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Midsummer brings blue skies and balmy breezes — and the realization that all those long, lazy, summer days of yore were a childhood thing. Doh! We grown-ups have to cram all our fun into our weekends. Good thing we live in such a fun place, eh? Here are seven sensational ways to play this weekend in San Francisco and beyond, from a Bastille Day can-can fest to some sizzling outdoor theater.
1 SEE: Dances from around the world
Long a jewel in the Bay Area summer arts scene is the annual Ethnic Dance Festival in San Francisco, which presents two weekends worth of performances you just won’t find anywhere else — a 200-year-old heirloom Eskimo celebration dance, anyone?
2 PLAY: Party like a Parisian
Fourth of July is behind us. Next up, Bastille Day! Channel your inner Parisian all weekend long at the Bay Area’s Bastille Day celebrations, from festivals and restaurant specials to winery events and macaron shops. Also, French gypsy jazz, vintage French videos, a French waiters race and even can-can dancers. (Can you do the can-can? Yes, you can!) Here’s the rundown on Bay Area Bastille Day celebrations.
3 EAT: Try a hot new restaurant
So many new eateries have opened in the last month, it’s tough to keep up! But here are a few to check out around the bay, from Walnut Creek’s new seafood-centric Pacific Catch to Palo Alto’s hip new Ramen Nagi. and Oakland’s delicious new Belcampo.
4 SEE: Truth, beauty and gorgeous paintings
The 19th-century Pre-Raphaelites in England were a feisty lot and somewhat misunderstood. But they created some wondrous art and a new exhibit at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor combines some of their works, and the works that inspired them, for a an eye-poppingly beautiful collection of paintings, tapestries and more. Head on over to the gorgeous museum, and set your phasers on swoon.
5: SEE: A free movie under the stars
Grab a picnic, a flashlight, some comfy chairs and a blanket and head out to one of the many Bay Area parks or town squares offering free outdoor flicks this weekend and all summer. Here’s a rundown on where you can see them. Many of these movies are family-friendly and, by our unofficial count, “Coco” and “Wonder Woman” seem to be the most popular offerings this year. Can’t argue with that.
6 SIP: An entirely new beer
If you’re an IPA lover, check this out: Champagne-inspired suds. Brut IPA is the brainchild of Social Kitchen brewmaster Kim Sturdavant, who came up with the idea last fall. Now there are Brut IPAs everywhere. Here’s the backstory and — even more to the point — the deets on where to taste one.
7 PLAY: Frolic with Fido
No need to leave Rover at home this weekend, not when there are so many fun, dog-friendly spots to explore around the bay. Pets and wildlife columnist Joan Morris shared a few of her faves, from a gorgeous pup-friendly trail on San Francisco’s rugged coast — hint: the Sutro Baths are involved —to a bakery that makes Beastro Bones and Droolers cookies. (Fido’s going to love you even more than he already does.)
