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Are we the only ones trying to fight off an early case of Spring Fever? Maybe it’s the fact that it’s NOT supposed to rain all over us for a change that we’ve got that Johnny Nash song in our heads (“I Can See Clearly Now …”) and are ready for a serious infusion of food and tasty adult beverages this weekend. So here are seven ways to enjoy the SF Bay Area and beyond, from Oscar parties and the big Chinatown parade to a band that can fill all your Journey needs.
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Now onto the fun.
1 WATCH, DRINK AND PLAY: Oscars, Oscars, Oscars
The Academy Awards ceremony is Sunday night, which offers a lot of fun options whether you’re a movie fan or not. You could watch the Oscars at home in your jammies — while sipping a best pic-inspired cocktail. Or you could head out to one of these 11 fab Oscar-watching parties around the Bay Area. As for which performers and movies will win on Sunday, we’ve got predictions for the major categories. And at a time when there is much debate over the future of the Oscar telecast, TV writer Chuck Barney has some ideas on what should stay and what should go.
2 HEAR: The band that is almost Journey
Don’t stop believin,’ Journey fans, we have a hunch that oh-so-talented talented guitarist Neal Schon will never tire of playing songs from your favorite band. He’s still in the real Journey, and has formed the side band Journey Through Time, which delivers — wait for it — Journey songs from throughout the band’s discography. The band, which also includes the gifted keyboardist Gregg Rolie performs in Oakland Saturday, and we’ve got the details. There are lots of other great shows this weekend, including the singer-songwriter who recorded the best song of last year (that’s scientific fact, not opinion, by the way), one of the most popular world music bands going, and the Oakland Symphony performing the favorite songs of a civil rights legend.
3 SEE: Lion (dancers) and dragons and fireworks, oh my!
The big Chinese New Year Parade winds its way through San Francisco’s Chinatown on Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know, from the parade route to best vantage points, plus how to score bleacher seats. And whether you’re going or not, know that much of downtown San Francisco and Chinatown will be a maze of cars and pedestrians Saturday afternoon and night, and plan your day accordingly.
4 EAT: Dim sum and dumpling madness
And if the very idea of Chinatown has you dreaming of dim sum and dumplings, here are several delicious hot spots, including eateries in Dublin, Oakland and Daly City, as well as San Francisco.
5 WATCH: A Broadway icon in a classic musical
The Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!” made quite the splash, with the indomitable Bette Midler in the title role. Now a touring production of the show has landed in San Francisco, with the acclaimed Betty Buckley in the starring role. We chat with Buckley, and serve up what you need to know about the show. Meanwhile, another Broadway classic, “Cats,” wraps up a short San Jose run this weekend. Details on that show are here.
6 SEE: A famed dance company’s last hurrah
The revered New York choreographer Jessica Lang is finally bringing her dance company to the Bay Area — unfortunately, it’s the troupe’s final tour. Fortunately, Jessica Lang Dance has several performances in the area, beginning Saturday; details are here.
7 PLAY: A local walkabout
You may think you know everything about the Bay Area, but even locals pick up fun new information on these free guided walking tours that start at San Francisco’s Union Square. (Yes, we said, free!)
