We had the opportunity to join Sonoma’s Mike [the bejkr] Zakowski at his home last month for some delicious flat breads. Under a veil of December condensation, a group of lucky friends huddled around his outdoor brick oven while he and girlfriend Christy assembled small, steaming miracles adorned with pumpkin sauce, fresh cheeses, dandelion greens and other brilliant toppings.
We love art, and the Bay Area is certainly renowned for its uniquely creative vision—a vision which Sonoma area collector Rene di Rosa excelled at capturing in his extensive collection at the di Rosa preserve. We were sorry to hear of his recent passing. Sarah recalls, fondly, interviewing him for a story and how all he wanted to talk about was how much he loved eating his lunches at Sonoma Market. We do too! We’ll miss seeing him across the salad bar, but happily know his passion for art and his support for the arts will live on through the di Rosa preserve.
Here is a short video we produced for Cult Sonoma, capturing just a fraction of the collection and di Rosa experience.
Way back in August, the Belle Creative home offices took their show on the road to beautiful Orcas Island in the San Juans—we started off the workcation with a weekend at the stellar Doe Bay Fest enjoying meteor showers and some amazing music (we called it “band camp for adults.”) Check out our video recap and keep an eye out for Sonoma’s own Ryan William Lynch and his band Indian Valley Line . . . !
We’re under the spell of Scribe Winery . . . here’s a video we produced on the subject for Cult Sonoma!
Update: We were able to return to Scribe Winery for their last bash before they remodel “The Hacienda.” The event was a collaboration between the winery and 18 Reasons:
Thank you to the Sonoma Community Center for putting on yet another fabulous event! We’re already looking forward to next year!
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art‘s regularly occurring Mixes have become one of our favorite after hours activities in Sonoma. Above is a short video we produced for Cult Sonoma on the most recent Mix—a masquerade theme complete with local punk band Static People and surrounded by the fabulous Silence, Exile & Cunning exhibit (see Miya Hannan‘s “Journey” installation below.)
Another video we produced for cultsonoma.com—this one a summary of the first annual Huichica Music Festival at Gundlach Bundschu Winery.
We spent a lot of time promoting this event, so when the night came, we donned our best duds, overcame some stage fright with a speech, jumped into the DJ booth and enjoyed the show. Above is a video we produced for Cult Sonoma recapping the evening . . .
A fun video we produced to promote another aspect of Sonoma’s young, creative culture: fashion! Rising Sonoma photographer, Douglas Thompson, was on hand at Infineon Raceway and Jacuzzi Winery recently to photograph some hot couture in advance of Sonoma’s own upcoming Bryant Park West Fashion Show. Dubbed “Heels & Wheels” the second annual runway show—which is produced by Sonoma’s own Sarah Haggberg—will take place June 5 at Jacuzzi Winery and feature cutting edge designs from up-and-coming fashion icons. Ms. Haggberg, a young native of Sonoma, has selected Sonoma Valley Teen Services as the recipient of all proceeds, so it’s a great cause, too!
Pop culture stereotypes dictate certain prerequisites for being girly, and by all accounts, I’ve failed most of them. I’ve only ever watched two episodes of Sex and the City. I don’t go gaga over Jimmy Choos or Manilo Blahniks. I’ve polished my fingernails perhaps once in the last three years, and I don’t sit around in spa robes eating Yoplait with my girlfriends and complaining about my thighs.
But Sonoma Valley’s definition of girly is something entirely refreshing. Do you like sunshine and budding vineyards? Do you like cocktails and yummy things to eat? Do you like to lounge in the lap of luxury? Or when you’re not lounging, do you like go on hikes, ride bikes, or shop, or eat more yummy things? And do lots of wine tasting?
Basically, Sonoma Valley asks you a lot of things that are impossible to say no to.
So you say yes. And you bring a friend or two. And it’s called a Girlfriends Getaway . . .