Get Out

Been shopping? There's something big happening Sunday. Remember?

Yes, Mother’s Day is Sunday, but in case you’ve put off heading to the mall there are lots of things you can do to show her you care. Other things are going on as well. You can enjoy a taste of Louisiana and marvel at the talents of local artists in Mount Helix and beyond from May 5 to 11.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: , 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. W, El Cajon, Friday.

• Why go: To celebrate National Public Gardens Day, coupons for free entry to local gardens, including the conservation garden, are being distributed online. Valid on May 6 only.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Prescott Promenade, West Main Street and North Magnolia Avenune, El Cajon, 6 p.m. Friday.

• Why go: Nobody wants to wait for summer to get here, and El Cajon is no different, as the city launches its Concerts on the Green series in the middle of spring. The weekly shows continue through September.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. W, El Cajon, 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The garden’s new exhibit, H2O: The Art of Conservation, opens with a reception for the featured artists. The show continues through November.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 9805 Campo Rd., Spring Valley, noon Saturday.

• Why go: Enjoy bluegrass, dance and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu demonstration at the Family Festival, which also features story and craft time.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Main Street 5, 124 E Main St., El Cajon, 5 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The gallery hosts a reception for artists whose work will be included in the exhibit The Wonderful World of Watercolors.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Jamul Haven, 13518 Jamul Dr., Jamul, 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The B&B hosts play readings the first weekend of each month. A light dinner will be served, then Causa Mortis, a medical black comedy by Jacob Appel, will be presented.

• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

THE WOMEN BEHIND TWO HBO HITS 

• Where/when: Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave.,  La Jolla, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Mysterious Galaxy, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, 5 p.m. Tuesday.

• Why go: , creator of Carrie Bradshaw and the Sex and the City books, appears at Warwick’s, while , whose series about the travails of Sookie Stackhouse spawned True Blood, comes to Mysterious Galaxy.

• Price: Free, but must purchase book for signing.

• Where/when: Spanish Landing Park, Harbor Island Drive and North Harbor Drive, San Diego, Friday through Sunday.

• Why go: Have a taste for zydeco and crawfish? Come on down for Gator By the Bay, a music fest that will feature more than 80 performances on six stages.

• Price: $25-$75.