Ooooh! It’s time for The Family Show: A Concert for Kids of All Ages. Join the Santa Rosa Junior College Symphonic Band, directed by Joe Perea, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., for a tuneful and toe-tapping afternoon. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. Visit santarosa.edu/music/concerts.php or call 527-4249.
Is laughter the best medicine? Find out at “The Whole Planet Laughs,” a fundraiser for the Whole Planet Foundation – an organization that offers microloans to the poorest of the poor, with a focus on women, with no collateral or contract. The money is used to finance self-employment projects that will allow them to escape poverty. Laughing it up for this worthy cause will be Dave Pokorny and Ngaio Bealum, with host Eddy Jayson. The giggles, chuckles and roars begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 11 at Sonoma Valley Portworks, 613 Second St. Tickets are $20 and available at Whole Food or from brownpapertickets.com. And, says Pokorny, “the show’s not only yummy, it’s gluten-free.”
Dr. Stephen Bizal talks on “The Optimal Life: Join the Wellness Revolution,” at a free event beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 12. Bizal is the author of “The Optimal Life: Empowering Health, Healing and Longevity,” and founded the first executive health and fitness coaching company in Southern California. He’ll be joined by Dr. Colette Bizal, co-director of a holistic lifestyle healing retreat and co-author of the recipe book, “Healthy Meals for Busy Lives.” The Bizals speak at the Sunflower Center, 1435 N. McDowell Blvd. Reserve space by e-mailing rsvp@wellnesscentral.us or calling 888-234-1361.
What? You say you’re in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day but it’s only Wednesday. Never fear, Pongo’s Kitchen and Tap is in your corner with an early St. Patrick’s Day piano bar celebration. Tickling the ivories is Frank O’Connor, pianoman from San Francisco’s Lefty O’Doul’s, with a large knowledge of fun sing-along songs. Music starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 at 701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway. Visit pongospetaluma.com or call 765-9800.
Be there or be square! Celebrate March 14 (3-14), Pi(e) Day with Copperfield’s Books. The day is a sacred one for math geeks, pie aficionados, poets and those who like circles. Write a pi(e)-ku; memorize and recite as many pi digits as possible and you could win a prize. All participants will receive a slice of pie from the Petaluma Pie Company. What time does it happen? Why 3:14 p.m., of course. Copperfield’s is at 140 Kentucky St. Call 762-0563 or visit copperfieldsbooks.com.
Rounding out the week, on St. Patrick’s Day it’s a celebration with the Mad Maggies. Lagunitas Brewery, 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., is the place, 3 p.m. is the time, and there’s no cover charge. The Magsters will be offering their special brew of dust-kicking, roots-driven, world rock, rowdy folk fusion with a dash of hot pepper and a swig of slivovitz. Visit lagunitas.com, or just put on your green and go on down.
