Pete's weekend roundup: Robin Hood rocks the Paramount, Blondie/Benatar blast through Wente

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Blondie bring the concert of the year to Wente Vineyards.

I'm writing this week's roundup from an ocean view room at La Valencia hotel in La Jolla, in town to cover the movies and pop culture goings on of Comic Con. I'll write more about this fantastic coastal hotel in an upcoming Diablo Getaways article, but for now here's my weekend pick of the week for movie fans.

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD AT THE PARAMOUNT I saw this 1939 classic at a summer camp when I was a little kid and i've never forgotten it, simply because the Errol Flynn swashbuckler is one of the greatest adventure films ever made. It's showing tonight at the Paramount, a great place to take in the gorgeous color print on a huge screen. And tickets are only $5. Best deal in town!

BLONDIE AND BENATAR ROCK WENTE I had a real treat the other night: dinner and tickets to Wente's Concert series. The highlight was getting to see one of my all time favorites, Blondie, take the stage and rip through a set of their classics ("Call Me", "Atomic", "Rip Her To Shreds") with a few fantastic album cuts like "Fade Away and Radiate" thrown in for surprise. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers aren't simply running through the Best of CD, state fair style, but reinterpreting classics like "Rapture" and "The Tide Is High" with new arrangements and instrumental riffs. It was a spectacular show, the best I've seen in the East Bay yet this year. Adding to the delight was a killer opening set by Pat Benatar and a wonderful dinner at the Restaurant at Wente Vineyards. If you've never experienced the Concerts at Wente, this is the best summer lineup ever, with shows by Steve Miller, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Chris Isaak, and Sheryl Crow coming in the next few weeks.

To view the slideshow, click any image below.

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Posted at 10:12 AM in Pete's Popcorn Picks | Permalink