Events
Chula Vista Lemon Festival
Aug. 17. When life hands you lemons, make a festival out of them! The Downtown Chula Vista Association hosts the 27th annual Lemon Festival in the heart of Chula Vista—once considered the “Lemon Capitol of the World.” Visit fun booths by local businesses—offering lemon-themed treats, beverages and specials; plus family-friendly activities, two stages of live music, a lemon cook-off competition, a wine and beer garden, live music, photo ops, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Bring your “main squeeze” and wear yellow! 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free entry. Third Avenue, downtown Chula Vista. More Info
“House of Venus” Art & Fashion Experience
Aug. 17. Be transported to an ethereal world at this one-of-kind special event, “The House of Venus: An Immersive Art & Fashion Experience,” at FEMX Quarters. Guests are invited to dress in “your most elegant attire with a celestial twist” (e.g., your astrological sign) for an evening comprising a zodiac-inspired runway show; immersive art by local artists; astrology and tarot readings; a vendor market with “mystical wares”; a professional photo booth experience; cosmic-themed libations; and live entertainment by breakdancers and music group Trēbel. 6-10 p.m. See website for tickets. 1919 San Diego Ave., Midtown. More Info
Imperial Beach Sun & Sea Festival
Aug. 17. Imperial Beach hosts its largest local festival, returning this year to Portwood Pier Plaza. Prepare to get sandy for a day of family-friendly festivities—including the building of a “mega” castle, crafted from 80 cubic yards of sand (the largest sandcastle ever built on this beach); the Kids-n-Kastles Competition, with 15 teams competing, sponsored by the Imperial Beach/South Bay Kiwanis; a street fair with food and drink vendors; and live music and entertainment at Pier Plaza Stage. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. General admission is free. Along Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach. sunandseafestival.com
R&B Block Party at Quartyard
Aug. 17. It’s jersey time at this Saturday’s R&B Block Party at outdoor venue Quartyard. Guests are encouraged to dress in their best sports jersey, team jersey or custom jersey (or any jersey of your choice) for an evening of ’70s soul music and ‘90s and early-2000s R&B jams “that you just don’t get in the club no more.” Think: throwback tunes by artists such as Jodeci, Bell Biv Devoe, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Blackstreet, Keith Sweat and Jagged Edge. The party features resident DJs, as well as special guests and performers. 5-10 p.m. $20-$30 (21+). 1301 Market St., East Village. More Info
Panda Ridge at San Diego Zoo
Now Open. Giant Pandas are back at the San Diego Zoo! Welcome to the newly refreshed and expanded Panda Ridge—now home to Yun Chuan, an almost 5-year-old male, identifiable by his long, slightly pointed nose; and Xin Bao, a nearly 4-year-old female, recognized by her big fluffy ears and round face. The zoo offers three ways to experience the pandas, including timed tickets, a standby line, and a paid, 60-minute, early-morning walking tour with an expert guide. See website for details, hours and admission info. 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, 619.231.1515. sandiegozoo.org
Food + Drink
SoCal Taco Fest
Aug. 17. Back and bigger and better than ever, SoCal Taco Fest is one of our favorite celebrations of the loaded tortilla—featuring bay views, live music and DJs, lucha libre wrestling, a “Guac Off” and even a chihuahua beauty pageant. The festival showcases the region’s top taco shops and eateries; a culinary stage with cooking demos; the “Taco Fest Best Dressed” contest; and performances by Vanilla Ice, Smash Mouth and Los Amigos Invisibles. And be sure to stop by the “Margarita Cantina” tent. Noon-10 p.m. General admission is $49. Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy., downtown. socaltacofest.com
Burlesque Brunch at Botanica
Aug. 18. Botanica Art & Cocktail Bar in North Park hosts a tropical-inspired Sunday brunch infused with sassy burlesque performances: “Birds of Paradise: A Lush Omakase Oasis of Tantalizing Tropicalia, Volume 3,” presented by Ginger N. Whiskey. The experience, hosted by Carrie Wilds, includes bottomless specialty libations and other drinks; a “chef’s brunch omakase” that takes you on a culinary journey to a tropical paradise; and live entertainment by four talented burlesque performers. See website for available seating and times. $69 per person. 3139 University Ave., North Park. More Info
“Tipsy Tea Time” at California English
Upcoming | Aug. 21. Travel to the English countryside (without leaving SoCal) for “Tipsy Tea Time” with chef Richard Blais at his fine-casual restaurant, California English. Guests can enjoy tea-based cocktails such as the Chap’s Medicine made with bourbon, chamomile tea and lemon; and the Southern Belle made with English breakfast tea-infused vodka, mint and lemon; plus bites like hot-honey-fried-chicken scones, peach-melba tartines and Hamachi crispy rice bars; and lawn games like cornhole and croquet. See website to reserve your seat. 5-7 p.m. $55 per person. 9276 Scranton Road, Sorrento Valley. More Info
Arts + Culture
Concerts at The Rady Shell
Aug. 15-18. Tickets are nearly sold out for a special concert on Aug. 15 by 12-time Grammy winner John Legend—who performs “a night of songs and stories” with the San Diego Symphony, including selections from his most recent release LEGEND; as well as his greatest hits. The Rady Shell also hosts “Totally ‘80s with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra” on Aug. 16; “Miles Davis: Kind of Blue,” featuring trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, on Aug. 17; and the Gipsy Kings with Nicolos Reyes on Aug. 18. See website for times and tickets. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown, 619.235.0804. theshell.org
Velour at La Jolla Playhouse
Through Sept. 15. Extended by popular demand, La Jolla Playhouse presents Velour: A Drag Spectacular, a co-production with Tectonic Theater Project. Created by drag artist Sasha Velour (who stars in the show) and theater artist Moisés Kaufman (who directs), the world premiere blends drag show dazzle with uplifting performance art—featuring innovative projection mapping, personal storytelling, lip-sync performances and video animation. The New York Times hails it as “Fantastical… life affirming.” See website for showtimes and tickets. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Photo credits: “Tipsy Tea Time” by Chris Rov Costa. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
