7 amazing Bay Area things to do this weekend, March 31-April 2

From awesome dance recitals to mouthwatering cookies to a homecoming bluegrass champ, we have got a lot of fun stuff on tap for this weekend, so let’s get to it, shall we?

As with everything these days, be sure to double check websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. 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: Molly Tuttle returns

The Grammy-winning bluegrass star, a native of Palo Alto, is back in the Bay Area for two shows at The Guild this week, and she told us how tickled she is to be playing for hometown fans. The shows are sold out, but go here to get on a waiting list for tickets or sign up to live-stream the show.

2 EAT: Pizza from a champion

World champion pizza-maker Laura Meyer has opened her hotly anticipated new restaurant, Pizzeria da Laura, in Berkeley’s Shattuck Square. We recently stopped by for a bite and here are our impressions.

3 WATCH: Heartbreaking look at motherhood

Teyana Taylor is earning raves for her performance as a mom desperate to reunite with her young son after getting out of prison, in “A Thousand and One.” It tops our list of new movies and shows to see this weekend.

4 PLAY & SIP: Check out 3 S.F. breweries

Beer aficionados know there is a LOT more to the Fog City brewing scene than Anchor Steam. In fact, here are three San Francisco neighborhood breweries that are well worth checking out.

5 BAKE & DEVOUR: Cookies from heaven

These delightfully crumbly shortbread cookies have a little bit of everything —  chocolate, hazelnut, cinnamon — and that’s all we can say before we go all Homer Simpson on you (mmm … cookies). But here’s how you make them.

6 SEE & HEAR: Great live shows abound

From a ballet inspired by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to concerts by East Bay Latin percussion icon John Santos, there are a ton of Bay Area concerts and shows to see this weekend and beyond.

7  SEE & HEAR: CubaCaribe returns

The annual two-week festival celebrating Caribbean and Cuban dance returns on March 31 with a world premiere. Here’s what you need to know.