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There’s nothing shy about Memorial Day Weekend. It’s the unofficial start to summer, so let’s get busy and immerse ourselves in fun, food and tasty adult beverages (not necessarily in that order). Here are seven ways to kick it this weekend, from an amazing choice of fairs ‘n’ festivals, to hangin’ with Jack London (sort of) to one of the best and biggest rock festivals going.
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1 PLAY: There’s a festival out there just for you
What’s your pleasure? ‘Shrooms? Burgers and Beer? Family fun? Civil War reenactments? Latin music and dance? Someone, somewhere, has got your back. From Mushroom Mardis Gras to KidFest to San Francisco’s famed Carnaval, there is an eye-popping array of awesome events in the Bay Area this weekend — here’s our roundup of all the fun.
2 SEE, HEAR, EAT: BottleRock Napa is back
From A-List musical acts like Imagine Dragons, Neil Young and Santana to celebrity chefs like Gail Simmons, Andrew Zimmern and Alice Cooper (we bet he has killer chicken recipes) and all kinds of food, wine and shopping booths, Bottle Rock Napa Valley is a three-day bundle of self-indulgent fun. And, yes, some single-day tickets are still available (but going fast). But with scores of musical acts and all that other fun going on, how do you plan your day? Here’s how. If you’re looking for music but not headed to Napa, how about a two-day blast of some of the best old-school soul/R&B singers on the planet?
3 PLAY: NorCal Night Market returns
The buzzy night market that made such waves in Pleasanton last summer is back this weekend with more than 100 Asian-inspired food carts — beer and bao, baby! — and vendor booths, live entertainment and plenty of spectacle. The deets are here. And if you want a peek at what last year’s fab event was like, look no further.
4 SEE: A great night of theater — inside or outside
Yes, the curtain has risen on the summer outdoor theater season. Cal Shakes kicks off its season at its gorgeous Orinda amphitheater this weekend with the Bard’s delightful “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Here’s a roundup of all your outdoor stage options this summer. Meanwhile, San Jose’s City Lights Theater is presenting Lauren Gunderson’s inspiring science-themed play “Silent Sky.”
5 PLAY: A Jack London trail
Whether you’re a “Call of the Wild” fan, a literature lover or simply a devotee of historic waterfront bars with oddly slanted floors, this Jack London trail across the Bay Area is all kinds of fun. Start at Heinold’s Last Chance Saloon, peek into a Yukon cabin and visit the ruins of London’s winery (yes, he had one). Here’s where to go.
6 DECIDE: If Will Smith is the best genie ever or a nightmare in blue
Ever since the trailers came out for Disney’s live-action reboot of “Aladdin,” people have been debating whether Will Smith’s version of the crafty genie seems awesome or ridiculous (or both). You can make the call when the film hits theaters this weekend. Here’s a roundup of all your cinematic options.
7 WATCH: Music, dance and theater from around the world
The San Francisco International Arts Festival never fails to impress with its staggering diversity of performances that are probably unlike anything you have ever seen. And it’s all in one spot — San Francisco’s picturesque Fort Mason Center. Here’s what you need to know, and a roundup of five shows we heartily recommend.
