MIKE EPPS: End the week -- and start a new one -- with a good laugh. You've seen him in "Friday" and "Friday After Next," "How High" and "All About the Benjamins" now you can see him on stage in San Francisco. Crack up starting Friday (naturally) at 8 through Sunday at Cobb's Comedy Club.
FOOD AND FUN FEST: Feast your eyes and ears in Mountain View at The Great American Food and Music Fest. The event, hosted by Food Network's Bobby Flay, celebrates the rich tradition of classic American food and music. Little Feat, Big Voodoo Daddy, Marshall Crenshaw will be among the performers. The fest starts at noon at the Shoreline.
ETHNIC DANCE FESTIVAL: Get a healthy dose of culture from awe-inspiring dance performances at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival both Saturday and Sunday. The festival serves the world, traditional, and folk dance communities of Northern California by presenting and advancing multicultural performing arts. This weekend showcases groups portraying stories from from the Philippines, Russia, Hawaii and Peru. Performances start Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
GIANT DIPPER'S B-DAY: Celebrate a big birthday on a roller coaster. Not just any roller coaster ... the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is turning 85. Not only is it the park's most popular rides, it's also one of the oldest wooden coasters in the world, and is a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy the day by the beach then join the celebration and huge fireworks show.
FIERY FLAMENCO: On Saturday, bust out your guitar and castanets as the Flamenco Society of San Jose hosts a juerga-- a flamenco jam session-- at the Historic Hoover Theater in San Jose. The performance will feature guest dancer KoKo de la Isla, and audience participation is highly encouraged. Tickets are $14.
