The Napa Valley Symphony Orchestra joined the big leagues over the holiday weekend.

Behind the sky-blue walls of “Whitsill Manor” are a slew of hand-made bears, a mob of gnomes, a collection of vintage sheet-music covers, the beginnings of a grove of palm trees, a handsome Yamaha conservatory grand piano — and the musical duo of Wesla Whitfield and Mike Greensill.

Thanks to the efforts of a benevolent businessman and a pair of headlining entertainers, Napa’s about to have a nightclub focusing on jazz and the great American songbook.

At the opening concert of this year’s Robert Mondavi Summer Festival last Saturday night, a friend reminded me of an important fact concerning the roster of New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Experience France through the eye of an artist September 19-29 with Kathleen Iudice, the former public relations director at Copia in Napa, and artist and teacher Susan Riegel.

Wanda  McGill, director of Napa Regional Dance Company is looking for a new Drosselmeyer for the 2008 production of “The Nutcracker” at Lincoln Theater. Drosselmeyer has minimal dancing in the classic ballet, but the mysterious, magical character sets the story in motion when he presents a young girl with a Christmas Eve gift. McGill notes the company has only had two Drosselmeyers in the eight years they’ve produced the popular holiday classic for the community. “My last one is not available this season and the other one moved out of Napa,” McGill wrote in an e-mail to the Register. “I really want the person who does this part to be from Napa!”

Napa artist Peter Scaturro is having an online sale of some of his works to make room for new works in his studio. Those from two categories — Paintings 29” x 21” and Abstract in Motion 9' x 9' — are reduced by 20 percent through July 31. These one-of-a-kind original watercolors are created on archival quality Arches or Fabriano 140 pound paper using archival paints. They can be viewed at http://www.peterscaturro.com/gallery/5493/%20paintings%2029%20x%2021) and  http://www.peterscaturro.com/gallery/5509/%Abstract%20in%20Motion%20Series%20%209%20x%209/). You can also go to his Web site home page www.peterscaturro.com to view other work not on sale.

Delta Discovery Cruises is sponsoring a Full Moon Dinner Cruise aboard  the ‘Island Serenade’ on Friday, July 18. Dine while cruising from the Pittsburg Marina,watching the sun set and the full moon rise and exploring the world of metaphysics with three onboard psychis and an “amazing” aura camera.

“The Art Books of Matisse,” the new exhibition at the Napa Valley Museum, is an opportunity to experience a watershed in the career of this 20th century master of Modernism.

Put on your dancing shoes.