Upcoming Vallejo Events — Butterfly Festival flaps into town

VALLEJO — This week, the Bay Area Butterfly festival will alight on the Mare Island Promenade, a new play will open at Bay Area Stage Theatre, and the annual Vallejo Garden Tour will give guests a look at inspiring cultivations in and around Vallejo. 

The Bay Area Butterfly Festival on Sunday will be headlined by The Purple Ones, a Prince tribute band, opened by Latin music by Maya Band and modern bluegrass by Lonesome Still. There will also be a sing and dance-alongs, a monarch presentation and magic show for the kids, while Coal Shed Brewery hosts a beer garden for the grownups. 

The event will also feature presentations by environmental groups on how you can make your yard or garden monarch friendly.

The play “Shiva in the Garden of Eden” by Daphne White opens on Friday at the Bay Area Stage Theatre, and will host performances Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Shiva explores the price we pay for being true to ourselves in a family that rewards only loyalty. The play will run through June 2.

Also on Sunday, the self-guided Vallejo Garden Tour offers a chance to explore wonderful private gardens in and around Vallejo, with master gardeners on hand to answer questions. Proceeds benefit the Vallejo Museum.

Or take a sightseeing cruise along the Carquinez Strait on the Harbor Queen. Cruises launch from the Benicia Marina on Saturday and Sunday, with an expert local guide sharing tales of Benicia’s colorful past. Each cruise is 60 minutes long and features a full bar and snacks for purchase on board. 

Classical music fans can enjoy Vallejo Choral Society’s performance of Haydn’s Requiem in C minor on Saturday evening at the Community Congregational Church in Benicia, or the Benicia Chamber Players performance featuring compositions by Maurice Ravel and Camille Saint-Saëns on Sunday afternoon at the Vallejo Museum​.

These are just some highlights of the events happening this week. Be sure to check the list below for more live music, art and activities.

Wednesday, May 15

Lawyers in the Library

Free 15-minute consultation with an attorney. Space is limited and slots fill up on a first come, first serve basis. Please call or come in-person at 9 a.m. on the day of the program to reserve a spot. 866-572-7587.

• Wed, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St.

Vallejo Run Club

The Run Club meets, rain or shine, next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. We run 1-3 easy miles. Beginners to ultra marathoners welcome.

• Wed, 6:20 pm to 7:20 pm
• Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• 289 Mare Island Way

Volker Strifler

California-based International artist Volker Strifler stretches the blues envelope to all points of the compass.

• Wed, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St.

Wednesday Night Open Mic

A friendly space for both beginning performers and seasoned professionals. Comedians and poets also welcome.

• Wed, 8 to 11 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Thursday, May 16

Art Beat Radio Show – Literary Interview

Local author Nina Serrano interviews another author.

• Thurs, 10:30 a.m. to noon
• Ozcat Radio
• 89.5 FM KZCT

Virtual Bingo - Arc-Solano Fundraiser

Three rounds of virtual bingo, with prizes for all the winners. Proceeds help fund Arc-Solano’s mission is to promote the greatest personal growth, community understanding, and full participation of people with developmental disabilities and their families through support, education, and advocacy.

• Thurs, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Online

May Book Club: "Crying in H Mart" by Michelle Zauner

May's Asian American Heritage Month Memoir selection, "Crying in H Mart" by Michelle Zauner, is described by NPR. “Vivacious and plainspoken, lyrical and honest, Zauner's voice is as radiantly alive on the page as it is onstage. Rich with intimate anecdotes that will resonate widely, and complete with family photos, Crying in H Mart is a book to cherish, share, and reread.”

• Thurs, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Alibi Bookshop
• 624 Marin St.

ORCEM Stories and Citizens Air Monitoring Network

A video presentation of "Orcem Stories," oral histories by participants in the struggle against the cement factory proposed for the Vallejo Waterfront in 2015. The event hosted by Liat Meitzenheimer will discuss environmental justice in Vallejo and advocacy strategies. Community Ambassadors will share their environmental projects.

• Thurs, 7 to 9 p.m.
• IntegriTea Art + Event Space
• 717 Marin St.

Friday, May 17

The Makery: Open Use Hours & Make it Fridays!

The Makery! Equipment includes: 3D printer, vinyl cutter, digital production equipment, and much more! Drop-in and discover what we have, or make an appointment to use specific equipment.

• Fri, 2 to 4:45 pm
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St.

Dakota Linn

Dakota Linn rocks the Town House Cocktail Lounge starting at around 7 p.m. Great music, tasty new beers, and no cover charge.

• Fri, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Shiva in the Garden of Eden

In this new play by Daphne White, estranged family members, a contested will and an enraged ghost collide in this dysfunctional family play set in a post-pandemic New York. Shiva in the Garden of Eden is the story of an immigrant family unraveling after the death of an unhinged matriarch.

• Fri, 8 to 10 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St.

Saturday, May 18

Vallejo Run Club

The Run Club meets, rain or shine, next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. We run 1-3 easy miles. Beginners to ultra marathoners welcome.

• Sat, 8 a.m. to 9:00 am
• Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• 289 Mare Island Way

Community Coffee Tasting

Sample coffee from around the world, browse crafts and confections by local vendors, or enjoy made-to order crêpes. Sample coffees from around the world side-by-side, develop your palate and discover coffees you love that you never knew existed!

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

Farmers' Market

Shop here for a great selection of California-grown greens, fruits & veggies, as well as some nice specialty booths with baked goods at down-to-earth prices.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Georgia and Marin Streets

Rindler Creek Cleanup

Join the Vallejo Watershed Alliance and MIT Academy for a cleanup at Rindler Creek. We’ll meet at the corner of Fairgrounds Drive and Coach Lane. Wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen and gloves. Water, refreshments, and tools will be provided. Volunteers under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. 

• Sat, 9 a.m. to noon
• Corner of Fairgrounds Dr. and Coach Ln.

Roselyn Kahn, TEDx speaker at Toastmasters Open House

Guest speaker Rosalyn Kahn is a professor, business professional and author of “The Captivating Speaker”, “A Message for Tomorrow’s Leaders”, “Random Acts of Kindness Are Changing the World” and “Dogs and Roses: Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Today’s Troubled Times.”

• Sat, 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 am
• Cogir of the North Bay & Online
• 2261 Tuolumne St.

Benicia Historic Sightseeing Cruises

The historic Harbor Queen comes to Benicia for a limited run of sightseeing cruises. Visitors departing the historic Benicia Marina will follow in the wake of explorers and settlers who once navigated these same waters along what is now the beautiful Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline.

• Sat, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Benicia Marina
• 266 East B St.

Community Drum Circle

Bring your favorite drum or borrow one of ours. Bring a beverage, maybe a snack if you like, most importantly, bring your smile.

• Sat, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• IntegriTea Art + Event Space
• 717 Marin St.

Peter Michael Escovedo Allstars

Peter Michael Escovedo has written music for film, theme songs for television, composed, arranged, and produced music for various artists. This special allstar performance will include a number of special guests including Peter Michael’s recently retired father, Pete Escovedo of Santana fame.

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

Author Event: Samantha Mills "The Wings Upon Her Back"

Samantha Mills will visit the bookshop to celebrate her debut novel, "The Wings Upon Her Back."
The reviews are in and they are fantastic. Mills won Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus Awards for her short story "Rabbit Test".

• Sat, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
• Alibi Bookshop
• 624 Marin St.

Rendishun

Come and enjoy Rendishun and their Latin, Pop, Soul & Rock inspired music with us! No cover charge with dinner.

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

Live Music with Matt Jaffe

San Francisco songwriter Matt Jaffe was discovered by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads. Inspired by the great lineage of rock n’ roll, he marries literary lyrics with the undeniable urge to dance.

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

In Aeternum

Vallejo Choral Society presents In Aeternum, featuring Michael Haydn’s Requiem in C minor with orchestra and guest soloists. Conducted by VCS Artistic Director Julia Morris. Requiem in C minor is a fabulous illustration of a Classical era Requiem Mass — so much so that it influenced Mozart’s Requiem in D minor.

• Sat, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Community Congregational Church UCC
• 1305 West 2nd St.
• Benicia

Shiva in the Garden of Eden

In this new play by Daphne White, estranged family members, a contested will and an enraged ghost collide in this dysfunctional family play set in a post-pandemic New York. Shiva in the Garden of Eden is the story of an immigrant family unraveling after the death of an unhinged matriarch.

• Sat, 8 to 10 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St.

D'Groove Band

D'Groove's simple concept of playing the latest dance tunes, classic old school, and favorite standards assures a good time for all on the dance floor. Get in early, get your drink, seat & get ready to dance! $10 Cover after 10pm.

• Sat, 9 to midnight
• Gentleman Jim’s
• 1324 Lincoln Rd. E

Sunday, May 19

Bay Area Butterfly Festival 2024

This festival will highlight the importance of sustainability in this vital Monarch territory of the California coast. The Purple Ones will headline the festival. Harmony Music will perform for the kids. Conservation, ecology, and gardening groups will provide many opportunities to learn more about our pollinators and what you can do to support them

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Mare Island Promenade
• 850 Nimitz Ave.

Vallejo Garden Tour

The tour starts at the Vallejo Museum, where you can pick up a map of several wonderfully diverse gardens in and around Vallejo. Each garden has been selected by master gardeners, who will be on hand to answer questions.

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Kayak Practice and Fun

Paddle around Lake Chabot, an easy, fun kayaking site that’s safe for beginners. Kayak provided if you don’t have one. $10 suggested donation. Check the Facebook Kayaking Biking group for updates - dates and times may vary because of weather or volunteer availability.

• Sun, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Lake Chabot
• Dan Foley Park, 1461 N Camino Alto

Benicia Historic Sightseeing Cruises

The historic Harbor Queen comes to Benicia for a limited run of sightseeing cruises. Visitors departing the historic Benicia Marina will follow in the wake of explorers and settlers who once navigated these same waters along what is now the beautiful Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline.

• Sun, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Benicia Marina
• 266 East B St.

Spring Show - Mare Island Artists

Mare Island Artists Group Show

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

Hey Jude

Get ready to experience the magic of the Beatles live on stage with Hey Jude, an exciting Beatles tribute band. With their remarkable talent, great harmonies, and passion for the music of the Beatles, Hey Jude will take you on a journey through the timeless classics that defined a generation.

• Sun, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Vino Godfather
• 1005 Walnut Ave.

French Landscapes

“French Landscapes" dives into the captivating realm of the French piano trio genre, featuring two monumental compositions by Maurice Ravel and Camille Saint-Saëns. Ravel’s trio, influenced by Basque and Spanish dances as well as Malaysian poetic form, showcases a vibrant palette of colors, intricate textures, and daring instrumental exploration.

• Sun, 3 to 5 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Shiva in the Garden of Eden

In this new play by Daphne White, estranged family members, a contested will and an enraged ghost collide in this dysfunctional family play set in a post-pandemic New York. Shiva in the Garden of Eden is the story of an immigrant family unraveling after the death of an unhinged matriarch.

• Sun, 3 to 5 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St.

Monday, May 20

Speak Easy Expressions Poetry Night

Poetry for the soul - open mic every other Monday.

• Mon, 7 to 11 p.m.
• Chris’ Club
• 656 Benicia Rd.

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 - now 1st & 3rd Mondays

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

Tuesday, May 21

Family Friendly Comedy

Enjoy an evening of family friendly, clean comedy brought to you by our very own Bay Area Comics. This is a wonderful way to support our local talent and to have a fun night out with lots of laughter.

• Tues, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122