Things to Do This Weekend in San Diego: Ludacris, Toby Keith, the 30th annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, Ringo Starr, and much more.

Things to do this weekend in San Diego include some epic concerts including performances by  country super-star Toby Keith, the legendary Ringo Starr and no-introduction-necessary, Ludacris. This weekend also features some oddball events unique to San Diego like the 30th annual U.S. Open Sandcastle competition, Urban Dare by Bike San Diego and the CityFest Celebration at the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market. Taken together, San Diego has an exciting weekend coming up.

Friday, August 6

Venture to Old Town and discover traditional Latin art, clothing and jewelry at Bazaar del Mundo’s Latin American Festival and Mata Ortiz Pottery Market. Continuing through until Sunday, you can watch artists craft and showcase San Antonino embroidery, Oaxacan wooden animal carving, Guatemalan weaving to name just a few, or try some Carne Asada Tacos and traditional fruit drinks. The annual festival will be going strong Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Pioneers of the psytrance revolution, Infected Mushroom will be building up a high-energy crowd at 4th & B. This is a must-see/ dance for any and all trance fans. Doors open at 9:00pm Purchase tickets for $30 or $50 online.

Party for charity? Get all you need to know about InterPLAY, a Philanthro Productions event at Prospect Bar and Grill to support local artists. Free food, gifts and wine toast along with exclusive live performances by local musicians and DJs, all for $10 prepay or $15 at the door. Party guilt-free knowing the proceeds benefits a good cause!

Good news:  Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band will be performing all your favorite Beatle hits at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay. Bad news: the show is sold out! If you’re up for a little road trip, you can purchase tickets still available at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

Saturday, August 7

By far one of the most unique events, Urban Dare Pacific Beach by Bike is a one-day Amazing Race, in which teams solve trivia to face and photograph “dares” throughout Pacific Beach. Bring a friend, bicycles, an iPhone and some smarts, but leave your shame at home. Register your team for $50 per person or a team of 3-4 for $35 per person (one member must be 16 or under).

Enjoy a free concert by the jazz pop group, The Teagan Taylor Trio at the Coronado Ferry Landing Market Place from 1:00pm to 3:00pm or enjoy the big sounds of the Coronado Big Band for a lazy afternoon at the same time on Sunday. Perfect for a relaxing day around Coronado.

Guitar hero aficionados may have played their tunes but now you can see how Silversun Pickups (Lazy Eye, Panic Switch) plays its tunes at SOMA, west of Old Town. Fans of Modest Mouse and The Smashing Pumpkins may want to check them out. Tickets are $32.50 online.

Believe it or not, Ludacris (Stand Up, Money Maker) will be joining Main Flow at Belly Up at 9:00pm. Less believable still, there are still tickets going for $73 online as of today. Get your tickets fast, because given the intimate venue, this show is bound to sell out.

The Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre is hosting Toby Keith’s American Ride with Trace Adkins and James Otto at 7:17pm. This country super star will not disappoint. The ticket options promise a rowdy time at this concert with their “Hell Raiser” two for $40 option. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $40 for two or $29.50 general admissions lawn seats.

Good luck choosing, country fans. Instead of Toby Keith, you can join four-time Grammy award winner, Mary Chapin Carpenter for An Evening with Mary Chapin Carpenter at the Balboa Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office ranging from $30 to $55.

Sunday, August 8

Join thousands of other San Diegans as we show our community spirit at the CityFest Celebration at the Hillcrest Farmers Market. A deep-seeded tradition, CityFest boasts “a day full of dancing, eating, drinking, shopping, face-painting, lantern-making and general merrymaking.” Join in on the festivities between 12:00pm and 8:00pm along 5th Avenue between University Avenue and Pennsylvania. Click here for a map.

Canadian indie rock band, Tokyo Police Club will be performing popular singles, “Wait Up (Boots of Danger),” “Breakneck Speed,” and “Gone,” along with other songs from their newly released album, “Champ,” at the Casbah in downtown San Diego at 8:30pm. Tickets can be purchased online for $17 and are  limited to those 21+.

Imperial Beach will be competing for crowds as the 30th annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition kicks off on Friday with the Sandcastle Dance and culminates on Sunday with the adult competition where professionals and amateurs alike will compete for cash prizes and bragging rights. Teams can register for $55- $80, but all the sandcastles will be open for viewing until 4:00pm for FREE!

Fancy some sexy latin dancing? Belly Up hosts SALSA SUNDAY with local salsa band Orquesta Primo. Learn choreographed steps  or just bust out your own salsa moves at 8:00pm. Tickets are $10 and restricted to 21+.

Next week… be sure to catch the Van’s Warped Tour 2010 on Tuesday, August 10 starting at 11:00am at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, featuring punk rock bands Alkaline Trio, Whitechapel,  Andrew W.K. and more. See the complete list of San Diego’s Warped Tour bands here. Also on Tuesday, throwback to the 90’s with Everclear (Father of Mine, I Will Buy You a New Life) at Anthology.

Plan ahead… buy your tickets now for LeAnn Rimes and the North Park Music Thing next weekend, and John Mayer on August 25. Also, let the San Diego Entertainer help you determine a good place and time to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower.

Infected Mushrooms photo by Steve Haslam, Ludacris photo by Johnthan Speed on flickr, Bike Scavenger Hunt photo by richardmasoner on flickr, Virginia Beach End of Summer Sandcastle Competition photo by mccready on flickr, Hillcrest Farmers Market photo by Edward O’Connor on flickr, Toby Keith Live photo by Craig O’Neal on flickr.