the mission of cultivating a vibrant community through extraordinary creative, cultural, and learning experiences. Originally built as the Sonoma Grammar School, which opened in 1916, the Center is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Community – Innovation – Creativity – Inclusion – Leadership
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Media Contact:
Cat Smith
Director of Marketing, Sonoma Community Center
[email protected]
707-931-4147 or cell 707-299-8281
