FEATURED EVENTS

The Garden Theatre Festival
Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 16

This festival presented by the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department’s Senior Citizen Services will feature several performances over several weekends including: Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” original poetry, a magician, storytellers, musicians, skits and more.

Each Saturday and Sunday from 2 – 6 p.m. the various performances will be held in the Zoro Garden at Balboa Park (also known as the Butterfly Garden). Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets and picnics. Visit balboapark.org/in-the-park/zoro-garden for more information and a complete schedule of performances. Email Christopher R. at [email protected] or call 619-569-4922 with questions.

‘Welcome to Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven’: Memorial concert
Sunday, Aug. 2

Beloved San Diego bassist Steve Rodriguez (The Dragons, Saint Shameless) died July 21 after a sudden illness. The local musician was 48 and is survived by wife, Jamie and son, Jesse. Upon hearing the news, San Diego musicians began sharing memories via Facebook and soon a memorial concert and GoFundMe campaign came to life.

The concert will be held at The Casbah (2501 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy) and feature the surviving members of Rodriguez’s bands The Dragons and Saint Shameless, with Steve Poltz and Uncle Joe’s Big Ol’ Driver, plus DJs Dennis Borlek and Louis Mello. Food and a photo area will be set up in the back-bar/Atari Lounge.

Tickets will be a suggested $15 donation at the door (no advance tickets) with all money going to the family. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the memorial starts at 7 p.m. Visit casbahmusic.com for more information.

The GoFundMe campaign is running to offset expenses for Jamie and begin a college fund for Jesse. At press time over $6,000 had been raised towards the $20,000 goal. Visit gofundme.com/SRluv.

Live music – The Delta Saints, The Whiskey Circle and Babe the Band
Monday, Aug. 3

Blues-rockers The Delta Saints’ cross-country tour brings them to San Diego for this boot-stomping show at Soda Bar (3615 El Cajon Blvd., Normal Heights). The Nashville band describes their sound as “Bourbon-fueled Bayou-rock” and after listening to “Heavy Hammer,” we can’t disagree. The single is off their second full-length album, “Bones,” due out Aug. 7 on Loud & Proud Records. For the show, they’ll be joined by San Diego’s own blues-folk outfit The Whiskey Circle and Northern California indie rockers Babe the Band. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. Visit sodabarmusic.com for tickets and info.

Mama’s 20th annual wine tasting
Tuesday, Aug. 4

This yearly fundraiser will feature tray-passed hors d’oeuvres and pours of an eclectic wine selection at Park and Rec (4612 Park Blvd., University Heights). There will be a silent auction, a wine bottle ring toss game and the chance to win a 52-card premium wine vault. Guests are encouraged to wear red or white to signify the type of wine they like to drink.

Proceeds from the event help Mama’s Kitchen cook and deliver hot meals to men, women and children affected by AIDS or cancer in San Diego County, free of charge. The wine tasting event will be from 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets are $60 in advance; $70 at the door. Visit mamaskitchen.org for tickets and more information.

#TBT Summer family film series: ‘Back to the Future Part II’
Thursday, Aug. 6

Digital Gym’s third #TBT installment will feature this treasured 1989 sequel which finds time-traveling duo Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd) back in an altered version of their home of Hill Valley. Unsurprisingly, the duo must once again time-travel to repair the flaws in the space-time continuum. Two showings will be featured at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Digital Gym (2921 El Cajon Blvd., North Park).

Their #TBT series will continue on Aug. 13 with “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Tickets are $5 ($3 for members). Visit digitalgym.com for tickets and more information.

Third annual San Diego Summer Choral Festival
Thursday, Aug. 6 – Sunday, Aug. 9

San Diego Pro Arte Voices will host this festival for participants who wish to improve vocal technique, choral repertoire knowledge and choral performance practices through performance in two stellar venues. The festival is open to all levels of ability from high school and college students to church musicians to professional vocalists

Two concerts will be held in conjunction with the festival. Aug. 7 the repertoire will perform at St. Paul’s Cathedral (2728 Sixth Ave., Hillcrest). On Aug. 8 the performance will be at St. Andrew’s by the Sea (1050 Thomas Ave., Pacific Beach). Admission to these concerts is free but there is a suggested donation of $20 ($5 for students). Visit SDSCF.instantencore.com for more information.

Live music – Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing Orchestra
Friday, Aug. 7

Trolley Barn Park’s (Adams Avenue and Florida Street, University Heights) “Summer in the Park” concert series wraps up tonight in a big way! The queen of boogie woogie Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing Orchestra are sure to draw a large, fun-loving crowd for this event. The night of free entertainment is open to the public, which is invited to bring a picnic dinner (no alcoholic beverages or glass), the kids, the four-legged family members (on leash) and enjoy the sounds of this upbeat swing band from 6 – 8 p.m.

Mobile vendor Mrs. Frostie will be on hand selling ice cream for desserts and there are several wonderful restaurants nearby if you skip the picnicking. Visit suepalmer.com for a taste of the music and uhcdc.org for more information.

Summer concert series and San Diego Conscious Music Fest
Saturday, Aug. 8, Saturday, Sept. 5 and Saturday Nov. 14

The second installment of this series, presented by San Diego Conscious Music Fest, on Aug. 8 will feature singer-songwriter Nadine Risha in the courtyard and garden at Aesthetics, Inc. (301 Spruce St., Hillcrest/Bankers Hill) The songstress is a world-traveler who blends old world chants with contemporary pop for a unique sound. Risha’s style fits the “conscious music” theme, which looks to bring messages of love, peace and unity through this concert series.

The final summer installment will come Sept. 5 with Gary Lynn Floyd performing his inspirational pop/soul music; also at Aesthetics. Doors for these concerts open at 6:30 p.m. with a no-host wine bar, snacks and other refreshments. Music starts at 7 p.m.

Finally, on Nov. 14 the San Diego Conscious Music Fest itself will be held at First Unitarian Universalist Church (4190 Front St., Hillcrest). The daylong event will feature half a dozen singer-songwriters, a vendor fair, a performance by the Conscious Community Choir and a “Young Voices” songwriting contest and award concert. Visit consciousmusicsd.com for tickets and more information.

RECURRING EVENTS

Daily:

Don’t Try This at Home!: Six varying times per day until September, a live science show is presented with demonstrations that are too messy, loud or shocking to try at home. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, free with admission.Rhfleet.org.

Mondays: 

Singing Storytime: 1:30 p.m., learn what’s going on inside your baby’s mind, strengthen your bond and sing songs together at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.org.

Open Mic Night: 7:30 p.m., the mic is open to you at Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, free. Lestats.com.

‘Open Mic at The Merrow’: Signups start at 8 p.m.; music starts at 9 p.m. Open mic hosted by The Whiskey Circle at The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Themerrow.com.

Tuesdays:

Curbside Bites: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., gathering of gourmet food trucks at 3030 Grape St., South Park. Curbsidebites.com.

Tasty Truck Tuesdays: 6 – 9 p.m., Smitty’s Service Station hosts several food trucks under their well-lit shade structure, 3442 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Sdfoodtrucks.com.

Uptown Democratic Club: 6:30 p.m., Joyce Beers Community Center hosts these meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month. New members wanted. 1220 Vermont Ave., Hillcrest. Uptowndemocrats.org.

Open Mic Charlie’s: 7 – 9:30 p.m. (except the third Tuesday), open mic night at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, free. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.

North Park Brewer’s Club: 8:30 p.m., monthly meeting of the club every second Tuesday of the month on the back patio at Thorn Street Brewery, 3176 Thorn St., North Park. Thornstreetbrew.com.

Wednesdays: 

Wednesday Night Experience: 7 – 8 p.m., uplifting and spiritually inspiring experiences for all, weekly at Universal Spirit Center, 3858 Front St., Hillcrest, love offering requested. Universalspiritcenter.org.

Storytelling: 7 – 8:45 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month featuring members of Storytellers of San Diego at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, Suggested $5 donation. Ages 12 and up. Storytellersofsandiego.org.

Wednesday Jazz Jam Session: 7:30 p.m., Gilbert Castellanos hosts the Jazz Jam Session with special guest musicians at Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave., North Park, free. Sevengrandbars.com.

Thursdays: 

Uptown Sunrise Rotary Club meetings: 7 a.m., weekly meeting at Panera Bread, 1270 Cleveland Ave., Hillcrest. Sdurotary.org.

Gentle yoga for seniors: 2:30 – 4 p.m., presented by The Center and Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach (SAYCO) at The San Diego LGBT Center, 3909 Centre St., Hillcrest, free. Thecentersd.org.

North Park Farmers Market: 3 – 7 p.m., in the parking lot behind CVS at 32nd Street and University Avenue, North Park, free. Northparkfarmersmarket.com.

Kornflower’s Open Mic: Sign-ups at 7 p.m., open mic (no poetry or comedy) 7 – 10 p.m. Family-friendly event at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, free. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.

Liberty Toastmasters Club: 7 p.m., at Saint Paul’s Community Care Center, 328 Maple St., Bankers Hill. Libertytoastmasters.org.

Kirtan Musical Meditation: 8:15 p.m., chant and sing contemporary mantras celebrating love and life at Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga, 3287 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, donation requested. Pilgrimageyoga.com.

Cinema Under the Stars: 8:30 p.m., classic movie screenings at 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills. Additional showings Friday – Sunday. Tickets start at $15. Topspresents.com.

Fridays:

Memory Café: 10 – 11 a.m., second and fourth Fridays. Gathering place for those with memory loss, caretakers and those worried about memory problems in the Common Room at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front St., Hillcrest. At will donation. Memoryguides.org and Firstuusandiego.org.

Preschool Storytime: 10:30 a.m., at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.org.

Saturdays 

Old Town Saturday Market: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., on Harney Street and San Diego Avenue, Old Town, free. Also held on Sundays. Oldtownsaturdaymarket.com.

Golden Hill Farmers Market: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., on B Street between 27th and 28th streets, Golden Hill, free. Sdmarketmanager.com.

Children’s Craft Time: 10:30 a.m., at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.org.

Comedy Heights: 8 – 10 p.m., local comedians take the stage next to Twiggs Coffeehouse at 4590 Park Blvd., University Heights, free. Comedyheights.com.

Sundays

Free Pancake Breakfast: 8:30 – 9:45 a.m., every second Sunday this neighborhood breakfast precedes worship service and Sunday school at Normal Heights United Methodist Church, 4650 Mansfield St., Normal Heights. Email [email protected].

Hillcrest Farmers Market: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., under the Hillcrest Pride Flag, Harvey Milk and Normal streets, free. Hillcrestfarmersmarket.com.

Karaoke: 8 p.m., your chance to shine on the big stage at The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Themerrow.com.  

—Email calendar items to [email protected].