VALLEJO – Harmonica player and vocalist Aki Kumar will play Bollywood Blues at the Empress Lounge this evening. Kumar successfully blends elements of Indian music into his musical presentation, making a multi-cultural mash-up that sounds like no one else, yet never loses touch with the inspiration it draws from the blues.
On Saturday, singer-songwriter Nathan Ignacio plays original music and cover songs with original twists at the Mare Island Brewery Taproom. Ignacio performs frequently as a one man band, playing many instruments simultaneously.
Swing by Dillon Bread Company’s popup bakery on Thursday morning to stock up your holiday feast with fresh treats by local artisan bakes
Bring the kids to enjoy the free holiday festivities, music and hot cocoa on Friday and Saturday at the Children’s Wonderland’s Festival of Lights.
If you like to stay up late, the Town House Divas drag show with Holotta Tymes on Saturday night is bound to make you smile.
Find plenty more local events in the listings below.
Wednesday, December 20
Aki Kumar – Bollywood Blues
A native of India, Kumar moved to the U.S. 20 years ago and began a passionate deep-dive love affair with Chicago-style electric blues. His new release, Hindi Man Blues, artfully melds blues with the hugely popular music of Bollywood that formed the soundtrack of his youth in India. It combines Bollywood covers with a few originals, a new take on Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man.
- Wed, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Empress Theatre Lounge
- 324 Virginia St.
Lawyers @ Your Library
Local attorneys offer free legal advice and referral. Sign up in-person or by phone (1-866-572-7587) starting at 9:00 AM on the day of the program. Lawyer consultations from 5:30-7:30 PM.
- Wed, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- John F. Kennedy Library
- 505 Santa Clara St.
Vallejo Police Department Community Town Hall
he Vallejo Police Department is hosting this meeting to address the recent officer-involved shooting that occurred on November 20.
- Wed, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Vallejo Room – Lower level of the JFK Library
- 505 Santa Clara St.
Thursday, December 21
DBC Bakery Popup
Dillon Bread Company’s holiday menu includes pies, brownies, cookies and other sweets, fresh baked bread and savory dishes like asparagus quiche. Arrive early for the best selection.
- Thurs, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Dillon Bread Company
- 451 Ryder St., Suite B
Art Beat Radio Show - Poetry Hour
Listen to live poetry on air. With hosts former Benicia Poet Laureate Tom Stanton and Vallejo Poet Laureate Kathleen Herrmann.
- Thurs, 10:30 am to 11:30 am
- Ozcat Radio
- 89.5 FM KZCT
Friday, December 22
Festival of Lights
Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the Holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Please remember to wear weather appropriate clothing to this free, outdoor event.
- Fri, 4 to 7 p.m.
- Children’s Wonderland
- 360 Glenn St.
Live Music with 2 Track'n
Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing while 2 Track'n performs your favorites from the 70's 80's and 90's.
- Fri, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Bambino’s
- 301 Georgia St. #122
Saturday, December 23
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. Local artisan vendors are on site for those last minute gifts.
- 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
Santa Story Time
Ho ho ho! Santa will be here on Saturday to read a story to children of all ages! Please join us for some fun!
- Sat, 10 to 10:45 a.m.
- Alibi Bookshop
- 624 Marin St.
Holiday Bazaar
Holiday Bazaar is being held over for one more weekend. 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 4 p.m.
- Mare Island Art Studios
- 110 Pintado St.
Toy Drive with E-40 & the double-edged experience coat drive
Food, games, coats, hot chocolate, live music and more. E-40 and The Grinch will be there. Sorry, registration for toys is closed.
- Sat, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Shiloh Community C.O.G.I.C.
- 501 Lemon St.
Island of Misfit Toys
The “Island of Misfit Toys” Toy Drive, has brought joy and happiness to these children during Christmas for the past 20 years. Sorry, sign-up for toys is now closed.
- Sat, noon to 5 p.m.
- Immersive Learning Center
- 250 Georgia Street
Manny's Steakhouse - Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
Celebrate the new Waterfront location of Manny's Steakhouse.
- Sat, noon
- Manny’s Steakhouse
- 295 Mare Island Way
Festival of Lights
Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the Holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Please remember to wear weather appropriate clothing to this free, outdoor event.
- Sat, 4 to 7 p.m.
- Children’s Wonderland
- 360 Glenn St.
A Candle Light Christmas Concert
A luminous concert brings together an array of musicians to present the spirit the holiday season. Included will be an array of pieces on the pipe organ, solo voice, a marimba, and even some lively jazz tunes.
Sorry, this event is sold out.
- Sat, 6 to 7 p.m.
- St. Peter’s Chapel
- 1181 Walnut Avenue, Mare Island
Live Music Saturday with Nathan Ignacio
One man band, Nathan Ignacio brings his blues/folk/Americana original music and cover songs with original twists. Ignacio performs frequently as a one-man-band, playing many instruments simultaneously.
- Sat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Mare Island Brewing Co. Taproom
- 289 Mare Island Way
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, December 24
Holiday Bazaar
Holiday Bazaar is being held over for one more weekend. 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, noon to 4 p.m.
- Mare Island Art Studios
- 110 Pintado St.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Christmas Eve worship. Carols and special music. Children welcome. No offering required. Zoom option available.
- Sun, 5 to 6 p.m.
- United in Grace Lutheran Church
- 1300 Tuolumne St.
Monday, December 25
Yuletide Greetings!
Today is a national holiday so everything is closed. Enjoy the day off, sleep late, stay warm and hug your friends and family.
Editor's note - this story was updated to add several late-breaking events.
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Gretchen Zimmermann
Gretchen Zimmermann founded the Vallejo Arts & Entertainment website, joined the Vallejo Sun to cover event listings and arts and culture, and has since expanded into investigative reporting.
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