Maya: Good morning, and welcome to the very first edition of Marin Arts and Entertainment! I'm Maya.

Devon: And I'm Devon. Every Friday, we're your guides to the concerts, theater, galleries, and films lighting up Mahrin County, plus our top picks for the weekend ahead.

Maya: And what a weekend to launch with. Let's start with theater, because Mahrin stages are packed right now.

Devon: First up, the Ross Valley Players are earning rave reviews for Death of a Salesman at the Barn Theater in the Mahrin Art and Garden Center in Ross. Critics are calling it extraordinarily acted on a sparse, beautiful stage, and it runs through October twenty-fifth.

Maya: Then there's Defying Gravity at the College of Mahrin in Kentfield. Jane Anderson's play weaves together the painter Monet, the first teacher chosen to fly in space, and dreamers reaching for the stars. It opens tonight, with performances Friday and Saturday at seven thirty and Sunday at two, running three weekends.

Devon: And the Marin Shakespeare Company just launched its Seeds of Time Festival at their downtown theater on Fourth Street in San Rafael, running October third through the eighteenth. Best part? It's free or pay what you can.

Maya: Now to music. The big one is across the bridge but impossible to ignore. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass takes over Golden Gate Park today through Sunday. It's free, it's legendary, and this year's lineup includes Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, My Morning Jacket, and Steve Earle.

Devon: Closer to home, HopMonk Tavern in Novato has a killer run coming up. Toad the Wet Sprocket plays Friday the ninth, then Jackie Greene takes the stage Saturday and Sunday.

Maya: And mark your calendar for next Saturday, October tenth. Jai Uttal brings five decades of devotional world music to the Mahrin Center Showcase Theater at seven P M, an evening of chanting, singing, and celebration.

Devon: One more for the calendar: YES Fest takes over the San Rafael Elks Lodge next Friday night. Live music, dancing until one A M, a silent auction, and dinner, all supporting arts education for Ross Valley students.

Maya: Time for our weekend picks, the three things most worth leaving the house for. Devon, you first.

Devon: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Free, world class, and the weather is supposed to be gorgeous. Pack a picnic and go early.

Maya: I'm going with opening weekend of Defying Gravity. There is nothing like opening night energy, and the College of Mahrin always delivers.

Devon: And for something easy and festive, Oktoberfest at the Mahrin Country Mart in Larkspur on Sunday, eleven to five. Live music, German food and beer, and even a kids' pretzel craft.

Maya: That's our premiere episode! If we missed your show, concert, or gallery opening, we want to hear about it.

Devon: Have a beautiful weekend, Mahrin. We'll see you next Friday.

Maya: Bye, everybody!