May 16 issue: Local and regional events

Encinitas Guitar Orchestra to hold ‘Through the Ages’ concert
The Encinitas Guitar Orchestra, under the direction of Peter Pupping, invites all on a musical journey June 6 at 7:30 p.m. themed Through the Ages. This unique concert will feature a 35-member guitar ensemble performing a chronological program that spans centuries of musical history.
The evening begins in the Renaissance with works by John Dowland, followed by selections from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto and Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. The program then transitions into the Romantic and modern eras with Manuel de Falla’s La Vida Breve and Isaac Albéniz’s iconic Asturias, arranged for guitar orchestra. The journey concludes with powerful renditions of Holst’s Jupiter, Mason Williams’ Classical Gas, and Pat Metheny’s Awakening.
The event will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (925 Balour Dr., Encinitas).Suggested donation: $20. General seating – no reservations required.
Switchfoot Bro-Am to return with Benefit Party and Beach Fest
The popular Switchfoot Bro-Am is back for its 21st year, expanding its impact with the return of the Benefit Party alongside the beloved Beach Fest. This year promises an even greater opportunity to celebrate music, surfing, and community while raising crucial funds for San Diego youth beneficiaries. The Benefit Party will kick off the festivities on Thursday, June 19, followed by the free and family-friendly Beach Fest on Saturday, June 21 at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas.
Building on a legacy that has raised over $2.75 million since 2005, the Bro-Am events continue to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth through programs focused on fundamental needs, as well as music, art, and surfing. This year’s proceeds will directly benefit the 2025 beneficiaries: A Step Beyond, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Feeding San Diego, Monarch School, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, and Save The Music Foundation, according to a news more information, visit To donate or volunteer visit and
Music by The Sea concert features The Logos Trio
Music by The Sea concert series will present the The Logos Trio on Friday, May 30, 7 p.m. at Encinitas Library (540 Corinish Drive). The Logos Trio returns “with their unique blend of composers and styles, creating dynamic and emotionally resonant performances.”The Logos Trio features Harold Reeves, violin, Justin Hansen, piano, and Paul Tseng, admission tickets are $22. Student tickets are $12. Tickets at: /3eBUg
EcoFest Encinitas festival returns June 1
EcoFest Encinitas, an annual free one-day festival dedicated to inspiring eco-sustainability will be held Sunday, June 1, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Encinitas Community Park, 425 Santa Fe Dr., Encinitas. The theme of this year’s event is “Celebrate our Elements of Nature.”
EcoFest is North County’s longest-running environmental festival featuring environmental exhibits showcasing eco-friendly products, services, and practices, local businesses, interactive children’s activities, money-saving product demonstrations, tips for healthy, sustainable living, live music, organic food and drinks, guest speakers, local dignitaries, other environmental activists, a silent auction, scavenger hunt and Encinitas provides an opportunity for the community to learn how to live a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle, according to a news release.
Held in partnership with: The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, City of Encinitas, and . Sponsored by EDCO Waste and Recycling more information, visit
Coastal Roots Farm ‘Taste of the Farm’ anniversary event
Coastal Roots Farm invites the community to celebrate its 10th anniversary with “Taste of the Farm” on Sunday, May 18, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy farm-to-fork tasting stations, artisan-crafted libations, live music, and meaningful connections, all while supporting the Farm’s mission of nourishing community and caring for the planet, a news release evening will feature local chefs, curated bites, and craft drinks in a vibrant celebration of the Farm’s impact and future. Featured Culinary Partners include: Chef Christina Ng of Berry Good Food Foundation; Chef Mark Enciso of Order Fire Barbecue; Chef Tiffany Tincher of The Blooming Apron; Culinary Concepts; Fox Point Farms; Jimbo’s; Pure Project; Snake Oil Cocktail Co.; Urban Kitchen tickets and more information, visit
North Coast Symphony Presents ‘Voices of Spring’
The North Coast Symphony Orchestra presents “Voices of Spring,” a program of operatic favorites at 2:30 p.m. May 17 at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdelena. The performance features Katherine Polit (soprano), Sarah-Nicole Ruddy-Carter (mezzo soprano), Aaron Humble (tenor) and Michael Sokol (baritone), and includes selections from operas by Delibes, Saint-Saens, Donizetti, Verdi, Offenbach and Wagner. The orchestra will also premiere the orchestrated version of “A Long Trip,” a 17-minute opera by its conductor Jordan Kuspa. Admission is $18 for general, $15 for seniors, students and military, free for children 18 and younger. Visit .
Community Pet Food Bank open Saturdays
The Community Pet Food Bank at Rancho Coastal Humane Society is open from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at 389 Requeza St. The Pet Food Bank provides food and other supplies for the pets of senior citizens, low-income families, people with disabilities or terminal illnesses, veterans and members of the homeless community. The community is asked to donate pet food, other supplies or money. Visit .
High school plans reunion
The San Dieguito High School class of 1975 will have its 50-year class reunion from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch – Barn, 5704 Paseo del Norte. For more information on the Golden Reunion, and to order tickets, T-shirts and tank tops, visit .
May Death Cafe meeting
Hosted by Selena Jong of Moving Through, LLC – Death Doula ( a Death Cafe, people, often strangers, gather to eat treats, drink tea and discuss death. The objective is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. The group creates an inviting, safe space to share the heartfelt experience of diving into a topic which unites all. Free admission.
The next meeting will be held Saturday May 24, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., reoccurring every fourth Saturday of the month at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive at Meetup: The Death Network or email selenajong@.
Historic Downtown Encinitas Walking Tour
The Encinitas Historical Society offers a fun educational walking tour of downtown Encinitas on the third Saturday of every month. The tours start at the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse, located at 390 West F Street. There is plenty of free parking available. On May 17, the tour will concentrate on the south end of historic Coast Highway. Next month, on June 21, the tour will cover the north end of the Coast Encinitas Historical Society has implemented a suggested donation of $10 per person. The society is an all-volunteer organization with tax exempt status, and they accept cash, checks or credit/debit cards. Children and dogs are always free. Contact the Encinitas Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or info@ with any questions.
Cyclovia returns to Encinitas streets on May 18
Cyclovia will take over Encinitas’ South Coast Highway 101 on Sunday, May 18. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. explore a downtown Encinitas free of cars via bike on foot or other means of self-powered transportation.
Cyclovia is a partnership between the City of Encinitas Environmental Commission and Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission, with support from the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and Encinitas 101. The event is intended to support City Council’s priorities of promoting mobility, alternative modes of transportation and environmental health.
From D to J Streets, participants can ride and check out many fun educational booths and activities as well as the local shops and restaurants. The San Diego Mountain Bike Association and Sprockids SD will host a bike skills/pump track area at G Street. SANDAG will also be hosting a Bike Rodeo at H Street with certified instructors from the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition offering a skills course with stations focused on key biking techniques.
Guided nature walk at lagoon
The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation will host a free nature walk for all ages at 10 a.m. May 17 starting at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. Docent Deb Mossa will lead the 90-minute walk and will highlight the wetlands, wildlife and history of the lagoon. Bring binoculars or borrow from the Nature Center. Visit .
2025 Summer Racing Season tickets
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is set for the 2025 summer racing season, featuring world-class racing, higher stakes and purses, top trainers and jockeys, and an exciting lineup of trackside events. Del Mar’s Opening Day presented by Caesars Sportsbook – one of SoCal’s biggest parties of the year – will take place on Friday, July for Opening Day and the Summer Racing Season go on sale Friday, May 16, at 10 a.m. PST at . Racing fans planning to purchase tickets must have a SeatGeek account, which can be created for free at /#register.
Bestselling children’s book author to appear at local events
Mom’s Choice Gold Medal award winner and bestselling author Scott Feld has followed the success of his first children’s book, “Dax to the Max, Book1: Imagination,” with the publication of a sequel, called “Dax to the Max: Blah Blah Blobs vs. Power Pods.”
Feld will be appearing at local book stores on a book reading and signing tour. He will be Barnes & Noble Mira Mesa on Saturday, May 24 from 12 p.m.-2 p.m.; and Warwick’s La Jolla on Sunday, June 1 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Like the initial volume that came out in 2022, the new book promotes self-empowerment among youth readers by using themes and language to which they can relate. The main character is a fictionalized version of Feld’s son Dax. Dax attends Encinitas Country Day School, where Feld, a certified life-skills coach, helps with communications. Visit for additional information.
WILDCOAST presents 13th annual Baja Bash fundraiser
WILDCOAST, an international team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and addresses climate change through natural solutions, invites the community to celebrate their quarter-century of impact at the 13th annual Baja Bash fundraiser on June 14, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at Montbleau Estate, Solana Beach.
The evening raises vital funds to support WILDCOAST’s programs to preserve wild coastlines and wildlife in California and beyond, according to a news release. The event will feature gourmet food stations with San Diego and Baja chefs.
The highly curated epicurean affair will also feature fresh sustainable seafood, farm fresh produce, small batch tequila and mezcal, fine wines from the Russian River Valley, and craft beers. In addition, the fiesta will feature live music and many local artists in the event’s silent and live auctions. For tickets go to Learn more at .
Fiesta del Sol 2025
Fiesta del Sol, Solana Beach’s largest street fair, will be held May 31 and June 1 this year at Fletcher Cove. The event features live music, an arts & crafts fair, children’s activities, an international food court, and a beer & wine garden.
The this year’s Fiesta del Sol be held on Saturday, May 31 from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, June 1, from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. at Fletcher Cove.
The Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this free two-day arts and music festival for over 40 years as a kick off to summer in Solana Beach, according to the City of Solana Beach website. For more information, visit
Del Mar’s 2025 Summer Solstice event
Del Mar’s popular Summer Solstice will be held this year on Thursday, June 12, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar.
The Del Mar Village Association will present the event featuring delicious tastes and sips from award-winning Del Mar Village restaurants, as well as a variety of beverages, a beachside musical performance from Ben Benavente, and more.
The event helps support sustainability efforts to keep Del Mar’s beaches and downtown welcoming to all, and to support its small business community. For tickets and more information visit:
North Coast Rep presents comic mystery ‘Peril in the Alps’
North Coast Repertory Theatre is now featuring the world premiere comic mystery “Peril in the Alps” through May 25 (recently extended date).
The twin sister of Captain Hastings wife, Dulcie, has been kidnapped — and Hercule Poirot rightly expects not only extortion to follow, but murder. Using elements of Agatha Christie’s “Poirot Investigates,” Steven Dietz creates a sequel to his wildly popular Murder on the Links, taking the audience on a thrilling and dangerous trip to the snow-capped Alps, where the famed Belgian detective may finally meet his match.
Six actors bring to life dozens of eccentric characters and clever suspects in this diabolically funny comic mystery, according to a news release. North Coast Rep is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. For tickets and more information, call 858-481-1055, or visit .
Running the right AI race: U.S.-China competition in general-purpose technologies
The public lecture series , organized by the 21st Century China Center at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS), will hold a presentation Thursday, May 22, from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. at UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, Robinson Ding explores whether China or the U.S. will lead the next Industrial Revolution, which will hinge upon artificial his new book, Ding offers a different explanation of how technological revolutions affect competition among great powers, especially the U.S.-China power balance, as well as the optimal strategies for the U.S. and China to is required but the lecture is free to all. Registration link: /RiVLkFor more information on China activities, visit .
Dr. Eric Topol at Warwick’s
On Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. Warwick’s will host cardiologist and founding Director of Scripps Research Translational Institute Dr. Eric Topol, as he discusses and signs his new book, Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity. This event is free and open to the public. Reserved Seating is available when Super Agers is pre-ordered through the Warwick’s event page. Call the Book Department at (858) 454-0347 or visit for more information.