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.