BARTable This Weekend: May 2-4
Enjoy "Ferris Bueller's Day off" at the Ferry Building this weekend. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite.
This weekend in the Bay Area is jam-packed with can't-miss performances, celebrations and free events. Whether you're in the mood for world-class jazz, Shakespearean comedy, classical symphonies or family-friendly festivals — there’s something near BART. Check out our BARTable guide to the top happenings around the Bay. Don't forget your Clipper card!
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Catch jazz sensation Cécile McLorin Salvant in the Bay Area this weekend. Photo courtesy of SFJAZZ.
Smuin Contemporary Ballet Dance Series 2
May 2–4 | Montgomery St
Times vary | 700 Howard St.
Smuin's "Dance Series 2” offers the world premiere of “I Remember Now” by Amy Seiwert, along with old favorites, like “The Eternal Idol” by Michael Smuin and “Wild Sweet Love” by Trey McIntyre. Be impressed 0.4 miles from Montgomery St at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA.
Cécile McLorin Salvant at SFJAZZ
Through May 3 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
Times vary | 201 Franklin St.
Cécile McLorin Salvant is heading to San Francisco this weekend to entertain lucky patrons with her deep, velvety voice. She's one of “the most successful female jazz singers to emerge since the turn of the millennium,” according to JazzTimes, and you can witness the magic of this three-time Grammy winner at SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium, 0.5 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
"The Comedy of Errors" at the American Conservatory Theater
Through May 3 | Powell St
Times vary | 415 Geary St.
The American Conservatory Theater presents “The Comedy of Errors,” a fast-paced adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tale of mistaken identities and separated families. This play has plenty of humor and heart and is sure to entertain any audience. Enjoy the show 0.3 miles from Powell St.
“Unfinished Bruckner” with California Symphony
May 3-4 | Walnut Creek
Times vary | 1601 Civic Dr.
Head to Walnut Creek this weekend to hear Franz Schubert’s unfinished symphony ("No. 8") and the three completed movements of Anton Bruckner’s symphony ("No. 9"). While at the Lesher Center for the Arts, you can pop into the photo booth, sip a signature cocktail and enjoy a 30-minute pre-concert talk. Hear masterpieces by two composers just 0.4 miles from Walnut Creek Station.
Oakland Roots SC v. Sacramento Republic FC
May 4 | Coliseum
4 p.m. | 7000 Coliseum Way
Cheer on the Oakland Roots this weekend on AAPI Heritage Night. Bay Area Filipino-American rapper P-Lo is performing a special halftime performance you won’t want to miss! Catch the game across the bridge, just 0.2 miles from Coliseum.
"Two Trains Running" at the American Conservatory Theater
Through May 4 | Powell St
Times vary | 415 Geary St.
Memphis Lee is a diner owner in a historically Black neighborhood in Pittsburgh at the height of the 1960s civil rights movement. Follow his journey as he decides if he should let the government take over his building or sell the property to a ruthless businessman. Witness this Tony-nominated play 0.3 miles from Powell St.
You needn’t pay a dime – or even a pretty penny! – to enjoy the breadth of the Bay Area’s offerings. Below you’ll find a roundup of free local events, including festivals, markets, museum admission-free days and more!
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage this weekend in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Chinatown Volunteer Coalition.
“Little Bears” Outdoor Free Music Class for Kids at Thrive City
May 2 | Powell St or 16th St Mission
10-11 a.m. | 1 Warriors Way
Head to Thrive City every Friday for an outdoor music adventure with Teacher Barb. She performs a mix of original material and classic rock n’ roll, country, folk, blues and jazz. Sing along, dance and make new friends in the Esplanade on the corner of Warriors Way and Terry A Francois Blvd. Take BART to Powell St or 16th St Mission and walk or hop on Muni to the Chase Center.
Oakland First Fridays
May 2 | 19th St/Oakland
5–9 p.m. | Telegraph Ave. between 27th St. and 22nd St.
This Friday, Oakland First Fridays is celebrating a special edition — Viva Oakland, to honor the vibrancy of Latin American art, flavors and traditions. Dance, dine and explore the marketplace 0.3 miles from 19th St/Oakland.
North Beach First Fridays Art Crawl
May 2 | Montgomery St
5-9 p.m. | Grant Ave. and Vallejo St.
It’s the beginning of the month again, which means — it’s time to explore the vibrant art scene in North Beach. The neighborhood’s First Fridays Art Crawl welcomes all art lovers to its galleries, museums, restaurants and bars to experience local artistic talent and entertainment during extended hours. After exploring, grab dinner at one of North Beach’s many fantastic eateries. Take BART to Montgomery St and explore North Beach, just 0.8 miles away.
“Mozart to Mendelssohn” Free Full Orchestra Concerts
May 4 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
3-5 p.m. | 401 Van Ness Ave.
SFMCA's music director John Kendall Bailey leads another “Mozart to Mendelssohn” orchestra event this weekend near BART. The program includes Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ("Overture to Don Giovanni"), Felix Mendelssohn (Symphony No. 4 “Italian”), Gioachino Rossini (Overture to William Tell) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Capriccio Italien). Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza for a fantastic afternoon of music 0.4 miles away.
2nd Annual AAPI Heritage Festival at St. Mark’s Square
May 4 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
Noon – 3 p.m. | 1031 Franklin St.
Kick off AAPI Month at St. Mark’s Square in San Francisco. Start and end the celebration with a performance by the Lao Band. In between, enjoy the Lao Seri flower parade and a Hawaiian hula performance. There’ll also be yummy food, games, and prizes 0.8 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
New events have just arrived in the Bay Area! New shows, one-time events, unique workshops, annual events or anything that's just popped up on our radar. Learn more about what qualifies as "BARTable" or use hashtag #sfbartable for the chance to be featured!
Head to Concord for the Bay Area SpringFest. Photo courtesy of the City of Concord.
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at the Ferry Building
May 2 | Embarcadero
7 p.m. | 1 Ferry Building
Every Friday this month, the Ferry Building will play everyone’s favorite cult classics on the big screen. This weekend, watch Matthew Broderick as Ferris, the infamous high schooler who cuts school one last time before graduation. Movie night at the Ferry Building starts with Drag Bingo at 7 p.m., followed by the flick and a late-night happy hour with $5 pours — all just 0.3 miles from Embarcadero.
Bay Area SpringFest
May 3 | Concord
Noon – 7 p.m. | 2175 Willow Pass Rd.
Celebrate spring this weekend at Todos Santos Plaza in the East Bay. There’s a lot going on here — a beer and wine garden, music by 70s, 80s and 90s cover band “The Great Space Coaster,” and 70s disco entertainment by “East Bay Grooveline.” Plus, the first 400 attendees will get a free spring goody bag! Find the festival 0.5 miles from Concord Station.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Children's Fairyland
May 3-4 | 19th St/Oakland
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | 699 Bellevue
Children's Fairyland's AAPI Heritage Month festivities begin this weekend. Families can learn about Siapo, the traditional bark fabric of the Samoa Islands, participate in arts, crafts and games, taste new foods and enjoy folklore and storytelling. Youth dancers from the Gaga Dance Group will entertain crowds with China's rich cultural heritage. Celebrate AAPI Month with kids 0.6 miles from 19th St/Oakland.
Oakland Ballet’s “Angel Island Project” at the Paramount Theatre
May 4 | 19th St/Oakland
3 p.m. | 2025 Broadway
Inspired by poetry carved into the walls at the Angel Island immigration station between 1910 and 1940, Huang Ruo composed “Angel Island,” an oratorio featuring a string quartet, singers and a narrator. This performance, in collaboration with the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, features live musical accompaniment by Del Sol Quartet and Volti with conductor Dr. Wei Cheng. Enjoy the show just steps from 19th St/Oakland.
Looking for more BARTable things to do? Try one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants near BART. Join the One Book One BART book club and go to one of its events. Or find a place to eat, before or after a SF Giants game. Don't forget to use BART's Trip Planner to plan your outing!
What are you doing this weekend?
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