Upcoming Vallejo Events — Vallejo Noir at the Empress Theatre

VALLEJO – Vallejo can look forward to a fancy dinner fundraiser with live music, a film noir classic, and continuing holiday festivities this week.

Songstress Ariel Marin is hosting a Candlelight Concert for a Cure on Friday evening. This will be an upscale event with sumptuous catered food served by candlelight in the historic RiverBank building. A portion of the proceeds will support breast cancer research.

Also on Friday, The Empress Theatre is having a screening of the film noir classic “Pitfall,” starring Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott, and former Vallejo resident Raymond Burr. The film tells the story of a married insurance adjuster who falls for a femme fatale while her boyfriend is in jail, leading to serious consequences.

The evening will begin with cocktails in the Empress Lounge and an introduction to the film by Eddie Muller, author and host of Turner Movie Classics “Noir Alley.”

The Vallejo Museum’s free family day will be a celebration on Saturday with a Holiday Festival featuring story time, a book giveaway, a Teddy Bear Tea with cookies, and visits from the Grinch and Santa.

Vallejo Project is having a Holiday Bazaar and Gumbo Feed at the Norman King Community Center on Saturday afternoon, with live holiday music, a visit from Santa, free gumbo, toy giveaways, food and retail vendors and community resource booths and fun kids activities.

This weekend is your last chance to see Sherlock Holmes meet the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future at the Bay Area Stage presentation of “A Sherlock Carol.” Extra showtimes have been added on Saturday and Sunday.

It is also the last weekend to visit Mare Island Art Studios’ Holiday Bazaar to get special handcrafted gifts by local artists – or just admire the art and enjoy the ambiance of the Mare Island waterfront.

There’s a community meeting tonight for Vallejo Districts 1 and 2 with city staff at Griffin Drive Church of Christ. Staff will provide information and hear your input on the hot topics facing the city.

Check the list below for more holiday activities, live music and comedy.

Wednesday, December 13

Adaptive Recreation: Brunch With Santa

Enjoy holiday crafts, music, and a delicious brunch with Santa! Any individual with any disability, visible or invisible, is invited to the fun. Family, friends and caretakers are welcome. Registration required

• Wed, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Vallejo Community Center
• 225 Amador St.

Evan Thomas Blues Band

Evan Thomas captures a down home essence, the foot stompin’, and head – nodding style, of the old Mississippi delta and Chicago Blues.

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

Districts 1 and 2 Community Meeting

City Staff will provide the latest information and hear your input on hot topics such as: Public Safety, crime, blight, economic development, homelessness, Measure P and street maintenance.

• Wed, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Griffin Drive Church of Christ
• 2235 Griffin Drive

Friday, December 15

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas Tree Sales

Loma Vista Farm in Vallejo has several varieties of fresh Christmas trees and poinsettias for sale Their prices are cheaper than local stores and the sales help support the farm. And as a bonus, you get to see all the animals while you’re there.

• Fri, noon to 5 p.m.
• Loma Vista Farm
• 150 Rainier Drive

The Makery: Open Use Hours & Make it Fridays!

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.

Festival of Lights

Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the free holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Friday through Sunday, December 2 to 30 except Christmas Eve and Christmas.

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

Guitarist Ken Maffeo

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing while guitarist Ken Maffeo plays FM classic country, Motown and soul.

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

Candlelight Concert For A Cure

Bask in the glow of flickering lights at Riverbank, a gorgeous historic 1920’s venue. Sip wine, eat sumptuous upscale catered food, and listen to your favorite hits with a classical twist performed by songstress Ariel Marin and special guests. Support a cure for breast cancer!

• Fri, 7 to 10:30 p.m.
• RiverBank
• 332 Georgia St.

Vallejo Noir with Eddie Muller featuring "Pitfall" (1948)

“Pitfall” is considered one of the most essential films in Film Noir. It stars Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott, and Vallejo’s own Raymond Bur. The evening opens with cocktails and conversation with Eddie Muller, author and host of TCM’s weekly “Noir Alley.”

• Fri, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia St.

A Sherlock Carol

Two beloved classic tales. One thrilling new mystery. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the peculiar death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his tools of deduction to get to the bottom of the crime. But it is a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, and once again the holiday is haunted by the spirits of the past, present, and future.

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

Industrial Christmas

Three bands — Ex-Heir Diesel Dudes, Killer Couture. With DJ Zero Effs. Hosted by Queera Knightly 21+ no cover  

• Fri, 8 to 11:45 pm
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Saturday, December 16

Community Coffee Tasting

Sample coffees from around the world! Now carrying holiday-themed coffee cans and organic eggnog. 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

How The Grinch Crashed Breakfast

Join GVRD as we ring in the holiday season at Cunningham Aquatic Complex. Partake in our cereal and hot cocoa bar, arts and crafts, and best of all meet The Grinch himself! Pre registration is required and space is limited!

• Sat, 9 a.m. to noon
• Cunningham Pool
• 801 Heartwood Ave.

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas Tree Sales

Loma Vista Farm in Vallejo has several varieties of fresh Christmas trees and poinsettias for sale Their prices are cheaper than local stores and the sales help support the farm. And as a bonus, you get to see all the animals while you’re there.

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Loma Vista Farm
• 150 Rainier Drive

Vallejo Museum Holiday Festival

Free admission to the museum all day. Storytime and book giveaway 11 a.m. Teddy Bear Tea and cookies at noon. The Grinch 12:30 p.m. Santa Claus 1 p.m.  

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Holiday Bazaar

One-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts by in-house and guest artists include gift baskets, textile art, jewelry, greeting cards, prints, fine art, ceramics, mosaics, holiday decorations, and hand-knitted dog sweaters.

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St.

Holiday Bazaar and Gumbo Feed

This Holiday Bazaar & Gumbo Feed is an opportunity for us to come together to celebrate the holiday season and our community in a joyful setting. Free gumbo, free toy giveaways, Santa visit, face painting, live holiday music, community resource fair, cookie cooking class, and hot chocolate bar

• Sat, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Norman C King Community Center
• 545 Magazine St.

Benicia Literary Arts “Holiday Jingle & Mingle” Party

Benicia’s new Poet Laureate, Kathy Monroe will be introduced and a short program featuring experienced writers and readers Ann Berliner, Wayne Goodman, Jill White, and Jim White. Food, drinks, and a festive atmosphere. Make a reservation at benicialiteraryarts.org.

• Sat, 3 to 5 p.m.
• Estey Real Estate
• 216 First St.

A Sherlock Carol

Two beloved classic tales. One thrilling new mystery. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the peculiar death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his tools of deduction to get to the bottom of the crime. But it is a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, and once again the holiday is haunted by the spirits of the past, present, and future.

• Sat, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St

Festival of Lights

Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the free holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Friday through Sunday, December 2 to 30 except Christmas Eve and Christmas.

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

Live Music with Idlewild West

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing while Idlewild West, shares the music of the Allman Brothers.

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

The Perfect Blend Trio featuring Joyce Grant

Vallejo local singer Joyce Grant returns to the Ferry Taproom with her powerful mix of jazz, blues.

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

'It’s a Wonderful Life' by Black Box Radio

Black Box Radio Stars bring you the iconic "It's A Wonderful Life!" in a live radio play with their irreverent and unique presentations. You never know what to expect!

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

A Sherlock Carol

Two beloved classic tales. One thrilling new mystery. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the peculiar death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his tools of deduction to get to the bottom of the crime. But it is a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, and once again the holiday is haunted by the spirits of the past, present, and future.

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

Sunday, December 17

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas Tree Sales

Loma Vista Farm in Vallejo has several varieties of fresh Christmas trees and poinsettias for sale Their prices are cheaper than local stores and the sales help support the farm. And as a bonus, you get to see all the animals while you’re there.

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Loma Vista Farm
• 150 Rainier Dr.

Holiday Bazaar

One-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts by in-house and guest artists include gift baskets, textile art, jewelry, greeting cards, prints, fine art, ceramics, mosaics, holiday decorations, and hand-knitted dog sweaters.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St.

Vallejo Swap-o-Rama! Holiday Edition

Join us for a holiday edition of our clothing swap with an alteration station. Bring wearable clothes and accessories with no holes or stains to swap.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• IntegriTea Art + Event Space
• 717 Marin St.

'It’s a Wonderful Life' by Black Box Radio

Black Box Radio Stars bring you the iconic "It's A Wonderful Life!" in a live radio play with their irreverent and unique presentations. You never know what to expect!

• Sun, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Mira Theatre
• 51 Daniels Avenue

A Sherlock Carol

Two beloved classic tales. One thrilling new mystery. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the peculiar death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his tools of deduction to get to the bottom of the crime. But it is a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, and once again the holiday is haunted by the spirits of the past, present, and future.

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

Festival of Lights

Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the free holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Friday through Sunday, December 2 to 30 except Christmas Eve and Christmas.

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

A Sherlock Carol

Two beloved classic tales. One thrilling new mystery. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the peculiar death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his tools of deduction to get to the bottom of the crime. But it is a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, and once again the holiday is haunted by the spirits of the past, present, and future.

• Sun, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St

Monday, December 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. S

• Mon, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Tuesday, December 19

Family Friendly Comedy

Family Friendly comedy and Italian inspired cuisine.

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

Editor's note - this story was updated  to add "It's a Wonderful Life!" radio play.