It's hard to believe that the dog days of summer are almost over; that the Nevada County Fair will be here in two weeks and shortly afterwards students will be heading back to school and settling into their studies and the way life was before afternoons were consumed with the river and skateboarding at the skate park till dark.

For as long as I can remember, I become listless and indifferent around this time of year, mourning the impending loss of summer adventures and good times. I know, I know, it's not very becoming to be either of those, and so I search for something to help me out of my funk.

There is plenty going on this weekend that might do the trick. Tonight, Thursday, July 29 at St. Joseph's Cultural Center in Grass Valley, New York City's Dark Dark Dark will headline probably one of the most beautifully orchestrated shows of the summer. The sextet hailing from New Orleans, New York, and Minneapolis are known for their lush, intoxicating, old-time Americana that features a myriad of instruments including piano, accordion, banjo, drums, stand-up bass, cello, and the sultry vocals of Nona Marie Invie. Nevada City's own folk noir sextet The Bears (formerly Black Bear) led by Thaddeus Stoenner will also join the bill and perform with a full back-up choir, which will sound incredible in the Great Hall at St. Joseph's with it's unique acoustics. Opening up the show is San Francisco's Honeycomb featuring 22-year-old Emily Ritz who channels the likes of Billie Holiday and Connie Frances with her raspy vocals. Doors open at 7:45pm, $10 at the door, all-ages welcomed. Go to www.saintjosephsculturalcenter.org for more information.

The Nevada City Film Festival Summer of Film continues with a special late night screening of ?the Oscar nominated Short Films of 2010, Friday and Saturday, July 30-31 at the newly refurbished Magic Theatre in Nevada City. The wildly popular program (it sold out last year) features one night of animated flicks such as French Roast, Granny's O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty, The Lady and the Reaper, Logorama, and A Matter of Loaf and Death and the second evening of live action shorts including The Door, Instead of Abracadabra, Kavi, Miracle Fish and The New Tenants. Both nights begin at 10:30pm, costs $10 each, and beer and wine are included. Proceeds go to the 10th Annual Nevada City Film Festival, which kicks off August 19 and runs through the 22nd. Enjoy stellar filmmaking while supporting independent filmmaking. More information at www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com

Finally after all that, if I still haven't found my bliss or at the very least turned my frown around, I know I will at Wanderlust, the one-of-a-kind yoga retreat and music festival at Squaw Valley, July 29-August 1. In its second year, Wanderlust is a mix of styles and genres ranging from indie rock to electronic to burning man disciples to yoga gurus. This year's music lineup includes a DJ set by Moby, Bassnectar, Brazilian Girls, Pretty Lights, Yard Dogs Road Show and Rupa & the April Fishes. Over forty yoga teachers, including Nevada City's Wild Mountain Yoga owners Amanda Serene Dozal and Mandy Lucchese, will lead a variety of classes for both the novice and the professional over the course of the three-day festival. For more information go to www.wanderlustfestival.com