Aug 7-8: Burlingame Artzfest. With a showcase of local music talent and works by Bay Area artists, a wine pavilion, a home and garden exhibition, and gourmet food, this annual festival promises to jazz things up. 10-6. (Burlingame: Burlingame Ave.; 650/344-1735; www.teamproevent.com/events/burlingame.html)
Aug 7-8: Cabrillo Music Food Art & Wine Festival. Downtown Santa Cruz comes alive with summertime fun as artists, craft and food vendors, local wineries and Grateful Dead tribute bands take to the streets. Listen to nonstop world music performances, bring the kiddies to the interactive Creativity Tent, help create a giant musical instrument out of recycled materials and soak up the sun at this annual event. 11-8. (Santa Cruz: Church St. outside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium; 831/426-6966; www.cabrillomusic.org)
Aug 7-8: Los Gatos Fiesta de Artes. A tradition for more than 30 years, this is Los Gatos’ only art and wine festival, bringing together artisans, vintners, microbrewers, merchants and local entertainers all in one place. Come by and enjoy some quality art and food while taking in a live music performance or two. 10-6. (Los Gatos: Civic Center Grounds, 110 E. Main Street; 408/354-6559; www.lgfiesta.org)
Aug 14: San Jose Super Toy, Comic and Record Show. Feeling nostalgic for those great toys you used to play with as a kid? Then head to this special expo, where you’ll find 240 tables of vintage and modern toys and collectibles, such as Transformers, Lego and Star Wars figurines; comic books; and hard-to-find vinyl records. Early bird hours: 9-10:59: general admission from 11-4. (Santa Clara: County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd.; 408/298-1709; www.timetunneltoys.com/toyshow.html)
Aug 14-15: Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival. Enjoy a leisurely weekend in the park while browsing art from over 120 fine artists, tasting award-winning wines and microbrews and great food, and taking in some live entertainment. Don’t miss this event of great taste and style! 10-6. (Scotts Valley: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Rd., 17 miles south of Los Gatos on Hwy. 17, Mt Hermon Rd exit; 831/438-1010; www.svchamber.org/ArtandWineFestival.htm)
Aug 21-22: San Jose Gay Pride Festival and Parade. Celebrate diversity in the Bay Area! The festivities kick off with a community day for friends and family with a full lineup of entertainment, delicious food and drinks, and crafts and booths. The parade will be held Sunday in downtown San Jose followed by a daylong festival with headliner entertainment. 11am. (San Jose: Discovery Meadow, E. San Carlos St. and Woz Way; see www.sanjosepride.com for more info)
Aug 28-29: Annual Family Festa. Experience a little bit of Italy in San Jose. Italian culture and local history will convene in an eventful weekend-long celebration in downtown Willow Glen. Enjoy great entertainment, delicious Italian cuisine, a grape-stomping contest, Italian folk dancing, arts and crafts booths, bocce ball and much more. Sat, 11-8; Sun, 11-6. (San Jose: Downtown Willow Glen along Lincoln Ave.; 408/293-7122; http://festa.iahfsj.org)
Aug 28-29: Palo Alto Festival of the Arts. Arts and crafts, food, wine, beer, live music and street performers are part of this popular annual festival. Browse the wares of 300 artists and crafters, check out the Italian Street Painting expo, where 70 chalk artists create larger-than-life works, and take in a classical concert. 10-6. (Palo Alto: University Ave.; 650/324-3121; www.mlaproductions.com)
Outdoor Movies
Thru Aug 25: Starlight Cinemas. Enjoy movie favorites outside under the stars during this free film series. Find a spot, lay out a blanket, sit back and relax as movies roll every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday in the summer. In August, catch The Goonies (Aug 11, San Pedro Square between Santa Clara St. and St. John St.); Creature from the Black Lagoon (Aug 18, Post St. between First St. & Market St.); and Zombieland (Aug 26, SoFa District, South First St. and William St.) Begins at dusk. (San Jose; 408/279-1775; www.sjdowntown.com)
Thru Sept 9: Movies on the Square. Check out modern and classic movies on a huge inflatable screen outside the Old Courthouse in the heart of downtown Redwood City.In August, see Ghost (Aug 5); Star Trek (Aug 12); Up (Aug 19); and Alice in Wonderland (Aug 26). Begins at sundown, circa 8:45pm. (Redwood City: Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway St.; 650/780-7000; www.redwoodcity.org)
Dine & Wine Events
Aug 7: Winemakers’ Celebration. Toast the coast with world-class wine tastes from more than 40 Monterey County wineries while listening to the musical stylings of the Dennis Murphy Band and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants. Check out educational displays, and cast your bids in an impressive wine auction to boot. 1-5. (Monterey: Historic Custom House Plaza; 831/375-9400; www.montereywines.org)
Aug 13: Summer Dinner. Enjoy a five-course gourmet wine-paired dinner featuring Niman Ranch pork loin prepared by chef David Page and 2007 J. Lohr Tower Road Petite Syrah. 7pm. (San Jose: 1000 Lenzen Ave.; 408/918-2176; www.jlohr.com)
Aug 21: Harvest Festival. Join Guglielmo Winery in celebrating summer with a delectable steak barbecue dinner, complete with pasta con pesto, salad, garlic bread, dessert and, of course, the winery’s award-winning vintages. Live music adds verve to this much-anticipated annual event. 2-9:30pm. (Morgan Hill: Guglielmo Winery, 1480 E. Main Ave.; 408/779-2145; www.guglielmowinery.com)
Aug 27: Wine & Summer Dessert Pairing Seminar. Get a taste of the sweet life with six bite-size summer desserts paired with six J. Lohr wines. 7:30pm. (San Jose: 1000 Lenzen Ave.; 408/918-2176; www.jlohr.com)
Aug 28: J. Lohr Descriptor Seminar. Develop your objectivity in tasting wine, and expand your wine vocabulary during this education event, where you’ll start with a simplified component tasting, then discover the difference between aromas and bouquets by smelling descriptors, such as butter, peach and vanilla, in wine solutions, and finally use your new skills to taste various J. Lohr wines. 7pm. (San Jose: 1000 Lenzen Ave.; 408/918-2176; www.jlohr.com)
Music: Series
Thru Aug 7: Stanford Jazz Festival. Returning for its 39th year, this world-class musical showcase is a jazz lover’s dream. Featuring top acts and rising stars, the festival offers a range of concerts covering different genres, from Latin to straight jazz. In August, see such acts as Dave Douglas Quintet Plus (Aug 1, 8pm); George Cables Trio (Aug 2, 8pm); Nicholas Payton with the Taylor Eigsti Trio (Aug 3, 8pm); Joshua Redman Trio (Aug 4, 8pm); SJW All-Star Jam Session (Aug 6, 8pm); and Taylor Eigsti Group featuring Becca Stevens (Aug 7, 8pm). (Stanford: various venues and times; 650/725-2787; www.stanfordjazz.org)
Thru Aug 11: Music on the Square. Relax in Courthouse Square while enjoying live music. In August, see jazz/boogie band Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums (Aug 6); Fleetwood Mac tribute band Rumours (Aug 13); country group Courtney Lynn & Big Trouble (Aug 20); and reggae group Native Elements (Aug 27). 6-8. (Redwood City: Stafford Park, corner of King St. & Hopkins Ave.; 650/780-7000; www.ci.redwood-city.ca.us)
Thru Aug 16: Jazz on the Main. Head to downtown Redwood City for the best in local jazz under the stars every Monday evening. In August, see jazz violinist Mads Tolling Quartet (Aug 2); Kristin Strom Quartet (Aug 9); vibraphonist and guitarist Tamburr/Vitchev Project (Aug 16). 6-8. (Redwood City: Main St. and Broadway; 650/780-7000; www.ci.redwood-city.ca.us)
Thru Aug 26: Music In the Park. San Jose kicks off summer with its outdoor concert series, a downtown tradition for more than 20 years. In August, see Michael Jackson tribute band Foreverland (Aug 5); reggae artist Michael Rose (Aug 12); classic rock group Y&T (Aug 19); and reggae act Pato Banton (Aug 26). 5:30-9:15. (San Jose: Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Market St. between San Fernando and San Carlos Sts.; 408/279-1775; www.sjdowntown.com)
Thru Aug 31: Flavors of Jazz. Santana Row’s popular summer jazz series returns for another smash year, with an exciting lineup of artists across a wide variety of styles, from straight jazz to reggae-influenced jazz. Visit various San Jose restaurants as they host these talented musicians every Tuesday This month, acts include Fil Lorenz at Roux Louisiana Kitchen (Aug 3); Kristen Strom at Left Bank Brasserie (Aug 10); Oscar Pangilinan at Straits Restaurant (Aug 17); Gus Kambeitz at LB Steak (Aug 24); and John Worley at Thea Mediterranean Cuisine (Aug 31). 6:30-8:30. Presented by San Jose Jazz. (San Jose: Santana Row, various locations; 408/551-4611; www.santanarow.com)
Music: Classical & Choral
Thru Aug 14: Music@Menlo Festival: Maps & Legends. Music@Menlo’s eighth season takes music lovers on a multidimensional journey through human experiences with several concert series featuring works by legendary classical composers. Vienna (thru Aug 2) offers works by Haydn, Beethoven, Schoenberg and Brahams; Aftermath: 1945 (Aug 4-5) comprises works by Strauss, Shostakovich and Britten; La Ville-Lumière: Paris, 1920–1928(Aug 7), highlighting pieces from such composers as Copland, Prokofiev, Fauré, Ravel and Poulenc; Spanish Inspirations (Aug 9-10), with works by such figures as Debussy, Turina and Albéniz; and Dvořák’s America (Aug 13-14), with works by Dvořák, Barber, Bolcom and Burleigh.Various times; see www.musicatmenlo.org for full schedule. (Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Atherton: various locations; 650/330-2030; www.musicatmenlo.org)
Aug 1-15: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. The brightest stars on the classical and contemporary music scene shine through at this annual festival. This year’s impressive lineup includes dazzling performances by such guest artists as the dynamic Eighth Blackbird sextet (Aug 6, 8pm); the renowned percussionist Colin Currie (Aug 7, 8pm); the acclaimed San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet (Aug 8, 8pm); the impressive pianist Kevin Puts (Aug 14, 8pm); and of course the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, conducted by Marin Alsop. Special events such as conductor panel discussions, benefit concerts, a music, art and wine festival and more round out the fun. Various times. (Santa Cruz: most performances are at Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St.; call 831/420-5260 or see www.cabrillomusic.org for full schedule)
Aug 22: Symphony Silicon Valley presents Strauss to Sondheim. Enjoy a summer evening performance on the lawn with the symphony, which plays selections from Strauss, such as “Die Fiedermaus” and “The Blue Danube,” as well as Broadway favorites by Gershwin and Steven Sondheim. 5pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd.; 408/961-5858; www.symphonysiliconvalley.com)
Music: Jazz & Other
Aug 1: Symphony Silicon Valley presents Your Hit Parade. Inspired by a popular radio program from 1935-1955, the symphony recreates the swinging era of such legends Ella Fitzgerald, the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby and early Frank Sinatra by performing time-honored ballads, one-hit wonders and novelty songs. 5:30pm. (San Jose: San Jose State University, 4th St. and W. San Carlos St.; 408/286-2600; www.symphonysiliconvalley.com)
Aug 1-31: Summer Concerts at the Mountain Winery. Catch some of the biggest names in music in this historic winery’s amphitheater under a midsummer evening sky. This month, catch R&B star John Legend (Aug 1, 7:30pm); Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band (Aug 3, 8pm); folk singers Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin (Aug 5, 7:30pm); rock and Tejano fusion band Los Lonely Boys (Aug 6, 7pm); comedienne Chelsea Handler (Aug 7, 8pm); classic rock band Styx (Aug 8, 7:30pm); folk musician Natalie Merchant (Aug 9; 7:30pm); 80s rock supergroups Blondie and The B52s (Aug 10, 7:30pm); 80s pop band Huey Lewis & the News (Aug 11, 7:30pm); standup comedian Ron White (Aug 14, 8pm); pop rock star Rob Thomas (Aug 15, 7:30pm); 80s rocker Billy Idol (Aug 16, 7:30pm); 80s pop songstress Cyndi Lauper (Aug 17, 7:30pm); country star Lucinda Williams (Aug 18, 7:30pm); folk-rock duo The Swell Season (Aug 19, 7:30pm); 60s inspired Hippiefest (Aug 20, 6:30pm); blues guitar legend B.B. King (Aug 21, 7:30pm); rock guitarist John Hiatt and Los Lobos (Aug 22, 7pm); rocker Rufus Wainwright (Aug 23, 7pm); Australian rock band Crowded House (Aug 24, 7pm); Garrison Keillor: A Prairie Home Companion (Aug 25, 7:30pm); rock queen Melissa Etheridge (Aug 26, 7:30pm); blues rocker Chris Isaak (Aug 27-28, 7:30pm); traditional Irish group Celtic Woman (Aug 29, 7:30pm); and funk/soul group Earth, Wind & Fire (Aug 31, 7:30pm). (Saratoga: 14831 Pierce Rd.; 408/741-2822; mountainwinery.com)
Aug 6: Dave Koz and Jonathan Butler. A favorite among urban contemporary, light jazz and pop audiences, Koz is a premier instrumental pop saxophonist who likes to mix it up with covers, upbeat songs and original compositions. 7:30pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd.; 408/961-5858; www.montalvoarts.org)
Aug 6-29: Concerts at Shoreline Amphitheater. Catch the biggest names in pop, rock, hip-hop and beyond at this celebrated venue. In August, see country star Toby Keith (Aug 6, 7:17pm); classic rock band Rush (Aug 9, 7:30pm); pop culture favorite American Idol Live! (Aug 14, 7:30pm); pop rock star John Mayer (Aug 20, 7pm); hip hop and R&B festival Rock the Bells (Aug 22, 10:30am); famed alt-rock group Dave Matthews Band (Aug 28, 7pm); and Kihncert 2010 featuring Lynyrd Skynrd with Blue Oyster Cult and Greg Kihn (Aug 29, 6pm). (Mountain View: Shoreline Amphitheater, 1 Amphitheater Pkwy.; 650/967-4040; www.shorelineamp.com)
Aug 12: Joan Baez. The iconic interpretive folk singer of the 60s is still going strong with her signature soprano vocal stylings, politically charged messages and pop/rock original compositions. 7pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd.; 408/961-5858; www.montalvoarts.org)
Aug 13-15: AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival. San Jose’s premier summer music festival returns with an internationally flavored jazz lineup featuring world-class artists hailing from different genres. Known to draw more than 100,000 fans each year from here and across the United States, this popular event never fails to please music lovers. This year’s festival highlights include George Clinton, an influential innovator of funk music (Aug 13, 7:30pm); Grupo Falso Baiano, known for its blend of traditional Brazilian choro music, jazz, flamenco and samba (Aug 14, 4pm); Maceo Parker, a world-famous funk and soul jazz saxophone player (Aug 14, 2pm); and The Ford Blues Band with Robben Ford, named “one of the 100 greatest guitarists of the 20th century” by Musician Magazine (Aug 15, 7pm). Various times. (San Jose: Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park; 408/288-7557; www.sanjosejazz.org)
Aug 16-17: Lady Gaga. Inspired by such glam-rock icons as David Bowie and Queen, this runaway star has become a pop idol in her own right with her infectious dance hits and avant-garde style. 8pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion, 550 W. Santa Clara St.; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
Aug 20: Al Jarreau and the George Duke Trio. Jarreau, a seven-time Grammy winner known for his jazz, pop, soul and funk-infused sound joins the stage with the trio, led by Duke, a veteran keyboardist and synthesizer pioneer. 7pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd.; 408/961-5858; www.montalvoarts.org)
Special Events
Aug 11-15 & 18-22: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present Funundrum! the newest circus extravaganza to hit the stage. Led by magical ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, this spellbinding spectacle celebrates the 200th anniversary of P.T. Barnum’s birth by taking you to the far reaches of your imagination. See the Flying Caceres attempt to complete the quadruple somersault on the flying trapeze, a feat that hasn’t been mastered in more than 30 years; watch the Puyang Troupe from China put on a stunning display of dexterity as they bounce, flip, and twirl on a two-tiered trampoline; be amazed by the Body Benders, who can fit three humans in a cube the size of a milk crate; and more! With such enchanting, exciting acts, the production lives up to its moniker as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Oakland, Aug 11-15: Wed-Fri, 7:30pm; Sat, 11am, 3 & 7pm; Sun, 1 & 5pm. San Jose, Aug 18-22: Wednesday-Fri, 7:30pm; Sat-Sun, 11am, 3 & 7pm. (Oakland: Oracle Arena, off I-880 at 66th Ave; and San Jose: HP Pavilion, 525 W. Santa Clara St.; 800/745-3000 for tickets; www.hppsj.com)
Comedy
Aug 19: Bill Maher. The host of the HBO series Real Time with Bill Maher, bestselling author and standup comedian still knows how to press his audiences’ buttons and leave them in stitches. 8pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd.; 408/961-5858; www.montalvoarts.org)
Theater & Musicals
Thru Aug 8: TheatreWorks presents Auctioning the Ainsleys. The bids come fast and furious as a family of professional auctioneers puts its heart, heritage and darkest secrets on the block in this comic drama by playwright Laura Schellhardt, one of the country’s brightest rising stars. Featuring a flair for mystery, language, and laughter, this wildly original play explores what happens when what people own becomes more important than who they are. Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2& 8pm (no 2pm show Aug 7); Sun, 2 & 7pm (no 7pm show Aug 8). (Palo Alto: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd.; 650/463-1960; www.theatreworks.org)
Thru Aug 15: Foothill Musical Theater presents Anything Goes, a madcap nautical adventure-comedy featuring timeless tunes by the legendary Cole Porter. A lovesick Billy Crocker stows away on a cross-Atlantic cruise to win the heart of Hope Harcourt, an heiress who’s about to marry the stodgy Lord Oakleigh. With a little help from his friends, an Evangelist nightclub singer, a mobster, and a host of other colorful characters, will Billy save Hope from making the biggest mistake of her life? You’ll surely recognize such Cole Porter favorites as “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “It’s De-lovely,” as hijinks unfold on the high seas. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (Los Altos Hills: Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd.; 650/949-7360; www.foothill.edu/theatre/anything-goes)
Thru Aug 15: The Retro Dome presents Sisters of Swing: The Story of the Andrews Sisters. Join in on this toe-tapping, finger-snapping live musical tribute to the most successful female group of all time, The Andrews Sisters, whose careers spanned a quarter of a century. Follow the sisters from their early days on the road through their rise as recording stars to entertaining American GIs overseas to splitting up over creative differences. The score intermingles over 20 hit songs including “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “Rum and Coca-Cola,” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: The Retro Dome, 1694 Saratoga Ave.; 408/404-7711; http://retrodome.guggyent.com)
Thru Aug 21: Coastal Repertory Theater presents Urinetown. This cheeky, irreverent comedic musical roasts American musical theater, cultural institutions, corporate America and small-town politics and imagines a world where love, greed, corruption and revolution all collide in a time of drought, and where even one’s restroom visits are controlled by mega-corporations. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (Half Moon Bay: 1167 Main St.; 650/569-3266; www.coastalrep.com)
Thru Aug 29: Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Drama, comedy and everything in between is the order of the hour at the coast’s biggest tribute to the great playwright. Now in its 29th year, the festival kicks off July 20 with three dazzling productions. Two are by Shakespeare himself: Love’s Labor’s Lost, a bittersweet comedy about a king and his noble lords who swear off women to devote time to their studies, only to be tempted by the arrival of the Princess of France and her entourage of lovely young women; and Othello, a tragedy about a Moorish general in the Venetian army whose pure love for his new bride, Desdemona, becomes subverted by his evil and cunning aide, Iago. Also on the program is The Lion In Winter, a contemporary play by James Goldman starring SSC artistic director Marco Barricelli, which focuses on the battle between Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine as they pit sex and politics against each other to choose which of their three sons will be the next successor to the British crown. Times vary; see website for full schedule and venues. (Santa Cruz: University of California campus; 831/459-2159; www.shakespearesantacruz.org)
Thru Aug 29: City Lights Theater Co. presents Rent. In this modern-day adaptation of Puccini’s immortal opera La Boheme, this award-winning Broadway smash hit follows the triumphs and tragedies of eight young Greenwich Village bohemians, who turn to inspiration, passion and identity in the face of heartache. As the looming shadow of the HIV/AIDS epidemic hangs over them, the friends end up finding beauty and love in the gritty urban jungle of New York. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm (Aug 15, 22 & 29) & 7pm (Aug 1 & 8). (San Jose: 529 Second St.; 408/295-4200; www.cltc.org)
Aug 18-22: G4 Productions presents Menopause the Musical. This hit musical is guaranteed to have you rolling in the aisles in a hot flash. Set to well-known chart-toppers from the 60s through the 80s, the story follows four women who meet by chance at a department store lingerie sale. They have nothing in common except for one thing—menopause! As they laugh at their hot flashes, mood swings, episodes of forgetfulness, wrinkles and food cravings, they realize that they’re not alone in dealing with “The Silent Passage.” Wed-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: The California Theatre, 345 S. First St.; 408/792-4111; www.menopausethemusical.com)
Aug 25-Sept 19: TheatreWorks presents The Light in the Piazza, the Tony Award-winning musical based on the 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer. The story takes place beneath the Tuscan sun in 1953, as a protective American mother vacations with her radiant but fragile daughter. When she falls head over heels for a passionate young Italian man, the mother’s world gets turned upside down and the three embark on a life-changing journey. This is one sweepingly romantic musical that can’t be missed! Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2 & 7pm. (Mountain View: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.; 650/463-1960; www.theatreworks.org)
