There’s magic in the air this weekend, and not just because Harry Potter’s getting the live orchestra treatment. So here are seven awesome ways to kick it in the Bay Area and beyond this weekend, from that Potter extravaganza to some stompin’ fun in San Francisco and some amazing date night possibilities.
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1 SEE & HEAR: Harry Potter go the symphony
Things are getting a little ominous in the Hogwarts world in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the sixth in the film series drawn from J.K. Rowling’s books. And there’s no better way to immerse yourself in that delicious foreboding than by watching the film on a massive high-def screen while Symphony Silicon Valley and its chorale perform the Grammy-nominated score live. And you can experience that this weekend — here’s how.
2 SIP & EAT: Fall ciders galore
Taste your way through the full gamut of tasty ciders — from juicy apple to blood orange — at the SF Fall Cider Festival this weekend at SPARK Social. Food trucks will be dishing up all sorts of autumnal bites — including apple pie empanadas! — to pair with those sips.
3 WATCH: An explosion of rhythm on stage
“STOMP” started as a London street act and mushroomed into a global sensation. But the essential act is still the same — performers whomping on stuff in amazing ways. The show is back in the Bay Area for a short run — here is what you need to know.
4 SEE & EAT: Date night, ma cherie!
How about an entire date day, ma petite? Head for SF’s Palace of the Legion of Honor this Sunday to catch a docent talk on French artist James Tissot, whose Impressionist-style paintings of high society are currently on display. Then grab dinner — cassoulet, perhaps? — at an adorable French bistro nearby. This and more great date night ideas are here.
5 HEAR: A Latin pop star, or a New Wave icon
There are several intriguing concerts in the Bay Area this weekend. How about Latin pop singer Gloria Trevi in San Jose? The best guitar player you never heard of rocking the Fillmore? Peter Hook performing Joy Division and New Order classics? They’re all on tap this weekend and here are the deets.
6 CATCH: A piano superstar in her true element
The Bay Area’s New Century Chamber Orchestra scored a real coup landing the supremely gifted Simone Dinnerstein as its artist-in-residence. She has a strong affinity for the works of Bach, which is what the orchestra and Dinnerstein will be playing all over the Bay Area this weekend. Here are the details on what is a great weekend for Bach fans in these parts.
7 PLAY: Ping-pong madness
Is Spin SF a bar with a ping-pong theme, or a ping-pong parlour that serves drinks and bites? Why both! You can paddle-battle it out with a cocktail — or Duck Duck Goose Sliders — in hand at this SoMa hot spot this weekend. Here’s what you need to know.
