San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Beyond BottleRock: What else is going on?
It’s that time of year when the normally sleepy town of Napa experiences an influx of people for the wildly popular BottleRock Napa Valley festival. For those in town who want to get a feel for the scene or hang around in between sets, there are many options just outside the festival gates for extra fun and folly. Check out The Chronicle’s guide to exploring downtown Napa and beyond.
Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort
After a successful two summers, the jazz-club-sponsored outdoor concert series has expanded its programming. With this change comes a relocation to the sprawling vine-draped campus of the Meritage Resort.
The opening weekend lineup will feature Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade (Friday, May 19), Dwight Yoakam (Saturday, May 20) and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris (Sunday, May 21). After a BottleRock weekend hiatus, shows continue with rock legend Don McLean (June 2), jazz trumpeter Chris Botti (June 3) and the inimitable Rufus Wainwright (June 4).
7 p.m. Sunday, May 21; 8 p.m. June 2; 5:30 and 8 p.m. June 3; 8 p.m. June 4. $55-$199, reservations required. Meritage Resort, 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa. 707-8802300. www.bluenotenapa.com
‘Tiki Dreams: From Far-Away Fantasy to Pop-Culture Phenomenon’
Learn about California’s iconic tiki lounges and how they inspired a global art and design movement. Located about 8 miles north of downtown Napa, the museum has three new exhibitions including “Tiki Dreams: From Far-Away Fantasy to Pop-Culture Phenomenon,” “The Great California Road Trip 1962” and “Napa
Valley Museum Mini Masterpieces.”
Opening reception includes museum admission, spirit tastings and light bites. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Through Dec. 31. $5-$15. Napa Valley Museum, 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville. 707944-0500. www.napavalley museum.org
Napa Climate Summit
Organized by Napa Climate Now and sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the climate-change-focused event will feature keynote speaker Davina Hurt, California Air Resources board member, plus Democratic lawmakers St. Helena Rep. Mike Thompson, state Sen. Bill Dodd of Napa and Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry of Winters (Yolo County) and insights from local officials engaged in climate awareness
projects.
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24. Free, reservations recommended. Performing Arts Center, Napa Valley College, Napa. www.napa.350bayarea.org
Cuvaison presents: Pre-BottleRock happy hour
Join the party a little early and enjoy Cuvaison wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and live music from singer-songwriter Roem Baur.
4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 25. $25, reservations recommended. Cuvaison Estate Tasting Salon, 1221 Duhig Road, Napa. 707-942-2455. www.cuvaison.com
House Plants and Olive Tiger with surprise guests
Hear the locally based indie rock/alternative band and a solo set of indie chamber rock from New England’s Olive Tiger at
the hip downtown Napa distillery venue’s listening room. Check in for updates regarding special guest openers.
7 p.m. Friday, May 26. Free. The Hollywood Room, Napa Valley Distillery, 2485 Stockton St., Napa. 707-265-6272. www.napadistillery.com
Crocodile BottleRock
Specialty cocktails, wine, music and dancing are featured at this downtown Napa weekend event. It’s scheduled to include happy hours on Thursday and Sunday, and daytime dance parties with live DJ sets that will highlight festival artists on Friday and Saturday.
5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 25; 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, May 26-28. Free admission. Chateau Buena Vista, 1142 First St., Napa. 707-703-5677. www. buenavistawinery.com
Live music at Murphy’s Irish Pub
It’s a quick and scenic drive through vineyards from Napa to Sonoma, and local gems like Murphy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant are worth venturing out to. The pub offers live music and classic Irish pub fare. Evening performances scheduled over BottleRock weekend include the Dick Conte Trio (May 25), Bluebyrds (May 26), Lynn O and the Riots (May 27) and the Kerry Daly Band (May 28).
5 p.m. Thursday, May 25; 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 26; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27; 5 p.m. Sunday, May 28. Murphy’s Pub, 464 First St. East, Sonoma. 707-935-0660. www.sonomapub.com
Live Music at the Pavilion at Farm
Enjoy live music, seasonal bites and specialty cocktails in the newly renovated outdoor lounge. With fire pits, comfy seating, lawn games, wine tasting and more. Upcoming performers scheduled include Jared Harper (May 25), Carlos Herrera (May 28), Jason Movrich (May 29), Matt Bolton (May 30) and Justin Diaz (May 31).
6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 25, and May 28-30. Free. The Pavilion at Farm, 4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa. 707-299-4900. www.farmatcarneros.com
BottleRock lunch at Avow
Take a swanky lunch break on the rooftop of a three-level venue housed in a historical downtown building. There will be food and drink specials, live DJ sets and views overlooking the Napa waterfront.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 26-27. Free admission. Avow, 813 Main St., Napa. 707-203-8900. www.avownapa.com
Bubblerock late night music and Drag Brunch
Three days of fun featuring BottleRock artists includes
from Nashville singer-songwriter Bailey Callahan (May 26); local hip-hop artist Oke Junior (May 27) and a Drag Brunch hosted by S.F. Queens Paris a La Venti and Bonita Rose with DJ Rotten Robbie.
10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 26-27; 11 a.m. Sunday, May 28. $30-$85, reservations required. Be Bubbly Napa Valley, 1407 Second St., Napa. 707-637-4532. www. bebubblynapa.com
Napa Downtown Farmers Market
Take a break from the crowds and support local farmers and vendors by purchasing fresh produce, foods and artisan wares right from the source.
8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 27. Free. City of Napa parking lot, 1100 West St., Napa. 707-501-3087. www.napafarmersmarket.org
BottleRock Napa Brunch
Fuel up each morning before the festival starts with brunch, mimosas, a bloody mary bar and live music. Bailey Callahan, the Ariel Marin Band and the Tony Lindsey Quartet are scheduled to perform.
8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. SaturdayMonday, May 27-29. $35, reservations required. Village Lawn, Meritage Resort, 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa. 866-370-6272. www.meritageresort.com
Cornerstone Music Series
Sonoma, Napa’s neighbor to the west, hosts an afternoon music series set in the lush, outdoor venue which includes artistic and expansive gardens and a marketplace with restaurants and fine shops. On the performance schedule over BottleRock weekend are Mitch Woods (May 27) and Dancehall Days (May 28).
Noon-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 27-28. Series continues through Oct. 1. Free. Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. 707-933-3010. www. cornerstonesonoma.com
Robert Gastelum’s Latin Jazz Fusion
The Berklee College-educated jazz trumpeter will perform as part of the Napa venue’s ongoing free music series.
7 p.m. Saturday, May 27. Free. The Hollywood Room, Napa Valley Distillery, 2485 Stockton St., Napa. 707-265-6272. www.napadistillery.com
Build your own terrarium at Riza
Make a wine bottle terrarium as a keepsake to remember a fun, music-filled weekend. Adperformances mission includes hands-on instruction, refreshments and all the items needed for the crafty planting activity.
6:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 28. $50, reservations required. Riza, 1300 First St., Napa. 707-637-4388. www.rizaplants.com
Live Music at the Oxbow Public Market
On the last Tuesday of each month, the marketplace offers specials throughout and live music. This month features the Sweet Burgundy band.
5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 30. Free. Oxbow Public Market, 610 and 644 First St., Napa. 707-2266529. www.oxbowpublicmarket.com
Napa Cowboy Gathering
This weekend event celebrates the traditional culture, practices and arts of the California cowboys and cowgirls known as the “Californios.” It’s set to include daily workshops, live music, traditional cowboy artists and exhibitors, and food and drink vendors.
Noon-9 p.m. Friday, June 2; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, June 3; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, June 4. Napa Valley Horseman’s Association, 1200 Foster Road, Napa. 707-7382133. www.napacowboy gathering.org
Reach Anne Schrager: aschrager@sfchronicle.com