Arlene Francis Center

I have been to a lot of shows and events at The Arlene Francis Center. The vibe is always good. :)

One of the best music venues in the county. The staff are fantastically community oriented. They now have a full blown café with excellent coffee and grilled cheese sandwiches. Go see a concert here and support local musicians and artists.

Located in the former New College Building in Santa Rosa near the famous Aroma Roaster Coffee House is an artist’s mecca and community action center.
Reasons I love Arlene Francis Center:
1. Bruce whose laid back management style encourages group ownership of this community hub.
2. They have a café now with gorgeous hand made quiches, great coffee, and an upright piano that gets more play than Tiger Woods.
3. The fact that witty teens feel comfortable sitting there for hours knitting and playing scrabble to a live jazz band.
4. The large main room that recently hosted such events as Starhawk’s latest good-​witch-​gathering and the Bohemian Newspaper’s Norbay Music Awards which showcased RadioActive, Baby Seal Club, DyaTribal and many more.
5. Suzy the lovely sound queen was recently overheard performing her own lilting melodies to unsuspecting visitors.
6. The fact that it has become a political and social meeting place.
7. It’s a nonprofit so everyone’s chillaxed and rentals for the space are affordable.
8. They host many all ages events.
9. They are supportive of the local capoeira (Brazilian martial arts) community.
10. They are within walking distance of downtown Santa Rosa and Rail Road Square.
11. The staff set the intention of full integrity so that people are genuine and happy to work there and happy to visit.
12. They support local artists, musicians, poets, free thinkers, and performers.

I love AFC! Not only because its an Awesome local venue, which hosts everything from classes to punk rock shows, to moms groups, but they also recently opened the most friendly coffee shop in town. They act as a true cultural hub, having art shows, craft fairs, circus performances, dance parties, movie nights, etc. The prices are really good, and the Chai is the best best in town. I love AFC and am so happy to live near such a community minded spot.