Rohnert Park/ San Rafael
Local Laughs
North Bay-native Mo Mandel is a comedian and actor who’s been seen on TV shows including Conan, Chelsea Lately and 2 Broke Girls. This week, he’ll be onstage, delivering standup at two shows. First, Mandel gets funny at a show hosted by Barrel Proof Comedy on Thursday, Dec. 30, at Sally Tomatoes (1100 Valley House Dr., Rohnert Park. 7pm. $15–$45. barrelproofcomedy.com). Then, Mandel headlines the annual “Best of the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition” showcase on Friday, Dec. 31, at Marin Center (10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 9pm. $25–$58. marincenter.org). Covid mandates apply.
North Bay
Walk It Off
One popular way to welcome in the new year is with a First Day Hike at one of the North Bay’s parks. These hikes include a New Year’s Day Hike of Mount St. Helena, in Napa Valley, on Saturday, Jan. 1 at 9am (napaoutdoors.org). Additional hikes are offered at Jack London State Park (jacklondonpark.com) and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (sugarloafpark.org) in Sonoma Valley, both on Jan. 1 at 10am. The Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods leads four walks among the Armstrong Redwoods on Jan. 1, 10am to 1pm (stewardscr.org). Friends of Mt. Tam offers a hike of Mount Tamalpais State Park on Sunday, Jan. 2, at 9am (friendsofmttam.org). Covid mandates apply.
Healdsburg
New Year Jazz
Featuring the region’s best players performing an eclectic mix of jazz with diverse influences, Hotel Healdsburg’s Jazz Music Series rolls into 2022 with an intimate concert outdoors at the Fireside Lounge at the hotel’s Spirit Bar on New Year’s Day. Curated by local arts ambassadors Healdsburg Jazz, the weekly series presents a performance by the Neil Fontano Trio; fronted by pianist Neil Fontano and including Trevor Kinsel on bass and Ian Scherer on guitar. The trio plays a blend of jazz and Harlem swing on Saturday, Jan. 1, at 25 Matheson St., Healdsburg. 5pm. Free. healdsburgjazz.org/hotelhealdsburg.com. Covid mandates apply.
Napa
Grand Return
After a 22-month hiatus due to the pandemic, Napa’s acclaimed Jarvis Conservatory relaunches the monthly concert series, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing,” with a concert on New Year’s Day. The longest-running show in the Napa Valley returns to the conservatory’s jewel box theater for it’s 25th season, which will also see the musical torch passing from longtime host Richard Evans to newly-named Resident Music Director Frank Johnson. Hear popular Bay Area vocalists and up-and-coming talent at the monthly singing series, opening on Saturday, Jan. 1, at 1711 Main St., Napa. 7pm. $20. Jarvisconservatory.com. Covid mandates apply.
—Charlie Swanson
