Thursday Night at the Movies, and More

The Sonoma Film Festival in town this week has created a buzz of excitement, to say nothing of a great opportunity to view the sort of films that might not otherwise screen in a town the size of Sonoma. Along with the movies, though, there are other activities this weekend worth checking out, if not joining in.

One of the SIFF-related events you might enjoy for its own sake is the Sonoma Film Festival Beer Dinner, tonight  Thursday. Sean Paxton, the Homebrew Chef, is putting on a beer dinner, sponsored by and featuring New Belgium Brewing as well as others. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at Ramekins Culinary School on 450 West Spain St. Tickets for the four-course dinner are $75 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.

Movie-wise, it’s the first full schedule day at the including the environmental documentary feature “A Fierce Green Fire, from the director of Berkeley in the Sixties. It’s at 6:45 at and again tomorrow morning at 9:15 at MacArthur Place. An all-star cast of narrators adds to its appeal.

At the about same time (6:00 p.m) in Burlingame Hall there’s Soufflé au chocolat, a world premiere feature from Canada. Meanwhile A Year in Burgundy is showing in the Sebastiani theater, a documentary feature about what else but food and wine, also at 6 p.m.

Later, one of the Festival’s most talked about movies in my house anyway is Boogie Stomp! A movie about the development of the piano style that transformed popular music. It’s at Murphy’s Pub starting at 9 – and same place, same time on Saturday, too.

If you’re saving your money fund for a rainy night – even though there’s a flood of good movies in town this weekend – you can be part of the cinematic atmosphere anyway. Have a drink at one of the trendy bars, or drop in for appetizer or dessert somewhere and you’re sure to meet some interesting people who’ve come for the movies, stay for the company.

The Epicurean Connectio on West Napa has a full line-up of talented musicians playing all weekend, giving locals the chance to have a celebration without dropping a bundle on a pass. They’re open this weekend from 10 a.m. through Midnight.

Tonight catch Katie Phillips at 7:30, followed by Alison Harris at 8:00. Coming on at 9:00 will be the Easy Leaves. Friday, at the same times, are Stacey Tuel, Pickled Red Beats and The Crux. Saturday it’s the Orchid Killers, John Courage and The Highway Poets. They promise “Live music, beer, wine, cafe menu and so much fun,” and we think that’s a good bet.

Further down the road apiece, the Annex Wine Bar will be jammin' with James Marshall Berry and whatever musical guests show up. On a night like this, it could be worth dropping by.

As Roger Ebert used to say, "See you at the movies."