VALLEJO — This Saturday you can catch the 23rd Annual Community Kwanzaa celebration at the Vallejo Museum. This year’s theme is the principle of “Nia,” which means “purpose,” and centers on community building. The celebration, hosted by longtime Vallejo event planner and cultural torchbearer Askari Sowonde, will feature live entertainment, drumming, food and vendors.
H-Lounge on Benicia Road will pull out all the stops – and corks – to ring in the new year on Sunday with a Comedy and Champagne show. The Townhouse will celebrate New Year's Eve with DJ Zero Effs and Chris’ Club will party with DJ Rell. Of course all of the other bars in town will be celebrating too – the details were not available at press time. If you go out, please drive defensively and responsibly!
Saturday is the last day of Children’s Wonderland’s Festival of Lights. Enjoy free holiday festivities, music and hot cocoa. Dress warmly for this outdoor event.
Poetry by the Bay speaks out tonight at the Mira Theatre. Bring a poem to share – beginners welcome – or just soak in the passion of our many talented local poets.
Also tonight at the Empress Lounge, come out to hear Timm Walker (BeaufunK and Zydeco Flames) jam with Bob Welsh and Willy Jordan (Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio). Their combined talents deliver an extremely potent mix of blues, funk, and all things between.
Check the list below for event details and more live music.
Wednesday, December 27
Timm Walker, Willy Jordan and Bob Welsh
When these three bring their talents together, you get an extremely potent mix of blues, funk, and all things between, with the musicality of seasoned and versatile veterans of both stage and studio.
- Wed, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Empress Theatre Lounge
- 324 Virginia St.
Poetry by the Bay
This is the spot where poets gather to share their work and to hear the work of others. Vallejo’s longest running poetry open mic since 2008! Tickets are free, but seating is limited.
- Wed, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
- Mira Theatre
- 51 Daniels Ave.
Friday, December 29
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 Laura Dorais
Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing with singer Laura Dorais.
- Fri, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Bambino’s
- 301 Georgia St. #122
Live Music and Dance Party
IntegriTea welcomes the new year with Air Lift Underground and DJ Imadjinn.
- Fri, 7 p.m .to 2 a.m.
- IntegriTea Art + Event Space
- 717 Marin Street
Liverpool Legends
Liverpool Legends were chosen over every other Beatles Tribute band in the world by top television and film producer Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI, Pirates of The Caribbean, National Treasure) to portray the band that changed the course of music and the world forever.
- Fri, 8 to 10 p.m.
- Empress Theatre
- 330 Virginia St.
Saturday, December 30
Community Coffee Tasting
Sample coffees from around the world! 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
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.
23rd Annual Vallejo Community Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a seven day festival that celebrates African and African-American culture and history. The Vallejo Community Kwanzaa Celebration will feature live entertainment, drumming, food and vendors.
- Sat, 5 to 8 p.m.
- Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
- 734 Marin St.
Live Music with Red's Blues
Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing with the blues, R&B and swing sounds of the Red’s Blues Band.
- Sat, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Bambino’s
- 301 Georgia St. #122
Live Music with Richard March
March’s songs explore social commentary, aspirational self-talk, compassion, impressionistic descriptions of his beloved Bay Area hometown, and the many lives he’s lived. His breezy roots-based musicality recalls the heart-on-your-sleeve tradition of Jason Isbell, Patti Griffin, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, and Jackson Brown.
- Sat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Mare Island Brewing Co. Taproom
- 289 Mare Island Way
Sunday, December 31
Comedy & Champagne
Great fun, and comedy, along with food and an after-party. Hosted by J-Red with Regina Givens, Bud and Jay Rich. $35 in advance, $50. at the door.
- Sun, 6p.m. to 2 a.m.
- H Lounge
- 472 Benicia Rd.
New Year's Eve Party with DJ Zero Effs
Ring in the New Year with DJ Zero Effs and a Champagne toast at midnight! No cover.
- Sun, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
- 401A Georgia St.
New Year's Eve with DJ Rell
DJ Rell in the mix. $10
- Sun, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Chris’ Club
- 656 Benicia Rd
Editor's note — this story was updated to add Friday's party at IntegriTea
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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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