San Diego, CA
The best things to do this week in San Diego: July 15-19
Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, July 15 to Friday, July 19.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Summer Organ Festival: The Spreckels Organ Society’s summer series continues with free Monday night concerts at 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 2. Next up on Monday: Organist Clara Gerdes. 2125 Pan American E. Road, Balboa Park, San Diego. Full schedule at spreckelsorgan.org/summer-organ-festival
Shark Summer at Birch Aquarium: For the month of July, the Birch Aquarium invites guests to celebrate “Shark Summer” and participate in activities that teach about these creatures that reside in our local waters. Shark feedings, kelp forest dives and meetings with shark specialists are just a few activities guests can experience at the museum to immerse themselves in the world of sharks. Guests are also welcome to explore other exhibits throughout the museum to learn about other neighboring ocean wildlife. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. General admission is $29.95, additional discounts available online and in-person. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/shark-summer
J1 Karaoke Night in Pacific Beach: Singers can take the stage at Union Kitchen and Tap Pacific Beac for J1 Karaoke night. With over 100 people attending this Monday night, karaoke singers will face off in a competition to be crowned as the “Best Karaoke Singer of the Night.” As a prize, the winner will be rewarded with a $100 bar tab to use at the next event. 10 p.m. Monday. 832 Garnet Ave., San Diego. Early bird tickets are $7.18. eventbrite.com/e/j1-karaoke-night-union-pb-prizes-for-best-singers-tickets-940565836737?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Tuesday
Twilight in the Park: The free summer concert season at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion continues with three mid-week concerts at 6:30 p.m., through Aug. 29. Next week, Ana “La Gitana” Group belly dancing on Tuesday; Pomerado Community Band on Wednesday; 3 Car Garage on Thursday. Balboa Park, San Diego. Schedule at balboapark.org/twilight-concerts
“Henry 6”: The Old Globe presents the world premiere of Barry Edelstein’s two-play adaptation of William Shakespeare’s three “Henry VI” history plays, which tell the story of England’s War of the Roses. “Part One: Flowers and France” and “Part Two: Riot and Reckoning” are playing in rotating repertory through Sept. 15. All performances at 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $35-$116. (619) 234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Pacific Beach Tuesday’s Farmers Market: On Tuesdays, local farmers and small businesses gather in Pacific Beach for an outdoor market event to sell their own unique selections of groceries. Customers can find fresh produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, dips and spreads directly from the hands that made them. Alongside 14 certified farm vendors, San Diego-based vendors are encouraged to apply online to be selected to join the weekly grocery market. 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays. 901 Hornblend St., San Diego. Free entry. pacificbeachmarket.com
Trivia Tuesdays at Belmont Park: In collaboration with Sunset Trivia, Draft House in Belmont Park is hosting its weekly trivia night with an extended happy hour. Participating guests of the evening will test their trivia knowledge to compete for first, second and third place. At the end of the night, the trivia winners will receive restaurant gift card prizes to use at their next Draft House visit. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego. Free. sdtoday.6amcity.com/events#/details/trivia-tuesdays-at-draft-at-belmont-park/10972440/2024-07-16T18
Wednesday
‘In Blue Time’ to debut at the Timken Museum: “In Blue Time,” a large-scale wall drawing created over the past month at the Timken Museum of Art by artist-in-residence Tatiana Ortiz-Rubio, will open Wednesday in Balboa Park. The drawing was inspired by the Timken’s 1557 painting “Parable of the Sower” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Derrick Cartwright, the Timken’s director of curatorial affairs, will discuss the work with Ortiz-Rubio at a preview event from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday. Tickets to the discussion are $15. The “In Blue Time” piece will be on display from Wednesday through Sept. 29. 1500 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. Free. timkenmuseum.org
Pride interfaith service: St. Paul’s Cathedral in Bankers Hill will be the location for a special Pride interfaith service. Dean Penny Bridges and LGBTQ+ faith leaders will lead the service. Afterward, the cathedral will be illuminated in rainbow colors. The event is free and open to the public. 7 p.m. July 17. 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego. sdpride.org/lightup
Dog Haus Celebrates National Hot Dog Day: By becoming a Haus member, visitors can claim a free hot dog at Dog Haus Biergarten in honor of National Hot Dog Day. Customers will have a variety of six gourmet hot dogs to choose from, each made with Creekstone Farms natural premium black angus beef and a King’s Hawaiian bun. The promotion does not require an in-store purchase but is limited to one hot dog per person. 8:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. 227 E Broadway, Vista. Free. vista.doghaus.com
“Tick, tick … BOOM!”: Cygnet Theatre presents Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical about a young theater composer’s anxiety over not being a big success by age 30. 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 4. 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town San Diego. $30 and up. (619) 337-1525, cygnettheatre.com
Line dancing on Lapper Lawn: Thursday, find a free line dancing lesson at Lapper Sports Bar and Kitchen in Mission Valley. Learn how to move to classic country songs out on the lawn with the help of a DJ instructor. Food and drink specials will also be available for purchase off the dance floor which will all include free parking with validation. 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. Free. towncountry.com/dine/lapper
Light up the Cathedral for Pride: St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral will be the place to watch a spectacle of rainbow lights decorating the church. Dean Penny Bridges, LGBTQ+ faith leaders and allied faith leaders will join together to celebrate faith and pride with an interfaith pride service. The hour-long service will include music from the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus and San Diego Women’s Chorus, speeches from LGBTQ+ Faith leaders, and a presetation of the Light of Pride Award. Guests can watch the rainbow light display outside of the church and enter the Fellowship Hall where dessert will be served. 7 p.m. Wednesday. 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego. Free. sdpride.org/lightup/
Thursday
“The Color Purple”: New Village Arts presents the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about Celie, an indomitable Southern Black woman in early 1900s Georgia. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through July 22. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $33 and up. (760) 433-3245, newvillagearts.org
21+ Night at WNDR Museum: Adult guests are invited to venture through different interactive art displays at the WNDR Museum for a 21+ night event. For extended hours, visitors can experience each installation to this month’s local DJ performance with DJ Mike Merrell. Bigfoot Corndogs will also be providing food and drinks available for purchase in the WNDR Lounge. All visitors must have a valid ID for entry and museum doors close at 9 p.m. 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday. 422 Market St., San Diego. General admission is $25. wndrmuseum.com/event/21-night-at-wndr-san-diego-july/
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s audience-interactive comedy musical about five awkward adolescent contestants at a regional spelling bee. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 18. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $38-$92. (619) 437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Friday
Spirit of Stonewall Rally: The Spirit of Stonewall Rally is an event that acknowledges those who contribute to the LGBTQ+ community through leadership, fundraising efforts and activism. The event will also have guest speakers and the raising of the Pride flag. The first Spirit of Stonewall Rally in San Diego was held in 1975. 6 to 7 p.m. July 19. 1500 University Ave., San Diego. sdpride.org/rally-2024
Southwestern Summer Shakespeare Festival returns:Southwestern College Theatre Arts Department presents its second summer Shakespeare festival with two alternating productions running July 19 through Aug. 4. This year’s plays are “Romeo y Julieta,” a bilingual version of “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Much Ado About Nothing” set at Southwestern College in the 1990s. “Romeo” will play at 7 p.m. July 19, July 27 and Aug. 2; and at 2 p.m. July 20, July 28 and Aug. 3. “Much Ado” plays at 7 p.m. July 26, Aug. 3 and 4; and at 2 p.m. July 21 and 27 and Aug. 4. 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista. $10. https://www.swctheatre.com/
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