We went to see Andre is an Idiot (which is a must see) here one Sunday afternoon, and I hadn't been…read morehere since high school when I saw Memento. It is BEAUTIFUL! The seats were decently comfy and the theater intimate. The snacks were great and a fantastic value. What a pleasant outing!

WHEN: Sun @4pm Came…read moreall the way over here for the east bay after a failed attempt at catching a screening of FLOW in Berkeley. Who knew this indie animated feature would be so popular (good on them!). So we got there when there was only 1 ticket left--and we weren't the only ones who tried to get tickets! So we made the trek over the Richmond Bridge, this time securing our tickets online first before arriving. Prices are as follows but there are service fees online: $14.00 General $10.50 Seniors & Youth $8.50 CAFILM members This theater is wonderfully located in downtown San Rafael and street parking was easy enough to find and free since it's Sunday. It's my first time and I really like it. I noticed they screen a lot of indie-like films, and would often have Q&A panels after. There's lots of food options in the area (or bars).

This is one of the movie theaters in Marin that I enjoy going to, especially since it is locally…read moreowned. The theater has reclining seats and a spacious layout. There is a good selection of snacks, and staff members are usually available if you need anything. Parking can be limited when it gets busy. I recommend coming for a late-night showing when there are fewer people.

I love Fairfax theatre but unfortunately the last few times my friends and I have been , there have…read morebeen groups of young teens alone making a lot of noise, running around laughing and throwing things. It ruined the movie. The employees are also teens so they don't do much. I hope they are stricter with this cuz that's my childhood theatre :/

Excellent and fun production of Mamma Mia! by the Novato Theatre Company! The cast was talented,…read morethe music of ABBA was wonderfully performed, and the energy throughout the show was infectious. A thoroughly enjoyable evening of theater that left the audience smiling and singing along at the end. Highly recommended!

It has been nearly 72 hours since the Sunday matinee MMTC/NTC performance of Alanis Morissette's…read more"Jagged Little Pill" and the choreography, the acting, and the music just continue to play in my head!  Morgan Olson and Evvy Calstrom-March are riveting talents with commanding stage presence. You simply can't take your eyes off of them! Music director Megan Schoenbohm, from whom I sat a mere ten feet from, was herself fascinating to watch as she meticulously and flawlessly conducted her musicians from one Morissette hit to another  (while on guitar and harmonica). The intimate and cozy NTC routinely delivers outstanding productions. Add this one to the long list.

Another epic year at the MV Film Festival. This powerful…read moredocumentary, "Steal This Story, Please!" is a riveting exploration of fearless journalism and the ongoing pursuit of truth. Well chosen & powerful films are featured each year at the festival. The event is staffed well & quite organized.

Why it has taken till 2023 for me to get to the MVFF is a mystery. This year's festival runs Thu,…read moreOct 5, 2023 - Mon, Oct 16, 2023. It's exciting and convenient that we have an opportunity to participate in a small, navigable, regional film festival that includes thoughtful and innovative films, surprise appearances by directors, and hopefully (after the actors strike concludes) talented actors, all in own backyard. The film festival is organized by The California Film Institute, an arts nonprofit in San Rafael. MVFF provides a forum for introducing new films to West coast audiences well before theatrical release dates. This year I planned to see "Saltburn" by the brilliant Emerald Fennel, who previously won an Academy Award and BAFTA for "Promising Young Woman." What I wasn't expecting was an intimate Q&A (she spoke the day before, but opted to stay for the second showing) talking candidly about the motivation for her transgressive, lush and surprising film. Cord Jefferson's satire, "American Fiction" featured a supremely talented cast, including Jeffrey Wright and Issa Ray, and it's searing insights brought laughter, "aha's" and self-examination to a privileged Marin film audience. Many films show at the Christopher Smith Rafael Theatre (and also at other local sites), the festival is well run, organized and is attended by directors, journalists, critics and local cinephiles. Tickets are sold online (normal tickets prices, $16, or more if there will be a special guest Q&A) and the bigger films go to "Rush" quickly, meaning all advance tickets are sold out, but a handful of remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Don't miss it!

Nestled amongst these nice houses in the Novato hilly area is this gem of a festival. I liked it…read moremuch better than the Oakland one, perhaps because it seemed smaller, more authentic, tucked on this hill. There was some semi Pasteur type of land adjacent, ok perhaps more like dead and dry grass :) but nonetheless it leant to a nice feel and atmosphere. WE had a wonderful time. From the church tour, to the nice and friendly parishioners to the dancing in the main square, it was fun and inviting. I would come back in an instant when in town. EPHARISTO

A Memorial Weekend tradition in on the sunny hilltop location in Southern Novato neighborhood known…read moreas Ignacio. Authentic Greek food , dances and homemade specialities to eat and drink while you relax on the feck under the shady Oak tree. Must try all the delicious Greek pastries and coffee drinks to finish after your meal from inside and outside food lineup. Opa!

I attended the festival today. Absolutely no parking anywhere. Listened to four bands, each…read moremediocre. All vendors were ladies clothing, some jewelry. The ads keptl saying BRING CASH. and No dogs, although there were at least 30 dogs. Maybe the music I saw was coincidentally poor, but these singers weren't Ella. Walked a LONG time to find a bus stop and fortunately one eventually arrived. Bring cash, buy ladies clothing and ecoutrements, and expensive beer and everything else.

The fair has been held every June for 35 years. It is held in such a pretty setting. The small…read moreredwood grove, the larger park and the ball field make this an ideal setting for a fair. The event is part flea market and part crafts fair. There are 3 music stages and several food vendors. The fair is crowed and it is hard to park. I wasn't impressed with the food offerings. I never did find the BBQ oysters. It is too bad that none of the local restaurants had booths; Fairfax is a town full of locally owned restaurants. The wine choices were impressive. The music was great.

For 66 years there has been a festival among the redwoods up in Mill Valley. Every year, local SF…read morebay area artists gather in the Old Mill Park for a weekend of fun. Absolutely worth a visit, it's not as crowded as some other festivals and has something for everyone. About six to seven thousand people attend for the weekend. It's a unique environment, amongst the giant shady trees, to browse 135 artists' work, listen to music, and participate in some crafts if you'd like to. It's especially good for kids because they have a fairy house treasure hunt, puppet show, magic show, and story time in a ring of redwood trees. For adults, there's a hippie-esque vibe, maybe a rich boomer vibe; they have food and beverages and lots of art to purchase. I recommend using one of the free shuttles from local schools to avoid trying to park around the location of the festival itself. Overall, this is a great community experience. This year, I was happy to see a "Special Presentation Grove" where neurodivergent artists' work was on display for purchase. Specifically, the groups represented were Autistry Makers, Art Without Boundaries, Helix School, Oak Hill School, and Project Awareness and Special Sports (PAASS). One nonverbal austic artist named Jamesey had his work on display too ( here is a link to his work https://deyoungopenexhibition.artcall.org/submissions/qr-view/166794 ). It was nice moment and an important one for those with disabilities and autism.

Amazing experience under the redwoods. This is truly special. There is something magical about…read moreviewing art and meeting the artists in this setting.

Another edition of this great festival in San Rafael. A bit far for me but with sister, went and…read moreenjoyed it. Talked to a lot of photographers, including one film 4x5 view-camera photog, which is a rarity these days! Lots of sculptures too, very colorful and very original. I love to see the paintings and the sculptures, which at one point both clash and blend today to offer visitors the best that a normal gallery can't ever offer! Admission fee charged ($10) but if you get on the mailing list of one of the festival's artists/vendor, you can get a postcard by mail to allow you FREE entry!! Lots of entertainment to keep everyone interested and content, along with food vendors to keep that stomach happy too!! If you're in the market for art for your home, walls or as a gift to a friend, you cannot beat the variety nor the selection in one place!!! HEY: FREE parking!!!! If you take your camera to snap away at the great sights, please remember this: RESPECT other artists' work by asking first if you can snap a pix. First off they will want to know WHY and PURPOSE of the picture. If you do post it, even if it's at MySpace (yuck) or something, at least take a card and list their email or URL of their site. DO NOT snap pixs of paintings/photography on display. Not considered cool at all unless of course you know the artist and it's been approved. NOTE: Pictures displayed with my review were with approval/knowledge of the artists. ;-)

A-OK way to spend a weekend afternoon. While not my favorite of the various local art festivals, I…read morestill think this one is nicely done and worth checking out. Pros: -Held on the grounds of the beautiful Marin County Civic Center (nearby pond with fountain, ducks and geese-great for a picnic lunch) -Free parking -Affordable jewelry and crafts for the home -Well laid out and easy to walk through and see everything you want to see -Nice to speak to the artists about their work Cons: -Honestly $10 admission is a bit steep for the quality of the artists. While there are some unique works and great artists, I've seen many of them at various Art Festivals in the Bay Area that were free to attend-I don't think this event is "juried." If I'm going to pay to get in, I prefer that it were. -Not a great assortment of food and drinks -I've been here twice and this year it seemed a bit "empty"-there was a ton of open space where tents and displays seem like they should have been but instead there was just a void. -Cash only for admission-they should have that on the website-I saw several fair goers who had no idea and had to leave to go get cash Overall, I'd say check it out-it's usually a beautiful day in June in San Rafael, but I think it's trying too hard to be like the Sausalito Art Festival, which just doesn't compare.