This weekend in SD: Festivals, fighting homelessness, and the theatre

Despite not having the weather that we otherwise would normally have in San Diego this time of year, at least in the coastal areas anyway, there are still plenty of interesting events, both outdoors and indoors, to be found in the area this weekend.  So don’t let the temperature and a little cloud cover get you down, get out there and explore the city through one of the following functions.

Adam’s Avenue Street Fair

With over 70 live music acts on six stages, three beer gardens, carnival rides and 300 craft and food vendors, Adams Avenue Street Fair is one of the largest free music street fairs in California.  With this year’s being the 30th Anniversary celebration, it promises to be one of the best.  The Street Fair takes place on both Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and headlining musical acts include The Beat Farmers, El Vez a.k.a the Mexican Elvis, and Dengue Fever to name just a small few.

The Theatre

Let’s face it, in some parts of San Diego the weather has been cloudy and cold for the better part of a week, and doesn’t appear to be letting up any time soon.  So what better way to spend a cloudy evening than in the theatre?  There are a host of plays, musicals and comedies throughout the area this weekend, so think about checking one out.

The Tempest.  One of two Shakespeare plays taking place in San Diego this weekend, the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park presents the story of Prospero and his quest to restore his name after being exiled to a remote island.  The Tempest is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s finest works, and one of the last plays he wrote alone.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 8 p.m.

Little Shop of Horrors. Featuring a talking plant that wants to destroy humanity, this 1980s B-movie classic has been adapted to the stage and takes place at the Cygnet Theatre in Old Town at 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. on Sunday.  No, it doesn’t star Rick Moranis this time, but it still should be good.

Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show. What more needs to be said?  This cult musical takes place at the Old Globe Theatre starting tonight at 8 p.m., with shows tomorrow at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. as well.

Improv Comedy. National Comedy Theatre in Hillcrest presents a 100-minute improv comedy show based completely on audience suggestions on both Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.  The show has been deemed appropriate for all audiences.

Sleepless San Diego

Chances are, if you live in San Diego, you’ve seen a homeless person out on the street at least once.  Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live like that?  Well now is you’re chance, and on top of that, a chance to raise awareness to the issue of homelessness in our area.

Starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and lasting until 7 a.m. on Sunday, Sleepless San Diego will host an event in which community members of all ages are invited to camp out at Liberty Station in Point Loma overnight in order to raise money and awareness of the homeless population.  The event will feature a concert on Saturday evening, testimonials from individuals who overcame homelessness, and plenty of food and fun throughout the night (though that’s not quite how a homeless person lives) as well as inspiration to better the world by helping battle poverty. A Saturday day pass costs $25 while spending the night costs either a $60 minimum of money raised, or a $60 contribution at the door, with all proceeds of the event going towards improving the San Diego Rescue Mission homeless programs.

If you don’t feel like camping out, you can make a donation online at sleeplesssandiego.com.

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres baseball team has six games left in its season, all six of which take place at Petco Park.  Go root on your team one last time when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight at 7:05 p.m., tomorrow at 5:35 p.m. or Sunday at 1:05 p.m.  Because the team is not very good, tickets should be easy to come by, either through the Padres website, Craigslist, or one of the many other ticket sites.

Movies out this Weekend

Moneyball
Dolphin Tale
Killer Elite
Abduction
Red State
Pearl Jam 20