San Diego Weekend Guide: July 7-9 – Rhythm & Rolling

You maybe had a couple days off this week. Fireworks are great, but how about a cosmic celebration with some reggae and alt/indie rock to follow, topped by rolling and bouncing through downtown with like-minded skaters? It’s all on this San Diego weekend.

Originating from Chinese folklore, the Tanabata Festival marks the meeting of stars Orihime and Hikoboshi, which happens once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. This year’s festival, starting at 10 a.m. Friday at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, offers kid-friendly fun, from games and dance to crafts and food. There also will be seven types of decorations in the garden to fit the day’s theme. General admission costs $14, and kids under 6 are free.

Blindspot Collective and the Coronado Playhouse have joined to create Underground, a new musical inspired by the work of singer-songwriter Ben Folds. The co-production aims to transform the theater into a dive bar for “a joyful exploration of community, empathy and resilience.” The show, workshopped in San Diego and New York City, was expanded for its world premiere, with a new book by Blindspot Collective co-founder Blake McCarty. The show opens in Coronado at 8 p.m. Friday and continues this weekend with evening and matinee performances. Tickets range from $24-30.

ArtWalk San Diego brings back its Summer Series, expanding this year to Liberty Station. The smaller-scale art show takes place at the venue’s Arts District at 3 p.m. Friday in the North Promenade. The Summer Series continues in Little Italy at 11 a.m. July 23.

San Diego Bayfest at Waterfront Park includes headliner Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and performers Kahlil Nash, Denm, Prof, Koffee and Common Kings. Eat up at food stands featuring local vendors, who also will serve craft cocktails. General admission costs $75. Gates open at noon Saturday.

She Fest 2023 kicks off the packed week of events leading up to the San Diego Pride parade, putting the spotlight on LGBTQ women, non-binary people and those who support the community. Meet at the Hillcrest Flagpole at Normal Street and University Avenue at noon Saturday for the free fest.

Viva la Frida, a free festival on Logan Avenue off 26th Street in Barrio Logan, celebrates all things Frida Kahlo on Saturday. Why? It’s two days after the 112th anniversary of the famed artist’s birth. There will be themed art shows, live art, painting classes, flower crown workshops, Loteria and a Frida Kahlo look-a-like contest. The fun starts at noon.

Roll on over to Skate Sundays, which turn the Gaslamp Quarter into a free street rink for three hours each weekend though Sept. 3. Head to Fifth and Island avenues at 5 p.m. for the themed events. Which decade is up this week? The ’00s.