Plan your weekends, cats and kittens. Herewith, the guaranteed-awesomest activities going down now through Sunday in the East Bay:
Dolly Parton
Even though Dolly Parton says she initially styled herself after a hooker in her Tennessee hometown, Parton ultimately parlayed her talents into a multi-faceted – and more respectable – career as a singer, songwriter, indie record label entrepreneur, drag queen icon, amusement park owner, and actress. Better Day, her newest self-released project, is packed with a dozen self-penned gems all strung together by a common theme of optimism. But even though it’s graced with guest appearances by Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss, contemporary country music radio formats will undoubtedly forsake this Smoky Mountains native. That’s a shame, considering that she’s penned a lot of newer crossover fare that’s blazed trails for the likes of Shania Twain and Faith Hill. That said, you can still catch her live. This petite music icon will be bringing her brand of country music to the great outdoors of Sleep Train Pavilion (2000 Kirker Pass Rd., Concord) on Sunday, July 24. 7 p.m., $34-$159. LiveNation.com— Dave Gil de Rubio
Moe’s Bookstore Tea Tasting
Best known as an iconic 52-year-old new-and-used book emporium, Moe’s Books (2476 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley) is now a purveyor of hot beverages. Herbalists at another longtime Berkeley business, Lhasa Karnak Herb Company, have created Moe’s Breakfast Tea, a custom blend that includes Darjeeling and Ceylonese Orange Pekoe, among other elements, and is available only at the bookstore. The public is welcome to a complimentary tasting on Saturday, July 23. 2 p.m., free. 510-849-2087 or MoesBooks.com. — Anneli Rufus
