The first two months of this year have been gentle with multiple days that felt less like winter and more like spring. While the blossoms are already plenty, and the hills mostly green, the year is “marching” on. Flowers are blooming, new growth is flourishing where fires ravaged our hillsides, buds are breaking in the vineyards, and intermittent rain mixed with frosty nights signal a “fresh start.”
For me, March also jumpstarts the activity calendar AND brings three of my very favorite days of the year: the beginning of Daylight Saving Time; St. Patrick’s Day; and the official change of the season with the first day of spring. Longer hours of daylight, bountiful natural colors all around, plenty of things to do, and a chance to toast friends and family with a fun St. Pat’s cocktail or green beer are simple ways to jumpstart your spring. Have fun this month! Whatever you choose to do, be a local supporter, participant, spectator or volunteer. Here are my top “only in Napa Valley” opportunities for the month of March!
Vintage High School Concert Choir presents Les Misérables
March 1 – 11
The talented vocal music department of Vintage High School is staging one of the most dramatic musicals of our time early this month. Les Misérables, set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, is a story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption. Based on the Victor Hugo novel of the same title, this Tony Award-winning show, features classic numbers including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” and “Bring Him Home.” Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg ; book by Trevor Nunn (English adaptation) and John Caird (English adaptation); lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer (English lyrics) and James Fenton (English additional lyrics). The production run includes evening performances as well as weekend matinees at the Napa Valley Unified School District Auditorium. For dates and times, as well as reserved seating tickets, visit VHSchoirs.com or call 707.299.2520.
N2L Live at Silo’s
Saturday, March 3
Napa Valley’s very own and seriously fun cover band, N2L, will be returning to Silo’s Napa for two shows. This band sells out the club, so grab your tickets soon! N2L, a fitting and fun acronym for “Never 2 Late,” features three women vocalists with amazing three-part harmonies and all of the band members live or work in Napa: Jim Anderson, Rhythm Guitar; Derek Bromley, Lead Guitar; Darren Schauer, Drums; Matt Chan, Bass Guitar; Latifa Reeves, Vocals; Shannon Johnson, Vocals and Jennifer Knight, Vocals. N2LBand.com or SilosNapa.com.
Napa Valley Marathon
Sunday, March 4
It simply is not easy to run 26 miles, plus 385 yards. I am all for getting out there and “doing things” but I don’t see a marathon in my future. Marathon runners are people that have gained both my admiration and respect. If you are the opposite of me, the good news is that if you are physically able and considering participation, the 40th annual Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon course is not only stunningly gorgeous, it is perfect for beginning marathoners. It is a downhill trek, traveling from 380 feet above sea level in Calistoga to 80 feet above sea level at the finish line at Vintage High School in Napa. While this event has become known as the “biggest little marathon in the West,” it is also a fun race to check out. This year the event features a talk with Joan Benoit Samuelson on March 3, the day prior, at the annual Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon College. There are several safe spots for spectators to cheer on and support runners along the course on Sunday, which essentially runs right down Silverado Trail. NapaValleyMarathon.org
Daylight Saving Time Begins!
Sunday, March 11
Spring Forward! More light in the day? I’ll take that. Move that clock sixty minutes into the future. You’re welcome. Your hours of daylight are now going to continue to increase!
Yountville Live Thursday, March 15 – Sunday, March 18
Yountville Live will again feature exclusive performances from some of today’s hottest recording artists (X Ambassadors, Need To Breathe, Foy Vance, High Noon, Kingsborough and more), exquisite cuisine from world-class restaurants and award-winning chefs, and a unique variety of some of Napa Valley’s most celebrated wineries, along with spirits and beers. All of the elements of this super-luxe weekend take place at various venues around Yountville. The signature event, “Taste of Yountville,” this
year will take place on Saturday, March 17 and Sunday,
March 18, and will again feature world-class food and wine that make the Town of Yountville the “Culinary Capital of Napa Valley.” YountvilleLive.com
St. Patrick’s Day
Saturday, March 17
Who can’t help but smile on this traditionally fun and festive day? Most any establishment with a bar will be serving some fun Irish-themed beverages, and throughout the valley corned beef will be bountiful. Some of my favorite St. Pat’s spots include Compadres, Downtown Joe’s, Napkins and Hop Creek Gastropub in Napa; Hurley’s and ReddWood in Yountville; Ana’s Cantina and Farmstead in St. Helena; and Susie’s and the Hydro Bar and Grill in Calistoga.
First Day of Spring! Tuesday, March 20
Even though we’ve had plenty of spring-like days, this is the real deal. Let’s collectively put into the past the dark days of the fall of 2017, as well as winter, and move on. On the horizon: spring breaks, baseball season, farmer’s markets, graduations… spring is a happy time of year!
Justin-Siena Theatre Presents: Guys and Dolls Friday, March 16 – Sunday, March 25
The award-winning theatre department of Justin-Siena High School presents Guys and Dolls, a fun and endearing musical that will hit the stage at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater. Hailed as the perfect musical, this classic romantic comedy gambles with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway. Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City. Eventually everyone ends up right where they belong. Frank Loesser’s brassy, immortal score makes Guys and Dolls a crowd-pleaser. Directed by Justin-Siena Theatre Department Chair James Bailey. For tickets visit LincolnTheater.org.