Top Tickets: March 11-17

Diablo's picks for the can't-miss events of the coming week: Vasco Caves tour, Dublin's Saint Patrick's Day Festival, the voice of La Vie en Rose, behind-the-scenes with Ang Lee, and Bouquets to Art.

The East Bay goes Hollywood this week with the music of La Vie en Rose, a visit by Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee, and a history of flowers on film by Jan Wahl.  You won’t want to miss these and other great events…

March 14: Visit Vasco Caves
This stunning preserve, which Diablo featured in the February 2007 issue, is accessible via guided tours only. Don’t miss this opportunity to see rock formations, caves, vernal pools, and wildlife such as golden eagles and fairy shrimp, up close and in person. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Staging from Round Valley Regional Preserve, Brentwood, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., $10–$15, (925) 935-1978, wildlife-museum.org.

March 14–15: St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Get your green on at Dublin’s annual celebration of all things Irish. The two-day festival kicks off with a parade on Saturday morning, followed by live entertainment (McGrath School of Irish Dance, acoustic Celtic group Molly’s Revenge), an international food court, the Shamrock 5K fun run, and more than 100 artisans selling everything from paintings to candles to pewter goblets. Free shuttle from Dublin BART. Civic Center, Dublin Boulevard at Sierra Court, Dublin, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., free, (925) 556-4500, dublinstpats.com.

March 16: Jil Aigrot
Marion Cotillard took the best actress honors at the 2008 Academy Awards for her portrayl of Édith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, but the voice behind the movie’s soaring musical performances was that of Jil Aigrot. The celebrated French cabaret singer will be in the Tri-Valley to perform interpretations of Piaf’s greatest hits. Bankhead Theatre, 2400 First St., Livermore, 8 p.m., $12–$55, (925) 373-6800, livermoreperformingarts.org.

March 16: Ang Lee and James Shamus
Movie lovers won’t want to miss this presentation by Academy Award–winning director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) and his longtime producing partner and screenwriter James Schamus, a Cal alum. They’ll take you behind-the-scenes of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Ice Storm, as well as a preview of their latest collaboration Taking Woodstock. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, 8 p.m., $16–$30, (510) 642-9988, calperfs.berkeley.edu.

March 17–21: Bouquets to Art
The largest fundraiser for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (aka the Legion of Honor and de Young) celebrates its 25th anniversary. At Bouquets to Art, view 150 arrangements by Bay Area floral designers, indulge at elegant lunches and teas, and learn about flowers in film—from My Fair Lady to Steel Magnolias—with a lecture by television and radio personality Jan Wahl. De Young museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m., exhibit: $16–$20, lectures: $35, lunches and teas: $30–$50, (415) 750-3504, bouquetstoart.org.

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

Posted at 01:21 PM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink