FRONTIERS SUGGESTS: Our top picks for the next 14 days

FRI., AUG. 15

Summer Awakening

Lea Michele, star of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning Spring Awakening, makes her West Coast cabaret debut alongside Tony Award-winning John Lloyd Young, star of the hit musical Jersey Boys. Mark's Restaurant. Fri., Aug. 15. 9 p.m. www.uprightcabaret.com.

HOMO MUST

SAT., AUG. 16

Sip, Sample, and Savor

The L. A. Gay & Lesbian Center's third annual Simply diVine! The wine, food tasting, and auction fundraiser will be held on the cobblestone path of Beverly Hills' Two Rodeo. More than 20 top vintners and 10 of L.A.'s top restaurants will represent, providing culinary delights and complementing beverages, with all proceeds benefiting the Gay & Lesbian Center. Two Rodeo, Beverly Hills. Sat., Aug. 16. 8-10:30 p.m. (V.I.P. 6:30-8 p.m.) $150. ($500 V.I.P.) 323/993-7638. www.lagaycenter.org/wine.

SUN., AUG. 17

We're Here, We're Queer

ONE Culture Series hosts critic and political activist Andre Ting for an afternoon lecture entitled “We Were There: Exploring Asian/Pacific Islander Gay & Lesbian Activism in the '70s, '80s, and '90s.” Learn how our current freedoms are the result of everyone's dedication and commitment to equality. ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives. Sun., Aug. 17. 2 p.m. 213/741-0094. www.onearchives.org.

WED., AUG. 20

Something Wicked This Way Comes

You've always wanted to trawl down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, now your chance is here. The finalists in the “Wannabe Wicked” competition, an American Idol-esque Web-based contest, will square off at Universal City Walk to see whose voice really “defies gravity,” the winner of whom gets to “dance through life” in a walk-on role in the L.A. production of Wicked at the Pantages Theater. Universal City Walk. Wed., Aug. 20. 7 p.m. Free admission. www.citywalkhollywood.com/Wicked.

SAT., AUG. 23

Bring It On!

In celebration of Tim Dang's 15th anniversary as the producing artistic director of East West Players, the divas and tenors are coming out in full force to put others in check in the aptly titled competition, Divas vs. Tenors. Never before has the stage seen so much sass and attitude! Stay for the raffle drawing at the conclusion of the festivities. Henry David Hwang Theater. Sat., Aug. 23. Cocktails 6 p.m. Performance 7:30 p.m. $60-250. www.eastwestplayers.org.

SUN., AUG. 24

Street Fest

Maybe you want to listen to awesome musical acts or just strut in those new tight leather chaps, breaking them in before the big beer bust next week. Whatever your prerogative is, there's everything and more to take a gander at this year at the Sunset Junction Street Festival, celebrating cultural and gender diversity. With bountiful food, three stages, and arts and crafts, what more could you want? Sunset and Santa Monica. Sat., Aug. 23 and Sun., Aug. 24. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. $15. ($20 at the door). www.sunsetjunction.org.

MON., AUG. 25

I'm A Star

Beverly Winwood (Reno 911's Susan Yeagley), Hollywood's elite acting coach, is back and provides a platform for her students, aka the stars of tomorrow, as they perform classic and contemporary material to the best of their amateurish abilities in Beverly Winwood Presents Her 2nd Annual Actors’ Showcase. Hilarity will ensue; this is the Groundlings after all! Groundling Theatre. Monday, Aug. 18 & 25. 8 p.m. $15. 323/934-9700. www.groundlings.com.

Maestros United

From their humble beginnings in 1979 through the height of the AIDS crisis, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles will celebrate 30 years of musical excellence and community devotion. Help them kick-start their 13th season with a bang. Disney Hall. Mon., Aug. 25. 8 p.m. $25-50. 800/523-1515. www.ticketmaster.com.

Compiled by Brian Padgett
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