San Diego: This Weekend (May 9-12)

Mother’s Day weekend is booming with events including comedian Jerry Seinfeld, Gator by the Bay, San Diego Comedy Festival and North Park Festival of the Arts.

5.9: Amanda Seales

“I believe there is such a thing as ‘whiteface’ because whiteface is what you put on as a black person when you’re trying to get a loan. That’s how that happens. ’Cause if you come in there like, ‘Yo, ’sup, bro?’ Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. No. ‘Hello! My credit is amazing as you can tell by the smile on my face and this ensemble I have put on to let you know I don’t know anyone in a gang.’” — Amanda Seales at The Stand Comedy Club

@ The Observatory, observatorysd.com

5.9: Slushii

Helping to close out 2018 with a December show at Parq last year, L.A.-based DJ Julian Scanlan (aka Slushii) gets a venue upsize for his return visit to San Diego. And while Scanlan’s previous stop dovetailed with the release of his sophomore studio album Dream, expect the 22-year-old’s set list to continue drawing heavily from the 16-track collection. — Scott McDonald

@ House of Blues, houseofblues.com/sandiego

5.9-11: Brad Williams

“People are always happy when they see midgets. You can’t help it. A lot of you don’t know who I am, don’t know what TV shows I’ve been on, when I walk on stage, you’re like, ‘This is going to be good.’ You see a midget, you’re happy. You can’t help it. No one’s ever seen a midget and yelled out, ‘Well, now my day has gone to hell.’ That has not happened. You see this, you’re smiling, you’re laughing. You know there’s a good shot you got a parade and some candy coming your way. You’re happy as hell.” — Brad Williams in Fun Size

@ American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com

5.9-12: Gator by the Bay

It’s Mardi Gras all over again at this spirited four-day festival featuring seven stages of zydeco, blues and Cajun music along with free dance lessons and delicious Creole cuisine including 10,000 pounds of live Louisiana crawfish. — Michael Benninger

Spanish Landing Park, Harbor Island, gatorbythebay.com

5.10: Jerry Seinfeld

“I’m left-handed. Left-handed people do not like that the word ‘left’ is so often associated with negative things. Two left feet, left-handed compliment. ‘What are we having for dinner?’ ‘Leftovers.’ You go to a party, nobody’s there. ‘Where did everybody go?’ ‘They left.’” — Jerry Seinfeld on Jerry Before Seinfeld

@ San Diego Civic Theatre, ticketmaster.com

5.10: 28th annual Mama’s Day

Sam “The Cooking Guy” Zien hosts this event that invites guests to sample culinary offerings from 50 of the city’s best restaurants while raising funds for one of San Diego’s most well-known nonprofits. — Michael Benninger

The Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, La Jolla, mamaskitchen.org

5.10: Loud Luxury

Hoping to capitalize on the runaway success of their 2017 smash single Body (feat. Brando), Loud Luxury, aka the Juno Award-winning Canadian production duo of Andrew Fedyk and Joe Depace, released a pair of singles last year – Sex Like Me (feat. Dyson) and Love No More (feat. Anders). — Scott McDonald

@ OMNIA, omnianightclub.com

5.10: Waterfront Park fifth anniversary

Celebrate one of San Diego’s most beloved outdoor spaces during a day filled with concerts, a silent disco, kid-friendly games and crafts, and food trucks.
1600 Pacific Coast Highway, sdparks.org

5.10: Todd Terry

Pioneering New York DJ Todd Terry has remixed the likes of Demi Lovato, Daft Punk, Shakira, Usher, Kylie Minogue and many more. Yet despite being old enough to be a father to most of the popular DJs working today, Terry hasn’t stopped producing new music. New singles DJs Gotta Dance More with A-Trak and Figure of Jazz with Junior Sanchez were released last year. — Scott McDonald

@ Bang Bang, bangbangsd.com

5.10-11: Hannah Gadsby-Douglas

“I got a letter on Facebook recently. And I say ‘letter,’ ’cause I’m very bold. Controversial. But I call it a letter because it said, ‘Dear Hannah,’ comma, new line … ‘Bit of feedback.’ And it said, ‘You owe it to your community to come out as transgender.’ Now, all jokes aside, I really do want to do my best by my community, I really do, but that was new information to me. I don’t identify as transgender. I don’t. I mean, I’m clearly ‘gender not normal,’ but I don’t think even lesbian is the right identity-fit for me. I really don’t. I may as well come out now. I identify as … tired. I’m just tired.” — Hannah Gadsby-Douglas on Nanette

@ Balboa Theatre, sandiegotheatres.org

5.10-11: Jeff Ross

“I went to the gym today for three hours. I did 45 minutes of Instagram, one minute of cardio, then I went to the smoothie bar for the rest of the afternoon.” — Jeff Ross on Bumping Mics

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

5.10-19: Sixth annual San Diego Comedy Festival

Touring headliners and hilarious comedians from around the world showcase their talent and compete for cash during this weeklong laugh-fest. — Michael Benninger

Comedy Palace, Clairemont Mesa, sandiegocomedyfest.com

5.11: Junior League of San Diego Food and Wine Festival

Support the JLSD’s continuing efforts to help local women learn leadership skills by attending this annual fundraiser that includes unlimited tastings of local food, spirits, wine and beer. — Michael Benninger

La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, jlsd.org

5.11: Chicano Federation 50th Anniversary Ball

Bringing together hundreds of business and community leaders, this golden anniversary event pays homage to those who have helped the charitable organization provide comprehensive programs dedicated to affordable housing and quality child development. — Michael Benninger

U.S. Grant Hotel, downtown, chicanofederation.org

5.11: Trevor Noah

“Alright, let’s kick it off with the Mueller Report. In many ways, it’s like the movie Roma. The thing everybody’s talking about, but no one has actually seen.” — Trevor Noah on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

@ Viejas Arena, as.sdsu.edu/viejas_arena

5.11: 23rd annual North Park Festival of the Arts

Join more than 40,000 attendees as North Park’s yearly arts and music festival returns boasting even more mouthwatering cuisine, artistic creations and craft beer than ever before. — Michael Benninger

University Avenue at 30th Street, North Park, northparkmainstreet.com

5.11: Night Nation Run

Blending a music festival and a fun run, this one-of-a-kind athletic experience includes live DJs, confetti guns, light shows, bubble zones and a surprise headliner at the finish line after party. — Michael Benninger

Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, nightnationrun.com

5.11: Cultura Fest SD

Attend an indigenous Aztec blessing ceremony and dance to traditional Cumbia tunes at this Latino festival showcasing Spanish rock bands, authentic arts and a blooming beer garden featuring SoCal cervezas. Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winning singer Lila Downs also performs. — Michael Benninger

California Center for the Arts, Escondido, artcenter.org

5.12: Mother’s Day Celebration

Treat Mom to a Mother’s Day she won’t soon forget by transporting her to 50 acres of blossoms during the final day of Flower Fields 2019 season. — Michael Benninger

The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, theflowerfields.com

5.12: Mother’s Day

Celebrate your mom by taking out to her to a relaxing brunch or dinner. Check out these 65 locations serving special menus, buffets and even some giving out freebies.

More...

Top concerts this week in San Diego (May 6-12)
Curtain calls: May performing arts performances
Art beat: May gallery + exhibit openings