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Yes, the weather is acting more like it’s March than the brink of Memorial Day, and it’s dawned on us that America’s favorite TV heroine has developed an unsettling fondness for incinerating everyone who displeases her. But the weekend’s here and we’re determined to enjoy the heck out of it. Join us, won’t you? Here are seven ways to do just that in the S.F. Bay Area and beyond, from fun festivals to rollicking beer gardens to a TV finale to end all TV finales.
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1 EXPLORE: Fairs and festivals of all kinds await you
The out-and-about season is officially underway, which means each weekend offers new ways to listen to great tunes, see awesome things, eat delicious food that hopefully is at least a little bit bad for you and quaff tasty adult beverages. Sometimes all at once. If only someone would compile a roundup of all these cool events. Oh, wait, we have one right here.
2 WATCH: The end has come (for ‘GoT’)
Yes, TV’s most talked about/beloved/reviled/cherished/mocked series serves up its finale Sunday in a massive communal viewing event, the likes of which we’ll probably never see again. So our advice is to gather with your friends and loved ones, don costumes if you are so inclined and hit the grog early and often.
3 EAT: A literary chocolate stroll
If your idea of heaven is bookstore browsing with stops for chocolate, here’s some heavenly news: Sci-fi author Charlie Jane Anders’ awesome Bookstore & Chocolate Crawls heads to Berkeley this Sunday for a sweet foray. And here’s the dish, from the author herself, on Anders’ new book “The City in the Middle of the Night.”
4 HEAR: The best in Bluegrass in Berkeley
The Bay Area may be the nexus of the tech world, but it’s also home to a seriously butt-kicking scene for old-fashioned bluegrass. And the Berkeley Bluegrass Festival this weekend is a good chance to catch some of the best the music has to offer.
5 EAT: Sausages and suds
Rain, rain, go away — there are Bay Area beer gardens that need exploring pronto! Fortunately, this quintet of awesome German restaurants has indoor dining too. Check ’em out this weekend, then let us know what we missed.
6 WATCH: MTT and Mahler dance once again
S.F. Symphony music director Michael Tilson Thomas’ storied tenure with the orchestra has produced many memorable moments — not to mention a couple of Grammy Awards — performing the music of Gustav Mahler. With MTT’s run nearing its end, he and the Symphony are performing Mahler’s moody Seventh Symphony in a trio of concerts this weekend. Here’s what you need to know.
7 PLAY: Zipline thrills and rock climbing fun
Feel like a day trip? Rocklin’s new Quarry Adventure Park is just two hours away — and it’s a granite-y blast with ziplines, free-falls and tree-top adventures. A perfect outing for adventurous families. Details are here.
