Upcoming Vallejo Events — Community Kwanzaa, New Year's comedy and Champagne

VALLEJO — This Saturday you can catch the 23^rd Annual Community Kwanzaa celebration at the Vallejo Museum. This year’s theme is the principle of “Nia,” which means “purpose,” and centers on community building. The celebration, hosted by longtime Vallejo event planner and cultural torchbearer Askari Sowonde, will feature live entertainment, drumming, food and vendors.

H-Lounge on Benicia Road will pull out all the stops – and corks –  to ring in the new year on Sunday with a Comedy and Champagne show. The Townhouse will celebrate New Year's Eve with DJ Zero Effs and Chris’ Club will party with DJ Rell. Of course all of the other bars in town will be celebrating too – the details were not available at press time. If you go out, please drive defensively and responsibly!

Saturday is the last day of Children’s Wonderland’s Festival of Lights. Enjoy free holiday festivities, music and hot cocoa. Dress warmly for this outdoor event.

Poetry by the Bay speaks out tonight at the Mira Theatre. Bring a poem to share – beginners welcome – or just soak in the passion of our many talented local poets.

Also tonight at the Empress Lounge, come out to hear Timm Walker (BeaufunK and Zydeco Flames) jam with Bob Welsh and Willy Jordan (Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio). Their combined talents deliver an extremely potent mix of blues, funk, and all things between.

Check the list below for event details and more live music.

Wednesday, December 27

Timm Walker, Willy Jordan and Bob Welsh

When these three bring their talents together, you get an extremely potent mix of blues, funk, and all things between, with the musicality of seasoned and versatile veterans of both stage and studio.

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

Poetry by the Bay

This is the spot where poets gather to share their work and to hear the work of others. Vallejo’s longest running poetry open mic since 2008! Tickets are free, but seating is limited.

• Wed, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
• Mira Theatre
• 51 Daniels Ave.

Friday, December 29

Festival of Lights

Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the Holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Please remember to wear weather appropriate clothing to this free, outdoor event.

• Fri, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

Live Music with Laura Dorais

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing with singer Laura Dorais.

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

Live Music and Dance Party

IntegriTea welcomes the new year with Air Lift Underground and DJ Imadjinn.

• Fri, 7 p.m .to 2 a.m.
• IntegriTea Art + Event Space
• 717 Marin Street

Liverpool Legends

Liverpool Legends were chosen over every other Beatles Tribute band in the world by top television and film producer Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI, Pirates of The Caribbean, National Treasure) to portray the band that changed the course of music and the world forever.

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

Saturday, December 30

Community Coffee Tasting

Sample coffees from around the world! Made-to-order crêpes available from the outdoor grill.

• 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, ethnic varieties, as well as some nice specialty booths with baked goods and such at  down-to-earth prices.

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

Festival of Lights

Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the Holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Please remember to wear weather appropriate clothing to this free, outdoor event.

• Sat, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

23rd Annual Vallejo Community Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a seven day festival that celebrates African and African-American culture and history. The Vallejo Community Kwanzaa Celebration will feature live entertainment, drumming, food and vendors.

• Sat, 5 to 8 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Live Music with Red's Blues

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing with the blues, R&B and swing sounds of the Red’s Blues Band.

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

Live Music with Richard March

March’s songs explore social commentary, aspirational self-talk, compassion, impressionistic descriptions of his beloved Bay Area hometown, and the many lives he’s lived. His breezy roots-based musicality recalls the heart-on-your-sleeve tradition of Jason Isbell, Patti Griffin, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, and Jackson Brown.

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

Sunday, December 31

Comedy & Champagne

Great fun, and comedy, along with food and an after-party. Hosted by J-Red with Regina Givens, Bud and Jay Rich. $35 in advance, $50. at the door.

• Sun, 6p.m. to 2 a.m.
• H Lounge
• 472 Benicia Rd.

New Year's Eve Party with DJ Zero Effs

Ring in the New Year with DJ Zero Effs  and a Champagne toast at midnight! No cover.

• Sun, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

New Year's Eve with DJ Rell

DJ Rell in the mix. $10

• Sun, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Chris’ Club
• 656 Benicia Rd

Editor's note — this story was updated to add Friday's party at IntegriTea