#weekend-events

#weekend-events

Yes, the vibes are bad. No, doing something whimsical won't solve your very real problems or the very real roots of them. But maybe, just maybe, taking some time to have a little fun this weekend can provide a small escape, like Alice tumbling down the rabbit's hole into Wonderland. Upcoming events offer opportunities to catch imaginative performances, participate in creative gatherings, or even embrace the more playful side of protest. Here are some out-of-the-box ideas for your weekend.

Happy weekend! Ahead: stationery stores, a wallpaper-in-film watch list, slow stitching, and more cozy pursuits. Read on: Above: ICYMI: Longtime Remodelista friends and prolific house flippers Amanda Pays and Corbin Bernsen know how to design a kitchen-and set up a stellar bar. For evidence, take a look at 6 Favorite Country Kitchens by Amanda and Corbin. Photograph by Tim Beddow from Open House by Amanda Pays and Corbin Bernsen, by permission of Gibbs Smith.

Discover the famous Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) who lived in this 1690s townhouse when he wrote his Dictionary of the English Language. The son of a bookseller from Lichfield, Johnson walked to London in 1737 in search of fame and fortune. While fortune evaded him, Johnson's fame was assured with the publication of his Dictionary of the English Language in 1755, from which he became known as 'Dictionary Johnson'.

These might be the dog days of August but our tails are wagging at all the fun stuff to do this weekend. 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.

Every Friday from 5 pm to late, Monroe in North Beach showcases the 'Battle of the Decades' DJ party. Each hour features a different decade with corresponding drink prices.

The Whale's Tail transforms the JFK Promenade into a weekend destination with drinks, lawn games, art, and food trucks, enhancing Golden Gate Park.