As the weekend gets closer, we hope you have your weekend plans in order, because there is a lot going on that you don’t want to miss out on. Tons of live music to check out this weekend, like the last round of the KAABOO Discovery Tour…who will win? Check out the contenders and cast your vote this Friday. Rappers Wale and Fetty Wap are both performing this weekend, so get your tickets now! In preparation for San Diego Beer Week, breweries across the county are introducing new releases, so be on the lookout for some new brews. Hillcrest will be taking Sunday Funday to the next level at the Hillcrest City Fest, taking over 9 blocks. Check out what else is happening this weekend in San Diego.

Friday, August 10

“Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR” Charity Wide Wrap Up Party

The 9th Annual LifeRide for amfAR is a multi-city, charitable celebrity motorcycle ride which raises funds and awareness for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. This year’s celebrity-studded charity ride is championed by various actors and influentials, kicked-off in Los Angeles on Monday, August 6th. The riders, who traveled over 310 miles down the coastline of Southern California will be making their last stop in San Diego on Friday, August 10th, concluding with an open-to-the-public finale celebration at Kiehl’s Westfield UTC from 1-2:00 pm. This year’s $150,000 Kiehl’s LifeRide donation to amfAR will fund a specific grant to support the HIV/AIDS research of Dr. Gabriel Ozorowski, a scientist at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla.  

Attendees Will Enjoy: (all complimentary!)

• A special culinary collaboration with Executive Pastry Chef Lorie Sauer of Blue Bridge Hospitality alongside bites & sips from the best of Liberty Public Market’s artisan tenants.
• On-site healthy skin consultations and hand massages from Kiehl’s expert specialists
• CycleBar spin studio pop-up inviting guests to participate in 60-second charitable rides for the cure
• Official $150,000 check presentation from Kiehl’s to amfAR
• Opportunity to win 25 gift cards of up to $250 value to shop at Kiehl’s day-of
• Meet & greet with celebrity riders
• DJ & professional photography ops
  

  Mr. Moto Mamma Mia Pizza Courtesy Photo

Mr. Moto opens in Point Loma

Pizza enthusiasts and Point Loma locals can welcome their soon-to-be neighbor: Mr. Moto Pizza. Doors will open in the heart of the peninsula enclave at Rosecrans and Shelter Island Drive. The eatery will serve up delicious pies, pastas and more, while also catering to health-conscious diners. Much of Mr. Moto’s magic lies in his specially prepared dough. His pie’s crust shares the same thinness as East-Coast style pizza, making it easy to fold—without the encircling crunchy edge. Mr. Moto’s crust edge is similar to Ciabatta bread: fluffy, chewy, and delicious. Techniques like these, coupled with fresh, premium ingredients, make the Mr. Moto Pizza House experience one to remember.

Food Truck Friday

Kick off your summer weekends in style every Friday evening at Balboa Park’s hottest after-hours event from 4:00 -8:30 pm. Visitors of all ages can enjoy live entertainment and activities for kids while eating gourmet dishes from a rotating selection of more than a dozen popular food trucks parked on the Plaza de Panama and El Prado walkway. Throughout the summer, Food Truck Fridays will present different musical performers or DJs each night in the Plaza de Panama.

GamerCon 2018

GamerCon is San Diego’s Original Fan Gaming Convention will be held at the Historic Tenth Avenue Arts Center in Downtown, where each and every floor is packed with as many gaming experiences possible. The Main Stage will feature the PC Gaming Pit and the Console Colosseum. Check out Retrocade, to scratch your nostalgic itch. Adventure across rich fantasy and science fiction worlds in one of the Role Playing games hosted in the Lich’s Tomb. Bring out your armies and take on all challengers in the War Room. Pull up a chair and try out some in development games in the Unpub Tavern. Feeling the luck of the Dragon? Head to the Dragon’s Hall for some board gaming goodness. This event is from 10 am – 10 pm all weekend long. Get your tickets here.

Sunset Luaus on Mission Bay

Wale at the House of Blues

Hit rapper, Wale, known for songs like “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “No Hands”, will be performing at the House of Blues this Friday at 7 pm. Tickets for this event are currently sold out.

Fetty Wap at Parq Nightclub

Fetty Wap rose to prominence after his debut single “Trap Queen”, reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 2015, and subsequently released two Top 10 singles in the U.S., “679” and “My Way”. Watch him perform at Parq Nightclub this Friday at 10:00 pm. Get your tickets here.

AleSmith’s 23rd Anniversary Party VIP Preview 

Be the first to purchase tasters and 16oz. cans of the next AleSmith specialty release, Celestial Dawn Speedway Stout with Modern Times Coffee at AleSmith Brewing Company from 6-8 pm. VIP guests will enjoy exclusive access to the Mezzanine, light bites catered by Brother’s Provisions, a commemorative taster glass, as well as your choice of four 3oz. pours from the following list of AleSmith beers. Ticket prices vary, get your tickets here.

Hops on the Harbor with Ballast Point

Gather your mates and come cruise with San Diego’s best local breweries for a beer lovers event of a lifetime. This Friday’s Hops on the Harbor craft beer dinner cruise will feature San Diego favorite: Ballast Point. Ballast Point Brewing began in the back of a homebrew supply store more than 15 years ago and never could have predicted the success that was ahead. Chef Brian Gist collaborates with the Ballast Point to create an exciting dinner menu that pairs perfectly with the distinctive flavors of each brewer’s beer selections. Cruise Highlights include craft beer flights, selection of gourmet food stations, meet and greet with brewers onboard, prizes and giveaways, and a spectacular views of San Diego Bay. Get your tickets here.

Saturday, August 11

Bay City Brewing‘s 3rd Annual Anniversary Party

Courtesy Photo

The preeminent Point Loma brewery has been serving up the finest ales to San Diego for three years, and on Saturday, beertenders and local community members will celebrate with a birthday bash visible from the I-8 freeway. Over the years, this Point Loma craft brewery has advanced the role of women in beer with Pink Boots Society and has produced the most radlers the city has ever seen. The Brewer’s Association even named it one of 50 fastest-growing small and independent craft breweries in the nation. Bay City wants to give back to the community that has supported it for the last three years. So, to celebrate, it will launch a limited-edition hazy anniversary double IPA, unveil its brand-new 12 oz. beer cans (its first can release since 72 & Hoppy!), and provide family-friendly activities such as a photo booth, live music and food trucks to all patrons. It’s all going down on from 12 – 10 p.m. at Bay City Brewing’s tasting room. FREE entry for all patrons.

The 8th Annual Gourmet Food Truck Festival at the Del Mar Racetrack

Saint Archer will be presenting the 8th Annual Gourmet Food Truck Festival at the Del Mar Racetrack, which will feature between 30 – 40 food trucks serving up their finest, as well as the Saint Archer beer trailer pouring 6 of their signatures brews. In addition, Saint Archer will be hosting a competition between the food trucks for the opportunity to brew a specialty food truck beer, which will be released by Saint Archer at a release party later in the year. The fun kicks off at noon, and runs through 5:30 pm, and is free with you racetrack admission ticket.

San Diego Beer and Wine Fest

The product of the sold-out San Diego Brew Fest and Uncorked Wine Festival, The San Diego Beer and Wine Fest will offer attendees hundreds of brews and wines to sample from. The event will feature dozens of local and national craft beers, over 100 curated wines, live music, DJ, lawn games, as well as San Diego’s most popular food trucks. Both General Admission ($55; 3-6pm) and Early Admission ($70; 2-6pm) include unlimited tastings. The event is 21 + only; no pets allowed.

Poolside Yoga & Mimosas at The Westgate Hotel

The Westgate Hotel Courtesy Photo

Each Saturday from 9 – 10 am The Westgate Hotel will host a beautiful morning of bubbly and Namaste. Starting with a 60-minute Vinyasa class on their rooftop pool deck, followed by a celebration of your accomplishments with a Mimosa in the beautiful San Diego sunshine. Complimentary for all AquaVie Members. $10 for Westgate Hotel Guests; $20 for the public.

Adidas Skateboarding x Journeys ‘Destination San Diego’

Tthe ‘Destination San Diego’ music experience will take place at Horton Plaza Park from 12-10:00 p.m. adidas Skateboarding alongside specialty shoe and apparel retailer Journeys will launch ‘Destination San Diego’, an immersive music experience inspired by the culture of action sports. The free, single-day experience will showcase live musical performances infused with art exhibitions, beer gardens, and custom merchandise stations from artist Bonethrower. ‘Destination San Diego’ is accessible to all ages and visitors can RSVP now directly on the event page. Live musical performances by the following artists: Jay Rock, Famous Dex, Cozy Boyz of A$AP Mob, and Na-kel Smith.

Sunday, August 12

San Diego Padres v. Philidelphia Phillies

Ellen DeGeneres at The Balboa Theater

Earlier this year, DeGeneres announced she will be returning to her stand-up comedy roots after a 15-year hiatus with a highly anticipated Netflix comedy special set to be released in 2018. Her first tour in 15 years will visit three cities over eight nights, making a stop in San Diego this weekend. She will be performing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8:00 pm at the Balboa Theater.

Hillcrest CityFest

San Diego’s ultimate summer art and music festival takes over 5th Avenue from noon until 11 pm this Sunday. The 35th annual celebration of community spirit features live bands, electric dance music DJ’s, arts, crafts, and food that attracts over 150,000+ visitors and stretches nearly half a mile in size on over 9 city blocks. A grand stage with live music and headliner bands will keep you entertained from noon until 7 pm, followed by headliner DJ’s and well-known talent until 11 am. A massive cocktail bar and Miller-Coors Beer Garden featuring Hop Valley Brewing Co.‘s Reveal Pale Ale, will keep you hydrated and entertained, and over 250 vendors will give you plenty of shopping opportunities.

Art in the Village Carlsbad

The Carlsbad Village Association’s 20th Annual Art in the Village will take place on Aug. 12, 2018.  This event will bring over 100 local and regional artists for a one-day, open-air event. Celebrating the dynamic art culture in Carlsbad Village and the surrounding areas, the event attracts locals and visitors, and a diverse selection of fine artists in mediums such as oil painting, watercolor, photography, mixed media, new media, classical and contemporary sculpture, as well as artisans who work in the mediums of jewelry making, woodworking, furniture, pottery, and hand-painted clothing and accessories. Starting at 9 a.m. attendees can browse exhibits and listen to live music along State Street and Grand Avenue right in the heart of the Village, just blocks from Carlsbad State Beach.

Wonderspaces

Wonderspaces returns to San Diego this summer with fifteen new works of extraordinary art after the 2017 debut drew over sixty-six thousand visitors. Tickets for Wonderspaces are available on a monthly, space available basis and range from $14-$24. Get your tickets here.

Dr. Seuss’s Lorax

The Old Globe Theatre presents a new musical adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s classic children’s book. It’s a cautionary tale of a greedy businessman who disregards the warnings of the Lorax, defender of the trees. There’s plenty of Seussian wordplay, and diverse music that largely tickles the senses and gets toes tapping. Sets and costumes are charming, both in the somber framework story and especially the vibrant world of the Lorax. While some aspects seem particularly suited to kids – bodily function gags and the near-frenetic pace – The Lorax is full of all-ages whimsey, stage magic, and, importantly, hope. Tickets start at $35, get yours here.

Monty Python’s Spamalot

Live at the Cygnet Theater until August 12, follow King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons you’ll be eating up Spamalot. Winner of three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the show elevates silliness to an art form. Get your tickets here.

Legally Blonde, The Musical