New restaurants, Wanderlust yoga festival, Hot Chocolate Run and much more. Check out the top San Diego weekend events for March 21-24.
Edited by Jordan Fraser.
EVENTS
Bankers Hill Art & Craft Beer Festival
March 22. Cheers to the annual art and beer festival where guests can experience unlimited access to two-ounce pours from more than a dozen San Diego breweries, tastes from Bankers Hill restaurants, pop-up galleries with works by local artists and a live DJ. Featured breweries include Mike Hess Brewing, Booze Brothers Brewing Co., Second Chance Beer Company and more. 21+. 6-9 p.m. $25-$35. The Abbey, 2825 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill. bankershillbusinessgroup.com
Cherry Blossom Festival
March 22-24. Appreciate the beauty of the cherry blossom flowers at the Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego’s 14th annual Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to the beautiful blooming trees, the festival includes food vendors, cultural performances and demonstrations, and a plethora of family-friendly activities. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. See website for ticket information. 2215 Pan American Road, Balboa Park, 619.232.2721. niwa.org
San Diego Sings! Festival
March 23. Feel the music at this event featuring performances by 22 individual choral groups and the feature presentation of a massed choir of 1,000 voices. Notable vocal groups including SACRA/PROFANA, La Jolla Symphony Chorus, San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus and others will perform for 12 minutes each, offering a wide array of musical selections and styles. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. choralconsortiumofsandiego.org
Wanderlust 108
March 23. Experience the world’s only mindful triathlon: a 5K run, 90 minutes of yoga and a guided meditation session to clear your mind and relax your body. Following the triathlon, choose your own mindful adventure by partaking in a scheduled activity; grabbing a healthy, organic lunch; or stopping by Wanderlust’s True North Cafe. Additional activities include aerial yoga, bodywork and tarot card reading. 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $26. Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero. wanderlust.com
Carlsbad Flower Fields
March 24. Take yourself out of the concrete jungle and spend a few hours among 50 acres of blooming spectacular ranunculus flowers in North County during this photo-worthy salute to spring. Included with admission this Sunday, The Flower Fields celebrates HOLI Festival of Colors with music, entertainment, Indian food and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, 760.431.0352. theflowerfields.com
San Diego Hot Chocolate 15K & 5K Road Race
March 24. The Hot Chocolate Run is San Diego’s sweetest run ever. Race downtown on the 5K or 15K course with your fellow chocoholics for a soiree of chocolate fondue, high-quality swag, hot cocoa and a variety of chocolate treats at the finish line. There’s also a family-friendly kid zone complete with bounce houses and games. All participants will receive a goody bag. 5K start time 6:45 a.m.; 15K start time 7:45 a.m. See website for entry fees. Race starts at Petco Park. 100 Park Blvd., East Village. hotchocolate15k.com
Uncork & Unwind
March 24. Combine the healing and relaxing properties of yoga with tasty satisfaction of wine tasting during this 80-minute multi-sensory experience. The yoga sequence will unlock the chakras of taste and smell and lay the foundation for an exceptional wine tasting journey that includes three reds, two whites and finishes with a sparkling wine. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit SMARTS Farm. 3-4:30 p.m. $40. Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe. Tickets
FOOD + DRINK
The Oceanaire Lobster Lovers Week
Through March 23. You won’t have to roll the dice on market availability during Lobster Lovers Week. The Oceanaire is flying lobsters in daily for a three-course feature on this exclusive week-long menu offering. Guests have the option for a further elevated experience with the opportunity to add a bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay to their delectable, dipped-in-butter meal. $69 per person, plus an additional $75 for the wine pairing. 400 J St., downtown, 619.858.2277. theoceanaire.com
Jazz Brunch at Madison
March 23. Enjoy Madison’s light-hearted twists on classic brunch fare with a side of live performances from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts jazz students. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of proceeds from the brunch series to the school’s jazz department. Whether you’re brunching with family or a group of friends, add one of Madison’s signature mimosas like the Black Magic Mimosa with activated charcoal for the ultimate jazz brunch experience. 10 a.m.-noon. 4622 Park Blvd., University Heights, 619.269.6566. madisononpark.com
SeaWorld Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival
Through April 28. Sip and sample your way around the world of international street foods, craft beers and wines offered by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef Dave McHugh and his expert culinary team. SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival features fresh cuisine made from local, sustainable ingredients and more than 50 unique signature flavors from around the world. Be sure to stop by the Polynesian Flavors stage during festival evenings to experience Polynesian fire dancing. Booths open at 11 a.m. 500 Sea World Dr., Mission Bay. seaworld.com
House of Blues New Menu
Now Available. House of Blues’ new menu is a culinary set list complete with new appetizers, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, entrées and cocktails alongside fan favorites from its popular Southern-inspired menu. Highlights include BBQ brisket nachos; the Impossible Burger with an Impossible burger vegan patty, American cheese, shredded romaine, secret sauce and dill pickle chips; and the Frisky Whiskey cocktail made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, Luxardo Sangue Morlacco, lemon, orange and simple syrup. 1055 Fifth Ave., downtown, 619.299.2583. houseofblues.com
Richard Walker’s Pancake House in Carlsbad
Now Open. Downtown San Diego’s iconic pancake house (also in La Jolla) is now open in North County. The 1,700 square-foot eatery includes a spacious, pet-friendly outdoor dining space and award-winning, fresh and hearty breakfast and lunch items made from scratch daily, including the famous gourmet oven-baked pancakes. Highlights include silky, sumptuous Fresh French Strawberry Crepes; the famous Baked Apple Pancake with fresh Granny Smith apples; the delicious strawberry waffle and piping hot souffle-style baked omelettes. 2656 Gateway Road, Carlsbad, 760.893.8400. richardwalkers.com
Louisiana Purchase
Now Open. New Orleans-style grub is now readily available in North Park. Grind and Prosper Hospitality’s newest project is an intimate restaurant inspired by the charm and character of New Orleans, with creative touches that create a down-home feeling of warmth in a chic environment. The rotating menu showcases only the best seasonal ingredients while featuring big and bold flavors from the region, including andouille fried red beans and rice with chipotle mousse, fried redfish with crawfish etouffee sauce, and a savory alligator cheesecake. W-Su 4 p.m.-midnight. 2305 University Ave., North Park, 619.255.8278. louisianapurchasesd.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Opens March 21. The iconic musical follows a fictional band fronted by Hedwig, a transgender wannabe rock star. Learn Hedwig’s hilarious and horrifying origin story in this transcendent musical journey. See website for show times and ticket prices. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., #101, University Heights, 619.220.0097. diversionary.org
The Official Blues Brothers Revue
March 24. Kieron Lafferty and Wayne Catania embody Elwood and Jake Blues in this spot-on tribute. Backed by the all-star Intercontinental Rhythm & Blues Band, The Official Blues Brothers Revue is an interactive multimedia experience showcasing their undeniable talent in songs that comprise a virtual encyclopedia of rock, blues and soul. Lafferty and Catania were chosen by original Blues Brothers star Dan Aykroyd, Judith Belushi (widow of the late Jim Belushi) and original musical director Paul Shaffer. 6 p.m. $40+. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown, 619-570-1100. sandiegotheatres.org
Photos: Hedwig and the Angry Inch by Simpatika. Flower Fields courtesy Flower Fields. Bankers Hill Art and Craft Beer Fest courtesy Contour PR. Cherry Blossom Festival courtesy Japanese Friendship Garden. San Diego Sings! courtesy Stephanie Thompson. Wanderlust courtesy Wanderlust. Hot Chocolate Run courtesy Hot Chocolate Run. Uncork & Unwind courtesy Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Lobster Week courtesy Bay Bird PR. Jazz Brunch at Madison courtesy Katalyst PR. SeaWorld Seven Seas Festival courtesy SeaWorld. House of Blues new menu courtesy LiveNation. Richard Walker’s Now Open courtesy Richard Walker’s Pancake House. Louisiana Purchase courtesy Louisiana Purchase. Hedwig and the Angry Inch by Simpatika. Blues Brothers Revue courtesy Blues Brothers Revue.
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