In the spirit and tradition of Independence Day, The Reporter and Vacaville Museum co-sponsor the eighteenth annual Fourth of July Musical Americana. Playing lively Dixieland Jazz selections, this year's featured performers at the free outdoor concert are members of ĪThe Barkin Dawg' Jazz Band. Music will be performed in the Museum's tree shaded courtyard at 213 Buck Avenue from 3:00 PM to 5PM on July 4th, 2006.

"The Barkin Dawg" Jazz Band formed their own Dixieland style in the Lodi and Stockton area 10 years ago and have been performing throughout the region at major Jazz events ever since. They were originally formed as the Traditional Jazz Youth Band started by Bob Romans of Lodi. The leadership of the band is now in the hands Rikki Nishimori. Over the past ten years the BDJB has played many jazz festivals in California: Sacramento Jazz Jubilee (9 years) Fresno Mardi Gras (4 Years) Dixieland Monterey Jazz Festival (3 years) Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee (3 years). Most of the band is now in college and their love and appreciation for Traditional Jazz as an art form as well as a staple in American History has only grown stronger with time. Members of the band are; Rikki Nishimori - Trumpet/Leader, Jeff Waters - Clarinet, Katie Waters - Tenor Saxophone, Grady Gardenhire - Trombone, Priscilla Ornelas - Tuba, Roger Coss - Piano, Richard Ornelas - Guitar, Jonathan Raman - Drums.

Listeners are encouraged to arrive early, bring a lawn chair and relax with friends and neighbors. Traditionally, the audience wears red, white, and blue and has fun listening to music while waving a few Stars and Stripes. Popcorn and lemonade will be sold by the Museum Guild. There is no charge for the outdoor concert. The Vacaville Museum is located at 213 Buck Avenue, in a tree-shaded Victorian neighborhood in historic downtown Vacaville. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.