Theatre is making its way back and we have a roundup of a few live shows. Live music is also on the docket and The Mountain Winery has some wonderful line-ups. That stellar vocal group, Il Divo, celebrates Motown in San Jose. Have you ever heard of Thrive City?  New to me, but right outside of the new(ish) home of the Golden State Warriors. Film lovers rejoice as film festivals are beginning to come back. This week’s podcast is a fascinating conversation about a revolutionary way to eat. And congrats to the “head tomato” on her latest novel, “Can You Hear Us Now?”

Tomatoes, are you familiar with the Chakra System? Perhaps you’ve heard the term and know a little bit about these energy centers. Listen in to this lively interview with Cyndi Dale, one of the authors of the new book, “Chakras Food and You,” a revolutionary approach that customizes health assessments based on the chakras. Spoiler alert, it’s ok to eat that chocolate cookie! LISTEN IN.

Aug. 6-22. Costal Rep presents Native Gardens

If you fancy a trip to the coast, you might want to make a day of it in Half Moon Bay andend your exploration with a visit to Coastal Rep to see their in-person show, Native Gardens. Start your day with a beach walk, head to Half Moon Bay Brewery for an afternoon brew and early dinner and then head to Coastal Rep to see a brilliant comedy.

 In this setting cultures and gardens clash, turning well-intentioned neighbors into feuding enemies. Pablo and Tania have just purchased a home next to Frank and Virginia, a well-established Washington, DC couple with a prize-worthy English garden. But an impending barbeque for Pablo’s colleagues and a delicate disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out border dispute, exposing both couples’ notions of race, taste, class and privilege. Coastalrep.com

Aug. 20-Sept. 5. Palo Alto Players Present Aren’t You..?

The Palo Alto Players presents a fascinating and original one man show, Aren’t You…? The Lucie Stern Theatre welcomes Fred Pitts (a well-known local actor) and his play to us live. What started as a simple tourist road trip became a recounting of Pitts’ hilarious journey to visit all 21 California Mission churches, where he discovers being black makes him an instant celebrity – the question is which one?

The show examines his fellow tourists and Mission docents. Some are experts on the Catholic Church, a few are experts on Native American history, others are experts on…everything else. Full of Pitts’ personal experiences and love of history, AREN’T YOU…? perfectly blends delightful insights into the Missions, cogent thoughts on early California settlers’ interactions with Native Americans, and the experience of walking in the shoes of an African American male. Paplayers.org

We’re excited for Cheryl Benton’s latest novel, “Can You Hear Us Now?” that continues the story of Suzy, Madge, and Trish from “Can You See Us Now?” and their abiding friendship. GET THE BOOK.

Aug. 12. Il Divo’s

Famed vocal superstars Il Divo’s For Once In My Life Tour is coming to The San Jose Performing Arts Center. The show will be celebrating Motown and filled with Il Divo’s hits from their vast catalog of songs with an incredible stage production. This is a stop on their brand-new world tour which pays tribute to some of the greatest music in American pop-culture fans.

They put their own unique spin on those Motown favorites such as “I’ll Be There” (The Jackson 5), “For Once In My Life” (Stevie Wonder), and “Say You, Say Me” (Lionel Richie). This quartet’s vocal qualities are incredible, and this is an opportunity to experience them live as they pay tribute to the legendary artists and label that has been a part of the musical fabric of America and the world for over 60 years. Sanjosetheatres.org

Live Music at Mountain Winery

The Mountain Winery is back. It is my favorite way to watch music, the view, a picnic, live music. A bit of a drive, but well worth it. The line-up of upcoming artists has me swooning, particularly Josh Groban.  You can enjoy a delicious meal while you are there, worth it! Chateau La Cresta offers a full 3 course sit down meal with locally sourced ingredients.

Or you can reserve a pre-show table on the Winery Deck and enjoy an exquisite Northern California Assorted tasting platter.  Both options are a treat. Other artists coming up include The Indigo Girls, Billy Idol, Steve Martin and Martin Short together. Entertainment for all tastes.

Thrive City

You don’t have to be a Warriors fan or pay those extreme ticket prices to enjoy the area surrounding Chase center. Located in the heart of Mission Bay, Thrive City is a dynamic community gathering space created by the Golden State Warriors and Kaiser Permanente to promote health and wellness in the greater Bay Area. The beautiful open-air district offers a year-round resource for families, fans, visitors and neighbors to build community at a variety of festivals, farmers markets, dining experiences, community events and more.

I am embarrassed to admit, that I did not know about this amazing space. On 11 acres, you can find farmer’s markets, visit Harmonic Brewing and get yummy dumplings at Dumpling Time. The Warriors are also involved in so many great events, giving away toys, serving underprivileged youth in a variety of ways and truly giving back to the community. On a fog free day, a great idea would be to rent a bike to explore Mission Bay, stopping for a yummy crab sandwich lunch with a glorious view at Mission Rock Resort before heading to Thrive City.