Community events in San Diego County: From Balboa Park Powwow to Escondido Street Festival
CARLSBAD
Rotary Club recognizes outstanding young musicians
Genealogy buffs host talk on DNA
The DNA Interest Group, sponsored by the North San Diego County Genealogical Society, will host Richard Hill for a virtual presentation on "Comparing DNA Ethnicity Estimates” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. May 16 at the Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive. Admission is free. To attend online, get Zoom link at nsdcgs.org.
CHULA VISTA
Quilt show
The Chula Vista Quilters Guild will hold its annual Quilt Show & Vendor Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 15 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16 at Bayview Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 505 E. Naples St. There will be more than 150 quilts on display along with the Hoffman Challenge exhibit, a vendor mall, a sew and craft booth and a handcrafted boutique. Food and drinks will be sold. Entry fee is $5; parking is free. Cash and checks are accepted; vendors accept credit cards. Visit chulavistaquiltersguild.com.
CORONADO
Community art class starts
The John D. Spreckels Center is introducing a new art class, Drawing & Painting a Portrait, for ages 15 and older from 5 to 7 p.m. May 14 and May 21. The two-session intermediate workshop, led by instructor Nolan Lee, guides students through the process of creating a realistic head-and-shoulders portrait from a photograph. The center is at 1019 Seventh St. Register at coronado.ca.us/civicrec or 619-522-7343.
DEL MAR
Tees fore Tails golf fundraiser
The Rancho Coastal Humane Society will hold its Tees fore Tails golf fundraiser starting at 9 a.m. May 18 at the Del Mar Country Club, 6001 Clubhouse Drive. Highlights include 18 holes of golf, longest drive and closest to the pin contests with prizes and lunch with beverages on the course. Registration is at 8 a.m.; shotgun start, 9 a.m. Golfers will be greeted by Pet Assisted Therapy dogs and special guests at designated tee boxes. Cost is $375 at rchumanesociety.org/gva_event/golf.
EL CAJON
Finding happiness topic of talk
The Heritage of the Americas Museum hosts a presentation on ways to find greater happiness in everyday life, led by Kenneth Garett, at 2 p.m. May 16. Drawing from years of experience and travels, Garett will share ways to find purpose and positivity. Admission is $15; $10 for members. The museum is at 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive. Visit heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com.
ENCINITAS
Sidewalk plant and garden art sale
The nonprofit Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito will hold a sidewalk sale of plants from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14-15 at Rancho San Dieguito Thrift Shop, 1542 Encinitas Blvd. The sale will offer creative pots, succulents, plants cuttings, starter plants, bird feeders and handmade garden art created by the nonprofit’s volunteers. Proceeds benefit the chapter's philanthropic programs. Visit alrsd.org.
Art, Garden & Studio Tour
The 29th annual Mother's Day Weekend Art, Garden & Studio Tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9-10, hosted by the nonprofit San Dieguito Art Guild, featuring eight private homes across North County. More than 30 Guild artists will exhibit and sell their work at the venues, including artists from TERI, a nonprofit that supports people with special needs. There will be free refreshments. Profits go to community arts programs. Tickets are $40 per person. Visit sandieguitoartguild.com.
Tech Trek students recognized
The American Association of University Women Del Mar-Leucadia branch will host a presentation from 2 to 4 p.m. May 16 on "Small Organisms, Big Discoveries" led by University of San Diego biology instructor Lauren Goodell as part of the branch’s annual event to recognize seventh-grade girls from San Dieguito Union High School District chosen by the branch to attend Tech Trek virtual STEM camp or weeklong residential camp at the University of San Diego this summer. The event is at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena. There will be social time and refreshments at 2 p.m. followed by the program at 2:30 p.m. Visit delmarleucadia-ca.aauw.net.
North Coast Symphony performs
The North Coast Symphony will present Russian Reveries, a concert of romantic Russian classics, at 2:30 p.m. May 16 at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena. The program includes parts of Tchaikovsky's “Swan Lake Suite” and Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist Peter Walsh and Elegy XII by Polina Nazaykinskaya. Admission is $18; $15 for seniors, students and military; free for children 18 and younger. Visit northcoastsymphony.com.
ESCONDIDO
Spring Street Festival
The Escondido Spring Street Festival features several hundred vendors, live music, a beer and wine garden and international food from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17 along historic Grand Avenue between Escondido Boulevard and Ivy. Admission is free. Visit downtownescondido.com.
Loud as Folk songwriting concert
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation holds Loud As Folk, an evening celebrating the evolving West Coast songwriting scene, at 7 p.m. May 14 in the Museum Sculpture Court, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. The event is hosted by musician Greg Gilmore, featuring local singer-songwriters Eric Neilson, Jay Freed, Double Knot (FKA Finnegan Blue), and Buffalo Moses. Admission is $6. Visit artcenter.org/event/loud-as-folk.
JULIAN
BioBlitz hike at Mildred Falls
A BioBlitz hike at Mildred Falls is from 9 a.m. to noon May 16 at Eagle Peak Ranch, as part of River Day-Hike With a Purpose. Volunteers can join the hands-on community science adventure to explore the preserve and document its biodiversity. Using the iNaturalist app on their smartphones, volunteers identify and record local flora and fauna, contributing data that supports countywide conservation strategies. Sign up at sandiegoriver.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1223150.
LA JOLLA
Free outdoor concert
The La Jolla Music Society’s free outdoor Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert series at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., continues at 4:30 p.m. May 15 with Ali Paris, blending the Middle Eastern music with jazz and Western classical styles. Paris was featured in the Grammy-winning Spanish documentary “Entre2aguas” and Hollywood film “Noah.” No tickets are required, but RSVPs are requested. Visit theconrad.org.
Secret Garden Tour
The La Jolla Historical Society’s 27th annual Secret Garden Tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 featuring some of La Jolla’s loveliest private gardens along with displays of art and live music. The self-driving tour tickets are $65; $55 for society members. Registration starts at 9 a.m.; gardens open at 10 a.m. There are also separate Lunch and Learn tickets for $55; $45 for members. Visit lajollahistory.org/secret-garden-tour.
LA MESA
Rotary holds community service day
Four East County Rotary clubs will host a community service project from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 16, which the community can join. The project involves painting and assembling Little Free Libraries (decorated book display boxes where people can borrow books in their neighborhoods). The project will be done at La Mesa First United Methodist Church, 4690 Palm Ave. Rotary clubs of La Mesa, Santee/Lakeside and El Cajon are collaborating as part of a worldwide event that brings together 1.2 million Rotarians and countless community members for service projects. Visit epicdayofservice.org.
NORTH COUNTY
Republican women’s group hosts speakers
The North County Republican Women group will hold a breakfast meeting at 10 a.m. May 20 at LaValle Coastal Club, 5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe. The cost is $30; $25 for members. The featured speakers are Danielle Roybel, advocate for transparency in public education, and San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, candidate for San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. RSVP by May 15 at ncrwsd.org.
OCEANSIDE
Endangered Species Day at nature center
An Endangered Species Day spring open house is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 at the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center, 2022 S. Coast Highway. The free event includes live native reptiles, displays and hands-on activities, hosted by Preserve Calavera and the Buena Vista Audubon Society. Visit bvaudubon.org.
From Screwball to Spoof movie series
A free new movie series, From Screwball to Spoof, starts at 6 p.m. May 13 and runs monthly through Aug. 12 at the Oceanside Civic Center Library Community Room, 330 N. Coast Highway. The summer series showcases how movies make us laugh and discussions will be led by professor Garrett Chaffin-Quiray, who teaches cinema studies at Palomar Community College. Chaffin-Quiray will discuss the artistic and sociological character of the films after the screening. The featured film on May 13 is “Pillow Talk” (1959). Visit oceansidelibrary.org.
Free lifelong learning lectures
The LIFE learning group at MiraCosta College hosts two free lectures May 15 at the MiraCosta’s Oceanside Campus in the Board Room of Administration Building 1000, or online via Zoom. At 1 p.m., there will be a presentation on “The Mysterious Oarfish/Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection.” At 2:30 p.m., there will be a talk on “Why Psychedelics Matter.” Visit miracosta.edu/life.
RANCHO BERNARDO
Generate Hope’s program topic of talk
The Rancho Bernardo Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee hosts Keelin Washington for a presentation on locally based nonprofit Generate Hope at 1 p.m. May 12 at the Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive. Washington is a program specialist at Generate Hope, which offers a safe place for survivors of sex trafficking to heal and find housing, and trauma therapy, education and vocational support. The cost is $15, including refreshments. RSVP at 858-487-8041.
Free art demonstration at library
The North County Society of Fine Arts runs a free art demonstration from 12:30 to 2 p.m. May 12 at the Rancho Bernardo Library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. The demo will be presented by award-winning artist Susan Berkowitz, who will create a collage using found objects. Social hour and refreshments is from 11:30 a.m. to noon; general meeting from noon to 12:30 p.m., followed by the demonstration from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
RANCHO SANTA FE
Echoes of España concert
Echoes of España: A Tour Homecoming Concert will be held at 4 p.m. May 17 celebrating the return of the Village Church tour choir from a recent trip to Spain. The concert, at the church, 6225 Paseo Delicias, features American choral favorites, including Gospel selections, spirituals and classics. A freewill offering supports future choir trips. Visit villagechurch.org/echoes-of-espana.
Homeless service event
The Village Church will hold a Serve Day from 9 to 11 a.m. May 16 to assemble more than 200 care packages to help the homeless living throughout San Diego. The bags will be distributed by the San Diego Rescue Mission. Volunteers can help assemble the bags from 9 to 10 a.m. or 10 to 11 a.m. at church, 6225 Paseo Delicias. A voluntary, suggested donation of $10 helps offset the cost of supplies, which will include warm socks, flashlights, rain ponchos, hand warmers and a tuna fish snack. For questions, email gretchens@villagechurch.org.
SAN DIEGO
Balboa Park Powwow
The 38th annual Balboa Park Powwow, hosted by the San Diego American Indian Health Center, is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9-10 in Balboa Park at the corner of Park Boulevard and Presidents Way. The free community event includes cultural performances celebrating Native American heritage through music, dance and art. Native singers, drummers and dancers from throughout the Southwest will participate in Kumeyaay Bird Singing, Gourd Dancing, Inter-Tribal Dancing, and Honoring of community leaders. Highlights include local vendors and food booths with Native American dishes along with handcrafted jewelry, art, clothing and blankets. Visit sdaihc.org/powwow.
Cheese & Libation Expo
The San Diego Cheese & Libation Expo (formerly Liquid City Cheese Expo), is from 5 to 8 p.m. May 15, 2 to 5 p.m. May 16 and noon to 3 p.m. May 17 at Brick Liberty Station, with early admission for VIP tickets. The curated Wisconsin cheese collective features 10 award-winning cheesemakers with samples of artisan cheeses. Tickets, starting at $75, including tastings and beverages. Visit cheese-libation-expo.com.
Mama’s Day fundraiser
The annual Mama's Day event benefiting Mama's Kitchen is from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 16 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, 1 Park Blvd. The event includes food, live music, pop-up booths, opportunity drawings and a photo booth. The event features restaurants, chefs and culinary artists from throughout San Diego helping raise money for Mama's Kitchen's medically tailored home-delivered meal program. The nonprofit hopes to raise $158,000 to fund 31,600 meals. A cocktail reception for VIP ticket holders is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is open for general admission and food is served from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. General admission costs $200; VIP, $300. Visit mamaskitchen.org.
Women’s History Tour
A Balboa Park Women's History Tour is from 10 to 11 a.m. May 16 starting at the Bea Evenson Fountain, 1875 El Prado, in Balboa Park. The tour was developed with the Center for Women's History at the San Diego History Center, and highlights the historical and contemporary women whose vision, leadership and creativity helped shape Balboa Park into a cultural destination. Another upcoming tour is June 20. Admission is free; suggested $5 donation. Email visitor@balboapark.org or call 619-239-0512, ext. 8.
San Diego Crawfish Boil
Louisiana State University Alumni of San Diego will hold the 37th annual San Diego Crawfish Boil, bringing flavors and festivities of Louisiana to Waterfront Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 16. The event, rain or shine, features more than 22,000 pounds of fresh, live crawfish delivered from Louisiana's bayou country and cooked on-site for a Cajun feast. Highlights include live New Orleans music, starring Cowboy Mouth and Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers, along with Cajun and Creole food vendors and beer. The event is for ages 21 and older. Proceeds go to the San Diego Scholarship Fund at LSU and eight San Diego-based nonprofits. The deadline to purchase tickets, which start at $96.88, is noon May 11 at lsusandiego.org.
Gala supports Arc programs for people with disabilities
The Arc of San Diego will put on its annual gala, themed "Joie de Vivre," at 5:30 p.m. May 16 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, 333 W. Harbor Drive. Highlights include live music, dinner, dancing and entertainment along with an auction led by Clint Bell. Proceeds benefit Arc of San Diego’s programs, including day training, employment and residential living services for adults and children with disabilities. Guests are invited to dress in black-tie attire. Tickets are $300 at arc-sd.com/gala.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
App helps San Diegans find volunteer opportunities
A La Mesa native and 2020 graduate of Helix High School and UCLA developed a free app to help San Diego residents who are looking for volunteer opportunities. Users can browse and sign up for local volunteer events, connect with other community-minded people and track their service hours. Visit goodactsapp.com.
Reduced pet adoption fees
San Diego Humane Society is reducing adoption fees for adult dogs and cats (7 months and older) to $50 through May 17 as part of Bissell Pet Foundation's national "Empty the Shelters" program. San Diego Humane Society extended its adoption hours at all campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego. Walk-in adoptions are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Visit sdhumane.org/adopt.
SAN MARCOS
Computer distribution event at school
Computers 2 Kids, in partnership with San Marcos Unified School District and Cox Communications, will host a computer distribution event from 9 to 11 a.m. May 16 at San Marcos Elementary School, 1 Tiger Way. The event will offer refurbished desktop computers and laptops at reduced prices, with desktops starting at $100, along with access to low-cost home internet options for qualifying families. A $50 discount on some models is available for families receiving government assistance. Advance registration is required at qrco.de/smusd or text "Apply SMUSD" to 858-375-9108 or call 858-200-9788.
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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 6:57 PM.