SCREENINGS AND WORKSHOPS OFFERED TO SUPPORT DEIA, DEMOCRACY AND WELL BEING
UPCOMING INFORMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT SELF-CARE TOOLS
This (longer) Newsletter will be dedicated to some important upcoming events and opportunities as part of our mission to Inform and Educate and in support of building resilience and strength in our Community and promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“LAST CLASS”
EXCLUSIVE TO WAKE UP SONOMA
NEWLY RELEASED DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
Monday, July 14, 2025
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Sebastiani Theatre
Tickets: My North Bay Tickets - The Press Democrat | Movie: The Last Class at Sebastiani Theatre
Sliding Scale - no seat differences based on ticket price
Wake UP Sonoma has been offered the opportunity to be one of the first in the country to screen this documentary featuring Robert Reich.
Q&A with Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse (Producer) or Elliot Kirschner (Director) with a specially recorded message for Sonoma from Robert himself.
We are still working on a panel so stay tuned.
"The Last Class is a nuanced and deeply personal portrait of master educator Robert Reich teaching his final course and reflecting on a period of immense transformation, personally and globally. It is a love letter to education. The former Secretary of Labor might be famous for his public service, best-selling books, and viral social media posts, but he always considered teaching his true calling. Now, after over 40 years and an extraordinary 40,000 students, Reich is preparing for his last class.”
WAKE UP SONOMA PRESENTS AN INSPIRING AND TIMELY WORKSHOP FOR SAFETY, SANITY AND SURVIVAL
FREE ZOOM EVENT
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025
2:00 - 4:00
(Zoom link will be sent before the workshop)
Register Here: Finding Resilience & Hope During Uncertain Times Workshop — Wake UP Sonoma
In times of political turmoil, it’s difficult not to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or even powerless. But history—and our own lives—prove that resilience is not only possible but essential.
Join us for an uplifting conversation about resilience, hope, and the power we all have to shape a better future.
Michelle Ward explores how we can cultivate hope, maintain our inner strength and take meaningful action, even in the face of division and uncertainty. Through community connection, practical strategies and a strong call to action, this session will empower you to rise above the chaos, find clarity and become a force for positive change.
About Michelle Ward: Michelle is a Mental Health Therapist in Private Practice in Virginia. She's an EMDR Certified Trauma Specialist treating adolescent & adult trauma survivors, as well as couples & families in relationship distress. She has particular interest in the allyship and advocacy of minority & marginalized communities. Michelle currently facilitates local Resiliency Workshops for women. She considers herself a Tireless Empath & Daily Hope Peddler in both her professional and personal relationships.
ART ESCAPE PRESENTS : Pride in the Springs Gallery Reception & Community Art Celebration
Friday, June 6, 2025 | 5:00-8:00 PM
Art Escape Sonoma | 17474 Highway 12, Sonoma, CA 95476
Join Art Escape for a vibrant and inclusive evening celebrating art, community, and pride!
This free event is open to all ages and will feature a group exhibition with local artists and makers. Enjoy hands-on art activities, including painting a giant chalk rainbow and printing your own tote bags and fabrics. Plus, there will be a small vendor pop-up!
***Light food and drinks will be offered! All activities are FREE and open to the public
EXCLUSIVE SCREENING OF FINDING EDNA LEWIS
PRESENTED BY SEBASTIANI THEATRE
Thursday, June 19th at 7 pm.
The Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma
7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30)
Followed by Q&A with Film-maker Deb Freeman’
In celebration the National Holiday, Juneteenth, The Sebastiani Theatre is proud to present an exclusive Sonoma screening of “Finding Edna Lewis,” a new documentary about the woman whom The New York Times calls the author of the most influential cookbook of the last century. Writer, producer, podcaster, cultural historian, and Emmy-nominated documentarian Deb Freeman will be on hand to talk with the audience after the screening of her film.
Deb Freeman researches, writes, and speaks about the intersection of race, culture, and food. From Sunday barbeques to the spirits in your cocktails, African Americans have created the foundation of modern American cuisine, yet African American food is one of the least explored culinary traditions. In her podcasting, public speaking, interviews, and filmmaking, Freeman illuminates the ways that African Americans have shaped the way this country eats and drinks. She explores the historical events that have influenced the formation of Black foodways in America while also drawing a direct line to the people who are moving the Black culinary narrative forward. Recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, Freeman was recently nominated for an Emmy for her work on Finding Edna Lewis.
Edna Lewis was a Black woman from Virginia who changed the way Americans eat. In an extraordinary career that spanned a small township of freed slaves in Virginia, to seamstress to Marilyn Monroe, and to the most famous restaurants and bars in New York, Lewis introduced Americans to seasonal cooking, field to table cooking, and Southern cooking.
WAKE UP SONOMA’S WELL-BEING ACTION TEAM OFFERING!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2A6gONixlMSYgjCG5Waxlt?si=8Ts9Lr7rRj6Oo1M3_8iOkw&pi=DSQZ7Np8QUy0A
Offered by Carol Halpern a member of the group. This is a Well Being playlist to soothe our jangled nerves. “I’m a lifelong musician, and my favorites help with stress. This is my playlist on Spotify.”
Thanks to Carol and the Well Being Team for this and more offerings! Lots of good things coming from that group!!
GET READY FOR THE NEXT BIG NATIONAL PROTEST NO KINGS OR THEIR CLOWNS!!
JUNE 14 - 11:00 -1:00
🔗 https://mobilize.us/s/c3s0U7
WE NEED PROTEST MONITORS FOR A SAFE NONVIOLENT PROTEST
VOLUNTEER TO BE PART OF THE TEAM!
CONTACT - wakeupsonoma@gmail.com
SIGN-MAKING WORKSHOP OFFERED BY ART ESCAPE ON SATURDAY JUNE 7TH FROM 2-4 AT ART ESCAPE - 17474 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma
Our Vision: To foster a vibrant, just, respectful and welcoming Sonoma Valley community.
OUR MISSION IS TO:
EDUCATE - by providing resources to Sonoma Valley residents to be informed and engaged.
ADVOCATE - for local diversity, equity, inclusion, civic and corporate transparency.
ACTIVATE - by promoting democracy and providing opportunities for local engagement.
We Educate. Advocate. Activate.
on issues related, but not limited to:
- LGBTQIA+ safety and visibility
- Protection of our immigrant population
- Defense against Christian Nationalism
- Transparency in large corporate investment and responsible development
- Active local civic engagement
Make a
donation today
Your donations are important as part of these efforts. We hope you can help us give back to the community through your donations!
Educate. Activate. Advocate.