Events
San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival at The Shell
June 11-12. If you like your jazz smooth, head to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park for this fourth annual festival. The Saturday lineup includes musicians such as Boney James, Jonathan Butler, Najee (pictured), Brass Attack BBZ, Kings of Groove and more. On Sunday, catch performances by Down to the Bone, Eric Darius, Maysa, Jessy J, Brian Simpson, Special EFX All-Stars and more. The fun also includes local libations and food vendors. 2 p.m. See website for ticket pricing (two-day passes available). 222 Marina Park Way, embarcadero, 619.235.0804. theshell.org
Strawberry Sun Pool Party at Solamar Hotel
June 12. Expect plenty of splish-splashing, strawberry libations and sunshine on the expansive pool rooftop at Solamar San Diego this Sunday. The hotel hosts an afternoon of summer fun—featuring strawberry mimosa drink specials all day; music by DJ James Guerrero with special guest Chil.i.am, playing house, top 40 and tech hip-hop remixes; interactive photo shoots, cornhole games and other entertainment; and VIP cabanas with full food and drink service available for separate purchase. Swim attire is encouraged. 1-6 p.m. $10-$15 general admission. 435 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. Tickets
Toyota Summer Concert Series in Del Mar
Through July 3. The San Diego County Fair is currently in full swing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and so is its signature summer concert series. This weekend, the Corona Grandstand Stage hosts performances by the likes of reggae star Shaggy (pictured) on Friday, 311 on Saturday, and Los Tigres Del Norte on Sunday. Other upcoming headliners in the series include Chris Young on June 16, Goo Goo Dolls on June 23, Sam Hunt on June 24, and John Fogerty on June 25. See website for full concert lineup and ticket pricing. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. sdfair.com
Food + Drink
San Diego Beer Weekend
June 10-12. Bottoms up! The San Diego Brewers Guild celebrates 25 years of promoting San Diego’s breweries (now more than 150!) with a weekend-long beer hop. Beer lovers can visit dozens of local breweries for special beer releases and exclusive 25th-anniversary glassware. Participants include 13 Point Brewing Co., Ballast Point Brewing Co. (Little Italy, Miramar and Home Brew Mart), Kairoa Brewing Co., Oceanside Brewing Co., Stone Brewing (multiple locations including Liberty Station and Escondido), and more. See website for an interactive brewery directory and more details. sdbeer.com
San Diego Brew Festival
June 11. Because there’s no such thing as too many beer celebrations in America’s Finest City, the 11th annual San Diego Brew Festival returns to Liberty Station’s NTC Park. The event will showcase around 200 beers from more than 70 local and international craft breweries; along with lawn games, live music and fare from 10 popular San Diego food trucks. Breweries include Thorn Brewing Co., Second Chance Beer Co., Societe Brewing Company and many more. Noon-4 p.m. $50-$65 per person (no pets allowed; ages 21+). 2455 Cushing Road, Liberty Station. More Info
Toast of the Coast Wine Festival
June 11. A fun imbibing experience for wine lovers awaits. Produced by the San Diego County Fair, Toast of the Coast is one part competition and one part festival. Oenophiles can sample medal-winning wines—from 2020, 2021 and this year’s 2022 competition—all produced by local, national and international wineries. 1-4 p.m. $30 general admission; $123 VIP admission (includes early entry at 12:30 p.m., unlimited samplings of top award-winning wines, VIP lounge access and chef-led food pairings). The Paddock at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Tickets
“High Tide Dinner” at The Marine Room
June 12-14. Looking for a romantic meal with ocean views? Make a splash with your special someone at The Marine Room. Regularly open Wednesday to Sunday, the restaurant is also welcoming guests on select Mondays and Tuesdays this summer (see website for additional dates) for its unforgettable “high tide” experience. And by high tide, we mean waves splashing right up against the windows while you eat! Executive chef Mike Minor’s special menu includes crab-corn bisque, wagyu ribeye and more. See website for details and reservations. 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, 858.459.7222. marineroom.com
Arts + Culture
Mala at The Old Globe
Closes June 12. Catch it before it closes! Named “one of the best plays of the year” by The Boston Globe, this one-woman play was written by and stars Melinda Lopez (pictured). It’s a brutally honest, funny and touching catharsis of sorts—centered on “Mala,” meaning “bad to the core.” Always the good daughter, Lopez was given this nickname by her mother later in life. The play is staged at The Old Globe’s White Theatre, offering 360-degree stage views. See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Eighty-Sixed at Diversionary Theatre
Extended through June 26. Travel to NYC circa 1986 in Diversionary Theatre’s world-premiere musical (extended due to popular demand!). We witness the Big Apple in the grip of fear during the AIDS epidemic, focusing in on one man, BJ Rosenthal, who still wants to party but must face reality. The musical is based on the book by Jeremy J. King and novel by David B. Feinberg; with a pulsating pop score and lyrics by Sam Salmond; and choreography by Raja Feather Kelly. Kevin Newbury directs. 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights, 619.220.0097. diversionary.org
Lempicka at La Jolla Playhouse
Upcoming | June 14-July 24. In Lempicka: A New Musical, librettist Carson Kreitzer and composer Matt Gould introduce today’s audiences to the Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka (played by Eden Espinosa, pictured)—who fled the Russian Revolution to become a star of Paris’ bohemian Art Deco movement in the 1920s. Choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly and directed by Rachel Chavkin, Lempicka premiered at the 2018 Williamstown Theatre Festival, and since has been updated for La Jolla Playhouse’s highly anticipated West Coast premiere. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Photo credits: Toyota Summer Concert Series / Shaggy by Jonathan Mannion. Mala / The Old Globe by Rich Soublet II. Lempicka / La Jolla Playhouse by Daniel Rader. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.