Award-winning pianist Robert Thies will perform a mix of classical selections at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saratoga on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Thies is known for winning the gold medal in 1995 at the Second International Prokofiev Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was only the second American to win first prize in this competition since 1958. Since that time, he has performed with more than 40 orchestras and appeared throughout the U.S., Mexico, Estonia, Hungary, and New Zealand.

Tickets are $35 to $45 and are available by calling Kathy Stovall at 408.253.4773. Guests can also attend a "meet the artist" dessert reception after the concert for $10. Immanuel Lutheran is located at 14103 Saratoga Ave. For more information, call 408.873.9266 or visit http://www.ilcsaratoga.org.

Winery welcomes Willie Nelson

With only a few days left, get online and grab tickets for one of two special performances by country legend Willie Nelson on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The Los Lonely Boys will open the show, which costs $35, $55, or $65. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.mountainwinery.com.

Horseback riding and wine tasting

Head to the Garrod Farms Stables for a morning retreat with a horseback ride and wine-tasting tour. Advance reservations are needed for the Oct. 12 excursion from 10:30 a.m. to noon, which takes groups of six on a one-hour ride with their own guide. After riding the trail, all groups meet up for a wine tasting and cheese buffet. Cost is $45 per person. To sign up, visit http://www.adventurous.com or call 415.357.3650.

Laugh fest at Carriage House

Villa Montalvo is hosting the San Francisco Comedy Competition semi-finals on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. each night. Guests get to sit back and wait for laughs as top up-and-coming comics deliver their best to try and land a spot in the October finals. Tickets are $25 or $30 and can be purchased at http://www.villamontalvo.org. For more information, visit http://www.sanfranciscocomedycompetition.com.