OK, campers, time to stop moping around over a certain football game and get back to the awesomeness that is Bay Area life. And we’re here to help, with ideas for great dates, cool shows and mouthwatering meals.
As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.
1 PLAY: Go on an awesome date
Everyone seems to think spring is the time to fall in love. Pish! Winter is a great time to go on a date in the Bay Area — here are 11 reasons why.
From left, Krystina Alabado, Kyra Kennedy and Gianna Yanelli star in “Mystic Pizza” for Center Repertory Company. (Jason Niedle/La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts)
2 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are all over
From the return of San Jose Jazz’s Winter Fest to a new musical adapted from the classic ’80s movie, “Mystic Pizza,” there are a lot of cool shows and concerts to take in this weekend.
3 COOK & EAT: Sumptuous salmon
If you thought blackened salmon was one of those dishes only some hotshot Cajun chef could handle, here’s an easy recipe for a dish that would make Paul Prudhomme proud.
4 PLAY & SIP: Bay Bridge breweries
It has come to our attention that there are some excellent beer establishments located right near the Bay Bridge, and you should know about them.
Kingsley Ben-Adir stars in “Bob Marley: One Love.” (Paramount Pictures)
5 WATCH: New look at reggae legend
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably seen the ads and trailers for the new film “Bob Marley: One Love” (and some people who live under rocks have seen those ads too). The thing is, mega hype aside, it’s not bad — and it tops our roundup of new shows and movies you should know about.
6 DINE: Check out a Black-owned restaurant
During Black History Month, some make it a point to frequent restaurants owned and/operated by Black chefs and entrepreneurs. It’s a terrific idea, and there are many, many places to choose from.
7 SEE & HEAR: ‘Rigoletto’ returns
With its intense power struggle and wonderful music, Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” remains one of the most acclaimed operas going. You can see a new take on the work beginning this weekend in San Jose.
