Last fling for end of summer

Sonoma Valley teen singer-songwriter Sarah Summers is headed off to attend UCLA after she gives one last local performance Monday night at the Sonoma Community Center

Labor Day is the parenthesis that closes the summer, a bookend dividing frivolous pastimes like picnics and parties from serious pursuits like homework and soccer practice.

But just because all your neighbors are leaving town for a final fling with summer doesn’t mean you can’t have fun in your own backyard. From comedy and drama to music and movies, the North Bay offers up an eclectic grab bag of events for your three-day weekend.

It’s your last chance for a last dance, so get out and boogie. If you haven’t gone to an outdoor concert, explored a new winery, or discovered a new artist, here’s your chance.

Dress up in a Greek toga, enjoy Greek food from Elaine Bell Catering and watch the lusty, gutsy film, “Mamma Mia,” at 6:30 Friday, August 31, at Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma. Local band Joyride will warm up the crowd before the movie screens. $100, including wine and dinner, to benefit La Luz Center in Sonoma. To reserve, go to laluzcenter.org/casbah.html and click on Lot 7. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma.

Whiskey & Women

If you like your beer hoppy and your women sweet, check out the all-Americana-roots music of Whiskey and Women, a trio performing Friday, August 31 at the Lagunitas TapRoom and Beer Sanctuary in Petaluma. The three wacky “hellcats” will whisk you off to New Orleans and back with accordion ditties and fiddle tunes. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd. 778-8776.

Speaking of wacky, the Raven Players opens its two-week production of the farce, “Moon Over Buffalo,” at 8 p.m., Friday August 31 at the Raven Performing Arts Theater in Healdsburg. The play-within-a-play follows a has-been acting couple as they take a shot at stardom, only to be tripped up by a deaf theater manager and other madcap misadventures. $23 adults, $19 seniors and students. 115 North St. raventheater.org.