Marin Center

09/04/2026

Ever notice all the circles at the Marin County Civic Center? They’re everywhere, from the arches and roof details to the circular courtrooms and library.

Wright made the circle a defining part of the Civic Center’s design. In fact, the circular courtrooms were a major departure from traditional courtroom layouts and became a model copied in other courthouses around the country and beyond.

So next time you’re at the Civic Center, take a look around. You might be surprised by just how many circles you can spot!

Photography by Matthew Digati

09/03/2026

Think back to your last great night at the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium (VMA): maybe it was a concert, comedy show, or graduation ceremony. For 50 years, the VMA has been where Marin shows up for the moments that matter. When the doors open again, we want it to feel like yours.

So, who would you love to see on that stage? What would bring you, your family, and your friends through the doors? Share your ideas with us on Engage Marin and help shape the VMA's next fifty years: engage.marincounty.gov/q/which-performers-and-what-types-of-events-would-bring-you-to-the-veterans-memorial-auditorium

09/02/2026

Well-behaved women seldom make history.

Step into a world where art comes to life with MISBEHAVING, presented by The Don’t Quit Your Day Job Dancers. Inspired by the paintings and posters of Paris’s Musée d’Orsay, this lively production imagines what might happen if someone became magically trapped inside a work of art.

Expect wonder, humor, pleasure, and plenty of dancing as the company celebrates its 37th season with hope, purpose, and dancing shoes.

Join us September 24-26 at the Marin Center Showcase Theatre for a wild ride through art, imagination, and a little misbehavior. Get your tickets now at tickets.marincenter.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=417

09/01/2026

Get ready for a night of big laughs!

The 2025 winner of the San Francisco Comedy Competition, Shawn Felipe, is coming back to town for one hilarious victory lap on Saturday, September 5!

Fresh off a year of success, Shawn is ready to bring even more laughs to the stage, joined by past runner-up Eric Schwartz, known for his one-of-a-kind multimedia comedy, with past semi-finalist Bryant Hicks hosting the night.

Expect a lively evening of stand-up, multimedia comedy and plenty of laughs. Come celebrate Shawn’s championship and see why he took home the coveted crown! Get your tickets now at tickets.marincenter.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=492

08/28/2026

This fall, art, design, fashion, and architecture come together inside the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center!

The Marin Center is proud to present an exhibition showcasing the groundbreaking work of Marin-based designers Simon Ungless and Jody Niederkohr, founders of sustainable luxury brand When Simon Met Ralph (WSMR).

Featuring archival pieces alongside brand-new work, the exhibition offers an inside look at the designers’ creative process and their commitment to continually pushing their work forward.

The exhibition also features a special collaboration with ceramicist Susan McKinney, incorporating glass beads sourced from vintage 1920s dresses into geometric clay forms inspired by the Civic Center itself.

October 1, 2026 - January 7, 2027 at the First & Third Floors Civic Center Art Galleries. Come experience a collection where fashion, sustainability, craft, and architecture meet in one of Marin’s most iconic spaces!

This fall, the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center building in Marin County, California, becomes home to a showcase of the groundbreaking work of Marin-based designers Simon Ungless and Jody Niederkohr, founders of sustainable luxury brand When Simon Met Ralph (WSMR). The exhibit, which fills the...

08/28/2026

Did you know the Civic Center Library was designed to feel a little different from your typical library?

Located beneath the Civic Center’s massive 80-foot-diameter dome, the library features book stacks arranged in a radiating pattern, fanning out from the center. Wright designed the layout to make the books easy to access while creating a uniquely circular, open feeling.

And look up! Wright also used indirect lighting beneath the dome, creating a soft, shadow-free glow that was designed to be gentle on the eyes. A library that’s beautiful and functional, very Wright.

Photography by Matthew Digati

08/27/2026

Join the Marin County Free Library at the Marin Center Showcase Theater for a free screening of the 1968 BBC documentary The Mood of America, followed by a panel discussion exploring the history and impact of voluntary desegregation in the Sausalito Marin City School District.

The documentary captures perspectives from students, parents, school board members, and Principal Sidney Walton in the aftermath of the district’s 1965 desegregation plan.

Presented in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Marin County and Performing Stars of Marin.

Thursday, September 17, 2026, 5 - 8 PM, at the Marin Center Showcase Theater. Free and open to the public!

Learn more at marincenter.marincounty.gov/events-calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D206158582

08/26/2026

Today we join the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton. A singer, songwriter, and one of the most cherished figures in American music, she gave generations a voice for joy, heartache, resilience, and grace.

We count ourselves fortunate that Dolly once graced our stage. On March 13, 1992, she performed at the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, filling the theater with the warmth and spirit that made her beloved all over the world. That night remains a proud part of our history.

Thank you, Dolly, for the songs, the stories, and the light you brought to us all. You will be deeply missed. ❤️

08/25/2026

A beautiful evening celebrating the opening of Formative Influence at the Bartolini Gallery at the Marin Center.

Exploring the transformative power of light across five bodies of work, the exhibition draws inspiration from the landscapes of Northern California and the American West. Moving from photography, where light is observed and captured, to painting, where light is created, these works invite us to experience the landscape through atmosphere, memory, and perception.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special opening and helped celebrate the artists and their work.

Formative Influence is on view August 19 through November 10, 2026, at the Bartolini Gallery, Marin Center. Come experience it for yourself! Learn more about the exhibition at marincultural.org/exhibitions

08/24/2026

Saddle up for a day of fun, resources, and community at the 38th Annual Marin Senior Fair on Wednesday, September 16!

This year’s “Not My First Rodeo: Saddle Up for a Better Future” theme brings more than 150 exhibitors, western-themed entertainment, live performances, wellness screenings, COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, raffle prizes, interactive activities, free morning coffee and plenty more.

Whether you’re a senior, caregiver, family member or simply looking for helpful resources, there’s something for everyone. Admission and parking are free, with complimentary shuttle service available to and from downtown San Rafael.

Wednesday, September 16, 9 AM-3 PM at the Marin County Fairgrounds. Come on down and saddle up for a great day! Learn more at marinseniorfair.org