friday

Most of the wineries in Temecula Valley are now offering live entertainment on weekends, but even though some of the venues may be intimate and local, the performers are still the best in the business. When Southern California-based trio, Nathan James at the Rhythm Scratchers, head to Miramonte Winery, one of their favorite “hometown” venues, they bring a unique blend of genres spanning decades of great music.

Although River North Dance Chicago is world-renowned for their athleticism, creativity and modern technique, Artistic Director Frank Chaves wants everyone to feel comfortable attending their performances, regardless of any prior knowledge of the genre. “We are known for being very accessible and very approachable,” Chaves said in a recent phone interview.

This is the first time in four years that Pechanga Resort and Casino has hosted a Broadway-style musical. The Pechanga performances of “Les Misérables” are being staged by Riverside County’s Theatre Royal, they are directed by Scott King and include Temecula Valley residents in the cast, including local fourth grader, Jasmine Carlton, in the role of young Cosette.

Everyone knows the classic story of the beautiful young girl who longs for the day when her handsome prince comes to take her away from her evil stepmother, but regardless of how many times we may have heard or seen the timeless tale, we just can’t get enough of Cinderella. Experience the magic once again when the City of Temecula Youth Musical Theater presents “Cinderella,” this week at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

For the past six years, The Oak Grove Center’s annual benefit concert has funded their students’ love of the arts. For this year’s seventh installment, the event is now so big that it’s literally tripled in size since inception. Formerly billed as “Temecula Live,” 100% of Oak Grove’s “Rock the Oaks” concerts will benefit the exemplary arts programs at both their Temecula and Perris campuses.

When I say the word “ukulele,” what comes to your mind? Perhaps you imagine a large Polynesian guy on a hammock, strumming the strings under a palm tree at sunset? Well, the ukulele has come a long way, baby, and you can see exactly how far when The Ooks of Hazzard come to the Old Town Temecula Community Theater this Friday night.

Jeff Capri didn’t really have to think too much when it came to making his career choice. He just decided to join the family business. A stand-up veteran, Capri has performed at venues all over the world; and at a few places that can’t really be called “venues.”

Do you want to be part of a new tradition being born right here in the Temecula Valley? Get ready for funnel cakes, ferris wheels and tons of family fun because, on March 27th through the 29th, the first annual Temecula Valley Family Fair will make its debut at Lake Skinner County Recreational Park.

The weather outside has been about as frightful as it can be in Temecula and, at Pennypickle’s Workshop’s annual Winter Wonderland, they say let it snow! Let it snow! On Friday evening, December 19th (rescheduled from December 12th) at 5:00 pm, Pennypickle’s will open its doors to the community for a grand celebration of the holidays.

When the Temecula-based Ballet Studio and the Fine Arts Network present “The Nutcracker,” beginning this weekend in Old Town, the sugarplums will dance right out of your head and onto the stage. Recently voted one of the Top 10 “Nutcrackers” in Southern California by the Los Angeles Times, “The Nutcracker” will be on stage at the Old Town Community Theater from December 18th through the 23rd.