Events
Irish 4 A Day
March 17-18. The Gaslamp Quarter rolls out the green carpet for two evenings of festive debauchery in the form of a party hop. Your “golden ticket” grants you access to more than 20 bars (all within easy walking distance along Fifth Avenue), hosted welcome shots, live music, DJs, dancing, green beer, and other drink and Irish-inspired food specials; plus parking perks and hotel deals. 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Tickets start at $35. The opening party kicks off at American Junkie, 528 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (with a finale party at Parq Nightclub featuring 50 Cent!). More Info
ShamROCK Music + Beer Festival
March 17. Taking over the streets of the Gaslamp, the ShamRock St. Paddy’s Day Music + Beer Festival is an all-out, all-ages Celtic carnival. Festivities include live entertainment across three stages—The Pint Stage, The Shenanigan Stage and The Rainbow Stage—including Irish rock tribute bands, DJs and Irish step dance performances. Plus: Irish dance lessons, green beer, Irish whiskey, “Shenanigan Showdowns” such as “Lucky Limbo” and unicorn races, the infamous ShamROCK leprechaun emcee, and much more. See website for ticket pricing. 4-11 p.m. Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter. sandiegoshamrock.com
St. Paddy’s O’Beach Party
March 17-18. Why not extend the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations into the weekend? We like how Ocean Beach rolls. This two-day party will be jampacked with shenanigans—including the Beach 5K Fun Run; a “Guac Off” that includes blind tastings to determine the best guacamole in O.B.; a “Gold Coin Giveaway” (the first 500 guests on Friday get a special gold coin redeemable for prizes); a beer garden; and live local music. 1-11 p.m. VIP tickets are $50 in advance; $20 general admission at the entrance. 5099 Newport Ave. (pier parking lot), Ocean Beach. More Info
Shipwrecks House Music Fest
March 18. A pirate-themed music experience devoted to house music? Count us in! Quartyard SD and Shipwreck Events present a fun evening of electronic house music—featuring artists such as Max Styler, Zookeeper and Maximo. Quartyard’s alfresco venue will transform into a pirate-themed oasis—boasting an outdoor dance floor, elevated food vendors and professionally staffed bars. Wear your dancing shoes and feel free to dress the part. See website for more details. 4-9 p.m. $40 general admission ($20 early bird rates are sold out); $50 last call (21+). 1301 Market St., East Village. More Info
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Open. Spring wildflower season is here! And with this winter’s heavy rainfall, you can expect bountiful blooms in Anza-Borrego. Located 60 miles east of Escondido, it’s the second largest state park in the U.S.—spanning 640,000 acres of hiking and biking trails, 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas, historical landmarks, paleontological sites, campgrounds, canyons and caves. On the wildflower front, be on the lookout for brittlebush, yellow asters and blueish-purple halgania solanacea. There’s even a wildflower hotline you can call for updates: 760.767.4684. See website for location and entry points at Borrego Springs. More Info
Food + Drink
“Boots on the Beach” at SEA180
March 18. Trade in those St. Patrick’s Day green beer goggles for some comfy boots and head to Imperial Beach on Saturday. Hosted by oceanfront restaurant SEA180, this casual beach party will feature country music, line dancing (all levels welcome), beer, craft cocktails, cornhole and other games. Guests can fuel up at food stations serving tri-tip sliders, mini loaded potatoes, jalapeño mac ‘n’ cheese, pigs in a blanket and more. 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person and include two drink tickets and all food stations (21+). 800 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach, 619.631.4949. More Info
Kinme Omakase
Now Open. The culinary minds behind Azuki Sushi bring us an immersive Japanese dining experience just up the street: Kinme Omakase. The low-lit, modern space seats just 10 guests at its sleek bar—behind which you’ll find chefs Nao Ichimura and Kevin Alvarado handcrafting the evening’s 10-course omakase (chef’s choice) tasting menu. Expect the freshest local catches, fish flown in directly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, A5 wagyu beef, exclusive sakes and Japanese whiskeys. Open W-Su (seatings at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.; reservations required). $175 per person. 2505 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill, 858.947.1518. kinmeomakase.com
Arts + Culture
Monsters of the American Cinema
March 16-April 2. Written by Christian St. Croix and directed by Desireé Clarke (pictured L-R), this powerful drama at Diversionary Theatre is set locally, in Santee. Remy, a gay Black man, finds himself a single parent to his straight white stepson, Pup—after Pup’s father, Remy’s husband, dies of an overdose. Remy has also inherited a movie theater he and Pup try to run together. Throughout their struggle to find a way to continue as a family, their shared love of vintage American horror films becomes a bond that ties them together. See website for tickets. 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights, 619.220.0097. diversionary.org
Two New Exhibits at MCASD La Jolla
On View March 16. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) presents two stunning new exhibits. Inspired by the experiences of conceptual artist Celia Álvarez Muñoz as a resident of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, Celia Álvarez Muñoz: Breaking the Binding comprises a photographic series, book projects and large-scale installations. Griselda Rosas: Yo te cuido by San Diego/Tijuana-based artist Griselda Rosas is a collection of sculptural installations and textile drawings that highlight themes of intergenerational connection, culture, and inheritance. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.3541. mcasd.org
The XIXth at The Old Globe
March 17-April 23. If you recall the 19th Olympic Games in Mexico City, 1968, you’ll likely remember the historic moment when two Black American sprinters, both medalists, raised their fists in protest during the National Anthem. The event inspired The Old Globe’s world-premiere play written by Kemp Powers, The XIXth (The Nineteenth). Carl Cofield directs the suspenseful drama—capturing a powerful event where sports and activism intersected; along with issues of racism, controversy and bravery that are as pertinent as ever today. See website for tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Photo credits: ShamROCK by Eric Scire. Monsters of the American Cinema by Peggy Ryan. MCASD La Jolla by Studio MAHA. The XIXth by Rich Soublet II. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
