San Diego Weekend Events Roundup
Find the best San Diego things to do this weekend
MUSIC
Star Spangled Pops
Jun. 29-Jul. 1. Get an early start on Fourth of July festivities with this patriotic extravaganza. Star Spangled Pops is a rousing Independence Day celebration complete with all-American hits from Main Street to the Great White Way. Mr. New York himself, Marvin Hamlisch, will lead the Symphony in an evening that includes John Philip Sousa marches, American Idol stars, a tribute to the military and a spectacular fireworks display. 7:30 p.m. San Diego Symphony Summer Pops, Embarcadero Marina Park South, Embarcadero. 619.235.0804. sandiegosymphony.org
Train
Jun. 30. First skyrocketing to fame with the massively popular song “Drops of Jupiter,” Train struck gold again after a three-year hiatus with 2009’s undeniably catchy “Hey Soul Sister,” and the trio is riding that momentum with their recently released album California 37. Expect to hear new tunes like “Drive By,” as well as the hits that made the band a success. Heineken Grandstand Stage, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1161. sdfair.com
Coronado Ferry Landing Summer Concert Series
Jun. 30-Jul. 1. Jazz and big band music are alive in Coronado with performances by Finding the Constant and Coronado Big Band as part of the Coronado Ferry Landing Summer Concert series. Pull up a lawn chair or enjoy the live music while shopping at the adorable boutiques on the Ferry landing. Jazz quartet Finding the Constant performs Saturday 2-5 p.m. and Coronado Big Band performs Sunday 1-3 p.m. Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 First Street, Coronado. coronadoferrylandingshops.com
International Summer Organ Festival
Jul. 2. Now in its 25th year, the Summer Organ Festival presents Monday night performances by internationally renowned musicians that showcase the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. This Monday, Simon Gledhill will performs exciting classics “Viva Mexico,” Waltz from the Merry Widow” and “Song of Paradise.” The Summer Organ Festival takes place every Monday through Aug. 27. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. 619.702.8138. sosorgan.com
EVENTS
Carruth Cellars’ Bottling Party
Jun. 30-Jul. 1. Carruth Cellars will be bottling 2,900 bottles of wine in just two days, the most they’ve ever bottled at one time. Get a bottle of wine right off the line and a glass of the winery’s brand new Red Tide wine. The bottling party will also have live entertainment by Jon Robershaw, Andy Webb and The Yes Team, and food for purchase from the MIHO and Flippin Pizza food trucks. Wine Club members will also receive a six-bottle tote. $25/members, $30/non-members. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 320 South Cedros Avenue #400, Solana Beach. 858.847.9463. carruthcellars.com
THEATRE
Rent
Through Jul. 7. There’s “no day but today” to see the musical that changed the face of Broadway in the 1990s. Inspired by Puccini’s La Boheme, Rent is a joyous and raucous yet strikingly real and heartbreaking musical that celebrates a community of young artists in downtown New York looking for love and success, and struggling to make their mark on the world. Contains strong language and adult situations. Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Avenue, San Diego. 858.560.5740. sdmt.org
FOURTH OF JULY
Hornblower Cruises
Jul. 4. Get a front row seat to the fireworks from aboard a Hornblower vessel in the San Diego Bay. Dinner cruises include a complimentary boarding cocktail, gourmet buffet dinner, DJ entertainment and most importantly, incredible views of the Big Bay Boom fireworks show. Have other plans for the fireworks? Hornblower is also offering one- and two-hour harbor cruises throughout the day that include a narrated tour. San Diego Ticket Booth, 1066 N. Harbor, San Diego and San Diego Grape St. Pier 1800 N. Harbor, San Diego. 888.467.6256. hornblower.com
Neighborhood BBQ and Bicycle Bash
Jul. 4. Wear your red, white and blue to South Park where Alchemy’s Executive Chef Ricardo Heredia will be serving up all-American inspired cuisine along side craft beer and specialty cocktails from Hamilton’s Tavern and Green Flash Brewing Co. Guests can take part in a bicycle decorating contest and parade, bobbing for apples, pin the tail on the donkey, sidewalk chalk art all while rocking out to some all-American live music. Don’t have a bike? Anything with wheels and no motor is fair game for the contest and parade! 11 a.m.-6p.m. Alchemy, 1503 30th Street, South Park. 619.255.0616. alchemysandiego.com
Coronado Independence Day Celebration
Jul. 4. The patriotic activities kick off early in Coronado with a 15k run/walk at dawn, and a rough-water swim at North Beach followed by the famous two-hour parade along Orange Avenue. Stick around after the parade to catch concerts in Spreckels Park, art displays and the spectacular fireworks over Glorietta Bay. Parade begins at 10 a.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Coronado. 619.437.8788. ecoronado.com/4th
Historic Fourth of July
Jul. 4. Celebrate America’s birthday in the birthplace of California in true 1800s style. The historic park is hosting an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration where guests can relive the excitement of an Independence Day back in the 1800s including a parade, crafts, games, demonstrations that represent the fun activities enjoyed by the early settlers of San Diego, and a hat making contest for children. The main stage will be filled with entertainment including historic dancing, vignettes and patriotic music. Don’t forget to take a ride in the horse drawn wagon around the plaza. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street next to the Old Town Transit Center. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=663
