7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend, May 1-3

From great shows and stirring concerts to delicious tea and awesome French dip sandwiches, this weekend is looking fun and tasty indeed. So let’s get to it, shall we?

(As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines or other details.)

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 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are all over

From all-world jazz guitarist Pat Metheny to super soprano Renee Fleming to the wonderful Smuin Ballet, there are a lot of great concerts and shows to catch this weekend and beyond.

2 PLAY: Happy Star Wars Day

The weekend is technically over on Monday, but we suspect Darth Vader himself would be peeved if we neglected to mention that May 4 is Star Wars Day, and of course there will be fun ways to observe it.

3 SIP & SNACK: Thai tea shop deliciousness

Nudi Blue, a Thai-style tea shop with delicious brews and pastries to sip and snack on, has just opened in Berkeley, and here’s what you need to know.

4 EAT & DRINK: New Shake Shack in the East Bay

Count us as among those who believe there can never be too many Shake Shacks in any community. So we are most pleased that the burger and milkshake restaurant has opened a new eatery in Berkeley. For those counting at home, that’s 18 Bay Area restaurants.

5 WATCH: A batch of new movies his theaters

Some people have been waiting 20 years for Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway to team up for another “Devil Wears Prada” movie. Now the sequel is here and, well, we have thoughts. On the other hand, there are a bunch of other new movies to see, including Renny Harlin’s sharktastic new survival film “Deep Water.”

6 SEE & HEAR: A feel-good musical

Yes, it’s easy to turn a play about kindness into the schmaltzy equivalent of gum on the bottom of your shoe. But “Come From Away,” based on a rea-life bout of nice behavior, is way better than that.

7 SCARF: French dip deliciousness

Rejoice, campers, Adamson's, said to be the only South Bay restaurant devoted to the culinary bliss that is the French dip sandwich, has just opened a new location.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 6:58 AM.