Lodi Locals
Did you know that Maine lobsters were once so abundant that they washed up on beaches in piles two feet high? Colonial prisoners complained about being fed lobster too often. Now they cost $24 a roll and people drive across town for them. Funny how things change.
In today’s Lodi Locals:
Comic Con weekend with on-site CGC grading and cosplay everywhere
Maine lobster rolls at The Vineyards Apartments Sunday evening
Full moon paddle launching Friday night at 8 PM
Fly fishing lessons at Hutchins Street Square
15+ live music shows across local wineries and breweries
Let's get into it.
Hunter Talamantez
Events
📷 via @cousinmainelobster on facebook
Cousins Maine Lobster at The Vineyards Apartments | Sunday, May 3 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
If you have been waiting for an excuse to eat an entire lobster roll without judgment, this is your moment. Cousins Maine Lobster is rolling their food truck into The Vineyards Apartments on Sunday evening. Their Connecticut roll comes warm with butter and lemon, their Maine roll comes chilled with mayo, and both cost around $24 on a New England style bun. They also do lobster tacos, lobster grilled cheese, and lobster bisque if you want to keep the theme going. You can order ahead on their mobile app (it opens a few hours before the event) or order directly at the truck window with cash, card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Low key Sunday evening vibes.
📍 The Vineyards Apartments, 835 W Harney Ln, Lodi
📷 via @LodiParks on facebook
Senior Single Mingle | Tuesday, May 6 | 4:00 PM
The City of Lodi Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services is hosting a Senior Single Mingle on Tuesday afternoon, and if you or someone you know has been thinking about getting back out there, this is a pretty low pressure way to do it. The event is designed for single seniors to meet new people and make friends. Bring a single senior friend and you are entered for a chance to win a prize. It is free to attend, and the whole thing has that easygoing community vibe where no one is taking themselves too seriously. Worth showing up for if you are looking to expand your social circle or just want to spend a Tuesday afternoon around people who get it.
📍 Lodi Community Art Center, 110 W Pine St, Lodi
📷 via @greaterlodiareademocrats on facebook
Pints & Politics | Wednesday, May 7 | 4:30 PM
If you want to talk local politics over a beer without it turning into Thanksgiving dinner, the Greater Lodi Area Democrats are hosting Pints & Politics at Side Hustle Brew Co on Wednesday afternoon. This is the kind of informal meetup where you can show up, grab your favorite drink, and actually talk about what is happening in Lodi and San Joaquin County without anyone yelling. Side Hustle hosts a food truck in their outdoor seating area, so you can eat while you catch up on local political developments. The vibe is relaxed, the crowd is progressive, and honestly it is just nice to be around people who care about the same stuff you do.
📍 Side Hustle Brew Co / Riaza Wines, 2441 S Stockton St Ste 1, Lodi
📷 via @JamesSpenceAuthentication on facebook
CGC and JSA at Lodi Comic Con | Friday & Saturday, May 9-10 | 11:00 AM
If you have been sitting on a stack of comics or collectibles wondering what they are actually worth, Lodi Comic Con is bringing in the professionals. CGC and JSA are setting up on site all weekend to grade comic books and authenticate autographs, which means you can finally get that vintage issue officially certified without mailing it off and waiting three months. Comic Con runs Friday 11 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 3 PM at the Grape Festival Grounds. Tickets are cheap, kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult, and the whole thing has that family friendly pop culture energy where cosplayers, vendors, and collector booths all show up in one place.
📍 Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi
🍃Fresh Air Finds
📷 via @DeltaFlyFishers on facebook
Friday Night Casting Session | Friday, May 1 | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Delta Fly Fishers runs this monthly casting instruction at Hutchins Street Square, and it's a great way to try something new without buying a bunch of gear first. They'll lend you a rod if you need one. You can work on specific techniques, get feedback on your form, or chip away at FFF certification if that's your thing. The whole session is free and open to anyone. Just bring eye protection and be ready to sign a waiver. If you have questions check out their site here.
📍 Hutchins Street Square, 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi, CA 95240
📷 via @LodiBoathouse on facebook
Full Moon Paddle | Friday, May 1 | 8:00 pm
This is Lodi Boathouse guided paddle under the Flower Moon (Flower Moon is the traditional word for full moon in may). You launch from Lodi Lake, head down the Mokelumne River to watch the moon rise, then paddle back under it. The whole thing takes about 90 minutes. They discourage flashlights so everyone keeps their night vision, but glow sticks on your kayak are totally fair game. It's $65 if you need to rent gear, $40 if you bring your own. You need to pre-register through their site, and they recommend showing up 20 minutes early so the group can launch on time. If you've never done a night paddle, this one's worth it.
📍 Lodi Boathouse, 1101 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA 95242
💼 Local Business
Rock N Roll Hand Rolled Premium Ice Cream
Lodi just got a lot cooler. Rock N Roll Handrolled Premium Ice Cream opened on West Kettleman Lane last week, and the Instagram-worthy ice cream rolls are already making waves.
Here's how it works. You order your flavor. The crew pours a liquid ice cream base onto a frozen metal plate and chops in your toppings right there, mixing everything with two metal spatulas. The whole thing freezes in about two minutes. Then they spread the frozen cream into a thin sheet and scrape it up at a 45-degree angle, creating those signature spiral rolls that stack up in your cup. It's part dessert, part performance. You watch the whole thing happen right in front of you.
Founder Baylee Grove wanted to bring rolled ice cream to her community without cutting corners. The shop makes five bases in house every day: vanilla, chocolate, matcha, coffee, and salted caramel. Nothing comes from a package or mix. They also make fresh waffle tacos, crepes, and paninis daily. Vegan options available.
Baylee started in Hidden Valley Lake and won first place in the 2022 Lake County Business Competition. Since then, Rock N Roll has expanded to Stockton, Lathrop, Manteca, and now Lodi.
The Lodi location is at 2414 West Kettleman Lane, Suite 210. Fresh ingredients, zero preservatives, and a dessert made right in front of you. Rolled ice cream isn't new worldwide, but it's new to Lodi.
📍 Rock N Roll Hand Rolled Premium Ice Cream, 2414 W Kettleman Ln, Suite 210, Lodi, CA 95242
🎶 LIVE MUSIC | APRIL 2026
Thu - Apr 30
Payton Mahoney (Singer-Songwriter – Thursday Night Music) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Fri - May 1
Network (Rock/Variety – “After Hours”) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
DWR Crew (Country / Line Dance – Country Dance Night) | 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi
Artist TBA (Acoustic/Variety – Sunset Sippin’) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Bokisch Vineyards - 18921 Atkins Rd, Lodi
Sat - May 2
Chanticleer (Classical/Choral) | 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Hutchins Street Square - 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi
David Perez Band (Latin – Cinco De Vino) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Michael David Winery - 4580 W Hwy 12, Lodi
Rock’n Roleando (Rock/Latin – Cinco de Mayo) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Sun - May 3
Blues Mechanics (Blues) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Dave Atencio (Acoustic/Rock – Sunday Music Live) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Van Ruiten Family Winery - 340 W Hwy 12, Lodi
The Retrofitz (Classic Rock / 60s–80s Covers) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Wilson Family Winery - 11484 E Harney Lane, Lodi
Thu - May 7
William Smith Jr. (Acoustic/Soul – Thursday Night Music) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Fri - May 8
Playback (Rock / 80s–90s Covers – “After Hours”) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Now Now (Indie Pop – Sunset Sippin’) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Bokisch Vineyards - 18921 Atkins Rd, Lodi
Sat - May 9
Los Caminantes de Humberto Navarro (Regional Mexican) | 8:00 PM
📍 El Encanto Event Center - 100 N Cherokee Ln, Lodi
The Nick Elwood Band (Pop/Soul/Rock/Country) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Sun - May 10
The Retrofitz – Mother’s Day Show (Classic Rock / Soulful Covers) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
She Calls Him Wilson (Indie/Folk – Sunday Music Live) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Van Ruiten Family Winery - 340 W Hwy 12, Lodi
Geoffrey Miller & Rockin’ Rousers + Guests (Country/Rockabilly) | 7:00 PM
📍 Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi
Wed - May 13
Open Mic Night (Local Musicians / Mixed Genres)
📍 Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi
Thu - May 14
The Traveler / Jeff Carl (Singer-Songwriter – Thursday Night Music) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Donovan Bryant (R&B/Soul) | $5 cover
📍 Five Window Beer Co. - 9 W Locust St, Lodi
Fri - May 15
Neighborhood Noise (Rock/Variety – “After Hours”) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Sat - May 16
Western Bound (Honky Tonk/Country) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Corduroy – The Ultimate Pearl Jam Experience (90s Grunge – Rock the Vineyard) | 6:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Sun - May 17
William Smith Jr. (Acoustic/Soul) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Sat - May 23
Kool Wind & Fire + Sweet Tina (Tribute – Kool & the Gang, Earth Wind & Fire & Tina Turner – Groovin’ in the Grove) | 7:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Thu - May 28
Big Booty Bob (Thursday Night Music) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Fri - May 30
The Network Band (Rock/Variety)
📍 Five Window Beer Co. - 9 W Locust St, Lodi
Thanks for reading! It means more than you know that you take a few minutes out of your day to stay connected with our little corner of the world. See you around Lodi! 🍇
