A&E

'Two Gentlemen of Verona' is one of Shakespeare’s earlier works. I’ve always thought it was one of the Bard’s easier plays to follow, written before he got all “Shakespeare-y.” It’s the tale of besties Valentine and Proteus whose friendship is tested by, of course, a woman.

For the past four years there’s been a new stage in town: The 222. Located inside the Paul Mahder Gallery on Healdsburg Avenue, the risers and lights are used for many other kinds of performance art at The 222.. We spoke with Aldo Billingslea, the producer of the Theater series at The 222, to learn about the challenges and advantages of theater in Healdsburg.

The Rotary Club of Healdsburg invites everyone to join its annual free Easter Egg Scramble on Saturday, April 19, 9am at the Fitch Mountain School (565 Sanns Lane). Designed to be inclusive, accessible and open. Due to the shortage, however, plastic eggs will be used.

But scratch the surface, and there’s something else going on. The main character, Judy, fills the role of what has become known as the “tradwife,” the traditional image of the woman at home. Of late, such idealized roles have become the fodder of social media “influencers,” pointed out director Caroline Clark. “Especially on Instagram, it’s these very alluring videos of people doing performative cooking and cleaning and preparing of their house..."

The Healdsburg Museum reopens Saturday after an interior remodel with a new exhibit, “Pomo Weavers Society,” which includes baskets, artwork, dresses and regalia by local Indigenous artists. Through Nov. 2, open Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am-4pm, 221 Matheson St. healdsburgmuseum.org. 

Twilight Parade: floats, spirited community groups and festive performers. The annual parade, from 6-8pm, kicks off the annual Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair that runs through Saturday, May 24.

Guelaguetza: Enjoy traditional dances from all eight regions of Oaxaca, performed by folkloric and Indigenous groups, with live music throughout the day. Sunday, July 27, 10am-6pm.

The Raven Players’ offerings begin as soon as Thursday, July 31, with the performance of one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, "Two Gentlemen of Verona," at the newest Raven venue, Bacchus Landing. While it’s technically not part of the Raven Players’ season, it fits the playbill nonetheless.

"The 222: Healdsburg Performing Arts" nonprofit was established in 2019, but not until August 2021 was its first public program offered: a concert by piano legend George Cables, presented by Jessica Felix. So it’s with a sense of rebirth that Cables is once again the season opener for this, The 222’s fifth full year of offering performance art in Healdsburg.

Jendala Day and Other Events: On behalf of the Utsch family and her friends, celebrate the life, art and positivity of Jen “Jendala” Utsch, long an energy force in Healdsburg. Includes a ceremony at 1pm in the garden and performances by Todd Bugbee’s Dead Roses. From noon to 3:30pm at Villa Chanticleer.