Just because you may be stuck at home during the pandemic doesn’t mean you can’t explore the greater world. Here’s a sampling of family-friendly in-person and virtual Bay Area shows, concerts, activities and other events over the next several weeks. As with all things in the pandemic era, everything here is subject to change. Double-check locations, dates, times and COVID precautions before you go.
Acclaimed Ukrainian Pianist performs Chopin for Ukraine: 4 p.m. June 26, Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. Acclaimed pianist Stanislav Khristenko performs four Chopin Ballades, Heroic Polonaise and works by Ukrainian composers to benefit NovaUkraine.org. $100. distinguishedartists.org
ART on the Square Summer 2022: 5 to 8:30 p.m. June 17, July 8, 22, Aug. 26, Hamilton Avenue at Courthouse Square, Redwood City. Summer art shows accompany the city’s Music on the Square series with artists who create jewelry, photography, glass, fiber art, ceramics and woodwork. Free. artonthesquarerwc.com
Benicia Arsenal Artists Open Studios: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 11-12, 940 Tyler St., Benicia. More than 40 artists in Benicia’s Historic Arsenal Arts District will open their studios to visitors, Studios are located along Tyler and Jackson streets, all studios are within walking distance. Free. BeniciaArsenalArtists.com
Benefit Concert for the People of Ukraine: 5 to 7 p.m. June 19, Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. in Pleasanton. Enjoy an afternoon of music by international concert pianist Tamriko Siprashvili and the faculty of Inspire Academy of Music. Suggested donation $50. inspiremusicacademy.com/ukraine
Breaking Down Walls: Celebrating Our Shared Humanity Through The Arts: 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 11, Cowell Theatre, Fort Mason North End Pier 2, San Francisco. This benefit for Ukraine features artists including singer-songwriter Will Hammond Jr., choreographer Mia J. Chong and members of Post:ballet with music by Vân-Ánh Võ, Teatro Nagua and more in a show emceed by comedian Dhaya Lakshminarayanan. $25. Eventbrite: bit.ly/3MAz6ur
Bricks by the Bay Public Expo (Lego exhibition): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25-26 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway in Santa Clara. This fun-filled, family-friendly weekend includes Lego creations built by hobbyists and artists from across the nation, along with vendors selling all kinds of toy bricks and related accessories. $8 to $35. Eventbrite: bit.ly/3vFyKgl
Broadway and Vine: June through September, 4048 Sonoma Highway in Napa. Hear Broadway stars in concert with acclaimed chefs and winemakers providing bites and sips. Lea Michele, June 7; Nasia Thomas and Jelani Remy, July 11; Ciara Renée and Natalie Tenenbaum, Aug. 10; Abby Mueller, Sept. 20. $25 to $1,200. Broadwayandvine.org
Celebrate Women Photography Show: Through May 31, Livermore Public Library, 1188 S. Livermore Ave. in Livermore. See a photographic celebration of women. Free admission. livermoreartassociation.org
Chris Cain in concert: 8 p.m. May 26, Village Theatre, 233 Front St. in Danville. Hear renowned blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Chris Cain. danville.ca.gov/226/Village-Theatre
Colorful Melody Concert — The Angelic Moon: 3 p.m. May 28, Spangenburg Theater, Henry M. Gunn High School, Palo Alto. Hear Chinese modern and classical music played on Chinese traditional instruments at this concert for all ages. $20. uscycs.org
Comedy at the Factory: 8:45 to 9:45 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month , The Polka Dot Room at The Factory Bar, 12517 San Pablo Ave., Richmond. A monthly standup-comedy showcase that brings a half-dozen of the best Bay Area comedians to perform short sets. $20. Eventbrite: bit.ly/3tOTstM
‘Disaster! The Musical’: May 27-29, June 2-5, 29 N. San Pedro St, Ste. 200, San Jose. It’s 1979, and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, including earthquakes, tidal waves and infernos. Ages 10 and older. $19 to $48. tabardtheatre.org
Essential Figure Show: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 27-29, Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 Eighth St., Livermore. The 13th annual fine figurative show celebrates the human form. Free. livermoreartassociation.org
Family Art Drop-in Workshops: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, San Francisco. Get creative with your kids as art instructors guide a different hands-on art activity each week for kids ages 5 and up. $10, $5 for an extra child. randallmuseum.org
Fremont Street Eats: Fridays through October, 3500 Capitol Ave. in Fremont. This distinctive foodie experience features global gourmet specialties, 10 to 12 food trucks, live music and kids games. Fremontstreeteats.com
Historical Walking Tours of History Park: A museum guide will lead small groups of visitors through San Jose’s History Park discussing the historical and architectural background of each building. 1 p.m. (by appointment only) Tuesdays and Thursdays. $0 to $12. historysanjose.org
In a Landscape: 5:30 p.m. May 25, Filoli Historic House & Garden, 86 Canada Road in Woodside. The Classical Music in the Wild outdoor concert series sends a pianist and 9-foot Steinway grand piano to National Parks, urban greenspaces, working ranches, farms and historical sites for classical music performances, which include several Bay Area dates. $50. inalandscape.eventbrite.com
Love and Loss: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. A memorial concert honoring the victims of COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County featuring pianist John Orlando. Pre-concert talk by UCSC Music Professor Anatole Leikin. Free admission. $30 suggested donation. bit.ly/38hzS0M
Melancholy Play: May 27 through June 19, 1834 Euclid Ave. in Berkeley. A contemporary farce takes on new meaning in a postpandemic world. $15 to $30. theatrelunatico.org/melancholy-play
Movies on the Square: Thursdays June 9 through Sept. 1, Courthouse Square 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Enjoy a mix of family movies and feature films, including double features with kids movies and Bravemaker Independent Films. Experience outdoor “theater” with a Jumbotron LED Video screen and surround sound. Free. redwoodcity.org/movies
Music on the Square: 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays June 3 through Sept. 2, Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Celebrating 16 years of free music, beginning with Beatles Tribute band Ticket to Ride and winding up with Steel N Chicago, performing the sounds of Steely Dan and Chicago. Enjoy local and national musical performers — from rock and reggae, to Salsa and more. Free. redwoodcity.org/musiconthesquare
Paint Livermore: 9 a.m to 5 p.m. June 3-5, Bandstand, Carnegie Park, 4th and K streets Livermore. Paint Livermore is a plein air competition in Livermore. Painting choices are numerous and include vineyards, beautiful hills, historic buildings and vibrant downtown. $25-$35. Livermoreartassociation.org
Pub in the Park: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 4, July 16, Aug. 6, Sept. 10, Red Morton Park, 1120 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City. Featuring a British-style inflatable pub with quality beers and ciders on tap from local breweries. Also includes bluegrass music, food trucks and lawn games, such as croquet, cornhole and more. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for a picnic style afternoon. Free. redwoodcity.org/pubinthepark
“Ramayana!”: June 9-12, Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. Join Hanuman, the monkeys, Prince Rama and Prince Lakshmana as they journey to Lanka in their quest to rescue Princess Sita in the 43rd Mount Madonna School “Ramayana!,” a musical theater production. $15-$85. ramayana.brownpapertickets.com
Recombinant CineChamber Presents “Gone, Gone Beyond”: 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. now through May 27, 2665 Mission St., San Francisco. “Gone, Gone Beyond” is an immersive audio-visual spatial cinema work by People Like Us (aka Vicki Bennett), $15-$25. grayarea.org/gonegonebeyond
San Jose Dance Theatre — ‘Sleeping Beauty’: 7:30 p.m. June 4, 2 p.m. June 5 (abbreviated children’s show 11 a.m. June 4), The Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose. The company’s rendition of this beloved classic features principal dancers Mariana Zschoerper and Augusto Cezar as Aurora and Prince Florian. $40-$60. sjdt.org
Shadelands Ranch Free Events: Classic Car Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 5. Enjoy live music, vendors, food trucks, raffles, prizes and a display of cars from the past century. Summer Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 31. This outdoor market features more than 40 vendors, food trucks, music and entertainment. Oktoberfest, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1. Get in the Oktoberfest spirit with live music, dancing and German beer and cuisine. 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. wchistory.org
Singer-Songwriter Sundays: 2 to 4 p.m. June 5, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Road, Concord. Enjoy an afternoon of local original music and arts and crafts, curated and managed by the Concord Couch Concerts team. Free. ConcordCouchConcerts.com
Solstice — A reading featuring writers from Diablo Writer’s Workshop: 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 21, Orinda Books 276 Village Square, Orinda. Learn more about the community of writers and how Diablo Writers’ Workshop offers inspiration and guidance so anyone can discover and tell their stories. Free. orindabooks.com/events
Street Smarts — Art Exhibit: Through June 11, Curated by the Sea, 703 Front St., Santa Cruz. This new exhibit showcases 10 artists from the “Made Fresh Crew,” a collective of Santa Cruz artists who draw inspiration from street art, graffiti, calligraphy and the fine arts. Free. curatedbythesea.com
“Talk To Your People”: 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays through May 28, The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. This play offers a comic but thought-provoking inquiry into some of the era’s most talked-about issues. $25 to $100. The Marsh: bit.ly/3x88wnU
The Marsh presents ‘Going Out’: 7 p.m. Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays through June 4, The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. Fan favorite Don Reed reflects on the radical new change in “going out” before, during and after the pandemic. $25 to $100. themarsh.org
The Mushroom Cure: 7:30 p.m. Fridays now through May 27 (dark night April 29), The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. This play was inspired by a scientific study that hallucinogenic mushrooms may cure obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ages 15 and up. $20 to $100. bit.ly/3NMISuU
The Space Between: Now through July 1, Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Cir, Mountain View. CSMA presents the vibrant work of Bay Area artist Chandrika Marla. Marla’s paintings incorporate saturated color and minimal forms to explore relationships and juxtapose the push and pull of memory and perception. Free. arts4all.org/mohr-gallery/current-show
Valley Dance Theatre — Spring Rep 2022: 7 p.m. May 28, 2 p.m. May 29, Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St. in Livermore. See excerpts from four ballet works, including Carmen, Dolores, Paquita and La Fille Mal Gardée, with live musical accompaniment by the Valley Dance Theatre pit orchestra. $15 to $30. valleydancetheatre.com
Winter Dance Party: 8 p.m. June 11, 2400 First St., Livermore. John Mueller’s “Winter Dance Party” recreates Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s final tour. It’s the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates, and it features all the hit songs of the 1950s. $20 to $78. livermorearts.org/2022/01/20/on-sale-now-3
Virtual events
BATS Improv Online Shows: This San Francisco-based improv group will stream free shows each week to bring a little improv magic into homes via Zoom. At 7:30 p.m. on the night of each show, click the link next to the show you want to see to connect to the BATS virtual theater. improv.org/online-shows
Bay Area Children’s Theatre Creativity Corner: This virtual “playborhood” offers kids stories that unfold via video, plus follow-up activities they can do on their own, inspired by the make-believe they’ve seen. Parents can submit their children’s creations to BACT, which is planning to share examples online. bactheatre.org
Beat the Lock Escape Room: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Solve a virtual escape room with your friends via an audio/video call and live feed that lets you play by instructing a game master to search for clues. $25. beatthelock.com
Bringing BADM to You: Bay Area Discovery Museum offers a series of fun, engaging learning experiences to enjoy as a family. Explore three different themes — science and math; body and brain; and talk and play — designed to develop skills for children to succeed in school and life. Within each theme, you’ll find step-by-step videos and activities with instructions written out. bayareadiscoverymuseum.org/bringing-badm-to-you
Broadcast Platform, Marshstream: 7:30 p.m. nightly. Programming varies by night with offerings including short performances, book/writer discussions, singalongs, storytelling, game nights and more. Find more information online at themarsh.org.
Concord Couch Concerts: 8 p.m. first Friday of the month. This showcase for local indie bands and artists will be streamed on Facebook Live and YouTube; facebook.com/concordcouchconcerts and youtube.com/c/concordcouchconcerts.
Diablo Symphony Orchestra Virtual Concerts: First Thursday of each month, featuring works that have been performed and recorded at Lesher Center for the Arts in past years. diablosymphony.org
18 Reasons Cooking School: Check out a slate of new online classes. You may not have everything listed in the equipment and shopping list, but instructors will give you guidance on how to adapt their recipes to what you have access to. Learn new recipes and techniques. 18reasons.org
Festival Napa Valley’s Remote Ensemble Project: This virtual performance of the “Va, Pensiero” chorus from Verdi’s opera “Nabucco” features instrumentalists and singers from 26 states, eight countries and five continents. They represent two dozen orchestras, ensembles, opera companies and music conservatories, such as the Juilliard School, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and San Francisco Opera Orchestra. The performance can be seen on Festival Napa Valley’s YouTube channel: youtu.be/jHV9wLvNYxA.
Full Moon Fridays — Live Cabaret Series: 8 p.m. Fridays. Featuring live cabaret style performances. facebook.com/42ndStreetMoon
Funkmode Dance Studio Digital Workouts: Offering free dance videos, including breakdance, hip hop, youth dance party and more. Find the videos at youtube.com/user/FUNKMODE.
Lamplighters Music Theatre Multimedia: Lamplighters brings their wit and musicality to the virtual stage with an inside look into the company and the rich history of Gilbert and Sullivan. The monthly assortment includes new interviews and video essays, alongside archival vignettes highlighting the best of the company’s 68-year performance history. Free. lmt.lamplighters.org/patreon
Livermore Shakes Educates: A Shakespeare resource webpage for kids and parents, this is an extension of the company’s “So Wise So Young” program for second, third and fourth graders. livermoreshakes.org/educates
Mount Diablo Peace & Justice Center 2020 Art & Writing Challenge: Middle and high school students in Contra Costa County are invited to submit visual art (any medium), creative writing and essays on the topic of “Our Connected Planet.” No fee. tinyurl.com/mdpjc-artandwriting2020
Persian and Central Asian Dance Classes: Take daily classes on Zoom with teachers from nations and regions all over the world including Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China’s Xinjiang region and more. $10 to $20. pomegranategardendance.com
School of Rock Remote Lessons: School of Rock is a performance-based music school for ages 5 to adult. Learn to play drums, guitar, keyboard, bass guitar and vocals by putting on seasonal rock shows. The school is offering a combination of one-on-one remote lessons and access to master classes on music theory, songwriting, instrument exploration and genre journeys. Cost varies. schoolofrock.com/sanramon
Square One Yoga: Stay fit and grounded practicing live, interactive yoga. Check out the schedule of classes available at bayareane.ws/2yfH3oc.
The Escape Game Remote Adventures Virtual Escape Rooms: Your team will communicate with each other and a host at The Escape Game using Zoom. $30 per player. theescapegame.com/remote-adventures
Until The Wheels Come Off — John Tarlton Documentary: Now through June 15. To raise funds for cancer research, cyclist John Tarlton enters one of the most grueling ultraendurance events in the world: Race Across America (RAAM). The documentary traces the almost nonstop, coast-to-coast race — one that’s 30% longer than the Tour de France and accomplished in half the time. untilthewheelscomeoffmovie.com
Have a virtual or live entertainment event to add? Use this link: https://bit.ly/3uAx8Vc
