Things to do include Memorial Day ceremony, theater, concerts and more – San Diego Union-Tribune

Solana Beach celebrates Memorial Day with public ceremony

The City of Solana Beach and Solana Beach Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5431 will co-host a Memorial Day ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 25, at the La Colonia Park Veterans Honor Courtyard (715 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach).

Camp Pendleton Young Marines will be the honor guard. Nico Marcolongo will be the guest speaker, as well as  Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner and Guy McDermott, Post Commander for VFW Post 5431.

The Santa Fe Christian School Band will perform patriotic songs. A special “Feathers from Heaven” dove release by Randy Treadway will be provided by Joe and Leslie Irwin.

The Veteran’s Memorial wall, which honors the service of all Solana Beach Veterans of Foreign Wars, will be available for viewing. Docents from the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society will be on hand to conduct tours of the Historical Museum. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, call 858-720-4430.

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.

Echoes of España concert at Village Church

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 at Village Church

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.

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.

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.

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.

Presentation on Artificial Intelligence Fraud aimed at seniors

On May 26, the Del Sol Lions will host a speaker who will focus on fraud prevention and describe how artificial intelligence is being used against unsuspecting seniors. The public is invited to hear the presentation at the Del Sol Lions Club meeting on Tuesday May 26, with light refreshments at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation at 6 p.m., at La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave., Solana Beach.The speaker, Lisa Carroll, has worked in the accounting field for 30 years, is an expert witness regarding financial matters on family court, civil court, and criminal court matters. She is an affiliate member of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association and is the treasurer for the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. She also gives frequent presentations with a detective from the Carlsbad Police Department or with members of the FBI’s Elder Justice Task Force.

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.

NC Rep Variety Nights presents Memories Unleashed – Impulse 1

Experience an unforgettable evening at North Coast Repertory Theatre with Elijah Rock as he brings his newly acclaimed album Memories Unleashed – Impulse 1 to life on stage. Inspired by his father’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease, the album is both a celebration of timeless music and a deeply personal reflection on memory, love, and legacy, according to a news release.Having spent weeks in the Top 40 on the national jazz charts, Memories Unleashed is a soulful journey through The Great American Songbook, blending the elegance of classic jazz with intimate storytelling rooted in lived experience.Memories Unleashed runs June 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive Solana Beach. Call (858) 481-1055 or visit www.northcoastrep.org, to purchase tickets. Tickets are $50.

Keynote speaker at Del Mar Seacoast Republican Women Club event

The Del Mar Seacoast Republican Women Club will host keynote speaker Vice Admiral Charles W. Martoglio, Defense Dept. strategist, U.S. Navy (ret.), on May 20 at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, 1505 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Vice Admiral Martoglio is a preeminent military policy expert, still actively contributing to America’s national security, strategic planning, and global military affairs. With 40 years of Naval service, earning numerous military awards, he also currently teaches at UC San Diego.Register via www.delmarseacoastclub.com by May 15. Members: $40, Non-members: $45.

Orchids in the Wild

The annual display of Orchids in the Wild has returned to San Diego Botanic Garden for a month-long flower showcase. The exhibit takes place in the Botanic Garden’s 8,000 square-foot Dickinson Family Education Conservatory. Guests will learn about the different types of orchids and their history. The orchid exhibition also contains plants on loan from San Diego County Orchid Society and Palomar Orchid Society members. Plus, there will be workshops and an orchid marketplace on weekends. Saturday, May 2, through June 1. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. $7-$20.760-436-3036, sdbg.org

‘Beau Jest’ at North Coast Rep

“Beau Jest”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents James Sherman’s 1989 comedy about an unmarried Jewish woman trying to please her pushy parents by hiring an actor to pose as her fiance. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8  p.m. Fridays; 2  and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. and Sundays. Through May 24. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $53.50-$68.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org

North Coast Rep Spotlight Gala

All are invited to attend the celebration of North Coast Repertory Theatre’s 44th Anniversary Season on May 16, from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. The evening will begin in the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. Attendees will then transition to their grand ballroom for a seated dinner, live auction items, Artists Advocacy/Paddle Raise and a hilarious performance by Rita Rudner. At the 2026 Spotlight Gala KPBS will be recognized as San Diego’s Champion for the Arts.For tickets and more information, visit shorturl.at/t6YYv

Beatles vs. Stones Tribute Show returns to Belly Up

Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown returns to the Belly Up Tavern on Friday, June 5 at 9 p.m., delivering an unforgettable evening of music, nostalgia, and good-natured debate.This critically acclaimed production pits two of the world’s top tribute bands—Abbey Road (representing The Beatles) and Jumping Jack Flash (representing The Rolling Stones)—in a high-energy, head-to-head battle for rock supremacy.Tickets are $23 – $41 and may be purchased online at www.bellyup.com, by phone at 858-481-8140 or at the venue box office. The Belly Up is located at 143 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075. The show is 21+.

La Jolla events:

• “Purpose,” winner of a Tony Award for best play and a Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2025, comes to the La Jolla Playhouse for its West Coast through Sunday, June 7, at the Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. The show, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, tells the story of an influential Chicago family. $30-$99. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/purpose

• The La Jolla Music Society completes the lecture series “Music 101” from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, in The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. Michael Gerdes, director of orchestras at San Diego State University, will discuss “Go Your Own Way: After Sonata Form.” Free. Register at theconrad.org/events

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library hosts the art history lecture series “The Age of Baroque” with Linda Blair at 7:30 p.m. on four Thursdays beginning May 21 at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The schedule is: May 21, ” Bernini in Roma”; May 28, “Rubens in the North”; June 4, “Caravaggio”; June 11, “Velazquez in Spain.” $60 for the series for Athenaeum members, $80 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/events/blair-26-series

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys,” an exhibition consisting of more than 130 works of art and set to the soundtrack of Marvin Gaye, through Sunday, Aug. 9, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. mcasd.org/exhibitions/giants

• UC San Diego music professor Steven Schick has organized a series of public concerts on campus highlighting what he considers the most important threads of his tenure at the La Jolla university. The remaining schedule is: The Arcades Festival, Sunday, May 17, Conrad Prebys Music Center; “Sonic Explorations,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, Conrad Prebys Music Center Experimental Theater. music-web.ucsd.edu/concerts

Cha Cha Basics to be taught at Sandpipers Dance Party

Learn Cha Cha basics. Sandpipers Dance Club hosts its monthly Dance Party on Saturday, May 23, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Saint James Parish Hall, 625 South Nardo Avenue, Solana Beach. Singles, couples and families welcome. Casual attire. Partner not needed. Dance experience not needed. Refreshments served following the Dance Party. Donation $10 and free for children. The Cha Cha teachers, Bill and Beth Davenport, teach choreographed ballroom dance locally. Following the Cha Cha teach there will be alternating square and round dancing until 9 p.m. Learn more at SandpipersSquareDanceClub.org. All are welcome to enjoy this friendly, upbeat community event.

Gershwin in Vienna concert/lecture

Gershwin in Vienna, a concert/lecture will be presented by Levi Hammer, piano, on Tuesday, May 26, 7:30 p.m. at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla.Tickets are $37 members, $47 nonmembers, $13 students. Purchase tickets online at ljathenaeum.org/music-lectures or by phone at (858) 454-5872.Hammer’s solo piano album Gershwin in Vienna brings together his American roots and his current life in Europe, where he has lived for the last decade. At the Athenaeum, Hammer will play much of the album and speak about the musical parallels between Gershwin and the Viennese modernist masters. Paintings by Gershwin and Schoenberg—both accomplished painters—will accompany Hammer’s performance of their music. In addition, the composers’ California connection will be highlighted in a short film shot on Gershwin’s own tennis court in Los Angeles in the 1930s—right where their legendary tennis matches took place.

Batiquitos Lagoon to hold ‘Geocaching’ nature walk

Batiquitos Lagoon will hold a docent- led nature walk on May 16 at 10 a.m. titled “Geocaching”. Join the walk for a geocaching circuit that combines adventure and technology in a treasure hunt along the north shore trail. Bring your smart phone and a pencil. This walk is free and good for all ages six and older. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad. In case of rain, events will be canceled. For more information , visit Batiquitoslagoon.org.

Encinitas Historical Society walking tour

The Encinitas Historical Society offers monthly walking tours of downtown Encinitas on the third Saturday of every month in 2026. The tours start at 10 a.m. leaving from the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse located at 390 West “F” Street. There is plenty of free parking nearby! On May 16, the tour will concentrate on the south end of historic Coast Highway, 2nd & 3rd Streets to “K. “ On June 20, the tour cover the north end of Coastal Encinitas from “F” to Encinitas Blvd.The event includes a nominal charge of $10 per person. Minor children and dogs are always free. The Encinitas Historical Society is an all volunteer organization with tax exempt status and it accepts all forms of payment. Contact the Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or info@encinitashistoricalsociety.org with any questions.

San Diego Italian Film Festival presents Vermiglio, 2024

San Diego Italian Film Festival will feature Vermiglio, 2024 on Thursday May 28, 7 p.m. at La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas (471 S. Coast Hwy. 101).Vermiglio, Maura Delpero’s visionary film, which won the Silver Lion at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, is a singular portrait of a sprawling family, set in the small, mountainous village of Vermiglio during the waning days of WWII. It follows a series of dramatic, consequential events after the arrival of a taciturn Sicilian soldier, who hides out in town after deserting the army. There, he meets Lucia. Delpero creates a deeply personal and human tale that recalls the great neorealist movement in Italian cinema, but through Lucia’s perspective Vermiglio feels distinct and novel. Italy’s official aelection for the 2025 Academy Awards, according to a news release.Tickets $16 ($12 SDIFF members, $7 students) available online and at the box office (cash only)www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com