Another Eventful Week In San Diego: San Diego Pride Parade, performances by Ke$ha and MGMT and more

The sun brings with it another week of concerts, art exhibits, and more importantly, unique events to San Diego like the annual Pride Parade, French wine and foods at Balboa park and the 57th Annual OMBAC’s Over-the-Line Tournament. Finally enjoy the summer sun at one or more of these special events.

Wednesday, July 14

San Diego’s classic nightclub, 4^th & B is hosting English electropop group, La Roux on their Gold Tour, featuring popular hit singles, “Bullet Proof” and “In For the Kill.” Previously topping Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart, La Roux promises to have you dancing from beginning to end. Singing along? Try screaming along. Get ready for a rowdy time at this 21 and over event. Purchase tickets online for $23 plus taxes. Doors open at 7:00pm.

For a little Spanish rhythm, check out the Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes & Tonnino Baliardo at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on the quaint Shelter Island. These two bands of brothers come together to create a Rhomba Flamenca sound reminiscent of their ancestry infused with modern pop beats. For $98, spend the evening exercising those salsa skills and celebrate some Spanish culture. Purchase tickets online. Show starts at 8:00pm.

♪♫ Summer days driftin’ away, to uh-oh those summer night ♪♫ This Wednesday summer night, join the San Diego Women’s Chorus for their 2nd Annual Summer Sing- Along where they’re inviting you to sing along to Grease. Bust out those poodle skirts and leather jackets and head down to the Ultra Star Cinemas in Mission Valley to compete for the Best Costume prize and support this local women’s advocacy group. Purchase $15-18 (plus tax) tickets online or $23 tickets at the door. Pull up in your Thunderbird in time for the 7:30pm show.

Thursday, July 15

All summer, the Balboa Park Food and Wine School is offering classes to educate and indulge your culinary palette. This Thursday, celebrate the elite French wines with the French Regional Wine Dinner. Perfectly paired reds, whites and rosés, this four-course French feast includes, “pommes frites, seared Maine diver scallops wrapped with Prosciutto, black truffles, and wild oregon mushrooms, lobster salad apricot and fennel, dressed in a dijon truffle vinaigrette, foie gras crusted organic veal chop grilled peaches and summer corn.” As if you’re not already sold, read the full description to find out what’s for dessert! Go it alone or as a pair for $59.95 each or grab your girlfriends or double date for $45.00 each. Call 619-557-9441 ex203 for reservations.

If you’re into shopping, check out an exclusive event at Del Mar Kids and The Back Room in Del Mar. With great styles and discounts from The Back Room’s most notable designers including Gypsy 05, Julez Bryant, Joie, Tart and James Jeans, raffles prizes from Julez Bryant and Juicy Couture and gift bags of gratitude coupled with tastes from Pacific Coast Grill, spirits from Meritage Wine Market and sounds from DJ Andrew Miller this is a shopping extravaganza not to be missed. This local boutique showcases the latest Hollywood trends for kids and women alike and is quickly becoming a style mecca for San Diego fashionistas. The event will be held from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at The Back Room and Del Mar Kids (2683 Via de la Valle, Suite K in Del Mar).

In case you missed them at Coachella this year, MGMT will be performing at the SDSU Open Air Theatre at 7:30pm tonight. The alternative rock meets psychedelic pop band will likely play past hit singles as well as recent works to promote their latest album Congratulations. With tickets starting at the modest price of $30, there’s no reason to miss this performance twice. Purchase tickets online.

Prefer hip hop and rap to alternative rock? Many time Grammy nominated rapper, Lil Kim will be performing at 4^th & B here in downtown San Diego. More recently appearing on the popular reality TV show Dancing with the Stars, Lil’ Kim is still better known for her racy raps (Magic Stick with 50 Cent) and that brief stint in prison. Tickets are limited to 21 and over, start at $25 and can be purchased online.

Friday, July 16

Have you been waiting all summer for this? Christopher Nolan’s newest film, Inception, hits theatres today as the highly-anticipated summer Blockbuster. Painting a world where your secrets aren’t even safe in your dreams, Nolan delivers a fantastical dreamscape surrounding an atypical heist movie. Purchase your tickets online or at a theatre near you.

Appealing to the artist in everyone and to “stimulate cultural awareness in San Diego,” Survey Select- Narrative Art Exhibition will be hosting a series of workshops, film screenings, lectures and art exhibits open to the general public starting tonight and running through until September 5^th at the WonderBread Factory warehouse in downtown San Diego! The public reception, limited to 21 and over, will be from 6:00pm to 11:00pm complete with a musical performance by SSI and light refreshments. Future events range from “How to Make a Zine (mini magazine)” workshops to “Film Double Feature Part 1: Beautiful Losers, Scribble.08, and Animation Shorts,” with regular exhibit viewing hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00am- 5:00pm. Check out the website for exact event dates, times and costs.

The House of Blues San Diego is serving up performances to satiate the rock and dance-pop enthusiasts alike, with performances by Thrice with Kevin Devine, Bad Veins, The Dig this Friday and Ke$ha with Mickey Avalon, DJ Skeet Skeet, and Beardo this coming Tuesday, July 20. As a smaller venue, the House of Blues will provide a great performance space to head pound and dance around to these artists, respectively. Ticket prices vary from $20 to $33 for Thrice and $35-$45 for Ke$ha. The Thrice performance is limited to 21 and over. Doors open at 6:00pm for both shows.

Saturday, July 17

Proudly the 5^th largest in the nation, the San Diego Pride Parade takes to the streets of downtown this Saturday at 11:00am attracting 150,000 enthusiastic LGBT-rights supporters.  Watch the colorful Pride floats march by for free or purchase $20 ($10 for 60+ and students) to attend the subsequent Pride Festival starting at noon at Balboa Park. Great for all ages, the festival boasts some of the highlights, “Latin Stage, Farmers Market, Country Western dance floor, hiNrg dance floor, Beer Gardens, Wine Grotto, Queer Lounge, Children’s Garden,” and more.

San Diego natives, the fellas of Slightly Stoopid come home to play to a packed audience at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre. With Cypress Hill and Collie Buddz, Slightly Stoopid will satisfy the punk rock and reggae niche with top songs like “Collie Man” and “Closer to the Sun.” Purchase tickets for $15 or $31.50 online.

Sunday, July 18

Ending its week-long run, “Menopause the Musical” will leave your side splitting from laughter and the San Diego Civic Theatre this Sunday. Catch the last showing of this hysterical musical that has reviews from around the world raving about it at 2:00pm. Perfect for a ladies night out one day this week or brunch with the girls this Sunday. Tickets are $47.50 or $52.50 and can be purchased online or at the box office.

With his smooth voice and suave piano skills, Jamie Cullum will wisk you off your seat (also) at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. A personal favorite, Jamie Cullum will be in San Diego to support his newest released album The Pursuit. His often improvised show features his own jazz-pop creations, like “Don’t Stop the Music” and “Gran Torino,” as well as, querky covers of popular music by Kanye West, The White Stripes, Rhianna and Lady Gaga, among others. Despite the price tag ($50), this show is not to be missed and will start (or indulge) your Jamie Cullum craze. Purchase tickets online.

Don’t miss your last chance to participate in quite possibly San Diego’s rowdiest traditions. This Sunday is the last day of the 57^th Annual OMBAC’s “Over- the-Line” Tournament on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay. Closing two weekends-worth of OTL games and informal beer gardens on the beach, this Sunday should celebrate the champion OTL team- and at OMBAC’s OTL Tournament, they know how to celebrate. See event details here.

Whatever your style or budget- the SDEntertainer is determined to let you know about all the unique events happening around San Diego. There’s no excuse to be bored when you’re reading the SDEntertainer. If you know about coming events you’d like to share, feel free to send event information to [email protected] and we’ll get the word out!