Paul's Picks: Remaining Napa Valley summer concerts
By Paul Franson
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — All cities and the town in Napa Valley have their own summer concert series aimed at residents but free to all. All are family-friendly, and most even welcome well-behaved dogs. Some offer wine and food onsite.
American Canyon Meet Me in the Streets
The American Canyon Chamber of Commerce created a fun way to kickstart local businesses and build upon a sense of community in the area by taking it to the streets on the second Wednesday of July and August from 5 to 8 p.m.
This three-part summer series of events includes a food truck rally, tables for businesses and nonprofits, live music, kids’ activities, adult beverages, a car show and a corn-hole tournament.
The remaining events will be held on July 12 and Aug. 9 on West American Canyon Road between James Road and Elliot Drive. West American Canyon Road will be closed behind Safeway between Danrose and Elliot. There will be on-street parking and a nearby lot, but people are encouraged to walk and bike. Safe bike parking will be provided.
Napa Friday Nights in the Park
Napa City Nights ended last year after 17 years, but the Downtown Napa Association is reviving the concerts during July as Friday Nights in the Park.
The concerts take place on Fridays in July in Veterans Park from 6 to 10 p.m. and, of course, will be free.
Two live bands will perform each night, with Mama Said and Alvon Johnson opening the series on July 7. Low-back chairs are permitted. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be for sale.
Friday Nights in the Park is sponsored by the Downtown Napa Property Owners, hotels and B&Bs in the city of Napa, the Bank of Marin and the Downtown Napa Association.
The dates and bands:
July 7 – Mama Said and Alvon Johnson
July 14 – Tin Man and I*Ko YaYa
July 21 – Road Eleven and Marshall Law
July 28 – Sonoma Shakers and The Daniel Castro Band
Yountville Music in the Park
Yountville’s Music in the Park summer music series features local bands in Veterans Memorial Park every other Sunday. The series began June 11 and will end Sept. 10.
A food truck will be selling food at each concert. Friendly, well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome.
The remaining concerts:
Sunday, July 16: Road Eleven, Di Filippo’s Wood Fired Pizza
Sunday, July 30: White Widow XoX, TJ Dim Sum Truck
Sunday, Aug. 13: Fog City Swampers, The Original Burger Dog
Sunday, Aug. 27: Monica & Chad, Riley's Food Truck
Sunday, Sept. 10: Get It on Bobcat, Phat Salads and Wraps
St. Helena Summer Concerts
The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce, the city of St. Helena and St. Helena Family Dentistry present St. Helena Summer Concerts on Wednesday nights during July in Lyman Park from 6 to 8 p.m.
Bring your family and friends, picnic blankets and chairs. Enjoy food and wine and rock out.
July 12: Moonstruck
July 19: Fleetwood Macramé
July 26: Petty Theft
Calistoga Concerts in the Park
Calistoga presents the most ambitious community concert series in the valley, with shows in Pioneer Park every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The remaining concerts:
July 13: The Humdinger Band provides a swingin’ jazzy, funk-filled bluesy, rock-infused good time.
July 20: Latin Touch is a favorite Northern California dance band. Featuring Lawer Estates Winery and Grove 45 Olive Oil.
July 27: Dirty Cello brings high energy and a unique spin to blues, rock and Americana music. Featured winery: Cakebread Cellars
Aug. 3: LC Diamonds plays vintage rock, rockabilly, blues and surf, with a little pop music thrown in. Featured winery: Romeo Vineyards and Cellars
Aug.10: The Boys of Summer grew up in SoCal with Eagles blood running through their veins. Featured wineries: Sterling Vineyards and Joseph Cellars
Aug. 17: Maya, a Latin tribute band, plays popular crossover hits from well-known Latin artists. Featured wineries: Picayune Cellars and Clif Family Winery
If you’d like to find out more about these events and many, many more, subscribe to “NapaLife,” a weekly newsletter that focuses on news and events about food, wine and the arts in Napa Valley — visual, literary and performing. It’s $50 a year for individuals at www.napalife.com, where you can find a recent example.
Thanks for the list, Paul. A correction: the Yountville music series continues through Sept. 10, with Fog City Swampers on Aug. 13 (The Original Burger Dog); Monica & Chad on Aug. 27 (Riley's Food Truck); and Get It On Bobcat on Sept. 10 (Phat Salads & Wraps).