Hot and bothered

According to the organizers of Verse on the Vine's Hot August Nights event, hot temperatures and hot poetry “just naturally go together.” If you agree that sweat and steamy verbiage are a perfect pairing, then you'd be remiss to skip the event, featuring Poetica-Erotica (featuring Shawn Aveningo, Lytton Bell and Cynthia Linville), NSAA the Black Root (Lawrence Dinkins Jr.) and Kelly Freeman. Since the 18-and-over event happens in the Petra Vineyard Wine Gallery, attendees 21 and older will have the option to pair poetry with a glass of wine. There will also be an open-mic for those who want to test out some lusty limericks, sensual sentences, vivacious verses and, well, you get the picture. Too risqué? Check out a different edition of Verse on the Vine, a bimonthly poetry series hosted by Shawn Aveningo of The Poetry Box. Wednesday, August 7, 7 p.m.; no cover. Petra Vineyard Wine Gallery, 627 Sutter Street in Folsom; (530) 409-0721; www.thepoetrybox.com/verseonthevine.html.