Events

ArtWalk @ Liberty Station

Aug. 5-6. Make this weekend an artsy one at ArtWalk @ Liberty Station. Taking place at Ingram Plaza at the Arts District Liberty Station, the 18th annual fine art festival will showcase works by more than 175 artists from across the U.S. and Mexico—including paintings, photography, sculptures, ceramic, glass works and jewelry. Attendees can also participate in interactive art activities, including a special KidsWalk area. Added bonuses: ample free parking and lovely scenery, complete with tranquil water features. Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free entry. 2751 Dewey Road, Liberty Station. artwalksandiego.org

Bleached Festival

Aug. 5-6. Taking over Waterfront Park this weekend, Bleached is a celebration of indie/pop music by the bay. The concert schedule is jam-packed with musicians—headlined by Leon Bridges (pictured) on Saturday and Joji on Sunday. The lineup also includes close to 30 talented acts, including Rainsford, Subtle Orange, Dayglow, Baird, Jeremy Zucker, Inner Wave, Cannons, Ethel Cain, Omar Apollo, LoveJoy, Surf Curse, Sam Austins and BlondeShell; plus libations, food vendors and sweet bay views. See website for full schedule and tickets (which are selling fast!). 1600 Pacific Highway, downtown. More Info

PAWS4Thought Party at Barrio Star

Aug. 5. Interested in making a sweet pup in need of a forever home your new best friend? Head to Mexican soul food eatery Barrio Star on Saturday, when Paws 4 Thought animal rescue will host a community adoption event. The Fallbrook-based nonprofit primarily rescues dogs from shelters that are at-risk of being euthanized; as well as abused, abandoned and stray dogs from Tijuana and Rosarito. Get a chance to meet dogs up for adoption; and afterward, grab brunch or lunch at Barrio Star. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free entry. 2706 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill. More Info

Food + Drink

San Diego Soul Food Festival

Aug. 5. Come hungry and ready to indulge in some of the best soul food San Diego has to offer. This annual community event comprises tasting stations by local soul food eateries—spanning traditional Southern soul food, Texas barbecue, African cuisine and much more. Think: fried chicken, fried pork chops, macaroni ‘n’ cheese, sweet potato pie, black-eyed-pea jambalaya, fried catfish with hot sauce, collard greens, cornbread, chitlins, peach cobbler and more; plus local chef interviews and live music and entertainment. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 4090 University Ave., City Heights. More Info

Sushi Ichifuji

Now Open. Find an authentic omakase experience at Sushi Ichifuji—a new Japanese restaurant nestled in Linda Vista. The intimate, 10-seat sushi bar by Hiroshi Ichikawa and Masato Fujita offers two seatings nightly (closed Tuesdays), when reserved guests can enjoy an eight-course omakase (chefs’ choice) meal of seasonal fare—including appetizers, nigiri and sashimi; plates like miso-marinated black cod and steamed egg custard with vegetables; and green-tea panna cotta with fruit for dessert; plus premium sake, wine and beer. $160 per person. 7530 Mesa College Drive, Linda Vista, 858.565.1179. More Info

New Craft Cocktail Menu at Monello

Now Available. Little Italy hotspot Monello debuts a substantial new cocktail menu—boasting nearly a dozen new Milanese-inspired libations. Among them: the Sbattitore Estivo (pictured), shaken with Layback vodka, lemon, Curious Juniper blue-lavender simple syrup and mint; Giorno Alla Spa, made with Cazadores reposado tequila, St. Germain, Chareau aloe liqueur, agave and lime, topped with soda and cucumber slices; and Pompelmo Amaro, with Campari, Noilly Prat vermouth, grapefruit juice, lime, demerara and egg whites. See website for hours. 750 W. Fir St., Little Italy, 619.501.0030. lovemonello.com

Michelin Star for Valle Restaurant 

Open. Congrats to Valle! The modern Mexican outpost just received a Michelin star—making it Oceanside’s first and only Michelin-starred restaurant. Opening at the beachfront Mission Pacific Hotel in 2021, Valle quickly became known for its refined cuisine—a blend of flavors from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe wine region and northern Mexico. Feast on braised lamb in birria broth, daily fresh catches and A5 wagyu beef; with an eight-course chef’s tasting menu available; plus agave cocktails and Baja wines. See website for hours and reservations. 222 N. Pacific St., Oceanside, 866.723.8906. valleoceanside.com

San Diego Craft Beer Con

Upcoming | Aug. 8. Calling all craft beer lovers! The San Diego Brewers Guild (SDBG) hosts its 2023 conference, the San Diego Craft Beer Con, at MiraCosta College’s San Elijo campus. Guests can partake in educational sessions by craft beer industry leaders—with subjects spanning technical brewing, business and leadership, and craft beer culture. The event also comprises a trade show with industry vendors; plus food trucks and beer samples from local brewers. See website for full schedule and to register. $60 general admission; $50 SDBG members. 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea. sdbeer.com

Arts + Culture

Is It Thursday Yet? at La Jolla Playhouse

Closes Aug. 6. Catch La Jolla Playhouse’s world-premiere play before it closes on Sunday! In Is It Thursday Yet?, we meet Jenn Freeman, a dancer and choreographer who, at age 33, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through a mix of dance, original live music and home video footage, we get a peek inside her neurodivergent brain. Freeman, who stars as herself, also co-created and co-choreographed the production along with Sonya Tayeh; with music composed and performed by Holland Andrews. See website for showtimes and tickets. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org

Evita at Cygnet Theatre

Upcoming | Aug. 9-Sept. 24. Andrew Lloyd Weber’s epic Broadway smash (a winner of seven Tony Awards), Evita, centers on the “rags to riches” rise of the controversial first lady of Argentina, Eva Perón. Featuring lyrics by Tim Rice, Cygnet Theatre’s staging of it is directed by Sean Murray, with music direction by Patrick Marion and choreography by Carlos Mendoza. The musical features iconic songs such as “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” and “Buenos Aires.” (Pictured: the cast in rehearsals.) See website for showtimes and tickets. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525. cygnettheatre.com

Photo credits: Monello is courtesy of GBOD Hospitality Group. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.