Events
Cinco de Mayo Cruise on Mission Bay
May 5. All aboard! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo aboard a turn-of-the-century sternwheeler boat—departing on Friday from Bahia Resort Hotel. The special holiday cruise comprises an evening of dancing and libations—including two DJs spinning; margarita specials; a cash bar offering drinks and snacks; and a photo booth to capture the memories. Boarding starts and 8:50 p.m. and returns at 12:30 a.m. (21+). General admission is $20 per person; or save and purchase a four-pack of tickets for $60; or eight tickets for $80. 998 W. Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay. More Info
Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo
May 5-7. Head to historical Old Town for some Cinco de Mayo fun in the form of an artisan mercado and dining extravaganza. The 40th annual festival features vendors offering handmade leather pieces, jewelry, gifts, artwork and more; plus live entertainment, including traditional dance performances. Guests can also sample food and libations (read: cervezas and margaritas) from local eateries offering specials all weekend—including Cafe Coyote, Fred’s Mexican Cafe, Casa Guadalajara, Miguel’s Cocina and Societe Brewing Company. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free. San Diego Avenue, Old Town. More Info
Gaslamp Quarter’s Cinco de Mayo SD
May 5. Billed as “San Diego’s hottest fiesta,” Cinco de Mayo SD is a tequila and taco-centered bar and club crawl through the Gaslamp Quarter—including eight hosted welcome shots and free entry to 20 venues for each ticketed guest. The party kicks off at American Junkie and ends with a finale fiesta at Parq—with plenty of DJs, dancing, tequila and taco specials, and more in between. Participating establishments include Cafe Sevilla, Juan Tequila, Serrano’s, Whiskey Girl, and Casa Blanca Bar & Lounge. 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $25-$80, 628 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. More Info
Liquid Sunshine Hard Rock Pool Party
May 6. Let the sunshine at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s signature pool party, where the mantra is “dance, splash, drink, repeat,” presented by Eventvibe and RMD Group. The fun includes tunes—including house, deep house, tech house and remixes—by Dos Lonely Boys, DRMDRGN, Docta Botti and BEQ; plus a full bar featuring giant slushie margaritas; and cabana/daybed rentals and poolside bottle service available for separate purchase. Swimwear/pool party attire encouraged; early arrival strongly suggested. Noon-6 p.m. See website for tickets (21+). 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. More Info
S.D. Humane Society’s Walk for Animals
May 6. Caring for 40,000 animals each year, the San Diego Humane Society presents its annual Walk for Animals—aka “the best walk you will take all year.” Bring your canine bestie and join hundreds of fellow animal lovers for a walk around Liberty Station’s NTC Park. The event includes a pancake breakfast, live music, vendors, dog activities and more. Funds raised will benefit the Humane Society’s crucial rescue, medical care and adoption programming. 7-11 a.m. Free general admission; see website to reserve a spot and/or to make a donation. 2455 Cushing Road, Liberty Station. sdhumane.org
Seaport Village Cinco de Mayo Celebration
May 6. Seaport Village is pulling out all the stops for its Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday. Enjoy a family-friendly fiesta along the bay with live mariachi bands; dance performances by local troupes Ballet Folklórico Ti-Pai and Wa-Kushmaa; beats by DJ Nando; a multi-act show filled with music and dance by Luis Daniel; an equestrian showcase lead byRancho La Laguna, demonstrating their rodeo and roping skills; and food from Seaport Village eateries such as Margarita’s Kitchen & Cantina, Quiero Tacos and more. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free entry. 849 W. Harbor Drive, downtown. seaportvillage.com
Food + Drink
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Urbana
May 5. A quaint cantina located on the Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center, Urbana Mexican Gastronomy & Mixology is hosting a festive Cinco de Mayo celebration. Be transported to Mexico via live mariachi music all evening; plus specials on Urbana’s authentic food and drinks—including house margaritas, tequila shots and a selection of tacos for $5 each. The restaurant is also known for its ceviche, mole enchiladas and “Chef’s Oysters” topped with garlic-butter shrimp. Reservations recommended; walk-ins also welcome. 4 p.m.-midnight. 12841 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.925.7236. urbanadelmar.com
Arts + Culture
City Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet
May 6-7. Don’t miss City Ballet of San Diego’s presentation of Romeo and Juliet at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Resident choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich stages Shakespeare’s tragedy about two star-crossed lovers from warring families—channeling Renaissance Italy with lush scenery and costumes. The production features Sergei Prokofiev’s score performed by the City Ballet Orchestra; John Nettles conducts. Arrive early for a pre-performance lecture by Steven Wistrich, City Ballet’s artistic director. Sa 8 p.m.; Su 2 p.m. $29-$99. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. cityballet.org
Exotic Deadly at The Old Globe
Closes May 7. Catch it while you can! Keiko Green’s hilarious, time-traveling, world-premiere of Exotic Deadly: Or the MSG Play runs at The Old Globe through Sunday. In it, we follow Ami, an awkward Asian American high school student, who discovers her family is responsible for manufacturing MSG. While Ami is busy saving the world from MSG and exalting her family name, a “cool new girl” from Japan enters the chat. Hilarity, teen crushes and the like ensue. Jesca Prudencio directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. oldglobe.org
Broadway Musical 1776
Upcoming | May 9-14. Broadway San Diego brings us the Tony Award-winning “Best Musical” 1776, whose national tour stops at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Based on the book by Peter Stone, the classic musical has been revived—a thrilling production centered on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, led by the efforts of John Adams. A multiracial cast of female, transgender and nonbinary actors portray the country’s founders—including Gisela Adisa (pictured), who stars as Adams. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
Photo credits: Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo by Rick Nocon. City Ballet of San Diego by M Dale Stokes. Exotic Deadly: Or the MSG Play by Rich Soublet II. 1776 by Joan Marcus. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
