Acoustic Africa brought a sold-out audience to its feet — more than once — when it performed at the Opera House Saturday, and deservedly so.

In contrast to those collections of bones that largely hang around waiting to spook someone, the skeletons of El Dia de los Muertos — the Mexican Day of the Dead — sing, dance, party, gamble, paint and cook; they chase wayward spouses brandishing frying pans. They are, one might say, a lively lot.

The 10th Native American Art and Wine Auction Saturday features works by multi-media artist Denise Feather, along with a salmon dinner by Michael Fradelizio of Silverado Brewing Co. and a wine tasting by Honig Winery and Mumm Napa Valley.

More than 35 years ago Justin-Siena High School, under the direction of the late Robert C. Morrish, staged “Arsenic and Old Lace” as the school’s first theatrical production. Today, Justin-Siena’s Theater Department Director Matthew Teague Miller says that while the legacy of arts on campus and the tribute to Morrish are part of the reason for staging the play again, “it’s just a really fun and very funny show.”

One man’s quest for “the real” in the realm where rock music meets theater becomes a greatly entertaining journey for an audience in “Passing Strange,” which had its world premiere at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre last week.

Napans can dance with the stars at the Napa Valley Opera House Saturday in a one-of-a kind evening that is guaranteed to get the audience on its feet.

The Napa Valley Symphony presents its first classical concert of their 2006/2007 season featuring Scottish percussion virtuoso Evelyn Glennie on Sunday at 3 p.m., and Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville.

NEW YORK — The cockeyed optimism of “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” routinely flies in the face of real life.

For two decades now, the North Bay Philharmonic, under the baton of Roberto-Juan Gonzalez, has managed to both train Napa Valley College students and satisfy the community’s musical craving.

BURBANK — Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas can count the King of Pop among his fans.

Part of the Mexican tradition for Day of the Dead is to bake special bread, Pan de Muerto, for the altars honoring the departed loved ones.

Meet Cindy Pawlcyn — of Mustards, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen and Go Fish fame — and get a jump on holiday shopping with an autographed copy of her newest cookbook, “Big Small Plates” Saturday, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the newly opened Go Fish Restaurant, 641 Main St., St. Helena. For more information, call 963-0700.

Vine Village was the setting this past weekend for princesses, ninja turtles, fairies and ghouls to mingle with llamas, goats and a giant donkey named Max.

Education

Target presents checks to schools

To local residents, the Bounty Hunter in downtown Napa is a wine bar, a wine shop, a restaurant and a place to congregate in the evening.

Buoyed by a textbook harvest, area grapegrowers and vintners are predicting 2006 will be a banner year for Napa Valley wines.

From Register Staff

“It’s one of my favorite dishes in the world,” Amelia Ceja declared as she surveyed the spread at the family winery’s new tasting headquarters in Carneros.

The wait was worth it.

Each Tuesday The Register reviews an area restaurant, with an emphasis on establishments where a couple can dine for $30 or less.  Reader suggestions are welcomed.

For three-and-one-half years, Sicilians Rosario Patti and Santo Sacca made friends and fed hungry diners at their popular downtown Napa eatery, Belle Arti.

For those who ever wondered, when reading the immortal story of Sam-I-Am, just what green eggs and ham taste like, Georgianne Brennan has an answer in the form of a recipe.

Flan from Ceja Vineyards

We recently came across a newspaper advertisement inviting readers to take advantage of an "unbelievable" kitchen remodeling "package" for just under $10,000! The display showed a photo of a lovely kitchen, and even offered to throw in a free sink with presentation of the ad.

If you live in Dry Creek, Circle Oaks, Berryessa Estates, Angwin, Deer Park or Berryessa Highlands, to mention a few high fire danger communities, the memory of the recent Yountville fire should still be fresh in your mind. In the case of the people who live in Dry Creek, the threat was real and the danger was very close to home. My question today is: Would you be ready if you had to evacuate your home?

Homeowners interested in quick-change room redesigns and home staging have a new resource in the first volume of trade secrets from members of the industry's professional association, the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists (IRIS). The new book, "IRIS in the House Š and Suddenly Everything Works," contains contributions from 19 members of the association including Ruthanne and Charlie Hatfield of Art of Interior Placement in Napa.

"I have 150 rose bushes at home," said Sharon McDermott, associate gift buyer for Van Winden's Garden Center. "My favorite rose is Ingrid Bergman because it's a deep velvet red, has long lasting vase life and good foliage. It's the rose I recommend when customers ask me for one that's disease resistant and beautiful."

Kassie Borreson and Andrew Brenner, both of San Francisco, announced plans to marry on May 26, 2007, in San Francisco.

CURRIE-SNOW -- Justin William Currie, 19, Patton Avenue, Napa, to Angela Christine Snow, 19, Patton Avenue, Napa.

St. Helena Hospital

A baby girl was born in Napa on Oct. 29, 1908.

Calista Dunn and Isaiah Lomeli, both of Napa, married on July 20, 2006, at Silverado Resort. Calista carried an antique Belgian lace handkerchief that has been carried by all the brides in her family, dating back to her great-grandmother's wedding in 1921. The maid of honor was Althea Dunn, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Hilary Dunn, sister of the bride, and Clarissa Lomeli, sister of the groom. The best man was Martin McDonald, cousin of the groom. Groomsmen were Noah Hickman and Eric Hulbert, friends of the groom. The flower girl was Emma Jeffries and the ring bearer was Domenic Topete. Calista and Isaiah held their reception at the Grove at Silverado Resort and honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas for four days.

Peggy E. Whaley of Vallejo and Wayne K. Adolfo of Fairfield married on Sept. 2, 2006, in Reno, Nev. The bride's eldest son Chris walked her down the aisle. The groom's parents wed in the same place more than 35 years ago. The bridesmaids were Ashley Whaley, Malia Adolfo and Larissa Adolfo. Groomsmen were Chris Whaley and Andrew Adolfo, and the ring bearer was Noah Whaley. A small reception was held after the ceremony at the groom's parents' house in Reno. The couple plans on taking a honeymoon trip to Maui. They reside in Fairfield.

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.

Charyse N. Hollier and Nick R. Parker, both of Tustin, married on Sept. 22, 2006, on the beach in Maui, Hawaii. The couple held their reception at Plantation House Restaurant, followed by a week-long honeymoon in Maui. They make their new home in Tustin.

Carolyn Hohmann and Nathan Daulton, both of Napa, announced plans to marry on April 2, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church of Napa. The bride's parents are Mark and Ila Hohmann of Napa. Her grandparents are Helen Darling and Addie Hohmann.