Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Sept. 2 to Friday, Sept. 6.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Last days of water park for the season: The Wave water park is open from noon to 5 p.m. weekends through Sept. 8, except Labor Day, Sept. 2, when the water park will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 101 Wave Drive. Visit thewavewaterpark.com.
Valley Vibes Summer Concert Series: The free Valley Vibes Summer Concert Series comes to a close for the season with a final concert from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Mission Valley mall in the AMC Theatres Court, 1640 Camino del Rio. No tickets are needed. Visit bit.ly/3WhkmZc.
Summer Organ Festival finale: The Spreckels Organ Society’s summer series concludes on Monday with a tribute to the classic 1960s rock band the Doors, featuring seven-member rock band and San Diego Civic Organist Rául Prieto Ramírez. 7:30 p.m. Monday. 2125 Pan American E. Road, Balboa Park, San Diego. Free. spreckelsorgan.org/summer-organ-festival
Harry Potter night: The Padres will host a Harry Potter-themed game, with a special ticket package, which comes with a Hogwarts house scarf. 3:40 p.m. Monday. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. mlb.com/padres/tickets/specials/theme-games
Tuesday
Resident Free Days: On Tuesdays throughout each month, different local museums open their doors for free to local residents. This week’s open venues are Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. Make sure to bring identification. balboapark.org/resident-free-days/
“Velour: A Drag Spectacular”: La Jolla Playhouse and Tectonic Theater Project present the world premiere of drag artist Sasha Velour and playwright Moisés Kaufman’s coming-of-age queer fantasia inspired by Velour’s personal origin story. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 15. Potiker Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UCSD La Jolla.: $64 and up. (858) 550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
Wednesday
Dive in Move Nights: The Pearl Hotel has reinstated its poolside movie series, with a lineup of screenings planned for Wednesdays in September. Tonight, “The Graduate,” will be the featured film, followed by “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” on Sept. 11. Reservations at the restaurant there, Ponyboy, can be made on OpenTable. 8 p.m. Wednesday. 1410 Rosecrans St., San Diego. thepearlsd.com/experiences/happenings
Last days of Gourd Show: An exhibit of gourd artwork by local artist Grace Swanson runs through Sept. 4. The exhibit features 10 pieces of original artwork created by Swanson and 17 pieces from her collection of gourds from around the world, including Africa and South America. Center hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Admission is free. Visit gourdsbygrace.com.
Beyonce’s birthday party: As part of its newly announced fall lineup, Rooftop Cinema Club is hosting a party on Sept. 4 for Beyonce’s birthday with a showing of her 2001 film, “Carmen: A Hip Hopera,” and a silent disco. To get spooky season started, on Friday, Sept. 13, the movie “Friday the 13th” will be the featured film. And for the ultimate fall feels, a special “Gilmore Girls” night will feature three episodes from the series. Expect a host of scary films at the rooftop theater in the month of October, including “The Conjuring” and “Maxxxine,” as well as Halloween favorites, including “Hocus Pocus” and “Scream.” Rooftop Cinema Club, Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, San Diego. $19. rooftopcinemaclub.com/san-diego
Thursday
NFL kickoff party: Sandbar will be offering a different food or drink special for each quarter of the Thursday NFL game between the Ravens and the Chiefs. First quarter: $2 off drafts. Second quarter: $5 wells. Third quarter: $1.25 wings. Fourth quarter: 50% off Espolon and Jameson. These deals will continue on Monday and Thursday nights throughout the NFL season. Sandbar Sportsbar & Grill, 718 Ventura Place, Mission Beach. sandbarsportsgrill.com
Sustainable fashion workshop: Learn about the fashion industry and it challenges with sustainability. Visions Museum of Textile Art artist Susan Lazear will lead the presentation, and participants can also create their own wearable art. 6 p.m. Thursday. Turrentine Room, Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido. Free. escondido.libcal.com/event/12239219
Toy Piano Festival: This quirky festival celebrates toy pianos and the instrument’s history in California with performances and education. noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 5. Seuss Room, Geisel Library, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Free. universitycenters.ucsd.edu/arts-and-entertainment/events-calendar.html
“8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s’: New Village Arts presents the San Diego premiere of Rich Seeber and Michael Gribbin’s nostalgic music revue of the sounds, trends, fashions and experiences of the 1970s. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Sept. 15. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. (760) 433-3245, $25-$60. newvillagearts.org
Nisha Vora author event: Local artist Sarah Stieber will host a conversation with author Nisha Vora to discuss her new cookbook, “Big Vegan Flavor.” 7 p.m. Thursday. The Book Catapult, 3010-B Juniper Street, San Diego. thebookcatapult.com/event/2024-09-05/nisha-vora
Friday
Vance Joy: The “dream your life away” anniversary show comes to San Diego. 8 p.m. Friday. Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego. $47. sdsu.edu/events-calendar
“Best Laid Plans”: Vantage Theatre presents the world premiere of Robert Salerno’s play about an architect who suddenly loses his sight. Alone and despondent, he’s ready to give up until he’s visited by the deaf 19th-century composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The play co-stars “This is Us” TV actor Blake Stadnik. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 22. Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave., downtown. 30-$35. (858) 859-2281, vantagetheatre.com
“Cleopatra”: Moxie Theatre and Loud Fridge Theatre Group are co-presenting this one-woman multimedia play written by and starring Joy Yvonnes Jones, who adapted her story of the Egyptian queen from Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra.” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Rolando, San Diego. $47-$53, general; $20, students. (858) 598-7620, moxietheatre.com
“The Revolutionists”: Lamplighters Community Theatre presents Lauren Gunderson’s wild, feminist comedy about four dynamic women who were at the forefront of the French Revolution. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 15. 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa. $24-$27. (619) 303-5092, lamplighterslamesa.com
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