Weekend Top 10 entertainment events

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 31, 2008 | by Randy McMullen

1. John Mellencamp and Lucinda Williams: Mellencamp's the headliner at this Greek Theatre show, but shameless faux-hipsters like myself will be more keyed up for the divine singer-songwriter Williams, who boasts one of the best country-rock voices ever.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Hearst Avenue and Gayley Road, UC Berkeley; $39.50-$99.50; 925-685-8497, 510-625-8497, 415-421-8497, www.ticketmaster.com, www.apeconcerts.com.

2."The Mikado": There's nothing like a silly Gilbert & Sullivan musical to take your mind off whatever it doesn't want to be on.

Details: Presented by Lamplighters Music Theatre, 8 tonight and Saturday, Lesher Center for the Arts, Civic Drive at Locust Street, Walnut Creek; $18-$46; 925-943-7469, www.lesher artscenter.org.

3. Bone Bash: Speaking of taking your mind off stuff, this annual rock fest hosted by radio station KSAN 107.7-FM (The Bone) features the irrepressible Sammy Hagar and his band, the Wabos, an outfit known for serving up serious fun. Also on the bill is the famed German hair metal outfit, Scorpions.

Details: 5 p.m. Saturday, Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway (off Route 101), Mountain View; $20-$69.50; 925-685-8497, 510-625-8497, 415-421-8497, www.ticketmaster.com., www.livenation.com.

4. Oakland Lakefest: The Lake Shore area hosts a weekend bash with live music (jazz singer Natasha Miller, guitarist Terrence Brewer, hip-hoppers Zion I), games, wine-tasting and other fun stuff.

Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Lakeshore and Grand avenues, Oakland; free admission; www.oaklandlake fest.com.

5. "Help Is on the Way Goes to the Movies": The annual AIDS fundraising concert once again boasts a lineup that almost staggers the imagination -- Rita Moreno, Ricki Lake (otherwise known as the only female in history to turn down John Mayer), Maureen McGovern, Marilu Henner, "American Idolers" Frenchie Davis, Kimberley Locke and Constantine Maroulis, and, well, there're more, but my fingers hurt.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Palace of Fine Arts, 301 Lyon St., S.F.; $50-$175; 415-273-1620, www.helpisontheway.org.

6. Cantor Arts Center: The Stanford University museum has two exhibits well worth visiting, a collection of Richard Diebenkorn works and "Spared from the Storm: Masterworks from the New Orleans Museum of Art," which features works by Luca Giordano, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and surrealist Rene Magritte, among others.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m Wednesdays and Fridays-Sundays and 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Thursdays, Palm Drive and Museum Way, Stanford University; free; 650-723-4177, www.stanford.edu/dept/SUMA.

7. Django Festival: Yoshi's homage to the legendary Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt stars another legendary Gypsy jazz guitarist, Dorado Schmitt. Guest performers include Larry Coryell.

Details: 8 and 10 tonight and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland; $16-$26; 510-238-9200, www.yoshis.com.

8. Belly Dance Fantasy Festival: A weekend bash aimed at those who like to watch or partake in all things belly dance, including performances, music, workshops and costumes-and-accessories vendors.

Details: noon-9 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, San Leandro Marina Center, 15301 Wicks Blvd.; $10-$25; www.tatseena.com.

9. English Beat and the Alarm: Two products of the British post- punk scene visit the Fillmore.

Details: 8 tonight, Geary Boulevard and Fillmore Street, S.F.; $31.50; 925-685-8497, 510-625-8497, 415-421-8497, www.ticketmaster.com., www.livenation.com.

10. "The Pandora Experiment": The self-proclaimed "slightly creepy" theater/magic show starring Christian Cagigal is back in San Francisco.

Details: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 16, Exit Theatre, 156 Eddy St., S.F.; $20; 415-673-3847, www.theexit.org.

Reach Randy McMullen at rmcmullen@bayareanews group.com.