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San Diego's Top Weekend Arts Events: From Chamber Music To 'Jailhouse Rock'

A promotional photo of SummerFest music director, Inon Barnatan.
Marco Borggreve
A promotional photo of SummerFest music director, Inon Barnatan.
This weekend brings two high-profile music festivals, one celebrating chamber music and the other highlighting a little bit of everything. Plus relive the music … and dance moves … of Elvis Presley.

This weekend brings two high-profile music festivals, one celebrating chamber music and the other highlighting a little bit of everything. Plus relive the music … and dance moves … of Elvis Presley.

La Jolla Music Society's SummerFest 2019

Music

There are lots of changes in store for this year’s SummerFest, La Jolla Music Society’s esteemed chamber music festival.

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First, there’s the event’s new music director, Inon Barnatan. For his first year, he’s examining transformation. Concerts will explore themes of making new music from old music and interacting with other genres.

Then, of course, this year SummerFest finally has a permanent home: The Conrad. The month of concerts will feature a mix of chamber music, plus jazz nights and dance workshops.

Details: Runs Aug. 2 through 23. The Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Prices vary; find details and tickets here.

The Carlsbad Music Festival features a variety of music throughout the neighborhood streets.
Carlsbad Music Festival
The Carlsbad Music Festival features a variety of music throughout the neighborhood streets.

Carlsbad Music Festival

Music

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There’s another music festival this weekend, except this one happens mostly outdoors and brings together an eclectic lineup of artists.

The Carlsbad Music Festival is billed as "adventurous music by the beach" because you’ll see accomplished classical composers sharing the stage with rock bands, country acts, world musicians and string quartets.

Founded by Matt McBane, the lineup features his band, Build, as well as local mainstays like the Joshua White Trio, Trouble in the Wind, Dani Bell and the Tarantist and The Parker Meridien.

And new for 2019, all concerts - indoor and outdoor - are free but donations are suggested and welcome.

Details: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday; 1:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday. St. Michael's, 2775 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad. Free, $5 and $10 donation suggested; find tickets to Carlsbad Music Festival.

A 2019 photo from San Diego Musical Theatre's production of "All Shook Up."
Ken Jacques
A 2019 photo from San Diego Musical Theatre's production of "All Shook Up."

"All Shook Up"

Theater

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis is returning to the building: the Horton Grand Theatre to be exact.

San Diego Musical Theatre opens "All Shook Up," a romantic comedy loosely based on Shakepeare’s 12th Night mashed up with the songs of Elvis Presley.

Elvis doesn’t actually show up in this musical, which is about a romance between small town Natalie and the motorcycle-riding, hip-shaking Chad. But you will hear plenty of Elvis songs like "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Jailhouse Rock," set to high-energy choreography.

Details:8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., downtown. $30 to $70; find tickets to "All Shook Up."