Calling all my fashion loving Tomatoes – In the first exhibit of its kind, the DeYoung brings Contemporary Muslim Fashions to the forefront in this first ever show in the U.S. If you enjoy a spectacle of color along with a dash of adrenaline, head to the International Dragon Boat Festival in Oakland this weekend. We love our furry friends and if you have been thinking now is the time to adopt, the Alameda County Fairgrounds hosts the nation’s largest pet party and adoption fair this weekend. Cue the smiles! If you are a tomato who listened to music in the 70’s you will want to hear Linda Ronstadt in conversation at the Mountain Winery. Tomatoes – we aren’t aging, we are only getting better!

Contemporary Muslim Fashions

This global fashion exhibit is unique in so many ways. It is the first major museum exhibition to explore the complex, diverse nature of Muslim dress codes worldwide, spotlighting places, garments, and styles to consider how Muslims define themselves—and are defined—by their dress. In addition, the museum has launched many “firsts” while implementing the exhibit. Always a pioneer in the museum world, the DeYoung gathered a group of women from Bay Area Muslim organizations to assist. The group helped to finalize the exhibition’s title, consulted on special events and programs, and recruited local Muslim youths to serve as collaborators on a teen-led podcast.

Established and emerging designers from around the globe sent stunning garments—representing high-end fashion, street wear, sportswear, and couture—to New York, where they were shot by a fashion photographer and gorgeous Top model Halima Aden, who is the face of this campaign, shared personal stories of being raised in a refugee camp and becoming one of the first hijab-wearing models to walk a runway. Interviews with her and the Muslim teen podcasts will be on the DeYoung website soon. Gather your friends for a day of fashion unlike our every day attire of jeans and fitness wear. http://www.deyoung.famsf.org

Sept. 15-16. Dragon Boats

Lake Merritt is the place to be this weekend to cheer on the fleet of colorful 40-foot dragon boats as they race to the beat of Chinese Drums. It’s a two-day free festival where you can see world-class dragon boat racing, indulge in tasty food and soak of the September sun. On Saturday Buddhist monks will perform a traditional blessing and eye dotting ceremony (no, I don’t know what that is!) to awaken the dragons for a weekend of racing. Quite a sight to behold I’m sure.

It’s not all about the races though as you will be entertained by traditional and not so traditional musicians and you can eat your way through the day with your favorite Chinese treats. Want to shop? Of course you can do that too as you wander in the beautiful September weather. www.sfdragonboat.com

Sept. 15-16. Pet Fair

You may not want to attend this fair if you don’t plan on bringing home a furry friend. Over 2,000 adoptable and adorable animals will be looking for their new forever home this weekend and it will be hard to resist. The Alameda County Fairgrounds will be filled with barking and meowing from 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday. Rescue dogs, cats, bunnies, small animals and more will be vying for your attention.

If you have found your forever friend, you can learn about everything from Dog Training 101 to CBD oil for pets. There are over 100 vendors who will show you things you never knew you needed for your pet. There are live dog food cooking demos (doesn’t Fido deserve the best?) a splash dog zone and search and rescue and K9 police dog demos. If you already have your best friend, best not to bring him/her as the crowds are immense! Bayareapetfair.org

Sept. 29. Linda Ronstadt @Mountain Winery

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 5 years go, and now 71, Linda Ronstadt is making a return to the stage. She will be in conversation at The Mountain Winery on September 29^th at 7:30 p.m. Ronstadt is a Grammy – Emmy – Golden Globe and Tony award winning artist who is sharing her life in a very few venues. We are so fortunate that Ronstadt calls San Francisco home.

She has not been able to sing for over a dozen years, and yet she continues. With great determination and courage she is getting out and about to share the love with her many fans. Ronstadt recounts her four-decade career in a spectacular, big-screen multi media journey assisted by videos, rare personal photos and music, including a look at some of the behind-the-scenes events that shaped her uniquely eclectic musical style.

The evening’s highlight will be the Q & A portion where she apparently delights audiences with her charm and humor. What a stunning example of a woman who is living life out loud. www.mountainwinery.com