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It’s a long weekend for many of us and there are all kinds of wonderful things to do. Here are seven ways to spend the weekend in the S.F. Bay Area and beyond, whether you are celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., taking advantage of some tasty restaurant deals or catching a hit musical that champions human kindness.
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1 EAT: Nom, nom, nom
So many restaurants, so little time! January is California Restaurant Month and cities from Benicia to Gilroy are rolling out the red carpet with prix-fixe menus and special deals to encourage locals to dine out during what’s normally a pretty sleepy, post-holiday spell. This is the perfect weekend to take them up on their offer. Here’s just a sampling of tasty possibilities.
2 SEE: A Broadway blockbuster that’ll make you love Canadians
In the chaos immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, 7,000 airline passengers were forced to take temporary refuge in tiny Gander, Newfoundland, whose residents welcomed the visitors with open arms. Their extraordinary generosity inspired the hit Broadway musical “Come From Away,” which is now playing at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theatre. Here’s what you need to know before heading out to see this heartwarming show. And here’s what our reviewer said about it.
3 TAKE PART: In Martin Luther King, Jr. events around the Bay Area
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is Monday, and there are a number of events, from concerts to public celebrations to volunteer efforts, dedicated to the civil rights legend. Here’s a rundown of some of the many events.
4: PLAY: Experience the Exploratorium — in the dark
San Francisco’s cutting-edge science museum is always a blast, but this weekend brings extended hours to the famous Tactile Dome — the experiential obstacle course you crawl and slide through in total darkness. Here’s what else there is to explore.
5: CATCH: An early look at S.F. Symphony’s new conductor
The S.F. Symphony stunned the world and thrilled local classical music fans recently by naming the renowned Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen as its successor to Michael Tilson Thomas. And it so happens Salonen is in town this weekend to lead the symphony as a guest conductor. We have the details on that, as well as concerts by the California Symphony in Walnut Creek and Symphony Silicon Valley in San Jose. Just go here.
6 SIP: Fireside yoga with a side of wine
This is a wine festival-heavy weekend, with grape-centric celebrations at more than 40 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Winter WINEland festivities all weekend long at more than 130 Sonoma Valley wineries. Find a slew of wine events — including fireside yoga at Burrell School Winery — here.
7: SEE: Some dazzling dancers from the Windy City
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has earned raves for its mega-talented performers and its knack for championing rising stars in the dance-making world, like Justin Bieber’s favorite choreographer. The troupe is in Berkeley this weekend for a series of shows, and details are here.
