Bay Area events
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.
An Evening of Song with Brian Stokes Mitchell:
7:30 p.m. Feb. 25, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. An uplifting evening of song featuring a wide range of music from American songbook to Broadway and contemporary tunes. $52-$92. lesherartscenter. org
Book Signing and Discussion with Rob Steinberg:
2p.m. Feb. 27, 1Ferry Building, San Francisco. Steinberg will discuss his new book, “How Architecture Tells,” which explores how architecture shapes and improves lives. Book Passage: bit.ly/3b2pbny
Comedy at the Factory:
8:45to 9:45p.m. the first Tuesday of each month starting March 1, The Polka Dot Room at The Factory Bar, 12517San 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
CSMA Merit Scholars Honors Concert: 5 p.m. Saturday, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. An ensemble of CSMA'S top young merit scholars perform during the annual honors concert. Free. arts4all.org/events/ merit-scholars-honorsconcert-2022
Dance Series 1 — Love Smuin: Now through Feb. 27, Walnut Creek, San
Francisco and Mountain View. A diverse program featuring choreographer Gina Patterson's “You Are Here,” plus two works by former Smuin choreographer-in-residence Amy Seiwert, “Dear Miss Cline” and “Been Through Diamonds.” This program will also be offered as an on-demand streaming option in March. $25 to $99. smuinballet. org
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. $0to $12. historysanjose. org
Idle Threat: 11 a.m. March 12, Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette. This film screening follows director/producer George Pakenham as he explores environmental dangers caused by idling cars. Following the film, Project Earth will lead a youth panel discussion. Free. Townhalltheatre.com
Japanese-american Internment at Tanforan — Photographs by Dorothea Lange: Now through April 10, San Mateo County History Museum, 2200Broadway in Redwood City. During World War II, Japanese Americans were sent to the Tanforan Racetrack in San Bruno, where they spent months until permanent internment camps were built in remote locations. Lange was hired by the federal War Relocation Authority to document this forced evacuation. Admission $4 to $6. historysmc.org
Mardi Gras Carnival: 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Main Street and Broadway, Redwood City. Celebrate this rich, cultural festival, complete with a Grand Marshall and Second Line at 4:30 p.m. and four bands steeped in New Orleans roots. Beads, masks, authentic Cajun cuisine and beverages will be available. Dance over to the Main Street Stage, bring your chair. Free admission. redwoodcitydowntown.com
Men on Boats: Live and streaming on-demand now through Sunday,
Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo
Alto. See this 19th century adventure story about 10 men, four boats and two rivers. $20streaming, $27 to $57 live. Paplayers.org
Musical Flair: Now through April at the Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio in San Jose. Enjoy today's hottest jazz artists with four-top seating at these intimate concerts featuring Helen Sung on March 19 and Miguel Zénon Duo on April 28. $25 to $30. hammertheatre.com
“New Beginnings”: Through Feb. 25, art Cottage, 2238 Mount Diablo St. in Concord. The Lamorinda Arts Alliance's newest exhibit. laa4art.org
Opera San José — Carmen: Now through Feb.
27, California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose. In a new collaboration with the Flamenco Society of San José, dance, song and drama come together to tell the passionate tale of a defiant heroine whose rebellious quest for freedom defies societal expectations of women and seals her tragic fate. $55 to $195. operasj.org
Pirates of Penzance: Now through Feb. 27, Historic Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Ave., San Jose. Two casts of adults and teens, ages 13 and older, will bring to life this swashbuckling musical adventure chockfull of swaggering buccaneers, maidens in distress, cowardly cops, conflicted orphans and the very model of a modern major general. $20. Playfulpeople.org