Can’t guarantee such a spectacular sunset this weekend at the Del Mar track, but there are two must-see events. (Photo courtesy of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club)
Summer’s last hurrah? Labor Day can be a little melancholy. But we live in San Diego and as all Southern Californians know – it probably won’t feel like fall until Halloween! So no fretting, just fun this long San Diego weekend.
A lot of that fun will be focused on music, particularly fests.
- If you like a last-minute challenge, dance artist Disco Lines arrives at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square at 4 p.m. Friday. The show, which includes Lee Foss and Deeper Purpose, is sold out, so off to StubHub you go.
- The Quartyard hosts the San Diego-Tijuana International Jazz Festival pre-party – the countdown to the October event – at 5 p.m. Friday featuring Charlie Chavez y su Afrotruko. Tickets are free – reserve online.
- The two-day Holo Holo Music Festival features J Boog, the Green, Common Kings, Wyclef Jean and Josh Tatofi topping a two-day bill of island and reggae music. We turn again to Gallagher Square, where gates open at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Two-day passes start at $106; day passes remain, but just for Sunday.
- It’s the last hurrah for Jazz at the Creek. Organizers say this year’s edition, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Educational Cultural Complex in Mountain View, is the “sunset finale” after 14 years. See headliners Gerald Albright and Durti-Ryce featuring Duron along with San Diego Music Award winner Rebecca Jade. Tickets start at $55.
- If you prefer a longer jaunt, try Jacumbia Fest, with traditional and psychedelic cumbia from Colombia, Mexico and the US. Acts at 6 p.m. Saturday include Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto and Romperayo at Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel. Tickets are $39.
For many fans, Prince is one of the all-timers in pop music history. See him at the height of his powers in the re-release of the concert film Sign o’ the Times, which is being offered in IMAX. AMCs in Bonita and Otay Mesa have the film this weekend, as well as Regal Cinemas in El Cajon, Escondido and Mira Mesa.
A past Barona Powwow princess. (File photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)
The 53rd annual Barona Powwow takes over the Barona Sports Complex in Lakeside for the weekend, with the first gourd dance at 6 p.m. Friday. There’s more dancing, with multiple chances to see the Grand Entry through Sunday. There are several contests too, with cash prizes. Admission is free.
If you think of big money when you think of the ponies, the Pacific Classic, Del Mar’s richest and most prestigious race, begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. How big is the purse? A cool $1 million. Or opt for Family Fun Day at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, featuring free admission for the littles and kid-friendly attractions, such as obstacle courses, bungee trampolines and rock climbing. Admission starts at $11.
The Asian American Dance Festival wraps up at 6:30 p.m. Sunday with the Mainstage Showcase illustrating the theme, “Becoming Asian American,” at San Diego City College’s Saville Theater. General admission starts at $35.
And for Labor Day, a bonus! The 37th annual San Diego International Summer Organ Festival concludes at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Since it’s the 60th anniversary of the Beatles’ only concert in San Diego, the program is full of the Fab Four.