Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, July 12 to Sunday, July 14.
Friday
SeaWorld getting in on summertime shark fever: July is typically one of the best months for shark lovers, and SeaWorld is highlighting the fascinating fish with an Ultimate Shark Experience available through the end of this weekend at all its locations. The experience comes with special shark access, educational and interactive opportunities, a free meal and drink and souvenirs. Funds from these tickets will go toward shark conservation. Through Sunday. SeaWorld, 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego. $225. seaworld.com/san-diego/special-offers/ultimate-shark-experience
All Inclusive Day of Play and Resource Fair: Hosted by the Special Needs Resource Foundation, this annual event is open to families with kids of all abilities. It features resources, giveaways, activity stations, character meet and greets and other family-friendly things to do. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Miramar Hourglass Recreation Center, 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego. Free. Register online. specialneedsresourcefoundationofsandiego.com
Pride Night: CCAE Theatricals is hosting a Pride night for the “Every Brillant Thing” show. The event will start with performances from queer San Diego artists curated in partnership with Diversionary Theatre and hosted by Escondido Drag. There will also be interactive resources, informational tables from community partners, free samples of pride-themed candy and a cash bar. The performance of “Every Brillant Thing” starts at 7:30 p.m. A $10 donation is suggested for attendees. 5:30 p.m. July 12. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. (760) 839-4138, docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRE8bciemXSkrRMNQFjTjsRavNMUIzQEyCV062-txXLV9SNg/viewform
“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. Opens tonight and runs through Aug. 4. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $25 and up. onstageplayhouse.org
“Every Brilliant Thing”: CCAE Theatrical presents this audience-interactive solo play about a person haunted by the death of their mother and trying to discover and celebrate the greatest things about life. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through July 21. Center Theater at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. $40-$50. (442) 304-0505 theatricals.org
“The Color Purple”: New Village Arts presents the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about Celie, an indomitable Southern Black woman in early 1900s Georgia. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through July 22. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $33 and up. (760) 433-3245, newvillagearts.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
“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
Saturday
Dog Days of Summer: Locals are welcome to bring their dogs to this family-friendly event where there will be free dog washes. Visitors can also visit a fire station and learn about firefighters and a therapy dog. A celebrity groomer will be doing artistic dye jobs for dogs. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Heartland Fire and Rescue, 100 Lexington Avenue, El Cajon. Free.
She Fest: Workshops, community-building activities, vendors, performers and more are all part of She Fest 2024. The social event focuses on empowering LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people by bringing together LGBTQ+ small businesses, community leaders and artists. The festival takes place at the Hillcrest Pride Flag. Noon to 6 p.m. July 13. 1500 University Ave., San Diego. sdpride.org/shefest
Drag show: RuPaul’s Drag-a-licious massive drag show returns to San Diego. The event will highlight performers such as Angeria Paris Vanmichaels, Chad Michaels, Kandy Muse, Kimora Blac, Kickxy Vixen, Roxxxy Andrews, Shannel and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo. VIP ticket holders will have access to a meet-and-greet with show performers. A portion of the event’s proceeds will support San Diego Pride. The event will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton. 7 to 9 p.m. July 13. 7450 Hazard Center Drive, $55-$75. leparties.com
Jesse McCartney: SeaWorld summer concerts return this year with a lineup including Jesse McCartney this Saturday. Later this month, Ginuwine will perform on July 20 and Bow Wow and Soulja Boy will take the stage on July 27. Fans can attend the concerts with park admission. 6 p.m. Saturday. Bayside Ampitheater, seaworld.com/san-diego/events/summer-spectacular/concerts/
Marine Band San Diego & Sound Strike: Little Italy Association of San Diego presents a free summer concert by these two local ensembles. 7 p.m. Saturday. Piazza della Famiglia, 523 W. Date St, San Diego. littleitalysd.com/events/calendar
“Idylls and Echoes”: Santa Ysabel Art Gallery presents this solo exhibit of landscape paintings by artist Will Gullette. Opens Saturday and runs through Sept. 1. Opening reception, 4-7 p.m. Saturday. 30352 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel. https://santaysabelartgallery.com
“Look! Up in the Sky!”: North Coast Symphony presents a summer pops concert with movie themes and works by Debussy and Handel. 2:30 p.m. Saturday. La Costa Canyon High School, 1 Maverick Way, Carlsbad. $12-$15. northcoastsymphony.com
Sunday
Pure Glitter play: With a theme of “A New Play for the Gays,” Pure Glitter is a comedy about a couple’s 10th-anniversary surprise party, but some unexpected ex-partners show up at the party. The evening tests friendships and asks the group to reveal their true feelings. The play stars Douglas Lyons and Lamar Perry. There will be two performances of Pure Glitter. 7 p.m. July 13. 2 p.m. July 14. 4545 Park Blvd. #101, San Diego. $30-$35. diversionary.org/onstage/pure-glitter
“Gavin Taylor: Upside Down and Backward”: A solo exhibit of new original abstract expressionist paintings by this 26-year-old artist will be presented at 11 a.m. Sunday at The Alibi, 1403 University Ave., San Diego. His work can also be found at Studio 19, Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park. gavintaylorfineart.com
“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