Friday, November 9, 2007 Events in California in early November offer concerts, festivals and tours celebrating the cultural heritage and history of California.

Tamales, wine and cowboy poetry...now that's a powerful punch to celebrate the weekend in California. They say Californians are a bit punchy, a bit corny, and they like to "wine", so get out there and prove it. Have a good time!

LOOMIS - Cowboy Poetry Gathering. 13th Annual Fall Gathering of Cowboy Poetry and Music will launch you into the delightful upcoming holiday spirit in an old-fashioned delivery of the spoken word, and song. If you've never been to one of these events, you will love it! Featured performers include Red Steagall, Juni Fisher, Pat Richardson, Bill Brewster and Ernie Sites, to name some. Price begins at $20/person. Time: Daily performances with BBQ and reception. Friday: 7 p.m. performance: $20 general admission. (early reception at 5 p.m. and performance is $100). Saturday shows: 1 p.m. show is $20 adult; $10 child. 7 p.m. show is $35 flat fee. Barbeque on Saturday at 3 p.m. is $12 adult; $6 kid. (916) 652-4480.  Location: Blue Goose Fruit Shed, 3550 Taylor Road, Loomis, CA. soplacerheritage.org

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Tamale Festival - The tamales capital of the world celebrates with contests: Best Tamale Contest Tamale Eating Contest, Biggest Tamale Contest, Tamale Making Classes, Non-profit Booths Commercial Booths, Art & Crafts Booth, Kids Zone, MacArthur Park - Mama's Hot Tamales Café. Location: 2124 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057 (between Parkview & Alvarado Street on 7th Street)Cost: FREE ADMISSION. Time: Friday: 3pm - 8pm; Saturday:10am - 9pm; Sunday 11am - 6pm. eastlosangeles.net/tamalefestival

MONTEREY - The Great Wine Escape Weekend. The 11th Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend will be held at locations throughout Monterey County. This hospitality event of the year for Monterey County features over 45 Monterey wineries, local and national celebrity chefs, and the ultimate travel experience in the unparalleled setting of Monterey Wine Country. Events throughout the weekend include wine and food pairing sessions on Friday afternoon at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, wine country open houses and tours on Saturday, a hidden gem and boutique wine tasting on Saturday afternoon, over 20 winemaker dinners by world-renowned chefs on Friday and Saturday evenings, and The Great Wine Escape Grand Finale at Quail Lodge on Sunday. www.montereywines.org / 831-375-9400 events@ montereywines.org

PLACER COUNTY - Autumn Art Studios Tour. Roseville to Colfax, the tour lets you take in the foliage outside and art pieces by local artists. Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Cost: $10/person. Call: (530) 885-5670. placerarts.org

SAN FRANCISCO - Embarcadero Ice Skating.  Daily through January 15, 2008.  Location: Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94111. Ages: 3 and up. embarcaderocenter.com

SAN RAMON - Biletnikoff Foundation Celebrity Crab Fest & Sports Auction with Greg Papa, Bay Area sports broadcaster and radio voice of the Oakland Raiders. 8th Annual Biletnikoff Foundation Celebrity Crab Fest & Sports Auction time: 6 p.m. to midnight. Location: Marriott at Bishop Ranch, 2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon , California. Tickets are $95 per person and attire is casual. Call: (925) 556-2525. biletnikoff.net.

SANTA MONICA - Los Angeles Asian & Tribal Art Show. Location: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA. Friday preview 6pm-9pm, Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm, Preview $60; Cost: $12. Call: (310) 455-2886.

SUNSET BEACH - Sunset Gondola sunset authentic gondoliers and gondola cruises.  Peter's Landing, Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA.

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