Get Out! Black History Month, Beer and Mardi Gras

This Friday, Feb. 17 in Mountain View celebrate Black History Month and honor the artistic contributions of African Americans in the arts. Stop by Red Rock Coffee for spoken word and a poetry slam at 7 p.m. Location: 201 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041 Cost: Free.

Then swing by, pun intended, to the Cheryl Burke Dance studio for a "Dance with Cheryl for Black History Month," gala fundraiser for the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) student scholarship program. The event features Dancing With the Stars' Cheryl Burke and Bay Area vocalist and African American historian Noah Griffin who will be joined by the renowned Starduster Sextet to showcase the music and up-tempo contributions of Black performers and musicians since the early 20th Century up to the present day. Wine and appetizers will be served at 6 p.m. and beginning and intermediate dance classes start at 7:15 p.m. Followed by social dancing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Location: 1400 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043 Cost: $45 per ticket before Feb. 17. Admission at the door: $55 per ticket.

Couldn't get up to San Francisco for beer week? Join Tied House and friends at Meet the Brewers for 19 brewers, including Campbell Brewing, Los Gatos Brewing for upscale food truck cuisine at this event. Also enjoy music and a raffle. Location: 1267 S. 7th St, San Jose, Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cost:
$25; $5 for designated drivers.

Bring the kids to Peninsula Youth Theatre's performance of "Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook" and see the stories come to life. At the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts SecondStage Saturday, Feb. 18 from 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Location: 500 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041 Cost: $10.

Can't head to New Orleans this year for Mardi Gras? Stop by St. Stephen's Green on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21 and taste their Mardi Gras Menu (see .PDF document included) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Stay longer, sip your Hurricanes and enjoy their weekly comedy night hosted by Toni Harrison. Location: 223 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041 Cost: Entrees $10