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Are you a Culture Vulture? If you’re not sure, on account of not knowing the official definition, here it is: "Culture Vulture" is the playful label for those of us who are so crazy about the arts we will do anything to hunt it down, like unapologetic scavengers. Fit the description? Click through the gallery for five hot Wine Country dates for Culture Vultures, and read the article below.
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Date 1: Dr. John & the Nite Trippers, August 13, Rohnert Park
Singer-pianist Mac Rebennack, the New Orleans native also known as Dr. John, is a six-time Grammy Award-winner who honors his hometown with a magical, mystical blend of rhythm and blues, jazz and voodoo. Coupled with Dr. John's unstoppable stage persona, always with a staff adorned with totems and bones, this performance will make for a memorable night, perhaps with some "sweet confusion under the moonlight." The Green Music Center, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 866-955-6040. (Photo courtesy of Green Music Center)
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Date 5: Stand-Up Comedy, August 19, Sonoma
The Laugh Cellar, a new stand up comedy venue, opened July 13 and serves up humor, wine, brews and bar bites. This comfy beer and wine lounge is powered by the Crushers of Comedy, which has a big following. The Crushers previously produced live stand-up comedy throughout Sonoma County, and they say they’re happy to have found a venue, a house of humor, where they can do their part for humanity with a steady offering of comic relief. On August 19, enjoy good laughs with stand-up comedians Emily Van Dyke, Kazu Kusano and Allen Gittelson. The Laugh Cellar, 5755 Mountain Hawk Way, Santa Rosa, 707-282-9319.
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Date 2: The Hess Collection, Napa
Culture Vultures, as you know, love to drink in culture, whether it’s on the walls or in a glass. This Napa Valley destination houses both a winery and an art museum. It has, in fact, the largest collection of modern art north of San Francisco. The Hess collection makes a full line-up of tasty wines but its cabernets and chardonnays are not-to-be-missed. Be sure to see if you can also get a taste of some bottlings in the winery's exclusive small block series. It includes left-of-center offerings like gruner veltliner, albarino and orange muscat. The Hess Collection, 4411 Redwood Road, Napa, 707-255-1144, tastings 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., art museum, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Date 4: Broadway under the Stars, August - September, Glen Ellen
Because it’s theatre in the wild, and who could resist Broadway in Jack London State Park? It all begins with a before-the-show feast, a slew of picnics on the lawns near picturesque vineyards. The Transcendence Theater Company's Broadway under the Stars series features talent imported from the stages of New York and Hollywood. There are two more performances this summer – “Fascinating Rhythm,” Aug. 4-20, and “Gala Celebration,” Sept. 8-10. Jack London State Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, Box Office: 877-424-1414.
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Date 5: “An evening with Ira Glass,” August 26, Santa Rosa
Ira Glass, the creator, producer and host of the weekly public radio program “This American Life," will use video, music and audio clips to give the audience a glimpse of his muse. How does inspiration move him to do his work? How have obstacles and victories shaped him and his decisions? His live onstage stories will delve into his creative process. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa, 707-546-3600.
