I used to hate springing forward because it was really painful losing that hour of sleep. That’s the nice thing about only working Saturday and Sunday. I can sleep in Monday through Friday. Sorry for bragging. Here’s what happening of this beautiful weekend.
Saturday March 11:
International Mariachi Festival 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Pepper Park in National City) National City will host its 5th annual International Mariachi Festival at Pepper Park (3299 Tidelands Ave.), a community event celebrating Mexican music and heritage in San Diego. The fest includes performances from mariachi groups from both Mexico and the U.S., plus traditional ballet folklorico dancing and other arts. There will be activities for the kids, too, and a beverage garden for the 21+ crowd. When you get hungry, check out the food booths which will be serving everything from Mexican street tacos to sushi burritos. Entry to the festival is free; parking is $10.
Best Coast Beer Fest
1 p.m., Embarcadero Marina Park South) More than 100 of the best breweries on the West Coast will come together at this extensive beer festival, where every ticket sold will benefit the charity Cancer for College, which helps a cancer survivor realize their dream of going to college. There’s more than just extensive beer tastings here, though – there will also be live music and a food truck alley.
Taste of Bressi
2 p.m., Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad) Beer fans, winos and foodies will love this annual Taste of Bressi festival, where craft beer, premium wines, live music and food come together for an afternoon of tasting and sipping. Dozens of restaurants, breweries and wineries will participate. Local bands Fetchez La Vache and Naked Saturdays Band will play at the event. Al all-access pass costs $48. The event is for those 21 years and older.
HerStory 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Mosaic San Diego) Divas Dance Company will perform Saturday night at Mosaic San Diego (205 16th St.), in “HerStory,” a show that celebrates the stories of three brave women. It’s produced by Fusion D. and features a mix of rhythms and styles.
Old Town Showdown: Improv Comedy Show
7 p.m., Old Town Improv Co). Spend your Saturday night laughing and laughing and laughing at the Old Town Showdown. At this interactive, past-paced show, an ensemble of improvisers will perform short-form comedy based off the audience’s suggestions. All ages welcome.
Blake Shelton
7:30 p.m., Valley View Casino Center) Country music star and NBC’s “The Voice” coach Blake Shelton takes the stage in San Diego Saturday night, playing the Valley View Casino Center. Tickets start at $42.50; the opening act is Raelynn. Now, the real question is, will Gwen Stefani be in the audience cheering on her man?
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 7:30 p.m. (Through Sunday), California Center for the Arts Escondido) This is THE year for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” The California Center for the Arts in Escondido will present a stage production of the beloved tale (as old as time) based on the animated film, as told by youth theatre group, Center Stage Productions. The musical’s opening night is Friday, with a 7:30 p.m. show. There will be two performances on Saturday (2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and another on Sunday (2 p.m.).
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (season runs through May 14), Carlsbad Ranch) It’s here! The famous Flower Fields in Carlsbad Ranch officially opened for the season on March 1, offering visitors spectacular views of bright blooms in all of their gorgeous glory. The fields are open daily, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., through May 14. Patrons will enjoy nearly 50 acres of colorful displays of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers, which are in bloom for six to eight weeks. The famous fields also include roses, orchids, sweet pea blossoms, petunias and poinsettias.
Ultimate Dinosaurs Exhibit Invades the San Diego Natural History Museum Now through September 4th 2017) Cutting-edge, 21st century technology puts a new twist on new breed of dinosaurs that evolved in isolation in South America, Africa, and Madagascar in Ultimate Dinosaurs. Through the use of augmented reality (AR) technology, full-scale dinosaurs are transformed into flesh-covered, animated beasts.
Kinky Boots7:30 p.m.(Thursday through Sunday), San Diego Civic Theatre) Broadway hit “Kinky Boots” makes its way to San Diego this weekend, running through Sunday. The joyous musical includes songs by Grammy and Tony award-winning artist, Cyndi Lauper. The storyline is inspired by true events – from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the catwalks of Milan. Tickets to opening night on Thursday start at $22.50 per person. The musical hits the stage again Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Circus Vargas 7 p.m., Westfield North County) Circus Vargas continues its San Diego run at Westfield North County in Escondido, bringing the big top’s newest show, “Steam Cirque,” inspired by the worlds of steampunk and science-fiction. The show runs at this venue through March 13 before packing up and heading to Promenade Temecula (March 16-27). Tickets start at $22; arrive 45 minutes before show time and the kids can partake in an interactive pre-show where they can practice hands-on circus skills like juggling and balancing alongside the pros.
Sunday, March12
Salk Science and Music Series4 p.m., Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla) Come see the merge of music and science at the Salk Institute this weekend. One of China’s most celebrated artists, Chen, will play for the first time in San Diego; she will be performing preludes from Claude Debussy and Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B minor. Additionally, Salk neurobiologist Greg Lemke will give a talk. The Salk Science and Music Series merges music and science in a beautiful mix. Tickets start at $55 for individual performances, or $275 for the full series. Proceeds support the institute’s research.
Festa Della Donna
4 p.m., Cucina Enoteca) Celebrate Italy’s iteration of International Woman’s Day with eight of San Diego’s most celebrated female chefs as they collaborate with winemakers, brewers and distillers. This one-of-a-kind night blends woman’s empowerment with eight different pairing stations and mixed drinks.
New Movies
KONG: SKULL ISLAND (Action/Adventure) Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, John Goodman, John Ortiz, Terry Notary, John C. Reilly, Toby Kebbell and Corey Hawkins A diverse team of explorers is sent to an Skull island where they discover that it is home to King Kong and find themselves in the middle of an ongoing war between Kong and the area’s indigenous predators. RATED: PG-13 RUNNING TIME: 1 hour 58 minutes
Have a great weekend and remember to set you clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed tonight.
CREDIT: NBC 7 SAN DIEGO