#virtuallyBARTable This Weekend: September 4-7

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood take the Opry Stage on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Country Music Awards/The Boot.

It's a long weekend and the arts and entertainment scene is heating up. From techno to jazz, country to alternative, and comedy to romcoms, there's a little something here for everyone. Even a chance to check out different museums and to get outside to your grill. All of this fun to be had in the comfort of your own home. Here's what's #virtuallyBARTable This (long) Weekend.

Dee Dee Bridgewater sings the music of Horace Silver this Friday. Photo courtesy of SFJAZZ.

Green Apple Books' Virtual Conversation with Henri Cole

Henri Cole's lastest book of poetry, "Blizzard," is daring, tender, truthful, and builds on a reputation for quiet mastery. Whether he is wrestling with the mundane, history and its disasters, or love, he can sound both classical and contemporary, with the modern austerity of Constantine Cavafy and Elizabeth Bishop. Often exploring the darker places of the heart, his sonnets do not lie down obediently but spark with an honest self-awareness. Green Apple Books is hosting a conversation an between Cole and poet Forrest Gander as they discuss his latest work of art Friday at 6pm on Zoom.

SFJAZZ's "Fridays at Five"

Born out of the COVID-19 crisis as a way to help support musicians in need and to keep SFJAZZ strong for the future, they created a membership-based online series that brings people closer to the music. For $5 for an one-month (or $60 for an annual membership), you can check out exclusive SFJAZZ Center concerts that stream every Friday night beginning at 5pm. Conceived to create a unique shared experience, each event features real-time chats with artists, jazz fans, and SFJAZZ Members. This week, enjoy the music of Horace Silver performed by Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Dee Dee Bridgewater.

"Crazy Funny Asians"

Inspired by the blockbuster movie, see some of the Bay Area’s top comedians at San Francisco’s "Crazy Funny Asians" comedy showcase. Celebrate the Bay’s Asian-American culture and heritage with laughs. It's happening this Friday at 8pm on Zoom. RSVP and you'll get the secret Zoom link right before the show.

"Turbo Drive"

If you're a fan of the music from "Stranger Things," "Kung Fury," "Drive," "Turbo Kid," or neo-80s nostalgia, then you'll love DNA Lounge's "Turbo Drive," the biggest and longest running synthwave party in the world. To keep you sane during the lockdown, DNA Lounge is doing webcast-only DJ sets. Fire up the lasers and fog machine and dance along from the safety of your own home. The fun runs from 8pm-midnight.

Comedy Oakland

Laughter is still the best medicine in this crazy time. 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 feeling good!

"In Love and Warcraft" streams live Friday and Saturday. Photo courtesy of A.C.T.

Chabot Space & Science Center's Virtual Telescope Viewings

Join Chabot Space & Science Center’s resident astronomers on Facebook Live every Saturday evening live from Chabot’s Observation deck. Each week, astronomers will guide us through a spectacular night sky viewing through "Nellie," Chabot‘s most powerful telescope. Astronomers will also be available for questions. The viewing begins at 9pm.

Saturday Night Opry

The Grand Ole Opry might be closed to fans but that doesn’t mean it’s ‘closed’ to fans. The famous front doors to the venue may be shut but performances there are still making history. Come together for a night of fun and music directly from the Opry stage as Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley with host Bobby Bones step into the circle and keep the music playing. Join the livestream at 4pm.

A.C.T.'s "In Love and Warcraft"

A.C.T. and Perseverance Theatre present an encore virtual performance of Madhuri Shekar’s "In Love and Warcraft." College senior Evie prefers the online role-playing game "World of Warcraft" to real life. In the game, she’s a fearless warrior with a boyfriend. In real life, she ghostwrites love letters for people, even though she’s never been in love. When Evie becomes attracted to her client Raul, she must decide whether or not to let her powerful and sexy warrior character out in the real world. Playwright Madhuri Shekar ("House of Joy," HBO’s upcoming "The Nevers") conjures a cosplay-loving romantic comedy about intimacy and love in the digital age. Check out the live stream Friday at 6pm or Saturday night at 8pm. Tickets for the performances are available online and are pay what you can.

Living Room Dance Party

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!

"Black Laughs Matter"

Circling back to laughter is truly the best medicine, support Black comics as they come together for "Black Laughs Matter," an online comedy show live from San Francisco. Hosted by comedian and Berkeley native Chris Riggins, the show this week features Kenan Jerome Flloyd (Sirius XM/TruTV/Comedy Central) and Tammy Tea Love (Former Marine/Opens for Oscar Winner Mo'nique). The show begins at 8pm and is free but donations are welcome. Tune in to get your laugh on.

The Dave Matthews Band is streaming all weekend. Photo courtesy of The Old Mill.

57th Annual Kings Mountain Art Fair

One of the top art fairs in Northern California is going virtual over Labor Day Weekend. Held every year since 1963, the Kings Mountain Art Fair has grown into a juried show with many artists, offering fine art that is original and created from independent artists. From 10am to 4pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, explore the fair virtually, check out extraordinary art, and chat live with the artists of the pieces you'll be admiring.

SF Zine Fest 2020: Cyber Fest

As COVID-19 officially cancelled the in-person SF Zine Fest, the festival is going virtual. SF Zine Fest 2020: Cyber Fest kicks off Sunday and will feature a series of digital events and promotions of local artists through September 26. Cyber Fest will feature 150 exhibitors along with special guests throughout the month and is free.

SF Brazilian Day & Lavagem 2020 Online

Celebrate Brazilian Independence Day with a free online festival featuring an exciting program of live music and dance performances and a Lavagem (blessing) live from Santo Amaro Bahia courtesy of BrasArte. The festival kicks off at 11am on Facebook and features music from Oakland Samba Review, Dona Francisca, Sambada, and a special performance by composer Roberto Mendes live.

Dave Matthews Band "Drive-In" Concert Series

In their best effort to keep up with tradition, the Dave Matthews Band is having a virtual three-night "drive-in" concert series featuring the band at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA. The streams begin at 5pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Long weekends are made for grilling. Photo courtesy of Hey Grill Hey.

#MuseumFromHome

It's a long weekend and if you’re looking for some new inspiration in art and/or food, look no further than the San Francisco Asian Art Museum “Museum From Home” page. From meditative art videos, virtual exhibition tours, art activities, and recipes from local chefs, there is surely something there to lift your spirits, help you relax, provide some fun and just thoroughly enjoy.

Tinkering at Home

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 and, Chain Reaction. For added fun, share your creations with other tinkering explorers on social media at #TinkeringAtHome.

Let's Get Grilling

If the air quality in your area is good and no Spare the Air Day is in effect, get outside and get grilling. Check out the BARTable team's favorite BBQ recipes that are sure to please anyone in your household over this long Labor Day weekend.

Let's get social.

How did you get #virtuallyBARTable 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.