Enjoy the springtime in San Diego with blooming flowers, brew festivals, St. Patty’s Day festivities and more.
EVENTS
Rock Star Beer Festival
March 5. Toast to the best of California’s craft beer and live music at the fourth annual San Diego’s Rock Star Beer Festival at the Silo in Makers Quarter. Tickets include unlimited samples of more than 40 craft brews. 6-10 p.m. 753 15th St., East Village. rockstarbeerfestivalsd.com
Blacklight Run
March 5. Head to San Diego’s Sleep Train Amphitheatre for a unique 5K fun run, lit up by glowing UV neon. You must wear a white shirt for the event and by the end of the three miles, it will be covered in Blacklight Run neon glow powder that will glow in the blacklight zones and at the after-party. 6:30 p.m. 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista. blacklightrun.com
CRSSD
March 5,6. The two-day electronic music festival on the bay features live music and DJ performances by more than two dozen artists on three stages, including Odessa, Chet Faker and Loco Dice, among many others. 21+. Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, downtown. crssdfest.com
Cherry Blossom Festival
March 5,6. Enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms, Japanese festival food, cultural performances, craft vendors and a beer and sake tasting garden at the 11th annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Japanese Friendship Garden, 2215 Pan American Rd. E., Balboa Park, 619.232.2721. niwa.org
Spring Busker Festival
March 5,6. Head to Seaport Village for two days of live performances by contortionists, stilt walkers, fire-breathers, street performers, jugglers and other jaw-dropping entertainers. Noon-6 p.m. (Photo Seaport Village) 849 W. Harbor Dr., Seaport Village along San Diego Bay. seaportvillage.com
San Diego Master’s Cocktail Challenge
March 5. The Westgate Hotel and Old Harbor Distillery are partnering to present San Diego Master’s Cocktail Challenge. Taste crafted cocktails by San Diego’s finest mixologists featuring Old Harbor Distillery’s new cold-pressed coffee liqueur, “Ampersand.” VIP tickets include unlimited cocktail tastings. 21+. 6:30-10 p.m. The Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., downtown. eventbrite.com
San Diego Latino Film Fest
March 10-20. Check out more than 160 feature and short films from Latin America, Mexico, Spain, the U.S., and other parts of the world in celebration of Latino film, history, art and culture. Plus celebrity appearances, musical performances, after-parties, filmmaker workshops and more. AMC Fashion Valley 18, 7037 Friars Rd., Mission Valley, sdlatinofilm.com
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
March 12. Festivities begin five days ahead of the official holiday with more than 120 parade entries, followed by an Irish festival including craft and food vendors, a beer garden, live music, dancing and kids’ activities. Juniper and Sixth St., Balboa Park. stpatsparade.org
Best Coast Beer Fest
March 12. Rumored to be Will Ferell’s beer festival of choice, the Best Coast Beer Fest returns to San Diego boasting brews from nearly 100 West Coast craft breweries, live music, food trucks and more. The evening will finish with a screening of one of Will Ferell’s favorite movies. Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego Marina. bestcoastbeerfest.com
ShamROCK 2016
March 17. The Gaslamp turns green for its annual block party featuring live DJs and Irish bands on multiple stages, plus Irish fare and drinks at dozens of participating bars and restaurants. 21+. 4 p.m.-midnight. F and G streets between Fifth and Seventh avenues; Sixth Avenue between E and G streets; Gaslamp Quarter. sandiegoshamrock.com
Carlsbad Flower Fields
March-May. Roam among 50 spectacular acres of blooming ranunculus lower bulbs during this six-week salute to spring, enjoyed by thousands of locals every year. 5704 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, 760.431.0352. theflowerfields.com
Anza-Borrego Wildflowers
March-April. A visit to Anza-Borrego Dessert State Park to hike the Palm Canyon Trail and see the spring wildflowers in full bloom makes for a lovely day trip. 200 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, 760.767.4205. parks.ca.gov
THEATER + PERFORMANCES
The Book of Mormon
Through March 6. The Tony Award-winning blockbuster musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Broadway/San Diego, Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. broadwaysd.com
The Last Match
Through March 13. Anna Ziegler’s moving play journeys inside the minds of two extraordinary tennis players to reveal the lives that led to their defining US Open moment. White Theatre at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Now or Later
Through March 13. This politically provocative play takes on religion, freedom of expression and the dangers of an increasingly interconnected global community. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., #101, University Heights, 619.220.0097. diversionary.org
Now You See It
Through March 20. This outrageously funny farce takes audiences on a dizzying escapade fueled by jealousy bordering on paranoia, a philandering husband, hypnotism, a spurned lover and a scandalous discovery. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
The Miracle Worker
March 4-Apr. 10. The story of Helen Keller and her remarkable teacher Anne Sullivan, in a fresh, powerful production of the American classic. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.437.6000. lambsplayers.org
R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (And Mystery) of the Universe
March 10-Apr. 3. A one-man tour-de-force that showcases the life, work and writings of one of the most remarkable minds of the 20th century. SD Rep at Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown, 619.544.1000. sdrep.org
Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show
March 10-May 1. Reality, fiction and camp collide in this satirical tribute to science-fiction and late-night horror movies. Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525. cygnettheatre.com
California Ballet: Romeo & Juliet
March 12,13. The California Ballet Company presents Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set to a beautiful score by Prokofiev. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org
The Wizard of Oz
March 15-20. Follow the yellow brick road with your favorite characters and beloved songs from the classic movie, plus new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Broadway/San Diego, Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. broadwaysd.com
Music in Motion
March 18-20. Rhythm and dance come together at the Jacob’s Music Center as the San Diego Symphony performs with Malashock Dance group, featuring the world premiere of “Five Scenes” composed by Gabriela Frank, and Stravinsky’s “The Firebird.” San Diego Symphony, Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown, 619.235.0806. sandiegosymphony.org
Rain
March 24-May 1. A brand-new musical adaptation of Somerset Maugham’s classic story that reveals the explosive nature of repressed desire, set in 1924 at a boarding hotel in Western Samoa. Contains strong language. Shiley Stage at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Shen Yun
March 25-27. Experience the beautiful culture of Middle Kingdom China with music, dance and visual effects as Shen Yun performs for the San Diego stage. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, just619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org
Justin Beiber
March 29. Pop superstar, Justin Bieber, takes the San Diego stage for his “Purpose” tour. The fourth studio album features hits “Sorry,” “Love Yourself,” and title track “Purpose.” 7:30 p.m. Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway District, 619.224.4171. valleyviewcasinocenter.com
