by Louisa Hufstader
The trees are trimmed, the holiday lights are glowing and the arts are flourishing throughout the Napa Valley this month. Here are just a few of the cultural events coming up over the next seven days– you can find complete listings in the Master Arts and Culture Calendar on the Arts Council Napa Valley Web site:
www.nvarts.org.
Dec. 2: I don’t usually recommend television as an arts pick, but this is a special case: On tonight’s installment of the N.A.P.A. Show (Napa TV cable channel 28, 6 p.m., or live online at
www.napavalleytv.org), the ever-ebullient host Arty “Party” Reyes will interview Kristina Young and James Byron of Arts Council Napa Valley. Tune in to find out what big plans are in store for 2010–you can even call in with questions and suggestions. After the show, swing on by Uva Trattoria Italiana on Clinton Street in Napa for live music with Philip Smith and his Gentlemen of Jazz (till 9:30 p.m., no cover) or check out the Wednesday night jam session at Silo’s in the Napa River Inn (7 to 10 p.m.; $10, $5 for locals).
Dec. 3: The Calistoga Art Center holds its First Thursday Artwalk from 5 to 7 p.m.: Starting at 1336 Lincoln Ave., stroll through town on a self-guided tour and meet four local artists during the opening receptions for their latest shows. Painter ZaZa Fetterly will be at WestAmerica Bank; Jocelyn Audette shows her work at Calistoga Roastery; Rebecca Dant is at All Seasons Bistro and Philip Parker at Bank of America.
www.calistogaartcenter.org. Down in Napa, the cultural community will be gathering at City Hall for a planning commission meeting that will examine the proposal to create a public art ordinance–that meeting starts at 7 p.m. and will be televised both on Channel 28 and online.
Dec. 4: For a taste of what jazz sounded like when it was a brand-new art form, take a seat at the historic Napa Valley Opera House tonight and soak up the music of Don Vappie’s Creole Jazz Serenaders. This New Orleans ensemble plays classic jazz and Creole compositions that will have you tapping your feet: 8 p.m., $25/$30 at 1030 Main St., Napa;
www.nvoh.org.
Dec. 5: You might be surprised to learn that downtown Napa boasts a classical-music conservatory dedicated to vocal performance: Jarvis Conservatory on Main Street, where tonight’s “Grand Night for Singers” inaugurates a monthly concert series hosted, narrated and accompanied by internationally-known composer, coach and pianist Richard B. Evans. Each program will include singers from all over the San Francisco Bay Area, performing excerpts from opera, musical theatre, cabaret and zarzuela. 8 p.m., $15;
www.jarvisconservatory.com
Dec. 6: Monday afternoon is music time at the Oxbow Public Market, where Jazz pianist and radio announcer Dick Conte performs with Steve Webber on bass from 3 to 6 p.m. in the market’s main hall. There’s no cover charge and you can stroll, sip and sample as you listen: 610 First Street, Napa,
www.oxbowpublicmarket.com.
Dec. 7: Poets, take note: Napa County Poet Laureate Gary Silva invites you to a Poetry Roundtable at the Napa City-County Library tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring your work to share with peers, and learn about the business of poetry and how to succeed. 580 Coombs St., Napa.
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