Upcoming Vallejo Events – Blues legend to perform, roller derby tournament

VALLEJO — This week brings a renowned blues artist, youth theater, a roller derby tournament, live jazz music and a celebrated author to Vallejo.

Wednesday night blues at the Empress Lounge is always good, but this week’s performance by Tia Carroll promises to be extra special. She has shared the stage with legends Ray Charles, Jimmy McCracklin, and Sugar Pie DeSanto. Carroll has one of the most impressive entertainment resumes in the Bay Area and has become one of the most sought-after female singers on the West Coast.

On the Fringe Youth Theatre will perform “The Wolves”, featuring an all female cast this weekend. “The Wolves” chronicles six Saturday mornings in the lives of a soccer team somewhere in suburban America as they prepare for their games. Over the course of six short weeks, the Wolves deal with love, loss, and identity in ways that real teenagers do. Performances will be on Friday and Saturday this week and next at the Vallejo Museum.

Roller derby crew the Carquinez Quad Squad is hosting the two-day California Derby Galaxy tournament Saturday, and Sunday at the Solano County Fairgrounds. 10 teams from seven leagues will compete for the 2023 championship.

Longtime Oakland History Center librarian Dorothy Lazard will give an author talk about her new memoir, “What You Don’t Know Will Create a Whole New World,” at Alibi Bookshop on Saturday. Bookshop owner Karen Finlay has known Lazard for years. “Dorothy is one of the most interesting people I know — a world traveler, a history expert, a community leader, and terrific storyteller and writer,” Finlay said. “I think so many people in Vallejo will love hearing Dorothy's fascinating stories, and will be enriched by spending an afternoon with her.”

Two jazz events are happening back-to-back on Sunday. You can catch the Bryan Girard Quartet at Bambino’s Sunday brunch in the morning, then listen to Lee Russell’s quartet with the wonderful vocalist Caryn Sinkler at Hibachi Express (old Vic’s Wheelhouse) on the waterfront in the afternoon.

These are just a few of the highlights happening this week. Dillon Bread Company’s bakery popup and the Greek Street Food Festival offer delicious cuisine. There’s a lot more live music, art, a circus and history to explore. Check the event listings below for more fun things to do around town.

Wednesday, July 5

Vallejo Seaweed Baseball vs Lancaster Sound Breakers

The Vallejo Seaweed are a Professional Baseball Team in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs.

• Wed, 6:35 to 10 p.m.
• Wilson Park
• 1007 Solano Ave.

Tia Carroll

Tia Carroll has shared the stage with legends Ray Charles, Jimmy McCracklin, and Sugar Pie DeSanto. Her sizzling stage show and always generates a buzz whenever she brings her band to town.

• Wed, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St.

Thursday, July 6

DBC Bakery Popup

Get your local artisan-baked goods while they last!

• Thurs, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Dillon Bread Company
• 451 Ryder St., Suite B

Storytime at Children's Wonderland

Solano County Library presents this free storytime program for kids.

• Thurs, 11 to 11:45 am
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

Ancestral Road Trips - Finding Ancestors East of the Mississippi

Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia presents “Ancestral Road Trips – Part 1 Finding Ancestors East of the Mississippi” with speaker Madeline Yanov.

• Thurs, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Online

Ventura Circus

Don’t miss this traditional Family Circus – Fun for everyone. High-flying acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and more!

• Thu, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
• Waterfront Parking Lot B
• 150 Georgia St.

Stand Up Comedy with Lester Ransom

Enjoy delicious Italian-infused cuisine and family-friendly stand-up comedy with Lester Ransom, Wally Hipolito and David Rodriquez. Hosted by Guile Mosher and Johnny Rios of Bay Area Comics.

• Thurs, 7 to 8:30 pm
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Friday, July 7

Ventura Circus

Don’t miss this traditional Family Circus – Fun for everyone. High-flying acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and more!

• Fri, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
• Waterfront Parking Lot B
• 150 Georgia St.

Live Music with Ken Maffeo

Enjoy dinner and drinks to the mellow sounds of guitarist/vocalist Ken Maffeo.

• Fri, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Bands and Brews - Git With It Band

Lawn seating and parking are free. Git With It covers oldies, R&B, rock and pop. .

• Fri, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
• Blue Rock Springs Park
• 650 Columbus Parkway

The Wolves

On The Fringe Youth Theatre presents The Wolves, the debut play of up-and-coming playwright Sarah DeLappe. The Wolves chronicles six Saturday mornings in the lives of a female soccer team in suburban America.

• Fri, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

The Boys of Summer - Eagles Tribute

These guys authentically re-create the sounds and harmonies from country-tinged ballads to hard rocking hits with flawless craftmanship.

• Sat, 8 to 10 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia St.

Reflection Goth Night

Classic Goth, Nu Goth, Industrial, Goth Metal, EBM, Synth Pop, CyberPunk, Dark Wave, New Wave, Post Punk, 80s – 90s and more. With DJ Owen Owington Owensford presented by It’s Danse Macabre

• Fri, 9 to midnight
• IntegriTea Art + Event Space
• 717 Marin St.

Saturday, July 8

Community Coffee Tasting with live Gypsy Jazz by Duo Gadjo

Mingle with friends and neighbors while sipping free coffee samples and enjoy live music by Duo Gadjo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Moschetti Coffee
• 11 Sixth St. (Curtola Pkwy. & Solano Ave.)

California Derby Galaxy 2023 Roller Derby Tournament

Carquinez Quad Squad hosts the 2023 California Derby Galaxy 2-Day roller derby tournament. 10 teams from seven leagues will skate it out for the 2023 championship.

• Sat, 9:15 am to 8:30 p.m.
• Sheep Barn, Solano County Fairgrounds
• 900 Fairgrounds Dr.

Ventura Circus

Don’t miss this traditional Family Circus – Fun for everyone. High-flying acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and more!

• Sat, shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Waterfront Parking Lot B
• 150 Georgia St.

Greek Street Food Fest

Indulge in a feast for the senses as you savor the finest Greek street food the Bay Area has to offer.

• Sat, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saints Constantine and Helen
• 1224 Alabama St

Papa Joe and the New Deal

Sip tasty wine along with the feel-good sounds of Papa Joe and the New Deal, your family band.

• Sat, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Vino Godfather Winery
• 1005 Walnut Ave. @ Kansas St.

Afro-BodyLove

Through breathwork, yoga, nervous system reset, and limbic brain retraining, this dance healing class will leave you feeling grounded, empowered, energized, connected, and overjoyed!

• Sat, 1 to 3 p.m.
• The Dance Shop
• 145 Valle Vista Ave., Studio H

Author Event: Dorothy Lazard, "What You Don't Know Will Make a Whole New World"

Lazard is celebrated for her distinguished career as a librarian and public historian. In her new memoir she connects her early intellectual pursuits to the career that made her a community pillar.

• Sat, 3 to 4 p.m.
• Alibi Bookshop
• 624 Marin St.

Live Music with Ron McGee and the Jazz Bridge Band

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing to a live band most Saturdays at Bambino’s!

• Sat, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Live Music  with Hattie Craven

Hattie is a multidimensional artist whose fan base transcends age and genre.

• Sat, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
• Mare Island Brewing Co. Taproom
• 289 Mare Island Way

The Wolves

On The Fringe Youth Theatre presents The Wolves, the debut play of up-and-coming playwright Sarah DeLappe. The Wolves chronicles six Saturday mornings in the lives of a female soccer team in suburban America.

• Sat, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Holotta Tymes & Friends Drag Show

Holotta good time every 2nd & 4th Saturday at the Townhouse

• Sat, 10 to 11:59 pm
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Sunday, July 9

California Derby Galaxy 2023 Roller Derby Tournament

Carquinez Quad Squad hosts the 2023 California Derby Galaxy 2-Day roller derby tournament. 10 teams from seven leagues will skate it out for the 2023 championship.

• Sun, 9:15 am to 8:30 p.m.
• Sheep Barn, Solano County Fairgrounds
• 900 Fairgrounds Dr.

Jazz Brunch with the Bryan Girard Quartet

Bryan Girard plays with a terrific quartet featuring Tim Campbell on keys, Dave Bell on guitar and drummer Carrie Jahde.

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Lee Russell Quartet

Lee Russell’s quartet features the wonderful vocalist Caryn Sinkler, Claudio Mederos on Keyboard, bassist Tom Elliot and, of course, Lee Russell on drums.

• Sun, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Bay Hibachi Express
• 295 A Mare Island Way

Kayak Practice and Fun

Paddle around Lake Chabot, weather permitting. Kayak provided if you don’t have one. $10 suggested donation. This group sometimes has field trips to Lake Solano or Cunningham pool for Safety training and practice.  Check the Facebook Kayaking Biking group for updates.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Lake Chabot
• Dan Foley Park

St. Peter Chapel - Historic Tour

St. Peter Chapel is known for its large collection of stunning Tiffany windows, vaulted ceilings with exposed redwood beams, and historic plaque. You’ll find yourself in awe of the craftsmanship on display. Open without an appointment every second Sunday.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• St. Peter’s Chapel
• 1181 Walnut Avenue, Mare Island

Ventura Circus

Don’t miss this traditional Family Circus – Fun for everyone. High-flying acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and more!

• Sun, shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Waterfront Parking Lot B
• 150 Georgia St.

The Letting Go Experience

Come make art in a safe environment, to surrender to the process of being in a state of flow, to embrace the unknown, the unexpected, the wonders of doing art without expectations or judgment.

• Sun, 12 to 4 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St.

Crush 29

Crush29’s music ranges from blues and Americana to classic rock and top 40 hits!

• Sun, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Vino Godfather Winery

1005 Walnut Ave. @ Kansas St.

Monday, July 10

Ventura Circus

Don’t miss this traditional Family Circus – Fun for everyone. High-flying acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and more!

• Mon, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
• Waterfront Parking Lot B
• 150 Georgia St.

Townhouse Ramblers

Acoustic Evening of Americana, Folk and Blues featuring Don Bassey, Pato Milo, Jeff Campitelli, Rich Adams, Mark Reed, Eric Wood, Erin Bakke, plus some very special guests.

• Mon, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Tuesday, July 11

Ventura Circus

Don’t miss this traditional Family Circus – Fun for everyone. High-flying acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and more!

• Tues, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
• Waterfront Parking Lot B
• 150 Georgia St.

Vallejo Seaweed Baseball vs Monterey Amberjacks

The Vallejo Seaweed are a Professional Baseball Team in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs.

• Tues, 6:35 to 10 p.m.
• Wilson Park
• 1007 Solano Ave.

City Council Regular Meeting

The agenda has not been posted yet, but you’ll likely find something of interest. Check the city website after Thursday to see what’s in store.

• Tues, 7 to 11 p.m.
• Vallejo City Hall
• 555 Santa Clara St.