Things to Do This Easter Weekend in Vancouver
New Trolley Tour Commences In Honor Of Victoria's Bicentennial
January's Bicentennial Old Victoria Trolley Tour was so successful it sold out within a week, Joel Novosad, director of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau, said.
Explore Victoria held their first Bicentennial Old Victoria Trolley Tour in downtown Victoria Jan. 13 in celebration of the city turning 200 years old this April.
"The response has been fanstastic," Novosad said.
Led by Jeff Wright, executive director of Victoria Preservation Inc., the tour took guests through the interior of the Victoria County Courthouse. Tourists then boarded a trolley from Texas Coast Limousines for a tour through Old Victoria. After the tour's conclusion, tourists were treated to lunch at The PumpHouse Riverside Restaurant and Bar, which is included in the ticket price.
The tour was inspired by The Old Victoria Driving Tour, a self-guided tour for visitors driving through visitors. The issue with that for tour according to Novosad, was that visistors couldn't experience the drive without a guide unless they were in a bus coming out of town. The Trolley Tour aims to solve that issue by having an experienced guide like Wright educate visitors on Victoria's illustrious history.
Much of Victoria's history is hidden in plain sight.
"What I really enjoy is bringing that history to light," Wright said. "It's really the stories that bring things to life for people."
"I believe that Victoria has one of the richest amounts and varieties of historic homes in Texas," Novosad said. "So many people drive by many of these houses each day without knowing their stories."
Jan. 13's tour was the first of 12 tours set to take place during Victoria's bicentennial celebration. For the remainder of the year, trolley tours will take place once a month in downtown Victoria.
Interest from the community and beyond has been high as all the tours up to May have been sold out.
Bicentennial Old Victoria Trolley Tour attendees view historical landmarks in Victoria.
Chase Cofieldccofield@vicad.ComTake A Trip To These Destination Downtowns Of LI
Updated January 5, 2024 4:34 pm
Look to Long Island communities for ways to spend the day browsing new shops, dining at nearby restaurants and exploring parks, beaches and playgrounds. Here, find guides to Patchogue, Massapequa, Riverhead and beyond.
Things To Do
From food and film to art, music and nature, here's an epic sampling of ways to have some Bay Area fun in 2024.
SF Sketchfest: Now through Feb. 4, San Francisco venues. This multiday festival offers more than 200 shows featuring major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts for sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, all-star reunions, live podcasts and workshops. Prices vary according to event. Sfsketchfest.Com
Napa Lighted Art Festival: Now through Feb. 18, Downtown Napa. This annual festival showcases innovative techniques using light technologies as a growing art medium. This walkable outdoor experience will showcase 10 lighted art sculptures and projection artwork on three iconic Napa buildings. Free. Bit.Ly/NapaLightedFest
'Pretty in Pink' Art Exhibition: Now through Feb. 24, Gray Loft Gallery, 2889 Ford St., Oakland. 'Pretty in Pink' showcases an impressive collection of elegant and vibrant shades of pink. Images on view include mixed media, alternative processes, color imagery and hand-colored photographs. Free. Grayloftgallery.Com/
Cirque du Soleil presents 'KOOZA': Now through March 10, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco. 'KOOZA' combines acrobatic performance with the art of clowning while exploring fear, identity, recognition and power. Sit back and watch as The Innocent's journey brings him into contact with comic characters from an electrifying world full of surprises. Tickets starting at $72. Cirquedusoleil.Com/kooza
Tech Roast Show 2042: 8 p.M. Jan. 24, Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. Presented by Socially Inept, this unfavorably modern comedy show features renegade tech comedians roasting whimpering techies on stage in front of a live crowd. $52 to $74. Bit.Ly/TechRoast
Wine 101 at San Francisco Wine School: 6 to 8 p.M. Jan. 25, 415 Grand Ave, Suite 301, San Francisco. During this educational evening, guests will be guided by master sommelier David Glancy through a flight of six wines. Learn how wine is made, decode wine labels and explore important grapes, styles and structures. $135. Bit.Ly/Wine101SF
Dinner of Dreams: 6 to 9 p.M. Jan. 25, Hotel Healdsburg, 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. Join Flambeaux Wine, Harris Gallery Wine, Dry Creek Kitchen and Lambert Bridge Winery for a gastronomic journey that includes dinner and outstanding wines under a simulated night sky. $250. Towndinners.Com/general-1-2
House of Disco at Public Works: 9:30 p.M. Jan. 26, 161 Erie St., San Francisco. Get ready to groove the night away with an epic celebration of classic disco from the likes of ABBA, The Bee Gees and Earth, Wind and Fire, mixed with modern house music anthems from top artists like Dom Dolla, Dombresky and Purple Disco Machine. $0 to $20. Bit.Ly/HouseofDisco
Sanctum Wellness Retreat: Jan. 26-28, Stanly Ranch, 200 Stanly Crossroad, Napa. Sanctum, a European mindful movement class, is coming to the U.S. For the first time ever for a wellness retreat that includes farm-to-table dinners and well-being lunches in the heart of Napa Valley. Prices vary according to event. Bit.Ly/StanlySanctum
Seafood & Sips Mendocino: Jan. 26 through Feb. 4, various Mendocino venues. This annual salute to the sea offers an extravaganza of all things crustacean. Belly up for a round-up of epicurean adventures including a Sparkling Wine & Oyster Celebration, a Crab Cake Cook-Off & Wine Tasting Competition and a family-style Cioppino Feast. Prices vary according to event. Visitmendocino.Com/seafood-sips-2024
Rhythmic Remedies featuring UFO!: 9 p.M. To 2 a.M. Jan. 27, Victory Hall, 360 Ritch St., San Francisco. Enjoy a night of juke, jungle and footwork headlined by UFO!, a drum and bass experimentalist pushing the limits of the genre with its self-described "Blade Runner funk," an intense blend of pounding assaults and sci-fi atmospherics. $5 to $20. Bit.Ly/RhythmicRemedies
Bodega Bay Chowder Day: 10 a.M. To 3 p.M. Jan. 27, various Bodega Bay venues. Celebrate Chowder Day on the beautiful Sonoma Coast at this event filled with mouthwatering chowders and coastal vibes. Spend the day driving around Bodega Bay while sampling chowder from local restaurants. $30. Visitbodegabayca.Com/chowder-day
California Symphony presents 'Gershwin In New York': 7:30 p.M. Jan 27 and 4 p.M. Jan. 28, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Hear the California Symphony as it explores the American Dream with music of Barber, William Dawson and Gershwin for the 100th anniversary of "Rhapsody in Blue." $20 to $90. Californiasymphony.Org
Berkeley Stroll by the Bay: 10 a.M. To 3 p.M. Jan. 28, Berkeley Marina and Aquatic Park. Set off on a stroll exploring the sights, sounds, history and evolution of Berkeley's Aquatic Park and Marina. Along with panoramic views, attendees are likely to see birds, sailboats, houseboats and kites, all along fairly level terrain. Free admission. Bit.Ly/BerkeleyBayStroll
White Elephant Sale: Jan. 28 through March 3, 333 Lancaster St., Oakland. Get ready to shop til you drop at one of Northern California's oldest and largest rummage sales. The fun will begin with a preview sale on Jan. 28, followed by a string of public shopping days and finally a big blowout sale from March 2-3. $0 to $40 admission. Whiteelephantsale.Org
Adventure Cabaret at Freight & Salvage: 7 p.M. Jan. 30, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. Prepare yourself for an eclectic live theater experience featuring an astral LED fan artist, a miraculous disabled guitar player, a heavy metal band improvising to the longest list of vices you have ever heard, and actors performing deep scenes of love, pain, joy and failure. $35. Bit.Ly/AdventureCabaret
Yountville International Short Film Festival: Feb. 1-4, various Yountville venues. Now in its seventh year, the YISFF will screen more than 100 short films and offer events including filmmaker Q&A sessions and wine and food experiences. $15 to $249. Yisff.Com
Oakland's Sooooooo Chocolate Festival: 6 to 8 p.M. Feb. 2, Uptown Station, 1955 Broadway, Oakland. Prepare your taste buds for a journey through the world of chocolate with delectable culinary delights that range from rich truffles to silky-smooth chocolate fondues. $100. Bit.Ly/SoooChocFest
New Ballet Presents 'Fast Forward': 7:30 p.M. Feb. 2, Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose. New Ballet's annual Fast Forward showcases emerging choreographers experimenting with contemporary ballet. $10 to $250. Bit.Ly/NewBalletFF
Classic Albums Live — 'Sticky Fingers' by the Rolling Stones: 8 p.M. Feb. 2, Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. From the iconic opening riff of "Brown Sugar" to the haunting melody of "Moonlight Mile," this retro rendition will transport audiences back to the golden age of rock music. $45 to $75. Bit.Ly/BankheadRollingStones
Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend: Feb. 2-4, various Lodi venues. Fall in love with this premiere wine-growing region while sampling renowned Lodi wines and delicious chocolate pairings at one of Northern California's most popular and decadent weekend experiences. Event offerings include winery experiences, tours and the crowd favorite, Winemaker's Toast. $75 to $125. Lodiwineandchocolate.Com
Folk Music Festival Series: Feb. 2, April 5, Aug. 2 and Nov. 1, 3535 School St., Lafayette. Front Porch Open Mic continues its partnership with Town Hall Theatre to present a folk music festival series featuring acoustic musicians and performers. $15 to $20. Townhalltheatre.Com/front-porch
Monterey Wharf Walk: 10 a.M. To 12 p.M. Feb. 3, 1 Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey. Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf Association continues its Wharf Walks with noted Monterey Bay fisheries historian and author Tim Thomas, who will provide a cultural history tour of the Monterey Wharf and surrounding neighborhood. Free admission. Bit.Ly/WharfWalk
Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest: 4 to 8:30 p.M. Feb. 3, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Come out to the 34th annual festival for fabulous pairings of wine, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, fresh Sonoma Coast crab and accompaniments and a live auction. $150. Bit.Ly/SonomaCrabWineFest
Live in The Laurel Presents 'A Sound Journey': 6:30 to 8 p.M. Feb. 3, Left Coast Power Yoga, 4148 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Musician and yoga instructor Malka Lew will share music and instruments from around the world, while guests enjoy a restorative sound bath. Free. Laureldistrictassociation.Org/litl24
Lucky employees ride an oversized shopping cart during 2022's Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. (Karl Mondon — staff archives) San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade: Feb. 3 through March 3, San Francisco venues. Festivities include the Flower Market Fair (Feb. 3-4), Chinese New Year Celebration and Choy Sun Doe (Feb. 10), a Chinese New Year Parade (Feb. 24) with floats, ferocious lions, firecrackers and a 288-foot long Golden Dragon, and a Community Street Fair (Feb. 24-25) with Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and more. Free admission. Chineseparade.Com
'History That Doesn't Suck': 3 p.M. Feb. 4, Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Covering everything from the Civil War to the Gilded Age to the present day, this production is a history fan's dream show (and podcast). Professor Greg Jackson will guide the audience through some of the greatest points in American history, all laced with a healthy dose of sarcasm and humor. $30 to $60. Bit.Ly/BankheadHistory
Berkeley Symphony Presents 'Spirited Impressions': 4 p.M. Feb. 4, Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont. Find your heart in France in this vibrant and romantic concert featuring string trios that explore the wide range of French music. $40. Berkeleysymphony.Org/event/spirited-impressions
Cooking with Champions: 4:30 to 7:30 p.M. Feb. 4, 2043 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. Get your aprons ready for a culinary event where participants will learn how to make paella alongside Special Olympics Northern California athletes-turned-chefs. $150. Bit.Ly/CookingwithChamps
James Beard Taste America SF: 5:30 p.M. Feb. 4, Four Seasons Hotel, 757 Market St., San Francisco. Taste America brings together chefs, special guests and diners from across the country for a walk-around tasting of food stations highlighting each chef's signature style and culinary community. $175 to $250. Bit.Ly/TasteAmericaSF
Disney On Ice presents 'Frozen' & 'Encanto': Feb. 7-12 at San Jose's SAP Center and Feb. 22-25 at Oakland Arena. This adventure on ice transports fans into two of the most popular Disney films of all time, with audiences invited to sing along to their favorite songs. $20 to $145. Disneyonice.Com/frozen-and-encanto
California International Antiquarian Book Fair: Feb. 9-11, Pier 27, The Embarcadero, San Francisco. This three-day event features fine and rare materials from around the globe, including manuscripts, first editions, illustrated books, ephemera, maps and autographs, as well as antiquarian books on a vast array of topics. $0 to $25. Abaa.Org/cabookfair
SF Beer Week: Feb. 9-18, Bay Area venues. This 10-day event celebrates the vast community of Bay Area beer lovers and brew makers with hundreds of tours, tastings, whimsical events and more. Prices vary according to event. Sfbeerweek.Org
Anderson Valley White Wine Weekend: Feb. 17-18, various Anderson Valley wineries. Escape to the beautiful Anderson Valley for a weekend of white, sparkling and rosé wines. Wineries along the wine road will welcome you with exclusive wine flights, food pairings and special library tastings. $95 to $145. Avwines.Com/white-wine-weekend
Marin Arts and Crafts Show: Feb. 23-25, Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. This event offers a vast showcase of artisan exhibits and workshops, as well as fine foods and live music. Inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, the show is a grand celebration of today's makers and artisans, bringing focus to handicraft in all forms. Free admission. Marinartsandcraftsshow.Com
Sip and Sketch Happy Hour: 4 p.M. Feb. 24, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa. Come out to Schulz Museum for a fun day of sipping and drawing. Get inspiration from the museum galleries and work with professional cartoonist Justin Thompson to learn how to draw emotions while enjoying adult beverages. Schulzmuseum.Org
'Mr. Roboto' at the Museum of Craft and Design: Feb. 24 through June 30, 2569 Third St., San Francisco. Hosted by 60 San José State University students, this exhibition tests the creative possibilities of robotic collaboration through a range of experiments in lighting, stop-motion animation, color materials and finishes and typography. $0 to $10. Sfmcd.Org/exhibitions/mr-roboto
Berkeley Symphony presents 'French Reverie': 4 p.M. Feb. 25, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley. This concert, which features Robert Young on saxophone, invites audiences to experience the diversity and vibrancy of French music, traversing from the Impressionist era to contemporary times. $40. Berkeleysymphony.Org
Have an entertainment event to add? Submit it online at forms.Gle/Cu9J6Ks2fQiQUcKk8.
Comments
Post a Comment