BARTable This Weekend: April 30-May 2

Last Updated On Apr. 26, 2021

Learn about Tinkering at Home with the Exploratorium. Photo courtesy of the Exploratorium.

The weekend is upon us and with it comes the month of May. This first weekend of the month brings an online pop-up, an annual rummage sale and a book festival that have gone virtual plus in-person events aplenty. Happy weekend greetings to you and yours!

Orquesta Akokán performs at the SFJAZZ Fridays at Five. Photo courtesy of SFJAZZ.

Orquesta Akokán: Fridays at Five | Virtual

Assembed and led by Cuban vocalist José “Pepito” Gómez, Orquesta Akokán is a big band collective of the finest musicians from the city of Havana, both young and old. Tune in for this loving salute to the Cuban mambo revolution of the 40s and 50s, and in particular the work of legendary vocalist and bandleader Beny Moré. They made their SFJAZZ debut with this performance, filmed in June 2019. Streaming begins at 5pm.

Livable Planet Film Festival | Virtual

SF IndieFest is running 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 Sunday, May 2.

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, 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 annual White Elephant Sale has gone virtual this year. Photo courtesy of OMCA White Elephant Sale.

OMCA White Elephant Sale | Virtual

With something for everyone, the White Elephant Sale is the oldest and largest rummage sale in Northern California and features thousands of wonderful items at prices many have come to know and love. The annual sale is an Oakland institution that typically happens in March and in an Oakland warehouse – this year the sale has been reimagined and has gone virtual. Beginning Saturday, May 1 at 8am, the online store opens for business and will run 24/7 through May 23. Enter the shopping extravaganza from the comforts of your own home and let the shopping commence!

Craft + Work x SF Etsy Spring Pop-up | Virtual

The SF Etsy Street Team and craft and work studio crew are excited to present a weekend of shopping and craft demos featuring over 60 makers and Etsy sellers from around the Bay Area. Coming to you live both Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, the event runs from 10am-4pm each day. There you will find live and recorded videos throughout the day on the “Meet our Makers” video main stage, and a daily schedule will guide your experience by leading you to featured sellers and products that catch your eye for gifting or, ahem, to keep for yourself. Shop small and support a local at this Spring pop-up event.

Bay Area Book Festival | Virtual

Join fellow bookworms for the 7th Annual Bay Area Book Festival. This year all events are virtual and offer a plethora of online programming with speakers, readings, live virtual events, and free youth programs featuring nearly 300 leading authors. From a cultural visionary raved about by Toni Morrison and Stephen King, to a Nobel laureate known as “an artist without ego,” to some of the most subversive and spellbinding award-winners on the literary scene, there’s something for every taste, mood, and brand-new beginning. Events begin Saturday, May 1 and run through Sunday, May 9. Individual event tickets begin at $15 with options for festival passes.

Pamela Rose with ‘Blues Women!’ | Virtual

Tearing up the stage in a celebration of Blues, and Blues women, Bay Area vocalist and educator Pamela Rose will join with some of her bandmates from her “Blues is a Woman" show (Pat Wilder on guitar, Daria Johnson on drums, Ruth Davies on bass and Jennifer Jolly on piano) for a deep dive into their favorite songs. Come join these musical friends, as they span the decades, presenting musical treasures from artists such as Sippie Wallace, Dinah Washington, Koko Taylor, Memphis Minnie, Bonnie Raitt and Nina Simone. Tickets are available by any donation amount starting at $10.

AAPI Artist Market | 12th Street/Oakland City Center

E14 Gallery and Steaming Happiness have teamed up to host an Asian American and Pacific Islander Artist Market to highlight and support local AAPI artists and AAPI-owned eateries. This event is free and offers a chance to win prizes by supporting participating local eateries. A live performance from Son of Paper, a SF based rapper, singer, and song writer will entertain while attendees eat, shop, and do good! The event will be outdoors with tables spaced apart and will run on Saturday, May 1 from 11am to 4:30pm. Don’t forget your mask and make sure to practice social distancing while at the event. Take BART to 12th Street/Oakland City Center and walk three minutes to E14 Gallery.

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!

SF Ballet presents Program 05 now through May 12 as part of its 2021 digital season. Photo courtesy of SF Ballet.

SF Ballet’s Program 05 | Virtual

Looking for poetry, drama, and extreme virtuoso dancing? “7 for Eight”, a lyrical, neoclassical work for eight dancers incorporates sensual adagio, exuberant allegro, and everything in between. Master storyteller Cathy Marston recreates Edith Wharton’s novella representing silence, isolation and illusion from “Ethan Frome” in her ballet, “Snowblind”. David Dawson’s “Anima Animus” is ballet pushed to every extreme: technique stretched to its outer limit and physically emotional virtuosity. Don’t miss SF Ballet’s Program 05 now streaming through May 12. Single stream 72-hour access available for $29 with digital packages available for the remaining season. Upload, sit back, relax and enjoy this breathtaking ballet from wherever you may be.

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.