DR | 01.04.26
SIX FLAGS, GREAT AMERICA GEAR UP FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF FUN
INDIE AFTER DARK HOME TO LIVE, ORIGINAL MUSIC IN VALLEJO plus WATERCOLORIST FEATURED AT FAIRFIELD ARTS GALLERY
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Sunday, January 4, 2026 — DAILY REPUBLIC
Vallejo’s Six Flags Discovery Kingdom offers a variety of thrill rides. COURTESY PHOTOS
Six Flags, Great America gear up for another season of thrills, fun in 2026 DAILY REPUBLIC STAFF DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
D
iscovery Kingdom and California’s Great America have shared their 2026 operating schedules, including a lineup of expanded special events featuring live entertainment, festive décor and an array of limited-time food and beverage offerings. Discovery Kingdom will continue its year-round operation into 2026 and will include the return of several popular seasonal events: Oktoberfest (Select dates Sept. 19-Nov. 1). Grab the lederhosen and dirndl dresses because this fall a selection of craft beers, delicious German fare, traditional games and live entertainment will return. Tricks and Treats (Select dates Sept. 26-Nov. 1). Expanding parkwide and into the evening for the first time, ON THE COVER The Lipsmackers played their first Indie After Dark show in November 2025.
Operating Season (Select dates March 28-Sept. 7). The park will burst with fun featuring more than 60 rides, thrilling roller coasters, and kid-sized enjoyment highlighted by rides and entertainment dedicated to the Peanuts Gang. South Bay Shores Operating Season (Select dates May 23 - Sept. 7). The connected California seaside themed waterpark with a variety of drop slides, tube slides and family-friendly lagoon area, will be The Peanuts gang will be home at California’s Great America in its included with a single admission 50th season. to California’s Great America. Tricks and Treats will feature and beverages and more. For more information about For more information about specific operating dates at spooky, kooky Halloween décor, fun activities, seasonal treats, seasonal events at Discovery California’s Great America, Kingdom, visit www.sixflags. visit drinks and, of course, candy. w w w.sixf lags.com/ WinterFest (Select dates com/discoverykingdom/events. cagreatamerica/park-hours. California’s Great America Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 2027). Revel in “Providing a high-quality, the festivities with seasonal will welcome guests for its 50th memorable and fun experience displays complete with millions season with a blend of enter- is what our parks do best,” Raffi of shimmering lights, family tainment and classic fun on the Kaprelyan, senior vice president activities, live entertainment, following dates: and West Coast regional general California’s Great America manager for Six Flags, said in a holiday-inspired comfort food
on the town A SUPPLEMENT TO THE DAILY REPUBLIC
Publishers: Foy S. McNaughton, T. Burt McNaughton Editor: Todd R. Hansen Contributing Writers: Amy Maginnis-Honey, Todd R. Hansen Project Manager: Nancy Meadows
press release. “We are incredibly excited to offer expanded experiences and remain focused on continuing to provide our guests a high standard of service in 2026.” Discover y K i ngdom’s 2026 Gold Memberships are available now. For more details, visit sixflags.com/ discoverykingdom. California’s Great America 2026 Gold Passes are also available now. For more details, visit sixflags.com/cagreatamerica. “The park’s land lease will expire in 2028 with a potential five-year renewal option. At this time, we are still in the planning stages and are working with stakeholders and engaging the community. Until we know more, we remain focused on the great season ahead in 2026,” said Marc Merino, Regional Public Relations Manager for Six Flags, which owns both parks.
If you have an event on the calendar, email to amy.maginnis@mcnaughton.media To be featured on the Out on the Town pages, email nancy.meadows@mcnaughton.media For advertising, call Nancy at 707-427-6927
DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, January 4, 2026
I Fairfield
This
week
5 p.m. Friday Rhythm Method Trio Bally Keal, 4286 Suisun Valley Road. www.ballykeal.com.
I Suisun City 7 p.m. Friday They Went Ghost True Symmetry, 315 Marina Circle. https://truesymmetry.beer/events.
THINGS TO DO
9 a.m. Saturday School of Rock bands True Symmetry, 315 Marina Circle. https://truesymmetry.beer/events.
I Vacaville
The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.
I Benicia 1 p.m. Sunday Nathan Ignacio
I Vallejo
First Street Taphouse, 440 1st St. www.mareislandbrewingco.com/ events.
10 a.m. Sunday Vallejo’s Drag Brunch
5 p.m. Thursday The New Frantics
Bambino’s, 301 Georgia St. No. 122. www.facebook.com/ events/2230235377487504/
The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.
6 p.m. Friday The SBGs
4:30 p.m. Friday The Jammin Fil-Ams
Bambino’s, 301 Georgia St. No. 122. https://artvallejo.org/#/ details/the-sbgs-bambinos/17720776/2026-01-09T18.
The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.
8:30 p.m. Friday The Humdinger Band
Journey Downtown, 308 Main St. https://journeydowntown.com/ events.
The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.
Donoby’s Bar, 1072 E. Monte Vista
8 p.m. Saturday The Austin Mo Experience
Ave. www.facebook.com/ events/876630691394827.
6 p.m. Friday Bee Gees Fever
3 p.m. Saturday Pub Kats
on the town
4:30 p.m. Saturday The Dynamic Duo The Rellik, 726 First St. www.therelliktavern.com.
6 p.m. Saturday The Ray Charles Project Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St. https://empresstheatre.org.
10:30 p.m. Saturday Townhouse Divas Drag Show Townhouse Cocktail Lounge, 401A Georgia St. www.facebook. com/townhousecocktails.
Feliz Año Nuevo Voted Best Mexican Food in Solano County!
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Sunday, January 4, 2026 — DAILY REPUBLIC
COVER STORY
Indie After Dark home to live, original music AMY MAGINNIS-HONEY AMAGINNIS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
‘Indie After Dark is not about chasing trends. It is about giving original music a room to breathe and trusting the community to show up.’ — T YM N U R B A N
C
elebrating its first anniversary this month is Indie After Dark. “It started with a feeling I could not shake,” said Tymn Urban, co-founder of Indie After Dark. “I am an independent songwriter, and there are just not enough places where original music is truly valued.” There are many venues for cover bands everywhere. Urban respects the musicians who make that life work, but chose a different route. “I fell in love with songwriting. I fell in love with standing in a room and sharing something that did not exist before that moment. That is what I wanted to protect,” Urban said. Fellow Bluestatic bandmate Devin Turner partnered with Urban. Indie After Dark is a learning experience with a clear mission – to support artists writing and performing their own music. Some covers are fine, but they are not the focus. The focus is voice, risk and originality. Vallejo is full of songwriters. Full of musicians with something to say. “I want to see this city thrive as a music town because it already is one,” Urban shared. “Vallejo is a gem with a little dust on it. Once the music starts, you can see it shine.” The Lipsmackers played their first Indie After Dark show in November. The all-female band heard about it at a musicians’ meetup called “Balanced Breakfast,” which has monthly gettogethers all over the Bay Area. Indie After Dark is at the 4th Street Speakeasy in the historic Red Man’s Hall. Downtown Vallejo’s entertainment district really gathers around four corners, and the 4th Street Speakeasy sits near the corner of Georgia Street and Sonoma Boulevard. “The venue lives on the third floor of a building that is over a hundred years old,” Urban explained. “It was once a private members club, and you can feel that history when
you walk in. The wood has stories. The acoustics are warm. The stage is intimate in the best way.” Fate intervened. The hall operators were looking to open the space as a music venue while Urban had been holding a vision for Indie After Dark. It was kismet. Urban works closely with Richard Abbott, a member of the Red Men’s Club and vice president of Vallejo Main Street. The pair share a belief in an art-centered downtown. “His support has been generous and deeply felt,” Urban shared. Bluestatic lives in the space between intimacy and electricity, See Indie, Page 5
Tymn Urban, a member of Bluestatic, is the co-founder of Indie After Dark. COURTESY PHOTO
DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, January 4, 2026
Indie
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From Page 4 Urban said, noting the songs are emotional, reflective and rooted in the human experience. The band moves through indie, art rock and alternative sounds, but feels they are genre-fluid. “Dreams of Blue,” the band’s recent release, explores connection, loss, resilience and the strange beauty of being human in uncertain times. At its core, Bluestatic is about connection. About standing in front of people and telling the truth in a way that invites them closer, Urban shared. Learn more about the band at bluestatic.band, listen to “Dreams of Blue” on Spotify, and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for new music, videos and upcoming live dates. Musicians seeking a gig are encouraged to reach out by email to booking@indieafterdark.com. “We invite bands to send whatever they have,” Urban shared. “Music links, videos, an EPK, social media, or simply a thoughtful introduction. If you have an idea for a lineup or want to build something collaboratively, we are open to that too.” Indie After Dark leans into artsy, alternative and indie sounds, and welcomes a wide range of genres. The core requirement is simple: Musicians must play their own instruments and play their original music. It was one of the first ongoing public music series to bring original bands into the space in its current form. First-time visitors often remark how intimate it feels, like the room is listening back. The space is one of intentional welcome. “There is no tolerance for bigotry of any kind,” Urban said. “This is a safe space for LGBTQ+ community members, people of color, artists and the beautiful misfits who have always found their way to the edges and made something meaningful there.” The goal is for artists do their best work where they feel trusted, respected and free enough to take a risk. Indie After Dark exists to hold that space open and say, “you
COURTESY PHOTO
belong here.” Urban has heard many visitors say they had no idea Vallejo had such a space. Performers talk about how cared for they feel. Audiences talk about how welcoming the room is, Urban said. People love that every night sounds different, but the spirit stays the same. Many come once and then return again and again. What makes Indie After Dark unique? It’s rooted in community and intentionally holds the night on the same evening as the Vallejo Art Walk as a gesture of solidarity with artist sisters and brothers throughout downtown. “We are musicians ourselves,” Urban said. “We approach this night with the same care we hope to receive when we play out. There is no gatekeeping. No pretense. Just people showing up, listening closely, and remembering why live music matters.” Indie After Dark is year-round, the second Friday of each month, from 7 to 11 p.m. There is a break this month to reset and recharge. The next event is Feb. 13 featuring The Living Castles. For more i n for mat ion, v isit ht t ps://i nd iea f terda rk . com/?v=84de8e2b14bb or www.face book.com/indievallejo.
Bluestatic performs at 4th Street Speakeasy in Vallejo.
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avela’s Mexican Grill has been crafting fresh Mexican flavors with passion and pride for 35 years. Serving awardwinning burritos to Solano County residents, each dish is prepared with highquality, perfectly marinated meats and the freshest ingredients. While the restaurant has been featured in the Daily Republic and Sunset Magazine for its famous burritos, it is also well-known for bold flavors and made-from-scratch entrees. The full menu includes combo plates, shrimp entrees, and Favela’s
famous Chile Rellenos, available for both lunch and dinner. Locally owned and operated by Veronica Favela Diaz and her family, Favela’s Mexican Grill has locations in Fairfield and Vacaville. They also offer catering services for your gathering.
Open 7 days a week 3334 North Texas Street, Fairfield - 707.428.1496 2040 Harbison Drive, Vacaville - 707.447.1120
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HEAR
Sunday, January 4, 2026 — DAILY REPUBLIC
GO
Performing arts: Comedy, tributes kick off 2026
DAILY REPUBLIC STAFF DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
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ans of Linda Ronstadt, Rush, the Bee Gees, Pearl Jam and the Eagles can check out tribute bands at local venues this month. Bee Gees Fever kicks off the tunes at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at Journey Downtown, 308 Main St. The group played in May at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. The band is fronted by Aaron Schumacher, Connor Smith and Robin Sherman. Their set list includes everything from “Tragedy” and “More Than A Woman” to “How Deep is Your Love” and “Massachusetts.” For more information on the band, visit https://beegeesfeverusa.com. For tickets, visit www. journeydowntown.com. Take a trek to Vallejo on Jan. 10 and hear the Ray Charles Project beginning at 8 p.m. The Empress Theatre performance will feature a sextet of Bay Area musicians offers their take on Charles’ songbook. Learn more about the band at https://raycharlesproject. com. For tickets, visit www. empresstheatre.org.
Steve-O COURTESY PHOTOS
R50
Shine Delirious Former MTV “Jackass” star Ronstadt Revolution to Vacaville – Steve-O brings the “Crash and their hometown. Visit www.ronstadtrevoluBurn” tour to Journey Downtown at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16. He also tion.com to learn more about the released a memoir, “Professional band and view a promo video. For Idiot,” while establishing himself tickets, visit www.vpat.net. in the world of stand-up comedy. Yes, this is a Yes tribute band. In 2022, he rejoined Johnny Shine Delirious will perform Knoxville and the rest of the at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Empress “Jackass” crew for the film Theatre, 330 Virginia St., in Vallejo. “Jackass Forever.” The quintet, formed in 2012, is His website is www.steveo. named in honor of Chris Squire com. For tickets, visit www.jour and signature bass solo ‘schindleneydowntown.com. ria praematurus’. “Revolution in Concert: A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt” stops by the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive, at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Ronstadt Revolut ion pays homage to the 11-time Grammy winner. Fronted by vocalist and stage performer Natalie Amaya, Ronstadt Revolution features a lineup of veteran musicians who have shared the stage with legends like Elvis Presley, Alvaro Torres, Sheryl Crow, Tina Turner and many more. The band delivers dynamic performances of both her Englishand Spanish-language hits. While the band tours across California, several members are especially excited to bring
Lead vocalist Karla Downey grew up playing drums and singing in several groups throughout California as a headliner as well as opening shows for Tower of Power, Eddie Money, BTO, Jefferson Starship and others. Guitarist Gorden Mack gained fame with albums on 4AD Records featured on movie soundtracks for films such as “Vanilla Sky.” Learn more about the band at https://shine-delirious. com. Purchase tickets at www. empresstheatre.org. The Eagles get their due at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 with Take It To The Limit performing at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. The Canadian-based band See Hear, Page 7
DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, January 4, 2026
Hear From Page 6
Easy Feeling.” Catch a sneak peek of what’s in store at www.eaglestributeshow.com. Get tickets at www.vpat.net.
returns to Vacaville and brings to life favorite Eagles hits, including classics like “Hotel California,” “Heartache Tonight” and “Peaceful
Exercise your “Freewill” and check out R50, the Bay Area’s Rush tribute band, at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Empress Theatre. Bask in the “Limelight” while hearing “The Spirit of Radio”
Ray Charles Project
Evelyn’s
Pizza
Downtown Theatre in Fairfield welcomes Corduroy – The Pearl Jam Experience, 6 p.m. Jan. 24, at 1035 Texas St. Corduroy – The Pearl Jam Experience, founded in summer 2016, is based in San Francisco and is one of 11 Pearl Jam tribute bands from all over the world who were selected to perform at the “Ten 30th Anniversary Online Tribute Concert” organized by Grunge Magazine in August 2021. Special guests are Rock
BY THE SLICE ALL DAY!
BeaufunK Steady and Conversations Kill. Learn more about Corduroy at https://corduroypj91. com/home. Purchase tickets at www.downtheatre.com. Suisun City’s True Symmetry will welcome They Went Ghost, 7 p.m. Friday, and School of Rock Bands, 9 a.m. Saturday, at 315 Marina Center. The venue also hosts a comedy night the last Saturday of every
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The month wraps up with BeaufunK performing at 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Empress Theatre. Learn more about the band at www.beaufunk. com. Purchase tickets at www. empresstheatre.org.
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and “Subdivisions.” The band features Chris Meek on guitar, vocals and synths, Mike Carlington on drums and Mike Peattie on bass, vocals and synths. Learn more about the band at https://r50rushtribute.com. Purchase tickets at www. empresstheatre.org.
on the town
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Sunday, January 4, 2026 — DAILY REPUBLIC
OUT! on the town
30th Annual Spirit of Solano luncheon Hilton Garden Inn | 12.04.25
1. Award recipients from Vacaville: Caryn Mikch, owner of Stem’s Florist, and Toni Parkhurst, of Budget Blinds of Solano County and Vacaville Chamber of Commerce board chairman. 2. Lisa Bonnington, left, president and CEO of Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, and Jana Modena, special projects manager for FairfieldSuisun Chamber of Commerce.
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3. Medic Ambulance team: sitting, from left, Aimee Williams, Stephen Buckner and Matthew McCarthy; standing,Sandra Whaley and Cynthia McBride. 4. Keisha Mamaril, left, city of Fairfield Economic Development project manager, and Fairfield Councilwoman K. Patrice Williams. 5. Ana Ramos, vice president of F&M Bank in Rio Vista, Rio Vista Chamber board member and former Spirit of Solano award recipient.
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OUT ON THE TOWN PHOTOS BY NANCY MEADOWS
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Email her at nancy.meadows@ mcnaughton.media for a chance to see your event on these pages
DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, January 4, 2026
on the town
Soroptisimists International of Central Solano County holiday luncheon
on the town
Hilton Garden Inn | 12.16.25 The club awarded $14,000 to local charities supporting women and girls in the community; and cases of diapers were presented to Solano Family & Children’s Services.
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1. Members Nancy Hopkins and Cathy Hall. 2. Member Nancy Hopkins, this years club’s Hand on Committee Chairman; Christie Speck, Judy Lloyd, Cathy Hall, Solano Family & Children’s Services board members; Molly Gagliardi, Solano Family & Children’s Services; and Kathy Lago, executive director of Solano Family & Children’s Services. 3. Members Donna Doutel Ebert, Cathy Hall and Lisa Hilas. 4. Soroptimist member Jill Hopkins and guest Fairfield Poet Laureate Emeritus Suzanne Bruce. 5. Members Donna Doutel Ebert, Cathy Hall and Lisa Hilas. 6. Judge Amyra C. Cobb-Hampton and retired Judge Christine A. Carringer.
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Sunday, January 4, 2026 — DAILY REPUBLIC
SEE
GO
Visual arts “The Rain Forest” by Ken Chew is part of the “The Great Outdoors” exhibit at the Solano Town Center Gallery in Fairfield. COURTESY PHOTO
Fairfield The Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Association is completing 80 years of art in Fairfield with a new show opening Wednesday. “The Great Outdoors” continues until Feb. 22. The artists and poetry reception will be 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 17. The Spotlight Artist is Ken Chew, a longtime artist and FSVAA member who is retiring as a board member after many years of service to the association. The gallery is in the Solano Town Center mall, 1330 Travis Blvd. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. n n n The 2026 schedule for Artist Popups begins Jan. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Sentivo Winery and Vineyards during the release of a new wine. The venue is at 2316 Rockville Road. The Artist Popups will continue throughout the year at other locales. n n n Lettie Neuhauser-Maclachlan is the Spotlight Artist at Fairfield Arts, 710 Jackson St. The reception is 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 16. For more information, visit www.fairfield-arts.com. n n n Fairfield Arts offers art classes and
monthly art receptions and is home to the Downtown Fairfield Art Walk, 5 to 8 p.m. on the third Friday of the month. Vacaville The Vacaville Art League Gallery, 718 E. Monte Vista Ave, is home to “Celebrate” through Jan. 24. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Benicia “Everyday Life” opens Jan. 11 at the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery, inside the Benicia Public Library. It runs through Feb. 22. Bruce Pope’s exhibit offers an invitation to engage with the overlooked beauty of daily scenes, encouraging personal interpretations and emotional responses. The library is at 150 E. J. St. The gallery is open during library hours, which are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. n n n Arts Benicia will host the California Watercolor Association’s 56th International Exhibition, Jan. 31 through March 16, at 1 Commandant’s Lane. The artist’s reception is 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at the same location.
f r u T ’ n f r Su Feed
Saturday, February 7, 2026 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Enjoy Tri-Tip, Crab, Clam Chowder, Salad & Garlic Bread
No-Host Cocktails Dessert Silent Auction
$80 per person
$35 per child (6-12 yrs) For tickets call
707.427.6927 or 707.646.1201 NO tickets sold at the door
For E-Tickets & Payments
DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, January 4, 2026
on the town
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Check out a new movie in the new year DAILY REPUBLIC STAFF DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
T
he late David Bowie can be seen on movie theater screens beginning Thursday as “Labyrinth” returns for its 40th anniversary. The plot tells the story of a frustrated babysitter who summons the goblins to take away her baby stepbrother. When little Toby actually disappears, she must follow him into a fantastical world to rescue him from the Goblin King, played by Bowie. Guarding his castle is the labyrinth itself, a twisted maze of deception, populated with outrageous characters and unknown dangers. The film is rated PG. Two movies open on screens across the country on Friday. “Greenland 2: Migration,” with Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin, is set in the aftermath of a comet strike that decimated most of the earth. The Garrity family is forced to leave the safety of their bunker in Greenland to traverse a shattered world in search of a new home. The film is rated PG-13. “Primate” centers on a group of friends’ tropical vacation that turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival. The film is not rated. Opening in limited release Friday are: “I Was a Stranger,” the story of a Syrian doctor who is forced to flee Aleppo with her young daughter. One desperate choice sets off a chain of events that ripples across borders and pulls four strangers into the same storm. The film is not rated. “Starbright,” which stars John Rhys-Davies in a tale set on the night of an eclipse, when a star breaks the sky and falls to earth. A young woman burdened by loss stumbles upon its living light – a fragile radiance that seems to breathe, to respond, to remember. Word of the phenomenon spreads, drawing the attention of ruthless
TRISTAR PICTURES
David Bowie in “Labyrinth.” men and unlikely allies. Across a single, dangerous night, they cross rail yards and riverbanks, chapels and forgotten streets, each step testing their resolve. The film is rated PG-13. “Dead Man’s Wire,” the true story of the 1977 kidnapping that made aspiring Indianapolis entrepreneur Tony Kiritsis into an eccentric outlaw folk hero. Al Pacino and Cary Elwes stars. The film is rated R. “Sleepwalker,” the story of a woman (Hayden Panettiere) haunted by terrifying visions whose sleepwalking episodes begin to intensify, accelerating her descent into darkness. The film is not rated. “OBEX,” which is set in preinternet 1987, centers on a man and his dog who live a life of seclusion, lost in the slow-rendering graphics of early Macs and televisions aglow with late night horror movie marathons. When he begins playing a new and mys-
terious, state-of-the-art computer game, he finds himself trapped in a low-tech, but high-stakes analog hellscape as the line between reality and game blurs. The film is not rated. “All That’s Left Of You,” which is set on the West Bank in 1988, centers on a young man seriously injured during a protest. His mother begins to tell her family’s moving story, going back to 1948, when the boy’s grandfather refused to leave Jaffa to protect his house and orange grove. When the boy protests against Israeli soldiers decades later, fate seems to repeat itself. The film is not rated. “Young Mothers,” which is set in a Belgium shelter where a group of young women face the challenges and exhilaration of motherhood. The underage moms aspire to break free of the past and not repeat the cycles of neglect, abuse, and abandonment that have defined their young lives.
Jan. 16 brings “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” to American screens. Cillian Murphy and Ralph Fiennes star in a continuation of the story of a doctor who finds himself in a shocking new relationship – with consequences that could change the world as they know it. In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival – the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and much more terrifying. The film is not rated. Opening in limited release Jan. 16 are: “Killer Whale,” which centers on two friends who travel to a private lagoon halfway across the world. Their peaceful retreat soon becomes a terrifying fight to stay alive when the ocean’s most bloodthirsty predator seeks vengeance for a brutal life spent in captivity. The film is rated R. “Charlie the Wonderdog,” an animated flick about a shy boy
who imagines a rich world in which he and his cherished dog star in their own superhero adventures. When the canine is mysteriously abducted by aliens, he is gifted true superpowers and emerges as Charlie the Wonderdog. Owen Wilson is one of the voices. The film is rated PG. “All You Need Is Kill,” an anime that follows the story of Rita, a resourceful but isolated young woman volunteering to help rebuild Japan after the mysterious appearance of a massive alien flower known as “Darol.” When Darol unexpectedly erupts in a deadly event, unleashing monstrous creatures that decimate the population, Rita is caught in the destruction – and killed. But then she wakes up again. And again. The film is not rated. “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” which returns to mark its 25th anniversary. Elijah Wood, Peter Jackson, and Orlando Bloom star in the flick that tells the story of a shy young hobbit named Frodo Baggins who inherits a simple gold ring. He knows the ring has power, but not that he alone holds the secret to the survival – or enslavement – of the entire world. The film is rated PG-13. “A Useful Ghost,” which centers on a man mourning his wife who recently died due to dust pollution. He discovers her spirit has returned by possessing a vacuum cleaner. The film is not rated. “Night Patrol,” the story of a Los Angeles policeman who has to put aside his differences with the area’s street gangs when he discovers a local police task force is harboring a horrific secret that endangers the residents of the See Movie, Page 13
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Sunday, January 4, 2026 — DAILY REPUBLIC
Watercolorist featured at Fairfield Arts gallery DAILY REPUBLIC STAFF DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
F “The Fat Rabbit” by Lettie Maclachlan is on display at the Fairfield Arts gallery. COURTESY PHOTO
airfield Arts features the artwork of Lettie Neuhauser-Maclachlan at its current downtown show. “Lettie’s favorite medium is watercolor. She enjoys the many effects and the versatility of watercolors. She also likes the intensity of acrylics and oils and likes to paint with them from time to time,” Fairfield Arts organizers said. “She paints mostly animals – from insects to elephants – not for a photorealistic result, but for a look into their soul and a hint of humor As a retired veterinarian I feel a connection with animals and it’s a natural focus for her artwork.” Her artwork has been influenced by Jeanie Vodden, Bev Jozwiak and Michael Solovyev. Each is very different from
the other two and each uses a different color palette and a variety of interesting techniques. A reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 16. Lettie joined Fairfield Arts because of the downtown location and the community of artists that show their artwork there. “It feels it’s a very friendly and supportive group,” NeuhauserMaclachlan said. Her artwork can also be seen at the Solano Town Center Gallery, Common Grounds Gallery, The Village 360 Gallery and occasionally at City Arts in San Francisco. Fairfield Arts is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 710 Jackson St.
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DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, January 4, 2026
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From Page 11 housing projects he grew up in. Dermot Mulroney stars. The film is rated R. “A Private Life,” which features Jodie Foster in the tale of the renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner who learns of the death of one of her patients. Convinced that it was murder, she decides to investigate. The film is rated R. “Groove Tails,” which is set in the world of competitive street dancing competitions. “Biggz,” a mouse deep in debt to a local club, is hoping to clean up the streets from a group of menacing alley cats, and get the girl. Dave Bautista, Jamie Foxx and Joel Cohen loan their vocal talents. The film is not rated. “Signing Tony Raymond,” which tells the story of a college football coach who is sent to rural Alabama to try signing the nation’s top high school defensive end and soon finds himself in the middle of comical misadventures. Brian Bosworth, Mira Sorvino and Marshawn Lynch are featured. The film is not rated. Three movies arrive on screens across the country on Jan. 23: “Mercy,” which is set in the near future when a detective stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced AI judge. Chris Pratt stars. The film is rated PG-13. “Return to Silent Hill,” the story of a man broken after his relationship with the love of his life, Mary, ends. When a mysterious letter from her calls him back to Silent Hill, he finds a oncerecognizable town transformed by an unknown evil. While he desperately searches for her he encounters terrifying creatures and begins to unravel the mystery of what happened to the town. But as he descends deeper into the darkness the secrets he uncovers lead to a horrifying truth. The film is rated R. “H Is For Hawk,” which expands across the country.
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The theatrical release poster for “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.”
ROW K ENTERTAINMENT
Dacre Montgomery, left, and Bill Skarsgård star in “Dead Man’s Wire.” Brendan Gleeson and Claire Foy star in this flick about a woman who is kicked sideways by grief after her beloved father dies. She relives the memories of their time birding and exploring the natural world together and becomes obsessed with the idea of training her own goshawk. The film is rated PG-13. “The Dreamer Cinderella,” which blends the emotional resonance of “Under the Same Moon” with the transformational charm of “My Fair Lady.” At its center is a Mexican-American street fruit vendor whose life takes an unexpected turn when a powerful film director makes her the subject of a daring bet with his career rival. The film is rated PG. First Lady Melania Trump is the subject of “Melania,” one of four movies opening across the country on Jan. 30. It’s said to have exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations and never-beforeseen environments. The film is rated PG.
“Iron Lung” centers on individuals aboard space stations or starships that were left to give the end a name – The Quiet Rapture. After decades of decay and crumbling infrastructure, the Consolidation of Iron has made a discovery on a barren moon. A submarine is crafted and a convict is welded inside. Due to the pressure and depth of the ocean the forward viewport has been encased in metal. If successful, they will earn their freedom. If not, another will follow. This will be the 13th expedition. The film is rated R. “Send Help,” with Rachel McAdams, is about two colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. They must overcome past grievances and work together to survive. The film is not rated. “The Moment,” featuring Alexander Skarsgard and Rosanna Arquette, centers on a rising pop sensation (Charli XCX) navigat-
ing fame and industry pressures while preparing for her arena tour debut. The film is rated R. Opening in limited release Jan. 30 are: “Shelter,” which is about a man (Jason Statham) living in a remote setting by the sea. After he rescues a young girl from drowning in a terrible storm, he unwittingly sets off a chain reaction that soon brings violence his way. The film is rated R. “Worldbreaker,” which follows a young girl named whose parents, a battle-scarred veteran father and her monster-killing mother (Milla Jovovich), who protect their home on a remote island from creatures called Breakers. The girl is forced to join the fight when a young girl arrives to their home, bringing the war they left behind to their shores. The film is rated R. “Tafiti: Across The Desert,” an animated movie about a young Tafiti who embarks on a desert quest to find a magical blue flower that can save his grandfather. He’s
joined by an unlikely companion – Bristles the bush pig. The film is rated PG. “Pike River,” a documentary about two women whose friendship empowered them to fight for justice after the Pike River Mine Tragedy took the lives of 29 men underground. The film is not rated. “Moses The Black,” the tale of a man recently released from prison, a feared gang leader from Chicago’s West Side, who returns home determined to avenge the murder of his closest friend. His loyal right-hand tries to hold their crew together as hotheaded members push for retaliation. His grandmother, a god-fearing woman who raised him, leaves Malik a small icon of St. Moses the Black – whose story begins to shadow him with visions he can’t ignore. Omar Epps and Wiz Khalifa are featured. The film is not rated. For information on Edwards Cinemas in Fairfield, visit www. regmovies.com/theatres/regal- edwards-fairfield-imax. For Vacaville showtimes, visit www. brendentheatres.com. For Vallejo showtimes, check www.cine mark.com/theatres/ca-vallejo. More information about upcoming films is available at www. movieinsider.com.
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Sunday, January 4, 2026 — DAILY REPUBLIC
Kayo Martin, above, portrays the trouble-making Jake in “The Plague.” Everett Blunck, right, portrays Ben, the protagonist. INDEPENDENT FILM CO./TNS PHOTOS
First-time feature director delivers disturbing horror in ‘The Plague’ MARK MESZOROS
THE NEWS-HERALD (WILLOUGHBY, OHIO)
C
harlie Polinger achieves a lot with relatively little with his feature directorial debut, “The Plague.” Getting a wide release this week, this slice of psychological horror is quite effective despite its small scale and a cast consisting largely of little-known young actors. A cross between “Lord of the Flies” and … some other movie set at a youth water polo camp, “The Plague” explores, as Polinger puts it in his directorial statement, “the clumsy liminal space between childhood and adolescence, when the id grows too fast and too strong for the conscience to keep up.” Also the film’s writer, Polinger found inspiration for the story when he unearthed old journals from when he was 12. He read his tales of a youth sports camp, where boys told tall tales of a mysterious “plague” that had infected
MOVIE
Review ‘The Plague’ Rated R 98 minutes
HHH (OUT OF FOUR) one unfortunate kid – it was the reason for his acne-covered face and was turning his brain to “mush.” That is the situation 12-yearold Ben (Everett Blunck) encounters when he joins the second session of a water polo camp after moving to the area from another city in summer 2003. A bunch of the boys – led by the charismatic Jake (Kayo Martin) – have ostracized another with a skin issue, Eli (Kenny Rasmussen), which they make very clear as they accept Ben into their fold. “Those aren’t regular pimples,” Jake tells Ben as they sit on the bottom part of a bunk bed, several feet from Eli. “Those are plague pimples.
That’s a plague face.” Jake proceeds to fill Ben’s head with more disturbing details, including the fate of the unfortunate boy who supposedly gave the plague to Eli. (Spoiler alert: He’s said to be spending his time in a mental institution playing “Jenga.”) You can tell from Ben’s face that he doesn’t believe any of this to be true – mostly, kinda, probably – but he does as instructed, scrubbing his skin quickly after any physical contact with the outcast. He’s just trying to fit in, especially after Jake gives him a hard time about having trouble pronouncing “t” sounds, earning him the cruel nickname “Soppy” as a result. We’ve all been there – if roughly, not precisely. That’s why “The Plague” feels so authentic for its first long stretch: It’s relatable in a way you may not enjoy thinking about, even if you were more follower than leader, more Ben than Jake, in your youth. As the film progresses,
however, Polinger skillfully blurs the line between childhood nonsense and reality in a really potent and, at times, downright chilling way, as Ben takes the inevitable turn away from Jake and toward Eli – despite the latter’s odd social behavior. (To be clear, Eli’s idiosyncrasies feel authentic for an outcast kid … at least for the most part.) With the help of collaborators who include director of photography Steven Breckon, production designer Chad Keith and sound designer Damian Volpe, Polinger creates an aesthetic that evolves from lovely (the opening underwater shots) to unsettling (well, you’ll see). Plenty of heavy lifting is also done by the aforementioned actors, with Blunck (“Griffin in Summer”) compelling as a preteen everyman – not exactly cool but able to vaguely fake it – and newcomer Rasmussen, who throws himself into the role of a boy trying to make the best of being separated from the group at camp.
The standout, though, is Martin, who, as the ringleader, straddles the line between angel and devil, aided by an often-present smile that can be read either way. (Also into skating and boxing, the youth has about a million Instagram followers.) Joel Edgerton (“Boy Erased,” “Train Dreams”) portrays the only meaningful adult role, that of the boys’ coach, Daddy Wags, and he turns in solid work, both when his character lays into Jake for his behavior and later tries to comfort Ben. Know that a viewer isn’t likely to find much comfort in “The Plague.” It isn’t a fun experience, the film dipping its toes into such upsetting topics as self-mutilation, but it is impactful. Without hinting at the nature of the conclusion, Polinger sticks the landing, leaving the viewer wanting more – not of “The Plague” but of him.
DAILY REPUBLIC — Sunday, January 4, 2026
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