Coming Distractions: The Temptations at Cache Creek

Just returned from a weekend at the beach and, as we're shaking the sand from our favorite hoodie, we find ourselves also contemplating the inescapable appearance of summer. You see, some of us like the heat and some us, well, don't. There is no such thing as a "dry heat" – heat is heat.

What we do like, however, are those longer nights and all the shows with which to fill 'em.

Although the show calendar is still a little on the wintery bleak side, it's slowly starting to blossom with such bright spots as the Temptations, Aug. 1 at Cache Creek.

The iconic R&B group's latest incarnation features original singer Otis Williams along with Terry Weeks, G.C. Cameron, Ron Tyson and Joe Herndon.

Tickets ($45, $55, $65) are on sale through Tickets.com or by calling (800) 223-2277. For more information, visit www.cachecreek.com.

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America, the beautiful: We finally have ticket prices for that American Idols Live tour, hitting Arco Arena on July 9 and featuring current contenders David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado and Jason Castro as well as Brooke White, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay, Chikezie and Carly Smithson.

(Between you and me, if David A. wins the title crown, we are so outta here. Certainly, he's talented and seems like a nice kid, but that's the point: He looks like he's 12. Just sayin'.)

Tickets for the Arco show ($39.50-$68.50) go on sale May 17 through Ticketmaster.com.

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Saturday night fever: We've been hearing tons of good buzz about Lonely H, a Port Angeles, Wash.-based band that blends theatrical, symphonic rock with catchy pop. Lots of Queen and Strokes comparisons. We also hear David Bowie and the Talking Heads. Check 'em out for yourself, May 10 at Old Ironsides (1901 10th St.), with Prieta, Radio Orangevale and Flounder. The 21-and-over show is $7 at the door. For more information, visit www.theoldironsides.com.

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Sound + space: The Palms (13 Main St., Winters) is a great place to see and hear music, with its big airy room and warm, expansive acoustics, so we're sure that the May 30 Rova / Nels Cline Celestial Septet show won't disappoint. This ensemble act features, obviously, the Rova Saxophone Quartet joining sonic forces with the Nels Cline Singers to perform modern interpretations of John Coltrane pieces as well as other jazz classics. Tickets ($17) are available via Tickets.com, the Next Chapter Bookstore (622 Main St., Woodland), Armadillo Music (205 F St., Davis) and Kimes Ace Hardware (35 Main St., Winters). For more information, visit www.palmsplayhouse.com.

About the writer:

• "Coming Distractions" by The Bee's Rachel Leibrock runs Tuesdays in Scene. Call her at (916) 321-1176 or e-mail rleibrock@sacbee.com. For more on local music and happenings, read Leibrock's blog postings at 21Q (www.sacbee.com/21q).