The List: March

Spring into fun, with wine tasting out of the barrel, kid-friendly opera, and world-class violin.

The Secret Garden

Naomie Kremer

Dance

Best of Smuin Ballet

3/1–3/2 After debuting at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater this winter, the San Francisco–based dance troupe returns to present its favorite works, including the Frank Sinatra tribute, Fly Me to the Moon. smuinballet.org.
 

Opera

The Secret Garden

3/1–3/10 Cal Performances and San Francisco Opera team up to present the world premiere of an opera based on the beloved children’s novel about an orphaned girl rediscovering joy by tending a neglected garden. calperformances.org.
 

Networking

East Bay Women’s Conference

3/4 Actor Marlo Thomas, humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine, and Diablo Threads of Hope honoree Lorrie Sullenberger are the featured speakers at this annual conference for businesswomen—and men—in San Ramon. walnut-creek.com.
 

Theater

The Sorcerer

3/16 Lamplighters Music Theatre brings its love for all things Gilbert and Sullivan to Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center, with this musical about the humorous results of a love potion–spiked punch. lamplighters.org.
 

Food and Wine

Barrel-Tasting Weekend

3/23–3/24 Head to Livermore Valley to taste wines out of the barrel, meet winemakers, and pre-purchase vino before it’s bottled at this annual event with more than 30 participating wineries. lvwine.org.
 

Family Fun

Great America

3/29 At 108.2 feet high and 53.7 mph, the Gold Striker will be the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Northern California. Be among the first to ride it, when Great America reopens for the 2013 season. cagreatamerica.com.
 

Violin Virtuoso

Sarah Chang has performed all over the world—including a rare show in North Korea—since gaining fame as a Julliard prodigy at age six. But Chang has a fondness for Walnut Creek, where she will perform again this month, presented by Chamber Music S.F. “When I was seven, I was invited to perform with the California Symphony,” Chang tells Diablo. “The next year, I performed with the New York Philharmonic, but Walnut Creek was my first big concert, and I’ll be eternally grateful for that opportunity.”

March 10, lesherartscenter.com. For an extended Q&A, go to diablomag.com/chang. 

—Peter Crooks

For more, check out Top Tickets at diablomag.com.