Upcoming Vallejo Events — Repertory cinema returns to the Empress Theatre

VALLEJO — The Empress Theatre will host a film noir classic for the first time since 2023, and local talent will come to the forefront at the second of Vallejo rapper LaRussell’s three January performances, at Bambino’s talent showcase, and at the Vallejo Jazz Jam’s benefit  concert at the Mira Theatre

“Out of the Past,” a quintessential American film noir that stars Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas, will show at the Empress Theatre on Friday night. Few classic movies have been shown at the Empress since early 2020, when the resident film club disbanded. Most of the movies shown at the venue since that time have been documentaries and music features. 

Vallejo Center for the Arts executive director Renay Conlin said she’s looking into the Empress hosting monthly screenings of foreign films. The Empress Lounge next to the theater will open ahead of the screening with a bar, and a choice of chili or hot dogs and chips for $20.

On Sunday afternoon, Vallejo's own LaRussell will return to the Empress for his second of a series of shows, where he’ll be joined onstage by hip-hop and soul artist Leah Jena. LaRussell will be back again on Jan. 26 with the Collab Choir. He and his Good Compenny Collective are pioneering offer-based admission and asking attendees to pay what you can afford while considering the artist's time, effort, energy and travel expenses.

Bambino's Restaurant will hold their second “Vallejo Talent Night” on Friday. The restaurant invited musicians, singers, poets, comedians, and painters to perform at their first talent night in December, and said the event was so successful they decided to do it again. This family-friendly event is free for both performers and attendees.

Then on Saturday night, the Vallejo Jazz Jam will hold "A Night of Blues, Bossa, and Beyond" benefit concert for the Mira Theatre Guild. The performers from diverse backgrounds will create a rich tapestry of both classic and contemporary jazz. Proceeds from the $20 tickets will support the Mira Theatre Guild’s mission of enriching Vallejo’s cultural landscape through the arts. 

Autonomous Gallery will host an opening reception on Saturday evening for painter Samuel Michael Casebolt’s solo exhibition, “Time to Go.” The show will feature two large-scale modular murals that explore the passage of time and the decisions we make. DJ Big Wink and DJ Owl Service will hold down the jams all evening.

Also on Saturday evening, you can take family and friends out for and evening of fun at the new GVRD Sports Gym’s “Glow in the Dark: Family Dodgeball” event. Group discounts are available.

These are just some highlights of upcoming events. Scroll down the list below for more live music, cultural and recreational activities, and check our events page for late-breaking updates.

Wednesday, January 8

Senior Social: Coffee, Pastries, Games, & Chats

Ages 55+ Join us for a fun and relaxed morning of socializing, coffee, and light activities! Enjoy a warm cup of coffee, delicious pastries, and a variety of puzzles and games while meeting new friends. It's a wonderful way to start your day and make new connections in a welcoming environment. Best of all, it's completely free! We hope to see you there! Every 2nd Wednesday of the Month.

• Wed, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Vallejo Community Center
• 225 Amador St., Vallejo

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 to 7:20 p.m.
• Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo

WMPH – What Makes People Happy?

There’s a tremendous amount of talent and experience in this one group of musicians who have played with Etta James, Zazu Pitts Memorial Orchestra, and the Robert Cray Band, to name a few.

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

Wednesday Night Open Mic

A friendly space for both beginning musicians and seasoned professionals. Comedians and poets also welcome.

• Wed, 8 to 11 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St., Vallejo

Thursday, January 9

Practical Genealogy

Ancestry.com has changed again! Confused, lost, or afraid? Come to our Practical Genealogy meeting which is combined with our general meeting this January. Member Ruth Anne Halligan will discuss and help members learn a little about Ancestry.com’s new DNA results. Choose who inherits your Ancestry account. Set up a "Family Group" to collaborate with your favorite people on Ancestry. What about all those "hints?" Come and join us at this free event open to everyone. Bring your questions and your laptop.

• Thu, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St, Vallejo

The Makery

Come experience Solano County Library's makerspace- The Makery! Equipment includes: 3D printer, vinyl cutter, digital production equipment, drawing tablets and much more! Drop-in and discover what we have. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

• Thu, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo

Friday, January 10

Family Storytime

Our family storytimes are great for the whole family. Have children of different ages? Bring them all! These stories and activities are for everyone.

• Fri, 10 to 10:35 a.m.
• Vallejo Springstowne Library
• 1003 Oakwood Avenue, Vallejo

The Makery

Come experience Solano County Library's makerspace- The Makery! Equipment includes: 3D printer, vinyl cutter, digital production equipment, drawing tablets and much more! Drop-in and discover what we have. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

• Fri, 2 to 4:45 p.m.
• Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo

Vallejo's Talent Night

Our first installment of Vallejo's Talent Night went so well that we wanted to do it again! We are calling all artists, sign up and bring your talent, we want to see YOU Vallejo. As always, this is a family friendly event. Come and enjoy a collection of artists sharing their medium with you.

• Fri, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Bambinos Vallejo
• 301 Georgia street #122, Vallejo

Film Noir-Out Of The Past

“Out of the Past,” billed in the United Kingdom as “Build My Gallows High,” is a 1947 American film noir directed by Jacque Tourneur and starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas. Its complex, fatalistic storyline, dark cinematography and classic femme fatale garnered the film critical acclaim and cult status. A dinner of meat or vegetarian chili or a hot dog and chips will be available at both the pre-film event at the lounge next door and in the theater.

• Fri, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Pre-film dinner and drinks
• Empress Lounge
• 324 Virginia St, Vallejo
  
  
  
• Fri, 8 to 10 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• Movie screening
• 330 Virginia St, Vallejo

Saturday, January 11

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 to 9 a.m.
• Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo

Farmers’ Market

Shop here for a great selection of California-grown greens, fruits & veggies, as well as some nice specialty booths with baked goods, tamales and food trucks with down-to-earth prices. Sometimes you can find local honey, homemade soap and other goodies here.

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

Kitty Meet and Greet – Pet Adoptions

Come meet your next best friend! All cats and kittens who are adopted out through Community Cat Advocates have been dewormed, treated for fleas, tested for Felv and FIV, vaccinated to age appropriate levels, microchipped and spayed or neutered. Evening appointments also available.

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

Time To Go - Samuel Michael Casebolt Opening Reception

CalArts Alumnus Samuel Michael Casebolt has been a practicing artist for over 25 years having shown paintings and multi-media work in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Tokyo, and more. For the past 20 years Casebolt has focused on paintings, large scale installations, production design, producing and directing independent films. With his new solo exhibition, “Time To Go”, Casebolt presents two large scale modular murals. Each exploring the passage of time and the decisions we make, tying in themes and theory from this huge body of work. DJ Big Wink and DJ Owl Service will be holding down the jams all evening.

• Sat, 5 to 8 p.m.
• Autonomous Gallery
• 419 Georgia St., Suite 8, Vallejo

Glow in the Dark: Family Dodgeball!

Ages 6+ Let's Glow! Come play dodgeball with the family in the new GVRD Sports Gym! Put on something neon, play with family, and get competitive while fully submerged in a cool, glow in the dark ambiance. Come on in! Dodgeballs provided! *Players 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult

• Sat, 6 to 8 p.m.
• GVRD Sports Gym
• 501 Starr Ave., Vallejo

Vallejo Jazz Jam Presents "A Night of Blues, Bossa, and Beyond"

Join us for an unforgettable evening in the new year of music as Vallejo Jazz Jam proudly presents "A Night of Blues, Bossa, and Beyond," a benefit concert for the Mira Theatre Guild. Proceeds will directly support the Mira Theatre Guild's mission of enriching Vallejo's cultural landscape through the arts. Savor the post-show reception with refreshments and mingling opportunities. Help us ensure that the Mira Theatre Guild continues to bring incredible art experiences to Vallejo.

• Sat, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
• Mira Theatre Guild
• 51 Daniels Ave., Vallejo

Townhouse Divas Drag Show

Come join Vicodonia Knightingale, Charity Kase and Holotta Tymes every 2nd Saturday night at the Townhouse Cocktail Lounge! These are the Divas you want to see!

• Sat, 10:30 p.m. to Sun, 1 a.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St, Vallejo

Sunday, January 12

St. Peter's Chapel - Self-guided Tour

Learn about Mare Island through the lens of the oldest Navy Chapel in the country. If you've never seen the interior be prepared to be astounded by the 29 stained-glass windows and the magnificence of the interior. St. Peter's Chapel is open to the public every second and fourth Sunday of the month. Docents will be available to answer all your questions. All we ask is a $5 donation toward the chapel maintenance fund.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• St. Peter’s Chapel
• 1181 Walnut Ave., Vallejo

La Russell with Leah Jenea

Vallejo's own rapper LaRussell performs with Leah Jenea, The Princess Of Hip Hop Soul. LaRussell and his independent collective, Good Compenny, are pioneering change within the hip-hop industry. They are supporting independent artists without requiring them to give up ownership of their art. LaRussell has a knack for simplifying the most complex experiences and making them feel relevent to the listener.

• Sun, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia St, Vallejo

Monday, January 13

Movement with Mary Jane

Movement with Mary Jane is a guided movement flow to enhance the mind, body, spirit connection. This is an infused experience for people 21 and over, exceptions made if you have a doctor’s recommendation. 6 to 7 p.m. is the "Inhale Session", where we vaporize our herbal allies and unwind over freshly brewed tea. 7 to 8 p.m. is the "Exhale Flow", where we center in our breath and find balance in our bodies through a guided series of yoga-inspired movements and stretches, moving into gentle, breath-informed dance.

• Mon, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• IntegriTea
• 717 Marin St., Vallejo

Tuesday, January 14

Vallejo CreativiTea Club - Every Tuesday night

Vallejo CreativiTea Club (AKA Doodle & Draw) is now every Tuesday night though we frequently stay later. Open to all ages and skill levels. Get together with your downtown arts community to work side by side on art projects while sipping tea and listening to music. Bring a project you're working on, or get inspired to start something fresh. We will have some art supplies available. This is a free event. Donations are appreciated.

• Tue, 6 to 8:00 p.m.
• 717 Integrity Project
• 717 Marin St, Vallejo

City Council Regular Meeting

City Council meetings are now hybrid in-person and on Zoom. Agendas can be viewed on the City Agendas & Videos webpage at www.cityofvallejo.net and are posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance for regular meetings and 24 hours in advance for special meetings. There will be a video link at the left of the agenda page once the meeting begins. This will also serve as a future archive of the meeting. For better live video performance, use the direct Zoom link found in the first paragraph of the agenda window, on the second tab. City Council meetings are also broadcast on Vallejo’s cable channel, VCAT

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

‌A more comprehensive list of upcoming events can be found here.

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