7 fantastic Bay Area things to do this weekend, April 21-23

Got your weekend plans? We have some fantastic ideas, from free — free! — dance recitals to a classically creepy new series to a yummy deconstructed BLT salad.

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: Bay Area Dance Week is back

Featuring scores of free events and performances all over the Bay Area, Dance Week is a total delight, and it’s back after a three-year absence. And that thing about it being free? All of it, every single plie and bit of Bhangra or Bollywood, costs nothing to attend. It tops our list of cool new shows to see this weekend and beyond.

2 READ & COOK & EAT: 5 hot new cookbooks

A bushel of awesome new cookbooks are out this spring, touching on everything from yogurt to Vietnamese cuisine and Southern comfort food. Here are five that caught our eye (and tastebuds!).

3 WATCH: New take on a creepy classic

Rachel Weisz is amazing as twins in “Dead Ringers,” a stellar remake of David Cronenberg’s 1988 squirm-fest. It tops our list of new shows and movies you should totally watch this weekend.

4 EAT: Bay Street’s new pizza joint

Bay Street Emeryville regulars who’ve been wondering when the shopping mecca would finally get a new pizza joint — your pie prayers have been answered. Arthur Mac’s, which serves up a variety of pies, wings, snacks, salads and cocktails, has just moved in, and we have some impressions.

5 COOK & EAT: BLT Salad?

Frankly, we think all salads should be modeled after our favorite sandwiches, like this delectable and crunchy concoction.

6 SEE & HEAR: A raucous stage sequel

Qui Nguyen’s “Vietgone,” inspired by his own family story, was an infectious stage hit a few years back. Now he’s back with a sequel, “Poor Yella Rednecks” — here’s what our reviewer thought.

7 PLAY: A video game about, um, death

“Have a Nice Death” sounds like one of those cheesy horror movies people rent for bachelor parties — but it’s a video game that puts you, the player, in the role of the Grim Reaper. And it’s a blast.