Upcoming Vallejo Events – live gypsy jazz, swing, R&B and more

VALLEJO — The variety of live music this week reflects the diversity of Vallejo. Two very different kinds of jazz will be performed on Saturday, with Duo Gadjo’s gypsy jazz at Moschetti’s coffee in the morning and swing jazz vocalist Joyce Grant at the Mare Island Brewery Taproom that evening.

If you prefer R&B you can catch Papa Joe and the New Deal at Vino Godfather, or Red’s Blues at Bambino’s. Music with a Latin flair will kick off the Empress Theatre’s “Summer nights in Paradise” series featuring Miro Flores and the Latin All Stars.

On Sunday you can choose between hard rock with Stef Burns at Vino Godfather, or catch Verisimo Opera singers performing celebrated operatic solos and duos at St. Peter’s Chapel.  

The H Lounge is having a “Slide Thru Sundaze” day party with DJs Eve 6, K-Sadilla, and special Guest host Off 80, and the Townhouse celebrates that last Sunday of the month later in the evening with  DJ Zero Effs playing industrial, punk and goth music.

“Cruel Summer” is a two-day family-friendly celebration of art, makers and music with Island vibes.  They’re closing the 200 block of Georgia Street on Saturday and Sunday with a live music stage in Pocket Park.

Vallejo also loves poetry! Poetry by the Bay celebrates their 15th anniversary at the Mira Theatre tonight.

Blues saxophonist Terry Hanck had to cancel, so his bandmates will be stepping up tonight at the Empress Lounge with guitarist Johnny Cats leading the band.

August Summer Nights continues tomorrow with two musical acts: Tom Jonesing, and Prieto and his Mirage Band with Mio Flores. Food trucks, a beer garden and local vendors round out this fun and vibrant event.

Later Thursday evening, Touro University will host a fundraiser for their Diversity Scholarship program. They’ll have a barbecue, silent and live auctions, and live music with Midtown Jazz.

Comedy Night at the Vallejo Museum on Friday is a fundraiser for the museum's art and education programs.

Cool off your kids on Saturday at Cunningham Pool’s “Dive-In Movie Night”  This week’s movie is “Minions.” A lifeguard will be on duty.

For the politically engaged, the ACLU is having a community meeting on Thursday to discuss police oversight, and the City Council meeting on Tuesday will include an update on the public safety staffing emergency proclamation.

But that’s not all! It’s the last weekend to catch the Curious Creatures art show, there is a Unity Garden sustainable food production workshop, a bakery popup, free fitness class at the library all happening this week – see the list below for details.

Wednesday, August 23

Johnny Cats Blues and Soul Review

Terry Hanck had to cancel, so guitarist Johnny Cats is fronting the band tonight. With Jon Otis on drums and vocals, Tim Waoger on bass guitar, Andy Santana and Jimmy Dewrance on Harmonicas and vocals.

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

Poetry by the Bay - 15-year Anniversary

Open Mic and Poetry Book Launch. Bring a poem of your own to share, or just come listen and celebrate 15 years of Poetry by the Bay with founder Kyrah Ayers.

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

Thursday, August 24

DBC Bakery Popup

Yummy treats while they last!

• Thurs, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Dillon Bread Company
• 451 Ryder St., Suite B

Art Beat Radio Show - Live Poetry

Poetry Hour hosted by past Benicia Poet Laureate Tom Stanton.

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

Storytime at Children's Wonderland

Join our friends from the Solano County Library for storytime, a free program offered to the community.

• Thurs, 11 to 11:45 am
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

August Summer Nights - Tom Jonesing and Prieto & Mirage Band

Live Music by Tom Jonesing, and Prieto and his Mirage Band with Mio Flores. Food trucks and vendors, beer & wine Garden, kids’ activities, too! Join Vallejo Main Street every Thursday in August to celebrate the most diverse community in the bay!

• Thurs, 5 to 8 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Georgia and Marin Streets

Mosaic Gala - Diversity Scholarship Fundraiser

Touro University’s Mosaic Gala will raise funds to support our Diversity Scholarship Program, which has so far helped over 100 students from underserved and/or underrepresented communities realize their dream of becoming a health care or education professional.

• Thurs, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Farragut Inn
• 1310 Club Drive, Mare Island,

ACLU Community Meeting: Policing in Vallejo

ACLU Solano County chapter will be joined ACLU’s criminal justice legal team. Get updates on the next phase of Vallejo Police oversight.

• Thurs, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Solano Community College Vallejo Center
• 545 Columbus Pkwy.

Friday, August 25

Live Music with Phil Greene

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing to Phil Greene’s rock, folk and country.

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

Comedy Night at the Vallejo Museum

Come laugh for a good cause with comedians Johnny Steele, Kirk McHenry, and Derrick Leonard. This is a fundraiser for the museum's art and education programs.

• Fri, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Saturday, August 26

Community Coffee Tasting – Live music by Duo Gadjo

Enjoy Duo Gadjo’s ‘Gypsy Jazz’ outdoors in the shade while sampling tasty 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.)

Active August - Afro-BodyLove

Afro-BodyLove is a dance healing class that will leave you feeling grounded, empowered, energized, connected, and overjoyed. Free with advance registration.

• Sat, 11 a.m. to noon
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St.

Cruel Summer Maker’s and Music

2-day family-friendly celebration of art, makers and music with Island vibes. Sol Stage Music sponsored by Tacos Jalisco.

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• 200 block of Georgia Street

Curious Creatures Art Show

Closing weekend of the Curious Creatures show - textile art by Konnie May and mixed media mosaics by Sherry Tobin Haney.

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

Papa Joe and the New Deal

Papa Joe and the New Deal will move you with soul, R&B, reggae, old school funk and Latin rock. Food by Merna's Hawaiian Kitchen, and of course, wine by Vino Godfather.

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

Live Music with Red's Blues

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing with Red's Blues playing R&B, blues and swing.

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

Joyce Grant

Joyce Grant, great-great-niece of famed ragtime composer Scott Joplin, is a mezzo-soprano with a voice like dark honey. No cover charge.

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

Summer Nights in Paradise

Music by Dos Four, King Kosh, Mio Flores and the Latin Allstars.

• Sat, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia St.

Dive-In Movie Night - Minions

Cool off the kids while watching a movie! No swimming experience needed - Lifeguards will be on deck. The Minions' brightly colored brand of gibberish-fueled insanity stretches to feature length in their self-titled “Despicable Me” spinoff, with uneven but often hilarious results.

• Sat, 7:30 to 9:15 pm
• Cunningham Pool
• 801 Heartwood Ave.

The Town House Divas - Drag Show

Holotta Tymes & Friends entertain with a fabulous drag show.

• Sat, 10:30 to Sun, 1:30 am
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Sunday, August 27

Vallejo Project Unity Garden Food Forest Expansion

Learn about sustainable food production and help expand a market garden and demonstration food forest garden.

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Solano Dream Center (formerly The Christian Help Center)
• 2166 Sacramento St.

Cruel Summer Maker’s and Music

2-day family-friendly celebration of art, makers and music with Island vibes. Sol Stage Music sponsored by Tacos Jalisco.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• 200 block of Georgia Street

Kayak Practice and Fun

Paddle around Lake Chabot. Kayak provided if you don’t have one. Outing time may be adjusted according to the weather and volunteer availability, so check the Facebook Kayaking and Biking group for updates.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Lake Chabot
• Dan Foley Park

Curious Creatures Art Show

Closing weekend of the Curious Creatures show - textile art by Konnie May and mixed media mosaics by Sherry Tobin Haney.

• Sun, 12 to 4 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St.

Mare Island Painting Class

Join instructor Jose Martinez for this step-by-step guided cactus painting class – your creation to keep on a canvas or a tote bag.

• Sun, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St.

Slide Thru Sundaze

A day party in the V with DJs K-Sadilla, Eve 6 and special Guest host Off 80. We're bringing the heat, the beats, and a whole lot of tasty local treats and beverages from your favorite vendors.

• Sun, 2 to 7 p.m.
• H Lounge
• 472 Benicia Rd.

Stef Burns and Friends

Join Stef Burns, Jeff Campitelli and Jim Funk plus for an afternoon of killer rock and roll.

• Sun, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Vino Godfather Winery
• 1005 Walnut Ave. @ Kansas St.

Concerts @ St. Peters: Sunday Serenades

Leading soloists from Vallejo’s own Verismo  company perform solos and duos from the great s of Puccini, Verdi, Gounod and more! A light reception will follow the concert.

• Sun, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• St. Peter’s Chapel
• 1181 Walnut Avenue, Mare Island

Black Sunday with DJ Zero Effs

Last Sunday of the month is Black Sunday, featuring dark sounds of industrial, punk and goth music.

• Sun, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Monday, August 28

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, August 29

City Council Special Meeting

Action items for this meeting: Allocate funding to the awarded projects of Participatory Budgeting Cycle 8, create a City Council ad-hoc subcommittee to meet with American Canyon regarding water issues, and receive an update on the public safety (police) staffing emergency proclamation.

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