Got plans for the big holiday weekend? Besides the ho-ho-ho-ing and cookie nibbling? We’ve got some excellent suggestions for fun shows, great movies and other cool Bay Area things to do.
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 WATCH: Some of the year’s best movies
This is the time of year when film studios release a lot of their best movies because … 1. they want us to enjoy the holidays even more, or 2. they want to win as many awards as possible (pick the explanation you like better). In any event, some of the year’s best releases are in theaters now.
Chocolate-dipped cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies are easy to make(Courtesy of Laura McLively)
2 BAKE & SAVOR: Holiday cookies 2 die 4
We believe that someone, somewhere, has come up with the perfect Christmas cookie. These chocolate-dipped cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies even look the part. Here’s how to make them. (Hint, some people suggest the chocolate is optional; those people are wrong!)
3 SEE & HEAR: A Potter parody
This acclaimed show that lovingly spoofs all things Hogwarts is back in the Bay Area.
4 SHOP & SNACK: It’s smoked salmon season
For some reason, we just can’t get enough of the stuff this time of year. We checked out the offerings at Trader Joe’s and Costco, and these are the brands you should look for.
The acclaimed men’s choir Chanticleer performs its popular Christmas show in Santa Clara and S.F. this week, (Chanticleer)
5 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are all over
From the sublime Chanticleer to a silly (and we mean silly) “Sleeping Beauty,” there are a lot of cool shows to see this weekend.
6 MIX & SIP: Snazzy cocktails
Sonoma home cocktail gurus Carey Jones and John McCarthy’s new book is all about snazzing up the classics. And, why yes, they have some ideas on adding a holiday twist to three iconic cocktails.
7 HEAR: Since it’s Christmas …
You need some Christmas tunes, and here are some of the best that came out this year.
