Lemon Festival, mutual aid and art activations: What to do in San Diego Aug. 14-19
Challenge injustice with events tackling Islamophobia, honoring cross-border friendship and building community resilience.
Story by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Kate Morrissey
From swapping kids’ clothing while discussing democracy and finding better ways to challenge Islamaphobia to celebrating the 54th anniversary of Friendship Park, this weekend in San Diego County is full of community-centered events.
Do you know an event we missed? To submit an event for consideration to be added to this list and our community calendar, send us the details in our online form.
Aug. 14
Daylight Launch Party: Tonight’s our official Daylight San Diego launch party! We’ll have DJs spinning vinyl records, bar drinks, snacks, opportunity drawings and a silent auction. Reserve your sliding scales up until doors open, and if you can’t make it, make a donation to help us meet our initial $50,000 fundraising goal. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center, 3925 Ohio St., San Diego, CA 92104
Aug. 15
Grooveline and Lover Girl at Night: Hosted by the 619 Gurlz on the third Friday of each month, open turntables are available from 6 to 8 p.m. as an opportunity for DJs to perform at the cafe. The night will also include Lover Girl Social, a monthly photo meet-up for women. RSVP here. 6 to 10 p.m., Mixed Grounds Coffee, 4555 30th St., San Diego, CA 92116
Here comes the neighborhood Encanto: The City of San Diego's Cultural Affairs office hosts a free artist open house in partnership with The Block Club. It will feature proposed public artworks commissioned by the city. Featured artists are Kaori Fukuyama, Roberto Salas and Christopher Lloyd Tucker. 6 to 9 p.m. 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Aug. 16
Understanding Islamophobia: Organized by the Islamic Center of San Diego and Council on American Islamic Relations, this day-long conference will cover how to challenge Islamophobia in media, policies, the workplace and classrooms. Professor Hatem Bazian will be the keynote speaker. Register online. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Islamic Center of San Diego, 7050 Eckstrom Ave., San Diego, CA, 92111
Peace Vigil for Palestine: CODEPINK San Diego, Palestine Pals and other local activism groups host a weekly peace vigil to advocate for peace in Gaza and beyond every Saturday in Ocean Beach. The group invites attendees to wear pink and bring peace-themed posters. For more information, email sandiego@codepink.org. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
Anniversary of Friendship Park: Friends of Friendship Park host a cross-border celebration at Friendship Park for its 54th anniversary. The event is free to attend at Playas de Tijuana. Those interested in volunteering for the event can email comunidad@friendshippark.org or natalia@frienshippark.org.10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 92154 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Lemon Festival: Chula Vista hosts its annual Lemon Festival in the downtown area along Third Avenue. The event includes live music, a lemon cook-off and a beer and wine garden. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 353 Third Ave., Chula Vista, CA, 91910
Attica Screening: The Party of Socialism and Liberation in San Diego is hosting a screening of "Attica," detailing the history of the Attica Uprising at a correctional facility in New York. The screening will be followed by a discussion and Q&A. 12:15 p.m. at 700 Eucalyptus Ave, Vista, CA 92084
Aug. 17Playtime, Clothing Swap & Action Zap: San Diego Families for Justice hosts an event in Civita Park for parents, caregivers and their children. The day includes a kids clothing swap, coloring pages and chalk, as well as discussions on how to take action related supporting democracy, immigrants and Gaza. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Civita Park, 7960 Civita Blvd, San Diego, CA 92108
Aug. 18
Community Combine: Starting Aug. 18, City Farmers Nursery partners with Friends of Humane Services Tijuana for its August Community Combine where people can donate supplies for pets and their caretakers in need. Aug. 18 through 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 3110 Euclid Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
Know Your Rights: The offices of Senator Steve Padilla and San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera host a virtual workshop to advise community members on their rights. The event will include live Spanish translation, and transcriptions will be available in Arabic, Dari/Farsi, Vietnamese and Somali following the workshop. Register on Zoom, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Summer Festival: Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park is offering a free, weekly organ concert each Monday until Sept. 1. This week’s performance features organ soloist Raúl Prieto Ramírez with an orchestra led by conductor Alejandro Gómez Guillén and concertmaster Jeff Thayer. Music included in the night’s program include selections from Francis Poulenc and Johann Sebastian Bach as well as an original composition by Prieto Ramírez. 7:30-9 p.m., 2125 Pan American E Rd, San Diego, CA 92101
Aug. 19
Nonviolent Direct Action Training: San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO and the University of California San Diego Labor Center is offering a free, hands-on training to learn skills to protect each other through strategic, nonviolent action. Attendees will learn how to organize against raids, disrupt deportations and protect one another. RSVP by Aug. 15. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA, 92101
