Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

If you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day authentically, just head on down to the BENICIA COMMUNITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH on West Second Street at 6:30 PM. THE BENICIA CELTIC BAND will be on hand to get your toes tapping in style. The band started about six years ago when the original group got together to play for an AFFORDABLE HOUSING benefit. Benicians in the band include: BARBARA HAMM, SHELBY RIDDLE, and STEPHEN BETZ. They are joined by musicians from the SAN FRANCISCO SCOTTISH FIDDLERS. Admission is $10 and children under 14 are free. For more info call 745-0674 or go to www.Reddragonflyproductions.com .

You can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a little, well, OK a lot of Aloha Style as ANDY GUTIERREZ and ED SALVADOR bring their guitars and ukuleles to the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAF. They take the stage at 8:00 PM. Get in on the island spirit and wear a Hawaiian shirt or skirt and get off your first appetizer or drink. No cover. Call 745-1400 for more info.

Saturday, March 17 the BENICIA PUBLIC LIBRARY will be holding a mini jazz festival from 1:00 PM through 5:00 PM. The afternoon begins with THE BOB KENMOTSU QUARTET. PALINDROME: THE BRYAN GIRARD/GRAHAM BRUCE QUINTET is the next act. They are followed by MAD & EDDIE DURAN. So much talent in one afternoon is sure to put you in the groove. For more info call 746-4343.

Saturday, March 17 KEVIN NELSON, author of “Operation Bullpen” will be on hand at the VALLEJO NAVAL AND HISTORICAL MUSUEM at Noon . Kevin will share stories from his book on the bogus sports autograph industry. For more info call 643-0077.

If you wish to enjoy a corned beef and cabbage dinner at your favorite restaurant, be sure to get your reservations in early.

I can’t let March 17th go by without wishing my own personal Leprechaun, my son Phillip a Happy Birthday!

Thursday, March 15 will be the BENICIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Business After Hours evening of networking. This month’s host is MAGIC HANDS: A WELLNESS CENTER 555 First Street, Suite 200 (Upstairs). This is a great evening of networking appetizers, prizes and the 50/50 drawing. The event runs from 5:30 PM through 7:30 PM and is an adult event. Call 745-2120 for more info.

Thursday, March 15 JIM NUNALLY returns to the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAF. This time he is accompanied by JUDY FOREST as the duo performs American Roots Music. You will enjoy and evening of country, bluegrass and folk featuring these two talented musicians. They take the stage at 7:00 PM. No cover. For more info call 745-1400.

Friday, March 16 it is another wonderful evening with DOUG HOUSER at the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAF. Doug will have you singing along to your favorite tunes. He takes the stage at 8:00 PM. No cover. Call 745-1400 for more info.

Sunday, March 18 at 4:00 PM it is the FIRST STREET CAF Wine Tasting. This is the third Wine Tasting in the UPSTAIRS venue and you will enjoy great wines, FSC appetizers and music by RICH FLYNN. There will also be wine bags and goodies for sale as well. Call 745-1400 for more info.

The wonders of the Louvre are on display in a show at the BENICIA PUBLIC LIBRARY titled “A Faux Louvre”. Artist MERNIE BUCHANAN will also be having a reception for her show on March 18 from 1:00 PM through 4:00 PM. Her water colors are inspired by the work of great Masters . She describes her work as a “light contemporary take on history and the history of painting. For more info call 746-4343.

Sunday, March 18 CARLOS CARLUCCI will be addressing the audience at the MC CUNE COLLECTION LECTURE SERIES at the MC CUNE COLLECTION ROOM of the JFK LIBRARY in Vallejo at 2:00 PM. He will use examples from the local collection to illustrate his presentation “A Light in Darkness: the Aeneid and Its Hero for Our Dark Times”. He will discuss how Virgil’s masterpiece still ofers challenge and hope in our modern world. For more info call 642-9894.

March 23 is the People’s Choice Preview Party for BARKITECTURE IV. All the creative pet habitats will be on display at the VALLEJO NAVAL AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM from 5: 30 PM through 8:00 PM and attendees can vote for their favorite to win the People’s Choice Award. General Admission is $15 and proceeds go to the BENICIA/VALLEJO HUMANE SOCIETY. For more info call 645-7905, ext. 113 or go to www.bvhumane.org .

March 23 will see the SAN MATEO KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW at the SOLANO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. The show will be an AKC All Breed Show and will run from 6:30 AM through 7:00 PM. Admission is FREE, but there will be a $5 parking fee. Enter through the North entrance. For more info call 373-1495.

March 25 is the Seventh Annual Daffodil Tea at the Captain’s Row Mansions on Mare Island. There will be two seatings for High Tea beginning at 1:00 PM, entertainment, and tours of ST. PETER’S CHAPEL. Proceeds go to the preservation of the Chapel and mansions. Admission is by prepurchased tickets only. Tickets and info are available at 649-9464.

Friday, March 30 the BENICIA LIBRARY FOUNDATION will be hosting a “Meet the Winemakers” at THE INN AT BENICIA BAY on East D Street at 5:30 PM. The event will feature CHAD ALEXANDER of CARL BAY WINES, BRIAN NUSS of VINOCE VINEYARDS, DEBORAH SCHATZLEIN of ABINK WINES. Appetizers will be served by CHEF NEY. Admission is $40 per person. For reservations call 510-872-8825.

March 30 is the Gala and Auction for BARKITECTURE IV. The Gala will be at the WORLD CLASS EVENT CENTER and features a catered dinner, cocktails, a silent and a live auction, a raffle, and the announcement of the People’s Choice Award Winner. The evening will benefit the BENICIA/VALLEJO HUMANE SOCIETY. Admission is $50 per person and the dress is Business Casual. For more info call 645-7905, ext. 113 or go to www.bvhumane.org .

March 31 and April 1 will be the Annual “Benicia in Bloom” Celebration. Events include face painting, the Easter Bunny, a Blooming Hat Contest, free wild flower seed packets, flowers and a doll house exhibit. Over 75 stores and restaurants are participating in this event and many will be offering “Blooming Specials” . The event will run from 10:00 AM through 6:00 PM both days. For more info call 745-9791.

March 31 is the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S fund raiser at THE MAJESTIC THEATRE. The AAUW will be hosting ANTSY MC CLAIN AND THE TRAILER PARK TROUBADOURS. This group sold out last time they played in the area and put on a fun, lively, unique show. The evening is a benefit for the Tech Trek Summer program for junior high school aged girls to expose them to math and science skills. THE PIZZA PIRATE has made a $500 donation to cover the costs of the concert so all funds raised will go to the kids. General Admission is $24. Tickets are available at BOOKSHOP BENICIA or online at www.Reddragonflyproductions.com. For more info call 771-0140.

The BENICIA/TULA SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION is working to bring a children’s marching band from Tula to march in our 4th of July Parade. The City of Tula is having a competition between the school bands and the winner will be our guests. The Association is looking for sponsors to help underwrite the costs of the trip as well for host families. If you are interested in participating in this cultural exchange contact President, MARIA BITAGON at 552-1892 or go to www.94510.org and click on the BENICIA/TULA SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION icon then the contact us link.

The POINT RICHMOND MUSIC GROUP is planning its Summer Music Festival. They are looking for music artists who are interested in participating. Send a press kit including a CD, Bio, and photo to ANDREW BUTT, INTERACTIVE RESOURCES,117 Park Place, Richmond, Ca. 94801. For more info contact ODESSA STONE at 510-776-9986.