On The Town: April 5, 2026

on the town

POWER PRESENT, PROSPEROUS IN SOLANO

THEATRE BEHIND THE SCENES: MEET MELINDA PACKER ELLIS plus

Poetry power present, and prosperous, in Solano

AMY MAGINNIS-HONEY

AMAGINNIS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

It’s a plethora of poetry and spoken words as National Poetry Month celebrates its 30th anniversary.

The Vacaville Museum will host a poet laureate and open mic night Thursday in connection with the current exhibit “Center Stage.”

California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick is the featured presenter. Past and present poets laureate of Solano County will each read a poem. They are:

Benicia: Kathy Monroe, Mary Susan Gast and Tom Stanton.

Fairfield: Michael Wyly, Suzanne Bruce and Juanita J. Martin.

Vallejo: Erik Manuel Soto, Kathleen Herrmann, Jacalyn Eyvonne and Genea Brice.

An open mic follows. Presenters will be allowed three minutes. Hours are 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 213 Buck Ave., Vacaville.

The entry fee is $10 for museum members; $12 non-members. Funds will support future museum programs.

Teens can explore poetry at a 1 p.m. Saturday workshop at the Fairfield Civic Center Library, 1150 Kentucky St.

Teen Librarian Elizabeth Bell will teach how to make a folding blank book.

Michael Wyly, current Fairfield Poet Laureate, will do blackout poetry.

Suzanne Bruce, Fairfield Poet Laureate Emerita, and FSVAA artist Vineeta

on the town

Dhillon will be helping with collage making and writing poetry to the art (ekphrastic).

Learn more at www.solano library.com/events.

“Words” steps into the spotlight 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bliss Urban Arts Center, 3771 Vaca Valley Parkway, Suite A1, Vacaville.

Fore more than 15 years, this underground performing arts event has

Publishers: Foy S. McNaughton, T. Burt McNaughton

Editor: Todd R. Hansen

quietly brought together musicians, poets and creatives in the community –largely flying under the radar.

Built through word-of-mouth and grassroots support, the event has become a consistent space for artistic expression without ever receiving broader media attention.

The event offers strong visual and

See Poetry, Page 4

Contributing Writers: Amy Maginnis-Honey, Todd R. Hansen

Project Manager: Nancy Meadows

If you have an event on the calendar, send details to amy.maginnis@mcnaughton.media To be featured on the Out on the Town pages, email nancy.meadows@mcnaughton.media

advertising, call Nancy at 707-427-6927

This

TO DO week

2529 Mankas Corner Road. www.facebook.com/ suisunvalleyfillingstation.

5 p.m. Friday

Hey Jude Bally Keal, 4286 Suisun Valley Road. www.bally keal.com.

5 p.m. Friday Groovy Judy Suisun Valley Filling Station, 2529 Mankas Corner Road. www.facebook.com/suisun valleyfillingstation.

4 p.m. Saturday

Suisun Valley Filling Station, 2529 Mankas Corner Road. www.facebook.com/suisun

True Symmetry, 315 Marina Circle. https://truesymme -

Dwain’s Bar, 110 Peabody Road. www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=61566929 950504#.

7 p.m. Saturday WORDS: A night of Poetry, Music, and Dance Bliss Urban Arts Center, 3777 Vaca Valley Parkway, Suite 1. www.facebook. com/events/214398695 3028180.

I Benicia

1 p.m. Sunday

Jimbo Scott First Street Taphouse, 440 First St. www.mare islandbrewingco.com.

8 p.m. Friday

The Wailers featuring Julian Junior Marvin Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive. www.vpat.net.

4 p.m. Saturday Papa Day Blues Band

2:30 p.m. Sunday

Greg Rahn Band Lucca, 439 First St. www. luccabar.com/new-page.

6 p.m. Thursday

The Two Frantics

The Rellik, 726 First St. https://therelliktavern.com.

6:30 p.m. Thursday

Mark Hummel Lucca, 439 First St. www.luccabar.com/ new-page.

4:30 p.m. Friday

Ed Steif Duo

The Rellik, 726 First St. https://therelliktavern.com.

6:30 p.m. Friday

The Big Jangle Lucca, 439 First St. www.luccabar.com/ new-page.

8:30 p.m. Friday

Inner-State 80s

The Rellik, 726 First St. https://therelliktavern.com.

1 p.m. Saturday

Fog City Swampers Lucca, 439 First St. www.luccabar.com/ new-page.

6:30 p.m. Saturday

Wreckless Strangers Lucca, 439 First St. www.luccabar.com/ new-page.

8:30 p.m. Saturday

Strange Brew

The Rellik, 726 First St. https://therelliktavern.com.

I Vallejo

2 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Black Box Radio Stars

Present: ‘Stage Door’ 51 Daniels Ave. www. facebook.com/events/ 901536429163225.

7 p.m. Monday

Townhouse Ramblers

Townhouse Cocktail Lounge, 401 A Georgia St. https://artvallejo.org/#/ details/townhouseramblers/1472266 4/2026-04-06T19.

6:30 p.m. Wednesday Steve Freund Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St. www. empresstheatre.org.

6:30 p.m. Thursday

The Machine

Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St. www. empresstheatre.org.

8 p.m. Friday

Indie After Dark with Kristen Ford, Moosetrout

Red Man’s Hall, 401 Georgia St. https://4thcorner speakeasy.com.

1 p.m. Saturday

3Day Weekend

Vino Godfather, 1005 Walnut Ave. https:// events.vinogodfather.com.

6 p.m. Saturday

Comedy fundraiser for Healthy Vallejo Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St. www. empresstheatre.org.

7 p.m. Saturday

DW Edwards & Lighting Up the Soul 4th Corner Speakeasy, 431 Georgia St. https://4thcorner speakeasy.com.

GO READ

Solano County readers continue to express a fondness for “The Housemaid” books, author Sarah J. Maas and “Harry Potter” tales. The Top Ten books are:

Adults

• “The Housemaid,” Freida McFadden.

• “Dear Debbie,” Freida McFadden.

• “The Housemaid’s Secret,” Freida McFadden.

• “The Correspondent,” Virginia Evans.

• “Great Big Beautiful Life,” Emily Henry.

• “Say You’ll Remember Me,” Abby Jimenez.

• “Wuthering Heights,” Emily Bronte.

• “Heated Rivalry,” Rachel Reid.

• “The Housemaid is Watching,” Freida McFadden.

• “Quicksilver,” Callie Hart.

Teens

• “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Suzanne Collins.

Looking for a good book? Solano’s favorite adult, teen and children’s books

Kids

• “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” J.K. Rowling.

• “Partypooper,” Jeff Kinney.

• “Big Nate: Code Red,” Lincoln Pierce.

• “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” J. K. Rowling.

Poetry

From Page 2

storytelling opportunities, from live music and spoken word to the personal journeys of the artists involved – many of whom have developed their craft through this platform over the years.

Featured performers include Hous3, Fae and Candid. There is a $20 entry fee at the door.

lowed by readings from Vallejo Poet Laureate Erik Soto and poet Jacalyn Eyvonne.

Kiriake opens the event followed by a featured guest poet, creating a shared landscape where sound becomes language and language becomes music.

• “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” Sarah J. Maas.

• “Throne of Glass,” Sarah J. Maas.

• “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Suzanne Collins.

• “Divine Rivals,” Rebecca Ross.

• “Powerless,” Lauren Roberts.

• “Crown of Midnight,” Sarah J. Maas.

• “Kingdom of Ash,” Sarah J. Maas.

• “Fearless,” Lauren Roberts.

• “Heir of Fire,” Sarah J. Maas.

• “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” Jeff Kinney.

• “Darkstalker,” Tui T. Sutherland.

• “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” J.K. Rowling.

• “Talons of Power,” Tui T. Sutherland.

• “The Dragonet Prophecy,” Tui T. Sutherland.

• “Big Jim Begins,” Dav Pilkey.

• “Thank you,” Mary Lyn Ray. “Ellen,” Ellen DeGeneres.

Courtesy of Solano County Library

Hear from authors in person, via internet

Vallejo

Donna Lambo-Weidner, author of “There Are No Dragons in this Book,” 3 to 4 pm. April 29, JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St., https://solanolibrary.libnet.info/ event/16181816.

“Holograph: A Free Spoken Word” event takes over Vallejo’s Red Man’s Hall, 431 Georgia St. Seven authors will give public readings of their work. They are Gillian Conoley, Eli Coyle, Courtney Cliften, Oswaldo Vargas, Jacalyn Eyvonne and David Hakim.

Vallejo Poet Laureate Erik Manuel Soto is the host. Doors open at 1 p.m., readings start at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ redmensamoset22.

She’s a Japanese pianist based in Northern California and a first-prize winner of both the 12th Boston International Piano Competition and the 2022 International Amateur Piano Competition in Tokyo.

She has performed widely throughout the United States and Japan, appearing as a recitalist, concerto soloist at the California Concerto Festival, and at the renowned Suntory Hall in Tokyo in collaboration with members of the Berlin Philharmonic.

Eyvonne’s books include “The Weeping Willow Is Black,” and she co-edited “New Season: Poems for a World in Flux.”

She is the former publisher of In The Company of Poets magazine.

Benicia

Brad Taylor, former Special Forces and New York Times bestselling author of the “Pike Logan Series, 4 p.m. April 14, online at https://libraryc.org/ benicialibrary/145846.

Alex Hutchinson , New York Times bestselling author of “Endure,” 11 a.m. April 16, online at https://libraryc.org/ benicialibrary/146470.

The month wraps up with an invitation from local poet, classical pianist and community arts organizer Valdez Hill to celebrate National Poetry Month at Voices at the Table, a poetry and music gathering held on the fourth Sunday of each month in Vacaville.

Founded in January 2026, Voices at the Table is a listening-centered poetry salon where writers, musicians and community members gather to share poetry and music in an intimate setting.

Each event features guest artists followed by an open mic welcoming voices of all backgrounds and experience levels.

The April 26 event, 2 to 4:30 p.m., will feature award-winning pianist Shiori Iriake performing works by Frédéric Chopin, fol-

Soto is a Mexican-American writer and educator, his work has appeared in Volt, Huizache, Sonora Review, and Antiphony. His debut poetry collection, “Inside the Umber Iris,” exploring mythology, subconscious realms and generational trauma, won the inaugural Gronk Nicandro First Book Prize for Poetry.

The final hour will open its doors to all, welcoming poets and readers of every experience level, where new voices may rise and join the ongoing symphony of the room.

Voices at the Table recently welcomed more than 40 guests, including several past and present Solano County poet laureates.

Admission is free, but RSVP is required due to limited seating in the private salon setting. RSVP at stng21@yahoo.com.

GOHEAR

Wailers perform at VPAT; Flock of Seagirls in Fairfield

April showers may bring May flowers, but the first full month of spring also comes with Wailers, a Grateful Dead celebration and The Flock of Seagirls, an all-female tribute to the ladies of the 1980s. That’s just a drop in the bucket.

Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre

1010 Ulatis Drive, www.vpat.net

Vacaville Ballet Company’s brand new story ballet. The show offers fun for audiences of all ages.

Journey Downtown

The Legendary Wailers featuring Julian “Junior” Marvin, 8 p.m. Friday

The iconic guitarist whose electrifying sound helped define the music of Bob Marley & The Wailers brings an evening of a living chapter of reggae history to the stage.

Marvin joined Bob Marley in 1977 and immediately became a driving creative force behind the Wailers’ late‐era sound, contributing his expressive, blues‐infused guitar work to landmark albums including Exodus. His playing brought a new dimension to reggae – a fusion of powerful Jamaican rhythms, soulful improvisation and spiritual uplift that continues to inspire musicians around the world.

The Best Intentions, 7:30 p.m. April 18

Revisit the classic songs and stars of the era of heart-stopping harmonies and dazzling choreography. Guests will hear music by The Temptations, Four Tops, The Spinners, Gladys Knight & The Pips and more.

It’s a family-friendly show suitable for all ages.

“Cinderella,” 1 and 5 p.m. April 25

This heartwarming, family-friendly production from the Benicia Ballet Theater begins in Cinderella’s humble kitchen, where kindness and hope remain in Cinderella’s heart, even in the most difficult times.

With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella embarks on an enchanting journey to the royal ball.

“Mary Poppins,” 7 p.m. May 1, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 2 and 10 a.m. May 3

Everyone’s favorite nanny twirls into town with

308 Main St., Vacaville, https://journeydowntown.com

Vinyl Ride, 7 p.m. April 10

Vinyl Ride was born out of the need for more of the timeless music of the ’70s and ’80s. The band brings more than 100 years of combined musical and performance experience and pulls from musical influences like Tom Petty, Journey, Guns & Roses, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Aerosmith and more.

“Jukebox Circus - Live Band Karaoke,” 7 p.m. April 24

The premise: You sing. A live band backs you up. Musical bingo, trivia and prizes all night for those 21 and older.

Micro Midget Wrestling, 6 p.m. April 20

Micro Midget Wrestling is a high powered, explosive, athletic Pro Wrestling show with just the right touch of comedy thrown in to make for an unforgettable big event not necessarily big people.

Midgets jump off bars, hit each other with props and they also take it out of the ring and wrestle in the crowd.

Downtown Theatre

1035 Texas St., Fairfield, www.downtowntheatre.com

The 1980s and 1990s reign this month.

A Flock of Seagirls, 8 p.m. April 17

Hear hits from The Go-Go’s, Blondie, The Bangles, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Heart, Cher, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and more from this all-

See Hear, Page 17

GOSEE

Live theater offers stark choices

SAlexis Bueno as Peggy Sawyer, Beth Ellen Etheridge as Dorothy Brock, and Faustino Cadiz III as Julian Marsh in Solano College Theatre’s production of “42nd Street.”

olano County theatregoers can expect some “Misery” and “Rumors” this spring. First, Solano College Theatre is “42nd Street” bound with the show of the same name, opening Friday and running weekends through April 26.

The show celebrates Broadway, Times Square and the magic of show biz with wit, humor and pizzazz. Christine Mani directs.

Giver Bitancor makes his debut with SCT playing Billy Lawlor, a young actor with a powerful tenor voice who needs this show to prove his value on 42nd Street.

The cast also includes Alexis Bueno, Faustino Cadiz III, Julian Marsh and Beth Ellen Etheridge.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. There is a pay-what-you-can performance at 7:30 p.m. April 23. Also offered is an American Sign Language interpretation performance at 7:30 p.m. April 24.

Purchase tickets at www. solanocollegetheatre.org.

The Benicia Theatre Group will start “Rumors” on April 17.

The Neil Simon play is a fast-paced, laugh-outloud farce where four couples gather for a dinner party that quickly spirals

into total chaos. With secrets flying, stories unraveling and panic setting in, the evening becomes an hilarious attempt to keep the truth hidden at all costs.

Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 10 at the Historic B.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall, 140 W. J St.

The cast is Kyle Nash, Jennifer Rubio, Joshua Roberts, Virgie Poole, Andrew Norris, Ginger Burnett, Rob Smiley, Brittany Kamerschen, Linda Scaparotti and Michael Lester. Clinton Vidal directs.

Tickets are on sale at beniciatheatregroup.org.

Dixon Community Theater will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” April 24 through May 3. Meet the cast at https://dixoncommunitytheater.org/cinderella-spring-2026.

Performances are at the Dixon Performing Arts Center, 555 College Way. For more information, tickets and showtimes, visit https://dixoncommu nitytheater.org.

Bay Area Stage just wrapped up “Barefoot in the Park” and has announced “Misery” will open May 1.

It’s based on the novel by Stephen King and adapted for the stage by William Goldman. Jeff Lowe directs.

Opening night features a champagne reception where patrons and actors are invited to mingle.

The cast is Jenny Rastegar as Annie Wilkes; Craig Rekdahl as Paul Sheldon and Zack Bender as Sherrif Buster. The show runs through May 17. Find more information and tickets, visit www. bayareastage.org.

GO TO THE MOVIES: Shakespeare, scheming, ‘Two Seasons, Two Strangers’ among April movies

Spring has sprung and bevy of new movies are ready to arrive in theaters.

April 8

“Faces of Death” explores the original film’s infamous “is it real or not?” as a woman working as a content moderator for a major video platform discovers what appears to be re-enactments of murders from the original film. The film is rated R.

“You, Me & Tuscany” stars Halle Bailey as a young woman who has abandoned her dreams of becoming a chef and is now drifting through her 20s with a series of bad choices. She loses her job and house in one fell swoop. A chance encounter with a handsome Italian, who happens to have a villa sitting empty in Tuscany, will inspire her to jet off for Italy. The film is rated PG-13.

Opening in limited release are:

“The Whistler,” the story of a couple, reeling from the loss of their daughter, who inherits a secluded farm. Hoping to start fresh, they encounter a cult claiming it can summon spirits from beyond. The film is not rated.

“Heads or Tails?,” which centers on a fictionalized version of Buffalo Bill. After a deadly rodeo and a stolen kiss, a woman and her cowboy lover, who has a bounty on his head, flee across the wilderness, pursued by Buffalo Bill. John C. Reilly stars. The film is not rated.

“Beast,” which brings Luke Hemsworth and Russell Crowe to the screen in a story about a oncefeared MMA champion pulled back in for the fight of his life when his younger brother is put in danger. He commits to one final

© 1996 TRISTAR PICTURES INC.

Tom Cruise in “Jerry Maguire.”

a cam girl who navigates a toxic client relationship while reconnecting with her estranged, dying father. The film is not rated.

April 12

“Jerry Maguire” returns to screens to mark the movie’s 30th anniversary. The film is rated R.

April 17

COURTESY OF LIONSGATE

Bren Foster, left, as Xavier Grau and Daniel MacPherson as Patton James in “Beast.”

showdown against the reigning title-holder. Pushed to his breaking point, the contender’s stakes are simple: win, or lose everything he’s built. The film is rated R.

“Hamlet,” which is reimagined in a bold, modern adaptation set within London’s elite South Asian community. Starring Academy Award-winner Riz Ahmed. The film is not rated.

“Newborn,” which is about a man who, after serving seven years in solitary confinement, seeks to rebuild his life and reconnect with his family only to learn freedom has become a terrifying psychological battleground. The film is rated R.

“The Christophers,” which features Ian McKellen as a star of London’s 1960’s and 1970’s pop art explosion. He hasn’t painted in decades and has been broke for years. His two estranged children, desperate for an inheritance, hire an art restorer and former forger to pose as a prospective assistant in order to access unfinished canvases he as buried deep in storage. The film is rated R.

“California Schemin’,” which is based on an true story where about two aspiring Scottish MCs who devise an audacious scheme to achieve their dream of a record deal by posing as Californian hip-hop artists. The film is not rated.

“Hunting Matthew Nichols,” which centers on a filmmaker out to the solve a missing persons case involving her brother. When a disturbing piece of evidence is revealed, she comes to believe her brother might still be alive. The film is rated R.

“Exit 8,” in which a man trapped in an endless sterile subway passageway sets out to find Exit 8. The rules of his quest are simple: do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. Even a single oversight will send him back to the beginning. The film is not rated.

“Bunnylovr,” which is about

“Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” tells the story of a young daughter of a journalist who disappears into the desert without a trace. Eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she returns. What should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare. The film is rated R.

“4 Kids Walk Into a Bank” is about a dad who becomes a responsible parent after the death of his wife. Then, a group of criminals demand he does one last job. His daughter faces the choice: let her newly reformed father dip back into his criminal ways or enlist her three 12-year-old best friends to do the job first. The film is not rated.

“Busboys” stars David Spade

See Movies, Page 16

GOSEE

Vaca gallery ready to set the table; ‘Beyond Time’ at MI Art Studios

The 10th annual Fairfield-Suisun Visual Arts Association High School art show wraps up April 26. A reception and awards ceremony is planned 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Solano Town Center Gallery, inside Solano Town Center, 1350 Travis Blvd.

It includes artwork from students from several of Solano County high schools, including home study programs.

Artwork was submitted in 13 different categories and was judged by three jurors. Guests can vote for the the ‘People’s Choice Award.

“Mother Earth” opens April 29, featuring the watercolor paintings of Vineeta Dhillon.

A Reception and Poetry Reading is slated 3 to 6 p.m. May 9. Dhillon will be there.

jewelry artwork of Saul Foresberg.

Fairfield Arts continues to sponsor the downtown Fairfield third Friday Art Walks, supporting local artists. The next is 5 to 8 p.m. April 17. The Gallery will have live music, snacks, and wine from BackRoad Vines Winery.

Linda Fleming’s “A Library of Ideas” continues at the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery at the Benicia Public Library through April 13.

The FSVAA is offering a new member’s show at Common Grounds Coffeehouse, in the Solano Town Center on the second level outside of Macy’s.

Another FSVAA opportunity to view artwork is the fourth Saturday Artist PopUps at different venues. Check out the Western Railway Museum located on Highway 12 between Suisun City and Rio Vista.

FSVAA artists will be on site each weekend through April 19 with the biggest artist turnout for the final weekend. The museum is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends.

Fairfield Arts, 710 Jackson St., is home to mixed media, acrylic paintings and

It showcases the works of an American sculptor known for intricate drawings and airy, lattice-like constructions that shift with light and shadow.

It’s open during library hours, 150 E. L St. For details, visit https://benicialibrary.org.

The Vacaville League and Art Gallery will open “At the Table: A Celebration of Food” on May 2. It runs through June 20.

Artists can explore what we eat in any form; shared meals, private rituals, family recipes, growing, cooking, preserving, eating or just the food itself. All media is welcome.

Intake is from noon to 4 p.m. April 24-26 at the gallery, 718 E. Main St.

Work must be wired or ready for hanging in a gallery setting. Contact gallery for size limit questions, gallery@vacavilleartgallery.org.

Mare Island Art Studios is home to “Beyond Time” with the works of Lori Bywater Lautze and “Honoring Our Bay Area Heritage,” a fiber expressions group show.

Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Sundays at 110 Pintado St.

Gordito’s Mexican Restaurant and Ca nt in a, located a t 10 25 O li ver Road i n

Fa ir eld . A lo ca l st aple since 1987, t hi s fa mi ly owned a nd op er ated e stab li sh ment i s currently led by Otilia BerumenRomo , who c ont in ue s he r pa rent s’ t ra dition of se rv in g authentic Mexica n cuisine and good c ustomer serv ice.

Th e menu fea tu res a wi de va ri et y of c la ss ic d is he s, includ in g a la rge sele ct ion of seafood specia lt ie s. T hey al so of fe r th e fo ll ow in g we ekly specia ls:

•L unch Speci al s: Monday –Fr iday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM •H appy H ou r: M on da y –Fr id ay, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (i n the canti na) •Sunday Br unch: 10:00 AM –2:0 0 PM

Gord ito’s is open We dnesday th roug h Mond ay. If you h ave any questions or would l ike to ma ke a reser va tion , you ca n reach t hem at (707) 425 -9833. 1025 Oliver Road, Fair field 707- 425- 9833

OUT!

President’s Tea

Wednesday Club of Suisun | 3.11.26

The Wednesday Club of Suisun held a lovely and elegant Past Presidents’ Tea on March 11. Nine of many past presidents were in attendance and honored. The club has been in existence since 1911 and has a long history of assisting in the local community. Each year they give three $2,000 scholarships to students continuing their education in nursing, music/fine arts and academics. The community of women who work together for these and other charities is looking for more women desiring to join them in their work. Besides their community service commitments, the women strive to maintain their beautiful 100-year-old building, one of only two buildings in Suisun on the National Register of Historic Places. The Wednesday Club will be hosting another fundraiser in April. Glitz & Glam Fashion Show will be held on April 15 at 225 Sacramento St. in Suisun City. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased from Kathryn at aerhead919@gmail.com or via

1. Soroptimist member Jennifer Barton was joined by guests Jena Modena, Suisun Councilwoman Princess Washington and Sheila Barrett

2. Fairfield Councilman Manveer Sandhu and Soroptimist Club President Debbie Peralez

3. Guests from Medic Ambulance, Sandra Pierson Whaley and Helen Pierson

4. Soroptimist member Lynn Rechnagel and guest Nancy Meadows

5. Steve Hopkins and Soroptimist member Nancy Hopkins

6. Andrea and Tony Garcia

7. Auctioneer Vince Morrow

8. Jana Modena, Soroptimist members Sheilah Tucker and Dorothy Andrews

9. Fairfield Adult School Principal, CNA Teacher and past student now working as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

10. Hollywood Glam co-chairs, Mary Jo Coan and Tracy Towner take a break from setup for a selfie.

Meet multi-hyphen musician Melinda Ellis

Fairfielder Melinda Packer Ellis, originally from New Jersey, is a talented musician who, when she is not teaching music, is either conducting musicals with local theatrical compa nies or performing with regional orchestras.

Q: Did you come from a musical family?

A: My grandma on my mom’s side played piano and accordion, but accordion was her main thing. She would always come into my elementary school classrooms and play polkas for the class.

Q: Besides your grandmother, what sparked your interest in music?

A: I heard a violin on the radio and fell in love with the sound so I asked my parents if I could take violin lessons when I was in kindergarten. My greatgreat-great-aunt was a concert violinist in Germany and her beautiful violin stayed in the family. It was built in the early 1900s and that’s the one I play now.

Recipe OF THE MONTH

Candied jalapeño de vile d eggs

By Chef Stephanie Seaberg

Easter means eggs! So many eggs! Its also my husbands favorite time of year because he can’t get enough deviled eggs. I o en have to make him his own separate plate of eggs when we have company, because he forgets to share.

is year, instead of traditional deviled eggs, I wanted to dive o the creative deep end and whip up something fun, spicy and out of le eld. I made these eggs for a group of foodie friends recently and they were the talk of the evening. By the way, if you've never made candied jalapeños before, this is your chance to make something that will absolutely blow your mind and making them every week. It's sweet, it's spicy, it's creamy…..its everything! So hop to it this Easter and get those eggs!

Candied jalapeño deviled eggs

You will need

For the candied jalapeños

4 fresh large jalapeños, sliced 1/3 inch thick rings. Discard stems.

3/4 C. Granulated sugar

1/3 C. Apple cider vinegar

Q: Music classes in school helped, I assume?

A: In middle school I started playing clarinet and saxophone. I had a cart with a saxophone, a violin and a clarinet bungeed to it. I was very self-aware about it. I called it “The Geekmobile.”

Q: So after college, how did you end up in Fairfield?

A: Casey [Ellis, her now wife] made the decision for me.

Q: How do you mean?

A: In 2016 I was finishing grad school at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Casey was living in Vallejo teaching and performing in the bay. In 2015-16, I started an all-female a cappella group called S#arp Attitude in college that is still going over 10 years later. We got picked up on a reality show called “Sing It On” that was on Pop TV. We got to perform on a yacht in

A dash of turmeric

For the deviled eggs 12 large eggs

2 TBS dijon mustard

1/2 C. Real Mayo

1 TBS Banana peppers, nely chopped (Hot or mild)

1 TBS Banana pepper brine

1/2 tsp garlic salt

Salt and pepper to taste

Cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)

Putting it togethe r

Start by making the candied jalapeños. In a medium saucepan, combined the granulated sugar, turmeric and apple cider vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil and whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat down to a low simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Add the jalapeños and cook for 5 more minutes. Transfer to a jar or a bowl and let it cool. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or 24 hours is better In a medium size pot, gently place the eggs in 3 inches of water, so that they are covered. Cover with a lid and place over high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, bring the heat down to low simmer and continue cooking for 12 minutes. Transfer the eggs to an ice water bath for 10 minutes. Once they’re cool, peel the shells, cut them in half, and remove the yolks a bowl To the yolk bowl, add the mayonnaise, Dijon, banana peppers with brine, garlic salt, and salt and pepper. Whisk rigorously until smooth. Be sure to break up the yolks so it's not lumpy. Stu each egg white using either a spoon or a piping bag. Top each egg with a jalapeño slice and garnish with cilantro

Shocking revelation causes a freak-out in ‘The Drama’

KATIE WALSH TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

In 2024, Tinashe sang “is somebody gonna match my freak?” in her hit song

“Nasty,” and the lyric became an almost philosophical way of seeing the world. Is matching freaks our ultimate goal as human beings, and what would it look like to share our freakiest self with someone else? What is allowed under the freaky umbrella?

These are the sort of ques tions that animate Norwegian auteur Kristoffer Borgli’s latest cinematic think piece, “The Drama,” a film about a wedding that’s not really about a wedding, nor is it really about the confes sion that sends the wedding off the rails. Rather, it is about what kinds of secrets we can reveal to those closest to us and still be accepted and loved by them.

To reveal the drama at the center of “The Drama” would take all the fun out of the movie – and perhaps that’s a reflection on whether or not “The Drama” works on its own at all. But in the spirit of good sportsmanship, we’ll have to talk around it, even though what Borgli has chosen as the ultimate taboo does reveal his limitations as storyteller, especially when making a film set in the United States.

“The Drama” largely takes place during the week leading up to the wedding of Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya), though Borgli seamlessly zips between flashback and present in order to show us their courtship, including their disastrously awkward “meet cute” at a Boston coffee shop. Charlie stages a conver-

sation with Emma about the book she’s reading, but she can’t hear him due to deafness in one ear. Somehow, these two ridiculously good-looking people fumble through it and find eternal happiness together and in each other’s idiosyncrasies. Until their blissful union is rocked by a seemingly innocuous premarital ritual suggested by their married friends Mike and Rachel (Mamoudou Athie and Alana Haim), who encourage them to confess the worst thing they’ve ever done in advance of their nuptials. The group all owns up to their youthful folly, but what Emma confesses sends Charlie into a panic, while Rachel drops their friendship in righteous anger. Emma shrinks from

the rejection and insecurity, wondering if her misguided teenage missteps will mark her for the rest of her life.

There’s a humorous irony to Emma’s “worst thing” as delivered by Zendaya, one of the biggest movie stars and most beautiful and glamorous women in the world – and also as an African American woman. There’s a strong juxtaposition in what she confesses to and her identity, and so there’s a layer of shock and comedy baked into that reveal. But Borgli also never addresses how Emma’s race plays a role in this, and it seems he’s not entirely equipped to speak to that nuance. However, “The Drama” is really more about Charlie anyway, and how he responds

to his bride’s revelation. His speculation about what her past means for their future spirals out of control, until he ultimately finds himself on somewhat of the same moral standing as her. Perhaps we all need to be brought down to each other’s pegs in order to truly see eye to eye.

Borgli writes, directs and edits his films – this one he edited with Joshua Raymond Lee – and they are impeccably crafted, with stunningly beautiful cinematography by Arseni Khachaturan capturing the life of quiet urban luxury that Emma and Charlie have built together. Borgli and Lee slice, dice and smash that reality together with a surgically precise and often witty edit, intercutting

and weaving conversations and montage. Pattinson and Zendaya are terrific, unsurprisingly.

This is Borgli’s third feature film, and as an artist, he’s interested in hypothetical questions about the ills that plague modern life. In his debut feature, “Sick of Myself,” he explores a narcissist’s increasingly dangerous bids for attention, and in “Dream Scenario,” he tackled the attention economy in a lightly surreal comedy about a random professor who suddenly starts turning up in everyone’s dreams.

“The Drama” is not about attention, but it does take on another uniquely modern, uniquely American plague. Borgli enjoys playing with those aesthetics and presenting the question about what is “unforgivable,” and if there is room for redemption, but he paints the issue with too broad a brush on these sensitive, nuanced issues, leaving himself open to criticism. It is thought-provoking, to be sure, but does he finish the thought, or just provoke it?

Oddly enough though, “The Drama” is the sweetest and most humanist of his three films. At the end of the day, we are all humans just trying our best, trying to find someone to at least see our freak, and if not match it, accept it.

From left: Luigi (Charlie Day), Mario (Chris Pratt), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.”

NINTENDO AND ILLUMINATION/TNS

‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ a breathless, busy sci-fi adventure

KATIE WALSH TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

The “Super Mario Bros.” world has always been a family affair – it’s right there in the title, after all. The wildly successful 40-yearold Japanese video game franchise features a pair of Italian American plumber brothers from Brooklyn who spend their time powering up and jumping around the Mushroom Kingdom. But their motley crew of friends and enemies haven’t had their own sibling dynamic until now, in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” the sequel to the 2023 smash animated hit, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”

This is the third film based on the blockbuster “Mario” video game empire, even if the Nintendo executives would rather pretend that the 1993 live-action “Super Mario Bros.,” starring Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo and Dennis Hopper, didn’t exist. That film is now a niche cult classic, but that’s a rant for another time.

Review

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is based on the 2007 game and its 2010 sequel, and is once again directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with a script by Matthew Fogel. It takes our mustachioed friends to new heights, literally –every character is constantly being snatched or beamed into space by a giant robot or space ray or UFO of some kind. But our titular bros Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) have never been much for keeping their feet on the ground anyway.

The plot revolves around two different estranged families coming back together. Initially, we meet Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson), a blond with

a big side-swept bang and a gaggle of Luma babies, adorably airborne star-shaped critters. She’s kidnapped by a nasty little reptile who goes by Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), who hopes to use her stardust to power up his boomsday weapon.

As it turns out, Rosalina is the long-lost big sister of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), who has lately been wondering about her roots. Bowser Jr., well, it’s not hard to suss out that he’s the progeny of snapping turtle Mario antagonist Bowser (Jack Black), who has been miniaturized and imprisoned in a tiny castle in Peach’s kingdom. When a little Luma crashes Peach’s birthday celebration seeking help for his mama Rosalina, the whole team springs into action. Peach heads for the Galaxy Gateway with Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), while Mario, Luigi and their new dino pal Yoshi (Donald Glover) hold things down with the ‘shrooms … for a while anyway.

This breathless, busy sci-fi adventure ram-jams through space, time and the past 50 years

of popular cinema history as our characters bop from planet to planet, making various stops and side quests. First it feels kinda “Indiana Jones,” then it gets a little “Blade Runner.” We have a quick nod to “Jurassic Park” before it goes full “Star Wars,” especially with the introduction of Fox McCloud (Glen Powell), a rakish space pilot with a decidedly Han Solo swagger (small justice for the fact that Powell should have starred in “Solo: A Star Wars Story”).

Fox McCloud has made the leap from another Nintendo property, Star Fox, also by “Mario” game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He doesn’t entirely fit in here, but the movie is hectic enough with a T. rex and a queen bee (Issa Rae) and so many crazy action sequences, that it’s OK that Fox’s appearance is hardly more than a fan service-y cameo.

It’s a relief when the movie slows down for a millisecond to take a breath, and lets Peach take in the magnitude of finally understanding where she comes

from, and reuniting with her sister. A reformed Bowser does somewhat comprehend the gravity of the violent, vengeful life lessons he imparted into his young son, but he still insists on getting his bell rung by Mario and his brother, again and again.

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” feels a bit more mature than the previous film in that it hints at Mario crushing on Princess Peach, as well as the wildly perilous scenarios and action sequences that don’t skimp on the danger. But the animation, by Illumination Entertainment, is remarkably beautiful, the world and characters both true to the 8-bit source material and deeply cinematic.

There are lots of references, Easter eggs and hat tips to hardcore gamers, but it’s still fun even if you’re not a Nintendo die-hard. Like its predecessor, this film is noisy, fast and unrelenting – this is not a movie you watch so much as you allow to lightly steamroll your senses, but at least that’s a fairly swift and amusing enough process.

Movies

From Page 7

in the tale of a pair of idiot friends who believe that if they become waiters, all of their problems will be solved. They aren’t entirely wrong, but they aren’t entirely right. The film is not rated.

Opening in limited release are:

“Mother Mary,” the tale of long-buried wounds that rise to the surface when iconic pop star Mother Mary reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer on the eve of her comeback performance. Featuring Anne Hathaway. The film is rated R.

“Ballistic,” which tells the story of a soldier’s mother who discovers the bullet that killed her son in Afghanistan was made at the factory where she works. She wants revenge. The film is not rated.

“Brothers Under Fire,” which stars Kiefer Sutherland as a captain of a squadron on leave for a wedding in Mexico when they encounter a murderous cartel. As he tries to lead survivors to safety, war erupts between his squad and the cartel. The film is not rated.

“Normal,” which centers on a sheriff in the quaint Midwestern American town of Normal. The assignment was meant to be a welcome respite from both his marital woes and recent moral injuries in the line of duty. A botched bank robbery interrupts the municipality’s tranquil pace and a dark secret is inadvertently exposed. With Bob Odenkirk and Henry Winkler. The film is rated R.

“Blue Heron,” which is set in the 1990s when 8-year-old Sasha and her family relocate to a new home on Vancouver Island. The fresh start is interrupted by increasingly dangerous behavior from the eldest son, Jeremy. At wit’s end, their parents are presented with a shattering choice. The film is not rated.

“The Gardener,” the story of a cosmetics heir who retreats to a remote garden cottage while fighting a hostile takeover. A connection

with a quiet gardener becomes a journey of healing and self-discovery. The film is rated PG-13.

“Last Train to Fortune,” the tale of a schoolmaster who misses the last train to Fortune and meets an outlaw. They strike a deal: The gunslinger will ride the book-loving teacher to Fortune in exchange for his teacher’s stipend awaiting him. With Mary Steenburgen. The film is rated PG-13.

“Infiltrate,” which is set in a city overrun by crime. Government Agent Lily Chen is forced to choose between her duty and her family when her husband is kidnapped, and she’s blackmailed into assassinating high-level criminals to save him. As she delves deeper into the criminal underworld, her relentless pursuit of justice unravels a web of corruption. The film is not rated.

“Fireflies at El Mozote,” which is set in 1980s in El Salvador and recounts the story of a 10-year-old boy who survives the massacre of his village and his quest to bring justice to his dead family in the middle of a bloody civil war. The film is not rated.

“Mad Bills to Pay,” which is set in a tight knit Dominican American community in The Bronx. One man is hustling his way through the summer, selling bootleg ”nutcracker” cocktails out of a beach cooler and chasing girls without a care in the world. When his teenage girlfriend begins crashing at his place with his family, their small apartment turns into a stage for their messy, complicated young love. The film is not rated.

“Glenrothan,” which is set in the Scottish highlands and centers on a man who, after 35 years,

hopes to reconcile with his estranged brother, hoping he will take over the family whisky distillery. Brian Cox and Alan Cumming stars. The film is not rated.

“Marama,” the story of a young Maori woman who is summoned in 1859 from New Zealand to North Yorkshire, where she uncovers her horrific colonial heritage. She’s compelled to confront and destroy the titled Englishman who devastated her family. The film is not rated.

“Amrum,” an historical drama set in the spring of 1945 on the German island of Amrum, a remote outpost in the North Sea.

A 12-year-old boy spends his days working the nearby farm and his nights fishing, helping his mother to feed their family. When their anti-fascist neighbor mentions that the war will soon be over, the

boy is pleased to imagine that his father, a Nazi officer, might soon be coming home. His mother is a true believer, and word of Germany’s imminent defeat sends her into decline. The film is not rated.

“Mile End Kicks,” which follows a group of newly formed friends who have dreams of making it big in the entertainment industry. The film is rated R.

“Wasteman,” the tale of a man whose parole is approaching. His son has grown up without him. Enter a new cellmate who ropes him into violent inmate rivalries, endangering his fresh start. The film is not rated.

“Lorne,” which is a behindthe-scenes look into the life of Lorne Michaels, the legendary creator and reluctant icon behind

See Movies, Page 17

Movies

From Page 16

“Saturday Night Live.” The film is rated R.

April 24

“Michael” is the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music. It highlights both his life offstage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career. The film is rated PG-13.

“Fuze,” with Sam Worthington, unfolds after an unexploded World War II bomb is unearthed at a busy construction site, forcing a massive citywide evacuation. Amid the escalating tension and chaos, a daring criminal operation is set in motion – one that uses the evacuation as cover for a meticulously planned heist. The film is rated R.

Opening in limited release are:

“No Ordinary Heist,” the tale of two rival bank employees who must pull off Ireland’s biggest heist when criminals kidnap their families and force the vaults open. It’s based on a true story. The film

less Emperor Kisra. Fleeing into the desert with her father, she is hunted by a merciless army and forced to trust a legendary bandit with secrets of his own. With Ben Kinsley. The film is not rated.

“Omaha,” which is about a single father and his young children who embark on a mysterious road trip. As they traverse the American West, with stops for ice cream, kite-flying and more, clues about where they are going and why begin to emerge. The film is not rated.

“Broken Bird,” which follows a quiet and lonely mortician’s assistant who finds solace among the dead and through performing poetry at her local pub’s openmic nights. When her employer begins grooming her to inherit the business, she clings to this fragile sense of belonging, while privately haunted by fantasies that blur the line between romance and violence. The film is not rated.

“Two Seasons, Two Strangers,” which is based on the two mangas written by Yoshiharu Tsuge, who rose to underground celebrity thanks to his surrealist tales published in the pages of a

bastion of Japanese avant-garde cartooning. The film is not rated.

“Kangaroo Island,” which centers on a Hollywood performer whose career struggles prompt a return to her Australian island home, where unresolved family conflicts stemming from a romantic entanglement await her. The film is not rated.

April 28

Opening in limited release is “Departures,” the tale of Benji and Jake’s relationship as it unfolds through Amsterdam trips and intimacy, revealing complex power dynamics. The comedydrama dissects a toxic relationship with humor and raw emotion. The film is not rated.

For information on Edwards Cinemas in Fairfield, visit www. regmovies.com/theatres/regaledwards-fairfield-imax. For Vacaville showtimes, visit www. brendentheatres.com. For Vallejo showtimes, check www.cinemark. com/theatres/ca-vallejo. More information about upcoming films is available at www.movie insider.com.

Freedom,” 6 p.m. May 2

With guests Drumdala and Taiko drummers.

Empress Theatre

female tribute band.

Flock of Seagirls has been performing since 2013 and has played in numerous venues throughout California and Nevada.

Supersonic - The Oasis Experience, 8 p.m. April 18

“Desert Warrior,” place in 7th century Arabia. Princess Hind defies her fate, refusing to become a concubine to the ruth-

Formed in Marin, band members have toured across the country in various bands. They are dedicated to capturing the essence of Oasis’ iconic sound – from soaring anthems to heartfelt ballads.

They will be joined by Who Too – A Tribute to The Who. Drummer Mick Berry and guitarist Ric Wilson have worked with Frank Simes, former musical director for The Who.

House of Floyd, 8 p.m. April 25

The seven-piece band has been bringing hits such as “Comfortably Numb” and “Another Brick in the Wall” for more than 20 years.

Solano Winds, 7:30 p.m. May 1

The community concert band wraps up its 2025-2026 season with “Global Harmony.” It marks the first season under director Roger Wu Fu.

VOENA, “Voices of

330 Virginia St., Vallejo, www.empresstheatre.org

Blues guitarist and singer Steve Freund performs at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Machine party band drops by 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Songstress Tia Carroll returns 6:30 p.m. April 15 followed by The Drifting Cowboys at the same time on April 16. The group plays tribute to legendary performer Hank Williams.

The Vallejo Symphony wraps up its season with “London Symphony,” 3 p.m. April 19. Cellist Isaac PastorChermak is the guest performer.

A free concert follows 6 p.m. April 26 to celebrate the grand reopening of the Hogan Auditorium, the symphony’s former home. Doors open at 2:15 p.m. at 850 Rosewood Ave.

The month winds down with the The Flying Salvias, 6:30 p.m. April 16; California Psychics Band, 6:30 p.m. April 22; and Alvon Johnson, 6:30 p.m. April 29.

Kim Scott stops by 8 p.m. May 1. A Mother’s Day Comedy and Musical Celebration is on tap 8 p.m. May 2.

Wade

From Page 12

Boston harbor, met New Kids on the Block and did an a cappella version of “Step By Step.”

It was a national show so we did lots of promotional press. Casey, 3,000 miles away, saw some on Facebook. We had no mutual friends. She was scrolling and saw an ad and said, “Who’s that girl? I’m going to marry her.”

Q: Get outta here!

A: Seriously. Casey is very strong in her convictions and her opinions and her roommates said she was crazy. She messaged me on Facebook. I looked at her pictures and she was very cute so I thought why not flirt with this stranger? We quickly hit it off and began talking on the phone and in August 2016 she flew across the country. I decided to finish school and move to California. I think when I packed up my car and moved that was

the fifth time we had seen each other in person. We’ve been married five years now and last year adopted our daughter Candy. She is amazing and loves music. She already did and is loving it even more now.

Q: So how did you get involved in the local music scene?

A: Casey worked at the Young Artists Conservatory of Music in Vacaville and helped me get my foot in the door. Then we found Missouri Street Theatre at the same time. In 2017, I played viola in the orchestra for “Sweeney Todd” and she was in the ensemble. With Casey’s voice talents she didn’t stay in the ensemble long and I started to conduct. “Elf” was the first show I conducted and I’ve done 10 since then.

Q: I’ve seen you conducting in the pit at the Downtown Theatre and the audience can only see the back of your head, but you’re doing serious work in there, right?

A: It’s very technical. I have to keep everyone together, speeding up or slowing down the music and sync it with everything on stage. I have to know the timing of transitions, when the set change happens, cue vocalists, keep the show together and then have it button up nicely and appear seamless. I kind of stumbled into conducting. I learned the basics as an undergrad and played in lots of orchestras so I watched and learned that way.

Q: What instruments do you play?

A: Viola, violin, tenor sax, clarinet, trumpet trombone, percussion – I can play a little bit on almost anything. And I’m a decent beat boxer. My musical regret is that I am not good on the rock instruments like guitar, keyboards and drums. I play with the Golden Gate Symphony and Napa Valley Chamber Orchestra. I teachconduct-perform. I call myself “a multi hyphen musician.”

Q: Yes, you mentioned teaching: on top of every-

thing else you do, your day job is teaching strings at all 10 of the Vacaville elementary schools. What’s the best part of doing that?

A: I remember falling in love with music and love seeing the kids get excited about it for the first time. It’s

so great when they experience feeling a part of something bigger than themselves.

Fairfield freelance accidental local historian Tony Wade is the author of eight books. Reach Wade at toeknee weighed@gmail.com.