So Many Events, So Little Time: April Pools Day Among the Splashes

It's a quandary kind of weekend, with a veritable cornucopia of things to do—whether you prefer music, art, civic or cultural celebrations.

Take heart, though. You might be able to split your choices for great things to do near La Mesa and beyond during from April 28 through May 4.

Several two-day fests kick off  Saturday: In San Diego, art will be feted in Little Italy, roots music in Normal Heights, and Cinco de Mayo in historic Old Town.

But the big countywide enviro cleanup on Saturday, and the Asian Cultural Festival in Point Loma on Sunday? They are one-day affairs.

So pick and choose wisely. Maybe even hit two in one day. Seriously, this weekend's a tough one, but in a cup-runneth-over-kinda way. Enjoy, dearies.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: Alvarado Channel, 8881 Fletcher Pkwy, and University Channel (meet in front of 7257 University Ave.), La Mesa, and dozens of other sites, 9 a.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: A coordinated series of events throughout the county, the ninth annual Creek to Bay Cleanup brings together thousands of volunteers from Oceanside to Imperial Beach and from the coastline to Lakeside, to restore waterways in inland and coastal areas.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: La Mesa Community Pool, 5100 Memorial Dr., La Mesa, noon Saturday.

• Why Go: The city marks May as Drowning Prevention Month by hosting April Pools Day, when entry is free for the pool. Officials will provide safety lessons, and special guests will join in. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 5500 Grossmont Center Dr, La Mesa, 2 p.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: Local author Laurel Corona visits to sign her new historical novel, Finding Emilie, about a woman who yearns to know more about her mother, a brilliant mathematician.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Mount Helix Park Amphitheater, 4901 Mount Helix Dr., La Mesa, 11 a.m. Sunday.

• Why Go: The county gets one last shot at celebrating Mother Earth at East County Earth Day. Shuttles will run from Grossmont High School, 1100 Murray Dr., El Cajon, and the San Miguel Fire Station, 10105 Vivera Dr., La Mesa, to Mt. Helix beginning at 10:45 a.m..

• Price: Free.

• Where/when:  La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr, La Mesa, 3 p.m. Sunday.

• Why Go: The East County Youth Symphony, featuring soloist Carlos Roldan on trumpet, plays a program of Arutiunian and Rimski-Korsakov.

• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT 

• Where/when: Normal Heights, Adams Avenue and 35th St., San Diego, 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: Big regional music fests have been all the rage for several years, but that hasn't stopped the Adams Avenue Roots Festival from thriving. It's one of the city's best regarded street fairs.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Old Town, Mason Street and San Juan Street, San Diego, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: Cinco de Mayo falls on a Thursday this year, so Old Town is hosting its celebration the weekend before, with music, dancing and several children's performances. Take the San Diego Trolley between Old Town and nearby Little Italy and do two fests in one day.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Little Italy, India Street and Date Street, 11 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: The neighborhood hosts ArtWalk, a place for scores of artists to mingle with the public, and show off their pieces, be they paintings, sculpture, glass or mixed media. Again: Try the trolley.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: NTC Promenade at Liberty Station, Roosevelt Road & Cushing Road, San Diego, 10 a.m. Sunday.

• Why Go: The second annual festival celebrates Asian Pacific Heritage Month, and includes martial arts and dance demonstration, cooking by local Pan-Asian chefs and children's activities.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Humphrey's By the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, 7 p.m., Monday.

• Why Go: A jazz concert to benefit Grossmont College's music scholarship fund will be held on Shelter Island. Performers include alumni Jose Molina Serrano, Tom Stillman and current Grossmont instructors. 

• Price: $18.