As the holidays get started, you can get a head-start on the holiday shopping season this weekend. Looking for something to do? Check out our San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch calendar. There's lots of chances to get your local shopping done early with an after-hours shopping event at the new Velvet Ice (inside Avant Garde) on Friday evening and a five-year anniversary celebration at Siren Salon on Saturday night. Several local artists will also be participating in an annual holiday art and gift sale in Larkspur at the Skylark Apartments on Saturday and Sunday. If you want to buy a few bottles of …

Veterans Day Weekend has a ton of activity going on in and around the area, and here are some of what we found on the San Anselmo Fairfax events calendar. --- The Sleeping Lady is bringing Boogie Woogie Queen Wendy de Wittback for another rockin‘ night on Friday to celebrate their Boogie Woogie Ball. --- SingersMarin holds its annual dinner and silent auction on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Deer Park Villa. This annual event raises money to sustain the organization throughout the year and to provide community outreach performances for the elderly and confined, along with providing a musical …

Hey, what'cha doing this weekend? Looking for some ideas? Take a look at what's on the San Anselmo-Fairfax events calendar. --- Start out your weekend with the Art of Moonalice from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Fairfax Pavilion. Moonalice is a band that commissions a rock poster for every gig. Since 2007, more than 400 Moonalice posters have been created and distributed to fans for free at Moonalice shows. See them all. --- Go sledding Saturday morning! (Yes, actual sledding.) Manor's annual Winter Faire not only raises money for the school, but also introduces Ross Valley students to actual …

There's a wide array of things to do in and around the Ross Valley this weekend, so check out what's going on via the San Anselmo Fairfax Patch Calendar. The outstanding Orchestra da Camera performs five separate pieces Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at San Domenico School in a Vivaldi Concert in the Hall of Arts. Rev. Francis Geddes is speaking Saturday on his new book, Contemplative Healing, The Congregation as Healing Community, at 2 p.m. at the Fairfax Community United Church of Christ. Or, get outside, and set off down the family-friendly 1.8 mile trail at Lake Lagunitas to a series of stations …

I can remember hearing 867-5309 on the radio and wondering why was someone singing a telephone number. Well, you can learn all about that and more Friday and Saturday as Alex Call, guitarist, songwriter and lead singer for the San Francisco 60s band Clover comes to the Playhouse In San Anselmo. --- On Saturday, head on over to the Fairfax Pavilion for the first Irish Festival of Music and Dance. (You can go on Friday, too, and The Sleeping Lady is part of Friday's festivities.) This festival features the very best of Irish Music and Dance from around the Bay Area and beyond. Check out www.…

Friday: Big Dog Trouble Returns to The Sleeping Lady The "progressive retro" sound of Big Dog Trouble returns to The Lady. Big Dog Trouble features reworked classics you'll remember from the 50's, 60's and 70's, as well as many catchy originals. Catch their sounds. If you go: The cover is $10 and the show is from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at The Sleeping Lady, 23 Broadway Blvd. in Fairfax. Saturday: Lion of Fairfax Cyclocross Race and Short Track Swashbuckler Race Today sees the return of the Lion of Fairfax Cyclocross race. This is Big Swingin' Cycles' sixth year organizing this great fundraising…

Friday: 18th Annual Spirit of Marin The 18th annual Spirit of Marin Awards luncheon hosted by Bank of Marin recognizes the philanthropic leadership and volunteerism of Marin business leaders, nominated by the twelve participating Marin County-based Chambers of Commerce. Keynote speakers include David Coon, Superintendent/President of College of Marin, and Dr. Mary Marcy, President of Dominican University of California.  If you go: Lunch reservations are required and are $60. Tickets for Spirit of Marin can be bought online. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. at St. Vincent School for Boys in San …

Thursday-Saturday: Ross Valley Players presents Don’t Dress For Dinner What does it take to run for seven years in London’s West End? This is it. A terrific classical farce, complete with mistaken identities, secrets covered up and uncovered, frustrated infidelity and fallen soufflés.  Marc Camoletti, whose Boeing-Boeing was a hit revival on Broadway last season, has given the audience a fast-paced and continuously intriguing classic in this play, that London reviewer Sheila Tracy called, “the most hilarious two hours I have spent in any theatre.”  The Chicago Sun Times said it was “pure …

Friday: Porch Music at Peri's Live music makes Happy Hour even happier. Come to Peri's to catch great, free, early shows on the patio featuring popular local performers Chris Brown, Danny Montana, The Emma Lee Project, Wendy Fitz, and more. Now you can enjoy some of Fairfax's famous live music without losing sleep. Sweet. If you go: The free show is between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Peri’s Bar, 29 Broadway Blvd. in Fairfax. Friday: Emergency Smart Meter Symposium Topics up for discussion include protecting your analog gas and electric meter, town and county opt-outs and local rights; privacy, …

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Young Frankenstein,  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, and North by Northwest It’s an embarrassment of riches this weekend with three entertaining movies showing in Creek Park. Young Frankenstein, showing on Friday, is a 1974 American comedy directed by Mel Brooks and stars Gene Wilder as a descendant of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The film is an affectionate parody of the classical horror film genre.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow-Part 1 is the seventh and penultimate installment in the Harry Potter film series. The story follows …

Friday: "The Economics of Happiness" The Community Wellness Center is presenting The Economics of Happiness. The film describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On one hand, government and big business continue to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power and yet, all across the world, people are resisting those policies, demanding a re-regulation of trade and finance—and, far from the old institutions of power, they’re beginning to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to rebuild more human scale, ecological economies …

Friday and Saturday: Film Night in the Park: "Cinema Paradiso" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" Friday night’s film, Cinema Paradiso, is a 1988 Italian drama film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The film is told largely in flashback of a successful film director Salvatore to his childhood years. It also tells the story of the return to his native Sicilian village for the funeral of his old friend Alfredo, who was the projectionist at the local "Cinema Paradiso."   Saturday night’s film, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a 1962 American film adaptation of Harper Lee's novel directed by Robert …

Friday: Sean’s Shadows Puppet Show Musician and puppet artist Sean Powers has performed in over 60 different schools, libraries and theatres throughout northern California. He has created ten different shadow plays based on stories from around the world. Friday, he brings his magical shadow puppet show, Why Rat is First, a story from China, to the San Anselmo Town Hall. Come out and check out this mesmerizing show. If you go: The free show is at noon at the San Anselmo Town Hall, 525 San Anselmo Ave. in San Anselmo. Friday: Picnics on the Plaza Bring a picnic or get your meal to-go at one of …

Friday and Saturday: "Please Don't" at San Domenico San Domenico alumna Ariel Henry-Warren ('10) has written and directed a comedic play that will be performed on campus. A king's throne is usurped by an evil dictator and it is up to a group of nobles-turned-servants to find a solution to this frought situation. Join friends for this free show and support local talent. If you go: Admission is free, but donations are always accepted and help support the San Domenico theatre department. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. at San Domenico School, 1500 Butterfield Rd. in San Anselmo. For more information …

Friday: Picnics on the Plaza Bring a picnic or get your meal to-go at one of the restaurants, and enjoy the company of friends and neighbors on the Town Hall lawn.  Friday's theme is Irish Night. Special thanks to the San Anselmo Police Officers Association for their generous donations, which bought white tables, tablecloths, chairs, umbrellas and flags used for the event. If you go: The weekly picnic is from 5 to 8 p.m. on the San Anselmo Town Hall Lawn, 525 San Anselmo Ave.  Saturday: The San Geronimo Summer Music Festival Join friends and family at the San Geronimo Summer Music Festival …

Friday: Marin Art and Garden Center Family Campout Come on over for an evening of camping fun at the Marin Art and Garden Center! All you need is a tent, sleeping bag and desire to have fun the entire family can enjoy. Storytelling, movies and games!  S’mores, anyone? If you go: Price is $20 per tent for up to four people ($15 for members), and includes a tent site on Marin Art and Garden Center’s eleven acres. Hot dogs, hamburgers, vegetarian items and beverages will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the center. For more information, please contact lauren@magc.org or 415-454-5081. …

Friday: Film Night in the Park: "A Beatles Movie" Friday night’s film is a Beatles movie, kicking off this Beatles-mania weekend. Dig out your Ringo rings, pull on the bell bottoms and remember, all you need is love. If you go: The free films begin at dusk so get to Creek Park by 8 p.m. and set up your low chair or blanket. Creek Park is at Sir Francis Drake and Center Boulevards in San Anselmo. Visit filmnight.org for more information. Saturday: Anniversary Beatles Tribute Come together as San Anselmo salutes the Beatles, starring the Liddypudlians. There will be a live music sing-along and …

Friday: San Anselmo Organic Farm Stand Bring your bag over and shop at the San Anselmo Farm Stand for seasonal, organic and locally grown vegetables and fruit. Additionally, the farm stand carries artisan cheeses from Cow Girl Creamery, brick-fired breads from Brickmaiden Breads, McEvoy olive oil and more. Local sustainability is Marin Community Farm Stand's goal, weaving a growing communal web that unites local farmers with local tables. The farm stand will open every Friday until the end of October. Go local! If you go: The farm stand is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the San Anselmo …

Friday and Saturday : Film Night in the Park: "The Breakfast Club" & “National Velvet” Two great nights of free films! Friday night’s film “The Breakfast Club,” is about five students with nothing in common, faced with spending a Saturday detention together in their high school library and by the end of the day, find their friendships bonded. “National Velvet” is the story of a 14-year-old girl named Velvet Brown, who rides her horse to victory in the Grand National steeplechase and the ability of ordinary people to accomplish great things. Film Night in the Park celebrates its 20th …

Saturday: Marin Open Garden Project - Backyard Garden Bounty Exchanges The mission of the Marin Open Garden Project is to connect people with their local foodshed and encourage sustainable living. Backyard gardeners are encouraged to bring their excess fruit, vegetables, flowers, seeds, seedlings, and other goodies to the San Anselmo Town Hall lawn and  exchange with other gardeners. If you go: The exchange is from 9 to 10 a.m. on the San Anselmo Town Hall lawn, 525 San Anselmo Ave. For more information click here. Friday, Saturday and Sunday:  Second Annual Summer Johnnie Baker, Sr. Father's…