San Diego Weekend Guide: June 21-23 – Summer Breeze

What are you hungry for this San Diego weekend? We’re here to help you fill a variety of cravings, be they literal or figurative – for chili, ice cream, Asian treats, music, culture, art and more.

As it is in fact the first official weekend of summer, how apropos that three communities will launch their outdoor summer concert series:

• The city of Carlsbad brings back the free “TGIF Concerts in the Parks” at 6 p.m. Friday, continuing throughout the summer. Up this week: Pine Mountain Logs at Stagecoach Community Park.
• The free Arts District Summer Music Series at Liberty Station begins at 4 p.m. Sunday and continues every fourth Sunday through September on the North Promenade on Dewey Road. Sunday’s performer – Tulengua.
• And in La Mesa at 6 p.m. Sunday, the San Diego Concert Band kicks off the free Sundays at Six series, with six straight weekends of music at Harry Griffen Park.

The Old Globe Theatre hosts the San Diego Black Arts Festival with the San Diego Black Artist Collective. The three-day event, at the Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in Balboa Park, includes staged readings of original plays, visual arts and a showcase for solo performers. Admission costs $15. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The San Diego Scottish Highland Games open at Brengle Terrace Park in Vista at 9 a.m. Saturday. The event, through Sunday, features bagpiping, drumming, sheepdog trials and dancing. Less active types may simply slip in to the beer garden and food court – and watch for whisky tastings too. Tickets cost $20 at the gate.

How do you like your chili? The 44th annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off features chili goodness from both restaurant pros and amateur cooks – who would like to snag one of several awards – hottest chili and people’s choice among them. Head to the 5000 block of Niagara Avenue at 10 a.m. Saturday. A $25 tickets nets you all the tastings.

Chili doesn’t float your boat? How about a far East food fest? The second annual Lao Food Festival, at 11 a.m. Saturday, begins at Mira Mesa Community Park. More than 50 vendors are set for the two-day fest, along with numerous food demonstrations and live performances. Admission starts at $6.

Music fan? Split your time at these events, set for Saturday and Sunday.

• The Horizon ’24 Festival kicks off at noon Saturday at Waterfront Park. Tiesto headlines Saturday and Illenium on Sunday. Single-day admission is $104.
• The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival opens at 3:30 p.m. at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Performers include Kenny Lattimore and Spyro Gyra on Saturday and Boney James and Gregory Porter on Sunday. Admission starts at $90.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center hosts Pachanga de Frida at 5 p.m. Saturday to celebrate the birthday of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Enjoy live music, a Frida look-alike contest, food and tequila at Hillcrest’s The Center. Tickets start at $25.

The Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival continues at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Composers include Mozart, Saint-Saëns and Fauré, Head to the Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego Saturday and the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center Sunday. Tickets start at $25. There are three more performances through June 29.

The 25th annual Art in the Village begins in Carlsbad at 9 a.m. Sunday, spread over four downtown blocks of Carlsbad Village. The open-air art show includes live music on the Grand Avenue stage and solo sidewalk performers. Fan out from Grand and State streets.

Finally, cool off at the Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival in North Park at noon Sunday. More than 20 local ice cream shops will hand out samples on North Park Way between 30th Street and Granada Avenue. Tickets start at $45.