Events
Cabrillo Under the Stars
Aug. 29. The Cabrillo National Monument Foundation celebrates 70 years of caring for one of S.D.’s most significant landmarks with a special evening under the stars. The Foundation’s signature fundraising soiree takes place onsite at Cabrillo National Monument, featuring live music by That Beatles Cover Band; 15 local food and beverage purveyors offering tastings; and those epic panoramic ocean and city skyline views. Festive ‘60s-‘70s or Beatles-inspired attire is welcome. 6:30-9 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, Point Loma. Details
Liquid Sunshine Hard Rock Pool Party
Aug. 29. The Hard Rock Hotel San Diego presents its weekly installment of Liquid Sunshine Dayclub—where the mantra is “dance, splash, drink, repeat.” The signature Saturday pool party includes music by top local DJs; plus a full bar featuring giant slushies and other colorful cocktails; unique vendors; and cabana/daybed/table reservations and poolside bottle service available for separate purchase. Pool party attire encouraged; early arrival strongly suggested. 1-6 p.m. See website for all details and ticket pricing (21+). 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. Details
San Diego Brazilian Festival
Aug. 29. Head to Waterfront Park on Saturday for the 17th edition of the San Diego Brazilian Festival. The jam-packed live entertainment lineup includes Latin Grammy nominee Paula Lima (pictured), Negritude Junior, the Supersonic Samba Parade, Marcio Guedes, samba dancers, a folk performance by Orixá, a “Capoeira Showdown” and much more. Plus: authentic Brazilian cuisine, several bars, a kids zone, arts and crafts, a variety of vendors and San Diego Bay views. 2-11 p.m. See website for ticket pricing (VIP tickets available). 1600 Pacific Hwy., downtown. Details
Tchaikovsky Spectacular at The Rady Shell
Aug. 30. The San Diego Symphony presents its popular annual concert at The Rady Shell: the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. The repertoire includes several of Tchaikovsky’s famous works performed by the Symphony Orchestra; including his Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring Grammy-nominated guest pianist, Joyce Yang; with Manuel López-Gómez conducting. The evening finishes with Tchaikovsky’s iconic 1812 Overture and a pyrotechnic display over the bay. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero, 619.235.0804. theshell.org
Food + Drink
“Bayside Bands, Brews & BBQ” at SeaWorld
Through Sept. 7. SeaWorld San Diego presents its annual summer experience, “Bayside Bands, Brews & BBQ,” taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday—this weekend and next—as well as Labor Day Monday (Sept. 7). Park guests can enjoy a wide selection of local craft beers; along with smoked and grilled barbecue dishes such as pork belly bites and tri-tip sandwiches, desserts, themed beverages and more; as well as live music performances. See website for park hours and admission info. 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay, 619.222.4732. Details
Expanded Menu at Lionfish
Now Available. Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine has expanded its menu with a rollout of new dishes by executive chef JoJo Ruiz. Indulge in new starters like Mexican corn soup, albacore crudo and short-rib skewers; entrees such as swordfish katsu, a 14-ounce New York strip steak with bone marrow, and scallop and pork soup dumplings (pictured); sides including king trumpet mushrooms with Gochujang barbecue sauce and a poached egg; and two new sushi rolls; plus an expanded weekday happy hour menu. 550 J St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.738.7200. lionfishsd.com
Arts + Culture
North Coast Rep: Eleanor
Aug. 27-Sept. 6: Playwright Mark St. Germain’s Eleanor—the riveting one-woman play centered on former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt—returns for just two weeks, presented by North Coast Rep. The show stars Kandis Chappell (pictured) who portrays Eleanor—from a 10-year-old orphan to a massively influential human rights advocate to First Lady— and takes the audience through 80 minutes and 15 different characters. David Ellenstein directs. See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Suite D, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
The Old Globe: Much Ado About Nothing
Through Aug. 30. Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Barry Edelstein, plays on the outdoor stage at The Old Globe through Sunday. Everyone can see that bachelor Benedick and stubborn Beatrice are meant for each other—except for Benedick and Beatrice. The fast-paced production melds mistaken identities, false accusations, creative scheming and witty wordplay as their friends try to bring them together. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
New Village Arts: We Will Rock You
Through Sept. 20. New Village Arts brings us the musical We Will Rock You. Rediscover the magic of legendary rock group Queen, whose music and lyrics power this electric production (story and script by Ben Elton). The show centers on a group of “young revolutionaries embark on a quest to rediscover the lost art of rock ‘n’ roll,” featuring 20-plus Queen hits—including “We Are the Champions,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and, of course, the musical’s namesake. See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 2787 State St., Carlsbad Village, 760.433.3245. newvillagearts.org
MOPA@SDMA: Cecil Beaton Exhibit
Now On View. MOPA@SDMA presents an iconic exhibition dedicated to British fashion and portrait photographer, Cecil Beaton (1904-1980). On view through Jan. 10, 2027, Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World showcases 100-plus works capturing Beaton’s career, from 1920s London, to his World War II documentary work, to his Academy Award-winning designs for My Fair Lady, to fashion photography for Vogue. (Pictured: Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in costume for My Fair Lady on Broadway, circa 1956.) 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. sdmart.org
Photo credits: The Rady Shell is by Gary Payne. Lionfish is by Robert Reyes. The Old Globe / “Much Ado About Nothing” is by Rich Soublet II. MOPA@SDMA (pictured: Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in costume for “My Fair Lady,” 1956, by Cecil Beaton) is © Condé Nast. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
