Hey Napa,

There are 27 bands throwing down downtown this weekend and no, it’s not Porchfest (sorry, St. Helena). It’s the Battle of the Bands, and it’s taking over five stages, one crowd vote, and a whole lot of local bragging rights.

But that’s not all: we’ve got vinyl DJ sets, open mic poetry, uni toast worth writing home about, and a Queen Anne Victorian that may or may not be haunting my Zillow history. There’s also a drag show that deserves its own hydration strategy, a garden full of peak-season produce, and free clothes to give and take.

Scroll for your cultural cheat sheet, your weekend playlist, and a few very good reasons to leave the house.

Let’s gooooo.

Even if you don’t have a daughter in volleyball (I don’t), you should absolutely get to know Gabby Cole of The Bold Break because what she’s teaching goes way beyond volleyball to build bold, emotionally intelligent humans.

Case in point: this video where she masterfully responds to critique with a teachable moment on boundaries, confidence, and self-trust. She’s part coach, part therapist, part hype woman and it’s exactly the kind of energy young girls need, on and off the court.

27 | SUN | Battle of the Bands @ SoFi District | Get your earbuds ready: Napa's SoFi District is staging a full‑blast Battle of the Bands this Sunday. Five stages, 27 acts, food trucks, wine and beer, and a crowd-vote that actually matters—feel like a judge, cheer your favorites, and maybe discover your next obsession | FREE | 11AM-6PM | Check out more details about the bands in the WEEKENDER section below!

25 | FRI | Arts & Crafts @ LGBTQ Connection | Craft time and community vibes. Swing by LGBTQ Connection for an afternoon of hands‑on projects, pizza, snacks, and friendly faces. | FREE | 3PM-5PM

25 | FRI | Shakespeare Stroll @ di Rosa | Wander the gardens of di Rosa while local actors perform bites of Shakespeare in this immersive outdoor experience. | $25 | 6PM & 2PM

25 | FRI | Movies in the Park @ Yountville Community Park | Bring your blanket and settle in for Inside Out 2 beneath the stars. Perfect Friday night wind‑down. | FREE | 6PM

26 | SAT | Tour de Vine Trail @ Napa Valley | Bike through rolling vineyards with stops at tasting rooms, bike shops, and ice cream parlors along the way. | $85 | All Day SAT-SUN

26 | SAT | Sunset Bike Ride @ Wetlands Edge AmCan | Let the sunsets do the talking. Meet at the AmCan wetlands trailhead and cruise into golden hour. | FREE | 715PM

30 | WED | Yountville Night Out @ Community Center | Yountville transforms for a night of open‑air gatherings, pop‑up vendors, bites, and music all around the town center. | FREE | 5PM-8PM

24 | THU | Second Act Release Party @ Napa Bookmine | Celebrate Joe Navratil’s new memoir Second Act with him in-store. | FREE RSVP | 6PM

25 | FRI | Amplifi Music Lounge @ The Fink | Jazz‑leaning musicians, relaxed lounge vibe, even more relaxed wine pours. | FREE RSVP | 6PM

25 | FRI | Open Mic @ Bookmine | Lights up for poets, musicians, storytellers... or anyone with something to say. | FREE | 6PM-730PM

25 | FRI | Date Night Clay Workshop @ Covet | Come as you are—or as a couple—and mold your own functional pieces. Cheeky, crafty, and perfect for two. | $160 | 7PM-9PM

26 | SAT | Clay Coaster Workshop @ Covet | All hands welcome for a hands-on ceramics sesh. | $55 | 11AM-1PM

26 | SAT | Annie Fox @ Copperfield’s | Middle-grade author Annie Fox reads, chats, signs. For readers and parents who appreciate smart, heartfelt youth lit. | FREE | 12PM

29 | TUES | Andrew Weinberger @ Bookmine | Get up close with Gonif Andy Weinberger himself in this author event—Yiddish gangster meets modern memoir. | FREE RSVP | 6PM-7PM

25 | FRI | Vinyl + Wine @ FARM | FARM at Carneros hosts DJ Rotten Robbie spinning vinyl while you sip.| FREE with Tastings | 5PM

25 | FRI | Drag Chateau @ Folklore | Runway, talent, and an open mic for tips—bring your $1s and $5s and prepare for camp. | FREE | 8PM

26 | SAT | Rook’s Night @ Folklore | Funk, soul, hip-hop, dub, reggae on vinyl only. A chill‑out evening for warm audio lovers. | FREE | 6PM

30 | WED | Young Professionals Mixer @ Heritage Eats | A monthly event to help wine country professionals mix and connect. | $20 | 530PM-7PM

30 | WED | Triva Night @ Folklore | Brains, buzzers, and bar-niac bragging rights. | FREE | 7PM

24 | THURS
Nick Foxer @ Sky & Vine | 5PM
Harmony & Friends @ Barnhouse | 7PM
Obsidian Son @ The Fink | 730PM
Sol Flaminco @ Blue Note | 8PM
Spike Sikes @ JAM Cellars | 8PM
Steeldrivers @ Uptown | 8PM

25 | FRI
Matt Bolton @ Silverado Mansion | 6PM
Riverfront District @ Friday Night in the Park | 6PM
Matt Schofield @ Blue Note | 630PM
Led Joplin Tribute @ Friday Night in the Park | 8PM
Matt Schofield @ Blue Note | 9PM
People of Earth @ JAM Cellars | 9PM

26 | SAT
Lindsay @ Napa Yard | 1PM
Illeagles @ Blue Note | 630PM
Salacious Rumors @ The Garden | 7PM
Vince Costanza @ Lavendi | 7PM
Marty Stewart & His Fabulous Superlatives @ Uptown | 8PM
Illeagles @ Blue Note | 9PM

27 | SUN
JourneyDay @ Sky & Vine | 1130AM
Rocky Michaels @ Napa Yard | 1PM
Chris Botti @ Meritage | 530PM
Dick Conte Jazz Trio @ The Fink | 6PM

28 | MON
Ashley McBryde @ Uptown | 8PM

30 | WED
Surf Monster @ Wilfreds | 6PM
David Ruane @ The Fink | 7PM
Soda Canyon Band @ Blue Note | 730

25 | FRI | Free Yard Sale @ Voices Napa Youth Center | Stop by VOICES Napa for a community yard sale featuring free clothing for women and kids. No catch, just good people sharing good stuff. | FREE | 11AM

FRI | 25 | Weekly Protest @ Soscol & 3rd | When local voices speak up, it means big change. Bring your sign and your sunscreen. | FREE | 5PM

26 | SAT | Summer Harvest @ NVC Library Plaza | Support the student-run garden at Napa Valley College and stock your kitchen with peak-season produce. | FREE Entry | 11AM-1PM

SUN | 27 | Free Sundays @ Redwood Park n Ride | Bring what you can, take what you need. | FREE | 12PM

30 | WED | District 4 Town Hall @ Silverado Resort | Civic engagement, but make it resort casual. This is your chance to meet your District 4 Supervisor, ask questions, and find out what’s really going on in Napa. | FREE | 530PM-730PM

Broadway & Vine Music Series @ Various Locations | JUN-OCT | Check schedule and times
Pop-Up Art Series @ Oxbow Market | JUL-AUG | Rotating artists, check schedule and times
Music in the Vineyards @ Various Locations | AUG | Check schedule and times

MONDAYS
Storytime @ Napa Bookmine | 10AM
Drop-In Wellness Workshops @ Mentis Wellness Campus | 2PM-5PM
Movie Mondays @ The Garden | 7PM
Karaoke @ Downtown Joes | 830PM

TUESDAYS
Finko Bingo @ The Fink | 6PM-8PM
Farmers Market @ Downtown | 8AM-12PM
Karaoke @ Downtown Joes | 830PM

WEDNESDAYS
Kids Eat Free @ Downtown Joes | 8AM-1AM
Locals 2hr Unlimited Play @ Marquee Pinball | 11-11
Bingo @ Trade Brewing | 5PM
Trivia @ Napa Yard | 6PM

THURSDAYS
First Thursdays @ Oxbow Commons | Through October | 5PM-9PM

FRIDAYS
Drop-in vaccine clinic @ Napa Humane | 930AM-1230PM
Storytime @ Napa Bookmine | 10AM
Fried Chicken Friday @ Southside | Order on THURS
Fried Chicken @ Addendum | FRI-SUN
Winston’s Wok @ Winstons | FRI-SAT
Buy a Bottle, Pick a Record @ Folklore | 5PM-7PM
Fridays in the Park @ Downtown | 6PM-10PM

SATURDAYS
Farmers Market @ Downtown | 8AM-12PM
Saturday Picnic & Live Music Series @ Beringer | Through SEPT | 12PM-4PM
Lobster Rolls @ Heritage Eats | SAT-SUN

SUNDAYS
Stanly’s Village Market @ Stanly Ranch Resort | Through OCT | 9AM-12PM
Sunday Series @ Juniper Station | 10AM-2PM 
R&B Soul Food Sunday Brunch @ Lil Sista’s Goody’s Soul Food | 11AM
Sunday Spins @ Jam Cellars | 2PM-5PM
Sundays in the Park @ Yountville Vets Park | Through AUG 24 | 5PM-7PM

RO Lounge may have a shiny new interior and a freshly overhauled menu, but let’s be honest: we’re here for the Hokkaido Uni Toast, which, according to their website, is still very much on the roster. And it’s still that girl.

Thick-cut milk bread with creamy Hokkaido uni draped over yuzu kosho aioli, dusted with shaved bottarga like it’s no big deal. It’s briny, buttery, and ever-so-slightly unhinged in the most delicious way. A bite of this and you feel like you’re casually nibbling on Poseidon’s personal snack.Iconic.

Pro tip: spring for the caviar topping. You won’t regret it.

📍RO Lounge | 6480 Washington St. | THU-SUN 4PM-930PM

Here’s a little secret that’s not really a secret (but feels like it should be): locals can get VIP treatment at 150+ wineries. No memberships, no fancy apps, just your driver’s license and a little bit of planning.

This program (run by Napa Valley Vintners) is your golden ticket to free tastings, upgrades, and discounts that make you feel like you’re getting away with something. Want a private tour or a library pour without the bachelorette energy? Tell ‘em you’re a local. That’s it.

You just have to book in advance, mention you’re using Napa Neighbor, and flash that ID like it’s a backstage pass. Full list of participating spots here.

Here’s the clue: You’re not really at a music festival until you’ve cried in front of one.
What am I?

But here we are. This four-bedroom Queen Anne at 1415 Earl Street is straight out of a history book—original hardwood floors, intricate pocket doors, a clawfoot tub, and an enamel cast-iron fireplace that demands a library full of books.

There’s even a fully remodeled carriage house out back. A carriage house for my mom, you guys. (Or guests. Or a very stylish office.)

It’s also just a short walk to downtown Napa, which, for someone like me, is both dangerous and ideal for obvious reasons.

Honestly, I debated whether to include it in this week’s issue at all because if one of you snatches it up before I find $1.3M between the couch cushions, I will spiral.

Tucked in the hills, this two-parcel property at 4514 and 4516 Dry Creek Road feels like you’ve stepped into a cinematic compound. The main house is a 1970s multi-level with good bones, tons of light, and the kind of setting that makes you want to write a novel or finally start that sourdough starter.

Up the hill, a separate studio has spent time as an art space, writing retreat, and guest quarters. Bonus: it’s solar powered.

But the real wildcard here is a massive barn that used to be an indoor pickleball court (before it was cool). You could call it storage, a future event space, or the perfect place to build that at-home gym you’ve always wanted.

It’s not polished, but if you’ve ever dreamed of living in the trees with space to breathe, this one might be worth the $945K asking price.

You’re in luck: your new BFF is still available for adoption at the Napa County Animal Shelter. At just 7 months old, Bella, a 34-pound Siberian Husky, is equal parts social butterfly, sunbathing queen, and professional cuddle bug. She plays well with dogs, adores kids, and might just vibe with cats too. Adoption fees will be waived!

Ever been to the Executive Room? If not, here’s the rundown: it’s lived-in with a garage-meets-mid-century vibe complete with leather chairs, clean lines, and a fridge stocked with beers.

The barbers are total pros (shout out to Papa Bear). Conversation comes easy (not awkward at all). And there’s heated shaving cream involved. That’s a win-win-win. And once you go, it becomes your spot. Like, “please never change the playlist or the lighting or anything, ever” levels of loyalty.

The catch? You’ll start recommending it to everyone you know and immediately regret it when it books up fast.

📍1504 Main St. | Daily 930AM-6PM By Appointment

You’ve got 27 bands lined up and ready to bring their A‑game. Expect guitars, soul, classic covers, and your next favorite indie anthem. Crowd faves will move forward in the battle, so make like November and remember your vote matters.

Here’s your TL;DR prep list:

Scroll on down: I’ve linked all 27 bands and my favorite songs so you can listen ahead, plan your soundtracking strategy, and show up ready to rock.

12PM | Voltage | Check out: Celebrity Skin
115PM | AJ Jean | Check out: Over 4 U
230PM | Soda Canyon Band | Check out: Forever 14
345 | Slippery People | Check out: Saw Stars

1130AM | Noetic Pause | Check out: One to Another
1245PM | Riverfront District | Check out: Other Man Blues
2PM | Blood Orange Liqueur | Check out: Youth Gone Wild
315PM | Shark in the Water | Check out: Fish and Chips
430PM | Jinx | Check Out: Pretty Little Lies

1215PM | Thru The Haze | Check out: I’ll Go Away
130PM | One Sharp Mind | Check out: Growing
245PM | Oke McFly | Check out: Fade Away
4PM | Mama Said | Check out: The Needle

1PM | Chance McCauley & The High Road | Check out: Home
215 | Plygns | Check out: Delta Wave
330PM | Cosmo & Leslie | Check out: Napa Valley Blues

12PM | Raya Nova | Check out: Mirror Ghost
130PM | Ketam | Check out: Riff Raff
3PM | Angry Girlfriend Racing Stripes | Check out: Blu
415PM | Eggcorn | Check out: Observer Effect

That’s it for the week! If you like what you see don’t forget to share with a friend or two.

Rock on.