Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Madison Gallery hosts ‘Uncharted’ solo show: Madison Gallery presents “Uncharted,” the first West Coast exhibition by German-born artist Max Frintrop, who is known for his large-scale, abstract-surrealist paintings. While the exhibit — which opened Thursday and continues through Aug. 10 — is under way, he’ll work as an artist in residence at the gallery. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. 412 N. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. (858) 523-9155, madisongalleries.com
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, performing Monday: Jaebon Hwang, music minister and organist for First United Methodist Church of San Diego. 2125 Pan American E. Road, Balboa Park, San Diego. Full schedule at spreckelsorgan.org/summer-organ-festival
Tuesday
Sunset luau on the bay: The annual Sunset Luaus at Mission Bay, a celebration of Polynesian cuisine, island music, and dance return with an all-you-can-eat buffet, lei greeting, Mai Tai and entertainment. Dance performances will be given by the local luau group Pride of Polynesia, featuring hula and torch dancers. A Kids Corner includes lei making, crafts, luau-themed coloring and stick-on tattoos. 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays through Aug. 30. 3999 Mission Blvd., San Diego. Tickets are $55-$165. catamaranresort.com/sunset-luaus.
“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
Wednesday
Author of ‘Waikiki Dreams’ to give talk: California Surf Museum hosts a book talk with author Patrick Moser on “Waikiki Dreams: How California Appropriated Hawaiian Beach Culture.” Moser’s new book picks up where his previous book, “Surf & Rescue: George Freeth and the Birth of California Beach Culture,” leaves off, and tracks California beach culture from 1920 to World War II. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside. surfmuseum.org.
Free community swim: The Coggan Aquatic Complex is open free of charge from 2 to 4 p.m on Wednesdays in July, including July 24 and July 31. Open to all ages. The pool is at 800 Nautilus St., La Jolla. cogganaquatics.org
48th Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive at Comic-Con: The drive is inspired by the upcoming “Deadpool & Wolverine” movie release. Comic-Con attendees can donate blood and receive a limited-edition Comic-Con T-shirt featuring Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” while supplies last. The goal is to break the record of collecting more than 3,000 pints over the five-day period. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 24-27 and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 28. Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, 1 Market Place. sandiegobloodbank.org/comic-con-save-lives-48-robert-a-heinlein-blood-drive.
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, Jazz Jammers on Tuesday; Lady J and the Soulful Knights on Wednesday; Matchbox Twenty Too on Thursday. Balboa Park, San Diego. Schedule at balboapark.org/twilight-concerts
Clothing swap at library: I Love A Clean San Diego hosts an afternoon of clothing swapping. Bring gently used clothing, shoes and accessories and take some pieces home at no cost. This helps keep fabrics out of local landfills. There is no donation limit; make sure donations do not have stains, rips or odors. 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Valley Center Library. cleansd.org.
“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
“Star Trek Live”: UCSD ArtPower presents the San Diego Symphony performing the film score of the 2009 “Star Trek” movie, in honor of Comic-Con. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Epstein Family Amphitheater, UCSD, La Jolla. $30-$120. artpower.ucsd.edu
“School of Rock”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the stage adaptation of the 2003 Jack Black film about an out-of-work musician who starts a rock band with his fifth-grade students at a prestigious prep school. 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Through July 27. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $15-$60. (760) 724-2110, moonlightstage.com
Doug Benson: Comedian Doug Benson is hosting a comedy show and podcast at the American Comedy Co. He will bring out surprise guests to discuss movies. Attendees are asked to bring a name tag from a movie for giveaways and prizes. 8 p.m. July 24. 818 Sixth Ave., San Diego. $20. (619) 795-3858, americancomedyco.com/products/doug-loves-movies-comic-con-edition-ii
Waterpark Challenge: Sesame Place is hosting a waterpark challenge in honor of National Waterpark Day. Participants must ride five specific rides at the park to win a prize. A wristband and hole punches will track progress of participants. It can be picked up at Guest Services. Wednesday through Friday. Sesame Place San Diego, 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista. Single day passes start at $59.99. sesameplace.com/san-diego/events/waterpark-challenge
Thursday
Comic-Con: Stars of some of the biggest TV shows and films will arrive in San Diego this month for the annual return of Comic-Con International. From Thursday to Sunday, the San Diego Convention Center will play host to special panels on everything from the history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise to how to write, illustrate, create and publish a comic book for the first time. Badges are sold out for activities inside the convention center, but there’s still plenty to do at pop-up events around Gaslamp District, and of course, people-watching. 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Thursday though Saturday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego. Sold out. comiccon2024.sched.com
Related:
“Gloria”: OnStage Playhouse presents the San Diego premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins play about the explosive interpersonal dynamics among the competitive writers at a Manhattan magazine. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 4. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $25 and up. onstageplayhouse.org
“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
Comic-Con events at Park & Market: Over the multiple days of the convention, UC San Diego will host a series of free and paid events at Park & Market in the downtown area. On July 25, author and game designer Matt Forbeck will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons with a free “actual play” event in the “Shotguns & Sorcery” setting from noon to 9 p.m. On July 26 from 2:20 to 4:30 p.m., Rachel Costello, from UC San Diego’s Innovating for National Security Academic Program, will host an event celebrating Japanese manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka. Later that night at 8 p.m., Border X will host a “Fronte Risas” binational comedy show with $15 entry. Sunday, families can attend a free interactive event led by Scott Paulson from the UC San Diego Library and a puppet parade from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For a full list of activities and details, go to parkandmarket.ucsd.edu/series/comic-con-themed-events-at-park-market.
“Garry Winogrand: Man of the Crowd”: The Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art is now exhibiting photography by this prolific street photographer, who captured more than 300,000 black-and-white images of American life and social problems in all its gritty detail before his death in 1984. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Through Jan. 12, 2025. 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. Admission is pay what you wish. (619) 232-7931, mopa.org
Afrofuturism Lounge: Returning for its seventh year during Comic-Con, the Afrofuturism Lounge brings together creators, supporters and fans of Black comics, writing, art and other aspects of Afrofuturism. This year’s theme is “Celebrating The Graphic History of Hip Hop,” and Afrofuturism historian, Walter Greason, and artist and illustrator Tim Fielder will be on hand to talk about their similarly named book. There will also be live sketching during the event, as well as a host of special guests representing writing, illustrating, publishing and other related fields. 6 to 9 p.m. July 25. University Club, 750 B St., San Diego. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. afrofuturismlounge.com
‘Peanuts’ pop-up experience: Fans of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the “Peanuts” franchise can stop by this pop-up experience in the Gaslamp Quarter. There will be photo opportunities from “The Great Pumpkin Patch,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other well-known features, as well as meet-and-greets with Snoopy, merchandise for sale and displays of behind-the-scenes information. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 200 J. Street, Suite 105, San Diego. Free.
Comic-Con Interactive Zone at Petco Park: This area is a place to find activations and food trucks spread out across a parking lot and representing multiple different brands. Picture a street fair for pop culture. More details to be announced. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Lexus Premier Lot across from Petco Park, 58 Eleventh Ave., San Diego. Free.
Friday
Free music education events: The La Jolla Music Society will offer free learning and engagement activities from July 26 to Aug. 24 as part of the SummerFest 2024 at The Conrad in La Jolla, including open rehearsals, artist lounges, encounters, coaching workshops and musical preludes that are all open to the public. The theme is “Inside Stories” and the festival will include 21 performances and 50 free education activities over four weeks. Education events are free, but space is limited and advance registration is required for some events. Single tickets for other events are $30 to $115. Register at TheConrad.org.
Coast to Crest Challenge: The Coast to Crest Challenge starts its eighth year this month for hikers to sample San Dieguito River Park’s trail network by finishing a series of five hikes, organized by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. For some of the hikes, the conservancy organizes “Walk N Talk” outings for groups. A Bernardo Mountain Lake View Trail Walk N Talk will take place on Friday. The deadline to complete this year’s series is June 30, 2025. Visit sdrvc.org.
Josh Turner: Known as “The Voice” for his resonant bass voice, this popular country singer is on a “greatest hits” concert tour, in support of his 2021 album “Your Man Deluxe Edition,” featuring 15 years of his top singles, including “Long Black Train” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” 8 p.m. July 26. Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. Tickets start at $49. (760) 751-3100, harrahssocal.com
“The Odd Couple: The Female Version”: Lamplighters Community Theatre presents Neil Simon’s revision of his classic comedy about two unlikely roommates (now two women, instead of two men) forced to live together following their divorces. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through July 28. 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa. $22-$27. (619) 303-5092, lamplighterslamesa.com
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