It’s shaping up as a banner Bay Area weekend, folks, and we have some cool ideas for how to make it even better. So let’s get to it, shall we?
As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.
1 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are all over
From Alonzo King LINES Ballet to a Polish opera star and Bruce Hornsby warbling about water, there is a lot to see and hear this weekend in the Bay Area. Oh, and the S.F. Ballet’s historic season continues as well.
Shoestring potatoes with Parmesan, parsley and garlic olive oil are offered at Saltbreaker in Alameda. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
2 EAT: Fabulous French fries
It was a brutal assignment from which we may never fully recover, but somehow, we managed to compile a list of the Bay Area’s best French fries. You’re welcome.
3 PLAY: Sizzling Sacramento
OK, maybe no one really describes our fair state capital as “sizzling,” except during mid-summer when it’s 150 degrees in the shade. But Sac-town is emerging as a destination due to its lively food scene and fun stuff to do. Honestly, we’re not making that up!
4 SEE AND HEAR: An opera for tennis lovers
There’s an opera about Billie Jean King and the famed “Battle of the Sexes”? You bet your drop shot there is. And it’s playing this weekend in the Bay Area.
David Chang’s OG Chicken sandwiches will be a staple at hos Fuku booth at Oracle Park this summer. (San Francisco Giants)
5 PLAY & EAT: What’s cooking at Oracle Park?
We’re not sure how the San Francisco Giants will do this season, but really, who cares when the food offerings are so amazing (Dungeness crab noodles and David Chang’s OG Chicken sandwiches, anyone?).
6 WATCH: Ripley returns
Believe it or not, there’s a new adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” landing on Netflix this week. And, yes, it’s great, gripping fun.
7 WATCH & LAUGH: Kathy Griffin does Napa
Her shoot from the hip, celebrity-trashing humor isn’t for everyone, but Kathy Griffin is a unique talent, and she’ll be performing in Napa this weekend. Here’s what she has to say about all that.