SUMMER OF '09 ARCHIVES: Leaving a Mark

This was my interview with Fred Schlatter, a local artist most famous for developing many of the signs for businesses around town. His style is very unmistakable, so it was nice to put a face behind the man who'd been creating all those signs.
Probably the most interesting thing about covering this story is that when I went to interview Delando Pagan (Yes, I spelled his name wrong in the article) of The Rellik Tavern (which I think had been open for only a few months at this point), Christi had to go inside and bring him out because I was still under 21 at that point. All in all, this was a fun story to write. Fred was a very nice person, and as far as I know, he's still creating art, but I'm not sure if he's created any more signs.

Rellik to bring piano madness to Benicia every Wednesday

(Originally published in the 4/27/16 edition)

   The Rellik Tavern has long been a prime spot for nightlife in Benicia. In addition to having a full bar, lounge area and tapas menu, it also is a place where patrons can enjoy live music, open mic nights, ‘80s dance parties and a whole lot more.

   Contributing to that whole lot more is the Rellik’s newest weekly event series, Dueling Pianos.

   Every Wednesday night from 7 to 10 p.m., the Rellik will rotate two piano players every week- some local and some just passing through town- who will perform renditions of virtually any song that is requested- emphasis on the any. Tonight will be the first such show, and Rellik co-owner Delando Pagan says he has been meaning to do a dueling pianos event for a while. He and his wife, Rellik co-owner Zoey, are big fans of the format.

   “Whenever we’re in Vegas, we never miss a dueling piano act up there,” he said. “We’ve been meaning to do this for a long time, and we finally got the right crew together.”

   The format of a dueling pianos event is pretty simple. Patrons will go up to one of two piano players and provide tips along with a written request for a song they would like to hear. The piano players will then go through the list and each play a song. What types of songs can be requested? Pretty much anything. Patrons will be treated to not only standard piano fare from Elton John or John Legend but a wide variety of songs from different artists, ranging from Franz Liszt to Franz Ferdinand. From heavy metal to hip-hop to country to dance-pop, nothing is forbidden. If you have ever wanted to witness piano-fied covers of Van Halen’s “Panama” or Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” in person, then Wednesday nights at the Rellik will be for you.

   However, you do not have to feel like you should listen to every song that gets requested. For example, if one of the pianists starts playing a Justin Bieber track and you do not want to hear it, then you can tip the opposite pianist to stop the song, and then the other piano player will play a new song.

   “It’s fun, it’s interactive and there’s a lot of sing-alongs,” Pagan said. “It’s part music and part comedy.”

   Pagan says the event will be a great way to celebrate birthdays or bachelor/bachelorette parties, and it will also provide something new to Solano County.

   “There’s nothing like that in Solano County right now,” he said. “I think the closest dueling piano act is in Danville and San Francisco, so it will be something fun for everybody on this side of the bay to come to.”

   Pagan says the nights will be a fun way for Benicians to experience something new and crazy.

   “Every time my wife and I have ever been to one, once you get caught up in it you’re pretty much there until it’s over,” he said.

   He also believes the event will draw people from outside Benicia as well.

   “Hopefully, it will become a destination every Wednesday,” he said. “People will come not just from Benicia but also outside the area. It will bring more people downtown to our little historic waterfront area.”

   “It will definitely be something new for Benicia,” he added.

   The Rellik Tavern is located at 726 First St. For more information, call 746-1137 or visit TheRellikTavern.com. 

Photo courtesy of Delando Pagan

Jason Marion, a pianist who plays at Venue in San Francisco as well as numerous gigs in las Vegas, will be one of the piano players in the Rellik tavern's Dueling Pianos nights. 

   

   

Scottish poet to be celebrated at Rellik Tavern

(Originally published in the 1/19/16 edition)

   The Rellik Tavern will hold a special poetry night Monday, Jan. 25, to honor the 257th birthday of Scottish Poet Laureate Robert Burns titled “Robert Burns an’ All That.” 

   Burns, also known as the Bard of Ayrshire, was a poet and lyricist who is frequently regarded as a pioneer of Europe’s Romantic period, which was well-regarded for its heavy emotions and nostalgia. Burns wrote several poems and also rewrote old Scottish folk songs to give them new meaning. Although he died at the age of 37, Burns is believed to have authored more than 500 poems, many of which are still popular today. Burns’ works include “To a Mouse,” “A Man’s a Man for A’ That” and “The Battle of Sherramuir.” He is perhaps best known for his poem “Auld Lang Syne,” which was based on the melody of an old folk song. The tune has earned prominence as the song sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day.

   According to Benicia Literary Arts President Lois Requist, the idea for the poetry night came from Rellik co-owner Tom Hamilton, who is Scottish.

   “Several years ago, he suggested that we have this event on Robert Burns' birthday, a worldwide tradition, in which Burns' poetry is read and food of the Scots is served,” she said. “We haven't had it every year, but when I talked to Tom in December, he thought he'd like to do it again.”

   The first hour of the event will feature readings by some of Benicia’s most celebrated poets, including past Poet Laureates of Benicia Requist, Don Peery and Joel Fallon, as well as Peter Bray, Johanna Ely, John Hamling, Kristine Mietzner and Tom Stanton. Afterward, there will be a break where patrons can enjoy Scottish foods. Among the items served are haggis, which Requist describes as an acquired taste.

   “Unless you've grown up with it, you might not like it,” she said.  “So Tom and The Rellik have served other things, like shortbread, cheese, etc. ”

   The second hour will consist of open mic for anybody who signed up for the event. 

   “We hope attendees will have a good time hearing live performances by local poets and writers,” BLA event team member Carolyn Plath said.  “They will present Burns’ work and/or their own original work, some of it inspired by Burns.”

   “Robert Burns an’ All That” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 25 at The Rellik Tavern, located at 726 First St. The event is free of charge. For more information, contact Requist at loquuu@gmail.com. 

Places to be in Benicia/Vallejo on New Year's Eve

(Originally published in the 12/30/15 edition)

   The end of the year is a time of celebration, and everybody celebrates in their own way. However, if you live in Benicia, you do not have to drive very far to take part in festivities outside of your home.

   First of all, many local businesses will be offering various kinds of entertainment as well as deals. Sailor Jack’s, located on 123 First St., will have a four-course preset menu featuring such items as ahi tuna stack, Alaskan halibut, lobster tail, vegetarian wellington and a dessert. The entire meal will be $89 per person. There will also be live music upstairs from 9 to midnight by The Baker Street Band, a Reno-based classic rock cover band led by Adrian Baker, a former touring member of The Beach Boys and The Four Seasons. For more information, call 746-8500.

   Down the street, The Rellik Tavern, located at 726 First St., will be hosting its seventh annual New Year’s Eve Party. The doors open at 9 for a set by Oakland-based rock band Muncie, and there will be a champagne toast at midnight to ring in 2016. The event will have a $10 cover charge and limited VIP and bottle service. For more information, call 746-1137.

   Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, located at 321 First St., will have a more low-key New Year’s. There will be a DJ and $5 cover at the door, and TV screens will be broadcasting both the East Coast countdown to 2016 before 9 p.m. and the West Coast countdown before midnight. For more information, call 746-7665.

   There are events beyond Benicia too. The Front Room at the Wharf, located at 295 Mare Island Way in Vallejo, will be hosting a dinner and dance party. The meal- which will consist of an appetizer, soup or salad and a choice of entree and dessert- will be served at 5:30 p.m.. There will be live entertainment by local jazz and R&B singer Darrell Edwards from 9 p.m. to 1 in the morning. For more information, call 649-8889.

   Also in Vallejo, The Mic Gillette Band will be performing a special New Year’s Eve show at the Empress Theatre, located on 330 Virginia St. For more information, visit EmpressTheatre.org or check out the article in the Dec. 29 edition of The Benicia Herald.

   If you are planning to drink lots of alcohol and don’t have a designated driver, do not get behind the wheel. AAA will be offering its Tipsy Tow program from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Call 800-222-4357 for a free tow home of up to 10 miles. Tell the AAA operator “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be sent over. Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home. You do not need to be a AAA member to use this service. 

   The Herald would like to remind you to have a safe and happy new year. Enjoy 2016.