All The Way Live USA Urban Dance Festival, Fri. and Sat., Sept. 10-11, Smith Center at Ohlone College Outdoor Amphitheatre, 43600 Mission Boulevard, Fremont. Fri. 7:30 p.m. The Go-Go Brothers, Skeeter Rabbit  and Rock Steady Crew; Sat. noon workshops; dance competitoin at 3 p.m.  Hip Hop dancers showcase their skills in energetic performances during this two-day festival. Top B-Boys from around the country show off their skills and teach workshops while local crews will battle it out.  Kool Raul (aka “RJ” from Supreme Soul) DJs this event. 510) 659-6031 Sergio@allthewaylive.tv. Advance Ticket Prices:  $10 Performance; $10 Dance Competition; $30 Workshops.  www.smithcenter.com

Spencer Day, singer, songwriter, Fri., Sept. 10, 8 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.livermoreperformingarts.org or 925-373-6800

Eugene O'Neill Festival, September 10-26. The theme of the Festival is "Expressionism" and will feature a professional, fully staged production of "The Hairy Ape.” www.eugeneoneill.org. Presented by Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House.

Blackhawk Bargain Basement Sale, a white elephant-style event, Blackhawk Museum and Wheelchair Foundation, lower floor of the Museum. Preview  Fri., Sept. 10, 6 to 8 p.m. Admission of $20 includes wine tasting and appetizers. Sale Sat., Sept. 11 and Sun., Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The Blackhawk Museum is at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. For addition information, call  925-736-2277 or go to  www.blackhawkbargainbasement.org.

12th annual recital co-sponsored by Asbury United Methodist Church and the Alameda County East Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC).  Saturday , September 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Asbury’s sanctuary, 4743 East Avenue in Livermore.  Children are especially welcome at this event. It will last about an hour. The pianist will be glad to sign programs and meet members of the audience after the performance. This year’s performer is Fremont resident David Wu will perform: Beethoven’s hauntingly beautiful and tempestuous “Appassionata” Sonata; Chopin’s Scherzo No. 4 in E major; Liszt’s Etude No. 3 (“Un sospiro”); and Prokofiev’s energetic Toccata in d minor.  The recital is open to the public. There is no charge for admission. Refreshments will be served. For more information: (925) 443-2514

Opera San José launches its 27th Anniversary Season with the West Coast premiere of Anna Karenina, an American opera by composer David Carlson with libretto by the late Colin Graham. Eight performances are scheduled from September 11 through 26 at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San José. Opera San José will present Anna Karenina with a new scene added by the composer following the opera’s 2007 world premiere at Florida Grand Opera. Tickets are on sale at the Opera San José Box Office, by phone at (408) 437-4450 or online at www.operasj.org. Anna Karenina is sponsored by a grant from the Carol Franc Buck Foundation and is made possible, in part, by a Cultural Affairs Grant from the City of San José.

Annual Piano Recital, Saturday, September 11, 2010, 7:30 PM at Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 East Avenue, Livermore. Annual recital co-sponsored by the Alameda County East Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California and Asbury. MTAC Young Artist Guild member David Wu will perform music of Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt and Prokofiev. No charge for admission; refreshments served. Further information: (925) 443-2514.

The Great Catsby Casino Night, Saturday, September 11 to benefit Valley Humane Society. The 6 p.m. event will take place at the home of Becky and Murray Dennis, 838 Gray Fox Circle, Pleasanton. Tickets are $65 and include a catered buffet dinner, two drink tickets, valet parking and gambling chips for the casino games. Prohibition era-cocktails and Livermore Valley wines will be served. Participants are encouraged to dress in 1920s-themed cocktail attire. Toucan Jam provides music for dancing; silent auction. Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament with separate buy-in. Tickets for the event that include the poker tournament buy-in are $100. Non-refundable tickets can be purchased online (Visa and MasterCard accepted) at www.valleyhumane.org, or at Valley Humane Society, 3670 Nevada Street, Pleasanton. All participants must be 21 years or older.  For information, call Valley Humane Society at (925) 426-8656.  For details about the poker tournament, call Phil Vermont at (925) 460-3700.

Livermore Author Ruth Stern Gasten, Sunday, Sept. 12,  2:00 PM. Livermore Civic Center Library, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. Local Livermore author Ruth Stern Gasten speaks about her book An Accidental American, her memories of her experience as a young Jewish girl who is taken from Hitler’s Germany to Chicago. Free admission.

Livermore Valley Wine Country Wedding Faire, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Over 40 vendors & industry professionals, food & wine tasting, fashion show & more. Livermore Downtown Inc.  (925) 373-1795.

Artist Diane Rodriguez is celebrating twenty years of painting trains, as she shows her collection at the Wente Vineyards Estate Winery Tasting Room. The public is invited to an artist’s reception Sunday, September 12 from 1-3 pm. The paintings will be on display and for sale from September 1 to September 29. Her husband Stephen will also have a toy train display in conjunction with the paintings. The Wente tasting room is located at 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore. It is open daily 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

2010 Concert at Wente Vineyards,  Willie Nelson, Sept. 13; Don Henley, Sept. 20; Harry Connick, Jr., Sept. 21. Ticketmaster.com or by calling the Wente Vineyards Box Office at 925.456.2424. Wente Vineyards, 5050 Arroyo Rd., Livermore.

Valley Concert Chorale auditions by appointment for the 2010-2011 concert season on Monday, September 13 and 20, at the First Presbyterian Church of Livermore. The church is located at the corner of 4th and L Streets. The Chorale is seeking experienced singers with sight-reading skills who enjoy singing exciting and challenging music. The Chorale performs a wide variety of music ranging from classical to contemporary, and folk to jazz. To schedule an appointment, call (925) 462-4205. The 2010-2011 concert season titled “Musical Reflections” will include an October performance featuring the songs of movies and musicals, “Carols of Comfort and Joy” in December, an “In Remembrance” concert in March marking the upcoming 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 tragedy, and finally in May “If Music Be the Food of Love.” More information about the Valley Concert Chorale is available at www.valleyconcertchorale.org or by calling the general information line at (925) 866-4003.

Livermore Art Association and Pleasanton Art League Potluck and Social, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. Charles R Vineyards, 8195 Crane Ridge Road, Livermore. Some wine will be provided at no charge, and you may purchase additional wine as well. Information and reservations: 925-371-7777.

Pleasanton Poetry on Main: A Monthly Gathering of Poets, Sept. 16,  once-a-month group for feedback and appreciation of each others' poems in downtown Pleasanton at Little Valley Winery. Marilyn Slade of Pleasanton, author of humorous poetry and prose, will co-host the gatherings. Bring two poems for critique. Free event. Soft drinks provided. No-host wine by the glass with ID. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Little Valley Winery, 739 Main Street, Pleasanton. Michelle Russo at mrusso@ci.pleasanton.ca.us or 925-931-5350 or Deborah Grossman at pleasantonpoetry@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/PleasantonPoetry.

This is Spinal Tap, Sept. 17, An American rock musical mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner about the fictional heavy metal band, Spinal Tap. At 11:30 p.m. in the Vine Cinema & Alehouse, 1722 First Street, Livermore. Cost: $7. Information: 925-373-6800 or www.LivermorePerformingArts.org.

Pleasanton Art League, inaugural show at Firehouse Arts Center will feature work by local artists, Sept. 17-Oct. 2. 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton.

Guitar Player Live Superstars, Ronnie Montrose and Gary Hoey (pictured above) perform Fri., Sept. 17, 8 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. In 1993 Gary Hoey launched his career with the hit song “Hocus Pocus” and his fiery technique helped to send it to the Top 5 on Billboard’s charts. He then followed up with the soundtrack to the surf saga, Endless Summer II.  Ronnie Montrose and Sammy Hagar formed their band Montrose in 1973. Montrose pioneered and influenced an entire generation of West Coast Rock and Roll by firing out big guitar riffs, the classics Rock Candy, Bad Motor Scooter, Rock the Nation and Space Station #5, and soulful dynamic vocals with extreme “attitude!”  Performance will contain strong adult language, parental discretion is advised. $27/$38/$49 or $12 students, Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, Tickets go to www.livermoreperformingarts.com or 373-6800.

My Way, musical tribute to Frank Sinatra. Sept. 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, Oct. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre Studio Theatre,  1048 Serpentine Lane, Suite 309, Pleasanton. Call 462-2121 or go to www.trivalleyrep.com.

Firehouse Arts Center, Opening Night Gala Friday, September 17, 2010. Firehouse Arts Center in downtown Pleasanton,  beginning at 6:00 p.m. Sampling of the arts, and features live performances in the theater and throughout the center. Enjoy fine wines and a moveable feast as you tour the theater, art gallery, classrooms and the inviting outdoor spaces. The evening culminates with the inaugural lighting of the Firehouse Arts Center sign and the stunning glass marquees.  Tickets   are available for $125 each.  www.pleasantonartsfoundation.org.

Will open three new exhibits featuring work by Michael Yashar, a collection of Ketubot, and Traditions: From Generation to Generation, an eclectic collection of Judaica from the local community. The exhibits will be housed at the Contra Costa JCC’s Friedkin Art Gallery, Gallery 925, and Tice Valley Gallery from May 12 through September 17, 2010. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 8:00 p.m and Fridays, 9:00 am to 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibits. Admission is free. The Contra Costa JCC is located at 2071 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek.

Harvest Tour & Tasting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 18 and Sept. 25.  Rare behind the scenes tour and tasting during the upcoming 2009 harvest. Learn how Wente Vineyards produces world class wines.  See the processing first hand and sample some current vintages from our small lot winery. Reservations eequired $20 Public/$15 Wente Wine Club. Wente Vineyards Estate Winery Tasting Room, 5565 Tesla Rd, Livermore  925.456.2305  . wentevineyards.com

The Wall, Sept. 18, The life of the fictional rock star 'Pink' is the subject of the visually evocative cult film based upon the music and visions of the group Pink Floyd as portrayed in the album of the same title. At 11:30 p.m. in the Vine Cinema & Alehouse, 1722 First Street, Livermore. Cost: $7. Information: 925-373-6800 or www.LivermorePerformingArts.org.

Fiddlers' Jam, Fiddletown, Sat., Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main Street. Free, includes fiddle music and entertainment by SideTracked and Extended Roots, food and craft vendors. Raffle with cash prizes. Information 209-296-0918 or www.fiddletownca.org.

Nottingham Cellars, 2245C South Vasco Rd., Livermore. End of summer art and wine meltdown, Sept. 18 and 19, noon to 5 p.m. Featuring local artists, musicians and restaurants.  Tickets or information 925.294.8647, nottinghamcellars.com.

Fourth Annual Wine & Equine benefit for SonRise Equestrian Foundation. Saturday, September 18, 2010, from 1-5 p.m., at the Charles Wilhelm Training Center in Castro Valley. SonRise Equestrian Foundation helps create connections between children and horses. At no charge to the children and their families, the Danville-based nonprofit provides riding and horse care programs to kids ages 8-18 with social, emotional and physical challenges. Additionally, the beloved miniature horses of SonRise visit younger children at school and those who are terminally ill in hospice settings. The Wine & Equine benefit provides the majority of SonRise Equestrian Foundation’s annual income. In addition to the barbecue and desserts provided by Esin Restaurant, the afternoon includes a wine cellar raffle, live and silent auctions, demonstrations and a horse show. Wines from Wente Vineyards and Murrieta’s Well and hand-crafted beers from Drake’s Brewing Company. Event sponsors include Murrieta’s Well, Wente Vineyards and 95.7 The Wolf radio station. Tickets to the Fourth Annual Wine & Equine event are available for $75 per person by contacting the nonprofit at 510-838-7433 or sonrise@sonriseequestrianfoundation.org. SonRise is located at the Charles Wilhelm Training Center, 6496 Crow Canyon Road in Castro Valley. For more information, visit www.sonriseequestrianfoundation.org.

Deer Ridge Vineyards & Art Gallery Celebrates its 3rd Anniversary during this year’s Harvest Wine Celebration Weekend and Features New Art Exhibition honoring vineyard landscapes with “Wine Country Views.” Paintings are by artists, Margery Ammon and Nova Starling. The exhibit will be on view Aug. 7 to Oct. 1. Reception for artists with live entertainment Sat., Sept. 18, 2 to 4 p.m. Free. Open to the public. Deer Ridge Vineyards, 1828 Wetmore Rd., Livermore. For information, call 1-866-561-0838. www.DeerRidgeVineyards.com

Art in Carnegie Park, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Livermore Art Association. Work by local artists on display and for purchase. Music, art demonstrations, etc. Free admission. 2155 Third St., Livermore. 

Caledon, Three Tenors of Scotland, 7 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 18, Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.livermoreperformingarts.org or 925-373-6800.

Comedy Uncorked, summer series hosted by Retzlaff Vineyards, benefitting the Open Heart Kitchen. Final show, Sept. 18. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. Complete show details and tickets are at www.comedyuncorked.com. Performers include Joe Klocek, Michael Meehan, Norm Goldblatt, Sandy Stec, Johnny Steele, Will Durst, Debi Durst, Michael Bossier, Lynn Ruth Miller, Tim Babb, Will Franken, Anthony Hill, Fred Anderson, Aundre the Wonderwoman. Retzlaff Vineyards is located at 1356 South Livermore Avenue in Livermore. Tickets at www.comedyuncorked.com.

Artist Reception for local Pleasanton artist Rob Tomlinson (www.robtomlinsonart.com). Saturday, Sept 18, noon to 5 p.m. Complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres at Serenity Stoneworks, 252 Main Street, Pleasanton.

Opera Live at the Library, Sun., Sept. 19, 2 p.m. in the craft room, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. Meet and hear stars from the Livermore Valley Opera's production of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Generously  by the Friends of the Livermore Library. Admission is free. For more information call 925-373-5505.

Leading Ladies, Douglass Morrisson Theatre, Sept. 23-27,  Tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $15 for students, and available  at www.dmtonline.org or by phone at (510) 881-6777. Evening performances at  8:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Parental guidance suggested. The Morrisson Theatre is located at 22311 North Third Street in Hayward

Caledon, Three Tenors of Scotland, 7 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 23, Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.livermoreperformingarts.org or 925-373-6800.

Chamber Symphony, concert Fri., Sept. 24, 8 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Program of Beethoven and Schubert works.  www.livermoreperformingarts.com or 373-6800. 

Earl Klugh – Guitarist – The Spice of Life, Friday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m., Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.org (website active Sept. 3).

Summer Series, Tuesdays through Sept. 24. Music 5 to 8 p.m. at the Livermore Valley Plaza in front of the Bankhead Theater. No admission charge. Each week, two Livermore wineries featured; also beer selected by downtown bartenders. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Restaurants will offer food for purchase. The Livermore Downtown Inc. website lists the restaurants, wine shops and tasting rooms at www.livermoredowntown.com.