This Weekend in Mill Valley: Oct. 8-10

Mill Valley basks in the glow of the international spotlight this weekend with the 33rd Mill Valley Film Festival, one of the best in the country and a hopeful spark for businesses and restaurants throughout town. But this weekend's action doesn't stop there, with a variety of performances to get you grooving and even some helpful tips from a local farm.

The festival kicked off its 11-day run Thursday night and more than 140 films will be shown at four theaters in three cities. Presented by the California Film Institute, films will be screened at the CineArts at Sequoia Theatre and 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, the Century Cinema in Corte Madera, and the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.

Under the auspices of the Film Festival, the Children's FilmFest celebrates its 16th season with an opening party featuring balloons, surprises and food from Whole Foods Market on Saturday at the Throckmorton. The festival will run through Sunday, Oct. 17 and features four films.

There are a slew of festival-related performances at The Woods Music Hall, including Fiver Brown & Friends on Friday, Whanderlust Featuring Kim Manning of P-Funk All Stars on Saturday, and Into the Woods for Bread & Roses: Celebrating Strong Women of Song on Sunday, an event in association with the Film Festival to benefit Bread & Roses, a nonprofit that brings hope and healing through live music.

The Takacs Quartet will perform at the Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church on Sunday at 5 p.m. This Colorado-based strings group performs 90 concerts a year throughout the world.

Tour the historic Woolly Egg Ranch Saturday with owner Ken Kirkland and learn more about solar power, bio-diesel fuel, "Victory Gardens," and the raising of chickens and sheep.

And don't forget! The Marin Theatre Company's performance of In the Red & Brown Water has been extended through Sunday. Also, on Saturday, you can still swap the excesses of your home garden for something else at 9 a.m. at the Marin Open Garden Veggie Exchange program at Boyle Park, or take your kids to Family Storytime at the library at 11 a.m.

Don't see your favorite organization's event on our calendar? Anyone can post an event or announcement by creating a free account on Mill Valley Patch. Make it happen!

About this column: A look at the best bets for the weekend ahead.