Happy Friday.

You all made it, and here is your treat.

We are in prime summertime Napa territory right now, working our way through what I would say is pretty close to the peak. Fall will be right around the corner before you know it, so soak it in while we have it.

This week, I have a quick buffet of local events for you. A handful of quick hitters around our beautiful town, which is honestly what I usually like these Friday Game Plans to be: mostly Napa, mostly in town, and hopefully a few things you would not have found otherwise.

But first, trivia.

Trivia: Bachata originated in which country?

A. Puerto Rico
B. Cuba
C. Dominican Republic
D. Colombia

Okay guys, this one is a little PG-13. Maybe even Rated R.

So cover your eyes… or just skip to the next section if you’re under 21.

Lil Sista’s Goody’s is still relatively new, but they have already made a pretty big impact downtown. They are definitely bringing something Napa could use more of: another genuinely fun late-night spot.

This Friday they’re hosting Karaoke LiT with R&B, karaoke, oxtails, and wine.

Now, going back to the whole “cover your eyes” thing… I only mention it because the Eventbrite listing describes it as a “grown and sexy setting.” I am not entirely sure what that means. I am choosing not to investigate further. I just thought that was objectively funny wording.

Either way, they have built a great crowd, and our newsletter is not afraid to occasionally point people toward something a little more on the adult side of the calendar.

You do not have to sing, obviously. But after a plate of oxtails and enough time watching everyone else… no promises.

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For a pretty small downtown, I think Napa actually has a lot going on when it comes to dance.

I have seen a handful of different classes, events, and venues pop up, but Slow Fox Dance Hall is definitely one of the main spots holding it down.

Maybe that has something to do with Napa’s huge Hispanic influence, which deserves a shoutout here, especially when one of the best exports is something as fun as bachata.

This Friday (actually every Friday) they are doing a class for both beginner and intermediate dancers. No partner is required, and it is a much more interactive way to spend a Friday night than sitting somewhere watching another band.

Even if dancing is completely outside your comfort zone, everyone is there to learn, so you will not be the only one figuring it out.

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Alright, if that first section was for the adults, this one is for the parents.

The City of Napa is putting on another Community Playdate at Fuller Park, and honestly, I wish more cities did simple stuff like this.

But to be totally honest, I am never quite sure how these city-run events actually go.

I know our town offers a lot of great stuff, but when they host something like this, I am always a little uncertain about what it actually looks like. We know it is not a huge production or some complicated schedule. It is basically a free morning where kids can run around and play, but beyond that, I am not totally sure.

So this one is less of a hard “go to this” recommendation and more of a “hey, I think this is interesting.”

I find these kinds of events from time to time through city posts, random flyers I snap photos of while walking around, or the City of Napa calendar when I am digging around for newsletter stuff. But honestly, I am still curious what they are actually like in person.

Sometimes the best local events are the ones that are almost too simple to explain, but as I am writing this, I am realizing I might need to do a little boots-on-the-ground due diligence myself.

So let me know if you have already been to one of these, or if you end up going :)

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Alright, now here is what everyone has been waiting for: free music downtown.

This Saturday, Jason Weeks is playing at the Outside Gallery 1870 / The Oak Tree location. I believe “The Oak Tree” is referring to that little turf area by the big squirrel sculpture.

You can grab lunch, walk around, hear some music for a bit, and leave whenever you feel like it.

It is not quite the same as one of those bigger Veterans Memorial Park concerts that fills the whole space, but Napa does a pretty good job with both kinds of downtown music.

We get the bigger shows that draw a few hundred people, and then these smaller ones that are, let’s be honest, mostly aimed at tourists already shopping and walking around First Street.

Still, it creates a nice little summer atmosphere, especially if you were already planning to be downtown and want an excuse to hang around a bit longer.

I added the full Live on First lineup to our nifty Lowdown Calendar too:

Full Live on First Lineup

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And the answer to today’s trivia:

C. Dominican Republic.

Bachata originated there before eventually spreading around the world and becoming one of the most popular forms of partner dancing.

That is what I have for you this week: a quick buffet of local events and a few different ways to enjoy our beautiful town.

This is mostly what I try to do with the Friday Game Plan: keep it focused on Napa and what is happening right here in town. But I am curious whether I should start expanding our horizons a little more and include more from St. Helena, Yountville, Vacaville, Vallejo, and American Canyon.

After all, none of it is very far away.

And thank you all for the lovely comments about the calendar. You really are the best community.

Have a great weekend, and I will see you Monday.
Callie