Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe
Things to Do SEPTEMBER 26, 2014

Event: Archtoberfest San Diego

Calling all design buffs! The first-ever Archtoberfest San Diego is here, with a month’s worth of events, workshops, tours, and more centered on architecture, design, and planning and sustainability. It’s also the debut of the San Diego Design Film Festival (October 9–12), which will screen 12 films including Maker, about the current DIY maker movement […]

Event: Archtoberfest San Diego
Photography by Stephen Simpson

Calling all design buffs! The first-ever Archtoberfest San Diego is here, with a month’s worth of events, workshops, tours, and more centered on architecture, design, and planning and sustainability. It’s also the debut of the San Diego Design Film Festival (October 9–12), which will screen 12 films including Maker, about the current DIY maker movement in America, and Obey the Artist, by famed Obama poster artist Shepard Fairey. Two more highlights are the Orchids and Onions awards (October 2) and AIA Annual Design Awards (October 30). The La Jolla Lifeguard Station by RNT Architects (pictured above) was last year’s AIA Merit Award winner for a commercial project.

Event: Archtoberfest San Diego

Photography by Stephen Simpson

Subscribe to our newsletters

Select Options

By subscribing you confirm that you agree with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Music AUGUST 4, 2026

15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: August 4–9

Watch Flicks on the Bricks, sample the Taste of Imperial Ave. and explore paradise at Tiki Oasis

15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: August 4–9
Courtesy of Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

The beautiful, wide-ranging relationship between art and culture is the driving force behind several of this weekend’s standout events. Locals and tourists can explore every aspect of a tropical getaway at Tiki Oasis and tap into the kinetic energy of one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods through Hillcrest CityFest. Museum visitors can view culturally resonant art via MCASD’s closing celebration for Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys and the Chicano Block Party at California Center for the Arts Museum. Lastly, what is food if not art? And during the Taste of Imperial Ave., foodies can try the diverse culinary offerings that make Logan Heights such an engrossing destination.  

JUMP TO: Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Courtesy of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

Chef’s Dinner: The Study of Stone Fruit at MCASD

August 6

What do nectarines, apricots and cherries have in common? Two things: all are stone fruits, and each one is an element on the menu for this Thursday’s Chef’s Dinner: The Study of Stone Fruit at The Kitchen inside the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Guests will dine on seasonal fare via a five course, prix fixe meal highlighting seasonal ingredients and the delicious versatility of stone fruits. Reservations are $95 per person, with seatings from 5-8 p.m.; if no reservations are available online, join the waitlist by emailing [email protected]

700 Prospect Street, La Jolla

Taste of Imperial Ave.

August 7

Sample the shopping, culture and, most important, cuisine, that Logan Heights has to offer during the 5th annual Taste of Imperial Ave. this Friday from 4-9 p.m. Try bites from a wide range of local mainstays along Imperial Avenue (4-7:30 p.m.) and enjoy an entertainment hub at Gilliam Place (6-9 p.m.) with a beer garden, live music and a small business marketplace. Ticket options include food-only tickets ($30), food and drink tickets ($40) and a four-ticket family pack ($110). 

Imperial Avenue (19th Street to 31st Street), Logan Heights 

Turf & Surf Festival at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

August 8

This Saturday from 1-6 p.m., indulge in Brandt Beef steak and imported Maine lobster during the first-ever Turf & Surf Festival at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Festivalgoers can watch the day’s races from the Seaside Cabana, sip on libations and enjoy a meal with 1.25 pounds of steamed lobster—butter and lemon included—with watermelon, coleslaw and a dinner roll on the side. Ticket options include adult early bird admission ($43), which comes with five drink tickets and a souvenir cup, admission for ages 11-20 ($14) and the lobster feast add-on ($52). 

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar

Courtesy of Death Cab for Cutie

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend

Death Cab for Cutie at Gallagher Square

August 4

As one of the most remarkably consistent indie rock bands which emerged from the genre’s ‘90s-00s golden age, Death Cab for Cutie remains a reliable source of audial and lyrical enchantment. I Built You a Tower, released in June, is the band’s first independent release in over two decades and sees lead singer Ben Gibbard grieving his divorce with considerate self-exploration. The indie rock veterans will perform their new album this Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Gallagher Square, with synth-pop group Nation of Language as the opening act. Tickets start at $60 for this concert.

899 J Street, Downtown

Tiki Oasis

August 5-9

Live on island time throughout Tiki Oasis, the yearly mecca for fans of tiki culture and the laid-back life, returning Wednesday-Sunday to Town and Country Resort with a psychedelic theme. As is tradition, the festivities will kick off in Mission Bay Wednesday with a luau at the Catamaran Resort Hotel, before heading back to Mission Valley for mixology seminars, drink tastings, burlesque shows, concerts, a groovy art exhibition and much more. Ticket options include seminar tickets (free-$132), luau admission ($68-$175) and admission for three ($189), four ($235-$525) or all five days ($699) of the festival.

500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley

Hillcrest CityFest 

August 9 

Make the most out of a day in Hillcrest during the free Hillcrest CityFest, home to an eclectic live music lineup, local art and craft vendors and an electric After Dark dance party. The festivities will include a kid’s zone, DJ sets and a drag performance from Lydia B Kollins plus two beer gardens, cocktail bars and a new wine garden, featuring two ounce pours from Cork & Stem, Pali Wine Co. and Negociant Winery. Wine garden ticket options include a three ticket ($12), six ticket ($20) and 10 tickets + a commemorative wine glass package ($45). 

Fifth Avenue from University Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue, Hillcrest

FNGRS CRSSD x Cross Pollination Present: Lane 8 + more at Waterfront Park

August 9

Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.

Music JULY 29, 2026

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: August 2026

From concerts and festivals to theater, food, and outdoor fun, here are the San Diego events worth adding to your August calendar

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: August 2026
Photo Credit: Courtney Reed

August is San Diego at full volume. Summer crowds are still chasing sunshine, but the calendar belongs to locals who know this is when the city really shows off. One night you’re dancing under the stars, the next you’re watching thoroughbreds with a plate of oysters in hand, catching Broadway hits, wandering gallery exhibitions, or rallying on a downtown pickleball court. Whether you’re looking for live music, festivals, theater, food, or an excuse to spend as little time indoors as possible, these are the August events worth putting on your calendar.

JUMP TO: Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Courtesy of The Rady Shell

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month

August 9

On the heels of Cross Pollination II’s release, house musician Lane 8 will co-headline FNGRS CRSSD x Cross Pollination, a day of back-to-back grooves at Waterfront Park.

August 11–16

Cross coasts at the Civic Theatre for a jukebox musical rooted in family, coming of age, and blossoming talent in Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen, inspired by the 16-Grammy Award-winning singer’s NYC upbringing.

August 23

Jeff Goldblum is a classic man. In his show at The Rady Shell, Goldblum will accentuate his old-school charm with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

Photo Credit: Aaron Rumley

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month

August 1–October 10

Explore gallery walls lined with artwork juried by acclaimed artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya and chosen by the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library for its esteemed 34th Annual Juried Exhibition.

August 7

As you already know, we adore San Diego. That’s why we’re assembling the city’s crème de la crème—including over 90 curated vendors—in Liberty Station for our annual Best of San Diego Party, presented by Pechanga Resort & Casino.

August 12

Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical each specialize in bilingual music, songs overflowing with proud markers of Latinx identity. Hear the ear-tingling transmissions from their collaborative LP at Epstein Family Amphitheater.

August 16

Country music superstars, proud Georgians, and close pals Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan are doubling down on their summertime stadium tour with a boot-stomping concert at Petco Park.

August 27–September 6

The one-woman play Eleanor—told via the eloquent perspective of Eleanor Roosevelt—will make a limited return to the North Coast Repertory Theatre.

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month

Now Through September 3

For six straight Thursdays, downtown’s Fifth Avenue will shut down and become the city’s first-ever street-style pickleball event. Bring a paddle and enjoy DJs, a wellness market, and zero-proof drinks at Gaslamp Urban Pickleball.

August 8

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s newest foodie event, the buttery Turf & Surf Festival, offers a luxurious combo of land and sea, built for watching trackside with a loaded plate in hand.

August 22

For the first time since 2019, the free Chula Vista HarborFest will hit the shores of Bayside Park with a classic car expo, lucha libre showdowns, and the chance to meet a mermaid.

August 29

Celebrate the seven decades (and counting) spent upholding Point Loma’s coastal landmark during Cabrillo Under the Stars, a 21-plus fundraiser with bites, Beatles covers, and, best of all, twinkling lights.

Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.

Arts & Culture JULY 15, 2026

The North County Band You Should Be Listening to Right Now

We the Commas are mixing surf, soul, alternative rock, and sibling chemistry into one unmistakable sound

Siblings make better music. That’s the hot take, and there’s some logic and science behind it. The Bee Gees, Jackson 5, Billie Eilish and Finneas, AC/DC, Van Halen, The Allman Brothers—heck, even the Hanson brothers, why not? Beyond just a shared sense of taste and nonverbal communication developed over decades of living and evolving together, there’s a thing called “blood harmony.” The genetically similar throat cavities, vocal cords, speech patterns, and resonant bone structures all blend each unique voice into a more homophonic sound than what comes out of two non-related singers.

Those throat cavities are working wonders for emerging San Diego band We the Commas—three brothers (from oldest to youngest) Lenny, Jordon, and Cam Comma.

Raised in Vista and Carlsbad, the family opted out of cable TV (video games got a pass). Without binge-watching to fill bored hours, the trio turned to music. Guitar Hero led to GarageBand and finally to live instruments—guitars for Lenny and Cam, drum set for Jordon. In their sound, the influence of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Who, and Dave Matthews Band is obvious, and so is surf culture, specifically that laid-back chill of North County surf culture.

“We’re like the Black Beach Boys,” Cam says. (Note: Three of the five founding members of the Beach Boys were siblings—the theory gets stronger.)

Their debut EP pretty clearly lays out how they see their sound—titled SARB, an acronym for Surf Alternative R&B. That resonates in the song “Sherry,” with its easy-listening, windows-down-on-the-101 vibe. It also works in the louder, surf-punkier “Pissed Off.” Despite some advances in reducing core stereotyping tendencies, people still tend to autofill Black musicians into rap and R&B. The Comma brothers immediately circumvent that by declaring themselves out the gates.

“SARB makes it so [listeners are] open to all of the things that we want to do,” Lenny says. “From there, you can put a label on whatever you think it sounds like.”

Courtesy of We the Commas

People—and musicians further up the stream—are taking note. In 2023, they co-wrote the song “I Keep Fallin’” with Eric Cannata, guitarist for multi-platinum SoCal band Young the Giant. In early 2024, they were tapped to open the national tour of Brooklyn’s jazz-pop heroes, Sammy Rae & The Friends. Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias invited them to warm up his show at Pechanga a couple months later.

“We really believe genuinely, with our whole hearts, minds and souls, that this is going to work the way that we think it’s going to,” Cam says, grinning ear to ear.

Currently, the Commas live together in Vista, and the dream, wholeheartedly, is more alive than ever. They’ve put out two dozen singles and a trio of EPs: SARB (2020), Old School Love (2021), and Aeroplane (2024); this year alone brought the release of three new singles, including “Let Me,” a silky-smooth entry in their growing collection of love songs.

“We fully realized the magic is in all of us together,” Lenny says. “We know that this doesn’t happen without each person, and we have respect for each other because we need each other.”

As they grow as brothers and as a band, the Commas try to always remember what unified them in the first place.

“Music has always been a glue,” Jordon says.

Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.

Studio S JULY 25, 2026

These San Diego Companies Are Driving the Region’s Next Wave of Growth

This month, the 2026 San Diego Business Impact Awards recognized local businesses making an impact in clean energy, biotech, hospitality, and beyond

These San Diego Companies Are Driving the Region’s Next Wave of Growth
Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.

Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.

Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.

“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”

Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy

Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”

The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.

Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”

Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time

Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.

CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.

Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”

She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”

Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Powering San Diego’s Special Celebrations

While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.

“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”

Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”

Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business

Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.

Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.

“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.

“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”

Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.

Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Partner Content
Everything SD JULY 13, 2026

San Diego Neighborhood Guide: Rancho Santa Fe

Explore restaurants, activities, and shops within this affluent North County community

San Diego Neighborhood Guide: Rancho Santa Fe
Courtesy of the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

The inland North County community of Rancho Santa Fe is often associated with wealth. It’s one of San Diego’s most expensive residential markets and is consistently ranked one of the highest-income zip codes in California and the U.S. Rancho Santa Fe is known for its large equestrian community including riding facilities and horse trails, as well as its country club lifestyle and associated golf courses.

At the center of this luxury master-planned community is a small, walkable downtown area referred to as the “village,” with The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe acting as both a landmark and social hub. Much of the community, including the historic Inn, was designed by acclaimed architect Lilian Rice, one of California’s earliest female architects. The Spanish Colonial-style architecture she brought to the village is still one of its defining characteristics today.  

Whether you’re coming to Rancho Santa Fe for golf, horseback riding, or pampering at a resort spa, be sure to start with a short walk around the village to take in the neighborhood’s charm. Plan your next visit here with our neighborhood guide to the area’s best restaurants, things to do, and shopping.

Jump To: Restaurants | Things to Do | Shopping

Courtesy of Goli

Rancho Santa Fe Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops

The Pony Room

Families congregate at The Pony Room for elevated California ranch-style cuisine. Lamb lollipops, carne asada tacos, burgers, and weekly dinner specials are offered here, alongside an extensive collection of wine and spirits (especially tequila) and sizeable kids menus. As the signature restaurant of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, this all-day eatery is a lively centerpiece of the local social scene.

5921 Valencia Circle

Mille Fleurs

The piano bar at Mille Fleurs is the buzziest spot to be on Friday and Saturday nights in Rancho Santa Fe. French classics like escargot, lobster bisque, duck confit, and steak frites are the main dinner attractions at this local institution that has been around for more than 40 years. Spring for the four-course prix fixe menu before nabbing a coveted bar seat near the piano entertainer.

6009 Paseo Delicias

Nick & G’s Restaurant

Nick & G’s is one of the most prominent restaurants in the village, with an outdoor patio that overlooks the main thoroughfare. Enjoy modern Italian food, steaks, and seafood dishes here, including homemade pasta, pizza, wagyu beef, and oysters. Be sure to check their live music schedule and events calendar for the latest happenings.

6106 Paseo Delicias

Lilian’s

Named after renowned architect and planner Lilian Rice, Lilian’s is The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s flagship restaurant. Their upscale menus feature sustainable seafood, grass-fed meats, local produce, and even sushi rolls during dinner. Outdoor seating provides a bird’s-eye view of the village and an elegant backdrop for weekend brunch. Stop by Bing’s Bar (a nod to Bing Crosby) for craft cocktails, beer, wine, and light bites in a refined setting.

5951 Linea Del Cielo

Thyme in the Ranch

Quaint cafe and bakery Thyme in the Ranch serves a small selection of breakfast and lunch items (don’t miss the tarragon chicken salad), but is perhaps best known for its pastries and baked goods. Cakes, pies, muffins, scones, and cookies fly off the shelves here, where locals come for special occasions, parties, and group catering orders.  

16905 Avenida De Acacias

Paseo RSF

Located inside a historic building once home to Rancho Santa Fe’s original schoolhouse, Paseo RSF is one of the village’s newest dining options. The charming American bistro has pasta, salads, burgers, meat and seafood entrees, plus a thoughtfully selected California wine list and new sushi and omakase program. Kids and dogs are both welcome here.

6024 Paseo Delicias, Suite C

Rancho Roasters

Grab a quick coffee to go from this walk-up window in the same shopping center as the post office. Cinnamon roll lattes, cold brew, spiced chai, smoothies, protein bowls, and more can be found at Rancho Roasters, where they brew beans from Dark Horse Coffee.

16950 Via De Santa Fe

Goli Pizza

Casual pizzeria and martini bar Goli is a popular spot for catching the latest sports games. Order one of their unique specialty pizzas like the Casbah with hummus and veggies, build your own pizza or burger, or go with one of their hearty wraps that’s made with an extra thin version of pizza dough.

18021 Calle Ambiente, Suite 403

Cocina del Rancho

Find generous portions of Mexican food at Cocina del Rancho, run by the same owners as Carlsbad’s Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana and Village Kabob. Get classic dishes like burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, plus their specialty items including pulpo, carne asada, and fajitas with lobster tail. Don’t skip the margaritas.

16089 San Dieguito Road

Chino Farm Stand

Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.

Music JULY 8, 2026

The Old Globe Wants You to Perform on Its Stage

Local musicians can audition for a chance to play before performances of Begin Again and at a free community showcase this summer

The Old Globe Wants You to Perform on Its Stage
Courtesy of The Old Globe

If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to perform on one of San Diego’s most iconic stages, here’s your shot. The Old Globe is looking for local singers, songwriters, and musicians to take the spotlight before performances of its upcoming musical Begin Again—and the gig comes with a chance to perform on the theater’s main stage and at a new community music event, Begin Again: San Diego Sessions.

Inspired by the opening scene of Begin Again, which makes its pre-Broadway premiere at The Old Globe this fall, the open mic–style performances celebrate local talent while giving audiences a taste of San Diego’s music scene before the curtain rises.

Solo artists and duets ages 18 and older can submit video entries here through Friday, July 10. Selected performers will be notified by July 14.

The public is also invited to Begin Again: San Diego Sessions, a free event on Monday, July 20, at 7 p.m. in the Globe’s Copley Plaza. Attendees can catch performances from top contest participants while enjoying discounted drinks from the theater’s pub.

Begin Again is a story about hope and someone finding their light,” says Adena Varner, Director of Arts Engagement at The Old Globe. “The opening moment, which is what we’re excited about with this contest, is about an artist who’s unknown taking a chance at an open mic night—and then their life changes.”

“What I love about San Diego is it’s a space where hopes and dreams seem to actually be able to come true, and people get to find themselves, find their light and their voice, so I think the spirit of the show really resonates with who we are as San Diegans,” she says.

For director Lorin Latarro, the pre-show performances are a chance to weave San Diego into the production. While the musical has been developed in New York with New York–based musicians and actors, these performances create a direct connection between the show and the city’s local music community.

“One of the things Lorin is passionate about is wanting these performances to feel like San Diego, so we want them to be diverse,” Varner says. “We want these moments to look like us and all that that means… We have submissions from artists based in Tijuana, North County, and East County, so it’s geographically diverse, ethnically diverse, and we’re looking at age diversity as well.”

The Old Globe has hosted community engagement opportunities tied to past productions—including an art contest and walk-on performances—but nothing quite like this.

“We’ve also never had an open mic night on the plaza, so we’re excited, and we really want the music community to know that they’ve got a place at The Old Globe, too,” Varner says. “We’re getting in the practice of making sure our community feels connected to our shows and have an opportunity to contribute in a way that’s meaningful and impactful for them.”

Begin Again is based on the 2013 film starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, with a book by Jenna Clark Embrey and Molly Beach Murphy and music and lyrics by Pat Monahan of Train. Performances run September 6 through October 11, with opening night on September 17.

At the time of publication, The Old Globe had received nearly 100 video submissions.

Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.

Partner Content JULY 31, 2026

Blood Pressure Basics

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death in women

Blood Pressure Basics
Courtesy of Scripps Health

It’s estimated that 44% of women in the U.S. have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, but many don’t know it. The disease often has no symptoms, and when symptoms do present, they can appear similar to many other conditions. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, so it’s critical that it’s detected and treated early. And for women at risk of developing high blood pressure, prevention is key. Click here for the basics of high blood pressure and how Scripps physicians at Scripps use screenings not just as a diagnostic tool, but as part of routine preventive care.

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

Partner Content

Thousands of savvy locals already get it.

San Diego's best restaurants, experiences, and events—handpicked and delivered to your inbox weekly. You in?

Close the CTA

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA