The passion of the tango — in both music and dance — triumphed last weekend when a pocket-sized troupe of Argentines stopped off in wine country with a program called “Tango and Fire.”

This marked the third time we’d seen “The Importance of Being Earnest” this year.

“Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker” — The bestselling series of children’s books by Anthony Horowitz comes to the big screen starring first-timer Alex Pettyfer as a teenage spy for the British government who must defend England’s schoolchildren from the evil plans of a computer manufacturer (Mickey Rourke). With Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Silverstone. Written by Horowitz. Directed by Geoffrey Sax. PG.

While Putumayo has presented a variety of world music concerts and CDs, African music has been the heart and soul of its offerings. This fall, Putumayo brings together three of the African continent’s most gifted singer-songwriters for an international tour. The Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Africa Concert Tour featuring Habib Koité from Mali, Vusi Mahlasela from South Africa and Dobet Gnahoré from Ivory Coast, comes to the Napa Valley Opera House Saturday at 8 p.m. 

The Napa Valley Symphony presents its second pops concert of the 2006/2007 season featuring the legendary Wynonna on Saturday, at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville.

NEW YORK — In the testosterone-fueled rap world, women have always had a role on stage — usually as the side-chick, the video vixen or the oversexed diva boasting of myriad ways to pleasure a man.

In a less-imperfect world, Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s concert at the Napa Valley Opera House last week would have been packed to the rafters. Nobody would have left unsatisfied.

At the outset of Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige,” we’re told the title refers to a magic trick’s big climax, the performer bringing back the thing he just made disappear.

The cryptic, mind-bending, paradoxical works of M.C. Escher are at the Volakis Gallery in Yountville through Nov. 5.

“Art is not just you go to your studio and you’re the artist,” Nancy Willis said.

Barbara and Marty Nemko are among Napa’s most prominent — and busiest — couples: She is the Napa County Superintendent of Education; he is a syndicated writer, editor and broadcaster specializing in careers.

The 53,000-square-foot Napa County Sheriff's headquarters may have a state-of-the-art coroner's facility and Emergency Command Center, but the facility embraces history, too.

Even people who haven't seen the movie know the famous line at the end of "Scarface," when Al Pacino stands there with his machine gun and yells, "Say hello to my little friend!" Shortly afterward, he dies in a hail of bullets.

Education

A special group of artists was lauded at Copia last weekend as they unveiled their latest work, "The Children's Art Therapy Calendar 2007."

Redd restaurant in Yountville is heralded as one of this year’s best new restaurants by John Mariani in Esquire Magazine’s November 2006 issue.

Look for raw fish in dishes other than sushi to show up more and more on menus in coming months. “Crudo” — the Italian and Spanish name for raw seafood — is one of the rising trends pinpointed by Barbara Fairchild, editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit magazine, during a recent talk at the CIA in St. Helena.

Five years ago, Catherine Bergen’s Tulocay’s Made in Napa Valley brand was a fledgling company offering high-quality sauces and condiments that Bergen had created in her facility on the Napa River.

I’d initially planned to write up some zucchini-related recipes, but when the weather changed so quickly, I decided I’d better get busy and start preparing the beds for my winter vegetables instead.

Napa Valley folks dominated the Copia Wine Awards Saturday.

If you’re looking for a job in the wine industry, a good place to start is Napa Valley College.

Katie Heffernan, 2, of St. Helena, jumps in a bin as a group of kids stomped grapes at Sequoia Grove Winery in Rutherford on Sunday morning.

As every gardener -- and grape grower -- knows, it takes good dirt to grow tasty crops.

NEW MARKET, Va. -- October is the time of year when greenhouse gardeners get serious.

Mindfully organizing

Little house on the drawing board

John and Renee Walkenhorst celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Sept. 29, with a dinner party in Santa Rosa. In attendance were their children and their children's spouses, Marsha and Hans Warner, Danny and Lyn Walkenhorst, Stewart and Shannon Walkenhorst and Margaret and Paul Willes. Also attending were some of their 24 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

On Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006, John and Jean Adamo celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the McBride Senior Center in Vacaville. They were married on Aug. 11, 1956, at St. John's Catholic Church in Napa. John and Jean have lived in northern Vacaville for the past 25 years where, in their retirement, they grow jojoba on their five acre farm.

NOLAN-FRANZI -- Donald Paul Nolan, 42, Willis Drive, Napa, to Cindy Jean Franzi, 45, Willis Drive, Napa.

Natalia Lely and Ryan Lazarus, both of Napa, married on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. at the Lodge in Sonoma. The ceremony was officiated by Judge Steven Kroyer, uncle of the bride. The maid of honor was Cassandra Lely and the best man was E.J. Sondgroth. The reception was held at the Lodge in Sonoma. The couple honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas and will make their new home in Walnut Creek.