In this Issue
San Diego has a little bit of everything on tap this weekend.
Grape Day returns to Escondido with grape stomping and one of the city's oldest traditions, while the 54th Annual Barona Powwow brings a weekend of Native American dancing, drumming, food and culture to Lakeside.
There's plenty more happening around the county, including the Pacific Soul Jazz Festival, Ukrainian Festival, Passport to Diplomacy, bald and golden eagles at the Living Coast Discovery Center, and a new Greek-inspired speakeasy downtown.
We're also keeping an eye on Hurricane Marie. The storm will remain well southwest of San Diego, but large surf and possible coastal flooding are expected this weekend, along with increasing clouds and a chance of showers.
Plus, we've rounded up more than 300 live performances, karaoke nights and trivia events happening across San Diego County.
Your weekend starts here. 🤙
Let’s dive in.
Steve DeLong
Publisher
PS - This weekly update goes out to folks who registered through our Facebook promotion for local events. If these messages are no longer a fit, there’s a simple opt-out link in the footer - one tap and delivery stops right away. Thanks for giving us a look!
PPS - Happy Labor Day weekend! 🇺🇸 Hope you get a chance to enjoy the extra day!
The Events
🍇 Grape Day Festival — Sat. Sept. 5, Escondido
Roll up your pants and stomp some grapes as one of Escondido's oldest traditions returns to Grape Day Park, with live entertainment, artisan vendors, kids' activities and antique farm equipment. Noon–5 p.m.
🪶 Barona Powwow — Fri.–Sun., Lakeside
The 54th Annual Barona Powwow brings Native American dancers and drum groups together for a weekend of traditional dancing, competition, food and culture at the Barona Reservation.
🇺🇦 Ukrainian Festival — Sat. Sept. 5, Balboa Park
Celebrate Ukrainian culture with traditional food, music and dance at the House of Ukraine in Balboa Park. Food is served 11 a.m.–5 p.m., with the cultural program from 2–4 p.m.
🎷 Pacific Soul Jazz Festival — Sat.–Sun., La Jolla
Two days of jazz, soul and R&B come to UC San Diego's Epstein Family Amphitheater for the Pacific Soul Jazz Festival, with Robert Glasper Saturday and Mindi Abair and Kenny Lattimore Sunday.
It's Here: Pique's New Caffeine-Free Afternoon Energy
I quit my afternoon coffee. Not because I wanted to — because I found something better.
You know that wall you hit every day around 2–3 PM? I used to just accept it as the cost of doing anything. Another coffee, a quick spike, then the crash — and somehow I'd still feel dehydrated by dinner.
Then I tried X·E Fountain, Pique's brand-new electrolyte energy drink, and I genuinely wasn't ready for how good "no crash" could feel.
No caffeine jitters. No 4 PM slump. Just clean, steady energy that actually hydrates me instead of draining me. It's built with a premium Vitamin B Complex for natural cellular energy, Magnesium Malate + Taurate for real focus, and a full electrolyte blend that makes it feel like a treat, not a chore.
The cucumber-celery-lime flavor is so crisp and refreshing — it's basically stolen my afternoon coffee slot completely.
🌎 Passport to Diplomacy — Sun. Sept. 6, Balboa Park
Pick up a passport and travel the world without leaving San Diego at Passport to Diplomacy. Visit Balboa Park's International Cottages, meet cultural ambassadors and collect stamps along the way. 1–5 p.m.
🎵 Miranda Ramos & Friends — Fri. Sept. 4, Santee
Kick off the weekend lakeside with Miranda Ramos & Friends during the Concert Series on Deck at Santee Lakes. Music runs 5–7 p.m.
🎣 Fishing 101 — Sat. Sept. 5, Santee
New to fishing? Santee Lakes offers a beginner-friendly session with a park ranger covering the basics of catching fish at the lakes. 9–10:30 a.m. Space is limited.
🦅 Meet the Eagles — Fri. Sept. 4, Chula Vista
Meet the resident bald and golden eagles during a Living Coast Discovery Center presentation at 10:30 a.m. Stay for sharks and rays at 1:30 p.m. and sea turtles at 2:30 p.m.
🍽️ The Food
🐍 New in Town: Serpent & Stone
A new Greek-inspired restaurant and speakeasy opens downtown Friday. Serpent & Stone pairs Mediterranean dishes and mythology-inspired cocktails with a moody hidden-away setting behind Salvatore's Cucina & Lounge.
The grand opening starts Friday at 5 p.m., with small bites, fire and belly dancers, and a DJ joining the celebration.
The Upcoming
🇬🇷 Coming Up: Cardiff Greek Festival — Sept. 12–13
Get a taste of Greece on the coast when the Cardiff Greek Festival returns next weekend with traditional Greek food, live music, dancing and family activities.
🥾 Outdoor Adventure - Guajome Regional Park
Just eight miles from the coast in Oceanside, Guajome Regional Park packs a surprising variety of scenery into an easy outing. Try the 3-mile loop connecting the Nature, Summit, Upper Pond and Luiseño trails, winding through wetlands, woodlands, grasslands and two ponds that attract plenty of birdlife.
Distance: ~3 miles • Difficulty: Easy • Dogs: Leashed dogs welcome • Parking: $5
The park is open 9:30 a.m. to sunset, with restrooms and picnic areas available. With warmer temperatures expected this weekend, an earlier start is still a good idea.
The Views
A photo of the partial eclipse of the moon by my friend Tro from Thursday the 27th!
🌧️ San Diego Trivia: The Rainmaker
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🌤️ The Weather - Central San Diego
Fri 9/4
High 77° / Low 67° • ⛅ 6%
Sat 9/5
High 83° / Low 74° • ⛅ 15%
Sun 9/6
High 85° / Low 74° • ☁️ 24%
Expect a mostly dry start to the weekend, with temperatures climbing Saturday and Sunday. Coastal areas should remain more comfortable, while it will be considerably warmer inland.
🌀 Hurricane Marie: Keep an Eye on the Coast
Hurricane Marie will remain well southwest of San Diego, but we'll still feel some effects. The National Weather Service expects a large increase in surf Saturday and Sunday, with a High Surf Advisory and Coastal Flood Advisory beginning Saturday morning. Moisture from Marie will also bring more clouds and a chance of showers Saturday night into Sunday, plus a slight chance of Sunday afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains, deserts and inland valleys.
So while Marie isn't headed for San Diego, be especially careful around the beaches and coastal areas this weekend.
Follow Marie: Zoom Earth live tracker • NOAA hurricane tracker • What Marie could mean for San Diego
The Music
Friday 9/4
🎶 Live Music
Gaylord Pacific – David Shyde – Chula Vista – 5-8pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Dalton Gazette – Carmel Mountain Ranch – 5-8pm
Lodge at Torrey Pines – Johnny Martin – Torrey Pines – 5-8pm
Seasons Restaurant – Jared Fisher – Carlsbad – 5-8pm
The Crossings at Carlsbad – Lookin' For Trouble – Carlsbad – 5-8pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – 3 Car Garage – Morena – 5-8pm
Uvas Winery – Phil Marcus Trio – Poway – 5:30-8:30pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Mohavisoul – El Cajon – 6-8pm
Panama 66 – Nightshade Navarro – Balboa Park – 6-8pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Will Locken – San Marcos – 6-9pm
Bellamy's Restaurant – Dave Scott & Bobby Lanuza – Escondido – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars - Hangar 76 – Jaco Mello – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Cbar – Joe's Cafe Latin Jazz – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
CoLab Public House – Maxwell the Great – Vista – 6-9pm
Coomber Craft Wines Oceanside – Raynaldo Martine – Oceanside – 6-9pm
The list has gotten too big! To see everything click the button…
🎤 Karaoke
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Harry's Sports Bar & Grill – Harryoke Fridays – Fallbrook – 8pm-1am
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am
Wong's Dragon Room – Karaoke with DJ Javier – Rolando – 9pm-1am
Winstons OB – Karaoke w/Corey Glasper – Ocean Beach – 9:30pm-12:30am
🧠 Trivia
Dirty Birds - Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm
Saturday 9/5
🎶 Live Music
Coyote Bar & Grill – The Buckley’s – Carlsbad – 1-4:30pm
Aztec Brewery – AZTEC 15th Anniversary • MUSIC: Many Bands! – Vista – 1-10pm
Domaine Artefact – Mike Myrdal – Escondido – 2-4pm
Hungry Hawk Vineyards – Kelli Rogers – Escondido – 2-5pm
One Paseo – Kenna – Del Mar – 3-5pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – John January – Mission Bay – 3-6pm
Burtech Family Vineyards – Miss Jenn – Vista – 3-6pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Ashley Norton – Escondido – 4-6pm
Camel's Bar & Grill – TBD – Grantville – 4-7pm
Winstons OB – Angelina • ASNT • Dead Never Sleep • Stellaration – Ocean Beach – 4-7pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – Fresh Play – Pala – 4-8:30pm
The Camp Store – The Surf Birdz – Carlsbad – 4:15-6:15pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – John Bowe – San Marcos – 5-7pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Tim Atkins – Encinitas – 5-7pm
Costa Azul Winery – Will Fedak – Carlsbad – 5-7:30pm
The list has gotten too big! To see everything click the button…
🎤 Karaoke
American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke with Leslie – La Mesa – 6-9pm
Oceanside Elks Lodge 1561 – Karaoke w/ Patrick Hill – Oceanside – 6-10pm
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am
🧠 Trivia
Communion / Paradis Cafe – Sunset Trivia – Mission Hills – 6-8pm
Dirty Birds - College Area – Sunset Trivia – College Area – 8-9pm
Sunday 9/6
🎶 Live Music
The Roxy Encinitas – Sheila Sondergard – Encinitas – 1-4pm
Coyote Bar & Grill – Harmony Grove – Carlsbad – 1-4:30pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – After Hours – Pala – 1-5:30pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Boompah Live – Encinitas – 1:30-4:30pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Max the Great – Escondido – 1:30-6:30pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Victor Santana – Escondido – 2-4pm
Burtech Family Vineyards – Dalton Gazette – Vista – 2-5pm
Grand Ole BBQ – The New Brown Sugar Band – El Cajon – 2-5pm
Hungry Hawk Vineyards – John Patrick – Escondido – 2-5pm
Carruth Cellars - Hangar 76 – Al Barnes – Oceanside – 3-6pm
Club 416 – Happy Church Band – Encinitas – 3-6pm
Duke's La Jolla – Keni Yarbro – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Fast Times – The Full Circle Band – Bay Park – 3-6pm
NorthSide Tavern – Jimmy Lewis & The 2nd String Disciples – Ocean Beach – 3-6pm
The list has gotten too big! To see everything click the button…
🎤 Karaoke
American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke with TerryOke – La Mesa – 5-8pm
Casino Inn Bar and Grill – Karaoke – Alpine – 5-10pm
The Salty Frog – Karaoke – Imperial Beach – 7pm-2am
Winstons OB – OBoke Karaoke – Ocean Beach – 8-11pm
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Full Circle Saloon – Karaoke – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
1st Street Bar – Karaoke Night – Encinitas – 9pm-12am
North Bar – Karaoke – Escondido – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey's – Karaoke with DJ Harvest – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am
🧠 Trivia
Uvas Winery – Music Trivia – Poway – 5-7pm
Eastbound Bar & Grill – Trivia – Lakeside – 6:30-8:30pm
Dirty Birds - Liberty Station – Sunset Trivia – Liberty Station – 8-9pm
*Some events may require tickets, reservations, cover charges, or be full/sold out, and we sometimes estimate the end time if not provided by the venue plus typos or errors can happen but we try our best!! …
❓ San Diego History Trivia Answer
Answer: B - To fill a city reservoir
In 1915, San Diego offered self-proclaimed "Rainmaker" Charles Hatfield $10,000 to fill Morena Reservoir. He set up his secret chemical rainmaking operation, and in January 1916, the rain came. Lots of it. The resulting floods devastated parts of the county, and Hatfield was never paid.
One fascinating twist: modern NOAA records classify 1915–16 as an El Niño period. Maybe the Rainmaker was particularly good at knowing when rain was already on the way.
Help Us Grow
If the San Diego Meteor helped you plan your weekend, would you forward it to a friend or neighbor who'd enjoy it too? Word of mouth is how we grow.
And if you know about a great event, hidden gem, local restaurant, scenic hike, or story we should feature, just hit reply. Many of our best ideas come from readers just like you.
PS - a $ indicates the event has a cost. I’ll be adding this where it makes sense going forward.
San Diego Meteor is published every Friday morning by Steve DeLong. Steve is an Escondido High graduate and has lived in San Diego County since 1972.

Steve DeLong





