Upcoming Vallejo Events — New spring festivals open this week

VALLEJO — The first “Earth Daze” festival in downtown Vallejo, “Decked Out at the Quarters” on Mare Island,  and Carnalito’s Customs first annual BBQ and car show at Wilson Park all debut this weekend.

The Earth Daze festival will celebrate sustainability on Virginia and Marin streets in downtown Vallejo Saturday. The festival will be hosted by OZCAT Radio and will feature cooking demonstrations, poetry readings, yoga classes, a drum circle, environmental vendors, kids’ crafts, and the Obtainium Works Robot Rumble.

Also on Saturday, Carnalito’s Customs will host their First Annual BBQ and Car Show in Wilson Park, with vendors, food, music, family activities, prizes and a car show. The event will wrap up with a cruise to Carnalito’s Customs on Tennessee Street.

Then on Sunday, Decked Out at the Quarters brings together Bay Area’s unique and talented acts for a one-day-only music extravaganza at historic Mare Island’s Officers’ Row. Over 20 bands playing styles from jazz to folk to R&B will perform from the porches of the old officers’ mansions on Walnut Avenue. Food trucks, beer, wine, lemonade, face painting, and community art projects will round out this  family-friendly festival. People are requested to RSVP for this free event.

More events this weekend herald the beginning of gardening season.

The Benicia and Vallejo Food Forest Tour by Sustainable Solano on Saturday will guide you through gardens in both cities that demonstrate sustainable gardening and water conservation methods.

Also on Saturday, Loma Vista Farm is holding their annual Spring Open House, with plant sales and train rides. Bring the kids to see llamas, pigs, horses, ducks and chickens. The farm is one of the stops on the food forest tour.

You can delve deeper into sustainable gardening methods at the John F. Kennedy library on Saturday afternoon, where Lori “Compostgal” Caldwell will teach the benefits of worm composting in an event titled “Worms: The Hardest Working Pet You Will Ever Have.”

Of course there are many other kinds of events happening around town. Tonight you can  catch legendary blues vocalist Tia Carroll at the Empress Lounge, or attend the monthly Poetry by the Bay open mic at the Mira Theatre.

This Thursday, unwind with Mean Dave’s cynical and sarcastic humor at Empress Lounge’s monthly “Comedy Uncensored” show.

These are just some highlights of the events happening this week. Be sure to check the list below for more live music, art, theater and recreational activities.

Wednesday, April 24

Vallejo Run Club

Join the Vallejo Run Club on our weekly Saturday morning and Wednesday evening runs. Our group meets, rain or shine, next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. We run 1-3 easy miles. Beginners to ultra marathoners welcome!

• Wed, 6:20 pm to 7:20 pm
• Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• 289 Mare Island Way

Tia Carroll

Carroll has headlined venues and festivals all over the world with her band and 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 whenever she brings her band to town.

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

Poetry by the Bay

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

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

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, April 25

Art Beat Radio Show – Poetry Hour

Former Benicia Poet Laureate Thomas Stanton hosts this live show featuring readings by local poets.

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

Sip & Paint - Dancing Jellyfish!

Local artist Jena Webber will guide you step-by-step, as you paint your very own masterpiece! Your "Dancing Jellyfish" themed image will be done on a 16x20 canvas. Your first glass of wine is included with admission. All art supplies will be provided.

• Thurs, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
• Vino Godfather
• 1005 Walnut Ave.

Alibi Bookshop April Book Club:
The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal

James Crews, editor of two best-selling poetry anthologies, "How to Love the World" and "The Path to Kindness," presents an all-new collection of highly accessible poems on the theme of celebrating moments of wonder and peace in everyday life.

• Thurs, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Alibi Bookshop
• 624 Marin St.

Comedy Uncensored with Mean Dave

Bayareacomics presents a hilarious lineup featuring the comedy veteran Mean Dave, known for splitting sides across the country. Joining him are the incredibly funny Michael Booth, Mario Castillo, Guile Mosher, and your favorite host, Jonny Rios. These shows tend to sell out, so get your tickets in advance.

• Thurs, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St.

Improving the Lives of the Unhoused in the Bay Area Panel Discussion

Mare Island Toastmasters invites the public to an open house. The meeting includes a panel discussion with people who are improving the lives of the unhoused in the Bay Area. The three people on the panel work with the unhoused and they really know what will work and what will not. The meeting will be held online on Zoom. Send an email to maryteaches707@att.net for the meeting link.

• Thurs, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Virtual Online Event

Friday, April 26

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.

The Foreigner

Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. It tells the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined the author’s family and her life.

• Fri, 8 to 10:30 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St

Saturday, April 27

Vallejo Run Club

Join the Vallejo Run Club on our weekly Saturday morning and Wednesday evening runs. Our group meets, rain or shine, next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. We run 1-3 easy miles. Beginners to ultra marathoners welcome!

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

Benicia & Vallejo Annual Demonstration Food Forest Tour

Are you interested in growing your own food or want to replace your lawn with a more sustainable landscape? Join our annual Food Forest Tour! Learn simple techniques that you can apply to your own yard to create a vibrant, food-producing ecosystem using water wisely.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Avant Garden (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• 400 First St., Benicia
• Vallejo People’s Garden (1 to 4 p.m.)
• 1055 Azuar Dr., Vallejo

Community Coffee Tasting with live music by Sobre Cuerdas

Sample coffee from around the world, browse crafts and confections by local vendors, or enjoy made-to order crêpes while listening to the smooth guitar and vocals of Sobre Cuerdas.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Moschetti Coffee
• 11 Sixth St.

Farmers' Market

Shop here for a great selection of California-grown greens, fruits & veggies, as well as some nice specialty booths with baked goods at down-to-earth prices.

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

Independent Bookstore Day 2024

This national one-day party held the last Saturday in April celebrates independent bookstores across the country. Come celebrate with us! We will have cool exclusives, raffles, freebies, cupcakes and fun!

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Alibi Bookshop
• 624 Marin St.

Carnalito's Customs First Annual BBQ and Cruise

Good morning la familia. Carnalito's Customs first annual BBQ and cruise will start at Wilson park with vendors, food, music, family activities, prizes and car show, then we are crusin' back to Carnalito's right after.

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wilson Park
• 1007 Solano Ave.

Vallejo’s First Annual Earth Daze Festival

Earth Daze Festival embodies the importance of sustainability and an active lifestyle with outdoor activities that bring the community together at no cost. Guests can expect to find a toe-tapping live entertainment stage, delicious food, Robot Rumble by Obtanium Works, and lots of fun activities for the kids.

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Marin and Virginia Streets

Day of the Child/Dia del Nino

Fun outdoor activities, prizes and games, music to groove to, resource fair, and a jumper for the little ones. Best of all, it's free for everyone to enjoy!

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• City Park
• 425 Alabama St.

Loma Vista Farm Spring Open House

Meet the animals at the farm. Activities include entertainment and activities, train rides and plant sales. Bring a picnic and come on by to see all the wonderful progress on our multi-project development plan. The farm is also a stop in the Sustainable Solano Food Forest Tour.

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Loma Vista Farm
• 150 Rainier Dr.

Kitty Meet and Greet - pet adoptions

Community Cat Advocates has cats and kittens at the Vallejo PetSmart on every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Come meet your next best friend!

• Sat, noon to 3 p.m.
• PetSmart
• 952 Admiral Callaghan Ln.

Portals - Fiber Expressions Art Quilters

Every stitch tells a story and every quilt unveils a gateway to imagination. Step into a mesmerizing realm of creativity at Portals, where the Fiber Expressions group explores this fascinating and multifaceted theme.

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

Recreation Expo

(May be sold out) This is a fun and friendly event for the entire family. We have some great activities lined up: Class Demos, Face painting for kids, vendor booths, entertainment, raffle, and concessions available for a nominal fee, and much more. Free pre-registration required.

• Sat, noon to 3 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

Paint and Sip - Coffee and Tea

Paint and Sip event will help promote the library, its programs and Poetry Month. Participants will create a painting celebrating books and literacy while enjoying a delicious coffee blend with snacks. All materials will be provided. Pre-registration required.

• Sat, 1 to 3 p.m.
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St.

Papa Joe & The New Deal

Papa Joe and the New Deal, your family band. hey 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.

Worms: The Hardest Working Pet You Will Ever Have

Do you have a lot of food scraps? Live in an apartment? Worm composting is for you! This workshop will teach you to the benefits and uses of worm compost. We will learn to setup a bin, harvesting and best uses for this garden fertilizer. This program is great for families with kids.

• Sat, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Springstowne Library
• 1003 Oakwood Ave.

Bryan Girard Jazz Trio

Saxophonist Bryan Girard will be joined by Tim Campbell & Lorn Leber. Buy dinner and get listen to a live jazz show free. Advance dinner reservation recommended.

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

Tradewinds

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing. Tradewinds will be on stage playing your favorite classics from the 50's, 60's and 70's!

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

Live Music Saturday with What the Folk

This power duo featuring Sarah Larkin and Jon Tyson formed out of a daily pandemic live stream to warm the hearts of friends and fans stuck at home. Their live shows feature Larkin's evocative singing and songwriting, Tyson's instrumental dexterity, and a mix of Americana covers incorporating vocal harmony, humor and relaxed vibes.

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

The Foreigner

Play by Larry Shue, directed by Trey Reeves. The scene is a fishing lodge in rural Georgia where nonstop hilarity ensues.

• Sat, 8 to 10:30 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St.

Kiss 'N Tell

Sexy Tribute to the Hot Hits - dance, pop, rock, Top 40, ’80sx

• Sat, 9 p.m. to midnight
• Gentleman Jim’s
• 1324 Lincoln Rd. E.

La Nueva Era - Noche de Salsa

A late evening of live salsa music and dancing brought to you by La Nueva Era! Full bar and food. $15, 21 & over

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

The Town House Divas - Drag Show

Every 2nd & 4th Saturday at the Town House, with Holotta Tymes, Vicodonia Knightingale and Charity Kase.

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

Sunday, April 28

Kayak Practice and Fun

Paddle around Lake Chabot, an easy, fun kayaking site that’s safe for beginners. Kayak provided if you don’t have one. $10 suggested donation. Check the Facebook Kayaking Biking group for updates - dates and times may vary because of weather or volunteer availability.

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

Mother of All Sales

Find gifts, update your home decorations, or just indulge in a one-of-a-kind item just for you, or join us for our community garage sale and sell any items you would like!.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland parking lot
• 360 Glenn St.

Decked Out at the Quarters

Experience an afternoon of unforgettable live music at the historic Mare Island on Officer’s Row Decked Out at the Quarters brings together Bay Area’s unique and talented acts for a one-day-only music extravaganzas. Walnut Avenue will be pulsing with the sounds of local talent with over 20 bands rocking genres from jazz and folk to R&B and rock.

• Sun, noon to 4 p.m.
• Quarters Coffee House
• 1015 Walnut Ave.

Portals - Fiber Expressions Art Quilters

Every stitch tells a story and every quilt unveils a gateway to imagination. Step into a mesmerizing realm of creativity at Portals, where the Fiber Expressions group explores this fascinating and multifaceted theme.

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

The Foreigner

Play by Larry Shue, directed by Trey Reeves. The scene is a fishing lodge in rural Georgia where nonstop hilarity ensues.

• Sun, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St

Monday, April 29

Vallejo Navigation Center groundbreaking ceremony

The City of Vallejo is delighted to announce the start of construction for the Vallejo Navigation Center, a crucial step forward in tackling homelessness within our community. Join us and our healthcare partners for the groundbreaking ceremony, set to take place at the future site of the Navigation Center This is a new date. The original groundbreaking was postponed due to rain.

• Mon, noon to 1:30 p.m.
• Navigation Center site
• 1937 Broadway St.

Tuesday, April 30

"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.