Live music returns to downtown Stockton for new series

Posted on April 26, 2022 by digitalgear

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Nostrum minus ea suscipit porro alias corporis libero at. Perferendis omnis, veniam nemo beatae vel? Tempora numquam a repellat eaque natus, magnam?

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem ipsum mollitia neque, illum illo excepturi, eum incidunt fugit nostrum est, voluptate eaque minima corporis debitis at, dolores ipsam. Quaerat, dolores.

Heading 2

by Ben Sanchez

The Downtown Sounds music series launched this past month with some amazing rockin’ sounds from Haywired. While their weekly music set is coming to an end, we had a variety of questions regarding this new, outdoor music event downtown. We wanted to take all your feedback and answer as many questions you have about Downtown Sounds. We all know you are curious about who is performing next in downtown. Let’s take a look at how this event has evolved over the past year.

What is Downtown Sounds?

Last year, the Downtown Stockton Alliance hosted a series of music events downtown with local musicians. The open space in Janet Leigh Plaza was a great opportunity to present a free outdoor event for the community. In May 2021, University of the Pacific’s Patrick Langham Jazz Sextet was the first group to appear in Janet Leigh Plaza performing live jazz outdoors!

The first outdoor music event was dubbed ‘Jazz in the Plazz’ and throughout the month had more attendance every Tuesday. With the success of the outdoor music series, two more monthly events would appear in 2021. The Mike Torres Jr. band would play in September for Torres Tuesdays and Phillip Bailey Moncrease appeared in October to bring more amazing sounds to downtown.

Initially, the music series did not have an official name tied to each monthly event downtown. Each musical performance was tied to a different, monthly title. This year, we wanted the music series to fall under one title as we introduce Downtown Sounds in 2022. With more performances planned throughout the year, you will want to follow our social media platforms to stay updated on who is playing live on Tuesday nights.

When is Downtown Sounds?

Our music series is every Tuesday night at Janet Leigh Plaza.

Live music starts at 6 PM and will run until 8 PM.

Is there a charge for this event?

No. This event is FREE to the public.

Jazz in the Plazz highlight from 2021.

Will I need to bring a chair?

Plastic chairs will be provided. You may bring your own chair to this event. The plaza has plenty of space for you to sit and enjoy music.

Who has performed this year?

We reached out to Haywired, a “Rockin Americana” style band with dynamic vocals that are welcome sounds to downtown Stockton. With a versatile musical style, this band is inspired by country, rock, pop, folk, R&B and blues.

Will Jazz in the Plazz return to downtown?

Absolutely! We heard all the feedback from the community and are happy to announce that Jazz in the Plazz returns in May for our Downtown Sounds series. Langham, Professor and Program Director of Jazz Studies at the Conservatory of Music at University of the Pacific, is excited to perform for our community in downtown Stockton. You can catch live jazz downtown starting on May 3rd at 6 PM.

Are restaurants open during the live event?

Yes! All restaurants in the surrounding area of Janet Leigh Plaza will be open. Grab food during the show! Drinks are also allowed outdoors! Here is a list of restaurants in the plaza serving tasty food on Tuesday nights.

Grab food and drinks at the Plaza!

Share your #DowntownStockton experience

While you’re exploring downtown – snap a photo and share it on social media with us! Be sure to tag us in your photos at @Downtownstockton and use the hashtag #DowntownStockton for the chance to be featured on our social channels.

Check out the downtown vlog episodes on our YouTube channel!

Subscribe now and catch all new episodes in downtown Stockton.

Downtown Stockton Vlog

Local co-op offers sanctuary for small businesses

Posted on December 18, 2021 by digitalgear

Heading 2

by Ayaana Williams

In the heart of downtown Stockton lies a hidden gem that is a symbol of local fashion, diversity, and creative influence for the adaptable nomads of the Central Valley.

DRYCLEANERS, is an LGBTQ+/POC-owned co-op store that offers local vendors and creators an opportunity to network, showcase, and sell their goods/art.

“The overall goal is to activate downtown and bring everyone together. We have lots of different communities here,” said Oliver Opus, co-owner of DRYCLEANERS. “We have the queer community, we have POC, we have the streetwear community, we have crafters and creators and musicians and drag queens, and this is a space where all of those people can co-mingle and experience each other’s worlds.”

In terms of activating downtown, DRYCLEANERS aims to invoke liveliness and connection to bring excitement and opportunity to such an underappreciated part of the city.

DRYCLEANERS is locally owned by long-time friends Ruschawn Williams and Oliver Opus, who met in Atlanta prior to moving to Stockton.

“I moved here a while ago and I didn’t really have a place in Stockton for myself,” said Opus. “I didn’t have a place to meet people like me or express interest that I have, so I decided to create it myself.”

Opus and Williams founded DRYCLEANERS after hosting several pop-up shops at Cast Iron Trading Co. and other local entities, using social media as an advertising ground.

A pop-up is a temporary shared retail space where small businesses can sell goods and services.

“Eric (Lee) next-door at Cast Iron was kind of one of the first people to allow me to venture into this,” said Opus. “He gave us the opportunity to do our first pop-up and that was really successful; and then we went on to do a second one here with Launchpad and that was so successful that Launchpad and Cast Iron had this idea to set up shop here, so we did.”

DRYCLEANERS has visitors and vendors travel from all over Northern California.

“Not only does this help us, but this also helps the community,” said Opus. “We do have people from San Francisco, Sacramento, and Oakland setting up shop here, but they don’t have to come here to sell their products; we have a system where we do that for them.”

Vendors pay a booth fee of $5-$15 a day and DRYCLEANERS keeps track of each individual sale with 100% of sales profits going back to the vendor.

Part of their goal is to support and uplift local artists by providing a platform to create passive income and build friendships that strengthen the community.

“We typically have an application in our bio, and we don’t turn people away,” said Opus. “We wanted to create opportunities for vendors to make money during a pandemic and it’s really hard to come across funds.”

People can find DRYCLEANERS on Instagram @shopdrycleaners as well as visit the storefront to meet the owners, vendors and local artists on San Joaquin St. in downtown Stockton.

Sweet Downtown Gifts and Treats For Your Valentine

Posted on February 11, 2021 by digitalgear

Heading 2

Love is in the air, sweet chocolate and soft teddy bears line the shelves, red roses glisten in floral shops, cupid is shooting off his arrows, and there’s an abundance of heart-shaped everything. You know what this means: Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Whether you’re celebrating with bae or alone (nothing wrong with that, treat yo’self), we’ve compiled a list of sweet downtown gifts and treats you can pick up for your valentine!

Classic, Gorgeous Bouquets from Alex Floral Design

Keep it classic and classy this year with a fragrant bouquet of red roses for your Valentine from Alex Floral Design! Or, you can spice up your arrangement and add some different colors to the mix (pink roses, white lilacs, yellow sunflowers – the possibilities are endless!) Visit the Alex Floral Website to view their dazzling selection of fresh flower arrangements. Don’t forget to add a box of chocolates for a truly classic pairing.

Strawberry Ice Cream Cake Jars from D’lilah’s Cakery

A cake jar for Valentine’s Day? Yes, please! And let’s be honest – cake jars are great any time of year. D’lilah’s Cakery is offering special Strawberry Ice Cream Cake Jars only this Valentine’s Day Weekend, so don’t miss out on your chance to score on a scrumptious jar of fluffy strawberry cake and refreshing strawberry ice cream topped with fresh whipped cream and wafers. Get one to share with your Valentine, or skip sharing and grab one for each of you! Warning: once you step into the cakery, the temptation to buy one of every treat will be hard to resist!

Beautiful (and delicious!) Fruit Arrangements from Edible Arrangements

If your Valentine is a fruit lover, opt for a bouquet of fresh, chocolate dipped strawberries, bananas, pineapples, and more from Edible Arrangements in Downtown Stockton. Other delectable options also include cookie bundles, a Chocolate Strawberry Sweetheart Box, and Chocolate and Truffle boxes. Don’t forget to add on extra special treats like a cute card or balloon!

New Drinks from Empresso’s To Match the Valentine Vibe

Valentine’s Day means pink and red everything! Match the vibe perfectly by picking up one of Empresso Coffee House’s new pink or red-hued drinks: Dragonfruit Smoothie or Lemonade, or the Passion Dragon, which is an organic mango black tea with lemonade, passionfruit and dragonfruit. Pick up two of your faves with your Valentine and enjoy them on Empresso’s patio, or during a walk around downtown, or take ‘em home to enjoy!

Stationary Station and More to Show Your Love from The Freckled Moon

The Freckled Moon is known for its unique gifts and baubles, which already make it the perfect shop to visit when in search of cute valentine gifts! Their Stationary Station is full of amazing treasures that are perfect for Valentines who love to write, keep planners, scrapbook, and more! The Freckled Moon also has an array of items such as adorable potted succulents, fun jewelry, and lovely decorative pieces.

Think Flowers Are Overrated? Get Your Love a Succulent from FarOut Foliage

If your Valentine has a green thumb (or is interested in becoming a plant parent), drop by FarOut Foliage for a fantastic selection of unique plants! Not sure which one to choose or how to take care of them? Don’t worry- Nessie, the friendly owner of FarOut Foliage, LOVES talking plants! She’ll be more than happy to help you select the perfect new plant baby, and will share all the tips and tricks you need to keep it beautiful.

Spread the Love By Getting Dutch Bros

What if I told you you could get Dutch Bros and help our community at the same time? This Sunday, February 14th, is Dutch Luv Day, where $1 from every drink sold in Stockton Dutch Bros goes to the Emergency Food Bank of Stockton to help fight hunger. On average, $1 donated can pay for three meals. Now there’s even more of a reason to pick up Dutch Bros Cold Brews, Freezes, Frosts, Rebels, Teas, Smoothies, Sodas, Lemonades – you get the point, there’s so much to choose from! Now, not only will your Valentine love you for grabbing her/him Dutch Bros, but because you’re also helping a good cause!

Whatever you decide to do, we hope you have a safe and lovely Valentine’s Day Weekend Downtown!

Feel the Holiday Spirit in Downtown

Posted on December 14, 2020December 9, 2024 by digitalgear

Heading 2

’Tis the season of twinkling lights, bright decorations, gift shopping and of course- holiday events! The holidays may look different this year because of the pandemic, but there are still many ways we can bring on the cheer! To help you fill up your calendar for the rest of the month, we’ve compiled a list of just a few things you can do in Downtown Stockton this year. Happy Holidays!

1. Vote in the DSA Holiday Contest

WHEN: Dec.14th – Dec. 17th at noon
WHERE: DSA Facebook and Instagram pages
This year, the DSA is hosting a Holiday Contest to challenge our Downtown Stockton businesses owners to share creative holiday photos featuring their business. Even if you’re not a downtown business owner, get involved by viewing the awesome photos and voting to help your favorite businesses win! To vote, head over to our Facebook and Instagram pages and leave a like on your favorite photos. The voting period begins on Monday, December 14th, and will end on Thursday, December 17th at noon. The photos will definitely have you feeling the spirit of Christmas!

2. Virtual Visits with Santa

WHEN: Book now! Available dates: Dec.16,19, 22 & 23
WHERE: Anywhere you want!
This year, the Children’s Museum of Stockton is hosting virtual visits with Saint Nicholas himself. Create a magical moment for you and your loved ones with a visit from the North Pole right into your home (no milk and cookies required!). Imagine how excited the kiddos will be to see and interact with the one, the only, Santa Claus right in their living room for a personalized visit. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Museum of Stockton and Children’s Museum members receive special pricing. End the year with some magic!

3. Gift Shopping

There are two kinds of people: those who get their Christmas shopping done early, and those who scramble for those last-minute gifts! Whichever you are (we fall into the second category), we’re here to give you some ideas. Our local businesses need our support more than ever, and the holidays are the perfect time to shop local to find fun gifts for your friends and family. Walk into the Freckled Moon for unique gifts and trinkets of all kinds or visit FarOut Foliage to pick up a lush plant that can up the aesthetic of any room. Venture into Edible Arrangements to pick out a beautiful (and delicious) arrangement made of your favorite chocolate covered fruits or opt for a more traditional floral arrangement from Alex Floral. Several downtown restaurants, eatieries, and coffee shops, such as The Downtowner and Trail Coffee Roasters also offer gift cards, which can make great stocking stuffers or gifts on their own. Take a look at our complete directory of downtown businesses to plan your gift search and happy shopping!

4. Treat yourself

Anytime is a good time for self care, but its especially nice to treat yourself at the end of a long year- especially this one! Downtown Stockton is full of salons and barbershops, such as Natural Do and The Golden Rose Barbershop, ready to give you a fresh cut or new look for the holidays. If you’re looking for a refreshing skin treatment, head over to The Beauty Base. During the month of December, 20% from all of their sales/appointments will be used to create care packages for the homeless. Enjoy smooth skin and support a good cause. Speaking of skin, why not gift yourself a brand new tattoo for the holidays? We know you’ve been thinking about it. If you’re unsure about a new hairstyle, facial, or new tattoo, just remember these words: treat yo’self.

5. Indulge in sweets

Add sweet treats to the holiday menu by picking up some scrumptious goods downtown. D’lilah’s Cakery is having their end-of-the-year sale from December 23rd to December 24th from 11am-4:30pm! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to score cupcakes, sweet jars, and cheesecake for some insanely low prices. If you’re looking for some homemade pie to add to the table on Christmas Day, look no further than Trail Coffee Roasters. Choose from sweet potato pie, pear crumble, and mixed berry pie (or get all three) and place your order today. Order by December 17th and pick up at the downtown Trail location on Christmas Eve. Delivery is also available.

Now, we hope you’ve made some new plans for the remainder of December. Thank you for your continued support of our wonderful downtown businesses. We wish you Happy Holidays and look forward to seeing you next year!

Enjoy Downtown From Your Own Living Room

Posted on August 21, 2020December 9, 2024 by digitalgear

Heading 2

In efforts to stay safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, many upcoming events have been cancelled or postponed until further notice. However, this doesn’t mean you have to sit at home bored out of your mind during your free time! Today, we decided to compile a list of ways you can enjoy yourself from the comforts of your home- from following tutorials to participating in virtual events, there’s something for everyone!

Events

Virtual FMR
This year, our Full Moon Riders (FMR) event is going virtual! Normally, Full Moon Riders are monthly group bike rides that take place between the months of April and October. The rides typically begin at the Janet Leigh Plaza and end at a downtown restaurant. This year, we will be hosting one virtual FMR bike ride, which means you can bike the predetermined route at your own pace during the month of September! Follow the route, snap pictures along the way (more details to come), send them in to us, and you’ll receive a free FMR face mask and a $20 meal voucher (valid at select downtown eateries)! Additional details will be on our Facebook page soon.

StocktonCon Online
Are you an artist or cosplayer? Are you a fan of all things pop culture? Then make sure to check out this year’s virtual StocktonCon! The event took place August 15th-16th, but all of the livestreams are still available on their Facebook page. Enjoy art tutorials from professional artists and various panels: supreme pro wrestling, cosplay, voice acting panels, and more. Next year’s StocktonCon will take place at the Stockton Area on August 14-15th, so there’s plenty of time to prepare that new cosplay!

Talk to Downtown
Every second Wednesday of the month, the Downtown Stockton Alliance hosts our Talk to Downtown Facebook Livestream. Our goal is to connect you to city, county, and other organizations to answer any questions you may have about our local community. Getting the your questions to us is easy- just leave a comment during the livestream or send an email to our Marketing Director, Jessica, prior to the livestream! This month, our featured guest was Stockton’s City Manager, Harry Black. If you missed the live, you can watch it (and all of our other previous Talk to Downtown livestreams) on our Youtube Channel.

Stockton Strong Marketplace
The Stockmarket is a curated marketplace that features some of the best local crafts, art, and street food. It’s been postponed, but you can still support local artists and makers from home by shopping online at the Stockton Strong Marketplace! Here you’ll find unique earrings to add to your jewelry box, seasoning spice blends to flavor your next meal, aromatic candles to gracefully light up the dark corners of your room, and much more. Happy shopping!

DSA Takeout Challenge
Win a FREE DSA water bottle just for supporting our downtown eateries! It’s a win-win situation for all sides- you get free swag, AND you get to enjoy eating at delicious downtown restaurants. American food, Mexican food, Japanese food, Asian food… so many options, you may struggle to choose! Learn more about the challenge here.

Learn Something New

Advanced Entrepreneurship Online Program
Are you a business owner facing some business challenges? Then this FREE upcoming workshop, hosted by Centro Community Partners, is for you! The best part? You’ll receive over 30 hours of training, coaching, and guidance right from home. All you need is a smartphone or computer, and the dedication to making your business the best it can be! Register before August 27th to reserve your spot.

Show Your Hair Some Love
Just because we’re staying inside doesn’t mean we shouldn’t show some love to our hair! Natural Do, a natural hair care salon catering to individuals with kinky, curly, and wavy hair posts hair tips and tutorials on their Facebook page. The videos feature Valonne Smith, founder and CEO of Natural Do. Her passion and knowledge make following the videos a breeze, so grab your brush and mirror and get started! If you’re up for some reading, Valonne’s E-Book, Girl, Get Your Hair Back Too! The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Hair Healthier, Fuller, and Longer is also available for purchase.

Become a Plant Enthusiast
Plant lovers rejoice! FarOut Foliage, a new plant shop specializing in rare and unique plants, is opening downtown on Monday, August 24th! Netzel Huffhines, plant enthusiast (she has a personal collection of over 300 plants!) and owner, is excited to share her passion and knowledge of plants with anyone who may be interested in becoming a plant parent (or is already one!). Check out her Instagram page to see some of her gorgeous plants and to learn some plant care tips.

Read our Blog
Looking for some light reading? With over 100 blogs on our website (and counting!), you’ll have a lot to choose from! From community member spotlights, local business highlights, and more, keep yourself entertained and learn something new about downtown.

For the Kids

Children’s Museum of Stockton shares Fun Activities to Do at Home
Although the Children’s Museum of Stockton is closed to the public, the learning and fun continues online! Visit the museum’s website and Facebook page to find fun activities for the kiddos- and hey, you can join in, too (besides, do you really trust your kids with that food coloring?)! Partake in crafting popsicle stick pencils, paper roll apple cores, and many other creations that inspire imagination and creativity.

Reading (and Crafting) is Fun!
Drop by the San Joaquin County Public Library’s Facebook page for lively story times, interesting D.I.Y. craft ideas, and fun book recommendations. Perfect for the little ones, and guaranteed to keep their attention! If there’s a book calling your name and you’d like to borrow it from the library, check out their website for more information about their curbside service.

Bonus: Every Thursday, the library also hosts a Chavez Spanish Club over Zoom. If you’ve ever wanted to learn Spanish, now’s the perfect time!

Now that you’ve got some (virtual) plans added to your calendar, we’ve got one reminder for you: have fun!

Things to Do at Home

Posted on April 13, 2020 by digitalgear

Heading 2

By Jessica Nguyen

Per CDC guidelines to stay safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are staying home. As a result, our world is increasingly becoming even more digital. In Downtown Stockton, businesses and organizations have turned to virtual events and many restaurants and eateries have remained open to serve you delicious meals through pick up or delivery. In these unique and unprecedented times, our local businesses need our support more than ever! This is why we’ve compiled a list of downtown eateries that are still open for take out. A couple also offer Door Dash or Postmates (delivery services), meaning you don’t have to leave the comforts of your home for a tasty lunch or dinner! But first, we’ll be sharing a couple of virtual activities hosted by downtown organizations.

Fun and Educational Activities (yes, these exist) for Kids

Now that the kids are home from school, it might be a little challenging to find some educational activities that will entertain them. Luckily, downtown has two solutions: Visit The Children’s Museum of Stockton and the San Joaquin Public Library’s Facebook pages! The Children’s Museum of Stockton’s Facebook feed is full of fun, educational activities. From scavenger hunts, science projects, to easy and fun recipes, these hands-on activities are bound to keep the young ones entertained for hours! In addition, the San Joaquin County Public Library has live book readings. Kids will love these lively stories and will be captivated by the animated storyteller bringing the characters to life! The library will be announcing a live storytelling schedule soon on their Facebook page, so make sure to be on the lookout for that.

Virtual Activities/Events You Can Enjoy From the Comfort of Your Couch

Have you tried Walk With Weber, our virtual tour of Downtown Stockton? Narrated by knowledgeable and retired DSA Ambassador, Manuel Laguna, the tour takes you through downtown’s rich history by highlighting some of downtown’s oldest buildings! Learn about downtown and be prepared to be fascinated in the process!

Centro Community Partners works to provide aspiring and current business owners with advisory services and leadership programs that will help launch or grow their businesses. Interested in getting involved? There are two upcoming virtual events! First is Centro Community Partners Entrepreneur Bootcamp, where entrepreneurs can create their business plan in one weekend. Register by April 20th! In addition, there is a Centro Community Partners Basic Entrepreneur Workshop, where entrepreneurs will learn how to develop and improve upon their business plan while analyzing key aspects of their business. More details on how to register coming soon.

Don’t forget to follow your favorite downtown businesses on social media to stay in the know! Facebook and/or Instagram pages are great ways to find news and virtual activities or events.

Don’t Forsake Your Cravings

Craving Mexican Food? Chinese food? Greek food? Looking for a good burger or chicken sandwich? These don’t even cover all the variety downtown has to offer! Take a look at our list of open eateries and plan your meals for the day… or the week! We’ve also added a word search at the bottom if you’re looking for something to do! 🙂

Alfalfa’s – Take out/delivery
Downtowner – Take Out/Delivery
Moo Moo’s Burger Barn – Take Out/Delivery
Nash + Tender – Take out/Door Dash Delivery
Orlando’s Market and Deli – Take out only
Subway – Take out/Door Dash Delivery
Casa Flores – Take Out
Foo Lung Deli – Take Out
Misaki – Take Out/Door Dash
Papa Urbs – Take Out/Post Mate Delivery
Thai Thai – Take Out
Sunshine Hawaiian BBQ – Take out/Door Dash Delivery
Empresso – Take Out
Yasoo Yani – Take Out/Delivery for 10 or more
Kabob and Gyro House – Take Out/Door Dash Delivery
Cancun – Take Out
El Zarape – Take Out
Irma’s Place – Take Out
Maria’s – Take Out
Nena’s Restaurant – Take Out/Door Dash Delivery
Tio Pepe’s II – Take Out/Door Dash Delivery
Xochimilco – Take Out/Door Dash Delivery

WORD SEARCH: OPEN DOWNTOWN EATERIES

Kabob and Gyro House

Cancun

El Zarape

Irmas

Marias

Nenas

Tio Pepes

Misaki

Papa Urbs

Thai Thai

Sunshine Hawaiian BBQ

Empresso

Yasoo Yani

Alfalfas

Downtowner

MooMoos

NashTender

Orlandos

Subway

Casa Flores

Foo Lung Deli

If you are a downtown restaurant offering take out but are not listed above, please contact our Marketing Director, Alex McBride, at [email protected]. She will add your name to the list!

Dreaming of Warmer Days? Here Are Some Outdoor Downtown Events to Look Forward To!

Posted on February 14, 2020 by digitalgear

Heading 2

By Jessica Nguyen

Even though it’s still winter, days are shorter, and you can’t leave home without a jacket (even if its a light one), it’s never too early to start thinking about warmer, sunnier days, and the events they bring with them to Downtown Stockton! Trust me, you’re not the only one daydreaming about enjoying a walk by downtown’s waterfront, ordering an iced coffee at Empresso’s and relaxing in their outdoor seating, attending Ports games, or going for a Full Moon Riders bike ride in the evening! Below, we’ve put together a list of several outdoor events coming up in Downtown Stockton, just to get you even more excited about what’s to come and to give you a head start in planning! Make sure to visit our website’s Event’s Calendar and stay social with us on Social Media to receive updates on new events as soon as they’re added!

El Concilio’s Cinco de Mayo Family Festival

Love families? Love festivals? And love to have a good time? You’re in luck- El Concilio is putting on their annual Cinco de Mayo Family Festival at the Weber Point Events Center on Sunday, May 3rd! The largest Cinco de Mayo Family Fiesta in the Central Valley, the celebration will feature Hispanic culture, dance, and music and will honor and recognize diversity. Various food, beverage and arts and crafts vendors will be present for you to enjoy. Oh and of course, there will also be a children’s activities area for the little ones. Admission is $5, and children 12 and under are free!

Feast at the Fox

Feast at the Fox is a highly anticipated five-course dining experience located on Main Street in Downtown Stockton, right in front of the iconic Bob Hope Theater. This year, Feast of the Fox will take place on May 8th. Put on by Visit Stockton and the Delta College Culinary Arts program, the event will feature a menu of delicious creations by local chefs, made exclusively with fresh ingredients that were harvested from local areas. Not only would you get to indulge in an extraordinary dinner, but you’ll also get to enjoy live entertainment and a silent auction. Check out Visit Stockton’s website for ticket information and availability.

West Coast Conference Baseball Championships

What better way to spend warm evenings than by viewing America’s favorite pastime and cheering on the red, white and blue of our Stockton Ports? The West Coast Conference Baseball Championships take place between May 20th and May 23rd. There will be a Kids Clinic on the 20th, several baseball games on the 21st and 22nd, and finally, the championship game on Saturday, the 23rd. Check our events Calendar later for more details!

CRAVE Food Festival

We heard you’ve been craving something new, so we found plans for you on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend: Stockton’s newest food festival, CRAVE! From 2pm to 7pm, stroll through four entire blocks to order at tasty food trucks, eat at the irresistibly-smelling street food stalls, savor artisan drinks, and enjoy foodie related surprises. When you need a break after trying the 4th food truck (no judgments here, only encouragement), play some games, or listen and dance along to the live music. Not only do you get to bring your friends, family, and even your enemies if you want to, the event is pet friendly. Free admission, food trucks galore, alcohol and free admission?! Say no more. See you there!

Valentine’s Day Weekend in Downtown

Posted on February 11, 2020 by digitalgear

Heading 2

By Jordan Rosales

Just as the Christmas decorations have finally been taken down, their places have been filled with pink and red hearts, fat babies equipped with bows and arrows, and rows and rows of candy as far as the eye can see. February is here and love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is THIS Friday with plenty of things going on Downtown! While we’re sure you made plans for the special occasion months ago, we know there are some procrastinators out there. Luckily, for those late to the game (and their significant others) we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 ways to spend your Valentine’s Day in Downtown Stockton!

Top 5 Ways to Spend your Valentine’s Day in Downtown Stockton:

Go dancing: Salsa Night
- Although Chitiva’s usually reserves Salsa Night for Thursdays, they are extending it to Friday too for Valentine’s Day. From 8:30-9:30 PM they offer dance lessons and from 9:30-1:00 AM you can dance the night away. Admission is only $10!
See stand up comedian, Frankie Quiñones, at the Bob Hope Theatre
- You may recognize Frankie from Comedy Central, HBO, TBS, Nickelodeon, and his viral YouTube sketches. Not only will you get to see Frankie but his famous characters like Creeper and Juanita Carmelita too! Tickets are only $22 and available through Stockton Live.
Watch the Stockton Heat
- Turn up the heat with the Stockton Heat hockey team. They’ll be playing the Ontario Reign at the Stockton Arena 7:00-10:00 PM you can buy your tickets online or at the arena box office. Tickets range from $15- $38.
Release your inner child
- Let your inner child rule the night at The Deliberation Room. The Deliberation Room will be selling special heart-shaped pizzas and Valentine’s Day cocktails but most importantly, they will be offering FREE pool, air hockey, and arcade games. They’re even inviting Stockton Floral so you can buy some last-minute flowers on site.
Enjoy a romantic evening at the Mexican Heritage Center!
- Friday night at 6PM, head to the Mexican Heritage Center located at 111 S. Sutter St in #DowntownStockton, for Sopas de Amor! An evening featuring EIGHT soups showcasing different regions in Mexico. Cost is $25 per person. To reserve your spot, call or text (209) 969-9306.

2020: The year of the Library

Posted on January 24, 2020 by digitalgear

Heading 2

By Jordan Rosales

It may already be 2020, but 90’s nostalgia is at an all-time high and right now no other after school cartoon is remembered quite as fondly as Arthur. Arthur was always there to make us laugh and teach us valuable life lessons. Among the lessons on how to spell your name and how to be a friend, one of the most important things that Arthur taught us was that having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card! Luckily for us, there’s a fantastic library right here in Downtown Stockton and getting a library card is incredibly simple! All you need to do is walk into the Cesar Chavez branch with your ID. If your current address is different than the one listed on your ID simply bring something with your correct ID and if you are under 17 years old an adult needs to come with you to sign up.

Fun for Everyone!

Without a doubt, you will find traditional shelves of books on every subject imaginable at the Cesar Chavez Library, but you will also find that they offer fun programs and activities for the entire family! To view the programs simply go to the San Joaquin Library website at SSJCPL.org. From there you’ll want to click on the events calendar page in the dropdown menu labeled “programs.” Once you’re in the calendar, click limit by location and select the Cesar Chavez library! Just click go and you’re in!

The library offers multiple events almost every day of the month for every age range. Regular activities include free computer classes for seniors, genealogy helpers’ events for adults, teen SAT/ACT prep workshops, and preschool playtime/storytime for kids!

One upcoming program the library is especially excited to offer throughout the month of February is the Volunteer Income Tax Association (VITA) Free Tax Services offered every Tuesday from 10 am ‑ 7 pm. VITA helps people prepare for tax season! All you need to do is call them at (209) 483 – 4190 and book an appointment.

The library provides a wonderful sense of community through its many clubs: chess club, book club, coloring club, Lego club, and more! Not only that, but you are BOUND to make lasting family memories by attending one of their craft nights, where you can make things ranging from valentines to mugs! They also offer a bilingual storytime called Vamos A Leer. The best part of it is that all these programs are completely free with your library card!

The World at your Fingertips

While the staff at the Cesar Chavez Library would love to see you in person, they want to remind you that there a ton of online services they offer too. With just your library card, you have access to educational tools across the internet. Thousands of magazines await you with Flipster. You can stream critically acclaimed blockbusters like Lady Bird and Moonlight along with educational documentaries on Kanopy. Hoopla offers free e-books and free audio e-books perfect for long car rides like commutes and road trips. Tutor.com offers one on one chat to help kids with their homework in every subject all the way through their senior year of high school. Having a library card even grants you access to Rosetta Stone which will help you tackle that New Year’s resolution of learning a new language or prepare for a trip overseas.

If you thought libraries were a thing of the past, welcome to 2020. The Cesar Chavez library is so much more than a building with books – it offers community, education, and fun. So, if you’re ever bored and looking for something to do, just remember what your old pal Arthur said, “Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card!”

Deliberation Room

Posted on December 12, 2019 by digitalgear

Heading 2

By Nissi Guiao

Downtown is coming alive right before our eyes. And it’s because of good-hearted Stocktonians like Jacob Benguerel, owner of the local hotspot, Deliberation Room, who can see a better future for our city before it’s ever even in plain sight. Benguerel opened up shop not too long ago and he shares, “Deliberation Room was something that I decided to do because, as a kid, I saw what Modesto went through when it was worse than Stockton is now. My dad owned a business downtown and they had the same struggles we have, but it all began to turn around when restaurants and bars moved in. Being a big part of the downtown Stockton turnaround, I decided, ‘Why not?’”

That same care hasn’t changed for Benguerel as he understands that what’s “most important is that right now downtown businesses have to be a destination.” He’s been paying attention to the needs and wants of the community and states that they “are trying to respond to what [their] customers have told [them] they want.” Since taking notes on what their regulars are looking for, DR has gone through a bit of a transformational process, only making it an even better place to spend nights and weekends locally. “I’ve always been conscious of the fact that we need to be willing and able adapt in order to survive in the early stages of the revitalization process,” says Benguerel, and he’s not all talk. They’ve recently added an adult arcade (AN ADULT ARCADE!!!) “on top of the craft cocktails and handmade pizza” (yum) they’ve got going on, which truly “makes [them so] much more of a destination” nowadays.

Bringing life and excitement to Downtown

DR brings so much life and excitement to our community downtown. “Historically [they’ve] done drag shows, comedy shows, costume parties, live music, paint parties…” which naturally promotes the ever-growing nightlife scene in the area. As they’re getting ready to celebrate their “three year anniversary this coming New Year’s Eve,” Benguerel says, “We are looking at our events calendars starting next year to see what events we might carry over and if there are any new events we wanna bring in like arcade tournaments….” (and if that happens, we are so here for it).

Picture non-boring hangs with all the nostalgic feels playing retro games, drinking through their “good selection of signature cocktails.” Nothing quite beats that set-up, especially with your fave hype (or chill) crew. There’s always a reason to come in as “Melanie is always coming up with different drinks each week using fresh produce,” says Benguerel. As far as the changes go, what he enjoys “the most about the new concept is that [they] have this mixture of a completely unique ambiance, great pizza and awesome craft cocktails.” He tells us that “the two most popular [are] the ‘Stop and Frisk’ and the ‘Barely Legal,’ so go give those a try if you haven’t treated yourself to them yet.

Since all of this is legit not fake news or even too good to be true, this is your cue to accept the open invitation to make face at the newly remodeled downtown destination we’re so stoked about. We’ve made it easy for you with all this cool info. Actually, they have (with all the fun additions), so no need to deliberate, just grab some friends and celebrate all the fun changes. Really, now the only thing missing at the Deliberation Room, well, is y-o-u!

(More “deets” about DR, take notes)

Big changes

“Deliberation Room in Downtown Stockton has undergone big changes while maintaining its unique environment and decor. They have installed an adult arcade, pool table, air hockey table, dart board and jukebox. The arcades have ALL of the classic games that you grew up playing…Pacman, Centipede, NBA Jams, Mortal Combat, Street Fighter and many more. Also new to Deliberation Room is a full menu of fresh, hand made pizzas that will soon be available through Grubhub and DoorDash. As always they also have great craft cocktails, craft beer and over 50 different whiskeys! The Deliberation Room is open for happy hour and dinner each Tuesday through Friday and each Friday and Saturday ’till 2am. The new additions make it a perfect spot to host your next business event or to go out with coworkers for happy hour. You will be the hero when your coworkers are introduced to the new Deliberation Room and find out that it was your idea to bring them!”

Downtown Fast Q&A:

What’s your go-to Downtown coffee spot?

“I don’t drink coffee but if I did it would obviously be my neighbors…Trail Coffee!”

2. What Downtown winter event are you most excited about?

“The boat parade. Its a pretty awesome experience down there at the waterfront!”

3. What is Downtown’s Spirit Animal?

“It’s gotta be the racoon….totally shocked the 1st time I saw a racoon run through the city streets!”

4. Describe Downtown in one word.

“Changing”

Connect with them on facebook or on instagram!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeliberationRoom/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliberationroom/