Top Tickets: September 23-29

Diablo’s can’t-miss events of the coming week: The Eugene O’Neill Festival, CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge, Bedford Gallery’s Art on Market Street, Brian Copeland’s Not a Genuine Black Man, Italian street painting in Martinez, and the KidsFaire in Pleasanton.

Kick off Fall with all-things Eugene in Danville, the best women golfers in the world, two different kinds of street art, Brian Copeland’s wildly popular monologue, and The Wiggles. Here are your Top Tickets…

September 24–27: Eugene O’Neill Festival
Celebrate Danville’s Nobel Prize–winning playwright at the 10th annual Eugene O’Neill Festival. Enjoy tours of the Tao House, an O’Neill 101 lecture by Saint Mary’s professor Dan Cawthon, a forum on the women of the playwright’s life, and a performance of The Designated Mourner, an “O’Neillian” play by Wallace Shawn. Venues and times vary, Danville, play tickets $30, other events free, (925) 820-1818, eugeneoneill.org.

September 24–27: CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge
You could catch Lorena Ochoa and Pleasanton-bred Paula Creamer on The Golf Channel this weekend, but why, when you can see them in person? The CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge comes to town, bringing the best of the best in women’s golf. Blackhawk Country Club, parking at Bishop Ranch 3, 2641 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, $20 per day, $50–$145 for all-access passes, (925) 725-0148, cvslpga.com.

September 24–November 15: Art on Market Street
The Bedford Gallery presents a selection of kiosk posters from the San Francisco Arts Commission as a tribute to successful public art. Since 1992, the commission has enlisted noted Bay Area artists to create 6-by-4 foot posters that reflect urban life and displays them along Market Street between Van Ness and the Embarcadero. Bedford Gallery, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, $3–$5, (925) 295-1417, bedfordgallery.org.

September 25–26: Not a Genuine Black Man
Brian Copeland, whose name you may recognize from KGO Radio, has the longest running solo show in San Francisco. Now you can catch Not a Genuine Black Man in the East Bay. The autobiographical monologue is about race relations in San Leandro, where he grew up. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, 8:15 p.m., $35–$45, (925) 943-7469, lesherartscenter.org.

September 26–27: Italian Street Painting Festival
The sixth annual Italian Street Painting Festival brings amateur and professional artists to downtown Martinez to create chalk masterpieces. And inspired attendees can get in on the action in the Community Chalk area for $10. The festival also features arts and crafts booths, entertainment, Italian sodas, and bocce. Main Street Plaza, Martinez, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., free, (925) 228-3577, mainstreetmartinez.org.

September 26–27: KidsFaire
KidsFaire, America’s Family Expo, is essentially a dream-come-true for kids everywhere: The Wiggles Character Show, tween pop group Clique Girlz, a High School Musical Jr. stage show, trapeze and Wild West stunt shows, 14 family adventure zones, 250 interactive exhibits, a Princess Pavilion, Craft City, Pirate Cove, camel and elephant rides, and characters ranging from SpongeBob Squarepants to Strawberry Shortcake. Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., $5–$8, (866) 283-8600, thekidsfaire.com.

For even more events happening this week, browse the complete listings on Diablo’s Community Calendar. Follow Diablo on Twitter or Facebook (links below), and you'll be notified as soon as Top Tickets posts each Wednesday afternoon.
 

Posted at 11:39 AM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink