The dog days of summer are starting to wear on the folks in Elgin/Sonoita's wine country, so they are turning their summer blahs into summer fun starting this weekend.
In the next couple weeks, the folks behind the vine are letting their hair down and showing off their sassy sides.
• This weekend, Kief-Joshua Vineyards is going reggae with its popular summertime concert series. Its hosting the Tucson Gypsy roots rock, reggae band Planet Jam — Marius Todirita, Kacy Todirita, Josh "P Nut" Moore, Will "Vern" Lemon, Joe Whitley and Billy Keys — from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at the vineyard, 370 Elgin Road. Admission's free.
Concerts are held on Saturdays through Aug. 27, when Kief-Joshua brings in two bands — Rhythm Jax and Sugar Thieves Trio — for its annual — Magdelena Bash Harvest Festival.
• Arizona Hops & Vines combines stargazing with wine, bacon and booze at its annual Bad Decisions campout. Live music with The County Line, The Electric Blankets, Acorn Bcorn, The Jons, Drew Cooper, Pork Torta and others, wine and brews from 20 wineries, breweries and distilleries only scratches the surface of the wackiness that will ensue beginning at 10 a.m. Aug. 13. They also are introducing spy games hosted by Covert Mission Games. Cost: $30 for the daytime only, $80 for the whole shebang including the campout. Click here for details.
And coming this fall:
• Flying Leap Vineyards, 342 Elgin Road, is hosting its own stargazing fest. Astronomy & Wine 2016 begins at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at the winery combines wine tasting with amazing views of the night sky. The cost is $49.95 per person which includes two glasses of wine, a souvenir glass, plenty of hors d’oeurves and tasty treats and a sample of of a future 2015 Flying Leap release, straight from the barrel. Click here for tickets.
