On the Town: March 1, 2026

MEET JEFF ARRIAGA, THE VOICE BEHIND THE CURTAIN

SING A SONG –OR TWO – AT KARAOKE NIGHT

IN FAIRFIELD

PHOTOS OF SOLANO RESIDENTS OUT ON THE TOWN

Find peace with prose, poetry

DAILY REPUBLIC STAFF DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

The Vacaville Museum’s current exhibit, “Center Stage,” showcases the various performing arts throughout Solano County.

A Poets Laureate and Open Mic poetry event is slated April 9. Fairfield Poet Laureate Emerita Suzanne Bruce will curate the evening. The Live Music Center from Vacaville will have a jazz trio on site.

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, Tom Stanton.

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

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

Following those readings, there will be an open mic. Sign up will be at the event.

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

Any high school students interested in performing their original poems? Show your student ID at the event for free entry to listen and sign up for open mic.

Only 75 tickets are available. For information and tickets, you can visit the museum or buy online at https:// vacavillemuseum.org/events.

The museum is at 213 Buck Ave.

The Vallejo Library Poets Review will meet 6 p.m. March 11 at the JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara Drive.

For more information, visit https://solanolibrary.libnet.info/ event/15379352.

Publishers: Foy S. McNaughton, T. Burt McNaughton

Editor: Todd R. Hansen

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 For advertising, call Nancy at 707-427-6927

– or two or more at

Sing, karaoke sing a song

AMY MAGINNIS-HONEY

AMAGINNIS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

Through karaoke, tales of friendship are woven one song at a time at Straw Hat Pizza on Horizon Drive.

DJ Jeffrey Barton sets the pace. He knows the tight-knit group of singers well enough, he puts their names on the performance sheet when they arrive.

He began doing karaoke there in about 2018. Prior to that, Barton did karaoke at Pepperbellys, which was destroyed by a fire in 2013.

Two years ago, Barton was handed the baton at Straw Hat.

A few minutes into the conversation, Barton points out a framed picture on the wall. It features many of the singers who met singing at the pizza place.

Some of them evolved into the Ambassadors of Music, taking their talents to events such as the Farmers Market and retirement homes. That tradition still continues the fourth Saturday of every month at The Village at Rancho Solano.

“Our monthly volunteer karaoke group brings so much more than music into our community –they bring joy, connection and a sense of belonging. Karaoke encourages our residents to step out of their comfort zones, express themselves, and relive

See Sing, Page 4

LEFT: Jess Macachor, left, interrupts Charlotte Gilbert to inform her that she is singing “his” song while performing karaoke at Straw Hat Pizza in Fairfield.

BELOW: Jacqueline McBride sings during a karaoke night at Straw Hat Pizza in Fairfield, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. A group of regulars meet weekly at Straw Hat Pizza to sign karaoke.

This THINGS TO DO week

5 p.m. Friday

Dave Bustamante with Bobby Santos

Bally Keal, 4286 Suisun Valley Road. www. ballykeal.com.

I Suisun City

7 p.m. Friday

Wet Wreckless Band True Symmetry, 315 Marina Circle. https://true symmetry.beer/events.

I Vacaville

3 p.m. Sunday

Solano Winds: American Mosaic

Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive. www.vpat.net.

7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday

Will C. Wood Lively Arts: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive. www.vpat.net.

3 p.m. Saturday

Pub Kats

Donoby’s Bar, 1072 E. Monte Vista Ave. www. facebook.com/pubkats.

I Benicia

1 p.m. Sunday

Old Mule Duo First Street Taphouse, 440 First St. www.mare islandbrewingco.com/ events.

2:30 p.m. Sunday

Van Goat Lucca, 439 First St. www. luccabar.com/new-page.

4 p.m. Sunday

Xavier Guerrero

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

6:30 p.m. Thursday

Uncommonwealth

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

6:30 p.m. Friday

Captain Monk Lucca, 439 First St. www. luccabar.com/new-page.

6:30 p.m. Saturday Camp Jeff Lucca, 439 First St. www. luccabar.com/new-page.

I Vallejo

3 p.m. Sunday

‘Barefoot in the Park’ Bay Area Stage, 515 Broadway St., Suite H. www.bayareastage.org.

Sing

From Page 3

cherished memories through familiar songs.

“It boosts mood, supports cognitive engagement and creates meaningful social interaction among friends. Most importantly, their visits remind our residents that they are valued, celebrated and still have a stage to shine on. We are truly grateful for the laughter and energy they share with us each month,” said Patty Vlahakos, the facility’s director of life engagement.

It’s always a group turnout with a warm reception, Barton said.

have this vibe.”

She stuck with Whitney Houston tunes in the early days. Now, McBride often looks at her song list, kept by Barton, and decides on the spot.

“I change it up, you have to,” McBride said.

The Village at Rancho Solano is a favorite destination.

“The reception is so beautiful.” McBride said. “The audience is already there waiting for us when we walk in.”

Sometimes they get up and dance, she added. One of the facility’s employees often sings Broadway tunes with them.

McBride met Fe Hamberg at karaoke. The neighbors now go in McBride’s car.

single “boo,” only love and applause, he added.

Barton likes to spell it “careoke.”

Amber Curley has been going to the Straw Hat pizza karaoke for seven years. The first one, she sat back against the wall. McBride approached her and asked Curley if she wanted to sing. Curley did.

Then, she went on to draft Debbie Arnold to belt out tunes at the mic.

“This is my family,” she said. “I don’t get in any trouble.” Karaoke nights can be like a “box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get,” Barton said.

Townhouse Ramblers

Townhouse Cocktail Lounge, 401 Georgia St. www.facebook.com/ townhousecocktails.

6:30 p.m. Wednesday

Jon Otis & The Blue Beatz

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

6:30 p.m. Thursday

Voltones

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

9 p.m. Friday

Goth Night

Odd Fellows Hall, 342 Georgia St. www. facebook.com/events/ 941390051783571.

7 p.m. Saturday

Sweet Marie and the Suspects 4th Corner Speakeasy at Red Men’s Hall, 431 Georgia St. https://4th cornerspeakeasy.com.

I Dixon

2 p.m. Sunday ‘The House of Frankenstein’ Dixon High School, 555 College Way.

Jacqueline McBride stopped by the venue about four years ago with her niece, who wanted to do karaoke. She was visiting from Texas.

“It was so nice, I’ve been coming back every week,” McBride said, adding she considers herself a founding member.

She had sung professionally and in the church choir before tackling karaoke.

McBride finds the pizza spot to her liking.

“I like the ambience here,” she said, noting it’s a great place for families to enjoy. “The other places I’ve gone to just don’t

“I love to sing,” Hamberg said, adding she was born in the Philippines, where singing is a priority for a night on the town.

She favors songs from Engelbert Humperdinck and the Carpenters.

“I feel like it’s like family,” Hamberg said. “I am happy here. I don’t want to leave. Sometimes I sing out of tune, but I love to sing.”

“Everyone is their own worst critic,” Barton said. “Karaoke is not about singing every note on key, it’s about having fun. By the time they get up here, you hope they know how to have fun. if not, we will teach them.”

There has never been a

The number of singers can range from 12 to 25, depending on the night. Singing is from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

“If you say it’s a party with free cake, it’s a good turnout,” Barton said.

Arnold recently celebrated her birthday with her karaoke friends.

Kaycee Olson-Tenney has hosted karaoke on and off for more than 20 years.

“I liked to sing, and my grannie thought I should do it all the time. She invested in me to start my karaoke business,” she said.

“I discovered that I love to encourage people to feel good about themselves. Coaxing them to let go of the fears that might hold them back, to increase their confidence, to express themselves, to “not sweat the small things,” to overcome peer pressure and not take themselves too seriously, just “sing out loud!”

Those who haven’t sung in public before are a little hesitant. Some singers really enjoy singing in their cars. Bring that energy to the mic, Olson-Tenney said.

“When you finally get up the nerve to sing into the microphone, you feel like you could conquer any situation,” she said.

“For me, it’s like hosting a party every night, and you’re invited.”

A voice behind the curtain

Fairfielder Jeff Arriaga is an in-demand stage manager for theatrical companies in Solano and surrounding areas.

Q: You’re originally from Oregon so what brought you to Fairfield?

A: I was active duty Air Force and got stationed here in 1992. I retired in 2008 and immediately took a civilian position on base where I now work as a budget analyst for one of the squadrons.

prepare me especially now when I have to run everything tech-wise. It’s multitasking to the utmost.

Q: Do you have an anecdote about a particularly challenging event in a show?

Q: How did you get started in local theater?

A: My daughter was in Solano Youth Theatre and they were looking for a site manager that handled all the paperwork. I started there and became the rehearsal stage manager for Fairfield. I enjoyed it, but you’re basically there just for the rehearsals so when we went into tech week, I handed the show off to the production stage manager. I didn’t like that because I didn’t get to finish the process. So I became the stage manager for Solano College Theater. I spent the first four shows being taught the ropes by [Solano College Theatre Professor Emeritus]George Maguire. He gave me all the tools I needed so when Solano closed I contacted Dae Spering at Missouri Street Theatre and the rest is history.

Q: What exactly does the stage manager do?

A: Run rehearsals, set up the room, write down the blocking, help coordinate schedules with the director and music director and then when we go into tech week, that’s when I get busy. Napa’s Lucky Penny Productions, where I’ve been for the last ten years, is unique in that usually you have a separate person that runs lights and a separate person who runs sound. At Lucky Penny we don’t have the space for that in my booth, so it’s a one-person job. I’m running lights, sound, mics, and tracks if it’s a musical which is especially challenging. It’s awesome, I love it. I’m a control freak so I like being able to do that.

Q: It’s like you’re an air traffic controller.

A: It’s funny you should say that because my job for most of my military career was an air traffic controller. Most of it here at Travis. It definitely helped

A: A few years back I was stage managing “The Addams Family” musical at the Berkeley Playhouse and right at the end of the show we lost total power. I calmed everyone down and had them stay in their seats. I called PG&E and the whole block was out and it wasn’t coming on any time soon, so I called the boss. He said to use flashlights and get everyone out of the theater safely and get the cast out safely. So I went to announce that they were not going to see the finale because the power wasn’t coming back on. Then the cast said they could do it with flashlights and stuff. So we got all the cast on stage safely and the stage was lit by the audiences’ s phone lights. They sang the final song a cappella and it was probably one of the most amazing theatrical events I’ve experienced.

Q: You met your wife, choreographer Staci Arriaga because of theatre. Why did you decide to take her surname?

A: I had not been overly close with my family for some time but Staci’s family embraced me wholeheartedly. They are just the kindest, most wonderful people. Both of my parents had passed and I found myself less and less attached to the name Bristow. So when Staci’s sister passed and two of her uncles and her parents were gone, it seemed like the right thing to do. It was a way to honor her and the commitment to our family.

Q: I happen to know you’re a fan of [DC Comics superhero] Green Lantern. I’ve seen a picture of you and Staci’s wedding cake with Wonder Woman and Green Lantern on it. What’s that about?

A: Me and my daughter bonded over the animated series. I got her to read a bunch of the comics, especially the Geoff Johns run when the different color spectrum was introduced. Green Lantern is about willpower and when you have rheumatoid arthritis as I do and you are in as much pain as I am, sometimes it is just willpower that gets you through days. Especially a long tech day

when you gotta do what you gotta do. Q: Behind the scenes at a show seems to be your happy place.

A: I love what I do. I always say the Air Force pays my bills, but theatre feeds my soul.

Tony Wade is the author of seven books. Reach Wade at toeknee weighed@gmail.com.

Manda rin Restaura nt has been a st aple o f th e Fa ir fi el d co mm un ity for over fou r decades, origi na lly establ ishi ng its root s in 1981 Located at 219 Tex as St, d ir ec tl y across f rom A rmijo High School, it ha s evolve d from its ea rly days a s an A-f ra me bui ld ing with a popular h ig h school t akeout wi ndow i nto a modern restaurant.

Th e rest au ra nt i s a seco ndgene ra ti on Wan g fa mi ly b us in ess. Ow ner Pei We n Wa ng c onti nues to follow t he t ra dition al family recipes hi s pa rent s us ed when they s ta rted the rest au ra nt i n 19 81, ma inta inin g authentic Manda ri n-st yle avors.

Thei r sign at ure Dishes a re w idely recogn ized for t heir aut hent ic recipes, includ ing h ig hly-rated items such a s:

Pot Stickers: F requently described as “huge,” “ha nd-m ade da ily,” and “t he best ” by loca l d iners.

Wonton Soup: C ited by lon g- ti me patron s as a sta ndout d ish.

Ch ic ken Ch ow Mei n: A cl as si c st aple t ha t ha s rema ined a favorite th rough the decades

The venue serves a s both a c asua l dini ng spot and a location for special occa sion s, featuri ng a f ul l-serv ice ba r and a spacious i nter ior that o en hosts pr ivate e vent s a nd celebration s.

They o er di ne -i n, t akeout , an d delivery ser vices. You c an v iew thei r full menu and pl ace orde rs t hrou gh plat forms li ke DoorDash and Gr ubHub.

GOHEAR

Do an Irish jig, watch a Taylor Swift tribute artist

DAILY REPUBLIC STAFF

DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

March welcomes everything From Elton to Elvis and Too Short – and the Solano Symphony Orchestra.

Vacaville

Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre

Solano Winds Community Concert Band - “American Mosaic,” 3 p.m. March 1

“America” “Fort McHenry Suite” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” https:// solanowinds.org.

Electric Elton – A Tribute to Elton John, 7:30 p.m. March 8

Vocalist, pianist and performer, Sean Trombley gives a genuine and powerful tribute to the music that inspired him as a vocalist and musician. His vocals capture the essence of Elton John at the height of his vocal power and range in the 1970s.

inspiring and enriching concerts and more opportunities for young musicians to perform alongside the orchestra.

Visit solanosymphony.org for more information.

Ron George presents Country Roads, 2 p.m. March 28

“Enchanted Dreams: An Unofficial Tribute to the Music of Taylor Swift,” 3 p.m. March 29

It features Elizabeth Scarborough Burnett as Taylor Swift.

The show has been described as all of Swift’s greatest hits with all the energy and excitement of an actual Swift concert.

The performance is complete with costume changes and a dazzling backscreen presentation.

Featuring “Commando March,” “Shenandoah, “Variations on

He’s backed by a live band, multimedia, dazzling costumes and captivating dancers. The audience will hear tunes such as “Crocodile Rock” and “Philadelphia Freedom.”

St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland!, 7:30 p.m. March 13

This treat for the whole family features champion dancers from the world of Riverdance, Celtic Fyre, Celtic Wings, Lord of the Dance and An Irish Christmas. Together with multi-instrumentalists from the Kerry Traditional Band with their explosive sound of fiddles, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, guitar and flutes roaring through the theater, guests will be transported to the Emerald Isle.

The Wonder of Elvis starring Greg Miller, 3 p.m. March 21

Direct from Las Vegas, Miller stars in this one man show highlighting Elvis Presley’s meteoric rise to fame in the late 1950s to his groundbreaking Aloha and Las Vegas concerts in the 1970s. He maintains a performance of remarkable authenticity and has become one of the biggest Elvis headliners in Las Vegas.

The Solano Symphony Orchestra – Salute to Youth, 3 p.m. March 22

The 39th Concert Season features

George is joined by his two grandsons, Zach and Aaron George, and his adopted granddaughter, Emily Jessen. Together, they promise an afternoon filled with outstanding country music and some impressive guitar playing.

Audiences can look forward to a selection of songs from legendary country artists including George Strait, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, Dolly Parton, Reba, Toby Keith, Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam and Elvis Presley.

Proceeds benefit the Saturday Club Foundation’s Music and Arts Scholarship Program.

Ron George presents Hot August Nights: The Neil Diamond Experience, 6 p.m. March 28

Frank Salamone brings his incred ible tribute to the legendary singer, songwriter and entertainer to life.

He performs beloved hits such as “Song Sung Blue,” “Cherry, Cherry,” and “Holly Holy,” to name a few.

For the past 25 years, Salamone has been the voice of the Alive Music Orchestra, performing throughout California and Nevada. Joining him on stage will be the Dixon Dancers and Salamone’s three daughters.

The venue is at 1010 Ulatis Drive. For more information, visit

Journey Downtown NC/DC, AC/DC Tribute Band, 7 p.m. March 7 Doors open at 6 p.m. Rapper Too $hort,

Born in Los Angeles, he grew up in Oakland launched his career from

The venue is at 308 Main St. For more information visit https://

True Symmetry, 315 Marina Center, , 7 p.m.

Gas Money Band (St. Patrick’s celebration), 7 p.m. March 13

Rendition, 7 p.m. March 20

Comedy show, 8 p.m. March 28

For more details, visit https://true symmetry.beer/events.

GOSEE

Springtime theater

pring is around the corner bringing musicals, melodramas and more to the state.

Will C. Wood HS Lively Arts will feature “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” at 7 p.m. March 5-6 and 1 and 7 p.m. March 7 at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1020 Ulatis Drive.

Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, it is one of the most widely viewed programs. A re-creation was done in 1965 and 1997. For more information and tickets, visit www.vpat.net.

Missouri Street Theatre will stage “Rent,” weekends March 14-29 at the Downtown Theatre, 1035 Texas St.

It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in Lower Manhattan’s East Village, in the thriving days of the bohemian culture of Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

For showtimes, tickets and more, visit www.downtowntheatre.com.

The Gaslighters Theatrical Company will bring its latest comedic whodunit murder mystery production, “A Murder Has Been Renounced,” to the Saturday Club, 125 W. Kendal St.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 27, 2 and 6:30 p.m. March 28 (dinner show) and 2 p.m. March 29.

The family-friendly play will be presented in a cabaret-style setting that lends itself to audience interaction and to an up-close and personal view of all the action.

“A Murder Has Been Renounced” is another comedic murder mystery written by playwright Lee Mueller,” Mary Cornelison Muehlenbruch, the Gaslighters’ president and production manager, said. “We’ve done a number of his plays over the years and audiences have been thoroughly entertained.”

Veteran Solano County theatrical actress and director Kerry Brown directs a talented local cast to a story that begins on a dark and stormy night.

Private detective Nick Dashell and his wife Darla’s car has broken down. They seek shelter in a large estate populated by some very oddball characters such as a sarcastic maid named Deidre and a shady gentleman named Captain Trucage.

Only seeking to use the phone, they learn the phone lines are down and the roads are washed out due to the storm. If that was not enough, they find themselves involved in mysterious events: a necklace has been stolen and gunshots were heard.

See Theater, Page 10

OUT! on the town

1. TAFB Security Forces Chief Miller and his wife, Kimber Miller

2. From left, TAFB Chapter Secretary Lloyd Edwards, Ralphine Andrus and her husband, TAFB Chapter President Steve Andrus

3. TAFB Security Forces Commander Lt. Col. Eberthart and his wife, Alicia Eberhart

4. Heidi Campini came out to support the AFSFA, which benefits the troops and enjoys some crab.

1. Lion member Barry Fredenburg works with the Scouts from Troop 853 in the kitchen.

2, Fairfield Lion members Francisco Moreno, Surf & Turf chairman, and Nancy Meadows take a break for a photo before the crab gets served.

3. Fairfield City Chief of Police Dan Marshall and Fairfield City Manager David Gassaway out supporting the Fairfield Lions.

4. Fairfield Councilman Manveer Sandhu takes a moment to take a photo with Lion Nancy Meadows Trigueiro and Liz Aptekar

OUT! on the

town

Wine tasting 2.22.26

1. Angela Powell, Elease Cheek and Bonita Knuckles gather for some ladies’ time to enjoy a glass of wine and music by Papa Joe at Bally Keal Estates in Suisun Valley.

2. Karri Fish, of Fairfield, and Peggy Clayton, of American Canyon, made Sunset Suisun one of their stops for the day in Suisun Valley.

3. The Diaz and Barba families from Winters enjoy a visit to the valley’s newest winery, Sentivo.

4.

5. Sharon and Vic Chaney, of Vallejo, relax and sample a variety of Wooden Valley’s wine in their beautiful picnic area.

on the town

GOSEE

Art

abounds

Fairfield

The Solano Town Center Gallery fifth annual FSVAA Children’s Art Show continues until March 8. Guests can vote for a favorite piece of art in the show. The top vote getter will get the People’s Choice Award.

The 10th annual Fairfield-Suisun Visual Arts Association High School Art Show opens March 11 at 1350 Travis Blvd. It runs through April 26 with a Reception/Awards Presentation from 3 to 6 p.m. April 11.

Art intake is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 8. Artwork can be submitted in 13 different categories and will be judged by three jurors. This year’s jurors are Dennis Ariza, FSVAA president and owner of Fairfield Arts; Janet Barnes, FSVAA curator, teacher and awardwinning artist; and Lisa Imhoff, FSVAA board member and mixed media artist.

FSVAA members will participate in this year’s Chocolate and Vine fundraiser sponsored by the Fairfield Community Services

Foundations on March 21 at The Barn at Green Valley, 4075 Green Valley Road. Purchase tickets at www.ffcsfoundation.org/events. For more information on the association, visit www.fvaa-arts.org.

Fairfield Arts, 710 Jackson St., continues its current show through March 21, featuring the works of local jazz artist Carl Bradford III.

There will be closing reception and poetry reading, 5 to 8 p.m. March 20, during the Third Friday Art Walk.

Saul Forsberg is the newest member at Fairfield Arts. He creates acrylic paintings, jewelry and mixed media.

For more information, visit www.fairfieldarts.com.

Vacaville

The Vacaville Art League Gallery, 718 E. Monte Vista Ave, is home to “The Red Thread,” through March 14. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The gallery rotates exhibits every four to six weeks with show types ranging from member exhibits to juried and open exhibitions by guest artists.

The Vacaville Museum is paying tribute to the performing arts in Solano County with “Center Stage,” running through June 27 at 213 Buck Ave.

The museum is open 1 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The venue will host a Mini-Con, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 21. Registration ends at 2 p.m. March 14.

Costumes encouraged. General admission is $8, or $5 for museum members. Guests age 3 and older must have an admission ticket. Under 2, are free.

For more information, visit https://vaca villemuseum.org/events.

Benicia

“A Library of Ideas,” from Linda Fleming, is open at the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery inside the Benicia Public Library. The reception is 3 to 5 p.m. March 22. The exhibit runs through April 13.

Fleming is an American sculptor known for intricate drawings and airy, lattice-like

Theater

From Page 7

Should Nick and Darla hang out and help solve the mystery? Sure, why not?

After all, they can’t leave. Perhaps stranger than the inexplicable occurrences of the evening, are the actual guests they find at the estate. Everyone is acting very oddly and using really bad accents. And when one of the guests is found strangled in the kitchen, no one seems to be alarmed except for Nick and Darla.

Ticket price for non-dinner shows is $25; dinner show is $60. Tickets are on sale now. For more information or tickets, call 707-628-3737 or visit www.gaslighterstheatrical.com.

Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy will present “Freaky Friday” at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1020 Ulatis Drive.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 2-4 and 2:30 p.m. April 14. For tickets, and more information, visit www.vpat.net.

Solano Community College Theatre will host “42nd Street,” opening April 10 and running weekends through April 26.

It’s directed by SCT’s Artistic Director Christine Mani.

“All our students strive for their ‘big break’ into the real business of theater,” Mani said in a press release. “What better way to honor that hope than with a story of a young ingenue who does just that!”

The show celebrates Broadway, Times Square and the magic of show biz with wit, humor and pizzazz. At the height of the Great Depression, aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer (played by Alexis Bueno) comes to the big city from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and soon lands her first big job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show.

Just before opening night, the leading lady breaks her ankle. Will Peggy be able to step in and become a star?

The cast includes Bueno, a theater major at SCC and longtime SCT performer, as Peggy Sawyer; Gyver Bitancor, a music major and SCC Chamber Choir tenor, in his debut on the SCT stage as Billy Lawlor; Faustino Cadiz III, a Filipino-American performing artist who spends his days as a vice principal in Vallejo, as Julian Marsh; and Beth Ellen Etheridge, who recently performed Mother Superior in “Nunsense” at Missouri Street Theatre, as Dorothy Brock.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. solanocollegetheatre.org or call 707-864-7100.

GO READ

— and hear an author

Take a glance at what your neighbors are reading with the help of the Solano County Library System.

ADULT TOP 10

• “The Housemaid,” Freida McFadden

• “Brimstone,” Callie Hart

• “The Housemaid’s Secret,” Freida McFadden

• “Quicksilver,” Callie Hart

• “The Housemaid Is Watching,” Freida McFadden

• “Great Big Beautiful Life,” Emily Henry

• “Heated Rivalry,” Rachel Reid

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

• “Dear Debbie,” Freida McFadden

• “Game Changer,” Rachel Reid

TEEN TOP 10

• “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Suzanne Collins

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

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

• “Throne of Glass,” Sarah J. Maas

• “The Hunger Games,” Suzanne Collins

• “Powerless,” Lauren Roberts

• “Crown of Midnight,” Sarah J. Maas

• “Heir of Fire,” Sarah J. Maas

• “Heartless Hunter,” Kristen Ciccarelli

• “Divine Rivals,” Rebecca Ross

KIDS TOP 10

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

• “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper,” Jeff Kinney

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

• “Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder,” Dav Pilkey

• “Drama,” Raina Telgemeier

• “Diary of Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess,” Jeff Kinney

• “Dog Man: Big Jim Begins,” Dav Pikley

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

• “The Wild Robot,” Peter Brown

• “Big Nate Flips Out,” Lincoln Pierce

Coming soon

Adult: https://splash.na2.iii vega.com/library-list/show

case/3779fee9e9be-4a76b3ef-85f39d479a85 Kids:

Graphic novels:

• “Plants vs. Zombies, It’s a Dogz Life,” Paul Tobin

• “Sonic the Hedgehog: On the Go, Vol. 2,” Ian Flynn

• “Pokemon: Scarlet and Violet, Vol. 4,” Hidenori Kusaka

• “Minecraft: Heart of Cobblestone, Vol. 2,” Andrew Clemson

• “Investigators: Agents of S.U.I.T., Sew Much Trouble,” John Patrick Green

• “PAWS, Trouble with Leo,” Nathan Fairbairn

• “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtle Power Pack, Vol. 3,”Erik Burnham

• “Cat & Cat Adventures, Lair of the Owl King,” Susie Yi

• “Hikaru in the Light! Vol. 3,” Mai Matsuda

• “The Inbetweens,” Damon Beesley Lunar New Year Kids Titles:

https://splash. na2.iiivega.com.

Author talks

• “Sweet Success,” by Barbara Pagni Denton, 1:30 p.m. March 4, Gallery 9, 2024 Camel Road, Benicia. www. facebook.com/ groups/210783186 261693/user/100052 222886155.

• “Torn Lilacs: A True Story of Love, Defiance and Hope,” by , 3 p.m. March 30, Vacaville Cultural Center Library, 1010 Ulatis Drive. https://solanolibrary.libnet.info/ event/15810242.

• The Benicia Library offers four online author talks each month. For more information, visit https://benicialibrary.org.

GO TO THE MOVIES: Beware of the Brides of March

Documentaries about Corey Feldman and Marc Jacobs are two of the movies that find their ways to the silver screen in March.

March 5

“Corey Feldman vs. The World” opens in limited release. This fully independently released film begins with a special engagement with the Alamo Drafthouse theater chain. The film is not rated.

March 6

“Hoppers” is an animated flick about Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use new technology to “hop” her consciousness into a lifelike robotic animal: an adorable beaver. John Hamm and Meryl Streep lend their vocal talents to the production. The film is rated PG.

“The Bride!” also hits screens nationwide the same day. The horror movie tells the tale of a lonely Frankenstein (Christian Bale) who travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious (five-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening) to create a companion for him. They revive a murdered young woman and The Bride (Jessie Buckley) is born. What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined. Maggie Gyllenhaal is the director. The film is rated R.

Opening in limited release are:

“Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man,” which is set amidst the chaos of WWII, where Tommy Shelby is driven back from a selfimposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet. Cillian Murphy stars. The film is rated R.

“Protector,” which brings Milla Jovovich and Matthew Modine to theaters in the tale of a former war hero who thought she’d left her violent past behind her for a peaceful life with her daughter. Her quiet life is shattered when she wakes up in an abandoned factory, only to discover her daughter has been kidnapped. The film is rated R.

“Dolly,” a horror tale about a girl who fights for survival after being abducted by a deranged, monster-like figure who wants to raise her as their child. With Seann William

Scott. The film is rated R.

“Youngblood,” which follows Dean Youngblood, a hockey prodigy who joins the Hamilton Bulldogs and has to deal with toxic behavior during his journey to the National Hockey League draft. Ashton James stars. The film is rated PG-13.

“Heel,” a thriller that follows a 19-year-old hooligan who revels in a life of drugs, parties and violence. One night, on a bender with his reckless friends, he becomes separated from the group and is abducted by an unknown figure. He is enraged and horrified when he wakes to find himself chained in the basement of the isolated suburban home of a family who sets out to reform his unruly behavior. The film is not rated.

“Silver Star,” which centers on a young Black woman recently released from prison who kidnaps a pregnant teenager during a failed bank robbery. With nothing left to lose, they set off on a journey together while navigating the police and an upcoming birth. This film is not rated.

March 11

“The Optimist” arrives in limited release. Inspired by a true story, it follows the story of Herbert Heller (Stephen Lang), a Holocaust survivor who has lived in silence for decades, and the unlikely friendship that helps him finally speak. When he meets Abby (Elsie Fisher), a troubled teenager carrying her own quiet pain, their bond reveals the healing power of connection spanning generations. The film is not rated.

March 13

“Undertone” centers on the host of an “all-things-creepy” podcaster who moves into her dying mother’s house to be her primary caregiver. When she receives audio recordings of a young pregnant couple experiencing paranormal noises, she realizes the woman’s story mirrors her own. The film is not rated.

“Reminders of Him” centers on a young woman who, after serving a five-year prison sentence, returns to her hometown to reconnect with her young daughter. Rebuilding

relationships proves challenging. The film is rated PG-13.

“The Gates” features the late James Van Der Beek in the story of three college students on a road trip gone wrong. They take an ill-advised shortcut through a remote gated community. They find themselves trapped behind the gates after witnessing a murder. The film is rated R.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze” celebrates the 35th anniversary of the movie. Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo and Raphael face the evil Shredder, who has learned the secret of the ooze, the force behind the Turtles’ mutation and amazing fighting abilities. The film is rated PG.

“Slanted” is the tale of a woman who idolizes the popular girls and dreams of being prom queen, but fears the only way to win is to look like all the past queens whose portraits line her high school halls. The film is rated R.

“Enter Ethnos” is the tale of a shady cosmetic surgery clinic that turns people of color white. McKenna Grace is featured. The film

is rated R.

“Storm Rider: Legend of Hammerhead” is set three centuries after a global flood when the world consists of scattered islands and is dominated by a continuous, massive storm. The remaining population lives on these islands and faces constant danger from the storm. A fortified city-state called Argos exists as a place of safety and can only be reached by completing dangerous trials known as Storm Riding. Some inhabitants believe survival depends on reaching Argos, while others believe answers lie beyond the storm. The film is not rated.

“Scared to Death,” with Rae Dawn Chong, is the story of a young filmmaker stuck as a production assistant who sees his chance to direct by proposing filming behind-the-scenes of a real séance in an old haunted house as research for their horror movie Death House. The film is not rated.

March 20

“Project Hail Mary” is the tale of a school-teacher-turned-astronaut who wakes up from a coma, alone on a space station with no memory of who he is or his mission. His memory returns in bursts and he pieces together that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to reverse the impact of a space event that had already hurled our planet into the early stages of an Ice Age. Ryan Gosling stars. The film is rated PG-13.

“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” is the story of a young woman who, after surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, discovers she’s reached the next level of the nightmarish game – and this time with her estranged sister at her side. With Sarah Michelle Geller and Elijah Wood. The film is rated R.

“Whitney Springs,” from Matt Stone and Trey Parker, is a musical comedy that follows a young Black man interning as a slave re-enactor, who discovers his white girlfriend’s ancestors once owned his. The film is not rated.

“Marc by Sofia” is an intimate, unconventional portrait of designer Marc Jacobs, crafted by Sofia Coppola to capture the universe of the iconic American designer. The film is rated PG-13.

From Page 12

Opening in limited release are:

“The Pout-Pout Fish,” a film based on the New York Times bestselling book with the same name that brings to life the hilarious and heartwarming story of an unlikely duo, Mr. Fish (voiced by Nick Offerman) and Pip (voiced by Nina Oyama), who embark on an epic undersea quest to find a legendary fish that could save their homes. The film is rated PG.

“Wardriver,” the tale of a man who prowls the city “wardriving” – hacking from his car and stealing on the move. He convinces himself no one gets hurt until a black-market tech predator forces him into a million-dollar cyber-heist. The job exposes a mob lawyer using a woman to launder his fortune. As bullets fly and betrayals close in, he must risk everything to return the money, protect her and survive a deadly game of cat-and-mouse where every line of code could be his last. The film is rated R.

“Late Shift,” which centers on a dedicated nurse who tirelessly serves on an understaffed hospital ward. This day, her shift becomes a tense and urgent race against the clock. The film is not rated.

“Tow,” which is based on a true story about a woman living out of her aging Toyota Camry on the streets of Seattle. When her car – her only lifeline – is stolen and impounded, she is thrust into a relentless legal battle against an indifferent system. With Rose Byrne and Demi Lovato. The film is not rated.

“Vampires of the Velvet Lounge,” a horror/comedy about a group of vampires who confront the challenges of adapting to contemporary society while grappling with their own mortality, all while engaged in a conflict with a dangerous enemy. The film is rated R.

“Touch Me” which is about two codependent best friends who become addicted to the heroin-like touch of an alien narcissist who may or may not be trying to take over the world. The film is not rated.

“Spacewoman” a documentary about astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command an American spacecraft. Born on the other side of the tracks in upstate New York, she smashed many glass ceilings in the U.S. Air Force and at NASA in her career, culminating in four increasingly dramatic and dangerous space shuttle missions. The film is not rated.

March 27

“Mirrors No. 3” is the tale of a piano student from Berlin who survives a car accident during a weekend trip to the countryside and is taken in by a local woman who witnessed the crash. As the woman’s family accepts her, unresolved past issues emerge. The film is not rated.

“Forbidden Fruits” follows Apple a Free Eden employee who secretly runs a witchy femme cult in the basement of the mall store after hours. Gabrielle Union stars. The film is rated R.

“She Dances” is the tale of a struggling single father hoping to reconnect with his distant teenage daughter while chaperoning her at a regional dance competition.

Ethan Hawke and Steve Zahn are featured. The film is rated PG-13.

“They Will Kill You” is the tale of a woman who responds to a job ad to work as a housekeeper in a strange New York City high-rise, unaware that several people have gone missing there over the years. Heather Graham and Patricia Arquette are featured. The film is rated R.

“Holy Days” tells the story of three unconventional nuns who embark on a last-ditch road trip across New Zealand from north to south on a journey to fight for their independence. Along the way, they form an unlikely bond with a young Māori boy on a deeply personal mission of his own. Judy Davis stars. The film is not rated.

“The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” is a documentary from the Academy Award-winning filmmakers behind “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” A father-to-be tries to figure out what is happening with all this AI insanity.

Opening in limited release are:

“Our Hero, Balthazar,” the story of a wealthy New York City teen who, eager to impress his activist crush, follows an online connection to Texas where he believes he can stop an act of extreme violence. The film is rated R.

“Alpha,” which is about a troubled 13-year-old who lives with her single mom. Their world collapses the day she returns from school with a tattoo on her arm. The film is rated R.

“A Magnificent Life,” a film about Marcel Pagnol, a well-known and acclaimed playwright and filmmaker. When the editor-in-chief of ELLE magazine commissions a weekly column about Pagnol’s childhood, he sees this as a great opportunity to go back to his artistic roots: writing. Realizing his memory is failing him and deeply affected by the disappointing results of his last two plays, Pagnol starts doubting his ability to pursue his work. The film is rated PG-13.

“Kontinental ’25,” about a bailiff in Cluj, the capital city of Transylvania. One day she must evict a homeless man who lives in the basement of a building. An unexpected event creates a moral crisis she tries to solve as best she can. The film is not rated.

April 3

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is a new Super Mario animated film. The film is rated PG.

“Fantasy Life” centers on an anxious New Yorker who, after losing his job, becomes a nanny for his psychiatrist’s grandchildren. During a summer on Martha’s Vineyard, he falls for their mother, a once-promising actress. The film is rated R.

“A Great Awakening” is the true story of an unlikely friendship that resulted in one of the most defining moments in American history. With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Rev. George Whitefield sparks the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering proclamation of liberty in Christ. The film is not rated.

Opening in limited release is:

“The Drama,” which takes place when a happily engaged couple’s relationship is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. With Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. The film is not rated.

Art

From Page 10

constructions that shift with light and shadow. Featuring maquettes, 3-D drawings made of wood and paperboard, the exhibition offers insight into Fleming’s creative process, tracing the evolution of ideas from studio models to monumental outdoor sculptures.

The library is at 150 E. J St. The gallery is open during library hours, which are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Arts Benicia will host the California Watercolor Association’s 56th International Exhibition, through March 16, at 1 Commandant’s Lane.

Vallejo

Mare Island Art Studios will host “Curiosities – Dorothy Ann Herger” in March.

It presents a selection of art and artifacts gathered over a lifetime of world travel. Spanning continents including Africa, Asia and South America, the

exhibition features baskets, masks, ceremonial objects and Dorothy Herger’s own ceramic works.

The reception is noon to 4 p.m. March 8 at 110 Pintado St.

Also on display is “In Her Power,” a group exhibition celebrating women’s presence, strength and creative expression. It’s anchored by a collaborative, life-size sculptural work by resident artists Priscila Soares and JeanCherie.

The opening reception is noon to 4 p.m. March 1.

The gallery is open noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit https://mareislandartstudios.com.

The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum brings the area’s history to life with its exhibits. “Vallejo Collects!” reveals local artifacts, while the Saginaw Gallery delves into Mare Island’s Navy legacy. The South Gallery narrates Vallejo’s stories, and the Heritage Chamber celebrates influential women.

The ground level houses the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame, honoring local athletes and teams.

For more information, visit https:// vallejomuseum.net.

Burritos: Chimichanga • Mojado • Tor ta Mexicana

Tacos & Tostadas: Fish and various meats and more

Seafood/Mariscos Plates: Plates: Camarones • Ceviche • Mojarra

Dinner Plates: Chile Relleno • Enchiladas • Fajitas

Weekend Plates: Plates: Birra & Menudo – Sat. & Sun. only