Healdsburg's Five-Day Weekend

As a "destination city," Healdsburg is fortunate to have three day weekends nearly all year around. Sometimes we get lucky: Who doesn't like to start early, especially when Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday? And then a holiday falls on Monday? That's a five-day weekend!

This weekend is one of those. After the morning mimosas and cuddling, many of us ventured out for the V-Day "flash mob" dance in the Plaza at noon, part of the international One Billion Rising event. It was fun, entertaining and yes, empowering. Remember you can add your photos or video to our story, and make this "flash mob" a Healdsburg community special event.

Tonight we assume your plans are all locked in, from cocktails to dinner and the dessert you've been anticipating since those mimosas. It's quite possible you plan to see Charlie Musselwhite in concert at the Raven, and already have your tickets since it's sold out. Not sure if the blues is the right way to celebrate Valentine's Day? Don't worry, it is.

If you don't have tickets, maybe you can drop by Just for You Gallery to check out the new exhibit of the Art of Jerry Garcia, whose official opening is 6 - 9 p.m. tonight.  Garcia's talents were multiple, from bluegrass and banjo to men's ties and mixed media panels, like the four originals on display from now until March 10. A special reception will be held on Saturday, February 16th, from 6 – 9 p.m. with collector Robert Weir (no relation, deadheads) whose Weir Gallery in Berkely is Ground Zero for Garcia's artistic endeavors.

Relish Culinary Adventures keeps adding things to our Patch Events calendar that we just have to mention, like Friday evening's with Dr. Simone Cinotto, whose Soft Soil, Black Grapes: The Birth of Italian Winemaking in California sounds like an essential part of your wine library. The casual family-style dinner will start at 5:30 pm and features Dr. Cinotto's gastronomy students talking about their areas of study. At 7:30 pm, Dr. Cinotto will begin his talk. Dinner is $20, BOYB, all are welcome. Reservations are recommended by calling Relish at 431-9999.

Classical music makes another appearance at the Raven Performing Arts Center, as  Philharmonia Healdsburg presents two concerts, Saturday Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. and a Sunday Feb. 17 matinee at 2. Featured works include Haydn's "Surprise" Symphony, Mozart's Posthorn Serenade, Dittersdorf's Sinfonia Concertane. For details and ticket info see this page.

It is apparently the intention of many local businesses to keep you well-fed and tipsy. Case in point: Amphora Winery, up in Dry Creek, who this weekend are throwing Zinvitational on Saturday at 11 a.m.. They'll be serving their new and current release Zinfandel with steaming bowls of house-recipe Cioppino, with Costeaux Bakery sourdough and green salad. If you're a wine club member it's free (with 2 guests), if you're not it's still only $25.

Then on Sunday, the nine wineries of Old Roma Station having a President's Day Celebration, with the award-inning wines and special food pairings. The wineries are too many to list here, but visit their website (oldromastation.com) and you'll be pleasantly amazed. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door; call 431-1888.

And for Monday, President's Day? Well, it's crab season - if you still have the energy after the previous four days, throw a crab feed. Just don't forget the bibs.

Do you know of another event that's not listed here, or in our Events listings? Please let us know with a Comment, or add it to Patch Events so everyone can find out will in advance.