Upcoming Vallejo Events — Celebrate local art at Open Studios

VALLEJO — Art by Vallejo artists takes center stage this week, as this weekend’s Vallejo Open Studios follows on the heels of the Friday night Art Walk. 

The monthly Art Walk event takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. downtown. There will be some overlap, with several downtown venues participating in both events. These include The W.O.R.K.S, Temple Art Lofts, TreeBed Design and the McCune room. 

The new Art Basement Collective Popup Gallery at the corner of York and Sonoma, not officially part of Open Studios, will be open all three days.

Open Studios features artists across Vallejo, with over 70 artists displaying their works at 22 locations on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Start your tour at the Vallejo Museum to pick up a directory and see samples of works by some of the participating artists.

Saturday is also Veteran’s Day. The Fleet Reserve Association Branch 8 will hold a ceremony behind City Hall at 11 a.m. featuring keynote speaker U.S. Navy Capt. Randy Van Rossum.

On Sunday at 11 a.m., the City of Vallejo will hold a ceremony at Mare Island Naval Cemetery. Then at 1:30 p.m., the 17th Annual Lost Boats of Mare Island Memorial will take place at the Landing Craft Support Museum at the end of A Street at Berth 6. The USS LCS-102 World War II-era boat will be open for limited access tours before and after the dockside memorial service.

If you were hoping to attend the 7 Generations Intertribal Council Veterans Day Powwow that was scheduled for Saturday, that event has been canceled because their funding did not materialize in time. 

There’s lots of great live music, as always. Tonight you can see Tia Carroll at the Empress Lounge. Local band Everything Nowadays will be at Bambino’s on Friday. On Saturday morning, Duo Gadjo brings their Gypsy jazz back to Moschetti Coffee Roasters. The Oakland Jazz Choir will perform Saturday evening at the Vallejo Museum, and Verismo Opera’s performances of Verdi’s “Luisa Miller'' continue this weekend.

These are just some of the highlights of things to do in Vallejo this week. Check the list below for more activities and live music.

Wednesday, November 8

Tia Carroll

Tia Carroll has shared stages with legends Ray Charles, Jimmy McCracklin and Sugar Pie DeSanto. She’s earned a reputation for her sizzling stage show, and always generates a buzz when she’s in town.

• Wed, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St.

Thursday, November 9

Art Beat Radio Show – Literary Dialogues with Nina Serrano

This week  Nina will interview John Curl about his latest translations of Mayan poetry.

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

City Park Upgrades - Public Outreach Meeting

City Park's horseshoe pit area is getting some upgrades, and we want to hear from you! Check out a couple of design options and let us know your thoughts and ideas.

• Thurs, 5 to 6 p.m.
• GVRD Community Services
• 401 Amador St.

Friday, November 10

The Makery! Make it Fridays!

The Makery! Equipment includes: 3D printer, vinyl cutter, digital production equipment, and much more! Don't know what to make? Check out 'Make it Fridays!' we will have a special activity to get your creative muscles working.

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

2nd Friday Art Walk

The Vallejo Art Walk takes place all over the downtown area and includes local merchants, street vendors, musicians and galleries.

• Fri, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Georgia and Marin Streets

Art Basement Collective for Affordable Art - Pop up Gallery

Hundreds of paintings and sculptures at affordable prices by local Vallejo artists. "No wine. No cheese. No Vivaldi. Just pretty good art at a pretty good price."

• Fri, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Art Basement Collective
• Corner of York Street and Sonoma Boulevard

Ekphrastic Poetry Call to Edna and The Turtle Dove

Jean Cherie invites poets to write an ekphrastic  poem [a poem about a work of art] to her life-size sculpture Edna & The Turtle Dove. Visit Edna the sculpture for inspiration during Friday's Art Walk and Open Studios Saturday and Sunday.

• Fri, 5 to 9:00 p.m.
• Sat & Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Temple Art Lofts Gallery
• 398 Virginia St

Everything Nowadays

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing to a live band. Come hear these lovable weirdos play live at Bambino’s. Original tunes, good times. Arrive early to get a seat near the stage.

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

Saturday, November 11

Coffee Tasting and Gypsy Jazz with Duo Gadjo

Enjoy Duo Gadjo’s ‘Gypsy jazz’ outdoors in the shade while sampling special varieties of coffee. Espresso and tasty food is available, including made-to-order crêpes.

• 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 locally-grown greens, fruits & veggies, as well as specialty booths with baked goods at down-to-earth prices.

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

3rd Annual Winterfest 707

Expect to find a whole lot of Grinchmas themed items, holiday gifts and unique costumes, collectibles, clothing, crafts, home decor, yard art, arts & crafts, giveaways and more. In partnership with Farmers’ Market

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Georgia and Marin Streets

Citywide Vallejo Open Studios

Visit more than 70 local artists during Vallejo Open Studios at 22 locations throughout the city. Begin your tour by picking up an Artist Directory from the Vallejo Museum, 734 Marin St.

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Multiple sites

Veterans Day Ceremony

​Conducted by Fleet Reserve Association Branch 8. Keynote speaker Captain Randy Van Rossum.

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 11:45 am
• Behind Vallejo City Hall
• 3 Capitol St.

Artist Development Workshop

Paid 4 Greatness and Thou Wow Studio's music artist workshop. Presentations on music production, artist royalties, content creation, personal branding, marketing strategies, etc. Admission $30

• Sat, noon to 5 p.m.
• Carnalito’s Customs
• 905 Tennessee St.

CANCELED - 1st Annual Veterans Day Powwow

Sorry – if you were planning on attending the Intertribal Council event, it has been canceled

• Sat, 1 to 8:30 p.m.
• Morton Field
• G Street and Railroad Ave.

Hey Jude

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.

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

World Music Night

“World Music Night” is a fundraiser for our local community art space, centered around live musical acts, bands, DJ’s, live theatrical performances and art contributions from local artist for the silent auction fundraiser.

• Sat, 4 p.m. to Sun, 2 a.m.
• IntegriTea Art + Event Space
• 717 Marin St.

Live Music with Groovy Judy

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing with Groovy Judy’s love-infused rock grooves inspired by Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and Sly & The Family Stone.

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

Noche de Reggaetón & Corridos

Eight Reggaetón and Corridos bands, presented by BWI Entertainment, La Bahia Entertainment and BannedHours.

• Sat, 6 p.m. to Sun, 1:00 a.m.
• BannedHours popup
• 850 Redwood St., Suite F

Oakland Jazz Choir

The Oakland Jazz Choir is a unique, dynamic, multi-cultural ensemble dedicated to the education, preservation and perpetuation of vocal jazz. Their opening act will be the DVC Vocal Jazz Ensemble performing music from Coltrane to Hiatus Kaiyote.

• Sat, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Live Music Saturday with Sebastian Saint James

Guitarist and singer Sebastian Saint James fuses blues, rock and soul music with elements of hip hop.

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

Luisa Miller by Giuseppe Verdi

Discover the rare beauty of one of Verdi’s lesser known gems! Follow the pathways of star-crossed love, passion and violent jealousy in a musically glorious opera.

• Sat, 7 to 10:30 p.m.
• Mira Theatre
• 51 Daniels Ave.

Tennessee River – A Tribute to Alabama

TTennessee River stays true to the essence of Alabama’s music and legendary songs while adding their own unique energy to each performance.

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

Pequeños Musical & Cadetes de Linares

Pequeños Musical y Cadetes de Linares son dos reconocidas agrupaciones musicales que te harán vibrar con sus éxitos y su energía contagiosa.

• Sat, 9 p.m. to Sun, 2 a.m.
• The Coconut Grove
• 905 Lincoln Rd. East

Townhouse Divas Drag Show

Vicodonia Knightingale, Charity Kase and Holotta Tymes are the Divas you want to see!

• Sat, 10:30 to 11:59 pm
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Sunday, November 12

Girls on the Run 5K Fabulous Fall/Otoño Fabuloso 2023

Crossing the finish line instills confidence through completion and is a joyful moment program participants always remember! There will be face painting, water stations, happy hair stations and merchandise for sale.

• Sun, 9 a.m. to noon
• Mare Island Promenade
• 850 Nimitz Ave.

Citywide Vallejo Open Studios

Visit more than 70 local artists during Vallejo Open Studios at 22 locations throughout the city. Begin your tour by picking up an Artist Directory from the Vallejo Museum, 734 Marin St.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Vallejo CA – Multiple Sites

St. Peter Chapel - Historic Tour

Open without an appointment every second Sunday, St. Peter Chapel is known for its large collection of stunning Tiffany windows, vaulted ceilings with exposed redwood beams, and historic plaques.

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

Veterans Day Ceremony

Conducted by city of Vallejo. Invited speakers include Governor Newsom and several federal and state officials. Park at the Mare Island Heritage Preserve lot at 167 O'Hara Court.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 12:15 pm
• Mare Island Cemetery
• Imhoff Rd. at Railroad Ave.

Bryan Girard Jazz Quartet

Bryan Girard Quartet with Tim Campbell, Chris Pimentel & Gerry Kennett. No cover with brunch.

• Sun, noon to 3 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Neverwas Haul Tours

The Neverwas Haul is a 3-story Victorian House on Wheels that was built for Burning Man in 2006.

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

17th Annual Lost Boats of Mare Island Memorial

An afternoon memorial service will be held on Mare Island to honor the 575 crewmen of the seven Mare Island-built submarines lost during WWII. Presentation by former Mare Island submarine combat systems engineer and author Larry Maggini.

• Sun, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
• USS LCS 102
• 289 Waterfront Ave.

Luisa Miller by Giuseppe Verdi

Discover the rare beauty of one of Verdi’s lesser known gems! Follow the pathways of star-crossed love, passion and violent jealousy in a musically glorious opera.

• Sun, 2 to 5:30 p.m.
• Mira Theatre
• 51 Daniels Ave.

Monday, November 13

Districts 4 and 5 Community Meeting

Hear City staff provide the latest information on public safety and crime, abandoned vehicles, economic development, youth programs and Measure P street maintenance. You are invited to share your input on these important topics.

• Mon, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Filipino Community Center
• 611 Amador 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, November 14

City Council Regular Meeting

City Council meetings are now hybrid in-person and on Zoom. The meeting agenda will be linked here once it has been published.

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

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional events