Weekend Preview: Best Events 3/1-4

From the grand opening of downtown’s newest comedy club to a restaurant design exhibition, a two-day wine festival and a luxury bridal showcase, discover this week’s best San Diego events.

The Kooks at the House of Blues – Wednesday, Feb. 29

Luke Pritchard, Hugh Harris, Paul Garred, and Peter Denton comprise the upbeat indie rock band known and loved as The Kooks. Stopping by as part of their global tour, The Kooks will perform live at the House of Blues in promotion of their newest album, Junk of the Heart. They’re showing off the best of their third album and getting the audience pumped up off their gutsy British sounds. Doors will open at 7pm and tickets can be purchased in advance starting at $35. Get details here. (pictured)

Industry Appreciation Party at Side Bar – Wednesday, Feb. 29

Side Bar shares some love with the industry people that keep the party alive. In appreciation of all the work that goes into pulling off a top-notch nightlife experience, Side Bar presents the Industry Appreciation Party. All RMD industry card holders can indulge in a hosted bar, along with industry drink specials. Guest bartenders from the Andaz Hotel will be fillin’ up drinks and DJ Scooter will be rockin’ the beats. Get details here.

AIGA Idea Series: Restaurant Design at The Neuroscience Institute – Thursday, March 1

Three of San Diego’s top restaurant designers share a glimpse of their current projects in this exclusive evening of design. Join Michael Soriano from Onairos Design, Paul Basile of Basile Studio and Barbara Rourke from Bells & Whistles. This 21 and up event includes drinks and appetizers from Next Generation Wines and The Smoking Goat Restaurant (pictured), along with samples from Restaurant at the Pearl, Analog, Raglan Public House, Starlite, and Vin De Syrah. It’s a chic opportunity to explore the connections between design, branding, food and cocktails. Get details here. 

Bobby Lee at The American Comedy Co. – Thursday, March 1

San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter welcomes in a new and first-of-its-kind stand-up comedy club, The American Comedy Co. Lighting up the scene and bringing in A-list comedic performances with high-quality entertainment, they’re starting off big with national headlining comedian Bobby Lee. While you might recognize Lee as a regular on MADtv, he’s also a San Diego local continuing a long career of making the comedy rounds. Lee has performed on "Late Friday," "Premium Blend" and "The Tonight Show." The show starts at 8pm. Get details here.

First Friday Films: Dead Man at San Diego Museum of Art – Friday, March 2

The San Diego Museum of Art’s First Friday Film series continues this week with the showing of Dead Man. This 1995 black-and-white postmodern Western film starring Johnny Depp, Crispin Glover, and Gary Famer follows the story of accountant William Blake on the run after murdering a man. His journey leads him to the encounter of an Indian named “Nobody” who introduces him to the spiritual world. Attendees will also view the black-and-white photograph exhibition Walk from the Sun: Photographs of Southern California by scott b. davis. The artist will present a talk about his work and its relation to the film. Get details here.

Bravo! Balanchine at Spreckels Theatre – March 2-4

The City Ballet of San Diego takes on three of the legendary choreographer George Balanchine’s works through three days of performances. This all-Balanchine program features some of his greatest pieces including “Who Cares?,” “Agon,” and "Donizetti Variations.” Audiences can further gain a better appreciation for Balanchine’s art and the City Ballet’s endeavor with an informative lecture prior to each performance. This revitalizing performance runs for two hours and 30 minutes. Get details here.

World of Wine Weekend in Temecula Valley – March 3-4

Get swept away in a World of Wine March 3rd and 4th as various wineries throughout Temecula Valley open up their cellar doors in a unique barrel tasting affair. Once settled into the splendor of wine country, guests of WoW will be handed a map of romantic Temecula Valley and a passport that indicates the participating wineries and their exclusive offers. Wandering through a self-guided wine country tour to 30 wineries, adventurers will be offered varietal wines from the barrel, the tank, or the bottle. In addition, each of the wines will be paired with complementary food samplings. Get details here.

Love Etc. Wedding Showcase at The US Grant – Sunday, March 4

The US Grant Hotel presents Love, Etc., a luxury wedding showcase set to span three floors with over 60 of Southern California’s premier wedding vendors. From the fashion designers and stylists to florists, cake creators, photographers and entertainers, all resources will be presented to swoon over and deliberate every last wedding detail. Enjoy browsing through this season’s must-have wedding gowns, top jewelry trends from Tiffany & Co., and a special designer “Shoe Bar” from Neiman Marcus. Get details here.

Insider’s Tip: Get your grub on with a deal that only comes around every four years. When you check in to Slaters 50/50 on Leap Day (Wednesday, Feb 29), you’ll get an extra patty on your burger! Click here for more event details.

More Top San Diego Parties & Events:

Craft Beer Dinner Series at The Lodge at Torrey Pines - Feb. 29

EDM ft. Wippenberg at FLUXX – March 1

Saved by the Booze at McFadden’s – March 1

LED Presents LA Riots at Voyeur – March 2

Churchill's Renaissance at Churchill's Pub - March 3

Turista Libre Brewery Tour in Tijuana - March 3

New Rock N' Roll Brunch at Burlap - March 4

Unsigned Sunday LIVE at House of Blues - March 4

Rolling Blackout Sunday at F6ix – March 4

Discover more entertainment ideas in our San Diego events calendar