“Summer is fun, all day in the sun,” and more rhymes of the season

A roundup of festivals, outdoor events, and other summertime activities|

There is a popular meme going around on the internet, always uncredited (we wish we knew who wrote it), with a poem about the summer, extolling the joys of the stuff we do together when the days are longer and the nights are warmer. Here it is.

Summer is messy. Summer is fun.

Summer is spending all day in the sun.

Summer is campfires, s’mores and late nights.

Summer is windy days spent flying kites.

Summer is tan lines and splashing in lakes.

Summer is mornings with chocolate pancakes.

Summer is time spent with family and friends.

Summer is hoping that it never ends.

To the unknown author of this poem, we say, ‘Thank you. You’ve summed it up perfectly, and we hope you have a nice job writing cards for Hallmark, because … you know … you’re really good at this.”

Anyway, the point of the poem being that summer is a time for entertainment and relaxation, here are several things to do with the warm weeks and sunny day remaining this summer season.

We hope you make the most of them.

BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS - SHALL WE DANCE

Weekends through Sunday, Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.

Jack London State Historic Park

The Transcendence Theatre Company’s summer series, Broadway Under the Stars, continues with this critically-acclaimed dance-themed show featuring performers from Broadway and beyond. Songs that are given the Transcendence treatment in this high-energy show include show tunes like “Luck Be a Lady” from “Guys & Dolls, “Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and the Beast,” “It Won’t Be Long Now” from “In the Heights” and “On the Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady.” Also in the show are imaginative song-and-dance numbers set to pop tunes such as Foreigner’s “Eye of the Tiger,” Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” and Calum Scott’s “Dancing on my Own.” Tickets range from $45 for general admission to $145 for VIP access.

Want to know more? Visit transcendencetheatre.org

CAMPFIRE NIGHT AT THE ADOBE

Saturday, Aug. 18, 7-8 p.m.

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park

In the courtyard of the mighty Petaluma Adobe, you will be invited to grab a skewer and toast some marshmallows, while listening to stories and songs about historic Petaluma. Free of charge. 3325 Adobe Road.

Want to know more? Visit SonomaParks.com

PET-A-LLAMA COMEDY FESTIVAL

Thursday, Aug. 16–Saturday, Aug. 18

The Mystic Theatre/The Big Easy

The inaugural Pet-a-Llama Comedy Festival will unfold over three days, with simultaneous shows at the Mystic Theatre and The Big Easy. Highlights include comedian Brian Posehn (“The Big Bang Theory”), The Comedians’ Cinema Club (an L.A.- based group that reenacts popular movies on the spot), The Sklar Brothers, Buddy Cole (from Kids in the Hall), and a whole more.

Want to know more? To see the full lineup and get information on each of the acts, check the website at Petallama.com.

COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVAL

Saturday Aug. 18-Sunday Aug. 19, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

La Plaza Park

The 28th annual Accordion Festival features over 40 acts from across the globe. Over 70 vendors will participate in the festivities consisting of food, beer and wine. A free shuttle service will transport patrons from the local Smart station for convenience. Tickets are $17 presale, $19 at the gate, and free for kids 15 and under.

Want to know more? Visit cotatifest.com

CIRCUS VARGUS’ ‘DREAMING OF PIRATES’

Thursday, Aug. 23-Monday, Aug. 27, various times

Petaluma Fairgrounds

The popular South Bay-based circus returns to Petaluma with a brand new, pirate-themed show featuring outrageous, swashbuckling acts of daring-do performed to live music. Show-times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, Aug. 26 and 27. Tickets $15-$40. Under the big top at the Petaluma Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive.

Want to know more? Visit CircusVargas.com.

SHAKESPEARE AT THE RIVER

Thursday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m.

The Foundry Wharf

Free Shakespeare returns to the Foundry Wharf, as Petaluma Shakespeare Company presents ‘All’s Well That Ends Well,’ the Bard’s wacky psychological rom-com about a brilliant, low-born woman who goes to astonishing lengths to win the heart of nobleman who pretty much hates her. The show will be preceded by short vignettes from the movement-based performance piece “Speechless Shakespeare,” which will be performed in its entirety on Sundays, Aug. 26 and Sept. 2, at 4 p.m. All shows are free, though donations will be gratefully accepted. Food and drink available for purchase.

Want to know more? Visit PetalumaShakespeare.org.

PETALUMA PROGRESSIVE FESTIVAL

Sunday, Aug. 26, Noon-5:30 p.m.

Walnut Park

For the 21st consecutive year, the Petaluma Progressive Festival brings an array of speakers and performers to Walnut Park. Highlights this year include a presentation of the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s new musical ‘Seeing Red,’ talks by Daniel Ellsberg, Dorsey Nunn, Lulabel Seitz, and Peter Phillips, music by Locupa, and more. It’s free.

Want to know more? Information at ProgressiveFestival.org

ART IN THE PARK

Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9,?10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Walnut Park

The Progressive Festival has nothing on the annual Art in the Park event, about to celebrate its 61st consecutive year in Petaluma. The Petaluma Arts Association invites you to come out to Walnut Park (corner of D St. and Petaluma Blvd.) to meet local artists, see their latest work, discuss the meaning of art, and eat some delicious snacks. Photography, jewelry, fine art, painting, drawing, sculpting and more will be on display, and for sale.

Want to know more? Information at Petalumaarts.org.

LAGUNITAS BEER CIRCUS

Saturday, Sept. 8, Noon-5 p.m.

Petaluma Fairgrounds

With the eye-catching tag-line “See things you can’t un-see!” the annual Lagunitas Beer Circus returns to Petaluma. The beneficiary this year is the non-profit Phoenix Theater), and General Circus Freaker tickets are a flat $40, which includes the first beer. Did we mention there will be beer?

Want to know more? Information at Lagunitas.com.

PETALUMA PIANO FESTIVAL & COMPETITION

Saturday, Sept. 15, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The Block and Trolley-Railway Museum

Piano-playing musicians of all ages will compete for cash prizes and trophies on colorful, artistically-adorned pianos, as part of this tuneful fundraiser for Petaluma Trolley Living History Railway Museum. Petaluma’s John Maher - aka Petaluma Peter - is organizing the event. $10 online, $12 at the door.

Want to know more? Visit Eventbrite.com (search for Petaluma piano).

PETALUMA RIVER CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

Saturday, Sept. 15, 1-5 p.m.

Historic Downtown Petaluma

With the slogan “Brews from our backyard, right by the River,” local craft beer fanatics are invited to celebrate the 6th annual Petaluma River Craft Beer festival, sipping on 23 local breweries including Lagunitas, Henhouse, Fogbelt, 2 Tread, Bear Republic and more. Food and drink will be accompanied by live music by the riverfront. You must be 21+ to attend this event. Tickets are $40.

Want to know more? Visit Petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org

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