FRIDAY
Comedy
Paula Poundstone WHAT: This funny lady, who's also an author and an award-winning panelist on NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" news quiz show, brings her stand-up act to town as a special benefit for the Friends of the Sacramento Library. She'll be selling and autographing copies of her book, "There's Nothing in This Book That I Meant To Say," and donating a portion of the proceeds to the library group.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Crest Theatre, 1013 K St., Sacramento
COST: $27-$42
INFORMATION: (916) 442-7378, www.thecrest.com
FRIDAY
Pop music
Basia
WHAT: The jazz and pop singer and her collaborator Danny White have always drawn from timeless influences: the rhythms and styles of Latin music, the sound of classic American soul and R&B, and the polish of '50s and '60s jazz to create something fresh and exciting. Her latest recording is called "It's That Girl Again."
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Harlow's, 2708 J St., Sacramento
COST: $35
INFORMATION: (916) 441-4693
SATURDAY
Cultural celebration
2011 Romanian Festival
WHAT: The Romanian community of Sacramento presents its 10th anniversary heritage celebration. Romanian artists, performers and folk dance groups will participate. And there will be traditional food and handicrafts for sale. The early afternoon also will feature children's activities.
WHEN: Noon-7 p.m.
WHERE: Royer Park, 190 Park Drive, Roseville
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (916) 604-6707, www.romaniancentersacramento.org
SATURDAY
Fruit fight
Tomato Battle
WHAT: Yes, the tomato is technically a fruit - and Tomato Battle, based out of Seattle, but mimicking the famed La Tomatina tomato-throwing event each year in Spain - invites Northern Californians to hurl the ripe orbs all around. The tomatoes used are culled and not fit for human consumption, organizers swear, and the waste is composted afterward. So there. There also will be live entertainment, a costume contest and a beer garden.
NOTE: Eye protection is recommended - swimming goggles or sunglasses work great; shoes with a good tread are a good idea. Wear clothes you don't mind getting very dirty and bring a change of clothes to get home unless you want ketchup in your car.
WHEN: Noon to 8 or 9 or so
WHERE: Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton - but definitely worth the drive
COST: $59.99
INFORMATION: You can't call anyone, but see http://tomatobattle.com for details and some fun photos.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Music festival
KVMR Celtic Festival P
WHAT: The 15th annual event promises two days of music and magic - not to mention Scottish games, historic re-enactments, shopping, camping and plenty of food and drink. It's a fundraiser for the Grass Valley community radio station. Musicians include Old Blind Dogs from Scotland, the California Celtic jam-band Wake the Dead, Celtic rockers the Young Dubliners (pictured) and Molly's Revenge, among others.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley,
COST: Full festival pass: $60 general ($55 members), $20 ages 6-16; one-day pass: $45 at the gate general ($40 members), $17 ages 6 to 16. See website for prices for camping and for camping/festival combos; $5 parking per vehicle
INFORMATION: (530) 265-9073, http://kvmr.org/celticfestival
SUNDAY
Music festival
Blues for Life
WHAT: The fifth annual event is a combination music festival and pasta cook-off, staged as a fundraiser for Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation. Music - by such groups as the Nibblers, Mercy Me!, Walking Spanish, Kaye Bohler and Pailer, Adams & Joyce, among others - will be presented on two stages (inside and in the parking lot). Cooks for 10 local restaurants - the pugilistic potentates of pasta, they call them - will participate in the competition. There will be raffle items and a silent auction, too.
WHEN: 1-7 p.m.
WHERE: Torch Club, 904 15th St., Sacramento
COST: $10-$20
INFORMATION: (916) 443-2797, www.torchclub.net
SUNDAY
Theatrical movie event
'The Phantom of the Opera'
WHAT: To mark the 25th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh's inescapable musical, a live production of the show from the Royal Albert Hall in London will be beamed into theaters nationwide. The "music of the night" actually will be heard before noon here.
WHEN: 11 a.m. (with recorded replays Wednesday, Thursday and Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. local time)
WHERE: Local movie theaters, including Century (El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Greenback, Laguna and Stadium) Regal Natomas, UA Roseville
COST: $22 general
INFORMATION: 922-4241, www.fathomevents.com
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