If the recent heavy headlines and posturing politicians have got you down, then treat yourself and your family and friends to a fun, sassy little revue now playing at the White Barn in St. Helena.

The Napa Valley Chorale’s spring concert, “Choral Treasures,” is Sunday at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Performances are at 3:30 and 7 p.m.

“Away From Her” — It’s an intriguing paradox: In quiet, understated ways, this film marks the debut of a powerfully talented new director.

Diehard fans of the Beatles who only want to see a strictly faithful impersonation might have been turned off by the second half of the Fab Four’s show at Lincoln Theater on Saturday night, where the group performed songs the original band never did in concert.

The week before a production opens, officially known as Tech Week, often is called by many other more colorful sobriquets.

The nationally renowned Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs at the Napa Valley Opera House on Friday.

The Lincoln Theater continues its year-long 50th anniversary celebration with a summer and fall that features a wide selection of world, traditional and classical music, dance, comedy, family entertainment as well as two full-scale Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway musicals.

The Napa Valley Museum newest show “Northern Views: California Painting in the Plein Air Tradition,” opens with a reception Friday, 6-8 p.m.

When Neil Simon’s play “The Dinner Party” opened on Broadway nearly seven years ago, some drama critics were baffled when the witty banter onstage gave way to deep emotion and powerful erotic longing.

Will Shortz, crossword editor of the New York Times and puzzle master for NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday, appears at the Napa Valley Opera House on  May 11 at 8 p.m.

Napa High School’s highly entertaining production of Noel Coward’s farce “Rumors” continues this week with performances Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m.

Education

On a recent trip to the appealing but tiny island of Key West, I motored by Key West Winery on a rented scooter three times before my curiosity got the best of me. I had to find out what kind of wine they make in Key West.

The Michael Mondavi family has opened Folio Winemakers’ Studio in the Carneros appellation. Michael Mondavi described the new studio as “a place where our family, along with other small producers, can create beautifully crafted wines.”

As Elaine Villamin tells the story, her father wanted to plant something in his backyard.

Jack Heeger

By dint of many subtle hints, (“Can I come?” “Can a photographer come too?” “When can we come?”) I had finally secured an invitation to what was beginning to seem like the most exclusive club in town.

There will be plenty of smiles and toasts of sake in small upraised cups at the Fujiya restaurant in Napa this May as the little eatery celebrates its 20th year in business, a record as the longest-lasting Japanese establishment in the county.

Think a juicy steak has no place in a healthy diet? Think again.

Copia hosts Chef Marco Pierre White, author of “The Devil in the Kitchen: Sex, Pain, Madness and the Making of a Great Chef” Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m.

The meatball has become so synonymous with Italian food it’s easy to forget there is a world of variation out there.

Frank Ottomanelli makes a point of knowing his customers. If not by name, at least by meat.

Bejeweled, speckled and shimmering with flecks of gold, the newest tiles are going way beyond the backsplash, brightening living spaces all over the house.

Spring brings the same old question: Why won’t the deck stay bright and fresh-looking for more than a year at a time?

Six Napa Valley homes will open their doors for the Symphony League Home and Garden Tour May 19. The tour benefits the Napa Valley Symphony, celebrating its 75th year.

Amanda Trimble and Jon-Michael Dannenberg of Dixon announce their engagement to be married on Sept. 8.

Jamie Marie Stager of Cupertino and Tyler Elliott Nelson of Napa announce their engagement to be married June 16, in Napa.

ALCANTAR GAZCA-EUSEBIO ASCENCIO -- Carlos Andres Alcantar Gazca, 26, Big Ranch Road, Napa, to Rosa Eusebio Ascencio, 26, Big Ranch Road, Napa.

Queen of the Valley

SCHELLING -- Dennis Schelling vs. Donna Schelling, April 19, 2007