This year, the Gaslamp Quarter Association is transforming the 400 block of Island into a pop-up public space called Night Plaza—a common space for uncommon experiences. Look for music, dance, performance art, and other intriguing shows, as San Diego’s creative artists and entertainers burst into the scene for one-of-a-kind experiences on specified Friday and Saturday eves.
The East Village’s hip urban park, Quartyard, is a perfect summer retreat for suds and grub, pop-up markets, live music under the stars, theatrical performances, movie nights, and more.
Catch scintillating shows at downtown’s San Diego Civic Theatre or the historic Balboa Theatre. Funnyman Chris Hardwicke, creative head of Nerdist Industries, takes the stage at Balboa Theatre on his FunComfortable Tour (July 10). Celtic music meets dance and electronica during The Music Box Tour with Lindsey Sterling (Aug. 10). Jackson Browne makes a stop at the San Diego Civic Center (Aug. 12), and Broadway San Diego presents Pippin, the Tony Award–winning musical (Aug. 25-30). sandiegotheatres.org
Poignant theatrical productions grace Horton Plaza’s San Diego Repertory Theater this summer, like the returning The Pianist of Willesden Lane (July 8-26) and the modern fairytale Violet (Aug. 20–Sept. 13).
San Diego’s very own immersive pop-up dinner circus, Cirko Teleskoptico, will present its first show SYMPOSIUM at Makers Quarter on July 24-25.

Culture in the City
Quartyard