5 entertaining things coming up this month in Marin

Looking for some fun ways to spend your summer in Marin? Look no further.

Here are five interesting things to do this month, from a jaw-dropping circus show in Sausalito to the first Valley Car Show to San Rafael’s Gem Faire — one of the largest gem, jewelry and bead shows in the United States.

Under the big top

Who says the circus is just for kids? Anyone can join in on the magical fun when the Flynn Creek Circus comes to town this week with a new show, “Desert Myth.” The thrilling, comedic production, which features wild stunts and world-class acrobats from around the world, draws on a rich history of traditional folklore. It tells the story of the Wanderer as he journeys into an imaginative desert land looking for an oasis, meeting colorful characters the Tourist, the Cacti and the Sand Beings along the way.

This animal-free show will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 1, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday under the big top at MLK Park at 610 Coloma St. in Sausalito. Admission is $18 to $185. Get tickets and more information at flynncreekcircus.com. Beer, wine and concessions can be purchased.

What a gem

Fossils, crystals and gemstones, oh my! See what beads and baubles you can find at the Gem Faire, which returns to San Rafael from July 21 to 23. The three-day event will feature millions of bead strands, finished jewelry, fashion accessories, supplies and tools, and raw minerals as well as jewelry repair and cleaning and ring-sizing services.

See what you’ll find from noon to 6 p.m. July 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 23 at the Marin Center at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael. Admission is free. For more information, go to gemfaire.com.

Calling car lovers

Check out classic cars, vintage cars and even creative art cars at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center’s first Valley Car Show from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the San Geronimo Valley Commons at 5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in San Geronimo. The automobile mania will also include live music from West Marin band San Geronimo, known for their California soul music, and local California country band Victoria George and the High Lonesome, a beer and wine garden, barbecue, shaved ice, a family fun zone and more.

Admission is free. Parking is limited; carpooling and alternative forms of transportation recommended. Additional parking at Lagunitas School and the San Geronimo Community Center, along with shuttle service from these lots, will be available. For more information, go to sgvcc.org.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Transport yourself back to another era at the MG Owners Club of Northern California’s MGs by the Bay car show, which returns to Bon Air on July 22.

Peruse dozens of classic cars from all over Northern California, some customized and others rarely seen, meet the vehicle owners and share car stories.

Admission is free. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 22 at the west end of Bon Air’s parking lot under the large oak. For more information, go to bonair.com.

Life of Frida

It’s nearly impossible to miss Mexican artist and feminist icon Frida Kahlo’s art, from her self-portraits and bold, colorful works hung in galleries to the immersive exhibit of her art that came to San Francisco last year to her life story in the 2002 movie “Frida.”

Now, Contemporary Opera Marin brings her life to the musical stage in “Frida: The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo,” the opera by Robert Xavier Rodriguez, which opens next week at the College of Marin. Directed by Paul Smith, with stage direction by Rick Wallace, the show delves into the life and art of the great painter and her husband, muralist Diego Rivera, as well as luminaries in their life such as business magnates the Rockefellers, Russian politician Leon Trotsky, actor Edward G. Robinson and a trio of ghostly apparitions.

Enjoy the musical art history lesson at 7:30 p.m. July 15 and 22 and 2 p.m. July 16 and 23 at the College of Marin’s James Dunn Theatre at 835 College Ave. in Kentfield.

Admission is free.

For more information, call 415-485-9460 or go to pa.marin.edu.