San Diego: This Weekend (May 2-5)

The first weekend in May is busy in San Diego with events including West Coast Weekender, Party Like Gatsby, comedian Seth Meyers and several Cinco de Mayo festivities.

5.2: 10th annual Eat.Drink.Read. A Culinary Event for Literacy

San Diego’s top chefs create culinary pairings inspired by their favorite literary characters at this bookish bash that celebrates reading through connection, consumption and commitment.

San Diego Air & Space Museum, Balboa Park, literacysandiego.org

5.2: 13th annual Dining Out for Life

Dozens of local restaurants, bars, clubs and coffeehouses pledge to donate at least 25% of this day’s sales to support the services and programs offered by The Center.

Venues throughout San Diego, thecentersd.org

5.2-4: Ricky Velez

“I went to Europe. F**k Europe. I hate Europe, Europe doesn’t know how to do shit. Someone tried to rob me the second day I was there. They don’t do it like America. They don’t do it. It’s not gun-knife-give me your s**t. No, they got these things called gypsies, and they carry fake babies, and then they wait till you’re drunk and high outside a museum, and they throw a fake baby at you and try to steal your bookbag, and that’s a weird way to rob somebody. You shouldn’t rob somebody that way. I’m a Puerto Rican from Queens, New York. I’m not catching a baby that’s not mine. I’m not f**kin’ doing it, I’m not. I chest-bumped that motherf***er right to the floor. And then I kicked it.” — Ricky Velez on Just for Laughs

@ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

5.2-6: West Coast Weekender

World-class talent from San Diego’s underground scene performs at this boutique music festival filled with engaging panels, creative workshops and live performances from dusk till dawn.

Viejas Casino & Resort, Alpine, westcoastweekender.net

5.3: Seventh annual Drives for Rides

Do your part to ensure no local children miss a cancer treatment due to lack of transportation by honing your golf game at this tournament supporting the Emilio Nares Foundation.

Maderas Golf Club, Poway, enfhope.org

5.3: Party Like Gatsby

Stand in awe of more than 20 circus, cabaret and vaudeville performers at this immersive, 1920s-themed experience where guests are expected to dress in their finest Gatsby-inspired duds.

Observatory, North Park, partylikegatsby.us

5.3: Secret Society of Adultologists: Garden Party

Discover what makes San Diego’s flora so special by chatting with scientists, artists and gardeners at this adults-only, after-hours garden party peppered with croquet, crafts and creative cocktails.

San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park, sdnhm.org

5.3: Audien

Nathaniel Rathbun (aka Connecticut-born, 27-year-old producer Audien) first hit No. 1 on Billboard’s US Dance Chart with his 2015 breakthrough track Insomnia. In March, he joined forces with indie pop family trio Echosmith on new single Favorite Sound.

@ OMNIA, omnianightclub.com

5.3: Seth Meyers

“President Trump claimed in a tweet this morning that Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report from the Russia investigation is ‘the highest level of presidential harassment in U.S. history.’ I guess he’s not counting the time Abraham Lincoln got harassed at that play.” — Seth Meyers on Late Night with Seth Meyers

@ Balboa Theatre, sandiegotheatres.org

5.3-5: 36th annual Old Town Cinco de Mayo

The city’s signature Cinco celebration returns with live music, a Lowrider Lane and loads of lucha libre matches, along with food and drink specials at dozens of bars and restaurants.

Throughout Historic Old Town, cincodemayooldtown.com

5.3-5: Jermaine Fowler

“I’m going back home for the holidays to see my family, and I’m excited to see my twin brother, Jerome. But, growing up, Jerome and I had a sibling rivalry, ’cause of our names. Jerome was named after my father, Jerome Sr., which is cool. That’s fine. I’m all for people naming your kids after you, but why would you do it if you had twins? … That’s rude. You don’t do that. That’s favoritism. At least name me something more creative like ‘Jerome 2.0’ or ‘I Can’t Believe He’s Not Jerome.’” — Jermaine Fowler on The Late Late Show with James Corden

@ The Comedy Store, thecomedystore.com/la-jolla

5.3-5: Beach Soccer Championship

Teams of children, adults and professional athletes put their best feet forward during this beach soccer festival that’s focused on raising funds for local youth programs.

Harbor Beach, Oceanside, beachsoccerusa.org

5.4: 28th annual Pug Party: Pugchella

The pug-centric party is back, sporting a Coachella theme and more than 400 scrunched-face canines competing in costume contests, a cupcake chomp and a wet T-shirt showdown.

Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, pugsandiego.com

5.4: Snails

Coachella, EDC, Electric Forest and Lollapalooza vet Snails, aka Canadian DJ/producer Frédérik Durand, helped usher in his new genre of “vomitstep” with releases on Skrillex’s OWSLA and Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak labels. For his 2018 full-length debut album, Slimeageddon, he founded a label of his own, SLUGZ Music. — Scott McDonald

@ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com

5.4: 10th annual Asian Cultural Festival

Immerse yourself in the diversity of more than a dozen cultures and ethnicities during San Diego’s celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage, which aims to unify local populations and educate others about the region’s art, history and traditions.

Mira Mesa Senior Center, Mira Mesa, asianculturalfestivalsd.com

5.4: Walk for Animals

Do your part to make San Diego safer for furry companions and wildlife of all types by walking in this event that raises vital funds for the San Diego Humane Society.

Liberty Station, Point Loma, sdhumane.org

5.4: Eighth annual Rhythm & Brews Craft Beer & Music Festival

The San Diego Brewers Guild’s spring festival returns with live music, local eats and samples of 100-plus beers from more than 50 of the county’s best breweries.

Vista Village, Vista, sdbeer.com

5.4: Fifth annual Tacos & Tequila Festival San Diego 2019

Sink your teeth into tortilla-wrapped treasures and sip on unlimited tasters of tequila and beer, or head to the margarita and michelada bar before hopping on a mechanical bull.

Liberty Station, Point Loma, tacostequilafestival.com

5.4: 10th annual Asian Cultural Fest

Celebrate the Year of the Pig in style at this Asian foodie fest featuring cooking demos, a ramen-eating contest and an array of Eastern food vendors.

Mira Mesa Community Park, Mira Mesa, asianculturalfestivalsd.com

5.4: 35th annual Father Joe’s Villages Children’s Charity Gala

Help children experiencing homelessness access the tools they need to build a better future by attending this black-tie event and feasting on an exquisite, three-course dinner paired with signature cocktails and world-renowned wines.

U.S. Grant Hotel, downtown, my.neighbor.org

5.4: Cinco by the Bay

Celebrating Mexico’s rich heritage and culture, this 21+ event includes tastes of the nation’s incredible cuisine alongside sips of agave spirits and set to a soundtrack of traditional tunes.

Embarcadero Marina Park South, Marina District, jamn957.iheart.com

5.4: The Pizza Run 5K

Indulge your obsession with one of Italy’s famous exports at this inaugural 5K fun-run that features pizza tastings from several local restaurants at the finish line festival.

Cathedral Catholic High School, Del Mar Heights, kathyslegacy.org

5.4: San Diego Made Market and Factory Grand Opening

Tour San Diego Made’s spankin’ new facility while browsing wares from more than 80 local makers and getting your fill of food and beer from numerous nearby restaurants.

San Diego Made Factory, Logan Heights, sandiegomade.org

5.4-5: Spring Sprint Triathlon, Duathlon & Aquabike

Now spanning two days, this event, which is suitable for experienced athletes and first-timers alike, ignites San Diego’s triathlon season and marks the first of the city’s annual Triple Crown Series.

Throughout Mission Bay, springsprinttri.com

5.5: Pendry Pool House Opening

Pendry San Diego opens its Fifth Avenue rooftop oasis by playing host to a series of relaxed daytime and evening events, revolving around an unforgettable bar experience.

Pendry San Diego, Gaslamp Quarter, poolhousesd.com

5.5: 11th annual Miracle Babies Superhero 5K

Don your cape and cowl before heading to this costumed 5K followed by a day full of entertainment, art demonstrations and obstacle courses all benefiting the newborns cared for in local NICUs.

NTC Park at Liberty Station, Point Loma, miraclebabies.org

5.5: Carlsbad Village Faire

The one-day street fair returns to North County with more than 750 unique merchants, an international food center and more than 100,000 visitors from far and wide.

Carlsbad Boulevard at Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, carlsbad.org

5.5: Vintage Flea Market

More than 100 merchants display their turn-of-the-century to midcentury-modern wares at this free, rain-or-shine event where leashed pups are always welcome.

The Observatory, North Park, sdvintagefleamarket.com

5.5: Third annual Chula Vista Cinco Fest

Get your fill of food, music and interactive experiences at this festival focused on Mexican culture and history, which is expected to attract 15,000 attendees.

H Street at Marina Parkway, Chula Vista, chulavistaca.gov

5.5: GTA

Miami electro-house DJ/production duo GTA (aka Matthew Van Toth and Julio Mejia) released their fifth EP, La Nueva Clásica, last year. For their latest single, March’s Work It Out, the pair teamed up with trap DJ/producer Party Favor. — Scott McDonald

@ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com

5.5-7: CCBA Spring 2019 Conference

The California Craft Brewers Association offers educational workshops, one-on-one consultations and tons of networking opportunities with more than 50 exhibitors and 500 industry insiders.

Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa, Mission Bay, californiacraftbeer.com