The Napa Valley Weekender
Welcome to the second edition of Napa Valley Features’ Weekender. Every Friday morning we provide a selection of activities and experiences around the region that has been curated by the Napa Valley Features team. Our goal is to provide at least a few free or low-cost events and to cover every town in our valley. This is an eclectic list, ranging from theatrical readings to musical concerts, from wine celebrations to art gallery tours, from charitable walks to astronomical marvels. Our goal is for both locals and visitors to find this list valuable, engaging and complete with sufficient details to eliminate the need for extensive searches for times, locations or any associated costs.
Don’t forget to go out this weekend sometime after midnight to experience the Perseids Meteor Shower! One of the most spectacular night events of the year is happening over the next few days.
This Weekend
Napa
The 2023 Napa Town & Country Fair continues through Sunday at the Napa Valley Expo, at 575 Third St., Napa. With the ending of the Napa County Fair in Calistoga, this is the place for the carnival, exhibits, weird fair foods, live entertainment and -- new this year -- pig races. Gates open at 2 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. General admission at the gate is $15, $12 military, seniors and youth with 5 and younger free. Carnival wristbands (unlimited rides) are $45 onsite. Group ticket sales are available, and parking is $10 per vehicle.
Between 1995 and 2008 William and Letitia Jarvis presented live production of zarzuelas, the colorful Spanish street operas, at the Jarvis Conservatory in Napa. They also filmed the productions that brought together singers, dancers, musicians and designers from Spain and around the world. This year they’ve decided to relive the magic of Spanish zarzuelas by showing the movies in a Zarzuela Film Festival Aug. 11 to 13. It opens tonight at 7 p.m. On Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m., they’ll show two zarzuelas, and the festival wraps up on Sunday with another double billing. Tickets for each day are $25 or $60 for a three-day pass. The Jarvis Conservatory is at 1711 Main St, Napa.
Mother and daughter artists Lynette Cook and Charlotte Fuller-Cook are exhibiting their work during August at the Napa County Library. The reception and art talk is Friday, Aug. 11 from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Textile artist Charlotte and her daughter, painter Lynette, create works of their favorite San Francisco scenes starting with photographs taken on joint expeditions. Each works independently, with Charlotte’s work showcasing her appliqué and embroidery techniques paired with Lynette’s acrylic work on canvas. Napa County Library is at 580 Coombs St., Napa.
Bookmine hosts its first open mic at its new Second Street location on Friday from 6 to 7 p.m., hosted by Napa County Poet Laureate Aisha Rivera. Signups begin one hour before the event and must be in person. Each performance slot (poetry or music) is limited to five minutes. Bookmine, 1625 Second St., Napa.
Guides lead a hike to Milliken Peak at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. The trail goes through the di Rosa Sculpture Meadow and up the northern side of the property. It’s approximately 3 miles round-trip with a slight elevation gain that offers sweeping vistas. Bring water. Tickets are $15 to $35 at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, 5200 Carneros Highway, Napa.
Napa County Historical Society sponsors a walking tour of Napa on Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The tour starts at the Goodman Library and visits more than a dozen downtown landmarks. The tour guides provide informational maps and headsets. Tickets are $30 for NCHS members and $45 for others.
The Napa Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at 1100 West St. at Pearl, also on Tuesdays at the same time and place.
American Canyon
American Canyon’s annual “S’mores and Meteors” gathering is on Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Wetlands Edge Park, 2 Eucalyptus Drive. Activities include astronomy looking and learning accompanied by s’mores and a silent disco. The cost is $6 for residents and $7 for non-residents. Registration is required at www.cityofamericancanyon.org.
Calistoga
Calistoga’s last summer concert is on Thursday, Aug. 17. Maya, a Latin tribute band, will perform popular crossover hits from well-known artists from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Pioneer Park.
The Calistoga’s Farmers’ Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays at the Sharpsteen Museum Plaza and Community Center on Washington Street.
Yountville
Yountville Arts has a new show at the Steve Rogers Gallery in the Yountville Community Center. “The Art of Elegance: Women, Dance, Flowers and Wine Unite in Harmony” shows works by Sheri Chakamian through Sept. 29. Chakamian is an Iranian-born artist who is influenced by her cultural background and a strong desire for freedom. The Steve Rogers Gallery, 6516 Washington St., Yountville.
Fog City Swampers perform at Yountville’s Music in the Park summer series in Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. The Original Burger Dog truck will be selling food. Friendly, well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome. Veterans Memorial Park, 6465 Washington St., Yountville.
St. Helena
The 29th season of the Music in the Vineyards chamber music festival continues through Aug. 20. Performances this weekend include modern Russian composers at Hudson House, Beringer Vineyards, 2000 Main St. on Friday, 5 p.m. Tickets are $80 to $105.
St. Helena’s Grace Episcopal Church holds its summer rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Aug. 12 at the church. This is a community gathering event and a fundraiser for Grace Outreach Ministries. The church is at 1314 Spring St.
Celebrate all things Barbie and Ken at the 7:45 p.m. screening of “Barbie” at Cameo Cinema on Saturday, Aug. 12. Following the movie, dance across the street to The Saint for an evening of pink cocktails and Pink Girl Rosé at Barbie’s Dream Bar from 8 to 11 p.m. JourneyDay provides music. It’s open to the public for ages 21 and older. Cameo Cinema, 1340 Main St., St. Helena, 707-963-9779.
Alvon Johnson and his All-Star Band, featuring Stabe Wilson on sax, will play at the Cameo Cinema in St. Helena on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. Johnson travels the world performing blues and jazz standards, along with songs from his days with The Coasters, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group. Tickets are $40.
The St. Helena Farmers’ Market is on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to noon from May through October in Crane Park, 360 S. Crane Ave.
Upcoming Events
Sabor+Ritmo Latin Music Festival at Silverado Resort & Spa: Sept. 9, Noon to 10 p.m. Revel in a cross-genre Latin festival blending music, food, wine, beer and spirits and featuring Latin-led brands. General admission is $279, while platinum access at $1,229 includes deck access, food, drinks and complimentary parking.
Ring of Fire Annular Solar Eclipse: Oct 14. Witness a stunning annular solar eclipse, where the sun forms a “ring of fire” around the moon. It's part of a significant trio of solar eclipses viewable from the United States, crossing from Oregon to Texas.
Jessel Gallery Writers’ Salon: Oct 7. from 5 to 8 p.m. $10 at the door and reservations required. This event is growing in popularity and demand for seats, so reserving a spot soon is mandatory is you want to participate in listening to some of Napa Valley’s finest writers read their work. Call 707-257-2350 for more info.
Behind the Camera at St. Helena’s Cameo Cinema: Aug. 24, 5 p.m. Join Ruth de Jong, known for her work on “NOPE” (2022), “US” (2019) and “Manchester by the Sea” (2016), shares insights after a viewing of “Oppenheimer.” Tickets are $30.
Private Art Collection Tours in Calistoga: Explore unique homes and private art collections on the last Saturdays of August, September and October from 4 to 6 p.m. Proceeds go to support the Calistoga Art Center. Tickets are $125 for one tour or $300 for all three.
Aug. 26: The Gates House, featuring outdoor sculptures, landscape paintings and vintage Porsche cars. Wines by Rivers-Marie Vineyards and CAMi Wines.
Sept. 30: The Kozel House, with modern architecture, European art and an outdoor sculpture garden. Wines by Picayune Cellars.
Oct. 28: The Risi House, showcasing contemporary art in a Tuscan-style home. Wines by INIZI Wines.