Lots of concerts, films and swims remain before fall comes

With schools opening up again, temperatures slowly starting to drop and Labor Day just around the corner, open-air entertainment events are becoming scarcer.

But there still are chances for adults and children to see outdoor movies and concerts or immerse themselves in public swimming pools or water parks.

Check out these Sacramento-area options that will ensure you get to say a proper goodbye to summertime 2012:

Hear music

The inaugural Sunrise at Night concert series at Sunrise MarketPlace Outdoor Pavilion in Citrus Heights lasts through Sept. 14.

Three Dog Night and America perform Saturday; the kid-centric Doodlebops and Caillou show happens Sept. 1 (and not at night, but 11 a.m.); Kool & the Gang ("Celebration") will play on Sept. 8, and New Wave favorites Devo and Blondie will appear Sept. 14.

For tickets and information, see www.sunrisemarketplace.com.

The free Hot Lunch concert series at Sacramento's Fremont Park (16th and P streets) will wrap up Thursday with performances by Americana band Not an Airplane and folk/alternative rock act Honyock.

Food trucks such as Wicked 'Wich and Mama Kim will be present. Concertgoers also can call ahead to Hot Italian, at (916) 444-3000, to order a pizza for the concert or grab the $10 special, which includes a panini or insalata and a drink.

The all-ages Hot Lunch concert runs from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on the grass.

Watch movies

The REEL Bike-In Theater, started by a group of local arts enthusiasts, will screen outdoor movies on the first and third Thursday nights of the month through October.

Film fans 21 and older can ride their bikes to the Greens Hotel, 1700 Del Paso Blvd. They can lock up their rides and settle in to watch a movie after the sun sets.

Next up is director Christopher Guest's dog-show spoof, "Best in Show," on Sept. 6.

The event is free, but moviegoers are encouraged to bring cash to purchase food and to shop around at the event's many pop-up boutiques. Doors open at 6 p.m.

For information, see www.facebook.com/reelbikeintheater.

Coming up sooner is a screening Thursday of the hit comic book film "The Avengers" at California State University, Sacramento. The University Union's UNIQUE program will show the film for free at Serna Plaza. The 8 p.m. outdoor screening will include subtitles.

For information, visit www.sacstateunique.com or call (916) 278-6997.

Those who want to stick to a more traditional moviegoing experience can opt for a night at the West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-In, 9616 Oates Drive in Sacramento. The Sacramento 6 offers the bonus of double features for the price of one film.

Admission is $7 general, $1 for ages 5-11 and free for children under 5 years old. Tuesday nights are family fun nights: General-admission tickets drop to $5.

For information, visit www.westwinddriveins.com or call (916) 363-6572.

Take a dip

There are a few days left to enjoy Sacramento's city pools saved from closure by the SaveMart "Save Our Pools" campaign and other community efforts.

The George Sim Pool on Logan Street and the McClatchy Park Pool end their seasons Sunday.

Clunie Pool in McKinley Park and the Pannell Meadowview Pool are open through Sept. 3.

For information, call the individual pools. Clunie: (916) 808-5301; McClatchy: (916) 277-6041; Pannell Meadowview: (916) 808-6622; George Sim: (916) 382-3768.

Other aquatic options include SunSplash Water Park at Golfland SunSplash Roseville. It will remain open (on weekends only) through Sept. 9.

SunSplash's "Nite Slides" will be open tonight, Saturday and Aug. 31.

For information and to purchase tickets, visit www.golfland.com/ roseville.

Raging Waters at Sacramento's Cal Expo (1600 Exposition Blvd.) also will be open on weekends through Sept. 9. Tickets can be purchased online at www.rwsac.com.

• Read more articles by Ravali Reddy

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