Upcoming Vallejo Events — Empress Theatre holds free screening of California prison documentary

VALLEJO —  The Empress Theatre is showing two movies this week, a documentary on a new program in California’s prisons and the latest in a series of Vallejo skateboard films. 

On Friday, the Solano County Probation Department will host a free screening of “The 50,” a documentary by filmmaker Brenton Gieser that follows the first fifty inmates to become certified Drug and Alcohol counselors through California's Occupational Mentor Certification Program, including in California State Prison Solano. Four of the program participants will discuss their experiences after the film.

On Saturday the Empress will screen the Vallejo skateboard saga “Birdsong,” a feature length film by Luis Arnold. Advance tickets are “pay what you want” so that everyone can enjoy the show. The movie will be sandwiched between parties in the Empress Lounge.

Also this weekend, St Patrick’s Day and a foreshadowing of spring brings tree plantings, a garden workshop and daylong drone festival to Mare Island.

The City of Vallejo is sponsoring tree planting events on Saturday and Sunday at the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage preserve. This will help replenish trees lost in the fires of 2019 and the subsequent removal of eucalyptus trees that were deemed a fire hazard. Volunteers are encouraged to dress for a hike and bring refillable water bottles.

Touro University is inviting volunteers to help install a food forest on their Mare Island campus on Sunday. Volunteers will learn about soil health, weed management, permaculture techniques and overall garden design.

Are you interested in drones? The second annual “St QuadTricks Day Drone Festival” will hold four drone competitions at the Mare Island Historic Core on Sunday. There will be food vendors and first person view drone gear. Spectators are free. Recommended for ages seven and up.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, author Victoria Kastner will present a lecture about the renowned architect Julia Morgan at the historic St. Peter’s Chapel on Sunday. Many beautiful Arts & Crafts structures designed by Morgan are here in Vallejo.

The City of Vallejo and recruiting firm, Bob Hall & Associates, are hosting a virtual community form on Thursday and an in-person forum on Saturday for public input on the search for a new city manager. There is also an online survey available at CityOfVallejo.CO/MyCityManager .

Check the list below for more live music, recreation and art happenings this week.

Wednesday, March 13

Terrie Odabi

“Terrie Odabi is easily the most dynamic blues and soul woman to have emerged in the Bay Area since Etta James came out of San Francisco’s Fillmore District in the Fifties. Terrie has a powerful set of pipes, writes terrific tunes, leads a kicking band, and has onstage movements that perfectly match the rhythms of her material.” - Lee Hildebrand, Living Blues magazine

• Wed, 6:30 to 8:30 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, March 14

Art Beat Radio Show – Literary Dialogues with Nina Serrano

Nina Serrano will interview a local author. Details were not available at press time.

• Thurs, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Ozcat Radio
• 89.5 FM KZCT

Virtual Community Forum and Survey for City Manager Search

The City has engaged the services of the executive recruiting firm, Bob Hall & Associates, to assist in identifying the best candidate its next City Manager. Bob Hall & Associates will host an online Community Forum to gather feedback directly from the residents of Vallejo. Also see the survey here: CityOfVallejo.CO/MyCityManager

• Thurs, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85202847863
• Phone: +16694449171,,85202847863#

March Memoir Book Club: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

In honor of Women's History Month, Alibi Bookshop Memoir Book Club will be reading Marjane Satrapi's graphic memoir, "Persepolis," a funny, tragic and deeply moving comic strip memoir of a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.

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

Toastmasters Open House - Small Talk for Connections

Polish your public speaking skills with Toastmasters. The meeting's theme will be: Small Talk 4 Connections,. With guest speaker Christopher Myers. A handout with resources will be given to attendees.

• Thurs, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Kaiser Hospital
• 975 Sereno Dr., Room 8 (second floor)

Friday, March 15

Dress & Suit Drive

Please donate any gently worn prom dresses, suits, and accessories for a GVRD Boutique to support our high school students as they prepare for their special night. Donations can be made weekdays through March 15th at the Vallejo Community Center. For more information call (707) 648-4600

• Fri, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Vallejo Community Center
• 225 Amador St.

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.

Bryan Girard Jazz quartet

Saxophonist Bryan Girard plays with Laura Klein, Robb Fisher & Carrie Jahde. Manny's has a spectacular waterfront view, free parking, good food at reasonable prices and a full bar.  Advance dinner reservations recommended. 

• Fri, 5 to 8 p.m.
• Manny’s Steakhouse
• 295 Mare Island Way

The 50! - Free public screening

This amazing documentary follows the first fifty inmates to become certified Drug and Alcohol counselors through California's Occupational Mentor Certification Program, and we hear their amazing stories of healing and transformation. After the movie, we'll have a live Q&A with four of the men who participated in the program and talk about where they are now.

• Fri, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia 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.

Saturday, March 16

Vallejo Run Club Weekly Run

The Vallejo Run Club meets each Saturday morning, rain or shine, next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. Beginners to ultra marathoners welcome! Sat, 8 a.m. to 9:00 am

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

St. Patrick's Day Weekend Tree Planting Event

We'll be planting trees to help preserve the beauty of our environment. This in-person event is a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend while giving back to nature. Bring your friends and family for a day of community, greenery, and good vibes.

• Sat, 8:30 a.m. to noon
• Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve
• 167 O'Hara Court

Community Coffee Tasting

Sample coffee from around the world, browse crafts and confections by local vendors, or enjoy made-to order crêpes. There may be live music too!

• 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 fruits & veggies at  down-to-earth prices.

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

Lake Chabot Cleanup

Families are coming to Lake Chabot next week for Fishing in the City, an annual learn-to-fish event. Shoreline improvement and cleanup is needed so they can reach the water. Wear sturdy clothes and shoes (waders if you have them), hat, sunscreen, and gloves. Bring a refillable water bottle if you have one. Water and refreshments provided, as well as any tools that are needed.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to noon
• Lake Chabot
• Dan Foley Park, 1461 N Camino Alto

Mare Island Sound Walk

What is a sound? How do we listen in different environments? What does it mean to focus on listening as a primary sense, and to work with sound as an artistic medium? Walking through three different locations on Mare Island, we will ask the question of how we perceive places differently through listening.

• Sat, 10 a.m. to noon
• Quarters Coffee House
• 1015 Walnut Ave.

Splash and Hunt - session 1

Dive into the pool for our annual Splash and Hunter water egg hunt! Enjoy arts and crafts, music and food trucks! Come pool ready to jump in to get your eggs! Pre-registration required.

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 11:00 am
• Cunningham Pool
• 801 Heartwood Ave.

Community Forum for City Manager Search

The City has engaged the services of the executive recruiting firm, Bob Hall & Associates, to assist in identifying the best candidate its next City Manager. Bob Hall & Associates will host an in-person Community Forum to gather feedback directly from the residents of Vallejo. Also see the survey here: CityOfVallejo.CO/MyCityManager

• Sat, 10:30 a.m. to noon
• Vallejo City Hall
• 555 Santa Clara St.

Splash and Hunt - session 2

Dive into the pool for our annual Splash and Hunter water egg hunt! Enjoy arts and crafts, music and food trucks! Come pool ready to jump in to get your eggs! Pre-registration required.

• Sat, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Cunningham Pool
• 801 Heartwood Ave.

Winged Beings Art Show

Winged Beings Invitational Art Show by JeanCherie and Friends

• Sat, noon to 5 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St.

Pandora FX Open House

Come connect with Bay Area makeup artists, filmmakers, photographers, directors, actors, musicians, and other creatives. Pandora FX owner and host Margaret Caragan has been doing special makeup effects in the Bay Area for 20 years. Special guest Alrik Bursell, filmmaker, producer, editor and director has worked on everything from feature films and shorts to broadcast commercials.

• Sat, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
• Pandora FX
• 102 Lincoln Rd. East, Unit B

Papa Joe and the New Deal

Papa Joe and the New Deal will entertain you with feel good music that you are sure to recognize and love. They will move you with soul, R&B, reggae, old school funk and Latin rock.

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

Paint Your Pet Event

Have you ever wanted to create a masterpiece portrait of your furry friend, while helping a great cause?‍ Paint Your Pet Events will lead you through the creation of a custom portrait of your pet! Get your tickets and submit a photo of your pet before March 13th in order to participate. All skill levels welcome. The event will support local animal rescues.

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

Rockoustix classic rock

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing to Rockoustix’s renditions of classic rock. No cover with dinner.

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

Live Music with Hattie Craven

Singer-songwriter Hattie Craven is a multidimensional artist whose fan base transcends age and genre.

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

Birdsong - skateboard film

From the sketchy minds that brought you colorful bangers such as Diabolical Bastard, Buttersketch, and Vallejo Garbage, Profection Perductions presents the final addition to the Vallejo skateboarding saga. A pre-party and afterparty will take place in the Empress Lounge. Film starts at 8 p.m.

• Sat, 7 to 11 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia St.

Danilo y Orchestra Universal

Noche de salsa - Salsa night. $15 cover.

• Sat, 10:30 to 1:00 am
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Sunday, March 17

St. Patrick's Day Weekend Tree Planting Event

We'll be planting trees to help preserve the beauty of our environment. This in-person event is a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend while giving back to nature. Bring your friends and family for a day of community, greenery, and good vibes.

• Sun, 8:30 a.m. to noon
• Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve
• 167 O'Hara Court

2nd Annual St QuadTricks Day FPV Festival

High speed flying Robots! This FPV (first person view) drone festival features freestyle drone competitions, food vendors, FPV gear & prizes. All ages 7+, spectators free.

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Mare Island Historic Core
• 1024 Nimitz Ave

Touro Demonstration Food Forest Installation Workshop

Get your hands dirty and help us create a food forest on the Vallejo campus. Participants will learn how to build healthy soil and manage weeds.

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Touro University California
• 1310 Club Drive, Mare Island

Kayak Lake Chabot

Paddle around Lake Chabot on St Patrick's Day. Kayak and gear provided if you don’t have your own. $10 suggested donation. Lake Chabot is calm and great for beginning kayakers.

• Sun, 10:30 a..m to 1:00 p.m.
• Lake Chabot
• Dan Foley Park, 1461 N Camino Alto

Winged Beings Art Show

Winged Beings Invitational Art Show by JeanCherie and friends.

• Sun, noon to 5 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St.

Hey Jude Band

Hey Jude, an exciting Beatles tribute band, 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. @ Kansas St.

Speakers Series: Victoria Kastner: The Life of Julia Morgan - A Trailblazing Architect

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Mare Island Historical Park Foundation and Alibi Bookshop join forces to present a lecture on the noted architect Julia Morgan by author Victoria Kastner. Kastner will pull from her noted biography as she introduces Julia Morgan as a pioneering architect and a captivating individual.

• Sun, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• St. Peter’s Chapel
• 1181 Walnut Avenue, Mare Island

Monday, March 18

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, March 19

"I Need A Mic" writing workshop

Ray Davis @poetdavis hosts the “I Need a Mic” writing workshop. Writers of all genres welcome.

• Tues, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St.

Campanelli Youth Chorus after-school class

Campanelli Youth Chorus is an after-school class that offers an enriching choral education and performance experience to school-age children, ages 7 and older. No audition or previous music experience is required.

• Tues, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Vallejo Community Center
• 225 Amador St.

Family Friendly Comedy

Bay Area Comics - Family friendly comedy and Italian inspired cuisine - first and third Tuesdays at Bambino's. No cover with dinner.

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

Editor's note — this story was updated to add Sunday's kayaking event.