Events

Weekend Concerts at The Shell

July 7-10. With its 2022 summer season well underway, the San Diego Symphony presents diverse concerts at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. This weekend’s offerings include The Tower of Power and Lettuce on July 7; “The Best Times: Megan Hilty Sings Jerry Herman” on July 8; “Uptown Nights” on July 9, featuring trumpeter Byron Stripling (pictured), vocalist Carmen Bradford and tap dancer Leo Manzari; and The Midtown Men, stopping on their 12th anniversary tour to perform hits from the 1960s, on July 10. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown, 619.235.0804. theshell.org

Safari Park’s 50th Anniversary

July 9. San Diego Zoo Safari Park marks its “Golden Anniversary,” celebrating five decades of operation. On Saturday, head out for “An Evening at the Safari Park: Celebrating 50 Years of Wildlife and Wonder,” a culinary tour through multiple venues—each offering bites that capture each decade at the property. Sample ’70s-inspired cuisine at the Woolshed at Walkabout Australia; ‘80s and ‘90s food stations at Sambutan Longhouse at Tiger Trail; and 2000s-inspired desserts at Nairobi Pavilion; plus a cash bar and music. 6-9 p.m. $145. 15500 San Pasqual Road, Escondido. 619.231.1515. sdzsafaripark.org

Food + Drink

Hudson & Nash

Now Open. Inspired by a classic Pacific Coast Highway road trip, Hudson & Nash is now open at Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The waterfront restaurant focuses on regional California fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Think: locally sourced seafood dishes, salads, burritos, pizzas, and “big plates” such as the whole fish taco (serving up to four people). To drink: craft beers from local breweries, coastal-inspired cocktails, and wines from vintners statewide. Modern, beachy-chic decor, airy indoor/outdoor seating and bay views complete the experience. 1 Park Blvd., downtown, 619.564.3333. hudsonandnash.com

New Rooftop Deck at Quiero 

Now Open. A fish taco battered with Mike Hess Brewing beer, along with a side of bay views, makes for a quintessential San Diego meal. Quiero, which also houses a Mike Hess tasting room, has opened a new rooftop deck—offering sweeping views of San Diego Bay, Point Loma and North Island. Enjoy a Mike Hess beer flight on the deck; while sampling tacos that range from Hawaiian-style chorizo to ossobuco to vegetarian tacos. And don’t miss the chilaquiles verdes for weekend brunch. See website for hours. 879 W. Harbor Drive, Seaport Village, 619.230.5433. quierorestaurants.com

Brunch at Graze by Sam

Now Available. Head to Little Italy Food Hall—where “Sam the Cooking Guy” has launched a new brunch menu at his outpost, Graze by Sam. Highlights include the French Toast Mountain with whipped cream and seasonal berry sauce; Italian Benedict with a poached egg, gabagool (ham), marinara, chili oil and micro basil; baked eggs; and a signature acai bowl with house-made granola and berries. Wash it all down with a brunch cocktail like the Skrewie Louis with peanut butter whiskey and espresso; or a build-your-own mimosa. W-Su 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 555 W. Date St., Little Italy, 619.269.0334. grazebysam.com

Lunch at The Plot

Now Available. Founded by Jessica and Davin Waite, this entirely plant-based eatery crafts delicious vegan dishes with nearly zero waste—growing most of its ingredients on the property. And now The Plot is offering counter-style lunch service. On the menu: vegan tacos, sandos, burgers and chorizo burritos; plus salads, sides and desserts. Try the Lerm Burger made with a black-bean, sweet potato, oat and lion’s mane-mushroom patty, loaded into an oat-milk-bread bun; with a side of sweet potato fries with “cheesy” truffle sauce. W-F 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 1733 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, 442.266.8200. theplotrestaurant.com

Arts + Culture

Freestyle Love Supreme at The Old Globe

Closes July 10. Catch Freestyle Love Supreme before it closes on Sunday! The popular show is one-part hip-hop musical and one-part comedic improvisational show. Witness live freestyle hip-hop at its finest, as performers take requests from the audience—performing and spinning tracks that range from on-the-fly riffs to full-length musical numbers. Thomas Kail directs the Grammy Award-nominated and Tony Award-winning show—conceived by Anthony Veneziale; and created by Veneziale, Kail and Lin-Manuel Miranda. See website for tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org

The Taming of the Shrew at The Old Globe

Closes July 10. Also closing on Sunday, don’t miss Shakespeare’s timeless comedy about love, marriage and gender—staged at The Old Globe’s outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. In this classic battle of the sexes, notoriously shrewish (and not conventionally attractive) Katherine has no suitors; while her sister Bianca (who can’t marry) is sweet and beautiful. When Petruchio enters the picture and agrees to marry Katherine (aka “Kate”) because of her sizable dowry, hilarity ensues as he attempts to “tame” her. Shana Cooper directs. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org

LEMPICKA at La Jolla Playhouse

Through July 24. Librettist Carson Kreitzer and composer Matt Gould introduce today’s audiences to the Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka (played by Eden Espinosa, pictured)—who fled the Russian Revolution to become a star of Paris’ bohemian Art Deco movement in the 1920s. Choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly and directed by Rachel Chavkin, the musical premiered in July 2018 by the Williamstown Theatre Festival and since has been updated for this powerful new production. LEMPICKA is garnering rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org

New Exhibits at MCASD Downtown

Now Open. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) Downtown debuts three exhibits: Carmen Argote: Filtration System for a Process-Based Practice (pictured), featuring works by Los Angeles-based artist Carmen Argote; The Reason for the Neutron Bomb, with works by Chris Burden and Byron Kim; and Figurative Vocabularies: Selections from the Collection, showcasing MCASD’s latest painting acquisitions. The exhibits mark the return of MCASD’s joint exhibition program with its renovated MCASD La Jolla campus—the first time in four years. 1100 Kettner Blvd., downtown, 858.454.3541. mcasd.org

Photo credits: The Shell / Byron Stripling by John Abbott. The Plot by Israel Palacio. Freestyle Love Supreme by Joan Marcus. The Taming of the Shrew by Jim Cox. LEMPICKA by Matthew Murphy. MCASD by Riyo Studio. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.