Now that we've defrosted from the coldest and wettest winter in recent memory, it's time to trade cozy Netflix nights in for these fun things out.
Here's what's on this week: Ferry Flicks at the Ferry Building, a Star Wars Sith Rave, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Sonoma's spring farm tours, the Bay Area Book Festival, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, SailGP, Kentucky Derby watch parties, Woofstock at Marin Humane, and much more.
Have a good one.
Celebrate Bay Curious’ new eponymous book. Written by the award-winning KQED podcast's host Olivia Allen-Price, Bay Curious tells the stories of unique local legends, interesting landmarks, and uncovered histories. In addition to a book signing, there will be live storytelling, performances, food, and interviews; Tuesday at 7pm. // KQED HQ, 2601 Mariposa St. (Mission); RSVP at kqed.org
Sadie Barnette’s The New Eagle Creek Saloon will come to life with a hybrid performance, lecture, and dance party led by artist-scholar and DJ Madison Moore. Bring cash for drinks from the bar. This event takes place on a First Thursday so museum admission is free for Bay Area residents; Thursday at 6pm. // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa); details at sfmoma.org
Dance like you’re at a galaxy far, far away at the Star Wars Sith Rave. (Yes, it’s on May the Fourth); Thursday at 9pm. // Crybaby,1928 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); tickets at ticketweb.com
Sip natty wines poured by Alice Waters’ former assistant at Banter Wines. The new, highly anticipated wine bar in El Cerrito has been years in the making. Explore natural and unfiltered wines plus some classics and cheeseboards to snack on; Thursday to Sunday, 4pm to 9pm. // Banter Wine, 10368 San Pablo Ave. (El Cerrito); details at banterwine.com
Shake up date night at the Exploratorium's Science of Cocktails with a Twist. The after-hours party will feature mixology science, a DJ-led dance floor, karaoke, open bars to get you in the mood, boozy interactive science demonstrations, and more; Friday, 8pm to midnight. // Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero); tickets at exploratorium.edu
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a pitcher of Palomas, slushy margaritas, street tacos, and glorious views of the Bay on Cavaña’s rooftop bar; Friday, 4pm to 1am. // Cavaña, 100 Channel St. (Mission Bay); reservations at cavanasf.com
The Madrigal will be turning into a cantina for Cinco de Mayo. Expect seasonal margaritas, fresh sangrias, and mezcal creations—plus a DJ, giveaways, photo booth, and tasting experience; Friday, 9pm to midnight. // The Madrigal, 100 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); reservations at themadrigalsf.com
Nido’s Backyard’s 5 De Mayo Fiesta will include ballet folkloric by Ruth Correa’s dance group as well as salsa, reggaeton, bachata, cumbia, and other Latino beats to get your feet moving. And, of course, plenty of cold drinks and hot eats; Friday, 6pm to 10pm. // Nido’s Backyard, 104 Oak St. (Oakland); reservations available at resy.com
Corn hole and Patron Giant Jenga will take over the patio at Colibri Mexican Bistro for their Cinco de Mayo fiesta in partnership with Bacardi. Expect Bacardi merch handouts alongside a happy hour menu with Bacardi infusions; Friday, 11:30am to 10pm. // Colibri Mexican Bistro, 50 Moraga Ave. (Presidio); reservations at resy.com
Head to the Fort Point Beer Garden for Ferry Flicks. At sundown on Fridays in May, you can catch an outdoor screening of a classic, SF-based film. Up first: Hitchcock’s Vertigo. Tickets include picnic table seating and snacks. Plus, enjoy $5 draft pours before the show (5pm to 8pm); Friday at 7:30pm. // Fort Point Ferry Building (Embarcadero); tickets at eventbrite.com
Taste more than 25 wines from Coombsville under one roof. Head to CIA at Copia for a grand tasting event that will include food, a special raffle, and a silent auction benefitting Puertas Abiertas; Saturday, 1pm to 4pm. // CIA at Copia, 500 1st St. (Napa); tickets at exploretock.com
Compare biceps with Peloton’s beloved instructor Emma Lovewell at a meet-and-greet and signing of her new book, Live Learn Love Well; Friday at 4pm. // Book Passage Ferry Building (Embarcadero); tickets at bookpassage.com
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival kicks off a season of 100 free events. The downtown outdoor concert series begins with the Latin sounds of John Santos and the Afro-Peruvian Coalition; Saturday at 1pm. //Yerba Buena Gardens, 760 Howard St. (SoMa), ybgfestival.org.
Get your steps in during the first SF Stair Challenge. You’ll embark on a secret route taking you from North Beach to Russian Hill to Telegraph Hill with drinks and snacks along the way. The total length is approximately four miles with roughly 2,000 stair steps; Saturday at 7:30am. // Joe DiMaggio Playground, 651 Lombard St. (North Beach); tickets at eventbrite.com
Celebrate the best of the season at di Rosa Day: Spring Fever. The iconic Napa Valley museum will host for a day filled with art stations, live music, food, beverages, artist talks, and performance; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, 5200 Sonoma Hwy (Napa); tickets at dirosaart.org
Join more than 300 authors of all genres at the Bay Area Book Festival. Headliners include Joan Baez, W. Kamau Bell, Dave Eggers, Michelle Zauner, Leila Mottley, Tricia Hersey, and Cory Doctorow as well as a huge roster of international writers. On Sunday, literary exhibitors, gourmet food vendors, and a youth expo will take over Berkeley’s Civic Center Park. With the exception of the headliner programs, all programs are free this year; Saturday and Sunday, hours and venues vary. // Schedule at baybookfest.org
Pony up to the bar for mint juleps and Kentucky mules—it’s the Dorian’s 8th Annual Kentucky Derby Party. Whip out the pastels and seersuckers for this raucous watch party; Saturday, 2pm to 5pm. // The Dorian, 2001 Chestnut St. (Marina); tickets at eventbrite.com
Get your hats ready and bust out your bowties: For the 2nd year in a row, Kendall-Jackson is bringing the excitement of the Kentucky Derby to Wine Country. The official and largest West Coast celebration will be filled with award-winning wines, fantastic food, a large-screen viewing of the races, and more; 11am to 5:30pm Saturday. // Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, 5007 Fulton Rd. (Fulton); tickets ($150/person) are available at kj.com.
Thank you to our partners at Kendall-Jackson.
It’s NorCal versus SoCal when the San Jose Earthquakes take on the Los Angeles Football Club; Saturday at 4:30pm. // Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way (Santa Clara); tickets at ticketmaster.com
Art Walk SF takes over the Lower Haight with pop-up galleries, live music, activities for kids, deals, and specials from favorite restaurants and bars; Saturday, 12pm to 5pm. // 508 Haight St. (Inner Richmond); details at eventbrite.com
Get an up close view of the Mubadala SailGP Season 3 Grand Final. Champion sailors racing F50 catamarans will rip across the waves on a racecourse between Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge, and you can get in on the action, both from land and out on the bay; Saturday and Sunday, 2:30pm to 4pm. // Marina Green (Marina); tickets are available at sailgp.com.
Thank you to our partners at SailGP.
Go full cottage-core, frolicking among blossoms, bees, and baby animals at Sonoma’s Spring Farm Tours. Choose your own adventure from dozens of farms and producers where you can cuddle with adorable farm animals, taste fresh cheese, learn how to keep bees, grow lavender, and more; Saturday and Sunday. // RSVP to receive the tour directory a farmtrails.org.
For one night only, join Marc Anthony Thompson and his daughter Tessa Thompson in conversation about around Black Art, family, creativity, and culture; Sunday at 7pm. // Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center (Marina); tickets at fundraise.givesmart.com
Bring the whole family—including the four-legged ones—to Woofstock 2023. Have a rockin’ night out with Tom Petty cover band Petty Theft, food trucks, local merchants, and animal rescue groups. All proceeds will benefit Marin Humane; Sunday, 12pm to 5pm. // Marin Humane, 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd (Novato); tickets at eventbrite.com
Enjoy floral installations, monotype prints, and wood sculptures at Punk Ikebana: Reimagining the Art of Floral Design. The event will also include a conversation with artists Louesa Roebuck and Obi Kaufmann, a selection of Flowers wines, and bites. // Flowers Vineyards & Winery, 4035 Westside Rd. (Healdsburg); tickets at exploretock.com
