Top Tickets: July 8-14

Diablo's picks for the can't-miss events of the coming week: Cal Shakes' Private Lives, A Midsummer Night's Dream in Livermore Wine Country, music at the malls, American Idols Live in Oakland, and Art Under the Oaks.

Get outside and enjoy July with theater in the hills and vineyards, concerts at the mall, and art under the oaks.  Here are your Top Tickets…

July 8–August 2: Private Lives
California Shakespeare Theater says goodbye to William and hello to Noël with a staging of Private Lives. Noël Coward’s romantic comedy is about a divorced couple who finds themselves booked into adjoining honeymoon suites. Arrive 45 minutes early to catch Grove Talks, where speakers provide insight into the relationship between the play’s text and history and the current production. Bruns Ampitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda, $32–$63, (510) 548-9666, calshakes.org.

July 9–August 9: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Bard’s best-loved comedy—about four lovers mixed up in an enchanted forest—is the headliner at this year’s Livermore Shakespeare Festival. Pack a picnic dinner and bask in the beauty of the beauty of Livermore Wine Country before the show begins. Concannon Vineyard, 4590 Tesla Rd., Livermore, picnic area opens at 6 p.m., shows begin at 7:30, $5–$30, (925) 443-2273, livermoreshakes.org.

July 9–August 21: Music at the malls
Shopping and live music: Could there be a better combo? Both Broadway Plaza and Blackhawk Plaza offer free summer concerts, featuring everything from jazz to ’80s cover bands. Broadway Plaza’s Cool Sounds of Summer Jazz, Thursdays from July 9 to 23, Stanford’s parking lot, Walnut Creek, 6:30–8 p.m., free, (925) 939-7600, broadwayplaza.com. Blackhawk Plaza’s Summer Concert Series, Fridays from July 10 to August 21, 3454 Blackhawk Plaza Cir., Danville, 7–8:30 p.m., free, (925) 736-2751, shopblackhawkplaza.com.

July 11: American Idols Live
Cue high-pitched screams. American Idol’s top 10 finalists stop in Oakland on their national tour. Whether you prefer the low-key guitar groove of winner Kris Allen or the rock star showmanship of runner-up Adam Lambert, it promises to be a fun night for the whole family. If you can’t make this date, catch the tour the following evening in San Jose. Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, 7 p.m., $38–$66, (510) 569-2121, coliseum.com.

July 11–12: Art Under the Oaks
At the 23rd annual Art Under the Oaks, enjoy a weekend of wine and summer fruit tastings, live music, raffle prizes, and, of course, art. Artists from the Livermore Art Association will demonstrate their craft and display works for sale around the beautiful plant nursery. Alden Lane Nursery, 981 Alden Ln., Livermore, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., free, (925) 447-0280, aldenlane.com.

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

Posted at 12:00 PM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink