Weekend Roundup

Find the best San Diego things to do this weekend

EVENTS
Fiesta Old Town

May 4-6. This 29th annual festival expands to three days this year. The entire historic Old Town area will be transformed into the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the Mexican border. Free to attend, guests will enjoy live music from more than 40 bands on three stages, food, historical re-enactments, Lucha Libre performances and more. New this year are the Red Bull Motocross Exhibition, which features high-flying tricks of professional motocross riders, and Fiesta de Futbol, where professional and amateur players will play on streets that have been transformed into miniature soccer fields. Old Town, 619.291.4903. fiestaoldtown.com

Carlsbad Village Faire 

May 6. More than 900 vendors will sell everything fathomable, including clothes, accessories, plants, household products, art, antiques and home décor at the state’s largest one-day street fair. The international food court will feature more than 50 booths serving everything from Thai to Hawaiian cuisine, while the children’s area will entertain youngsters with games, a super slide, a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, face painting and arts and crafts. Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street, Carlsbad. 760.945.9288. carlsbad.org/Events-Calendar-Detail.aspx?eid=222

Rob Machado at Bliss 101

May 5. Surf icon and Cardiff native Rob Machado will be at Bliss 101 for the launch party of his photography exhibit. Come out from 6 -9 p.m. to mingle with Rob and enjoy live music, nosh on hosted appetizers, and of course, see the premiere of Rob’s photography. Bliss 101 will be the first and only local gallery to offer the surfer’s photography, a collection of images from Machado’s worldwide travels as well as his life in Encinitas and Cardiff. Bliss 101, 687 S. Coast Highway 101, Suite 151, Encinitas. 760.487.1900. bliss101.com

Caribbean Nights

May 3. Dress like an islander for this night of live Caribbean music. With influences from Trinidad to Cuba, the museum will be transformed into a warm Caribbean paradise complete with cold drinks and exotic faire from Stone Brewing Co. San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, 320 N. Broadway, Escondido. 760.233.7755. sdcdm.org

FOOD + DRINK
Island Divine

May 5. Treat your palate to a delectable dining experience with fine wines, flavorful brews, exotic cocktails and scrumptious cuisines. The Junior League’s annual Island Divine event will take you on a tropical escape as you indulge your taste buds at this ultimate outdoor dining experience. With the theme of Isla Mujeres, the Latin vibe is sure to make this an evening for the senses. Participants include Luna Grill, Red Tracton’s Restaurant, Royal India, Ballast Point Brewery, Barefoot Cellars, Svedka and many others. Ellen Browning Scripps Park, La Jolla Cove. 619.233.5008. islanddivine.com

Celebrity Chefs Gala

May 5. Dress to the nines for a night of epicurean elegance. Tapenade’s Jean-Michel Diot, Cotton Row’s James Boyce and Bice’s Mario Cassineri are among the incredible chefs who will be presenting their offerings at the gala. Entertainment provided by The Soultones. Sheraton Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island, 858.822.1328. celebritychefscook.org

Chocolate and Champagne Tasting
May 3. Nothing tops off an evening like a glass of champagne and a nibble of chocolate. Bring your sweet tooth to an in-store chocolate tasting and explore how chocolate pairs with champagne from different regions. Sommelier Jayson Knack will assist guests in finding the perfect pair. 6:30 p.m. Dallmann Fine Chocolate Boutique, 2670 Via De La Valle, Del Mar. 858.720.1933.
dallmannconfections.com

DANCE
Stars of the Russian Ballet

May 3. Enjoy an evening of grace and elegance featuring highlights from some of the world’s greatest ballets. The Stars of the Russian Ballet company has performed around the world, thrilling audiences and impressing critics. The program includes Melody, Cinderella Act III Adagio, Don Quixote Act III Grans Pas and much more. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. 619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org

Cinderella

May 5-6. It’s all about that glass slipper. Choreographed by Eugene Ballet Artistic Director Toni Pimble, this magical and sumptuous ballet features California Ballet principal dancer Chie Kudo and guest artist Vadim Solomakha. The performance showcases the elaborate waltzes that take place at the ball while the highlight of Act III is a charming, romantic pas de deux danced by Cinderella and Prince Charming. Immediately following Sunday’s performance audience members will have an opportunity to meet the cast. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. 619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org

MUSIC
Homeward Bound – A Tribute to Simon and Garfunkel
May 5. This live musical tribute to Simon and Garfunkel returns to the Center by popular demand. Fronted by oldies tribute artists Mark W. Curran and Tom Haney, and backed by the Homeward Bound Band, this passionate performance stays true to the original arrangements and trademark harmonies of the legendary musical team of Simon and Garfunkel. California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. 800.988.4253. artcenter.org

Spring Symphonies 

May 5-6. Choral Director David Chase leads this exciting program inspired by the many faces of spring. Grieg’s beautiful lament for a string orchestra is the perfect introduction to Schumann’s robust Spring Symphony. Chorus and soloists then join the La Jolla Symphony orchestra for Benjamin Britten’s Spring Symphony, which includes fourteen poems about the coming of spring. Mandeville Auditorium at UCSD, La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. 858.534.4637. lajollasymphony.com

Sizzle and Spice

May 5. The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus is back with another sizzling performance. Sizzle and Spice is a fundraiser to promote the growth of the chorus with a fully-loaded bar, silent and live auctions, and an evening of great music exploring the sensational flair of Latin cultures. Items up for auction include a seductive ‘Madonna Vegas Trip Package’ with everything from airfare to tickets to the Madonna Concert at the MGM Las Vegas to a Penthouse suite, and a guitar autographed by the late Michael Jackson. San Diego History Center, 1649 El Prado Drive, Balboa Park. 877.296.7664. sdgmc.org

SPORTS
Padres Baseball

May 4-9. The San Diego Padres are at home for two back-to-back series. Friday through Sunday, the boys face off against the Miami Marlins. They then take on the Colorado Rockies Monday through Wednesday. The first 25,000 fans to Saturday’s game will get a Friar t-shirt while Sunday is military spouse appreciation day. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., downtown. 619.795.5000. padres.com


THEATRE
Nobody Loves You

May 7-Jun. 17. A funny and irreverent world premiere musical comedy, Nobody Loves You takes audiences on a hilarious behind-the-scenes ride through reality television and into real life. When Jeff, a philosophy grad student, joins a dating show to win back his ex, he breaks all the rules and tries to blow the game wide open … until he meets Jenny. In a world where every kiss is staged for the cameras, can two people find a real connection?  White Theatre at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. 619.23.GLOBE. theoldglobe.org