San Diego Weekend Guide: Aug. 1-3 – ‘Simply The Best’

The Rady Shell hosts Shaggy and a Tina Turner tribute concert this weekend. (Photo courtesy of the San Diego Symphony) San Diego’s weekend lineup is simply the best, as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll might say. Whether you’re drawn to a Tina Turner tribute, Latin American folk art, catching a Padres game, or some belly laughs, this weekend delivers. With so many activities spanning multiple days, if you miss something, you can likely catch it the next day.  “Mr. Boombastic” himself, Shaggy, brings his Mr. Symphonic Tour to the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Friday at 7:30 p.m., performing alongside the San Diego Symphony Orchestra under conductor Steven Reineke. The Grammy Award winner will present a journey through Jamaican music from mento and ska to modern dancehall, with tickets starting at $45. Then Saturday, Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren, who starred as Tina Turner in the Broadway hit “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” brings “Simply The Best: The Music of Tina Turner” to the Rady Shell at 7:30 p.m. Dancing to “Proud Mary” alone is probably worth the price of admission. Tickets start at $54.  Speaking of dancing, City Ballet of San Diego presents “Ballet Under the Stars: The Next Generation on Stage” Friday at the UC San Diego Epstein Family Amphitheater, showcasing talented emerging artists. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a pre-performance picnic followed by the ballet production outdoors at 8 p.m. While general admission is free with an RSVP, reserved seating is available for $30.  Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town hosts the Latin American Market beginning 10 a.m. Friday, showcasing handcrafted works rooted in authentic folk art. The free three-day event includes the Mata Ortiz Pottery Market, featuring an ancient style of pottery renowned for the intricacy of its hand-painted geometric and ancestral symbols. Visitors can meet master potter Jorge Quintana and witness live demonstrations by artists like Jacobo and María Ángeles, who create alebrijes, or Pedro and Diego Montaño weaving wool rugs on a traditional pedal loom.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bazaar del Mundo (@bazaardelmundo) You can also immerse yourself in creativity at the 20th Annual San Diego Foundation ArtWalk at Liberty Station’s Arts District. More than 175 artists will display paintings, photography, glass, ceramics, jewelry and sculpture alongside food, drinks and live entertainment. The event begins with a ticketed preview party Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by free public access Saturday and Sunday. The celebration highlights both local and international talent, including a special “Artes de México” showcase, and offers a KidsWalk area with interactive activities for families. Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.  The three-day Ramona Country Fair kicks off Friday with carnival rides, a cornhole competition, an off-road car show, kids’ power wheel race, dog trick competition, beer garden and plenty of eats. The fun starts at 4 p.m. at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 431 Aqua Lane, and continues at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The weekend’s musical lineup culminates with Sunday’s special Banda Night at 4 p.m. Fair admission is free but ride tickets cost $20 for 24; parking starts at $20.  If baseball is calling your name, the San Diego Padres are hosting the St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game weekend series. Friday’s matchup begins at 6:40 p.m. featuring “Party in the Park: BeerFest” and the second Mexican Heritage Night celebration. Fans can enjoy live entertainment and pregame festivities, plus $5 beer specials from local and national breweries. Saturday’s game starts at 7:10 p.m., while Sunday’s 1:10 p.m. contest includes KidsFest in Gallagher Square and post-game base running to tire out the tikes.  Need a laugh? Comedy fans have multiple opportunities to catch live stand-up performances this weekend. Tom Papa brings his Grateful Bread Tour to Humphreys Concerts By The Bay Friday at 7:30 p.m., while the Gaslamp’s American Comedy Co. features comedians Ed Bassmaster and Tony D with shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Humphreys Concerts by the bay (@humphreysshows) Close out the weekend by lacing up for Sunday’s third annual Gaslamp Run 5K/10K, supporting Feeding San Diego’s mission to end hunger. The race starts at 8 a.m. from 199 Fifth Avenue. Participants earn a custom race shirt, finisher medal and one free beer (for the 21+ crowd) at the post-race celebration. You also can show support by making funny race signs, such as: “If Britney Spears can survive 2007, you can survive 6.2 miles.”