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We know, the news these days is sad and the air is bad, but that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to take a break from it all. Here are seven great things to do this weekend, from a new eye-popping Cirque du Soleil show and an operatic “It’s a Wonderful Life” — yes! it’s an opera! — to luchadores, gourmet s’mores and more.
Before we get started, though: If you want to get the weekend off to a rewarding start, here’s how to send help to those affected by the Camp Fire in Butte County.
(And psst, if you’d like to get the Weekender things-to-do list delivered straight to your inbox, wow, have you ever come to the right place! Sign up here.)
1 SEE: Cirque du Soleil defies the laws of gravity
Cirque du Soleil has pulled its big tent into the Bay Area — yay! — for an extended run of “Volta,” a show that somehow mixes street sports and BMX into its usual assortment of jaw-dropping stunts. Or, if you’re in the mood for just a really fun musical with killer songs, “Chicago” is in San Jose for a short run.
2 EAT: Food trucks and luchadores??
Fremont’s free Friday Food Truck Throwdowns just got even more awesome, with the addition of Lucha Libre wrestlers to what’s already a fun event with craft beer and tasty food trucks. Ampuli, Canasta Kitchen and Yummi BBQ will be there this Friday.
3 SEE: 2 holiday gems (and one is not what you’d think)
World-renowned composer Jake Heggie has done what some people might see as completely insane: He’s turned the classic 1946 holiday weepy, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” into an opera. It opens this weekend in San Francisco — and our hunch is you still ought to bring the hankies. Meanwhile, Smuin Ballet’s sassy, utterly lovable “Christmas Ballet” kicks off its annual Bay Area tour this weekend.
4 SIP: Explore a new ale trail
Who knew Martinez had an ale trail of its own? Hit three breweries within a single block downtown — Del Cielo Brewing, in particular, is a must-stop — then head over to the new Slow Hand BBQ for some barbecue deliciousness. Wait, you’re in the South, not East Bay? Check out San Jose’s El Camino Real of beer, where 10 breweries nestle within just a few blocks.
5 BUCKLE UP: The awesome holiday-season movie onslaught starts NOW
In case you hadn’t noticed, Thanksgiving is next week, which means Hollywood is busy stuffing approximately 578 can’t-miss movies into theaters. Happens every year (and don’t movie fans love it). This weekend kicks off with the big-buzz “Fantastic Beasts” sequel and the heart-tugging comedy “Instant Family.”We’ve got a rundown of all your options through Turkey Day right here.
6. HEAR: A Bay Area music legend on her final tour.
Bay Area folk icon and activist Joan Baez has delivered countless gorgeous songs and powerful messages during her six-decade career, but she’s on her final tour — which hits the Bay Area this weekend. Here are the details, as well as a review of her recent performance in Sonoma.
7 PLAY: What the Dickens?
No bah humbugs here! The Great Dickens Christmas Fair returns to the Bay Area this weekend, transforming Daly City’s Cow Palace into Charles Dickens’ London, complete with music halls, parades, pubs, shops and some 800 costumed characters, from royals to Cratchits.
