Top Tickets: September 9-15

Diablo’s can’t-miss events of the coming week: Guitar Player Live in Livermore, On the Town in Walnut Creek, Authors Under the Stars, California Symphony’s Pops on the Plaza, and Glenn Miller Orchestra aboard the USS Hornet.

It’s mostly all about music this week as Guitar Player Live rocks Livermore, California Symphony presents its annual free concert, Glenn Miller Orchestra inspires swing dancing on the USS Hornet, and more.  Here are your Top Tickets…

September 11–13: Guitar Player Live
The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center and Guitar Player magazine present this rockin’ event, with more than 30 bands performing on outdoor stages, free clinics, gear for sale, an international guitar-playing competition, and music-themed movies at Vine Cinema, including Gimme Shelter, This is Spinal Tap, Across the Universe, and It Might Get Loud. Plus, Bill Owens’ iconic photographs of the Rolling Stones’ 1969 Altamont performance will be on display. Learn more here. Bankhead Theater and Vine Cinema, Livermore, times and prices vary, (925) 373-6800, bankheadtheater.org.

September 11–27: On the Town
Theater and dance lovers will enjoy On the Town, a joint effort between Diablo Theatre Company—chosen by Diablo readers in July as the best theatre troupe—and Company C Contemporary Ballet. The energetic and romantic Leonard Bernstein comedy about sailors on leave in New York City is fun for all ages. Learn more here. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, $29–$44, (925) 943-7469, dloc.org.

September 12: Authors Under the Stars
Diablo Senior Editor Peter Crooks interviews local literary stars, including Ayelet Waldman (Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, Bad Mother) and Cameron Tuttle (The Bad Girl's Guides), at this fundraiser for the New Walnut Creek Library. The back tie–optional evening includes dinner, authors in conversation, book signing, and prize drawings. Reinaissance ClubSport, 2805 Jones Rd., Walnut Creek, 6–10 p.m., $125, (925) 935-5395, www.wclibrary.org.

September 12: Pops on the Plaza
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the award-winning California Symphony for free! They’ll play classical masterpieces, Broadway scores, patriotic standards, and popular movie soundtracks in Todos Santos Plaza, with special guests including alumni of the Concord Blue Devils and a conducting debut by sponsor Target’s canine mascot, Bullseye. Todos Santos Plaza, at Willow Pass and Grant, Concord, 6:30 p.m., free, (925) 280-2490, californiasymphony.org.

September 12: Glenn Miller Orchestra
Dance the night away to the Glenn Miller Orchestra aboard the USS Hornet, one of the most decorated ships of the US Navy. Three dance floors take over the heated hangar deck, and Jim Truesdale, former Fred Astaire dance instructor, will provide free lessons. Then it’s dance, dance, dance 'til midnight to classics like “In The Mood” and “Sing Sing Sing.” USS Hornet, 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda, 8 p.m.–12 a.m., $45–$98, (510) 521-8448, Ext. 282, us-hornet.org.

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 11:38 AM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink