Boulevard Cinemas is a 14-screen cinema in downtown Petaluma. The screens are small to medium size. The theaters are clean and well kept.
Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds & Event Center has been drawing crowds since the 1850s, when residents flocked to see horse races and fire engine competitions. Today, the fairgrounds is used for the Sonoma-Marin Fair, held each June and featuring such favorites as the World's Ugliest Dog and Decorative Shoe contests.
Day to day, the fairgrounds is overseen by the Fourth District Agricultural Association and leases a portion of the property to several schools. Many parts of the fairgrounds are available for rental, including several halls, barbecue pits and even a small park.
Art WithOut Labels is the retail branch of Alchemia, an innovative day program for artists with special needs. Here, artists with developmental and related disabilities display and sell their work. In addition to selling work in ceramics, fiber arts and painting, the site hosts the work of performing artists who are musicians, poets and filmmakers. Come by to select some truly outstanding art for gifts or for yourself, or to attend the artist receptions and community art classes.
Barry Singer Gallery specializes in photography. Work in the gallery includes both color and black and white works. The gallery layout is open with bold color accent walls. Gallery Director and owner, Barry Singer, is an artist and photogrpaher himself and brings his artist's sensibility to curation. Singer offers much advice for the new as well as experienced photography collector.
Built in 1905, the Phoenix was originally an opera house before being converted to a movie theater and later, a venue for music acts. The Phoenix has hosted a variety of big-name acts, including the Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica and Primus. Today, the theater provides after-school programs and a health center for teens.
Since 1990, Gallery One has shared a passion for the arts with the Petaluma community. The downtown shop showcases local art, ceramics and jewelry, as well as antique and rare pieces of fine art, art glass and home accents. The knowledgeable staff helps customers find piece to compliment their homes or give as gifts. Call ahead or visit Gallery One's website to browse the calendar for upcoming shows and exhibits.
Located just 45 minutes north of San Francisco, the Military Antiques and Museum is the largest private military museum in the country.
The museum was named after Sgt. Richard A. Perry, Petaluma's only native-born Medal of Honor recipient, and is dedicated to the memory of all veterans who served their country. Inside the museum you'll find memorabilia from the Civil War, the Spanish American War and World Wars I and II, including the remains of a World War II German fighter plane shot down over Portsmouth Docks, England. At this museum there is literally something for every military history buff.
Located in the heart of historic downtown Petaluma, McNear's Saloon & Dining House features a full menu, full bar, a great selection of beer on tap as well as bottled beer and wine. Jeff Harriman owns both McNear's as well as the adjacent Mystic Theatre, making the restaurant the perfect place to dine before a show as well as the ideal spot to grab a drink afterwards. This large restarant has a rustic feel and eclectic decor. McNear's Saloon & Dining House also features daily happy hour specials on bottled beer, draft beer, shots and cocktails as well as a "leave a drink for a friend" board where patrons can pay in advance for friends' drinks.
A unique antique shop, Petaluma Collective specializes in antique military collectibles and paraphernalia. Petaluma Collective is also a military museum. It holds such items as a serving dish from the 18th century and a corporal lantern from from the American Revolution.
The Petaluma Arts Council hosts rotating art shows at its Arts Center with the goal of promoting the artistic expression of Petaluma residents. The council, together with the Petaluma Arts Center, sponsors events throughout the year and fosters art programs in area schools. The Petaluma Arts Center also offers art classes for students of all ages.
Petaluma Community Access TV is a local non-profit organization that provides individuals in the Petaluma area with access to video equipment, editing facilities and air time. The station broadcasts on three different channels, with channel 26 showing general Public access, channel 27 showing Educational programming and channel 28 showing Government programming. Any individual who lives or works in Petaluma is eligible to become a member and utilize the facilities at Petaluma Community Access TV.
The home on the Chileno Valley Ranch property, originally built in 1883, was beautifully restored by owners Sally and Michael Gale beginning in 1993. Formerly a bed and breakfast, Chileno Valley Ranch is located in the beautiful countryside outside of Petaluma and specializes in raising natural, grass-fed beef, which is available for purchase. Chileno Valley Ranch also features a "U-Pick Apple Orchard" where individuals and groups can schedule a time to come enjoy the outdoors and pick fruit from an organic apple orchard featuring varieties such as Pinova and Orin, all of which are blind taste test winners. In addition, Chileno Valley Ranch hosts art workshops and is available for a limited number of weddings each year.
In the summer of 1970, Marvin and Jan Klebe bought a two-room school house on the outskirts of Petaluma and started Cinnabar Theater. Their goal was to create a place where local talent could perform, collaborate and educate. Today, Cinnabar Theater is the only venue in Sonoma County that produces opera, musical theater, dramatic theater, chamber series, dance and special festivals. The Cinnabar Young Rep is a year-round program that offers classes, workshops, performance opportunities, summer camps and festivals, where children as young as 4 learn the art of the theater. Consult its website for upcoming performances and special events.
Native Californian and Petaluma resident Charles "Chuck" Pyle teaches drawing in San Francisco and paints for clients worldwide. All business is conducted online or at art studios. Check out CharlesPyleStudio.com, http://chuckpyleart.blogspot.com or www.lindgrensmith.com for more information and samples of his work.
Music Spectrum offers high quality and a hassle-free environment in a safe neighborhood to musicians of all styles and budgets. It has reasonable prices on studio and rehearsal spaces. The company provides plenty of privacy and security, and all the gear required for musicians to work and thrive. It’s a space to develop music and to network with other North Bay musicians involved in the music scene. Music Spectrum is owned and operated by musicians.
