BARTable This Weekend: May 7-9

Last Updated On May. 06, 2021

San Francisco's Taiwanese American Cultural Festival goes virtual on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Taiwanese American Cultural Festival.

There's a lot to be excited about this weekend — namely SF officially entering the yellow tier and Mother's Day on Sunday! Treat mom to a special weekend by riding BART to one of the fun events listed below. If she's more in the mood to get cozy with the family at home, we have great virtual options too.

See the Valencia Corridor in SF light up on Friday. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite.

Valencia Street Lights Lighting Ceremony | 16th St Mission or 24th St Mission

For the first time in its history, the Valencia Corridor, from 14th to 24th Street will be lit up. This project is possible thanks to the generosity of the whole community, with over 500 community members coming together to raise the funds for lights and over 35 merchants coming together to power them! Ride to 16th St Mission or 24th St Mission and walk over to Valencia St to check out the beautiful lights. At 8pm at 557 Valencia St, there will be light up flower crowns (free for the first 100 people), a mariachi band, a communal blessing, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, speeches, some refreshments, and turning on the lights for the first time.

Party at the Piers: Emergence | Virtual

Spring after unstoppable spring, nature unfurls new seasons of growth. Year after resilient year since 1969, the Exploratorium has germinated the seeds of inquiry and critical thinking in people everywhere. Science education has never been more vital, and the Exploratorium's mission, purpose, and values grow stronger than ever. Celebrate joyful lifelong learning together with the Exploratorium's annual gala. Tickets to the livestream event start at $40.

A Celebration of the Music of Miles Davis - Miles from India: Fridays at Five | Virtual

A project sparked by discussion between visionary jazz producer/arranger Bob Belden and label owner Yusuf Gandhi regarding the Indian instrumentation used by Miles Davis on his classic 1972 fusion album "On the Corner," Miles from India is devoted to re-imagining Davis’ music by an ensemble made up of Miles Davis alumni, today’s jazz greats, and a host of master Indian classical musicians. Streaming begins at 5pm.

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!

Dance with distance this Saturday with Discology. Photo courtesy of Stay Happening.

Discology - Create Space (Dance Outdoors) Festival | Lake Merritt

Last year, 10,000+ of you were open to connecting with a new person, place, and thing; safely with masks, and always dancing in distance. Now, it's time to celebrate this achievement with a festival. How does Discology work? 1. Bring headphones, charged phones, and a mask. 2. Show up to the baseball field behind Laney College. 3. Enjoy and dance. Headliners include Headliners: !!! (chk chk chk), David Hohme, Goldfish, Mark Farina, and The Funk Hunters. Tickets are $10 and the festival runs from 12:15-9:15pm. Take BART to Lake Merritt and walk nine minutes to the Laney College Baseball Field.

SF’s Virtual Taiwanese American Cultural Festival | Virtual

The West Coast’s largest Taiwanese American celebration returns with an exciting new online format on Saturday May 8. Join the Taiwanese American Cultural Festival for an all-day, free, and family-friendly festival showcasing Taiwanese culture, food, entertainment, activities and more. Check out mouth-watering delicacies (you can even pre-order some Mama Liang’s to enjoy), learn some easy bite size Taiwanese, rock out to performances by renowned Taiwanese American performers, dive into scenic destinations, and win some prizes! The event is free and begins at 10am.

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. The online store is open 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!

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 run through Sunday, May 9. Individual event tickets begin at $15 with options for festival passes.

Bobi Céspedes: Freight at Home | Virtual

Singer/songwriter Bobi Céspedes has been a leader and pivotal player in the thriving San Francisco Bay Area cultural scene for over 40 years. Bobi’s music integrates Cuban folkloric and modern elements in a distinctive sound that fuses traditional Cuban son with rumba, Orisha music and jazz elements. For this performance, with her quintet, Bobi plays original songs from her repertoire, as well as popular Cuban standards. Tickets are available by any donation amount starting at $10.

Contemporary Jewish Museum | Powell St

The Contemporary Jewish Museum reopened recently 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

Celebrate Mother's Day at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. A special selection of beautiful flower bouquets will be available to treat mom. Additionally, 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!

On Mother's Day, create a unique headdress to coronate the queen and princess in your life. Photo courtesy of Kapwa Gardens.

Move, Make, Love: Mother’s Day Celebration | Powell St

Bring mom out for a day filled with flower crown classes, yoga, hot hula, Filipino arts & crafts, and delicious Filipino food classics. Filled with swaying bamboo, trees, living walls, and plants native to the San Bruno Mountains — Kapwa Gardens is a secret hideaway in the urban jungle. Take BART to Powell St and walk five minutes to 967 Mission St. The event runs from 10am-6pm. Entry is free with classes and food for purchase.

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.