Upcoming Vallejo Events – August Summer Nights and Art Walk enliven downtown

VALLEJO – Downtown Vallejo will come alive this week with back-to-back events – August Summer Nights and Art Walk. Live music offerings span genres from country, blues to jazz to the traditional rhythms of Guinea, Brazil and the Caribbean.

The Volker Strifler Band plays jazz and Latin infused blues at the Empress Lounge tonight.

Thursday’s August Summer Nights event downtown features eclectic singer Ariel Marin, backed by the James Earley band. Last week’s event had a great turnout. People danced in the street and browsed local shops while kids frolicked in the bouncy houses at the kid zone.

Local artisans will enliven the downtown streets again on Friday for the monthly Art Walk event. It’s worth venturing away from the hub of activity on Marin Street to visit the Vintage Vagabond artist compound on Georgia Street, and the McCune room below the John F. Kennedy Library to see photography by Jerry Horton and paintings by Susan Noll

The Summer of Heroes Makers Market invites you to come dressed as your favorite superhero during the Farmers Market Saturday on Virginia Street.

There’s plenty of live music  Saturday with a Johnny Cash tribute at Vino Godfather, David Bustamante at the Mare Island Brewery Taproom in the evening, spiritual music from the African diaspora by The Voodoo Cabaret at Integritea, and Holotta Tymes and her Divas performing drag at the Townhouse late into the night.

The Greater Vallejo Recreation District offers an overnight family camping adventure Saturday at Childrens’ Wonderland, complete with an evening barbecue, fun activities and a light breakfast. All you need to bring is your sleeping bags.

The St. Peter’s Chapel's second Sunday tour is this week, where you can see the chapel’s original Tiffany windows and exposed redwood beams, and learn about Mare Island History at the oldest Naval chapel in the country. No reservation is required.

The Visions of the Wild “Environmental Heroes” call for art ends this Friday. Selected artists will be awarded a $1,000 stipend. All artists 18 and older are encouraged to submit their work in any medium, style, and genre.

Check the listings below for more, including Sunday jazz at Bambino’s, a community resource fair at City Park, and a Sahelian Stick Fighting workout at the library.

Wednesday, August 9

Volker Strifler Band

Guitarist, songwriter, and singer Volker Strifler creates music that starts with his strong blues roots and explores rock, jazz and Latin rhythms.

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

Thursday, August 10

DBC Bakery Popup

You can get everything from bread, pastries, croissants, cookies, all delicious, not to mention a very wonderful selection of homemade preserves. While they last!

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

Art Beat Radio Show

Literary Dialogues with Nina Serrano

• Thurs, 10:30 am 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 -  Arial Marin and the James Earley Band

Live Music by Aerial Marin and the James Earley Band - Food Trucks and Vendors - Beer & Wine Garden - Kid 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

Friday, August 11

Visions of the Wild - Call for Art - deadline is today!

The Visions of the Wild Festival and the U.S. Forest Service invite artists from Vallejo and Benicia to submit artwork to our juried art exhibition, Environmental Heroes. Artists 18 and older are encouraged to submit their work.

• Fri, All day
• visionsofthewild.org

2nd Friday Art Walk

The Vallejo Art Walk takes place all over the downtown area and includes street vendors, musicians and performers. Local merchants restaurants open late.

• Fri, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Georgia and Marin

Saturday, August 12

Short Stack for a Tall Cause Breakfast.

Fundraiser to benefit the Florence Douglas Center. Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday August 9, Menu: Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Roasted Potatoes, Coffee, Orange Juice

• Sat, 8 a.m. to 10:00 am
• Applebee’s
• 1041 Admiral Callaghan Lane

Community Coffee Tasting

Mingle with friends and neighbors while sipping free coffee samples. There’s a new cafe at the roasting site with an espresso machine and an outdoor grill offering made-to-order crêpes.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Moschetti Coffee
• 11 Sixth St. (Curtola Pkwy. & Solano Ave.)

Summer of Heroes Makers Market

Calling all superheroes! Come dressed in your favorite hero and enjoy a superhero themed marketplace featuring guest characters, face painting, market DJ and drop-off school supplies to enter the market giveaway!

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• 300 block of Virginia Street

ACEs Awareness Community Resource Fair

The event is to raise awareness about ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and the impact it has on our children and community as a whole. Our goal is to provide the community with an array of resources that will help reduce their stress.

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

Active August - Sahelian Stick Fighting Workout

This workout session will feature the basics of striking and blocking with a fighting stick, moving your feet, and simple partner drills. This class will get you moving and help you strengthen your arms, legs and core.

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

Curious Creatures Art Show - Artist talk at 2 p.m.

Textile Art by Konnie May and Mixed Media Mosaics by Sherry Tobin Haney. The artists will host a talk at 2 p.m. to share their processes and explain what the hell they were thinking.

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

James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash

James Garner and his band have faithfully recreated Cash’s biggest hits with stunning accuracy in this not-to-be-missed musical event.

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

World Music Night

Music by DJ Balinator and The Voodoo Cabaret performing the traditional rhythms of Guinea, Brazil and the Caribbean. Silent Art Auction/Fundraiser $5 Door

• Sat, 5 to Sun, 2:00 am
• IntegriTea Art + Event Space
• 717 Marin Street

Camping Under the Stars

Join us for an overnight adventure, complete with BBQ, activities, games and a light breakfast on Sunday morning. This event is for families, and costs $10 per each person in your group. Bring your sleeping bag, and we'll bring the summer fun!

• Sat, 6 p.m. to Sun, 8:30 a.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

Live Music Saturday with David Bustamante

David Bustamante long time Bay Area singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He is often compared to the legendary Carlos Santana. David enjoys performing his favorite cover songs as a soloist using his favorite childhood instrument, the ukulele.

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

Townhouse Divas Drag Show

Come join Vicodonia Knightingale, Charity Kase and Holotta Tymes at the Townhouse Cocktail Lounge. These are the Divas you want to see!

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

Sunday, August 13

Kayak Practice and Fun

Kayak provided if you don’t have one. $10 suggested donation. Times and dates may vary according to the weather, so check the Facebook Kayaking Biking group for updates.

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

St. Peter Chapel - Historic Tour

A museum by itself, St. Peter Chapel, built in 1901, is known for its large collection of stunning Tiffany windows, vaulted ceilings with exposed redwood beams, and historic plaques, you’ll find yourself in awe of the craftsmanship on display.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• St. Peter’s Chapel
• 1181 Walnut Avenue, Mare Island

Bryan Girard Jazz Quartet

Buy brunch or lunch and get listen to a live jazz show FREE! Bryan Girard will be playing with a terrific quartet featuring Tim Campbell on keys, Chris Pimentel on guitar and everybody's favorite drummer/singer/whistler, Gerry Kennett!

• Sun, noon to 3 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Curious Creatures Art Show

Textile Art by Konnie May and Mixed Media Mosaics by Sherry Tobin Haney.

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

Monday, August 14

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.