Mariachi Festival at Bayside Park on Sun.
The eighth annual International Mariachi Festival returns to Chula Vista’s Bayside Park from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. The festival celebrates the San Diego area’s widespread Mexican heritage through mariachi music, ballet folklorico dancing and arts, culture and culinary happenings. The familyfriendly festival spotlights musicians from across the United States and Mexico, as well as student mariachi groups. The festival also features more than 80 local artisan vendors, nearly a dozen food booths, and an Anheuser-busch Beer Garden, as well as face painting, a caricaturist, live street art, a rock climbing wall, a Mayan Maze, petting zoo, pony rides and arts and crafts. Guests will enjoy a fashion show presented by LBM Talent Academy and appearances by Xolo Mayor and the San Diego Padres Friar. Presented by the Port of San Diego’s Tidelands Activation Program and the National City Chamber of Commerce with the city of Chula Vista. Tickets available at Mariachifest.com/tickets. Parking is $10. Free bike valet.
Richard Lederer and ‘The Joy of Names’
Best-selling author and humorist Richard Lederer, a Union-tribune columnist, explores “The Joy of Names” at 1 p.m. Saturday at the La Mesa Library. He reveals all you need to know about first names, baby names, last names, nicknames, cruel and unusual names, movie stars’ names, presidents’ names, eponymous names, names from myths, authors’ pseudonyms, and other fascinating facts about names. The library is at 8074 Allison Ave. Call (619) 469-2151.
Grossmont Symphony performs at church
The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra presents a multimedia performance of Alan Silvestri’s “‘Back to the Future’ Suite” at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd. in La Mesa. Also included in the repertoire: “Passion of Angels (Double Harp Concerto),” Marjan Mozetich, with guest harpists Isabela Mccormick and Elena Mashkovtseva; and Symphony No. 2 in F minor, Opus 9, “Antar,” Rimsky-korsakov. Tickets are $15 general; $10 for seniors and $5 students. Call (619) 670-4009.
Jazz bassist opens spring concert season
Music instructor and jazz bassist Justin Grinnell opens the Grossmont College spring semester concert season with a performance at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the recital hall, Building 26, Room 220. Tickets are $10 general, $8 seniors and $5 for students. The college is at 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon. Call (619) 644-7010.
Bird walk at El Monte County Park on Sat.
Calling all early birds and early bird watchers! Get your bird fix on Saturday at El Monte County Park in Lakeside, recognized as a birding hot spot. Join Ranger Arnold, an experienced birder, from 8-10 a.m. on an easy, two-hour walk through the park before the gates open to the public. Binoculars and cameras are encouraged. The park is at 15805 El Monte Road.
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