<![CDATA[The Valley Villager]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!W3YT!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5399cc40-5462-4477-a66c-a5948e34bbc0_1280x1280.pngThe Valley Villagerhttps://www.thevalleyvillager.comSubstackThu, 09 Apr 2026 19:49:07 GMT<![CDATA[Food truck finder, openings, and other news ๐Ÿšš]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/food-truck-finder-openings-and-otherhttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/food-truck-finder-openings-and-otherSat, 28 Mar 2026 00:04:19 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • George + Kins. Opening this April
    A “not-so-classic diner” brought to you Heritage Eats team/family.

  • Elsewhere Wine Bar & Lounge (St. Helena). Coming soon
    From the team behind Charlie’s. So yes, expectations are high.

  • La Onda. Cancelled!
    Old news, but still mysterious news! Sad!

  • Sonoma International Film Festival. Is happening right now!
    I know, I know, a little late. We have not been on the ball lately. But it’s not over! Go!

  • Napavore Magazine. A new lit mag for Napa.
    Publishing stories, essays, poetry, and interviews inspired by the Napa region. Give them a follow and check out some real writing. Not the kind of swill those Valley Villager guys post…

  • Five Senses (Calistoga). Brick & Mortar coming soon
    Following a series of pop-ups at Picayune Cellars, it’s rumored they’ll be opening a brick & mortar location this Spring.

  • Sunship Pizza. New pop-up debuted at Contimo
    More pop-ups on the way, so follow along. New Jersey-style pies — which, depending on who you ask, might just be the best New York pies.

  • Costa Alegre Market. Open now

    Now open on Pine Street. We’re hearing good things coming out of the kitchen… and we plan to investigate.

  • Beats AM. Launching soon
    Nothing says good morning like house beats in your face. Coffee helps.



Over the Hill:

  • Smash (Sonoma). Opening in May
    Smashburgers finally make their way to Sonoma. Took long enough.

Rumor Mill:

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)


COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Mar 25 - 29: Sonoma Film Festival. Various locations, prices vary

Mar 27: Zootopia 2 (screening). Valley Swim, free but buy food

Mar 28: The Twilight Sessions: Change! Pop (live music). Blackbird Vineyards, $28

Mar 29: Ollie’s Pizza Pop-Up. Pomme Cider Shop (Sonoma), prices vary

Apr 1: Patton Oswalt: Effervescent. Uptown Theatre, $45+

Apr 1: Taste of Oxbow (first Wednesdays). Oxbow Public Market, free to attend

Apr 4: Easter Egg Hunt/Rummage. Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, free entry

Apr 7: Gary Numan. Uptown Theatre, $55+

Apr 9: Spring Lamb Dinner. Contimo, $95+

Apr 10: Skin to Skin: An Evening with John Santos. Jarvis Center, $25

Apr 11: The Wyeths: Three Generations (Exhibit Opening). The MAC, $30+

Apr 11: Kokedama Workshop. Riza Plants, $65

Apr 11: Rock the Congress (Napa). Copia, $15+ (donation)

Apr 12: Going to Extremes: A John Waters 80th Birthday Celebration (comedy). Uptown Theatre, $60+

Apr 13: The Godfather (Sonoma Film Club Screening). Sebastiani Theatre, $14

Apr 17: An Almost Famous Evening with Director Cameron Crowe. True West (Healdsburg), $350 (donation)

Apr 17-Sept 26: At Work: Industries that Built the Valley. Historic Goodman Library, free

Apr 18-26: Friends of the Napa Library Booksale. Napa Main Library, free but buy some books

Apr 19: Mothers Napa Cars & Carnitas Classic Car Meet. Mothers, free

Apr 25: Drag Show Brunch. The Garden, $44

Apr 25: The Mr. Pink Party. Compline / First Street Complex, $85+

Advance Notice:

May 9: The Wine (Half) Marathon. Silverado Trail, $185+

Jun 6: BloodRoot Ramble (music festival). Abel De Luna Community Center, (Healdsburg), $85+

]]><![CDATA[Villager glow-up, La Onda line-up, and other ups ๐Ÿ†™]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/villager-glow-up-la-onda-line-uphttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/villager-glow-up-la-onda-line-upFri, 13 Feb 2026 22:17:39 GMT

UPDATES

From the editor’s desk

Scoop Hotline
Dropping a scoop just got easier. Text us at 707-266-6150 with news, events, hot tips, or heartfelt confessions. We’ll even accept cute pet photos. We have standards, but they’re flexible.

Events Calendar
But it’s only for paid subscribers! Ugh! What money grubbing ogres we are… but don’t worry, we are going to keep putting current events into the bottom of each issue of the newsletter. But upgrade to paid! We like that too!

Audio Edition
Don’t have time to read our newsletter? (Ahem, Tim.) Well, the Substack app will happily read it for you. Queue it up for dog walks, dish duty, or that third load of laundry you’re avoiding.

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Contimo. Introduces Konbini
    Late(r) hours Thu-Sat, tamago sandos, french fries (!), and community collabs.

  • Chispa. …becomes Khisba?
    No wait, that’s not right…

  • Ashes & Diamonds. Introduces Cinema Club.
    A&D wine club member now get two comp tickets to a first Friday screening at the Cameo.

  • Rotation by Feast is Forward. Soft opens this week
    Chef Martin Yan is kicking things off. But don’t get too attached, it’s basically speed dating with chefs.

  • Le Petit Atelier. Kids art classes.
    Arts education for them. Fewer paint splotches in the living room for us. Sold.

  • Third Space Napa. “Not home. Not work. Someplace else.”
    Opening in the space that used to be (still is?) 1313 Cocktails / Rutherford Slice Shop, which used to be Ox and the Fox / Frankie’s Deli, and honest to god I think there was something in between that I don’t remember. “Opening eventually.” Godspeed, Third Space.

  • Napa Lowdown. Yet (another) newsletter
    Napa: land of 400 wineries and approximately 401 newsletters. Rising tides, lifted boats, yada yada. We’re all about that ENM lifestyle — editorial non-monogamy, of course.

Rumor Mill:

  • Azteca Market (St. Helena). Future uncertain?
    We’ve heard the landlord may be considering a — wait for it — tasting room for the space. We’ll just say: local markets > more cab flights. If you’ve got similar feelings, now’s the moment to speak up.


The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)


COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Feb 13: Family Film Fridays: Soul. Valley Swim Club, free admission + food/bev for purchase

Feb 14: Valentine’s Day Planter (workshop). Covet Ceramics, $125

Feb 14: Valentine’s Day Steakhouse Classics (cooking class). Playte Kitchen, $175

Feb 14: SoFi Prom Crawl. SoFi District (various locations), prices vary

Feb 14: Valentine’s Candle Making. Kindle & Grounded, $110

Feb 14: Lovers or Friends (Valentine’s event). 1331 Cocktails, ~$25

Feb 14: Queen of Hearts: A Night at The Mansion (by Salty Sundays). The Mansion, $135

Feb 15: Sunday Sessions (Open House). The River Club, free RSVP + food/bev for purchase

Feb 16: ThWistle Ping! (Book reading and music throw-down). Valley Swim Club, free admission + food/bev for purchase (RSVP here)

Feb 17: Fat Tuesday Cooking Class (w/ Ward Four Wines). Playte Kitchen, $95

Feb 19: Little Shop of Horrors with Live Accompaniment (1960, Screening). Cameo Cinema, $35

Feb 19: The Next Table - Honoring Charles Phan (dinner experience). Slanted Door, $215

Feb 20: Family Film Fridays: Cool Runnings. Valley Swim Club, free admission + food/bev for purchase

Feb 21: The Language of Coffee with Naysayer Roasters. Decant Bottle Shop & Bar, $50

Feb 21: Johnny Doughnuts Pop-up. Oxbow Parking lot, price of doughnuts

Feb 22: Flavors of Film: Chicken Run. CIA Copia, $8+

Feb 23: Madeleine Peyroux (live music). Uptown Theatre, $42+

Feb 23: Sonoma Film Club: Jamón, Jamón (Screening). Sebastiani Theatre, $14

Feb 25: About Time (movie screening). River Club, $21

Feb 26: Big Ass Burgers & Big Ass Beers. Armistice, prices vary

Feb 26: Chris Isaak. Uptown Theatre, $112+

Feb 27: Family Film Fridays: Raya and the Last Dragon. Valley Swim Club, free admission + food/bev for purchase

Feb 27: Lunar New Year (dinner experience). Under-Study, $75

Feb 28: The Twilight Sessions: eggcorn (live music). Blackbird Vineyards, $28

Feb 28: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Uptown Theatre, $54+

Feb 28, Mar 1: Chefs Who Are Also Not Italian: Nancy Silverton. Ciccio, $125+

Mar 1: Ground Down, Get Down! Community Event. Playte Kitchen, $10+

Mar 4: Johnny Doughnuts Pop-up. Oxbow Parking lot, price of doughnuts

Advance Notice:

Mar 10: The Next Table - Honoring Charles Phan (dinner experience). Stateline Road, $95

Mar 15: Cameo Celebrates the Oscars (live stream). Cameo Cinema (St. Helena), $40

Mar 19 - 22: FORK2FILM Festival. Cameo Cinema, prices vary

Mar 28: The Twilight Sessions: Change! Pop (live music). Blackbird Vineyards, $28

Apr 23: The Next Table - Honoring Charles Phan (dinner experience). PRESS, $200

May 10: A Mother’s Day High Tea Fête. Clif Family Tasting Room, $80+

Jun 10: Sip & Support: LGBTQ Connection Napa & Sonoma (food and live music). Clif Family Tasting Room, prices vary

]]><![CDATA[Beans Are for Lovers ๐Ÿซ˜ ๐Ÿ’•]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/beans-are-for-lovershttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/beans-are-for-loversThu, 22 Jan 2026 23:35:30 GMTA Valentine’s Gift Guide Based on Your Partner’s Personality
Because nothing says “I know you deeply” like selecting the correct legume.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, flowers are fine, chocolate is predictable, but beans? Beans are romantic, practical, and shelf-stable. Choose wisely and they’re also weirdly perfect for your relationship. Luckily, we live near the best collection of heirloom beans on the planet. And with Rancho Gordo softly opening their new location on Monday, Jan. 26, we decided to match your partner’s personality to their pantry soulmate.

Let’s find your match.

The Meet-Cute Romantic

Optimistic, Sentimental, Fully in Their Feelings

Bean: Alubia Blanca Beans

Maybe you met at a concert, maybe at a party, maybe through friends. Either way, it felt like fate at the time (and it still does, right?). You send each other songs, romanticize absolutely everything, and love telling the story of how you first crossed paths.

Pairs well with: Shared playlists, blurry photos, and telling everyone, “it’s still early, but…”

The Chaos Goblin

Unpredictable, Intense, Strangely Magnetic

Bean: Ayocote Morado Beans

They’re the person who says, “what if we just…” and suddenly you’re on a road trip, dyeing your hair, or hosting a midnight dinner party you did not plan and are now somehow in charge of. Dating them is never boring, occasionally exhausting, but always memorable.

Pairs well with: Wild plot twists, impulsive decisions, and saying “sure, why not” (a lot).

The Trendsetter

Aesthetic, Expressive, Always Curating

Bean: Royal Corona Beans

When they’re not with you, they’re on TikTok. They say things like “it’s giving,” “mid,” and “such a vibe.” If it’s not visually impactful, they’re not interested, which is why they gravitate toward the biggest, boldest beans in the pot.

Pairs well with: Overhead cooking videos, cute bowls, and posting your dinner before you eat it.

The In-the-Mix Socialite

Social, Charming, Always in the Mix

Bean: Rio Zape Beans

You don’t need reservations because they know people. They’ve got favorite stools, favorite bartenders, and you always seem to run into someone you know, somehow. You often go out for “just one drink” and end up closing the place down.

Pairs well with: One cocktail too many, gratuitous dessert, and lying to your babysitter about being “on your way.”

The Low-Maintenance Adventure Bae

Dependable, Chill, Always Down

Bean: Yellow Eye Beans

No frills, no drama. They’re equally down to “Netflix and chill” or embark on a point-to-point hike at 5 a.m. Practical, loyal, and weirdly enthusiastic about whatever the plan is, as long as you’re involved.

Pairs well with: Sunrise coffee, sunset walks, and not overthinking the plan.

The Experimental Food Nerd

Curious, Inventive, Endlessly Tinkering

Bean: Black Garbanzo

They’re very into fermentation, own at least one obscure vinegar, and have tried to make koji at home, “just because.” Half their meals are experiments, but the other half are truly incredible.

Pairs well with: Open-minded eating, mysterious jars in the closet, and saying “interesting” in a supportive tone.

The Wine Geek with Opinions

Confident, Particular, A Little Judgey (in a Cute Way)

Bean: Vaquero Beans

They joined the club “for the community” but have very strong opinions about grape clones, apparently. Weekend plans include tasting hangouts, never-ending cheese boards, and saying things like, “it’s drinking really well right now” (unironically).

Pairs well with: Charcuterie that’s a little too nice for a Tuesday and half-finished bottles on the counter.

The Green-Thumbed Garden Witch

Grounded, Capable, Quietly a Badass

Bean: Scarlet Runner Beans

They love tending to their plants, casually refer to their sourdough starter as “she,” and probably own 2–3 Le Creusets in retired colors. Their hands always smell faintly like rosemary.

Pairs well with: Farmers’ market flowers and a handwritten note on recycled paper.

The Comfort-Is-My-Love-Language Partner

Generous, Nurturing, Big-Heart Energy

Bean: Buckeye Beans

They want to feed you. Constantly. Big pots of soup, chili, casseroles — always something warm and reassuring. Their hugs last a little longer than necessary and honestly, you really don’t mind.

Pairs well with: Big sweaters, fireplace cuddles, and second (and third) helpings.

The Fur-Baby Devotee

Affectionate, Schedule-Minded, Slightly Extra

Bean: Mayocoba Beans

Their camera roll is 60% dog, 30% sunsets, and 10% accidental screenshots. Date night means a long walk, a dog-friendly patio, and saying things like, “we can’t stay out too late, he has a routine.”

Pairs well with: Lint rollers, treat-filled pockets, and referring to your dog as “our son.”

The Nap-Schedule Enthusiast

Calm, Organized, Early-Dinner Energy

Bean: Flor de Junio Beans

You used to do late dinners. Now you do lunch dates and talk about nap schedules. Somehow you’ve never loved each other more, and yes, you will absolutely be home by 7:15.

Pairs well with: Tiny socks, big love, and reheating the same pasta three nights in a row.

The Humble, Ride-or-Die Homie

Low-Key, Practical, Always Shows Up

Bean: Split Peas

They’re not flashy and they’re not trying to be. They remember how you take your coffee, keep jumper cables in the trunk, and will absolutely help you rearrange the living room furniture (again).

Pairs well with: Shared calendars, backup phone chargers, and keys you can always find.

The French Film Aficionado

Cultured, Romantic, Slightly Pretentious

Bean: French-Style Green Lentils

They enjoy foreign cinema, have at least one item of clothing that’s “ethically sourced,” and never fail to remind you that cultured European butter is, in fact, superior. Their idea of a wild night is a throw blanket, a record, and a stew that simmers for three hours.

Pairs well with: Natural wine, soft jazz, and a monologue about farmers’ markets.

The Brooding Poet Type

Moody, Deep, Secretly a Softie

Bean: Midnight Black Beans

They listen to playlists titled “winter feelings” and “songs for staring out of windows.” They own at least one notebook they never actually write in. Deeply romantic, but would never admit it.

Pairs well with: Dark chocolate, candles, and saying “no, you choose” when picking dinner.

Final Thoughts

If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, no worries — you deserve excellent beans as much as anyone. Pick the archetype that feels closest to home and build yourself a good dinner around that.

Support local, eat well, and may your relationships be as hearty and reliable as your legumes.

Forward to your favorite people!

Share

]]><![CDATA[A club for locals, BottleRock lineup, and other news ๐Ÿพ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/a-club-for-locals-bottlerock-lineuphttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/a-club-for-locals-bottlerock-lineupWed, 14 Jan 2026 23:09:16 GMT

Introducing…
THE CLIF FAMILY COMMUNITY CLUB

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “I’m a local… shouldn’t there be perks? Papa needs a win!” Good news: Clif Family heard you.

Clif Family has quietly revamped their Community Club—opening it up to all Napa Valley residents (not just industry folks) and layering in more perks, more flexibility, and more local love. It’s less traditional wine club, more locals’ hack (or: ballin’ on a budget, as we’ve been known to call it).

Here’s why it caught the attention of the Valley Villager’s discerning editorial team:

The Scoop

More CLUB than wine club. Beaucoup discounts on wine, to be sure, but even more than that…

LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

  • Jan–Mar: Wild Vine Napa — 10% off vineyard tours

  • February: Naysayer Coffee — 10% off at either location

  • More partners roll out monthly (yes, even more coming soon!)

FREE TASTINGS

  • Members receive 4 complimentary tastings per reservation. Need a break from your visiting family or friends? You can use your complimentary tastings even when you’re not there! Get them out of the house!

SECRET MENU

  • Members-only. That’s all we’re saying.

DEALS FOR LOCALS

  • 20% off the Clif Family Food Truck (yum!)

  • Happy hour BTG pricing

  • Free espresso drinks

  • 20% off Clif Family artisan foods & gift sets

LET’S NOT FORGET THE WINE!

  • 4-bottle club — 30% off + $20 flat-rate shipping

  • 6-bottle club — 35% off + complimentary shipping

Bottom Line

This is a wine club that actually fits Napa life for us villagers — flexible, generous, and community-forward. If you’re already a fan of the Clif Family wines (or snacks!), it’s a no-brainer. If you’re not… it’s time. Click the button below to learn more!

Learn More about the Club

(We are very proud to say that this is Valley Villager’s very first paid partnership! We are growing up! To learn more about our partnership ethos, visit our partnerships page.)

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • BottleRock 2026. Lineup released.
    Lorde. LCD Soundsystem. Backstreet Boys. Lil Wayne. Natasha Bedingfield?! The best BottleRock in years! (P.S. Look out for the Clif Cabana at BottleRock, too!)

  • Eiko’s. Another Oxbow exodus.
    First the Wine & Cheese Merchant, now Eiko’s, two of the longest running tenants in the ‘bow. At this rate it’ll soon be all Sumo Dog, stem to stern.

  • Let’s Roam. Napa Scavenger Hunt(s) .
    Let’s play “find the drunken member of your bachelorette party who wandered off.”

Over the Hill:

Rumor Mill:

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)


COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Jan 16 - 17: Backyard Kids’ Theatre: A Midsummer Nights Dream. Sebastiani Theatre, $20

Jan 16 - 19: Napa Truffle Festival. Various locations, prices vary

Jan 17 - Feb 15: Napa Lighted Art Festival. Downtown, free

Jan 18: Tribute to Rob Reiner Mini Movie Fest (Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, Princess Bride). Sebastiani Theatre, $10+

Jan 18: Sober in the Valley Group Hike. Westwood Hills, free

Jan 19. Giants Rising (screening). Cameo Cinema, $20

Jan 21: Chef (movie screening). River Club, $21

Jan 24: Pottery Painting (workshop). Covet Ceramics, $75

Jan 24: Napa Valley Crab Feed (Boys & Girls Club). Napa Valley Expo, $150+

Jan 24: #imomsohard: The Flashback Tour (comedy podcast). Uptown Theatre, $60+

Jan 25: The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes. Uptown Theatre, $51

Jan 26: Sonoma Film Club: The Big Lebowski (screening). Sebastiani Theatre, $14

Jan 29 - Feb 1. Yountville International Short Film Festival. $20+

Jan 30: “Dry-ish January” Disco Dance Party. The Mac (St. Helena), $50+

Jan 31: Can’t Look Away: The Case Against Social Media (documentary screening). Jarvis Conservatory, free

Advance Notice:

Feb 1: An Afternoon with NPR’s Mara Liasson, hosted by KQED’s Mina Kim. Congregation Beth Shalom, $50+

Feb 1: Sunday Supper Club feat. Pasta Lovers Club Napa. Trinchero, $75

Feb 6: Ozomatli (live music). Uptown Theare, $49+

Feb 6 - 7: Napa Asian American Film Festival. Napa Valley College, $17+

Feb 23: Madeleine Peyroux (live music). Uptown Theatre, $42+

Feb 23: Sonoma Film Club: Jamón, Jamón (Screening). Sebastiani Theatre, $14

Feb 25: About Time (movie screening). River Club, $21

Mar 1: Napa Valley Marathon. Along Silverado Trail, sold out but entry may still be avail

Mar 1: Napa Valley Marathon After Party. Clif Family Winery, $31+

April 29: The Wedding Present (live music). Gundlach Bundschu, $79

May 22 - 24: Bottle Rock (music festival). Napa Valley Expo, prices vary

Oct 20: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert 40th Anniversary (screening). Uptown Theatre, $TBD

]]><![CDATA[Less Goose & Gander, more Cadet, and other news ๐ŸŒฒ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/less-goose-and-gander-more-cadethttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/less-goose-and-gander-more-cadetWed, 17 Dec 2025 23:26:00 GMT

*Note: That’s a gingerbread house on the left! Visit the library to see it!

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

Rumor Mill:

  • We’ve been hearing Blue Bottle might come to First Street… yes, another coffee shop.

Over the Hill:

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)


COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Dec 17: It’s A Wonderful Life (movie screening). The River Club, $21

Dec 18: Linocut Holiday Card Workshop. Valley Swim Club, $20

Dec 19: Arthur Christmas (screening). Valley Swim Club, free

Dec 19: A Very Vintage Holiday. River Club, $53

Dec 20, 21. Elf (screening). Copia, free

Dec 21: Winter Solstice Soiree. Wilfred’s, free

Dec 26: Frozen (screening). Valley Swim Club, free

Dec 29: Eyes Wide Shut (screening). Sonoma Film Club x Sebastiani Theatre, $14

Jan 10: Build a Teapot (workshop). Covet Ceramics, $125

Jan 17 - Feb 15: Napa Lighted Art Festival. Downtown, free

Jan 24: Pottery Painting (workshop). Covet Ceramics, $75

Advance Notice:

Feb 14: Valentine’s Day Planter (workshop). Covet Ceramics, $125

Feb 19: Little Shop of Horrors with Live Accompaniment (1960, Screening). Cameo Cinema, $35

Jan 9: Kathy Griffin “New Face, New Tour”. Uptown Theatre, $79+

Jan 10: STOP MAKING SENSE: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads – Live Event Hosted by Jerry Harrison. Uptown Theatre, $45+

Jan 25: The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes. Uptown Theatre, $51

Feb 26: Chris Isaak. Uptown Theatre, $112+

Feb 28: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Uptown Theatre, $54+

Mar 6: Neko Case. Uptown Theatre, $58+

Mar 7: Presents Silversun Pickups. Uptown Theatre, $61+

Mar 23: Johnny Marr. Uptown Theatre, $78+

Mar 27: Jeff Tweedy with special guest Sima Cunningham. Uptown Theatre, $125+

Apr 1: Patton Oswalt: Effervescent. Uptown Theatre, $45+

Apr 7: Gary Numan. Uptown Theatre, $55+

Apr 12: Going to Extremes: A John Waters 80th Birthday Celebration. Uptown Theatre, $60+

Apr 21: The Wallflowers. Uptown Theatre, $60+

]]><![CDATA[Lotsa openings, a couple closings, and other news ๐Ÿ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/lotsa-openings-a-couple-closingshttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/lotsa-openings-a-couple-closingsFri, 07 Nov 2025 23:32:11 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Con Amor Botanas y Tequila. Now open on Main Street!
    Napa’s newest late-night spot is officially open, and we’re already making plans to close it down (in the fun way). Vamos!

  • Good Pantry. Open now!
    A “zero-waste grocery” in the land of pizza, hot chicken, and burritos. Food City just got a little healthier.

  • Juniper Station & Friends. Small Business Holiday Bingo.
    Shop small, win big. ‘Tis the season to check off squares and support your local favorites.

  • Kindled and Grounded. “Experiential Robotic Cafe” (?)
    Yes, it’s a candle shop. Yes, it’s a cafe. Yes, there’s a robot. No, this isn’t a fever dream. Watch out Ohm, the machines are coming for you.

  • “Napa Social” Food Truck Park. Coming to Soscol.
    Where will it be? Oh, just a stone’s throw from where the food trucks already are. Kinda makes this less of a “new destination” and more of a sanctioned relocation effort…

  • Trade Brewing. Closing!
    How sad. Join them for a closing party on November 14. Thanks for everything, Trade!

  • Blue Note. Closing NYE 2025
    Another curtain call. Another empty stage. Napa’s live music scene just lost a few decibels.

  • Furniture 4 Less. Closing!
    That’s right, everyone’s favorite always vacant, entirely mysterious furniture store is closing. Where will we get our oversized leopard print chairs? Our dragon statues?

  • Vans. Opening at the outlets
    Where all good shoe brands go to live out their golden years.

Over the Hill:

  • The Grove (Penngrove). New speakeasy restaurant.
    Talk to me.

  • Valley Swim Club x Pets Lifeline. Free dog training classes on Saturday mornings.
    No link, but from their newsletter: Each Saturday morning will kick off at 9AM with coffee and roll call at Dive Bar, where participants will take a short walk to Ernie Smith Park. If you’re interested in participating, email Olivia at olivia@petslifeline.org

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)


COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

NEW: Nov 7: Mama Said (acoustic) at SoFi Fridays. Second Street, free

Nov 7: The Goonies (Screening). Valley Swim Club, free

NEW: Nov 8: “A Daughter of the Land: Maria Juarez’s Connection to Indigenous California” with April Farnham. Goodman Library, $3

Nov 8: Rocky Horror Picture Show Movie Screening & Fundraiser. Sebastiani Theatre, $20

Nov 8: ClothesSwap (with the Craft Yard). Juniper Station, free

NEW: Nov 9: Full Moon Gathering. Yoga West, $5+

Nov 9: Lukas Nelson (live music). Uptown Theatre, $71+

Nov 9: SF Chronicle: Wine Country’s Top 25 Restaurants Celebration and Tasting. CIA Copia, $125+

Nov 9: Hamlet (the finger-puppet musical). Folklore, free cover

Nov 11: Napa Bookmine Presents #1 NYT bestselling author Kate Baer. Uptown Theatre, $70+

Nov 11: Built to Spill. Gundlach Bundschu (Sonoma), $85

NEW: Nov 12: Annie Hall (movie screening). The River Club, $21

NEW: Nov 13: A Tale of Autumn (Screening). Sebastiani Theatre, $19

Nov 15: Holiday Extravaganza (art demos, treats, sales). The Art Gallery of Napa Valley, free admission

NEW: Nov 16: Napaulée Harvest Celebration x PRESS 20th Anniversary. PRESS, $204

NEW: Nov 17: L’Avventura (Screening). Sebastiani Theatre, $15

Nov 17: Todd Rundgren (live music). Uptown Theatre, $67

NEW: Nov 26: 10th Annual Collab for a Cause (benefitting Napa Food Bank). Cadet, $10+

NEW: Nov 27: Turkey Chase. Athletic Feat, $54+

Advance Notice:

Dec 7: Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost (Screening with Ben Stiller). Cameo Cinema, $265

Dec 7: Makers Market Local Artist Fair. First Street Complex, free to attend

Dec 10: Collab Night Market hosted by Naysayer x Stoop Supper Club. More details soon.

Dec 12: Christmas in the Vineyards (Choir Performance). First Presbyterian Church, $35

Dec 12: The Big Sale. Lawler’s Liquors, prices vary

Dec 17: It’s A Wonderful Life (movie screening). The River Club, $21

]]><![CDATA[Boo. ๐Ÿ‘ป]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/boohttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/booFri, 17 Oct 2025 00:12:46 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Theda’s Ice Creamery. Open now
    They’ve got something for everyone: Fresh Mint Chip (for your vegan friend), Apple Cider Donut (for your gluten-free pal), Maple Roasted Carrot (for your eccentric co-worker), and Rocky Road (for the normies among us). And they’re even open till 9/10pm! Ice cream after-party, anyone?

  • Strange Times Coffee & Tea. Open now
    Folklore’s weekday alter ego is serving up Mad Fritz espresso, pastries, sandwiches, and that all-important WiFi, perfect for pretending to work while writing a local newsletter (ahem).

  • Good Pantry. The signage is up!
    Is it open? Not quite. Is it progress? You bet. We’re now one sign closer to snacks.

  • Eikos. Sushi + Noodles
    Calling all nood-ists (noodle enthusiasts, you guys, get your mind out of the gutter): Eiko’s is bringing back some Napa Noodle favorites, like Dan Dan and ramen.

  • Costa Alegre Market. That odd retail space on Pine Street has a new tenant
    Signs are up in the window. Opening soon. Let’s hope for the best.

  • House Plant Tattoo. New private tattoo studio
    If you get a Valley Villager tattoo, we’ll give you free newsletters for life. Not that we charge for them now. But still. Immortalize us on your body, and we’ll keep sending emails until arthritis takes over our typing fingers.

  • Napa Valley Education Foundation Campus. Open now
    Check out the fall lineup of community classes, many in collaboration with our friends at Nimbus Arts.

  • The Village (Calistoga). Wine for you. Play for the kids.
    A new family-friendly wine country hangout. Of course, enough wine and you may find us hanging from the jungle gym as well.

Rumor Mill

  • Con Amor. Opening soon…
    A little birdie told us they’ll be open before Día de los Muertos, so we’re breaking the news a little early. Follow them on social so you can be the first to know when the doors open.

Over the Hill

  • Abo’s Cocina (Vallejo). New Guatemalan restaurant
    Early reports say churrasco, pepián, and warm, familial vibes. We’ll share more once we’ve had a chance to eat our way through the menu.

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

BALLIN’ ON A BUDGET

Tips for keeping it frugal around town

Hudson Greens & Goods. Rummage through the Bargain Bin.
Tucked between the chanterelles and the cider is Hudson’s bargain bin — a mixed bag of daily delights. Slightly wilty broccolini, almost-too-ripe stone fruit, day-old-but-still-good bread, beer on the brink of expiring, last season’s marshmallows, vegan crackers that nobody asked for — it’s all fair game. The bins change daily, just enough to make you feel like you’re on an Iron Chef challenge. Think Grocery Outlet, but every item is artisanal and “bargain” really just means “priced like normal food.” Consider it thrifting, but for your fridge.

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Oct 16: Oktoberfest Celebration. Contimo, prices vary

NEW: Oct 17: Pop-Up Barre Class & Wine Tasting. The River Club. $16

NEW: Oct 17: Pumpkin Painting. LGBTQ Connection, $?

Oct 17: Free Play with Clay Hand-building Workshop + Pizza Dinner. Covet Home Studio, $105

Oct 17: Twin Peaks: A Conversation with the Stars. Uptown Theatre, $61+

Oct 17: Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers. Meritage, $77+

Oct 17-19: Aloe Blacc (live music). Blue Note, $82+

NEW: Oct 18: Grand Opening. The Makers Nook, free

NEW: Oct 18-19: California Native Plant Sale. Skyline Wilderness Park, prices vary / free admission

Oct 18: Youth Mental Health “Fall” Festival. Mentis Wellness Campus, free

Oct 18: St. Helena Harvest Festival. St. Adams Street & Library Lane (St. Helena), free to attend

Oct 18: CraftSwap (with the Craft Yard). Juniper Station, free

Oct 18: Napa Soroptomist Annual Lobster Fest. First Presbyterian Church of Napa. $150

NEW: Oct 19: Cookbook Club: Samin Nosrat (w/ Stoop Supper Club). Location TBA

Oct 19: Peanuts 75th Anniversary (with Snoopy!). Folklore, free admission

Oct 19: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram (live music). Uptown Theatre, $41

Oct 19: 3-piece Breakfast Set Clay Hand-building Workshop. Covet Home Studio, $135

Oct 19: 1 Year Anniversary & Oktoberfest Bash. Decant, prices vary

Oct 19: Larry Vuckovich All Star Quartet. Brannan Center (St. Helena), $20

Oct 21: Cristy (Screening). Sebastiani Theatre, tickets not yet on sale

Oct 22: Community Open House with City of Napa. Las Flores Community Center, free

Oct 23: Spooky Napa (a reading of vintage Napa Valley ghost stories). Napa Library, free

Oct 23: Celebrate Jacques Pepin (Dinner with JP and Single Thread chefs). TORC, $1750

NEW: Oct 24: Block Party Benefiting Wine Country Unites. Cadet, free

Oct 24: Harvest Movie Nights: Jaws. Gundlach Bunschu, $25

Oct 24: Daryl Hall (music). Meritage Resort, $96+

NEW: Oct 25: Halloween Block Party. Mare Island (Vallejo), free

NEW: Oct 25: Community Grand Opening. Bare Wellness, free ($10 raffle tix)

NEW: Oct 25: 3rd Anniversary Party. Compline Wine Shop, $25

Oct 25-Nov 2: Day of the Dead Altar. Napa Library, free (bring copies of photos, written stories, and memories to honor and celebrate loved ones).

Oct 26: Witches Paddle. Main Street Dock, free

Oct 26: Cars & Coffee gathering. Paradise Barbershop, free to attend

Oct 26: Halloween Spooktacular Tour. Tulocay Cemetery, $45

Oct 26: Jarabe Mexicano - Segue to Día de los Muertos: Celebration of Life. Brannan Center (St. Helena), $30

Oct 27: Coco Movie Screening and Craft. Calistoga Library, free

Oct 27: Blue Velvet (Screening). Sebastiani x Sonoma Film Club, tickets not yet for sale

NEW: Oct 29: Las Abogadas: Attorneys On The Front Lines Of The Migrant Crisis Movie Screening + Benefit. Sebastiani Theatre, $23

Oct 29: Encanto Movie Screening. Calistoga Library, free

Oct 30: Country Line Dancing Halloween Party. The Garden, $23

NEW: Oct 31: Halloween Party (w/ DJ Supaserg). Ace & Vine, $20 at the door

NEW: Oct 31: Halloween Karaoke Drag Night. Barnhouse, $17

NEW: Oct 31: A Haunted Victorian Halloween Party. Songbird Parlour (Sonoma), $60

Oct 31: Halloween Open House. Napa Library, free

Oct 31: Halloween at the Garden of Good and Evil. The Garden, $23

Nov 1: Tour de Calistoga (Bike Race). Calistoga, $295+

Nov 1: Napa Dia de los Muertos. Veterans Park, free to attend

Nov 2: Jacques Pepin: A Legacy of Heart & Soul (conversation). Uptown Theatre, $84+

Advance Notice:

Nov 4: Special Election Day (re Prop 50). Hall of Justice, Election Divison (or mail in!)

Nov 5: Taste of Oxbow (New Locals Night). Oxbow Market, free

Nov 7: The Goonies (Screening). Valley Swim Club, free

Nov 8: Rocky Horror Picture Show Movie Screening & Fundraiser. Sebastiani Theatre, $20

Nov 15: Holiday Extravaganza (art demos, treats, sales). The Art Gallery of Napa Valley, free admission

Nov 17: Todd Rundgren (live music). Uptown Theatre, $67

]]><![CDATA[Top restaurants, how to ball on a budget, and other news ๐Ÿช™ ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/top-restaurants-how-to-ball-on-ahttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/top-restaurants-how-to-ball-on-aTue, 30 Sep 2025 22:38:35 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • SF Chronicle. Wine Country's Top 25 Restaurants List
    Shout-out to so many of our fav local restaurants, including Contimo, Valley, Carabao, Stateline, Spread Kitchen, El Molino, and many more! There’s even a tasting event at Copia in Nov. Check it out!

  • True Nature Healing Arts. Now open
    Because Napa can never have too many ways to breathe deeply, stretch gently, and convince ourselves we’re “working on balance.”

  • Vintage High School. Print Shop
    We didn’t even know this existed, but now we do ((thanks, Theda’s!). Suddenly we’re dreaming up all kinds of Villager swag. Support the kids and look cool doing it. Win-win.

  • Yountville Arts Commission. 9th Annual Youth Art Exhibition
    Submissions now open! A great excuse to clean finger paint off the walls and redirect it to a gallery.

  • Napa Library (various locations). Bow-Wow for Books.
    How cool is this? A recurring event that invites young readers to practice their reading skills by reading to certified listening dogs.

  • Starbucks. Three Napa cafes closing
    Which means we’re down to ten. How will we survive?? (Pro tip: there are over a dozen local coffee shops that will be very happy to see you.)

  • Napa Community Animal Response Team. Helping your animals in emergencies
    No jokes here. This crew helps keep Napa animals and their families prepped for emergencies. File under “things we’re glad exist.” Maybe we can stop by to see what the pups think of our one-liners…

  • Flow (Calistoga). Closing
    Flown! Sad!

  • Huckleberry’s. Closed
    Goodbye waffles, goodbye bottomless coffee refills.

  • Barnes & Noble. The signage is up
    …and while we didn’t actually leave a bag of poop on their porch, we definitely thought about it. Welcome to the neighborhood?

Over the Hill

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

BALLIN’ ON A BUDGET

Tips for keeping it frugal around town

Uptown Theatre. Buy from the Box Office
Remember the days when you interacted with a real human instead of a screen? They still exist, at Uptown’s box office, Monday through Friday, 10–5:30. And here’s the kicker: you actually save money. Rick Springfield through Ticketmaster: $89.25 (yes, really, for Rick Springfield). Same ticket, box office direct: $74.50 (which includes a $5 restoration fee — so you’re basically funding art). Kate Baer, NYT bestselling author: $73.80 through Ticketmaster vs $60 direct. Both include the paperback. Do the math, buy direct, and maybe consider stopping by just to say hi. The least you can do is give the box office staff some company.

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

NEW: Sep 30: Free Film Class: The Artist (2011). Cameo Cinema, free

NEW: Sep 30: Eugene’s 1 year Anniversary Party. Dos’ Bar (Sonoma), prices vary

NEW: Oct 1: Blossom the Opossum Meet-and-Greet (w/ Napa Wildlife Rescue). Napa Library, free

NEW: Oct 3: Owl Prowl & Family Night Hike. Alston Park, $5

NEW: Oct 3: Taylor Swift Album Release Party (with DJ Rotten Robbie). The Garden, $10 at the door

Oct 3-13: Zoppé: An Italian Family Circus. Napa Valley Expo, $28+

Oct 3: Harvest Movie Nights: Troop Beverly Hills. Gundlach Bunschu, $25

NEW: Oct 4: Makers Market Local Artist Fair. First Street Napa, free to attend

NEW: Oct 4: Oktoberfest. Napa Yard, free admission/prices vary

NEW: Oct 4: Whole Pig Butchery Workshop. Under-Study (St. Helena), $290

NEW: Oct 4: Oak Hill Farm Pumpkin Day. Oak Hill Farm (Sonoma), free to attend

Oct 4: Grand Opening - Community Open House. Brannan Center (St. Helena), $20

Oct 4: Story Pirates: The Amazing Adventure Tour (kids sketch comedy). Uptown Theatre, $46+

Oct 4: Vallejo Fest. Mare Island, free

NEW: Oct 5: Tomgirl Farms Sunday Pop-Ups. Juniper Station, prices vary (recurring, Sundays in October)

Oct 5: Clos du Val Harvest Farmers Market. Clos du Val, $125

Oct 5: Athletic Feat: Napa Half Marathon. Skyline Park, $96+

NEW: Oct 8: Reading with a Cat (storytime, craft & adoption event). Calistoga Public Library, free (and free adoption fees)

NEW Oct 11: Palm Tree Music Festival. Meritage Resort, waitlist only

Oct 11: Makers Market. Di Rosa, $15

NEW Oct 12: Napa Day Against Hate (community gathering). Veterans Park, free

Oct 12: DJ Brunch Bites: Clif Family Morning Marmalade (brunch party). Clif Family Tasting Room, $35

NEW: Oct 13: Dos’ Cookbook Book Club (and Potluck). Dos’ Bar (Sonoma), $TBD

NEW: Oct 15: Dine & Donate for Napa Humane Society. The Garden, prices vary

NEW: Oct 15: Halloween Creature Class. Covet Ceramics, $30

NEW: Oct 16: Oktoberfest Celebration. Contimo, prices vary

NEW: Oct 17: Free Play with Clay Hand-building Workshop + Pizza Dinner. Covet Home Studio, $105

Oct 17: Twin Peaks: A Conversation with the Stars. Uptown Theatre, $61+

NEW: Oct 18: Youth Mental Health “Fall” Festival. Mentis Wellness Campus, free

NEW: Oct 18: St. Helena Harvest Festival. St. Adams Street & Library Lane (St. Helena), free to attend

Oct 18: CraftSwap (with the Craft Yard). Juniper Station, free

NEW Oct 19: Peanuts 75th Anniversary (with Snoopy!). Folklore, free admission

NEW: Oct 19: 3-piece Breakfast Set Clay Hand-building Workshop. Covet Home Studio, $135

NEW: Oct 19: 1 Year Anniversary & Oktoberfest Bash. Decant, prices vary

Oct 19: Larry Vuckovich All Star Quartet. Brannan Center (St. Helena), $20

NEW: Oct 21: Cristy (Screening). Sebastiani Theatre, tickets not yet on sale

Advance Notice:

Oct 22: Community Open House with City of Napa. Las Flores Community Center, free

Oct 23: Spooky Napa (a reading of vintage Napa Valley ghost stories). Napa Library, free

Oct 25: Pumpkin Carving. Ballentine Vineyards, $50

Oct 25-Nov 2: Day of the Dead Altar. Napa Library, free (bring copies of photos, written stories, and memories to honor and celebrate loved ones).

Oct 27: Coco Movie Screening and Craft. Calistoga Library, free

NEW: Oct 27: Blue Velvet (Screening). Sebastiani x Sonoma Film Club, tickets not yet for sale

Oct 29: Encanto Movie Screening. Calistoga Library, free

Oct 30: Country Line Dancing Halloween Party. The Garden, $23

Oct 31: Halloween Open House. Napa Library, free

Oct 31: Halloween at the Garden of Good and Evil. The Garden, $23

Nov 1: Tour de Calistoga (Bike Race). Calistoga, $295+

Nov 9: SF Chronicle: Wine Country's Top 25 Restaurants Celebration and Tasting. CIA Copia, $125+

Nov 9: Hamlet (the finger-puppet musical). Folklore, free cover

Dec 4: 9th Annual Youth Art Exhibition Opening Reception. Steve Rogers Gallery at the Community Center, $TBD

Dec 6: Visits with Santa. Yountville Community Center, free

Dec 6-7: Yountville Holiday Artisan Faire. Yountville Community Center, free

Jan 24, 2026: Napa Valley Crab Feed (Boys & Girls Club). Napa Valley Expo, $150+

]]><![CDATA[Hotels, hotels and other hotels ๐Ÿจ ๐Ÿ—๏ธ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/hotels-hotels-and-other-hotelshttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/hotels-hotels-and-other-hotelsMon, 15 Sep 2025 22:11:36 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Playte Kitchen. New hands-on teaching kitchen
    Time to get handsy with your food. Their new culinary classroom promises to be equal parts playful and educational.

  • Carabao. Serving up weekend brunch
    We usually don’t track report on changes to operating hours… unless they involve brunch. In which case, we absolutely do.

  • Folklore. Daytime hours beginning Oct 1
    The perfect place for us to look productive while spending 45 minutes writing one cheeky sentence about brunch.

  • Napa Harvest Middle School. City of Napa purchasing, converting to housing
    But the housing is only for middle schoolers. It’s sort of a Lord of the Flies situation. JOKING! Jeesh! Take a breath, everybody, let’s just everybody take a breath.

  • Lucky Penny. Won 14 local theater awards
    PSA: We have a local theater! And it just won 14 awards in the Marquee Theater Journalists Association’s 2025 Norbay Theater Awards! I can’t remember the last time we brought home so many MT-JANTAs.

  • Theda’s Ice Creamery. Opening soon!
    So long, seasonal six-pack. It’s double-scoop dad bod time.

Over the Hill

Rumor Mill

  • {Untitled AYCE Sushi}. Coming to Imola Plaza
    It’s all-you-can-eat, you know the drill. Bring an appetite and your stretchiest pants.

  • Marriot. First Street, 2027.
    Marriott is making moves downtown. There’ll even be a breezeway! Kimpton, watch your back.

  • Naysayer Coffee. Something’s brewing…
    Let’s just say we heard whispers over a cortado that something is coming. North Napa, consider this your unofficial heads-up.

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

NEW: Fridays: Moonlight Movies. Carneros Resort, free but food/drink available for purchase

NEW: Sep 16: Mexican Independence Day Taco Tuesday Celebration (w/ Birria & Local-Celeb Eddy Balbuena). Chispa, prices vary

NEW: Sep 16: Electric Car and Bike Show. Napa Farmers Market, free

Sep 18: Napa Tech and Innovation Night (City of Napa Economic Development Division). 1331 Cocktails, free

NEW: Sep 20: Coastal Cleanup Day. Napa Rec Department, free

NEW: Sep 20: Taste of Justin Sienna (Fundraiser). Justin Sienna High School, $85 donation

NEW: Sep 20: Club Fugazi Excursion. Yountville Rec, $180

NEW: Sep 20: Local Pop Up Market (hosted by Deer Valley Daughters Cattle Co). 8495 Valley Ford Rd (Petaluma), prices vary

Sep 20: Ceramic Mug Hand-building Workshop. Covet Studio, $65

Sep 20: Bale Grist Mill Harvest Dinner & Auction (Napa State Parks Benefit). Bale Grist Mill, $20

Sep 20: Gregorian Chant & More by Aeternum Choir. Markham Estate, $87

NEW: Sep 21: Minnie Bells (Soul Food) Popup. Coop by Hoopes (Yountville), varies

NEW: Sep 22: Sonoma Film Club Screening: Seven Samurai. Sebastiani Theatre, $14

NEW: Sep 23: Community Cookout with Napa County Fire. Yountville Community Center - Bud’s BBQ, free

NEW: Sep 25: Vintage Napa Valley Wine: A Trio of Survivors (Prohibition History Talk w Rebecca Yerger). Napa Main Library, free

NEW: Sep 26-28: The Maker Faire Bay Area. Mare Island (Vallejo), prices vary (w/ discount available thanks to our friend at NapaKids)

NEW: Sep 27: Breakfast With The K9s. Winstons, prices vary

NEW: Sep 27: U-Pick Harvest. Single Thread Farm Store (Healdsburg), prices vary

NEW: Sep 27: Airy Larry & Doug Dirt (of the Banana Slug String Band). The White Barn, free admission w/ donation of a can to the food pantry

NEW: Sep 27: Side Hustle Snacks Pop-Up. Under-Study (St. Helena), free samples

NEW: Sep 27: Alice in Wonderland Tea Party (w/ Little Hollywood Baking Co.). Location TBA, $60

NEW: Sep 28: Garden Party Potluck at Dan Baron’s feat. Lowell Levinger with Banana And The Bunch. 1033 Rose Drive, $30 donation, email HERE to RSVP

NEW: Sep 28: Big, Buttery Celebration: Opening of the Julia Child’s exhibit, feat Irma Rombauer. The MAC, $30 + museum admission

Sep 28: Leslie Jones (comedy). Uptown Theatre, price TBD

NEW Oct 3-13: Zoppé: An Italian Family Circus. Napa Valley Expo, $28+

Oct 3: Harvest Movie Nights: Troop Beverly Hills. Gundlach Bunschu, $25

NEW: Oct 4: Grand Opening - Community Open House. Brannan Center (St. Helena), $20

Oct 4: Story Pirates: The Amazing Adventure Tour (kids sketch comedy). Uptown Theatre, $46+

Oct 4: Vallejo Fest. Mare Island, free

NEW: Oct 5: Clos du Val Harvest Farmers Market. Clos du Val, $125

NEW: Oct 5: Athletic Feat: Napa Half Marathon. Skyline Park, $96+

Oct 10: Re-Animator (Screening and Q&A). Uptown Theare, $49+

Oct 11: Makers Market. Di Rosa, $15

Oct 12: DJ Brunch Bites: Clif Family Morning Marmalade (brunch party). Clif Family Tasting Room, $35

Advance Notice:

Oct 17: Twin Peaks: A Conversation with the Stars. Uptown Theatre, $61+

Oct 18: CraftSwap (with the Craft Yard). Juniper Station, free

Oct 19: Larry Vuckovich All Star Quartet. Brannan Center (St. Helena), $20

Oct 23: Celebrate Jacques Pepin (Dinner with JP and Single Thread chefs). TORC, $1750

Oct 26: Cars & Coffee gathering. Paradise Barbershop, free to attend

Oct 26: Jarabe Mexicano - Segue to Día de los Muertos: Celebration of Life. Brannan Center (St. Helena), $30

Nov 8: ClothesSwap (with the Craft Yard). Juniper Station, free

Nov 11: Napa Bookmine Presents #1 NYT bestselling author Kate Baer. Uptown Theatre, $70+

Dec 6: Crafturday (with the Craft Yard). The Oxbow, free

Dec 14: A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Adam Shulman Trio. Brannan Center (St. Helena), $30

Jan 9, 2026: Kathy Griffin. Uptown Theatre, $TBD

Jan 24, 2026: #imomsohard: The Flashback Tour (comedy podcast). Uptown Theatre, $60+

]]><![CDATA[Moore's Landing, more pinball and other news ๐Ÿ•น๏ธ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/moores-landing-more-pinball-and-otherhttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/moores-landing-more-pinball-and-otherSat, 30 Aug 2025 18:35:58 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Moore’s Landing. A food and beverage permit is up.
    Love that whole Cuttings Wharf area, psyched for this.

  • Marquee Pinball. Opening a second location?!
    On Clinton Street aka Haus Alley. Word on the street is that it’s more arcade-y, less pinball-y.

  • Johnny Doughnuts. New shop in Oxbow.
    Is it “Oxbow” or “the Oxbow”? What do you guys say?

  • Juniper Station. New location (and concept) announced.
    It’s gonna have food, and it’s right across from “Oxbow” (they don’t say “the Oxbow,” so let’s go with “Oxbow”).

  • Raising Cane’s. Coming to Napa?
    Move over KFC, a new crispy contender may be entering the ring. Because when we think Napa, we naturally think… more fried chicken.

  • Sourdough & Co. / Nick’s Roasting Company. Now open in the Michael’s shopping center.
    Now we know who Sourdough’s Co is! It’s Nick! This is two establishments sharing one space, like those combination Pizza Hut / Taco Bells.

  • A&W. Likely to close in April.
    The Register has all the scoops lately! Thank you, Register! PSA: The Valley Villager is cool and all, but Napa needs the Register! If you don’t already, consider subscribing. The price has come down recently, if I am not mistaken…

Rumor Mill

  • Nimbus Arts. Opening a new location in the Tannery.
    Compared to their St. Helena location, the word on the street is that the new spot will focus more on adult classes, vs kid stuff. We’re talking permanent marker, paint that doesn’t wash out of your clothes — ADULT.

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Aug 29-31: The Black Radio Experience (Music Festival). Meritage Resort, $499+ for 3 days

NEW: Aug 30: Folklore - Second Anniversary. Folklore, free

NEW: Aug 31: Love Language - R&B Dance Party. 1331 Cocktails, $?

NEW: Sep 5: National Park Radio (live music). Elusa Winery (Calistoga), $128

NEW: Sep 5: Harvest Movie Nights: Point Break. Gundlach Bunschu, $25

NEW: Sep 6: Meet the Artist: Reyna Noriega Celebration (w/ Tish Around Town). Clif Family Tasting Room, prices vary

Sep 6: Dock of the Bay Music Festival. Mare Island, prices vary

Sep 6: Young The Giant (live music). The Meritage Resort, $74+

Sep 7: Santigold (live music). Meritage Resort, $48

Sep 9: Workshop + Author Event: Networking for Writers by Linda Ruggeri. Napa County Library, free

Sep 13: Putting on the Glitz. Community Projects, free to attend

Sept 13: MJ Lenderman & The Wind. Gundlach Bundschu, $79

Sep 13: Mavis Staples w/ Fantastic Negrito (live music). The Meritage Resort, $86

NEW: Sep 13: Tails & Tiles event (art + adoption). We Care Animal Rescue, $45

NEW: Sep 13: Roll with It: The Craft of Chocolate Truffles (class). Under-Study, $188

NEW: Farm Fest 2025 (party, live music, food). Clif Family Farm, $100

Sep 14: Feast Above the River. Russian River (Guernville), $75+

Sep 14: Downton Abbey: Afternoon Tea (Screening). Cameo Cinema, $35

Sep 14: Salty Sixties Pool Party. Flamingo Resort & Spa (Santa Rosa), $65

NEW: Sep 18: Napa Tech and Innovation Night (City of Napa Economic Development Division). 1331 Cocktails, free

NEW: Sep 20: Ceramic Mug Hand-building Workshop. Covet Studio, $65

NEW: Sep 20: Bale Grist Mill Harvest Dinner & Auction (Napa State Parks Benefit). Bale Grist Mill, $20

Sep 20: Gregorian Chant & More by Aeternum Choir. Markham Estate, $87

Advance Notice:

Oct 3: Harvest Movie Nights: Troop Beverly Hills. Gundlach Bunschu, $25

Oct 4: Story Pirates: The Amazing Adventure Tour (kids sketch comedy). Uptown Theatre, $46+

Oct 10: Re-Animator (Screening and Q&A). Uptown Theare, $49+

Oct 12: DJ Brunch Bites: Clif Family Morning Marmalade (brunch party). Clif Family Tasting Room, $35

Oct 24: Harvest Movie Nights: Jaws. Gundlach Bunschu, $25

Nov 2: Jacques Pepin: A Legacy of Heart & Soul (conversation). Uptown Theatre, $84+

Jan 10, 2026: Stop Making Sense (Screening w/ Jerry Harrison). Uptown Theatre, $45+

]]><![CDATA[THRIVE at the Farmers Market, restaurant openings, closings and other news ๐Ÿซ‘]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/thrive-at-the-farmers-market-restauranthttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/thrive-at-the-farmers-market-restaurantSun, 17 Aug 2025 21:45:26 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Napa Farmers Market. How to THRIVE at the Farmers Market.
    If you are interested in doing more than just surviving, check out Farmers Market Executive Director Cara Mae Wooledge’s response to our recent entirely-intended-to-be-silly-and-self-deprecating-but-in-retrospect-should-have-been-more-thoughtful-after-all-people-are-working-their-asses-off-and-also-we-love-the-farmers-market!-this-one-got-away-from-us-but-parts-of-it-were-kind-of-funny-right?-is-napa-bistro-mad report about the farmers market — which, to reiterate, we love!

    BTW: Did you know that you can become a Friend of the Market? Just make a contribution of your choosing to help support this largely volunteer-run organization! (Can you even imagine if the Farmers Market didn’t exist? Or if it left downtown?!)

  • VINE Transit. Saturday service to BART.
    We are probably slow to the punch on this one, but this is pretty neat: You can take a direct trip from the Redwood Park & Ride in Napa to the El Cerrito del Norte BART station, and then head into the city (or to the airport!)

  • School of Rock (music school). Coming soon to Napa
    God of Rock, thank you for this chance to kick ass.

  • Vine Hill Park (Napa). Major playground updates!
    Napa’s hottest new playground is Vine Hill Park. This playground’s got everything: see-saws, a Turbo Twister™️ slide, woodchips – you name it.

  • Entrecot. Closed!
    Vaya con dios, Entrecot. We hardly knew ye and feel guilty about never visiting ye.

  • Heritage Eats. May be walking back recent concept changes.
    It is freaking tough out there, huh? If we haven’t said it recently: Thank you to all the restaurant and retail people out there who stick their necks out and make Napa an interesting and vibrant place to live.

  • Blue Note Summer Sessions (Meritage). So many notable performers!
    Summer ain’t over yet! From Daryl Hall to Chelsea Handler to Mavis Staples to David Lee Roth, there is so much going on over at the Meritage that it felt worth promoting the Summer Sessions from the “events” section to the “news” section.

  • Villager PSA: Tomato season is peaking, and the valley’s BLTs are having a moment. Contimo, Kitchen Door, Charlie’s, and more — pick your favorite, then take a bite. Bonus points if you spot Tyson Caly mid–BLT crawl. Say hello, and let him know the Villager says he owes you a sando.

Over the Hill

  • Starbread (Petaluma). Senorita bread incoming.
    Vallejo’s beloved carb bomb heads north. Petaluma, prepare your stretchy pants.

Rumor Mill

  • Con Amor. Papered windows, curious minds.
    Something’s afoot at La Cheve’s sister spot — the windows at Con Amor are suddenly covered in butcher paper. Could be a reveal. Could be nothing. But let’s be real — it’s definitely something. 👀

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Jul 31-Aug 24: Music in the Vineyards (live music). Various locations, prices vary

Aug 16-24: Friends of the Napa Library Book Sale. Napa County Library, varies

NEW: Aug 19: Folktales (Screening by Sonoma International Film Festival). Sebastianti Theatre, $20

NEW: Aug 22: Date Night Clay Coil Workshop. Covet Home Studio, $160

NEW: Aug 23: Clay Platter Workshop. Covet Home Studio, $65

NEW: Aug 23: Youth Mental Health Festival. Mentis Campus, free for youths 12-19

NEW: Aug 25: The Virgin Suicides (Screening by The Sonoma Film Club). Sebastiani Theatre, $14

NEW: Aug 27: Bright Eyes. Gundlach Bundschu (Sonoma), $96

NEW: Aug 28: Cajun Dance Party & Crawfish Boil with Ann Savoy and the Magnolia Sisters. Welcome Grange, $34

Aug 29-31: The Black Radio Experience (Music Festival). Meritage Resort, $499+ for 3 days

NEW: Sep 6: Dock of the Bay Music Festival. Mare Island, prices vary

Advance Notice

Sep 9: Workshop + Author Event: Networking for Writers by Linda Ruggeri. Napa County Library, free

Sep 14: Downton Abbey: Afternoon Tea (Screening). Cameo Cinema, $35

Sep 14: Salty Sixties Pool Party. Flamingo Resort & Spa (Santa Rosa), $65

Sep 20: Gregorian Chant & More by Aeternum Choir. Markham Estate, $87

Oct 4: Vallejo Fest. Mare Island, free

Oct 26: Halloween Spooktacular Tour. Tulocay Cemetery, $45

Nov 11: Built to Spill. Gundlach Bundschu (Sonoma), $85

]]><![CDATA[REPORT: How to Survive the Napa Farmers Market]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/report-how-to-survive-the-napa-farmershttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/report-how-to-survive-the-napa-farmersWed, 23 Jul 2025 20:18:47 GMT

California’s produce is without peer, making Napa’s Farmers Market one of our most popular attractions for locals and tourists alike. As a result of its limited business hours and high volume of visitors, the Farmers Market is not the bucolic celebration of community that it is often made out to be, but in fact a zero-sum game where only the cunning survive. Here are some tips for making the most of your next trip.

(Note: If you would prefer to not only survive, but thrive at the Napa Farmers Market, check out Executive Director Cara Mae Wooledge’s recent piece for the Napa Valley Register.)

  1. MARKET DATES

    Go on a Saturday. The so-called “Tuesday Market” is an elaborate hoax. Who would do something so nefarious? No one knows for sure, just as no one knows who organizes the Napa Farmers Market. Tents and produce appear in that parking lot each week, seemingly of their own volition, like seagulls or fog.

  2. MARKET HOURS

    Plan to wake with the sun. The Market is only open from 5:30am - 5:45am. When morning’s dew is gone, so too will the Farmers Market.

  3. DOGS

    Dogs are not allowed, so definitely bring your dog. Without one you will be considered an outsider and a threat.

  4. DRIVING TO THE MARKET

    Pedestrians are everywhere. Take great care to frighten them. When you see a one crossing the street, accelerate until you reach the crosswalk. Don’t wait for them to make it safely to the sidewalk; you will lose a valuable opportunity to clip their Hoka-ed foot. Fear is currency at the Farmers Market, and intimidation tactics like this teach street-walkers their place.

  5. PARKING

    Parking is scarce at the Farmer’s Market, so take the first spot you see – even if it is already occupied. If a six-point turn is required, make the turn. If you block traffic for 20 minutes, so be it. If you graze a parklet, that’s Napa Valley Bistro’s problem, not yours.

  6. WALKING TO MARKET

    Once parked, you must endeavor a difficult emotional feat: Take all the animus you previously felt for pedestrians and reverse it. You are now Pedestrian. Driver is now your enemy. Don’t let their fear tactics rattle you. Dart in front of every car you see. Show them that you cannot be intimidated. These streets are yours.

  7. GROCERY LIST

    Bring a list of the things that you want to purchase. Before entering the Market, cross off the top three items on your list – these are already sold out, and it isn’t worth wasting valuable time looking for them.

  8. NAVIGATING THE MARKET

    In cities, it is customary to hew to the right side of the sidewalk, just as one drives on the right side of the road. Such decorum will only impede you at the Farmers Market. Here, social niceties are a sign of weakness. If someone stands between you and the last ripe tomato, bare your teeth. Even if you lose the resulting skirmish, escalating the conflict will improve your status in Market hierarchy.

  9. ENCOUNTERING FRIENDS

    You are sure to run into someone you know at the Farmers Market. When you spot a friendly face, only two approaches are appropriate: (1) Avoid eye contact and duck behind the hummus guy; or (2) Plant yourself in the center of an aisle and engage in a lengthy conversation. If people are able to navigate around you, you’ll know that you have not planted yourself correctly and you’ll need to readjust. Your fellow shoppers will not only understand – where else can you and your pals loudly debate the best wings in Napa? – they will thank you for giving the strawberry sample guy more time to cajole them.

  10. LEATHER BELT GUY

    Do not look the leather belt guy in the eye.

  11. CLOTHING

    Dress to blend in. To get out unscathed, you do not want to attract attention to yourself: Tall poppies get lopped, and this is nowhere more true than in the delicate social ecosystem that is the Farmers Market. Athleisure is your friend: Vuori, Lululemon, On Cloud, whatever Instagram suggests will work, provided it is expensive and form-fitting.

  12. VENDORS

    However charming and kind they may be, however delicious their wares, do not, under any circumstances, engage The Vendor. The seemingly idyllic and fulfilling nature of The Vendor’s lifestyle – their dedication to craft, commitment to community, etc. – will only confuse you. Prolonged exposure to The Vendor will result in fits of existential pique: You will begin to interrogate your life decisions, question why you have an office job, wonder why you aren’t a Vendor yourself. In a bid for meaning and connection, you will start a local newsletter. You will begin to shirk your professional and familial obligations and focus only on the newsletter. Penniless and alone, you will refresh Substack every 30 seconds, hoping for a new comment, any new comment.

    Do not engage The Vendor.

  13. KIDS

    For those of us disappointed with how our children have turned out, the Farmers Market is a good place to shake them. The stimulation of the Market will make them more obnoxious than usual, extinguishing the possibility of a last minute change of heart.

    In terms of method, the simpler the better: As soon as they reach for a Nobunanga popcorn sample, step backwards and blend into the crowd. Resist the temptation to run, you will risk drawing attention to yourself.

    When you make it back home, feel confident that you did the right thing. They will be fine. Vendors are known to take in and train Market urchins; their small hands make them useful for detail-oriented tasks like plucking parsley and repairing Square readers.

    To avoid the risk of your children recognizing you, you may want to avoid the Farmers Market for several weeks, but before long your memory will be like a long-forgotten dream of a life never lived. They’re Market Folk now.

    - VV


For more life-saving reports and local news, consider subscribing to the Valley Villager today!

]]><![CDATA[WE'RE FIFTY 5๏ธโƒฃ0๏ธโƒฃ๏ผ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/were-fifty-50https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/were-fifty-50Fri, 18 Jul 2025 20:36:18 GMT

Ed. Note:

Readers: This is our 50th issue of the Valley Villager. What began as a fledgling newsletter hatched by friends over drinks, well, continues to be a fledgling newsletter, and we still drink like fish. But there is one thing that’s different: You, our beautiful villagers! Thank you for cheering us on and making all the work worthwhile. If you like what we are doing here, and would like this motley newsletter to continue, we have a request: Please share it with others! (And to our paid subscribers — THANK YOU. You are enabling us to dream bigger. You are entitled to a VV sticker, just send your address to request it.)

And if you have any thoughts on what you’d like to see more or less of, just drop us a line. We are always open to feedback (provided we agree with it).

- Valley Villager Editorial Staff

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Good Pantry. Opening soon!
    Coming soon to the ever-evolving Food City plaza: a community grocer focused on sustainability, connection, and good vibes. Most importantly? Bulk candy.

  • Napa Neighbors. VIP perks just for living here

    Turns out 150+ Napa Valley wineries are keen to roll out the red carpet for locals, offering perks, pours, and a little VIP treatment. Make a rez, flash that license, and enjoy the spoils of residency one swirl at a time.

  • NapaSport. Closed!
    We meant to publish this last issue — whoops! The Register scoops us again! NapaSport, we will miss you and your basketball-bound menus.

  • StretchLab. Closed!
    StretchZone has won the battle of the bends! Can you even believe this is a real thing? Whatever happened to inflexibility?

  • Napa Bookmine & More. Look for Waldo all July long
    Waldo’s loose in Napa again. Grab a passport from Bookmine and let the citywide scavenger hunt begin.

Over the Hill

Rumor Mill

  • Wilfred’s Lounge. Mural mystery.
    Someone spotted part of the back mural being taken down. Is it nothing? Is it something? Mural watch is on.

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Jul 5-20: Festival Napa Valley, Various locations, prices vary

Jul 19-20: Napa Sonoma Half Marathon. Sonoma Plaza, sold out!

Jul 20-25: Napa Valley Writers Conference. Various locations, $20+

Jul 23 (weekly): Trivia Night. Folklore, free to attend

Jul 25: Date Night Clay Workshop. Covet Studio, $160 (per couple)

Jul 26: Clay Coaster Workshop. Covet Studio, $55

Jul 26-27: Tour de Vine Trail Passport Weekend. Various locations along the Vine Trail, $85 (for access/tastings)

Jul 27: SoFi Battle of the Bands. Second Street Napa, free

Jul 27: Queer Soup Night. Valley Swim Club, donations please!

Jul 30: Yountville Night Out (Mysterious Celebration). Downtown Yountville, free

Jul 31-Aug 24: Music in the Vineyards (live music). Various locations, prices vary

NEW: Aug 3: Napa Free Folk Festival. Native Sons of the Golden West Hall, free

Advance Notice

Aug 7-10: Napa Country Fair featuring… The Ying Yang Twins?!. Napa Fairgrounds, $14+

Aug 11: Perseid Meteor Shower Stargazing. Alston Park, price tbd

Aug 14: Line Dancing with Rachel. Erosion Tap House, $18

Aug 14: Trivia Night w/ Southern Stoke. Naysayer, free to participate

Sep 13: Putting on the Glitz. Community Projects, free to attend

Oct 18: Napa Soroptomist Annual Lobster Fest. First Presbyterian Church of Napa. $150

Nov 1: Napa Dia de los Muertos. Veterans Park, free to attend

]]><![CDATA[Staying cool (without ICE) ๐ŸงŠโŒ ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/staying-cool-without-icehttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/staying-cool-without-iceFri, 27 Jun 2025 15:33:40 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Napa County. ICE alert hotline: 707-800-4544
    Did you know that Napa County is officially listed as a sanctuary jurisdiction under California’s SB 54, which limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agencies? I know now because I read Tim Carl’s excellent piece in Napa Valley Focus.

  • Carabao. Filipino restaurant finally opens!
    Located in Century Plaza next to the movie theater. We’ve been eagerly awaiting this one. And now we finally have another pre-movie option that isn’t NapaSport or Forge.

  • First Thursdays. Monthly community gathering in Oxbow Commons.
    This thing’s got it all: Live music, beer, wine, food trucks, lawn games, children, dogs, scooters, you name it. July 3rd is the next one. 5-9p. We’ll see you out there!

  • Napa Farmers Market. Some fresh vendor finds:
    The Farm Hauss - A mother-daughter farming duo slinging citrus, walnuts, organic rice, honey, sugarplums, and serious good vibes.
    Bushel & Peck Bakery - An Asian-inspired, gluten free, vegan bakery that’s giving tradition a twist (one pastry at a time).
    Ian’s Bakeshop - Ube sourdough, Pandan brioche, Biscoff sticky rolls, and more to come. Filipino flavors worth getting up early for.

  • Among Locals. Napa locals newsletter… 👀
    Remember last issue when we joked about someone moving in on our beat? Well, we seem to have manifested it. Collaboration over competition? Let’s make it happen.

  • Heritage Eats. Now full-service!
    And totally redesigned! There’s a bar now! Get in there!

  • SPK Coffee & Breakfast Sandwich (Kenwood). Opening Soon!
    Our obsession with breakfast sandos is well-documented. We’ll be heading to Sonoma soon in the name of “journalistic integrity.”

  • Jimtown & Then Sum (Healdsburg). Now open!

    A beloved landmark is back with fresh flavors and familiar charm. Jimtown lives on.


    Rumor Mill:

  • Don Perico. Coming to the First Street Napa complex?

    Fajita lovers, rejoice. The Don may return to the downtown fold.

  • Napa Noodles. Relocating too?

    In our experience, noods never stay hidden for long. Word is they’re making their way back to the riverfront…

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Jun 27: The Ramble (music fest). Healdsburg Community Center Field, $145

Jun 27 & 28: Late Night Bar Launch (offical launch). Compline, $10 cocktails (!)

NEW: Jun 27-29: Napa Valley Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) Grand Opening. The Mac (St. Helena), $18+

Jun 28: Rock the Ride Benefit. Yountville, $28+

Jun 29: The Mare Island Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. Mare Island Brewing Co. (Vallejo), $50

Jun 29: Napa Pride Dance Party. 1313 Cocktails, free cover

Jul 2: Jealous Zelig, Original & Unplugged (live music). Blue Note, $7+ (free for locals!)

Jul 4: Fourth of July - Parades, Fireworks & Events. Various locations, free to attend

Jul 4: Upvalley 4th of July Parade Party. Valley (Sonoma), $105+

Jul 4: The Spirit Ship Celebration. Mare Island (Vallejo), $10+

Jul 5-20: Festival Napa Valley, Various locations, prices vary

Jul 5: Trove 1st Anniversary Party. Trove (Sonoma), free

Jul 9, 11, 13: Five Years of Valley - Anniversary Events Galore. Valley and other Sonoma locations. $175+

Jul 10: Napa Valley Distillery: Iron Shaker Cocktail Competiton Finals. The Artist Alley (First Street Napa), $35+

Jul 12: 6th Annual Seafood Boil. Coal Shed Brewery (Mare Island), $68+

Jul 13: Pancakes + Playgrounds Breakfast Fundraiser. Nature’s Way Montessori, $10+

Jul 13: Critterock 2025 (live music & benefit). Empress Theatre (Vallejo), $34+

Jul 13: Violent Femmes (live music). Meritage Resort, $61+

Jul 14: Rescued Hearts (benefit screening). Cameo Cinema, $40

Jul 17: Allah-Las (live music). Uptown Theatre, $57+

Jul 17: Kehlani (live music). The Meritage, $96

Advance Notice

Jul 31-Aug 24: Music in the Vineyards (live music). Various locations, prices vary

Aug 10: 3rd Annual Tomatoganza! CIA Copia, $20

Sep 28: Leslie Jones (comedy). Uptown Theatre, price TBD

Oct 17: Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers. Meritage, $77+

Mar 25-29, 2026: Sonoma International Film Festival. Various locations, prices vary

]]><![CDATA[Margaritaville comes to Napa, everybody's moving, and more news ๐Ÿฆœ๐Ÿน]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/margaritaville-comes-to-napa-everybodyshttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/margaritaville-comes-to-napa-everybodysMon, 09 Jun 2025 22:13:09 GMTNEWS (TO US)
All the latest scoops

  • Margaritaville Napa. Coming in 2027.
    Move over, Auberge — Jimmy Buffett’s lifestyle brand is headed for Lake Berryessa with a family-friendly resort. Cheeseburgers? You betcha. Frozen drinks? Practically mandatory. Zodiac murder tours? Maybe!

  • Galaxy Smoke Shop. New location.
    Goodbye Food City, hello Northwood Shopping Center (1350 Trancas). Same vibes, new strip mall. We have heard rumors about what’s coming to Food City… TASTY rumors…

  • Napa Noodles. Closing after 8 years.
    Sad! You were our DoorDash go-to — especially when we couldn’t make up our minds. Thanks for all the noodles.

  • Napa Pride. Two million events.
    Already underway! Some are listed in the calendar section below, but the full rainbow of options lives at the link above.

  • FARM Carneros. Moonlight Movies are back!
    Free weekly summer screenings (with food and drink available for purchase). The Princess Bride, Goonies, Ghostbusters… Say less.

  • Yountville Community Park. Movies in the Park.

    Free, family-friendly movies at dusk (monthly, June–August). Bring a blanket, bring snacks, bring the kids, and prepare to miss half the movie chasing them through the grass.

  • Midway + Non Plus Ultra. DJ sets all summer long.
    Bonobo, Bob Moses, and more spinning at a “private residence.” It’s giving wine country warehouse rave. Let us know how it is... if you find it.

  • Office Depot. Closing.
    Run, don’t walk—for last-minute printer ink, mystery cables, and a surprising amount of candy. R.I.P. to the home office dream.

  • Stretch Zone (Napa). Stretch franchise incoming.
    Not to be confused with StretchLab. Yes, they're both real. Yes, they’re different. No, we don’t totally understand either. (But apparently Napa’s tight and needs loosening.)

  • Village Voice (Napa edition). New local newsletter incoming.
    Just kidding. But at this rate, wouldn’t be surprised if a franchise moved in on our beat. (Side-eye intensifies.)

Rumor Mill:

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Jun 11: “Meet Me in the Streets” Community Event. American Canyon, free to attend (every 2nd Wed, Jun-Aug)

Jun 12+19: Ceramic Wall Shelf Class | 2 Day Class + Pizza Dinner. Covet Ceramics Studio, $115

NEW Jun 12-Aug 14. Calistoga Concerts in the Park. Pioneer Park (Calistoga), free to attend (every Thur, Jun-Aug)

Jun 13: Broadway Karaoke. Barnhouse, free cover

NEW Jun 14: The Great Caruso (Film Screening). Jarvis Conservatory, $15

NEW June 14: Pride Car Cruise. Napa High School and Downtown Napa, free

Jun 14: Napa Pride After Party. The Garden, no cover

Jun 14: Big. Giant Gay Pride Party & No Kings Protest. Oxbow Commons, free to attend

Jun 14: Summer Movie Night "Best in Show." Goosecross Cellars, $40

NEW Jun 14-15: Big West Wine Fest. Solar Punk Farms (Guernville), $87+

NEW Jun 15: Los Tucanes De Tijuana (live music). The Meritage Resort, $86+

NEW June 18: Ponyboi Movie Screening. Century Theater Napa, $19

NEW Jun 18: Napa Pride: Club 87 with DJ Rotten Robbie & Fabulous Local Divas. Blue Note, $10+

Jun 19: Cowboy Junkies (live music). Uptown Theatre, $46+

Jun 19-21: Cookout at the Vineyard Weekend. Various locations, prices vary

Jun 19-22: Petaluma Fair. Petaluma Fairgrounds, $14+

Jun 21: Queer Makers Market Pop-Up Bazaar. Decant Bottle Shop, free to attend (also looking for makers!)

NEW Jun 22: Heritage Kitchen & Taps: 10th Anniversary Party. Heritage Kitchen & Taps, free

NEW June 22: Pride in the Park. Veterans Memorial Park (Yountville), free

Jun 22: Raise the Roof (live music + fundraiser). CIA at Copia, $125

NEW Jun 22: Poolside Paella Party (Pets Lifeline Benefit). Castello di GoLightly (Glen Ellen), $250

NEW Jun 23: CinemaBites: Marcella (film screening + bites). Cameo Cinema, $35

Jun 23: Sonoma Film Club Presents: 8 1/2. Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $14

Jun 25: The Future Collective - Lets Get Deep: Labor (discussion). Dos’ Bar (Sonoma), $22

Jun 27: The Ramble (music fest). Healdsburg Community Center Field, $145

Jun 28: Rock the Ride Benefit. Yountville, $28+

Advance Notice:

Jul 4: Fourth of July - Parades, Fireworks & Events. Various locations, free to attend

Jul 4: Upvalley 4th of July Parade Party. Valley (Sonoma), $105+

Jul 4: The Spirit Ship Celebration. Mare Island (Vallejo), $10+

Jul 10: Napa Valley Distillery: Iron Shaker Cocktail Competiton Finals. The Artist Alley (First Street Napa), $35+

Jul 13: Pancakes + Playgrounds Breakfast Fundraiser. Nature’s Way Montessori, $10+

Jul 13: Critterock 2025 (live music & benefit). Empress Theatre (Vallejo), $34+

Jul 17: Allah-Las (live music). Uptown Theatre, $57+

Jul 20-25: Napa Valley Writers Conference. Various locations, $20+

Jul 27: SoFi Battle of the Bands. Second Street Napa, free

Aug 3: Salty Sundays Daytime Pool Party. Location & Price TBD.

Sep 6: Young The Giant (live music). The Meritage Resort, $74+

Sep 13: Mavis Staples w/ Fantastic Negrito (live music). The Meritage Resort, $86

Sep 14: Salty Sundays Daytime Pool Party. Location & Price TBD.

Sep 14: Feast Above the River. Russian River (Guernville), $75+

Oct 17-19: Aloe Blacc (live music). Blue Note, $82+

Jan 25, 2026: The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes. Uptown Theatre, price TBD

Cultural Immersions for the Big Spender:

Jan 23-Feb 3, 2026: A Journey of Flavors & Cultures with Chef Matt Dailey from Playte Kitchen. Thailand, $7,990

Apr 19-23, 2026: Mexico City Adventure with Emma and Steph from Valley. Mexico City, $6,900

]]><![CDATA[BottleRock mania, Oxbow updates, coffee for good, and more news๐Ÿ—โ˜•๏ธ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/bottlerock-mania-oxbow-updates-coffeehttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/bottlerock-mania-oxbow-updates-coffeeSat, 24 May 2025 20:59:18 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • CANV Coffee. Buy coffee, help your neighbors.
    Do you know about CANV, Community Action of Napa Valley? It is an AMAZING organization that runs stuff like the food bank and Meals on Wheels. Now they have their own coffee, and each bag gives them enough money to provide 20 meals to our neighbors in need. I challenge you to buy a bag immediately!!! You drink coffee, what are you waiting for???

  • Ashes & Diamonds. Pool club.
    We said it before and we’ll say it again: Join the wine club, get access to hotel pools. We don’t report on “wine stuff” — but we LOVE pool stuff, and this seems like the kind of tantalizing deal that Villagers should know about. Miss it twice, and that’s on you.

  • D Street Underpass. It’s real.
    This is very old news, but let me ask you this: Have you ever actually used the D Street underpass? It’s like a Mario Kart shortcut to the other side of 29. Recommend!

  • Georgia’s. New ice cream cart!
    Debuting this weekend at BottleRock (aka behind the velvet rope of dessert access). Fingers crossed it hits the streets for the rest of us normies soon.

  • Ciccio. Temporary closure
    A small exterior fire has temporarily closed things down. Thankfully, the team is safe and the damage was minimal. In the meantime, we’re sending good vibes (and maybe a few suspicious glances in Pancha’s direction).

  • The River Club. Introduces Summer Fridays
    New weekly series featuring wine specials, curated snacks, and a lineup of classic summer movies playing (in the background) on repeat all day. As if!

  • Rumor Mill: Sprouts Grocery Store coming to Napa?
    Like all the best gossip, I think we heard this on NextDoor — so if we’re being generous there’s probably like a 10% chance it’s true?

Over the Hill:

  • Sonoma Tuesday Night Market. Back for the season!
    Make it a two-market Tuesday: Napa by day, Sonoma by night. One’s for produce and polite small talk, the other’s for wine-fueled dancing and birria tacos. Choose wisely — or do both.

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

May 24+31: Clay + Garden | 2 Day Plant Imprint Class. Covet Ceramics Studio, $95

May 25: Stud Country: Queer Country Line Dancing. Valley Swim Club (Sonoma), $20

May 27: Passport to Kingdom Fungi by Dr. Gordon Walker (author event). Napa Bookmine, free to attend

May 30: Movement (Mindful Dance Party ft DJ Dumarek). Yoga West, $20+

May 30: Porróns and Pintxos 3rd Anniversary Party. Pomme Cider Shop, $52

May 31-Jun 1: La Onda Music Festival. Napa Valley Expo, $169+

Jun 1: Bay Area Butterfly Festival. Coal Shed Brewery Promenade (Vallejo), $15

Jun 6: Rocky Horror Picture Show (screening). Yountville Community Center, $15

Jun 7: The Ramble (Music Festival and Anti-Gun Violence Benefit). Abel De Luna Community Center (Healdsburg), $101+

Jun 7: Make It Funky: A Celebration of Prince. Folklore, free cover

Jun 7: Three Dog Night (live music). Uptown Theatre, $67

Jun 7: Lobster Feed. Goosecross Cellars, $175

Jun 8: Fieldhand and Friends Pizza n’ Wine Pop-up. 294 W Napa Street, Sonoma, free admission

Jun 12+19: Ceramic Wall Shelf Class | 2 Day Class + Pizza Dinner. Covet Ceramics Studio, $115

Jun 13: Broadway Karaoke. Barnhouse, free cover

Jun 14: Napa Pride After Party. The Garden, no cover

Jun 14: Big. Giant Gay Pride Party & No Kings Protest. Oxbow Commons, free to attend

Jun 14: Summer Movie Night "Best in Show." Goosecross Cellars, $40

Advance Notice:

Jun 19-22: Petaluma Fair. Petaluma Fairgrounds, $14+

Jun 21: Queer Makers Market Pop-Up Bazaar. Decant Bottle Shop, free to attend (also looking for makers!)

Jun 23: Sonoma Film Club Presents: 8 1/2. Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $14

Jun 28: Rock the Ride Benefit. Yountville, $28+

Jul 13: Pancakes + Playgrounds Breakfast Fundraiser. Nature’s Way Montessori, $10+

Jul 30: Yountville Night Out (Mysterious Celebration). Downtown Yountville, free

Aug 29-31: The Black Radio Experience (Music Festival). Meritage Resort, $499+ for 3 days

Oct 17: Twin Peaks: Conversation with the Stars. Uptown Theatre, Napa, $50+

]]><![CDATA[Flights from Napa to LA, a cat cafรฉ, and other news โœˆ๏ธ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/flights-from-napa-to-la-a-cat-cafehttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/flights-from-napa-to-la-a-cat-cafeMon, 05 May 2025 23:04:35 GMT

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Salvia Terrace & Bar. Live music, craft cocktails, and zero hallucinogens.
    First Thursdays at Salvia Terrace & Bar. Good vibes only — just not that kind.

  • Untitled Fried Chicken Restaurant (from the Squeeze Inn team). Opening soon in Food City.

    Name TBD. Chicken likely. Heartburn? Inevitable.

  • NVUSD Parents. Community survey and petition making their rounds.

    Closed campus? Open for discussion.

  • Pancha’s (Yountville). Construction is underway!

    Rumor has it the historic dive bar will reopen with an “elevated experience” featuring five-course amuse-bouche cocktails. Just kidding (we hope). We can’t wait to see the old place again — preferably still smelling like Marlboros and regret.


Over the hill:

  • Gabacool Provisions. New pizza pop-up.
    Poppin’ up at breweries and bars in Sonoma County.


The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

May 6: Wine & Hip Hop Presents: Terroir Tapes: Listening Session. Stateline Road Smokehouse, $81

May 7: Governing Climate Presentation from Dr. Zeke Baker. Napa Bookmine, free to attend

May 8: Mariachi Sol De Mexico de José Hernandez. Uptown Theatre, $57

May 8: Mindfulness Meetup (Low/No-ABV Happy Hour). Decant Napa, $35

May 8: Discover the Art of Gin Cocktails (class). Bitter Bar, $99

May 9, 10: David Sedaris. Uptown Theatre, $73+

May 10: Napa Valley Nursery School 75th Anniversary Gala. The Meritage, $175+

May 10: Smash Burger Pop-Up with Patrick Cappiello. Decant Napa, prices vary

May 10: Itty Bitty City (music) Fest ft Warren G. Solano County Fairgrounds (Vallejo), $25+

May 14: The Wines of California by Elaine Chukan Brown (author event). Decant Napa, free to attend

May 15: Winston’s Community Unity Project Fundraiser. Padis Jewelry & Tasting Room, $100

May 16: Devendra Banhart. Gundlach Bundschu, $70

May 16: Thievery Corporation. Uptown Theatre, $63+

May 16-18: Cosmico (music festival). Dawn Ranch (Guerneville), $59+

May 16-18: McMullen Boutique Clothing Pop-Up. Stewart Cellars (Yountville), free to attend (the clothing, that’s another story)

May 17: NimBASH. Nimbus Arts (St. Helena), $225+

May 17: Geek Out Napa Valley (comic book fest). Napa County Library, free

May 17: Art, Sip & Stroll. Yountville, $45 (tasting package)

May 18: Always on Call (music). The Garden, no cover

May 19: Paint & Sip. Erosion (St. Helena), $55

May 22: E-40 (live music). Jam Cellars Ballroom, $81

May 22: TJ Martell Foundation: Napa Best Cellars Wine Dinner (fundraiser). CIA Greystone (St. Helena), $600+

May 23: Bottlerock Afterdark: G. Love & Donavon Frankenreiter (music), $60

May 24: Bottlerock Afterdark: The War And Treaty. The Garden, $60

May 24+31: Clay + Garden | 2 Day Plant Imprint Class. Covet Ceramics Studio, $95

May 27: Passport to Kingdom Fungi by Dr. Gordon Walker (author event). Napa Bookmine, free to attend

Over the Hill:

Jun 7: Lobster Feed. Goosecross Cellars, $175

Jun 12+19: Ceramic Wall Shelf Class | 2 Day Class + Pizza Dinner. Covet Ceramics Studio, $115

Jun 14: Napa Pride After Party. The Garden, no cover

Jun 14: Summer Movie Night "Best in Show". Goosecross Cellars, $40

Jun 27: The Ramble (music fest). Healdsburg Community Center Field, $145

Jul 27: SoFi Battle of the Bands. Downtown Napa, free to attend

Aug 16-24: Friends of the Napa Library Book Sale. Napa County Library, varies

Sep 7: Santigold (music). Meritage Resort, $48

Oct 24: Daryl Hall (music). Meritage Resort, $96+

Dec 6-14: Friends of the Napa Library Book Sale. Napa County Library, varies

]]><![CDATA[New bites, new museum, and SPRING ๐ŸŒท]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/new-bites-new-museum-and-springhttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/new-bites-new-museum-and-springMon, 14 Apr 2025 15:34:05 GMT


NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

  • Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture (“The MAC”). Opening soon!
    Featuring the buzzy new exhibit "Heard It on the Grape Vine: Valley Villager and the Future of Napa Valley Media.”

    (Okay, that’s made up — but it SHOULD be an exhibit.)

  • Clif Family Bruschetteria Food Truck. Themed Street Food Weekly Series.

    Mark yoyur calendars! Caribbean (Apr 9), Spanish (Apr 16), Burmese (Apr 23), Peruvian (Apr 30), Roman (May 7), BBQ (May 14), Argentinian (May 21), Indonesian (May 28), Transylvanian (Oct 31)…

  • Silverado Strawberries. Open for the season!

    Strawberry fields forever. Or at least until they sell out—get 'em while they're sweet.

  • Lucas Oaxaca Cuisine (at Val’s Liquors). Closed?
    Another eatery closes at Val’s Liquors. Am I the only one who likes to get his Four Loko and his chilaquiles from the same place?

  • Tehuanita Martina. Conchas & Cinnamon rolls

    Available Sundays at St. John’s—come for the conchas, stay for the salvation.

  • Barnhouse. Mix Tape Bingo!?

    Bingo + music + prizes = Monday night done right. Also: beer.

  • Easter Egg Hunts. Courtesy our friends at Napa Kids

    Because nothing says “spring” like unleashing a sugar-fueled toddler in a field of hidden plastic eggs.


    Over the Hill:

  • Little Saint & True West Film Center. Filmmaking camp!
    But not just filmmaking, also campers will also learn about farming and public art.

The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Apr 15: 9th Anniversary Celebration. Starling (Sonoma), free

Apr 18: Opening Exhibition - Julia Child: A Receipe for Life. Museum of Art & Culture (St. Helena), $25

Apr 21: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (screening). Sebastiani Theatre, $10

Apr 24-26: Madeleine Peyroux. Blue Note, $115+

Apr 24-27: Napa Valley StreamFest. Downtown venues in Napa, $250+

Apr 26: Blue Skies Ahead: Making Waves (Fundraiser & Reception). Mentis, $100+

Apr 26: Independent Book Store Day: Find the Golden Ticket! Napa Bookmine and our other bookstores, buy a book!

Apr 27: Decked Out at The Quarters (music festival). Mare Island (Vallejo), free

Apr 27: Napa Race for a Cure (National MPS Society). Kennedy Park, $25+

Apr 27 - May 1: Napa Valley Cocktail Week. Various locations, various prices, various liquors

Apr 28: Best in Show (screening). Sebastiani Theatre, $14

Apr 29: Stoop Supper Club’s Spring Fling. location TBD, $ TBD

Over the Hill:

May 1: A Tribute to Chef's Table: Legends Special Screening + Dinner. CIA Copia, $195

May 4: Napa BikeFest. South Napa Century Center, free to attend

May 10: Itty Bitty City (music) Fest ft Warren G. Solano County Fairgrounds (Vallejo), $25+

May 17: Geek Out Napa Valley (comic book fest). Napa County Library, free

May 22: TJ Martell Foundation: Napa Best Cellars Wine Dinner (fundraiser). CIA Greystone (St. Helena), $600+

Jun 14-Jul 26 (weekly): 6 Week Children’s Gardening & Art Program. Tenfold Farmstand (Petaluma), $120

Jun 19: Cowboy Junkies (live music). Uptown Theatre, $46+

Jul 13: Violent Femmes (live music). Meritage Resort, $61+

Sep 27, 28: Mac DeMarco (live music). The Phoenix (Petaluma), TBD

Oct 19: Christone "Kingfish" Ingram (live music). Uptown Theatre, TBD

]]><![CDATA[Sushi, Spirits & Tricks of the Thrift Trade]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/sushi-spirits-and-tricks-of-the-thrifthttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/sushi-spirits-and-tricks-of-the-thriftWed, 26 Mar 2025 00:05:50 GMT


NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

Editors Note: Apparently, the former C Casa space in Oxbow is not turning into additional “vendor booths.” Whoops! But in our defense, it was in the rumor mill section…

  • Michi. New sushi spot.

    Former Hal Yamashita Chef Michiyo Hagio is running a one-woman sushi show out of a former Subway. Talk about upgrading the space.

  • Winston’s Wok. New Chinese-American pop-up coming Apr 3.
    Wok this way to Winston’s on Wednesdays. Now say that three times fast.

  • De’Canela Bakery. Opening celebration Mar 29.

    Pan y café? We’ll take it all, por favor.

  • True Nature. Yoga therapy at the Tannery.

    We’ve tried every other type of therapy. Might as well give this a shot.

  • Napa Farmers Market. Tuesday markets return April 1

    More veggies, more vibes, more reasons to pretend we don’t impulse buy pastries every time.

  • Compline. Cocktails and spirits coming soon!
    Tariffs be damned. Bring on the booze.

  • Villa Corona. Gets a bar?!

    Apparently, they’re just doling out licenses these days. Not that we’re complaining.

  • Barnhouse. Weekly events

    Loteria, karaoke, dueling guitars?! Say less.

  • Downtown Joe’s. Getting a much-needed facelift (construction).
    Sure, it could probably use a deep clean (or an exorcism), but no amount of construction will wash away the questionable decisions we’ve made there. Some stains—both literal and metaphorical—are just part of the charm.

  • Deuces Market. Sunday Socials

    Afternoon DJ sets—because why ease into Sunday when you can go straight from church to the club…

  • The Hive. Social impact. Community support. Self care meet-ups
    Perfect. We’ll be headed there right after yoga therapy.

  • Rutherford Pizza Downtown. Pizza till 2(ish)AM on the weekend?!
    We know we announced the opening last week, but late-night pizza deserves a second mention.

  • Nimbus Arts (St. Helena). RoShamBo Toddler Classes.

    Not new-new, but new to us—and definitely fun for the kiddos. First and third Saturdays of each month.

  • Napa Kids. Family-friendly events in Napa
    Speaking of kiddos, this is the spot for finding family-friendly happenings.

  • Yountville (various locations). Introduces the Wine & Beer Passport.
    Wine and beer tastings at 15 locations? Challenge accepted.


    Over the Hill:

  • Jill’s Cookies (Sonoma). Cookie purveyor extraordinaire!

    Maybe you’ve spotted these at pop-ups. If not, fix that immediately. Your stomach will thank you. Your dentist? Probably not.

  • Berryessa Blends (Vacaville). Elderberry syrup for the win.
    We’re pro vitamins and antioxidants. We’re also pro things that taste good in cocktails. Who knew wellness could be so delicious?​

  • Bay Biz Markets (Vallejo). New market series coming to downtown Vallejo.
    Small business vendors, kids zones, delicious food, drinks, music. Vallejo, you’re looking real good.


The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Mar 26: Battle of the Crabs. The Q R&B, prices vary

Mar 27: Sake Masterclass. Folklore, prices vary

Mar 28: Ecstatic Dance (DJ set + dance event). Yoga West, $20

Mar 28: Fiat Lux: Joe Shoemaker (live music). di Rosa Downtown, free cover

Mar 28-30: As You Like It (theatre). NVC Performing Arts Center, $10

Mar 29: Sourdough Pizza & Cocktail-Making Class. Starling (Sonoma), $156

Mar 29: Rook’s Night (Vinyl DJ Set). Folkore, free cover

Mar 29, 30: Mustard Celebration Finale - A Festival of Wine Food & Art. CIA at Copia, $55

Mar 30: Women in the Wine Industry Mixer. Barndiva (Healdsburg), $20

Mar 30: Shakey Graves (live music). Uptown Theatre, $60

Mar 31: Monday Bakery Pop-Up. Deuces Market, prices vary (preorder)

Apr 1: Big Chicken 2025 Release. Oxbow Wine & Cheese, $8/half pint

Apr 3: Napa Humane Community Mixer. Materra Cunat Family Vineyards, free (but please RSVP)

Apr 3 - Sep 20: The Valley Beautiful: Music (exhibit). Napa County Historical Society, free

Apr 4-25 (Fridays): The Art Nest: Children’s Watercolor Classes. Juniper Station, $125

Apr 5: Lebanese Luncheon Cooking Class. Yountville Community Center, $120+

Apr 5: Hands Off! Napa Fights Back (rally). Napa Courthouse, free

Apr 6: Blanchard’s Fried Chicken (pop up). Decant Napa, $22

Apr 8: Minimashi Pop-Up (yes, you read that right). Charlie’s (St. Helena), prices vary

Advance Notice:

Apr 12: Earth Day Festival. Oxbow Commons, free to attend

Apr 12: A16 Pop-Up with Shelley Lindgren. Decant Napa, prices vary

Apr 12: Coeur Cabernet Cookoff. Hall Wines, $161

Apr 12: ¡Viva Mariachi! Festival. NVC Performing Arts Center, $25

Apr 13: Cars + Coffee (gathering). Paradise Barbershop, free to attend

Apr 13: Holi Celebration. The Garden, $17

Apr 25: Earth Night Festival. Connolly Ranch, $10+

Apr 26: Mr. Pink Party. Compline, $85

Apr 26: Ramen Pop-Up with Mercadito. Charles Krug (St. Helena), $70

Apr 27: Brunch with Your New Bestie (animal rescue-adoption event). Winston’s Cafe, free to attend

Apr 29-May 8: RISE Climate & Wine Symposium. Charles Krug Winery, $105+

May 3: Ka-In Napa Valley (fundraiser). Justin-Siena, $50+

May 4: May the 4th Beer With You Party. Armistice Brewing, prices vary

May 6: Wine & Hip Hop Presents: Terroir Tapes: Listening Session. Stateline Road Smokehouse, $81

May 8: Mariachi Sol De Mexico de José Hernandez. Uptown Theatre, $57

May 10: Napa Valley Nursery School 75th Anniversary Gala. The Meritage, $175+

May 10: Smash Burger Pop-Up with Patrick Cappiello. Decant Napa, prices vary

May 15: Winston’s Community Unity Project Fundraiser. Padis Jewelry & Tasting Room, $100

May 16-18: Cosmico (music festival). Dawn Ranch (Guerneville), $59+

May 17: NimBASH. Nimbus Arts (St. Helena), prices TBD

May 22: E-40 (live music). Jam Cellars Ballroom, $81

Jun 7: Three Dog Night (live music). Uptown Theatre, $67

Jun 19-21: Cookout at the Vineyard Weekend. Various locations, prices vary

Jun 22: Raise the Roof (live music + fundraiser). CIA at Copia, $125

Jul 5-20: Festival Napa Valley, Various locations, prices vary

Jul 17: Kehlani (live music). The Meritage, $96

LOVE LETTER: Community Projects

A Place of Bargain Dreams and Questionable Life Choices

Few things make me happier than a bargain find. At times, it’s a blessing. Other times, a curse (see: the time I left with a sewing machine thinking I’d casually take up seamstry).

In a world where price tags keep climbing like a Peloton leaderboard, Community Projects (CP) is a magical black hole of deals. A place where online comps are ignored, pricing is seemingly determined by some benevolent thrift store wizard, and the thrill of the hunt is real. Compassion-based pricing? Possibly. Divine intervention? Also possible.

Sure, there’s some junk—name a thrift store that doesn’t have several once-used fondue sets—but there’s also gold. Miele stick vacuum? $10. Prada sneakers? $10. Ottolenghi cookbooks? $2. Breville toaster oven? $10. Dansk paella pan? $12. And a DWR Salt chair for $5? I don’t know who’s in charge of pricing, but I want to shake their hand.

And let’s talk about the kids’ section for a second. Books, puzzles, and cheap clothes that they’ll inevitably outgrow in three months? Yes, please.

Sometimes you find exactly what you’re looking for. Sometimes you find the thing you didn’t know you needed (cherry pitter, anyone?). And sometimes, you walk out with an industrial-sized bag of pipe cleaners and no real explanation.

Which is why I’m there. Weekly.

Tricks of the Thrift Trade:

  1. Be kind.
    This should be obvious, but alas—it isn’t. If you go often enough, you’ll start recognizing the same characters and the same volunteers. Treat them with respect. And hey, if you and another person reach for the same vintage Le Creuset at the same time? Maybe let them have it. Maybe.

  1. Be discerning.
    One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Sometimes, though, it’s still trash. Look at the labels. Google the brands. Pick up that weirdly heavy object and ask, “Do I need this?” (Answer: If it’s under $5, probably.)

  2. Be patient.
    There’s often a line to get in on Wednesdays. There’s also often a line to check out. Do yourself a favor—don’t go if you’re in a rush. This is a sport, not a sprint.

  3. Return, repeat.
    The team restocks often, so there’s always something new. And the more often you go, the easier it gets to spot the good stuff—right?

  4. Strategize.
    High-value items go first, so make a game plan. If you’re hunting cookware, make a beeline for the kitchen section. If you need books for your growing kiddo, head straight there. And if you see something good? Pick it up. You can always put it back later (but if you don’t grab it, someone else will).

  5. It’s okay to leave empty-handed.
    No finds? No problem. The thrill of the hunt is its own reward. And honestly, walking out with nothing is almost as good as walking out with something—especially for your storage space.

    Happy hunting!

    About Community Projects

    Founded in 1941, Community Projects, Inc. is a non-profit volunteer organization that raises funds through its Thrift Shop to support schools, clubs, and social services across Napa County. Originally formed as the Napa Chapter of British War Relief, the group transitioned from aiding soldiers to investing in its own community—donating over $15 million to local causes. Located at 715 Franklin Street, it remains a cornerstone of Napa’s charitable efforts, proving that great finds can lead to even greater good.

]]><![CDATA[Pinball lounges, bingo emporiums and other news ๐Ÿงท๐ŸŽฑ]]>https://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/pinball-lounges-bingo-emporiums-andhttps://www.thevalleyvillager.com/p/pinball-lounges-bingo-emporiums-andThu, 13 Mar 2025 01:13:42 GMT


NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops


Over the Hill:


Rumor Mill:
Our new section for unsubstantiated claims.

  • Former C Casa space in Oxbow to not become another restaurant, but an area with additional “vendor booths”! I love vendor booths!

  • Reader submitted: Construction is underway on the former Coqueta space in Yountville… anyone know what’s up?

  • Forthcoming Hestan space across from Compline expected to have a restaurant / food angle.


The Valley Villager is a reader-supported publication. To support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. (There might even be a sticker in it for you.)

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Fridays: Film series all winter. Valley Swim Club (Sonoma)

Mar 15: Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings. Uptown Theatre, $90+

Mar 19-23: Sonoma Film Fest. Various locations, prices vary

Mar 21-23: 19th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival. Various locations in Sonoma County, $50+

NEW: Mar 22, 23: Planting Seeds of Change (Wendell Berry-themed film screenings feat. Nick Offerman). Little Saint (Healdsburg), $75, $25

Mar 23: Henry Haus Blacksmith Shop Open House & Demonstrations. At the shop, free

NEW: Mar 24: Sonoma Film Club Screening: Le Samouri. Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $14

NEW: Apr 3: Napa Humane Community Mixer. Materra Cunat Family Vineyards, free (but please RSVP)

Apr 5: Lebanese Luncheon Cooking Class. Yountville Community Center, $120+

Apr 9-13: Songwriters in Paradise. Various locations, $1300+ (ouch)

Apr 24-26: Madeleine Peyroux. Blue Note, $115+

May 9, 10: David Sedaris. $73+

Apr 24-27: Napa Valley StreamFest. Downtown venues in Napa, $250+

Apr 27: Decked Out (Music Festival). The Quarters (Mare Island), free

May 16: Devendra Banhart. Gundlach Bundschu, $70

May 16: Thievery Corporation. Uptown Theatre, $63+

May 17: Art, Sip & Stroll. Yountville, price tbd

June 19: Cookout at the Vineyard (Juneteenth Celebration). Decant Wine, $81+

Sept 13: MJ Lenderman & The Wind. Gundlach Bundschu, $79

NEW: Nov 16: Screening: Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan with Special Guest William Shatner. Uptown Theater, $145+

NEXTDOOR POST OF THE WEEK

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