VALLEJO — Vallejoans will wish they could time travel or clone themselves because of multiple competing events this week.
The Visions of the Wild festival is returning this weekend after a hiatus and Maker Faire is coming to Vallejo for the first time. Check out our previous stories for a full rundown of what to expect from those events, but there’s so much more happening in Vallejo this week.
On Thursday, the Comedy Uncensored show at the Empress Lounge will feature Vallejo native Myles Weber and other local comedians. And Vallejo’s monthly Art Walk is happening on Friday, which will feature the Visions of the Wild art show opening at Temple Arts Loft and a film festival next door at the Empress Theatre.
Things ramp up even more on Saturday. A free Hispanic Heritage Festival at Blue Rock Springs Park will feature music, food, art, a kid zone and a Frida Kahlo look alike contest. Meanwhile, you can dive into Cunningham Pool to pick a pumpkin at its Floating Pumpkin Patch event.
Saturday evening, comedian Joe Kloceck will perform his one-person theater piece “Phoning it In” at the Vallejo Museum.
The Arc Sprout Film Festival fundraiser will take place at the Vallejo Museum from 1 to 3 p.m., presenting films that celebrate the diverse lives and creativity of people with developmental disabilities. The latest Dia De Los Muertos-themed gallery show at Mare Island Art Studios featuring artists Jose Martinez and Mark Martin will be open every Sunday in October.
There’s also lots of live music and a drag show to enjoy this week. Check out the list below for details.
Wednesday, October 11
Johnny Rawls
The term “soul blues” was invented to describe Rawls’ music. A Celebration of Life will be held for Empress volunteer Charles Barnes.
- Wed, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Empress Theatre Lounge
- 324 Virginia St.
Thursday, October 12
Art Beat Radio Show – Literary Dialogues
Art Beat covers the local art scene, artist interviews, live poetry and more. 2nd Thursdays- Literary Dialogues with Nina Serrano.
- Thurs, 10:30 a.m. to noon
- Ozcat Radio
- 89.5 FM KZCT
Storytime at Children's Wonderland
Join us and our friends from the Solano County Library for free story time for the kids.
- Thurs, 11 a.m. to 11:45 am
- Children’s Wonderland
- 360 Glenn St.
Tote Bag Palm Tree Painting Class
Step-by-step guided painting class and a chance to see the work of Mark Martin and Jose Martinez.
- Thurs, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Mare Island Art Studios
- 110 Pintado St.
Visions of the Wild 2023 - Opening Night Celebration and Reception
Six community-nominated Local Environmental Heroes will receive awards. The event will be hosted by Vallejo resident Rue Mapp, the founder of Outdoor Afro, a non-profit that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature.
- Thurs, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
- 734 Marin St.
Uncensored Comedy with Myles Weber
Bay Area Comics is bringing a nationally touring comedian back to his hometown to headline at the Empress Lounge, Myles Weber! Lineup includes Connor Lonsdale, Myles Brown, Joe Hill and Guile Mosher
- Thurs, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Empress Theatre Lounge
- 324 Virginia St.
Friday, October 13
Maker Faire Preview Day
Enjoy smaller crowds and seize opportunities for communication and collaboration on Preview Day. Discount for educational groups. Immerse yourself in a world where robots come alive and groundbreaking technology shapes the future.
- Fri, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Mare Island Promenade
- 850 Nimitz Ave.
2nd Friday Art Walk
The Vallejo Art Walk takes place all over the downtown area and includes local merchants, street vendors, musicians and galleries. Free for artists to participate.
- Fri, 5 to 9 p.m.
- Downtown Vallejo
- Georgia and Marin
Live Music with Guitarist Ken Maffeo
Dinner, drinks and dancing to Guitarist Ken Maffeo's FM Classic Country, Motown and soul
- Fri, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Bambino’s
- 301 Georgia St. #122
Visions of the Wild 2023 - Art Exhibit Opening
A showcase of environmental heroes from around the world as interpreted by Vallejo and Benicia artists.
- Fri, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
- Temple Art Lofts Gallery
- 398 Virginia St.
Visions of the Wild - Wild and Scenic Film Festival “On Tour”
Enjoy a selection of films from the 2023 Wild and Scenic Film Festival, which inspires environmental activism and a love for nature through film.
- Fri, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
- Empress Theatre
- 330 Virginia St.
Saturday, October 14
Community Coffee Tasting
Mingle with friends and neighbors while sipping free coffee samples. There is a new cafe at the roasting site with an espresso machine and an outdoor grill offering made-to-order crêpes.
- Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Moschetti Coffee
- 11 Sixth St. (Curtola Pkwy. & Solano Ave.)
Cosmos & Cauldrons Makers Market
It’s a Halloween themed market for the entire family. Come out in your favorite costume and enjoy a curated collection of vendors.
- Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Downtown Vallejo
- 300 block of Virginia Street
Farmers' Market
Shop here for a great selection of California-grown greens, fruits and veggies, exotic varieties, as well as some nice specialty booths with local honey and baked goods and such at down-to-earth prices.
- Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Downtown Vallejo
- Georgia and Marin Streets
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Come join us for a day filled with music, dance, art, and community as we celebrate the diversity and contributions of the Hispanic community.
- Sat, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Blue Rock Springs Park
- 650 Columbus Pkwy
Maker Faire
Immerse yourself in a world where robots come alive, art defies boundaries, drones soar through the sky, and groundbreaking technology shapes the future.
- Sat, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Mare Island Promenade
- 850 Nimitz Ave.
Visions of the Wild - Family Discovery Zone
Find out how easy it is to grow your own food, see how honey is made, learn how to protect local wildlife, discover our hiking trails, commune with a giant Osprey puppet, and so much more!
- Sat, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Riverbank Parking Lot
- 324 Georgia St.
Floating Pumpkin Patch
Kick off the spooky season with us! Join us for the floating pumpkin patch! Enjoy music, arts and crafts, concessions for purchase, and best of all dive in for the pick of your favorite pumpkin! First of two sessions.
- Sat, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- Cunningham Pool
- 801 Heartwood Ave
Visions of the Wild - Drum Circle at the Capitol Street Stairs
Drums will be available, or bring your own.
- Sat, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
- Riverbank Parking Lot
- 324 Georgia St.
Celebrating Vallejo's Environmental Victories Panel Discussion
Visions of the Wild founder Steve Dunsky will moderate a panel discussion about four local grassroots conservation victories.
- Sat, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
- 734 Marin St.
Floating Pumpkin Patch
Enjoy music, arts and crafts, concessions for purchase, and best of all, dive in for the pick of your favorite pumpkin. Second of two sessions.
- Sat, 2 to 3 p.m.
- Cunningham Pool
- 801 Heartwood Ave
Jazz @ the Stairs with Visions of the Wild
Bob Nadler & the Capitol Stairs Bambinos play jazz to celebrate the Visions of the Wild Festival
- Sat, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Capitol Stairs
- Sonoma Boulevard at Capitol Street
Live Music with CommonUnion59
Steve McKenzie and Laura Malasig write, record, and perform lyrical and melodic original music. Along with renowned bass player Lorne Salt, they create a folk/Americana sound that audiences have embraced for years. With Pato Milo on guitar and Terry Waterman on drums.
- Sat, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Bambino’s
- 301 Georgia St. #122
Live Music with Shelby Ann
Shelby’s songwriting style blends the angst and energy of 90’s alt-rock/grunge with the sensibility of Americana and roots rock.
- Sat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Mare Island Brewing Co. Taproom
- 289 Mare Island Way
"Phoning It In," comedian Joe Kloceck
Kloceck, the second-place finisher in the 2003 San Francisco Int’l Stand-Up Competition, developed this one-man show to incorporate his experiences on the serious side of life.
- Sat, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
- Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
- 734 Marin St.
Visions of the Wild - Bay Area Cinema Presents Norcal Environmental Heroes
Bay Area Cinema will present “Norcal Environmental Heroes,” hand-picked films about environmental activists in Vallejo and Northern California.
- Sat, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Riverbank Parking Lot
- 324 Georgia St.
Forejour – Tribute to Foreigner and Journey
Forejour pays tribute to the music of '80s mega bands Foreigner and Journey, recreating the soundtrack of a generation with stunning accuracy.
- Sat, 8 to 10 p.m.
- Empress Theatre
- 330 Virginia St.
Dynamite Dave and the Detonators
Dynamite Dave & The Detonators are an old school Rock n' Roll-R&B-Blues band who enjoy "blowin' up the blues!"
- Sat, 9 to 1:00 am
- Gentleman Jim’s
- 1324 Lincoln Rd. East
Townhouse Divas Drag Show
Come join Vicodonia Knightingale, Charity Kase and Holotta Tymes every 2nd and 4th Saturday night at the Townhouse Cocktail Lounge! These are the Divas you want to see!
- Sat, 10:30 to 11:59 pm
- Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
- 401A Georgia St.
Sunday, October 15
Maker Faire
Immerse yourself in a world where robots come alive, art defies boundaries, drones soar through the sky, and groundbreaking technology shapes the future.
- Sun, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Mare Island Promenade
- 850 Nimitz Ave.
2023 Sprout Film Festival
Please join us for an entertaining and intriguing afternoonfundraiser featuring short films from around the world, by and starring talented people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
- Sun, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
- 734 Marin St.
Catrina (Frida) Painting Class
Step-by-step guided painting class and a chance to see the work of Mark Martin and Jose Martinez.
- Sun, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
- Mare Island Art Studios
- 110 Pintado St.
José Martinez and Mark Martin Exhibition
This show features themes of societal change heroes and environmental issues. The exhibit includes a community Day of the Dead altar that will be up for the month of October.
- Sun, 1 to 4 p.m.
- Mare Island Art Studios
- 110 Pintado St.
Monday, October 16
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, October 17
Zombie Barbies
Horrify your little sister with a one-of-a-kind creation made by you! A limited number of dolls will be provided, feel free to bring your own doll (not your little sister's doll) to zomb-ify with our paints and markers.
- Tues, 4 to 5 p.m.
- Springstowne Library
- 1003 Oakwood Ave.
Family Friendly Comedy
Bay Area Comics - Family Friendly comedy and Italian inspired cuisine.
- Tues, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Bambino’s
- 301 Georgia St. #122
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![Gretchen Zimmermann](/content/images/size/w600/2022/10/11234975_1279367208755770_3473053989735599562_n.jpg)
Gretchen Zimmermann
Gretchen Zimmermann started volunteering with Vallejo Open Studios in 2010, launched the Vallejo Arts and Entertainment website in 2014 and creates mixed media sculpture at Mare Island Art Studios.
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