Published October 6, 2005

East Napa Street Block Party Friday with light refreshments offered by merchants and South African Master Hand Drummer Baba Shibambo playing many instruments, as he has for Nelson Mandela. Arts Guild of Sonoma simultaneously hosts reception for new featured artist Lisa Manning, who draws with needle and thread, at 140 East Napa Street, Sonoma. 6:00-8:00 p.m. Call (707) 996-3115 for more info.

Hot jazz at Wild Thyme Saturday to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. New Orleans way hot up-and-coming jazz musicians Kim Prevost on vocals and Bill Solley on guitar will play on Wild Thyme’s outdoor stage, while Wild Thyme chef Keith Fillipello cooks up Cajun food and offers a no-host wine bar. Sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society. This is the Jazz Society’s annual appreciation party, free to members and sponsors, $25 to non Jazz Society members. Call (707) 996-6304 or 373-0700.

Folk Art Traditions & Gallery in GlenEllen’s Jack London Village on Arnold Drive will be selling sugar skulls made by artist Oralia, who will be present Saturday and Sunday, all a fundraiser for La Luz Center. Gallery owner Suzanne da Rosa also features retablos and other fabulous works of art from Mexico. 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. Call (707) 935-1800.

Haunted House opens: Dragon’s Head Productions’ nonprofit Haunted House opens Fridays and Saturdays 7-10 p.m. at 631 West Spain Street, Sonoma, just west of Sonoma Market, through Halloween. This year’s theme: “Classic Horror Movies.” Call (707) 996-4763 to help, paint or build haunts. Check out www.dragonsheadproductions.com for more info.

Glen Ellen Village Fair, with possibly the world’s shortest parade (two blocks) is a do-not-miss event on Sunday in downtown Glen Ellen. One parade highlight is the annual quilt made by local quilters and depicting the fair’s theme of “Entryways to Glen Ellen.” Expect loads of kids and grownups having fun and classic Volkswagens. Fair: 12 noon-5:00 p.m., parade at noon. Call (707) 938-4115 for more info.

Plan ahead to October 29: Jeff Bridges, whose father, the late actor Lloyd Bridges, attended school at what is now the Sonoma Community Center, joins Steve Ledson to release their joint adventure, a 2000 Ledson Harmony Collection Meritage. The public is welcome from noon on, with Bridges and Ledson signing bottles at Ledson Winery in Kenwood at 4:00 p.m. October 29. The wine itself is a blend of Napa Cabernet, Napa Cabernet Franc, and Ledson Estate Merlot, and reportedly there are only 300 cases left. The winery is north of Kenwood at 7335 Sonoma Highway (12). Call (707) 833-2330 for more info.