This Weekend in SD: Concerts, Crafts and Comedy

It’s another beautiful weekend in San Diego full of music performances, art festivals, and live comedy shows as some great performers and artists stop by for a visit. Check out some of the events happening in our wonderful county.

Comedy Shows

This Friday hosts a feast of funny times in the Gaslamp Quarter. Join comedian Mal Hall as he presents The Gaslamp Comedy Show at the Tipsy Crow on 5th and F. The show will feature some of the best local and visiting comics who have appeared Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central.

At the same time over at the On Broadway Events Center, Doc and Fiduce will host the Funny Farm Comedy Show starring Duke Michaels and featuring Rocco Joel along with special guests Tony Kim, Carlos Kremer, Kip Hart and Duke Bickham.
Then Saturday night, head east to the Sycuan Casino as they host comedian Frank Caliendofrom the TBS show “Frank TV.” Caliendo is notorious for his amazing impressions of celebrities including fellow comedian and actor Robin Williams, ex-president George W. Bush, actor Al Pacino, sports personality Jim Rome, and athlete John Madden.

Art Exhibits

Celebrate local artists at this year’s 15th Annual North Park Festival of the Arts on Sunday, May 15th. There will be six stages of live music and entertainment from local bands throughout the day as well as a Craft Beer Block and fine art and craft vendor booths all around University and 30th. As a prelude to the festival, go to the North Park area the night before for  Ray at Night Art Walk , a monthly one-day event where 20 shops, businesses and galleries stay open late for guests to enjoy art, live music, and performances.

Get over to Balboa Park’s California Plaza on Saturday or Sunday for theAnnual American Indian Art Market & Film Festival happening this weekend to appreciate and both traditional and avant-garde American Indian artworks and cuisine.

On Friday starts a two-day Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, then on Sunday head to Qualcomm Stadium for
RiverFest , an environmental event featuring around fifty exhibits from community and outdoor groups as well as live music and various activity zones.

Local Festivals

A bunch of fun music festivals are happening this weekend. Kicking-off the weekend early on Friday is UCSD’s annual Sun God Festival, a sold-out event for students and guests. The festival lasts from 2pm to midnight and this year’s performers include Mike Posner, Jimmy Eat World, Crystal Castles, and Wiz Khalifa.

Also on Friday night is the start of the 12th Annual Allied Garden SpringFest, a two-day evening music festival showcasing local bands, beer & wine, food, and carnival rides.On Saturday head over to Pacific Beach for the Karl Strauss Beach to Brewery 2011. This year’s event marks their 22nd anniversary, so Karl Strauss is going big with 22 beers for the 22 years as they head into their eighth year supporting the San Diego Surfrider Foundation. The $30 ticket will get guests five tasters and a commemorative glass as they enjoy brewery tours and live performance from local bands Little Deadman, Blackout Party, Stranger, and Cuckoo Chaos.

San Diego Concerts

San Diego being the music mecca that it is, there is also a multitude of great concerts happening all over the county. The House of Blues welcomes Eisley with The Narrative & Christie Dupree on Thursday and Stitched Up Heart presented by Groove International on Saturday.

On Friday get over to Brick by Brick to see alternative rockers Alien Ant Farm or hopefully you got tickets in time to head to Humphreys by the Bay for talented pianist Yanni in a sold-out concert. Then close out the weekend with the Zac Brown Band at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Chula Vista.