With noisemakers, costumes and hamantaschen aplenty, Bay Area congregations and Jewish organizations are offering a wide variety of programs celebrating Purim, which officially falls on Feb. 28 this year.
Two distinctive events, Be’chol Lashon and Jewish Community Center of San Francisco’s “Purim Unmasked: An Off-Street Festival” and Heeb Magazine’s “Pour ’Em Party,” both Feb. 28, include uncommon takes on the holiday.
The free, all-ages “Purim Unmasked” festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at JCCSF, 3200 California St., San Francisco It will include musical performances by Latin jazz artist Futuro Picante and rock band the Shes, along with teen and adult music ensembles. Food and Israeli wine, henna painting, carnival games and a fortune teller are also in the mix. For details, visit www.jccsf.org.
Heeb’s “Pour ’Em Party” is set for 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Milk Bar, 1840 Haight St., San Francisco. The 21-and-over event will feature a live burlesque cabaret performance by Suzanne “Kitten on the Keys” Ramsey, and dance music by DJ Tomas and Ron “DJ Shockman” Nachmann. There also will be Purim snacks and drink specials. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit www.milksf.com.
Additional events for Purim include:
saturday | 20
“Magical Mystery Spiel.” Purim story set to the music of the Beatles. At Temple Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont. 8 p.m. Also Sunday, Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m. $4-$8, children under 13 free. (510) 656-7141.
wednesday | 24
“The Untold Story of Purim.” With Rabbi Shaye Guttenberg. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $20-$30. (415) 292-1278.
saturday | 27
Celebration of Purim for young children. Puppets, songs and holiday foods. At Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty St., El Cerrito. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. RSVP to www.jewishgateways.org.
Purim carnival and party. Dinner, Purim play, live music by Klezmerology. At Congregation Emeth, 17835 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. 5 p.m. www.emeth.net.
Purim carnival and dinner. Pasta dinner, hamantaschen, costumes and dancing. At Congregation B’nai Emunah, 3595 Taraval St., S.F. 6-10 p.m. $5-$15. RSVP to (415) 664-7373.
Purim celebrations. Congregation Ner Tamid and Or Shalom Jewish Community joint events. Vegetarian potluck, Megillah reading, Purimspiel. Carnival on Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. At Or Shalom, 1250 Quintara St., S.F. 6 p.m. www.orshalom.org.
Purim party and Megillah reading. Games, pizza dinner, hamantaschen, costume parade. At Congregation Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. 6 p.m. (650) 813-9094.
The Whole Megillah and Purim Ball. Swing era theme with live music by Laurent Fourgo and his ensemble. At Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose. 7-11 p.m. www.jvalley.org.
Purimshpiel. Havdallah, costumes and desserts. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. 7 p.m. $10. (925) 931-1055.
sunday | 28
Purim carnival. Presented by Temple Israel, Congregation Shir Ami and Temple Beth Sholom. At Temple Beth Sholom, 4161 Alma St., San Leadro. 10:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. www.congshirami.org.
Purimspiel and carnival. Games, costume parade, hamentaschen. At Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. www.jvalley.org.
Purim carnival and Persian barbecue lunch. At Congregation Sinai, 1532 Willowbrae Ave., San Jose. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $5-$12 for food. www.sinai-sj.org.
Purim carnival. Bouncy houses, games, food, talent show. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 12 p.m. www.shirhadash.org.
Purim carnival. Games, bake sale, raffle prizes. At Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond. 12:30-3 p.m. Free. www.tbhrichmond.org.
Purim carnival. Puppets and stories for young children, carnival booths, bouncy house and costume parade. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 2-5 p.m. Free. www.jcceastbay.org.
Russian-style Purimspiel. Performance by Misha Yagudin, refreshments and storytelling benefiting Aleph Bet School. At Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., S.F. 3 p.m. $15. (415) 992-2235.