Theater
The Mountaintop
Through 2/15 Oakland Theater Project explores the last evening of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life through The Mountaintop, on stage now at Flax Art and Design. In the show, King comes back to his hotel room after delivering a sermon and has a reflective conversation with a maid working there. oaklandtheaterproject.org.
Visual Art
Near and Far: A Collection of Works Inspired by Place
Through 2/28 The landscape works—created both outdoors and within her studio—of Walnut Creek–based artist Jessica de Jesus are currently on display at the Benicia Plein Air Gallery. Visitors can meet the artist herself at the gallery on 2/14, 2/15, and 2/28. beniciapleinair.com.
Cal Performances presents the Martha Graham Dance Company, Graham100: A Celebration of the Company’s 100th Anniversary, February 14–15, 2026 at Zellerbach Hall. Pictured: Leslie Andrea Williams in Martha Graham’s Chronicle.
Melissa Sherwood
Dance
Martha Graham Dance Company: Graham100
2/14-2/15 Head to Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall, where the Martha Graham Dance Company will present unique dances over a pair of performances (as well as a core program) as part of Cal Performances’ season. The New York group was started in the 1920s by the trailblazing dance leader. calperformances.org.
Courtesy of the Bay Area Book Festival and the Mechanics’ Institute
Literature
Beloved By the Bay: A Romance Panel
2/12 Romance book lovers will converge at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco for a conversation featuring three local writers, with Oakland’s Jasmine Guillory as moderator. The event, which is presented with Berkeley’s Bay Area Book Festival, will also include speed dating, drinks, and book signings. milibrary.org, baybookfest.org.
Music
Forbidden Love
2/14 The Livermore-Amador Symphony heralds Valentine’s Day with romantic pieces by Frederick Delius, Sergei Prokofiev, and Edward Elgar. The festivities will start with a look inside the music before the performance, and winners of the symphony’s Competition for Young Musicians will also appear as soloists during the program. livermorearts.org.