San Diego’s top weekend events: May 20 to 23
From Jason Mraz and Eurovision to the beloved ‘Rainbow Jumpy’ here’s what’s happening in San Diego this weekend
From Jason Mraz to the beloved ‘Rainbow Jumpy’ here’s what’s happening in San Diego this weekend:
Thursday, May 20
‘Jason Mraz: Look for the Good Live!’
Grammy-winning artist and Oceanside farmer Jason Mraz performs his seventh studio album “Look for the Good” for the first time. Accompanied by his reggae band, the virtual concert will be streamed from The Belly Up in Solana Beach. Mraz’s one-hour set, which begins at 6 p.m., features both new songs and classic hits. $20, momenthouse.com/jasonmraz
Music in the Courtyard: Christina Taylor
Country singer-songwriter Christina Taylor performs from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Headquarters for the weekly series “Music in the Courtyard.” Seaport Village, free, theheadquarters.com/events-calendar
‘Lights on North Park’
Support small businesses by participating in “Lights on North Park,” a symbolic gesture organized by North Park Main Street. Residents, visitors and business owners are encouraged to meet up at the intersection of 30th Street and University Avenue, near the North Park sign, at 7:15 p.m. At sunset, everyone will raise their cell phone lights to brighten the neighborhood and show solidarity for North Park businesses that have faced a challenging year due to COVID-19. North Park, free, northparkmainstreet.com
Lyrical Exchange Open Mic
Open mic night is back at Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center! Head to North Park at 7 p.m. for an evening of music, poetry, spoken word, comedy and more. All ages welcome. Queen Bee’s, $5, queenbeessd.com
Friday, May 21
The New Children’s Museum reopens
The first phase of opening will be limited to the main floor, which includes the toddler-favorite Wobbleland by Marisol Rendón, the painting and clay studio, new murals and the return of Missing Links by Felipe Dulzaides, also known as the Rainbow Jumpy. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. (The museum will be cleaned and reset between sessions.) Ticket prices vary, find details at thinkplaycreate.org.
Nerd Comedy Night
Every Friday, scientist-turned-comedian Tim Lee hosts a unique comedy show at Carlsbad restaurant El Tejate. The show, which kicks off at 7 p.m., is held at the restaurant’s upstairs performance space and features various “nerd comics” from around California. Seating starts at 6:30 p.m. El Tejate Restaurant, $10, eventbrite.com/e/nerd-comedy-night-tickets-63038784702
Hops on the Harbor
Enjoy Mike Hess Brewing on a yacht during Flagship Cruise’s Hops on the Harbor, a weekly dinner and beer series featuring rotating breweries each month. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Board at 6 p.m. for 6:30 to 9 p.m. cruise. $84.50, flagshipsd.com/cruises/hops-harbor
Dive-In Movie Fridays
Watch the comedy movie “Old School” in an inner tune or lounge chair at Sycuan’s Retreat Pool & Cabanas. Doors, bar and kitchen open at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at 8 p.m. Must be 21 and up to attend. Sycuan, $20 to $30, sycuan.com/restaurants/retreat-pool-cabanas/#divein
Friday, May 21 Through Sunday, May 23
Dance is in the Air Festival
Celebrate the return of live dance with the companies of Liberty Station: San Diego Dance Theater, Malashock Dance and San Diego Ballet. The monthlong event kicks off with Other Times, Other Places a collection of dances that explore various times in history, presented by San Diego Dance Theater. 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station’s South Promenade. Find tickets and details at sdartstix.com/dance/dance-is-in-the-air/.
Saturday, May 22
Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision is the wonderfully campy, always entertaining contest in which nations across Europe as well as Israel and Australia compete for title of best song - kind of like “American Idol,” only the countries are the contestants and the more fire, sequins and costumes the better. Usually it’s super difficult to find an American channel that airs Eurovision, but this year you can catch it all on Peacock. The Eurovision Song Contest starts streaming at noon on Saturday at peacocktv.com
Second Chance Dog Adoption Extravaganza
Celebrate dogs over drinks at Second Chance’s Dog Adoption Extravaganza from 5 to 8 p.m. The brewery welcomes current and potential dog owners to attend its inaugural adoption event, with a goal of getting 10 pups adopted from The Animal Pad. Guests are encouraged to bring their dogs, who can enjoy treats from No Leftovers’ Food Truck’s special Doggie Menu, as well as participate in the dog fashion show/costume competition. Second Chance’s special brew, ‘Pints for Pups’ Hazy IPA, will be available for purchase; a portion of the beer’s sales will be donated to The Animal Pad. Second Chance Beer Company, free, secondchancebeer.com
“The Art of Flamenco” Dinner Show at Café Sevilla
Café Sevilla in the Gaslamp relaunches its iconic “The Art of Flamenco” dinner show for the first time since being shut down due to the pandemic. The show runs every Saturday night and features a three-course dinner, a glass of Sangria and a two-part Flamenco performance. Tickets are $89.50 per person and must be pre-purchased. cafesevilla.com/flamenco-san-diego
Live Barbecue Workshop at AleSmith Brewing Company
AleSmith Brewing Company, Cowgirl Q Catering and Susie Bulloch of “Hey Grill, Hey” are hosting a live barbecue workshop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at AleSmith’s Miramar tasting room. Get prepped for summer barbecues with live demonstrations, tips and tricks from BBQ pros and enjoy one pint of AleSmith beer, samples and a raffle. $45 per person. eventbrite.com/e/cowgirlq-bbq-x-hey-grill-hey-tickets-150795775223
Scoop San Diego
The San Diego ice cream festival is back … with a twist! This year, Scoop San Diego will be a drive-thru event at Inspiration Point Parking Lot. Try 1-ounce samples from more than 25 ice cream and gelato shops during a one hour time slot. (Note: though scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, the event is already sold out from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are still available for 4 to 5 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. windows.) All event proceeds will benefit Feeding San Diego. Balboa Park, $35 to $45, scoopsandiego.org
‘Bordeaux Bash’
Sip unreleased wines straight from the barrel at Carruth Cellars, a tasting room in Solana Beach. Tickets for the 21 and up event include barrel tastings, charcuterie, blending supplies and a bottle of wine to take home. The two sessions, led by a winemaker, will be held at noon and 3:30 p.m. Carruth Cellars, $120, carruthcellars.com
Sunday, May 23
The Shout! House LIVE
With the Gaslamp bar temporarily closed due to the pandemic, The Shout! House will take its dueling piano show to Sycuan’s Retreat Pool & Cabanas. Watch the outdoor performance, which begins at 7:30 p.m. from a lounge chair or in the pool. Cocktails and food available for purchase. Must be 21 and up to attend. Sycuan, $15 to $25, sycuan.com/event/the-shout-house-live-dueling-pianos-730pm-sunday-may-23-2021/
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