NEWS TO US
The Sidecar. New from the fine people of Cadet!
Seafood, champagne and martinis! As if we need an excuse to take a three-hour lunch.
Riza Plants. Closing, but not disappearing.
The storefront chapter is coming to an end, but it sounds like Riza has other plans in store. We’re rooting for whatever grows next. (See what I did there?)
Field Day. New digs on Second Street.
Secondhand finds, second chapter, Second Street. We’re sensing a theme here... Note: Not just children’s clothing, women’s clothing too!
Roman Holiday Gelato. Oxbow location now open.
Roman Holiday’s gelato empire marches southward. Resistance is futile. Particularly when pistachio is involved. Hail Caesar!
Matrix (and DuWende). Now open.
Cocktails with electrolytes and creatine. Filipino-inspired late-night eats. We call that a balanced lifestyle.
Baci. Now open
A new design shop for the sentimentalist. Finally, a place that understands why I can’t throw anything away.
Buckle Babe Co. Now open
A custom hat bar for the cowboy-curious. BYO horse. Giddy-up.
Napa Valley Distillery. Reopens
Like a tipsy phoenix rising from the ashes, Napa Valley Distillery’s main location is back after a two-year hiatus.
Sunshine Market (St. Helena). Transitioning
And now there’s a little less sunshine in St. Helena. Sad to see it go. Mollie Stone’s Market is taking over the space.
Rooftop Donuts. Come back soon?
We just found out about this and they’re on hiatus. FTW! Don't tease us like that. Now we've got a mochi donut-shaped hole in our hearts.
Big Willie’s Birding Tours. Guided nature walks.
Private birding and nature walks around Napa and Sonoma. Finally, some local wildlife that doesn’t involve a bachelorette party. Thanks Willie!
One Foot Forward. Free Community Closet program
Free clothing for anyone who needs it. No paperwork, no income requirements, no strings attached. Just bring a bag and take what you need. More than 300 families served already. Good people doing good things.
SoFi Friday Nights. They’re back
Live music, local wine, BBQ, and good company on Second Street. Every Friday in October. Turns out you don’t need much more than a sidewalk to throw a pretty good party.
Cadet. Monday Industry Nights
Every Monday, hospitality folks can enjoy 30% off our entire Champagne bottle list. Whether you’re winding down after service or finally have the night off, they’ll have a bottle waiting.
Nimbus Arts Ceramic Studio. Now open in the Tannery complex
More opportunities to get our hands dirty. In the name of art, of course.
FlowState. Coming soon
Pilates and strength training. Another opportunity to discover muscles we didn’t know existed.
The Collective Studio. Coming soon
A new creative studio for photography, content, and all things camera-ready.
Napa River Ecology Center. Coming in 2027
Three acres of wetlands, wildlife, outdoor classrooms, gardens, and nature-based play. A place for kids to get their hands dirty and actually learn something in the process.
Early Birds Club, Napa edition. A dance party for ladies (who have shit to do in the morning)
All the fun of your twenties, with the sleep schedule of your forties. We see no downside.
Downtown Napa. Painted crosswalks on Second Street
First a sign, now colors?! What is this turning into, Portland, Oregon?!
Clemente’s. Closing (again?)
”ABC: Always Be Closing!” Jokes aside, it sounds like it’s real this time. Sad. A historic institution! Thank you for feeding us, Clemente’s! Enjoy retirement!
Over the Hill:
Sonoma Film Festival (Sonoma). Early bird passes on sale
Get your passes before the prices start acting like Napa tasting fees.
Lou’s Luncheonette (Sonoma). Cinescape Film Series
Horror movies, fried chicken, and cold beer. Every Saturday leading up to Halloween.
Oso Restaurant & Parkside Wine Bar (Sonoma). Closed
Oh-so sad about this one. (Okay that was pretty bad; gimme a break, I’m running out of steam over here.)
Rumor Mill:
Marriott Autograph. Kellerfication
The downtown Hotel is a Marriott autograph, Keller is expected to do all the dining options. Anticipating a Bouchon bakery and a new concept.
Hog Island. Taking over former Oxbow Wine & Cheese Merchant location.
More like… Hog Archipelago, am I right??? Yeahhhh nailed it. I’m back!
COMING IN HOT
Events and happenings
Through Oct 18: Oktoberfest (holiday event). Napa Yard, prices vary
Oct 16: Haunted Wine Country (storytime). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $17
Oct 16: Movies Under the Stars - Coco & Ghosbusters: Afterlife (screenings). Sonoma Plaza, free admission
Oct 17: John Mulaney: Mister Whatever (comedy). Meritage, $160+
Oct 17: Shakey Graves (live music). Napa Music Hall, The Ballroom, $49+
Oct 17: Enchanted Village Faire (kids event). Stone Bridge School, $4+
Oct 17 + 18: Tigre (food pop up). AlleyWay Studio, prices vary
Oct 17 + 18: Witchie Poo Halloween Extravaganza (performance). Sebastiani Theatre, $17
Oct 18: Fastball (live music). Napa Music Hall, $36+
Oct 20: Ballots & Bottles (community event). Zealot Bar & Bottle, prices vary
Oct 20: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert 40th Anniversary (screening). Uptown Theatre, $49+
Oct 21: Movie Night: The Birds (film screening). Uptown Theatre, $13
Oct 22: Oktoberfest (holiday event). Contimo, prices vary
Oct 24: Black Flag. Napa Music Hall, $42+
Oct 24: Rocky Horror Picture Show (screening + costume contest). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $25
Oct 24: Cider Cirus! (tasting event). Steamer Landing Park (Petaluma), $33
Oct 24: Autumn Vendor Pop-Up. Erosion Tap House (St. Helena), free to attend
Oct 24: Mare Island Halloween Block Party. Mare Island (Vallejo), free RSVP
Oct 24 + 25: Witchie Poo Halloween Extravaganza (performance). Sebastiani Theatre, $17
Oct 24: Midnight Masquerade (holiday event). Matrix, $108
Oct 24: Slice & Sound Community Pizza Fest. Foodshed, $25
Oct 25: The Morning After Spritz (holiday event). Matrix, $33
Oct 25: Witches Paddle (holiday event). Napa’s Main Street Dock, free
Oct 25: Season of the Witch (holiday event). Bull Valley Roadhouse (Port Costa), free to attend
Oct 25: Paws for Napa (benefit). Chispa, prices vary
Oct 25: Napa $5 Folk Festival (live music). Native Sons Hall, $5
Oct 26: Shaun of the Dead (screening). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $14
Oct 27: Be Like Blippi Tour. Uptown Theatre, $42+
Oct 29: Lyle Lovett (live music). Green Music Center (Sonoma), $66+
Oct 29: Con Amor Anniversary Community Fun Run. The Stage by the Old Forge Building, free or donation
Oct 30: The Psychedelic Furs (live music). Uptown Theatere, $72+
Oct 30: Salty Sundays: Haunted Ballroom (holiday event). Napa Music Hall, $45
Oct 30: Family Film Fridays: Casper the Friendly Ghost (screening). Valley Swim Club (Sonoma), free to attend, F&B for purchase
Oct 31: Folklore Halloween (holiday event). Folklore, price TBD
Oct 31: Halloween Party (holiday event). The Garden, $10 cover
Advance Notice:
Nov 6: Family Film Fridays: Kiki’s Delivery Service (screening). Valley Swim Club (Sonoma), free to attend, F&B for purchase
Nov 8: NVCF Fall Climate Series: El Niño: Are We Prepared? (talk). NVCF Community Conference Center, free to attend
Nov 10: NVCF Fall Climate Series: Climate & Agriculture (talk). NVCF Community Conference Center, free to attend
Nov 15: Holiday Mercato. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards (Sonoma), free to attend
Dec 1: NVCF Fall Climate Series: Follow the Money: Climate, Capital & Community (talk). NVCF Community Conference Center, free to attend
Dec 3: Hannibal Buress (comedy). Uptown Theare, $50
Dec 4-6: Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical (kids performance). Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, $25
Dec 9: Save Ferris (live music). Napa Music Hall, $44+
Dec 11-13: Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical (kids performance). Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, $25
Dec 12: Very Merry Cookie Holiday Home Tour (w/ Napa Landmarks). Various locations, price TBD
Dec 13: NVCF Fall Climate Series: Energy, Solutions & Green Shoots (talk). NVCF Community Conference Center, free to attend
Dec 15: Father John Misty (live music). Uptown Theatre, $65+
Dec 21: Princess Bride (screening). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $14
Jan 2: Earlybirds Club (dance party). Napa Music Hall, $42
Jan 24: Three Dog Night (live music). Uptown Theatre, $60+
Jan 31: Rick Steves (talk). Uptown Theatre, $37+
Mar 6: Brian Posehn (comedy). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $49
Apr 4: John Cleese: Still Not Dead (Yet) (screening + talk). Uptown Theatre, $90
Apr 17: Dr. Erika Woolsey: Diving the Great Barrier Reef (talk). Brannan Center (Calistoga), $55+
Apr 30 - May 2: Vintage Revival Rodeo. Calistoga Fairgrounds, $125+
Paid subscribers: Check out our Events Calendar for the fullest list of goings on!
Unpaid subscribers: Pay us and then check out the events calendar! Or borrow someone’s password, that’s what we’d do.
Valley Villager Team! I just sent you a direct message here on Substack in the “Chat” tab in the “requests” section -Chef Harrison :)