Arts & Events

Should it have slipped your memory, July 4th is just around the bend. With it comes the activities one associates with this favorite American holiday --especially the Oakland Municipal Band Concert, beginning at 1 p.m. at Lakeside Park. So bring our picnic and lawn chairs to the park to hear the opening concert, "All Sparkling Red, White and Blue." 

Horse lovers will be thrilled to learn that the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions will present their exciting show at the Oracle Arena, Saturday, July 9th, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., with half-priced tickets for children and seniors. (800) 745-3000. 

The always delightful Contra Costa Civic Theatre is showing "Gypsy", the Steven Sondheim musical about the celebrated strip teaser, Gypsy Rose Lee. Contra Costa Civic Theatre, El Cerrito, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through July 17. $15 - 24. (510) 524-9132. 

If you're opera-minded, get yourself over to the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, where Verdi's "La Traviata" will be performed July 9, 12, 15, and 17. (925) 943-SHOW. 

Another opera offering will be at the Hillside Club on July 10: two one-acts from Verismo Opera, Pagliacci and Gianni Schicchi, at 3 p.m. on the afternoon of Sunday, July 10, with Eliza O'Malley and Fred Winthrop.(510) 644-2967. brownpapertickets.com 

For an outdoor performance on a warm evening, why not attend the classic musical, "Oliver", which opens July 8 at the Summer Session, Joaquin Miller Park? (925) 531-9597. 

Drop in on the Alameda South Shore Center on the 4th of July, for its Motordudes Zydeco Concert starting at 3 p.m., with dancing from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., every Saturday, a free party with free parking! Corner of Park and Otis. (925) 974-0015. 

If you're into jazz, the Stanford Jazz Festival is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a guest list that's out of sight. It will perform through August 6th at Stanford's Dinkelspiel Auditorium. (650) 725-2787. 

Does Flamenco dancing set your heart racing? Then by all means take in the Flamenco $50 Buffet Dinner and Show at Zio Fraedo's July 8, 7 p.m., 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. (925) 933-9091. 

"Maestro's Enchantment", starring Joan Baez and Yevgeniy Voronin ( we haven't heard of him either), produced and performed at Teatro-Zinzanni in S.F. (415) 781-7800. 

A more modest offering is Tom Dudzick's comedy,"King O' the Moon", playing at Concord's Willow Theatre in the Willows Shopping Center through July 17th. "Winks with pain and winks with joy", says the Chicago Sun-Time. (925) 798-1300. 

It might be mentioned here that the Emeryville Senior Center lists some very attractive day tours in July -- the Gilroy Garlic Festival on July 30th (You haven't lived until you've had garlic ice cream!); the De Young Museum on Tuesday, July 5th for the Picasso Exhibit; and the Delta Discovery Cruise on Thursday, July 21st. 

We suggest that you ask to receive announcements of the Emeryville Senior Center's very worthwhile trips. (510) 596-3730. 

You say there's not much of interest going on in the Bay Area over the July 4th weekend. Think again!