Events
East Village Blues Fest
June 4. They’ll be singin’ the blues at this inaugural event on Saturday—when the region’s top blues musicians will converge for a festive evening of live concerts, craft beer and food. Presented by Electric Playground, Ric Lee and Quartyard, the festival hosts performances by Casey Hensley, Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, The Tighten Ups, Bill Magee Blues Band (pictured) and Robin Henkel. Guests can also enjoy a full bar and local food vendors. See website for more details. 4-9 p.m. $20 (general admission). 1301 Market St., East Village. Tickets
Topgolf Swing Suite at Marriott Marquis
Now Open. Practice your swing at the Topgolf Swing Suite—a new bayside lounge and interactive gaming experience at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina hotel. The indoor putting grounds are ideal for family gatherings, team building and special occasions—accommodating up to eight guests. Both golfers and non-golfers will have a blast—competing in Topgolf target games, Zombie Dodgeball, Jewel Jam, hockey, carnival classics and more—all while enjoying panoramic bay views, food and beverages. Pricing starts at $150 per hour/group. 333 W. Harbor Drive, downtown, 619.234.1500. More Info
Summer Fun at Belmont Park
Ongoing. The beachside landmark since 1925 is home to rides, attractions, arcades, dining and kids activities. Highlights include the Giant Dipper roller coaster, Plunge pool, Liberty Carousel (pictured) and Sky Ropes climbing course; along with oceanfront hangouts such as Draft for craft beer and Cannonball for sushi. New attractions debuting this summer include a submarine ride and a Scooby-Doo-themed escape room at Escapology. Beach House is also hosting a summer concert series with cabanas, tiki bars and a new full-service menu. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.488.1549. belmontpark.com
San Diego County Fair
Upcoming | June 8-July 4. This annual over-the-top spectacle of rides, attractions, animals, entertainment and food returns (in all its pre-pandemic glory) to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The fair’s 2022 theme is “Heroes Re-Unite,” celebrating pop-culture superheroes from movies and comic books. In addition to gut-busting fair food, the festivities include fine art and photography exhibits, a garden show, hero-themed games and rides, and the Toyota Summer Concert Series featuring headlining musicians. See website for full schedule, daily hours and admission info. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1161. sdfair.com
Food + Drink
Agave Fest at Estancia La Jolla
June 3. Be transported south of the border, sip by sip, at this special celebration of agave-based spirits at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. Unfolding at the resort’s enchanting outdoor grounds, the festival showcases authentic Baja cuisine (including an oyster bar and taco stations) and artisanal Mexican spirits by Patron, Casamigos, La Luna Mezcal, Lunazul, Ranch Riders, Proximo-Maestro Dobel, Tanteo and Bay City Brewing; plus live music, raffles and surprises throughout the evening. 6 p.m. $150 per person (unlimited food and beverages). 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 858.318.7602. estancialajolla.com
Berry Good Food Pop-Up at One Paseo
June 4. Local nonprofit Berry Good Food, a champion of food education, hosts a pop-up at One Paseo’s Koi Court—showcasing locally grown, early summer produce, flowers and other artisanal food items. Shop for organic strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, avocados, kale and cabbage; along with gourmet mushrooms, floral bouquets, fruit pies and other baked goods. Featured purveyors include Be Wise Farms, Apple Blossom Farm, Springhill Cheese, Mindful Mushrooms and more. (Mark your calendar for another pop-up on June 18.) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free entry. 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar, 858.523.2298. onepaseo.com
Summer Luau at Kona Kai
June 4. Kona Kai Resort & Spa transforms its bayfront property into the Hawaiian Islands with its annual luau-themed celebration. The fun includes fire dancers, live music and a buffet dinner of traditional Hawaiian cuisine. Feast on dishes like whole-roasted Kalua pig, ahi-tuna poke, coconut shrimp, lumpia, Hawaiian macaroni salad, Spam musubi and pineapple-upside-down cake. To drink, try the resort’s new co-branded Lazy Lei pilsner, created in collaboration with local brewer Eppig Brewing. See website for ticket pricing. 7 p.m. 1551 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 619.452.3138. resortkonakai.com
Arts + Culture
Ghost Light Masquerade at Bread + Salt
June 2-5. Do you believe in ghosts? Contemporary ballet company The Rosin Box Project presents this goosebump-raising immersive performance. Each guest receives a masquerade mask to wear, along with a secret password—granting entry to a series of dancer-led vignettes that explore the long-believed, haunted world of theater. Explore the rituals that many performing artists follow to this day—such as the “Ghost Light,” a singular bulb always lit on an empty stage to ward off mischievous spirits from haunting the place. 8 p.m. $60-$70 (includes hosted bar). 1955 Julian Ave., Barrio Logan. therosinboxproject.com
“Music at the Museum” at OMA
June 3. Local art and live music pair well together. An extension of its First Friday Art Walk, Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) invites you to explore its exhibitions and stay for a special concert by Daring Greatly. The high-energy, five-piece ensemble is known for its soulful Canadian rock ‘n’ roll and American folk music. New OMA exhibits on view include A Kind of Heaven; James E. Watts: Storyteller; Shinpei Takeda: Limit of Your Safe Space; and Phillip K. Smith III: Lozenge-Variant 1. 5-9 p.m. Free. (VIP tables are available separately.) 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.435.3720. More Info
Iron at MOXIE Theatre
June 5-25. In the mood for a stirring psychological drama? The Roustabouts Theatre Co. presents the West Coast premiere of Iron by playwright Rona Munro. Rosina Reynolds stars as Fay, convicted of a brutal murder and having already served 15 years of her life sentence … without a single visitor. When her daughter Josie (played by her real-life daughter, Kate Rose Reynolds)—who was raised by her grandmother and has no memory of the incident—pays an unexpected visit, the past and truth come to light. See website for showtimes and tickets. MOXIE Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Rolando, 619.568.5800. theroustabouts.org
Photo credits: Iron by Daren Scott / courtesy of The Roustabouts Theatre Co. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
