Posts Tagged ‘Arts & Entertainment’
Planting the Future: The Outdoor Art Club Gets Ready for Its Next Century
If you’ve walked past the shingled building tucked behind the wisteria-covered gate at 1 West Blithedale Avenue lately, you may have noticed something: the Outdoor Art Club has been busy. In fact, over the past three years, the Club — one of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce’s longtime members — has quietly undertaken a once-in-a-century effort to preserve and renew one of downtown’s architectural gems. The club has hosted generations of civic gatherings, performances, celebrations, and community conversations – but few people remember that in the 1930s it narrowly escaped demolition when the City proposed turning the site into a parking lot. Now, the Club’s members have once again rolled up their sleeves to care for this landmark — this time by ensuring it meets modern safety and health standards while preserving its historic character.
Read MoreOn the Heels of Multiple Planning Commission Study Sessions, City Council Will Dictate the Road Ahead for Loosening the Rules on Land Use
In prior hearings, food and beverage service remained focused on the possibility of Food Trucks. The updated code provides specific regulations that would apply to all food and beverage service businesses, even those without a use permit. These regulations codify the “good neighbor policy” that is often required as a CUP condition of approval for restaurants. By codifying these regulations, the intention is to reduce the need for CUPs and also provide clear guidance to businesses and staff. City Staff recommended 5,000 square-foot threshold for larger spaces like the former Rite Aid space, but not setting it too high. The Planning Commission felt that the size threshold should be 3,000 in downtown downtown commercial districts. Mill Valley Chamber: “There remains interest in and discussion of food trucks, though none more than Zorba’s at Goodman’s. Mill Valley currently has two very large, very empty historic restaurants, and maybe there is a business that might be interested in giving a food truck a shot and potentially eyeing it for a future brick & mortar business. Maybe that’s backwards thinking…but we should be thoughtful and not restrictive and keep our options open.”
Read MoreOne Year After Its Mill Valley Comeback, The Hivery Thrives as a Women-Fueled Hub for Community, Creativity, and Growth!
“This space is our comeback kid and a testament to the resilience of women-owned business. We fought for years to bring this concept back into a brick-and-mortar offering, and it took tenacity and courage to make that happen. We did this because of our belief in the impact of women supporting women and spaces that celebrate women’s brilliance,” says Grace Kraaijvanger, Founder of The Hivery. The light-filled space includes open coworking and inspiration areas, private nooks, dedicated event space, and a sunlit backyard lounge. Built largely with upcycled and curated materials, the design reflects The Hivery’s commitment to sustainability and intentional beauty. Over the past twelve months, The Hivery has welcomed hundreds of women from across Marin, San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area for weekly community lunch and discussion gatherings, creativity sessions, professional development workshops, restorative retreats, mentorship circles, networking events, coworking, and its signature 12-week Incubator Program.
Read MoreFree Westminster Events & Outdoor Art Club Host a Thought-Provoking Conversation About the Future of Public Health With Marin County Health Officer Lisa Santora & Ross Town Councilmember Teri Dowling – March 8th, 3-5pm
Free Westminster Events & Outdoor Art Club Host a Thought-Provoking Conversation About the Future of Public Health With Marin County Health Officer Lisa Santora & Ross Town Councilmember Teri Dowling – March 8th, 3-5pm.
Read MorePAAM, the Performing Arts Academy of Marin, Presents ‘Annie The Musical’ – March 21st & 22nd, 2026!
Performing Arts Academy of Marin is delighted to present the beloved musical Annie! With the book and score by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin, this Tony Award winning show brings friendship, adventure, and family to the stage. Directed and choreographed by PAAM’s own Matthew McCoy, with featured choreography by CEO & Artistic Director Annie Leese. Join the big city adventure as the charming little orphan Annie sets off to find her parents who left her at the orphanage run by the cruel and scheming Miss Hannigan. With help from her friends along the way, Annie finds a new home and discovers the true love of friendship and family.
Read MoreThe Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Mill Valley & Blue Muse Sound Healing Hosts a Sound Bath Experience: Jan. 30, Doors at 5:30pm, Sound Healing 6pm-7pm, 10 Old Mill Street, Mill Valley, Tix: $33.95, advance, $40 at Door
We are delighted to welcome Blue Muse Sound Healing back to the Church of Our Saviour for an evening of deep relaxation, renewal, and gentle transformation. Join us for a soothing sound journey designed to help you release stress, reset your nervous system, and reconnect with a sense of calm and balance through Blue Muse’s beautiful and intuitive musical gifts. Whether you are seeking rest, rejuvenation, or simply a peaceful pause from daily life, this immersive sound healing experience offers a nourishing space to unwind and restore. Event Details: January 30, doors open at 5:30pm, sound healing is 6pm-7pm, 10 Old Mill Street, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Tickets: $33.95 in advance. $40 at the door.
Read MoreEconomic Outlook for 2026 Indicates North Bay at a Crossroads: Economist Robert Eyler Warns of Stagnation, Structural Shifts, Uneven Paths Forward
The North Bay economy is undergoing a profound transition marked by stalled job growth, shifting demographics, housing market stagnation and a wine industry facing long-term restructuring. While the challenges are significant, a noted local economist said opportunities remain — if regional leaders understand the depth of the changes underway and respond with coordinated, realistic strategies. Robert Eyler, an economics professor at Sonoma State University and president of Economic Forensics and Analytics, presented his analysis. Using county-level data, statewide and national trends, he described an economy that is no longer behaving as Californians have historically expected, particularly in regions once seen as beneficiaries of pandemic-era migration. Unprecedented jobs plateau. One of the most striking indicators Eyler presented was California’s prolonged lack of job growth. “We’ve seen about a 24-month period in which we had zero jobs growth in California, which is unprecedented in the recorded history of California’s economy outside of recession,” he said. cross the North Bay, that stagnation shows up in different ways. Sonoma and Marin counties remain below their pre-pandemic labor force levels. Napa County has posted modest gains, while Mendocino County has remained largely flat. “The Bay Area and California economies showed encouraging signs of labor market stabilization in November,” Anderson told the news outlet.
Read MoreMakers Market at The Lumber Mill Valley Lumber Yard Remains One of the Stalwart Businesses in Town – Now They’re Offering 10% Off for any Mill Valley Chamber Members – Thursday, Dec. 18th, 9am to11am!!
Bianca Wallace runs the original Mill Valley location, and she, like all of our amazing retailers in the 94941, is excited to engage to meet and meet more people in the community. It’s all happening on Thursday, December 18th! To that end, Wallace is hosting an exciting event from 9am-11am at Makers Market, offering 10% off to any Mill Valley Chamber Members. Shop cute and unique goods from Northern Cali’s most talented Makers, while you enjoy the gorgeous view of Mt. Tam, listen to live music, and grab a bite to eat at our monthly outdoor marketplace!
Read MoreWhether It Be Immersive Beauty Indoors or Outdoors, Art is Deep in the 94941 – Let’s Connect With Our Abundance of Creativity and spread More Art, Murals and More in 2026!!
When people think of murals, they often picture large public artworks on commercial buildings—and Mill Valley has a few. But with Mill Valley Murals, co-founders Alex Fong and Lynsey Vera, are expanding that vision, bringing vibrant, personalized art not only to businesses but to homes as well. A local artist and mom, Lynsey’s public works include familiar local favorites such as the red-tailed hawk at BooKoo, the Tam Valley meets Palm Springs scene at the B-Lounge/Tam Junction, and the cool birds of Upside Coffee. Beyond public spaces, Lynsey has also created many private murals in homes across the community—building lasting friendships with neighbors while delivering one-of-a-kind works of art that are as unique as the people who live there.
Read MoreSweetwater Music Hall Fall Lineup: From Pink Talking Fish to Zepparella, Reggae, Bluegrass, and Beyond!
Sweetwater Music Hall, the storied Mill Valley nonprofit venue that has been a home to the counterculture and beyond since 1972, keeps the fall calendar packed with music for Deadheads, hippies, and fans of every genre. Jam fans will zero in on Pink Talking Fish, the beloved fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish, performing November 1 and 2. For those who live in the Allman Brothers’ zone, Freestone Peaches hit the stage October 4, while Zeppelin devotees will be thunderstruck by Zepparella, bringing two nights of classic rock fire October 17–18.
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