7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend, Aug. 23-25

We’ve reached the dog days of summer, which means it’s time to unleash your weekend warrior and make the best of the rest of the season. And do we ever have some cool ideas for how to do just that, from great shows to glamping fun to ice cream overindulgence.

As always, be sure to double check event and venue 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: Great shows are all over

From a host of fairs and festivals to a pair of Contemporary Christian pop stars and a sing-along “Mamma Mia!,” there is a lot to see and do in the Bay Area this weekend and beyond.

2 EAT, DRINK, PLAY: End summer with a bang

It’s the “last gasp” time of summer, when you you want to get the most out of what’s left of the season. We can help with that.

3 PLAY: Forget camping, go glamping

If you’re going to sleep out under the stars, you might as well do it in style. Major style.

4 PLAY & SIP: Santa Cruz brewery run

Santa Cruz is always a fun place to visit. Especially in the summer. And especially when the trip includes a stop at these two awesome breweries.

5 WATCH: A new filmmaker makes her mark

Zoe Kravitz has earned raves as an actor, and her first film as a director is turning heads as well.

6 EAT: Dine with the stars

Ever wonder what, say, $500 would get you at some of the Bay Area’s most-revered Michelin-starred restaurants? We were wondering that ourselves.

7 SEE & HEAR: Homecoming jazz star

Growing up in Oakland, bassist and singer Aneesa Stringer used to catch a lot of shows at famed nightclub Yoshi’s. She’ll be back there on Friday, this time as a headliner.