It's a big week, friends.
Starting Monday with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, enjoy free admission at more than 400 national parks (including local favorites such as Muir Woods), and take part in MLK-centric events. Plus, the inauguration cometh and there are ample ways to celebrate locally and virtually. Start by purchasing Chelsea Handler's cannabis-filled America Is Back kit to ensure high times this week. Have a good one!
Let the inauguration be a high point this month with the America Is Back kit, a curated assortment of comedian Chelsea Handler's favorite cannabis goodies. Created in celebration of President-Elect Joe Biden, Vice President–Elect Kamala Harris, and the most diverse Cabinet in history, the kit includes Cann's blood orange cardamom drinks; Pure Beauty pre-rolls; Garden Society chocolates; and more. All proceeds will support the cannabis reform nonprofit Cage Free Repair, which works against the systematic injustices of the War on Drugs. // Purchase ($85) for pickup or delivery from any of Apothecarium's five Bay Area dispensaries, apothecarium.com.
Celebrate MLK Day with Museum of the African Diaspora. Virtual programming will include a children's storytime; a poetry reading with Marvin K. White. Joyce Lee, Daniel K. Summerhill, and Jewelle Gomez; a presentation of Civil Rights era photographs of social justice protests; and a discussion about mass incarceration; noon to 5:15pm Monday. // Register for free at moadsf.org.
Explore a national park. All national parks are offering free admission on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Choose from more than 400 parks nationwide, including Muir Woods, Point Reyes, and Pinnacles; Monday. // nps.gov
Participate in Oakland's MLK 40 Days of Service. Take actions from home to support social change, the environment, education and more with opportunities for virtual volunteering and many more ways to support local communities; through February 28. // Complete list of actions is available at oaklandca.gov.
Pick up pastries at B. Patisserie's San Mateo pop-up. Opt for a box of the famous kouign amanns or go for a mixed box of a dozen treats including caramelized bread pudding and almond cake; 3pm to 5pm Monday // Preorder on bpatisserie.com.
Take Mix and Match: Calligraphy and Lettering as Design Tools with Aline Kaori and Gui Menga. Over four evenings, beginner and advanced students alike will explore different techniques and finally refine and finalize a unique wordmark; 5pm to 8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays through January 28. // Register ($360) on letterformarchive.org.
Virtually attend Visualizing Abolition: Prisons, Histories, and Erasures. This San Jose Museum of Art event will feature artists and historians discussing the historic and present struggles that sustain the prison industrial complex; 4pm to 5:30pm Tuesday. // Register for free on sjmusart.org.
Celebrate the 31st anniversary of Pier 39's beloved sea lions. Check up on them via live webcam and pick up some fun facts about the adorable creatures and their history in SF; Tuesday at noon. // pier39.com
Take a seat at "Tanya's Table." Season Two of the popular podcast from Brown Sugar Kitchen's Tanya Holland is seriously stacked with celebs. The lineup includes Ayesha Curry, Danny Glover, Lars Ulrich, Bonnie Raitt, and BLM cofounder Alicia Garza. The season begins Tuesday, through April 20. // Details and listening options on buzzsprout.com
Try a new flavor from See's Candies each month this year in celebration of the brand's 100th year. Things kick off this month with a new Dark Butterscotch Square. Always dreamed of creating your own treat? Share your ideas for See's Candies' November 2021 flavor; submissions are due by Wednesday at sees.com/sweetidea. // See the Sweet-of-the-Month reveal on sees.com.
Intrigued by the Italian tradition of making amari? Take a virtual class with Manhattan Zodiac to learn about the herbaceous digestifs often used in cocktails and enjoy a bittersweet drink; 6:30pm to 8pm Wednesday. // Tickets ($20) are available on chefsfeed.com; kit ($120) sold separately on square.site.
Celebrate the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice PresidentKamala Harris with an array of virtual events, special eats and drink specials around the Bay Area; Monday through Wednesday. // 7x7.com
Appreciate nature during the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, with a selection of 34 films including 30° Below, 2040, and Common Ground; through Sunday. // Find the full schedule and purchase options at eventive.org.
Enjoy a bottle of Scribe WInery's Winter Vermouth. Made with estate chardonnay and pinot noir and infused with herbs and citrus, the seasonal offering is great in cocktails or simply enjoyed over ice. // Order ($40) on scribewinery.com.
Listen to Jam Happy Hour. If you've been enjoying Jam Cellars' live wine and music show that first started back in April, then you'll love the new podcast, featuring the best of more than 100 shows plus stories, musician hangouts, and wine, of course; new episodes on Wednesdays. // jamcellars.com
Get moving with ODC Fit. Designed to enhance the mind, body, and soul connection, a variety of Zoom classes takes aim at strength training; kickboxing meets dance; flexibility; and stability; through January 29. // Purchase classes ($60 for four classes or $99 unlimited) on odc.dance.
Learn about CRISPR and its limits and implications by watching the acclaimed documentary Human Nature. During this special After Dark Online event, you'll also watch a live conversation with executive producers Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner, bioethics expert Alta Charo, and Exploratorium staff biologist Dr. Jennifer Frazier; Thursday at 7pm PST. // RSVP for free on exploratorium.edu.
Wander over to San Francisco Art Institute's historic tower to view Three Turns. Inspired by the idea that engaging artwork offers viewers three different entry points, the exhibit will feature 26 artists' videos—including alumni and archival works—projected onto the tower on a loop; 7pm to 8:30pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. // sfai.edu
Watch the award-winning film 76 Days with the Asian Art Museum to mark one year since lockdown began in Wuhan, China. Additionally, learn more about the documentary during a discussion with the director and executive producer; Friday at 6pm. // Register ($10/non-members, free for members) at acmeticketing.com.
Order an x-rated cake from the reopened Cake Gallery. Just a few months after closing the SoMa location, the infamous cake designers have set up shop in Dogpatch. Not down for an explicit design? Order a family-friendly 3D or photo cake. // Order by emailing info@thecakegallerysf.com or calling 415-861-2253.
Purchase some exotic plantsfrom the Botanical Garden at Berkeley's online plant sale. Before the sale on Saturday, get a sneak peek of the offering, including tropicals and cyads, on Friday at 4:30pm. // Register for free on blackbaudhosting.com.
Livestream Smoke & Mirrors Menagerie's "The Longest Month." Originally set for winter solstice and then postponed, this creative variety show emceed by songstress Dorian Dietrich will include burlesque performer Red Velvet, drag pianist Paige Turner, aerialist Gina Goldblatt, and more; Saturday at 8:30pm. // Show details and streaming link (free with option to donate) are available on smokeandmirrorsmenagerie.com.
Book a relaxing retreat at Healdsburg's picturesque vegan retreat, New Tree Ranch, which is currently offering an Immersive Plant-Based Cooking School experience. During a three- or four-night stay, you'll learn all about growing, harvesting, and cooking with plants—and maybe even get confident enough in your cooking skills to go meatless this year. // newtreeranch.com