Top Tickets: July 29-August 4

Diablo's picks for the can't-miss events of the coming week: Talking sex at Rakestraw Books, harvesting pears in Moraga, Opera in the Vineyard, Gretchen Wilson at Wente, and Lafayette Gallery's 10th anniversary exhibit.

Bid July adieu with a sexy book reading, pear harvesting, opera in the vineyards, Gretchen Wilson, and an anniversary exhibit at the Lafayette Gallery.  Here are your Top Tickets…

July 30: Mary Roach and Mara Altman
Let’s talk about sex. Seriously. Mary Roach, author of Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, and Mara Altman, author of Thank You For Coming: One Young Woman’s Quest for an Orgasm, read and discuss their recent releases at Rakestraw Books. You’ll laugh, you’ll blush, and you’ll talk about this event for weeks. Check out Lynn Carey’s blog for more information. Rakestraw Books, 522 Hartz Ave., Danville, 7 p.m., free – reservations recommended, (925) 837-7337, rakestrawbooks.com.

August 1–2: Moraga Pear Harvest
Don sturdy shoes or boots and head to Moraga for the annual pear harvest. The bounty from an acre of 100-year-old trees benefits the Contra Costa Community Food Bank—and your table. Last year, more than 10,000 pounds of pears were harvested! Also, mark your calendar for the Moraga Pear Festival on September 26, which features music, art, a pear recipe contest, and pear pies for sale. Corner of Canyon Road and Camino Pablo, Moraga, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., free, moragaparks.org.

August 2: Opera in the Vineyard
Livermore Valley Opera presents arias and musicals from its past and future seasons amid the beauty of Livermore Wine Country. Pack your own picnic and enjoy a beverage of your choice, including selected Retzlaff wines. A silent auction benefits the company’s October production of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. Retzlaff Winery, 1356 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore, 5 p.m., $30, (925) 373-6800, livermorevalleyopera.com.

August 3: Gretchen Wilson
“Redneck Woman” Gretchen Wilson brings gritty contemporary country to Wente Vineyards’ summer concert series. The Grammy winner recently parted ways with Sony Music Nashville after three successful albums, and we’re hoping for a preview of upcoming projects. Check out more end-of-summer concerts in Diablo’s Summer Concert Guide. Wente Vineyards, 5050 Arroyo Rd., Livermore, gates open at 6 p.m., performance at 8:15 p.m., $89–$279, (925) 456-2424, wentevineyards.com.

August 4–October 10: Ten Years Together
The Lafayette Gallery opened its doors ten years ago, hosting more than 65 exhibitions. To celebrate the anniversary, a new exhibit will pair member artists’ recent work with earlier work—along with a commemorative book. Orinda Library presents a joint exhibition September 1–30. Lafayette Gallery, 50 Lafayette Cir., Lafayette, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, free, (925) 284-2788, lafayettegallery.net.

For even more events happening this week, browse the complete listings on Diablo’s Community Calendar.
 

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