BARTable This Weekend: April 23-25

Last Updated On Apr. 22, 2021

Sun Ra Arkestra will be streaming virtually on Friday. Photo courtesy of All About Jazz.

Once again it's the weekend and once again we've selected the top events taking place across the Bay and in the virtual world. There's a legendary jazz performance, a couple of film festivals you're not going to want to miss, and several in-person markets for those looking to shop locally. On to the weekend!

Non-astronauts train for a mission to Mars in “Red Heaven,” part of the Livable Planet Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Livable Planet Film Festival.

Livable Planet Film Festival | Virtual

SF IndieFest kicks off a new environmental film festival that keeps alive the independent spirit that launched the green movement. The festival will include 68 films playing in 27 programs exploring all areas of activism, wildlife and adventure. Celebrate the blue marble we all live on and confront the challenges we face in maintaining a livable planet. The festival runs through May 2.

Sun Ra Arkestra: Fridays at Five | Virtual

For this special performance filmed in August 2017, the enduring legacy of jazz visionary and legendary eccentric Sun Ra is celebrated by this ensemble made up of Arkestra veterans and a younger generation of exploratory musicians led by alto saxophonist Marshall Allen, who has been a fixture of Sun Ra’s bands since 1958. Born Herman Blount, the enigmatic composer and keyboardist known as Sun Ra created an entire universe of expression through his pioneering Afro-futurist concepts in music and philosophy. Streaming begins at 5pm.

18th Annual San Francisco Greek Film Festival (ends April 25) | Virtual

The San Francisco Greek Film Festival is dedicated to recognizing, supporting, and promoting the best film work by Greek and Cypriot filmmakers from around the world. It's the last weekend for the festival, with all screenings free of charge. With screenings of new, innovative, and highly acclaimed films and different events around the annual film festival week, the SFGFF seeks to inspire, engage, and entertain its diverse audience. Visit online for instructions to start this free virtual experience.

Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" | Virtual

Pulitzer Prize winner Toni Morrison's debut novel, "The Bluest Eye" (which turns fifty this year), comes to Aurora Theatre in a stunning adaptation by playwright Lydia R. Diamond. Diamond expertly translates to the stage the emotional depths of Black girlhood, the poisonous effects of racism, and the heartbreak of shame in Morrison's work. Celebrated for a “profound and unrelenting vision,” (The New Yorker) Morrison sets The Bluest Eye in her hometown of Lorain, Ohio, and places three young Black girls—Claudia, Pecola, and Frieda—center stage as they strive to make sense of love, sisterhood, abuse, and hate. Tickets are $25 and the show runs through May 21.

Tinkering at Home: The Exploratorium | Virtual

Get those creative juices flowing and visit the Exploratorium’s “Tinkering at Home” page where you will find experiments in science, art, technology, and lots of delightful ideas. Tinkering is an active, hands-on approach to discovering the richness and depth of the world around you. There are how-to videos and cool new finds in Digital Designs with TurtleArt, Tinkering with LEGO, Animate Your World, Cranky Contraptions, Exploring Spinning, STEAM Starters, Light and Shadow Play, Chain Reaction and more. For added fun, share your creations with other tinkering explorers on social media at #TinkeringAtHome.

Comedy Oakland | Virtual

Laughter continues to be the best medicine! Tune in to this free show at 7pm both Friday and Saturday with more chances to laugh at comedians from the likes of “Comedy Central,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “World Series of Comedy,” and more. Shows are free to watch on Zoom. Experience live online comedy at its finest and giggle yourself into some good weekend feels!

The So-so Market happens on Saturday and Sunday. Photo courtesy of So-so Market.

So-so Market’s “Super Special Sakura” Festival | Downtown Berkeley

So-so is all about love for everything anime and cutesy, while also celebrating and giving back. Ticket sale and snack bar proceeds will be allocated to local organizations rallying against the recent spike in hate crimes against the AAPI community. Come shop local vintage goods, snack up, and vibe to some music and Sakura activities. Don’t forget to stop by the Cal campus across the street and view the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The festival runs on Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm. Tickets are $20. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley and walk 12 minutes to 2362 Bancroft Way.

Open-Air Marketplace of Local Makers at Walnut Creek | Walnut Creek

Broadway Plaza is back! The outdoor marketplace of the best local makers and great vibes in Walnut Creek has returned. Soak up the sun in the beautiful Broadway Plaza and shop small from your local community. From 11am-5pm on Saturday, there will be offerings from the best local makers of jewelry, wine barrel products, organic body products, home goods, apparel, glass, and floral arrangements. Before heading out, don't forget your mask and make sure to practice social distancing while at the marketplace. Take BART to Walnut Creek and walk 20 minutes to the plaza.

Patrick Landeza at The Freight | Virtual

Patrick Kahakauwila Kamaholelani Landeza was born and raised in Berkeley, California, to Hawaii-born parents. Surrounded by music his entire life, he learned guitar as a teenager by observing his uncles at backyard family gatherings. Later, he went on to study with Slack Key royalty, including Raymond Kane, Cyril Pahinui, George Kuo, and Dennis Kamakahi. See him take the stage as part of the Freight at Home Streaming Concert series on Saturday at 7pm. Tickets are available by any donation amount starting at $10.

Contemporary Jewish Museum | Powell St

The Contemporary Jewish Museum reopened last weekend and we want to take you there! Visitors will finally be able to see exhibits that have only been available to view online. See Levi Strauss: A History of American Style; Threads of Jewish Life: Ritual and Other Textiles from the San Francisco Bay Area; and, Predicting the Past: Zohar Studios, The Lost Years. They can’t wait to welcome you back… and welcome you back safely! Timed tickets are available by reservation and begin at $14. Take BART to Powell St and walk six minutes to 736 Mission St.

San Francisco Chinatown Walkway Weekends | Montgomery St

Walkway weekends are back! SF’s Chinatown’s iconic Grant Avenue will be closed off to traffic and cars for a pleasant walkway every weekend (11am-5pm) through June. Enjoy a historic street stroll, outdoor dining, and a cultural shopping experience. Take BART to Montgomery St and walk four minutes to the Grant Avenue Chinatown entrance.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market | Embarcadero

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is widely acclaimed for both the quality and diversity of its fresh farm products, and artisan and prepared foods. Some of San Francisco’s best chefs, and most famous farmers, can be seen at the market that is known as one of the top markets in the country. While you’re there, pop inside the Ferry Building to grab a coffee at Blue Bottle and a tidbit to go with it at one of the resident vendors – you won’t be sorry you did! Take BART to Embarcadero and walk five minutes to the Ferry Building.

Living Room Dance Party | Virtual

Notoriously recognized as “Obama’s DJ," DJ Mel is hosting a nationwide virtual dance party – because you have the right to fight to dance (safely inside, of course). Join the free dance party from 4-8pm direct from your living room and let the good vibes take over!

"The world is on fire" is a new mural in San Francisco's Mission District. Photo courtesy of Extinction Rebellion San Francisco Bay Area.

Earth Day Celebration & Mural Unveiling In Clarion Alley | 16th St Mission

Come celebrate Earth Day and the unveiling of Extinction Rebellion San Francisco Bay Area’s new mural, “The world is on fire,” with music performances, art activities, storytelling and some surprises! The mural is larger than life and has to be seen in person to fully appreciate the love and detail that the Art Working Group painters put into this over many months during COVID lockdown. Now that we can finally be out on the streets again, come celebrate and find community in the power of creativity to help us #TellTheTruth and turn the tide on the climate and ecological emergency. The event runs from 1-3pm and is free. Take BART to 16th St Mission and walk three minutes to Clarion Alley.

San Jose Berryessa Flea Market | Multiple weekend dates

The San Jose Berryessa Flea Market is steps from our Berryessa/North San José station. The Flea Market is a not-to-be-missed San Jose tradition where "one person's junk is another person's treasure." With over 120 acres of shopping, activities, and food vendors, there's bound to be fun around every corner. The market is currently open from Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, 8am-5pm. Walk-in admission is $2-3 depending on which day you go, and the entrance is located near Garden at the Flea and the East Lot.

Live Comedy on Zoom | Virtual

Tune into SF Comedy Showcase on Zoom with co-presenters, Ronn Vigh and Drew Harmon. New comedians hit the virtual stage every Sunday, as seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and more! Free RSVPs are required with donations accepted for the performing comedians.

Heart of the City Farmers' Market | Every Sunday (& Wednesday)

This farmers' market is a uniquely independent, farmer operated, non-profit farmers' market located year-round on Sundays and Wednesdays in San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza. An iconic and beloved community resource, the market supports and sustains small farmers and makes fresh food accessible for all. The market is open every Sunday from 7am to 5pm and on Wednesdays from 7:30am to 5:30pm – rain or shine. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza and walk three minutes to UN Plaza/Civic Center.

Let's get social.

What are you doing this weekend? Let us know via social media, @SFBARTable #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see all of the best BARTable (virtual) events, places to eat (grab take out from) and have fun (outside) around the Bay.