Mardi Gras, Love, and More: A Week of Bay Area Celebrations

From New Orleans funk to dance collaborations, this week offers a diverse lineup of events in the Peninsula and South Bay.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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This week, the Bay Area is abuzz with a variety of cultural events, including a Mardi Gras celebration with New Orleans musician Cyril Neville, a dance collaboration exploring the theme of love, an art exhibition featuring the watercolor paintings of Margaret Washington, an opera production of 'Salome,' and a panel discussion with mystery fiction authors.

Why it matters

The diverse lineup of events showcases the vibrant arts and entertainment scene in the Peninsula and South Bay, catering to a wide range of interests and providing opportunities for the community to come together and experience different forms of artistic expression.

The details

The week kicks off with a Mardi Gras celebration at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, featuring a performance by New Orleans percussionist and vocalist Cyril Neville, along with his son's band, Omari Neville & The Fuel. The event also includes a set by the Seattle-based alt-rock band King Youngblood. In Los Altos, the Viewpoints Gallery is hosting an exhibition of watercolor paintings by Margaret Washington, showcasing her interest in using light and shadow to capture moments. West Bay Opera's production of Richard Strauss' opera 'Salome,' based on the New Testament tale, will be performed at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. The week culminates with a special event at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park, where mystery fiction authors Cara Black, M.M. Chouinard, Carmela Dutra, Gigi Pandian, and Laurie R. King will discuss their work and creative processes.

  • The Mardi Gras celebration at the Guild Theatre is on February 16 at 8 p.m.
  • The 'An Introduction' exhibition at Viewpoints Gallery runs through February 28, with the artist present on February 15 and 27 from 1-5 p.m.
  • The 'Salome' opera performances at the Lucie Stern Theatre are on February 13, 15, 21, and 22.
  • The 'It's a Mystery: Five Authors on the Perfect Whodunit' event at Kepler's Books is on February 13 at 6 p.m.
  • The Valentine's weekend jazz performances with Jackie Ryan and Larry Vuckovich at Meyhouse are on February 13-14, with seatings at 5 and 8 p.m. each night.

The players

Cyril Neville

A New Orleans percussionist and vocalist, known as the youngest of the musical Neville Brothers, with a five-decade career and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1989, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as a member of The Meters in 2018.

Omari Neville & The Fuel

The band led by Cyril Neville's youngest son, representing the next generation of 'New Orleans' First Family of Funk.'

King Youngblood

A Seattle-based alt-rock band, led by Cameron Lavi-Jones, that is opening the Mardi Gras celebration at the Guild Theatre.

Margaret Washington

An artist whose watercolor paintings, including cityscapes, florals, and portraits, are featured in the 'An Introduction' exhibition at Viewpoints Gallery, with a focus on using light and shadow to capture moments.

West Bay Opera

The opera company presenting the production of Richard Strauss' 'Salome,' with a cast including Joanna Parisi as Salome, Nathaniel Sullivan as John the Baptist, and Will Upham as Herod.

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The takeaway

This week's diverse lineup of events in the Peninsula and South Bay showcases the vibrant arts and entertainment scene, catering to a wide range of interests and providing opportunities for the community to come together and experience different forms of artistic expression, from music and dance to visual arts and literature.