Hey! Let’s go outside and play!

Music

Gathering on the Green: The annual performing arts festival at Mequon Rotary Park will again features great live music, activities for the younger set, plenty of great food and more, Friday and Saturday, July 13-14.

The park opens for activities and picnicking at 5 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. The Rods ‘n’ Relics auto show will be the pre-concert attraction on Friday. On Saturday, the festival will offer a host kid-friendly activities leading up to the big evening show and Fireworks Finale. Bring picnic lunches and dinners or purchase food from the many vendors on the grounds. New this year: The “Run the Green” 5K Run/Walk & Youth Fun Run, with the entire course inside the park, starting at 8 a.m. Sunday.

On Friday, Jamit will perform at 5:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., Under the Streetlamp — a vocal quartet comprising the original Chicago cast of Jersey Boys — will sing hits of the ’50s and ‘6.

On Saturday, singers from the Florentine Opera and dancers from Danceworks will join conductor Richard Hynson and the Gathering on the Green Orchestra in Music from the Movies. They’ll cover everything from Disney hits to South Pacific at the evening concert.

For ticket sales, performance times and more, visit the Gathering on the Green website.

Starry Nights, the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center’s summer outdoor series, presents Latin Jazz Friday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. Orquesta Tumbao,comprising members of the faculty at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music,will play Latin jazz and salsa aimed at getting their audience up and dancing.

Jazz chanteuse Diana Krall will sing at the Riverside Theater Monday, July 16. Krall is touring in support of her 12th album, Quiet Nights, which has a bossa nova vibe.  And now, Miss Diana Krall:

Florentine at the Lake: Enjoy some old favorites, preview the Florentine Opera’s upcoming season and enjoy all that Alterra-at-the-Lake caffeinated deliciousness. The free show starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 12. For more, visit the Florentine Opera’s website.

Theater

Alchemist Theater: Juliet and Romeo. No, that’s not a typo. This “gender-flipped retelling of the classic Shakespearean love story” opens Thursday, July 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Alchemist Theater in lovely Bay View. It runs until the 28th. For tickets and info, visit the Alchemist Theater’s website.

Theatre Gigante was to open Holly Hughes’  The Dog and Pony Show this coming weekend. Theatre Gigante has pushed it back to 8 p.m. on July 19-20-21  at Paddy’s Pub, 2339 N. Murray Ave. Adjust accordingly.

Festivals

Bastille Days: 2012 marks the 31st year of this free four-day celebration. With gorgeous Cathedral Park surrounding it, patrons can enjoy authentic French and Cajun cuisine, live music and even a 43-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower. Bastille Days opens at 11 am on Thursday July 12 and runs through the 15th. More information can be found at the East Town Association’s website.

Ongoing

American Players Theater: The Royal Family, through September 29.

Angry Young Men, Ltd.: Full-Frontal Puppetry, June 15-16, July 13-14, 19-20 at Soulstice Theatre.

Last Chance

Marcus Center: Packer Fans from Outer Space, through July 15.