Top 10 San Diego weekend arts picks: 'Soft Power,' West African surf culture and toy pianos

San Diego’s cultural calendar this weekend is packed with diverse arts experiences, reflecting the city’s dynamic creative community. Among the highlights is the opening of the 2026 San Diego Art Prize exhibition at the Oceanside Museum of Art, showcasing new works by local artists Danielle Dean, Ingrid Hernández, and Tatiana Ortiz-Rubio. Curated by Lara Bullock, the show delves into themes of power and resistance as expressed through various media, including video, photography, painting, and installation. The exhibit runs from September 5 through February 7, 2027, with an opening celebration on September 19 and a public art workshop inspired by the prize winners scheduled for September 6.

Textile art enthusiasts have a last chance to visit Nereida Dusten’s exhibition at the Visions Museum of Textile Art. Dusten’s work, deeply influenced by her Baja roots, explores the concept of home through recycled materials and found imagery, combining embroidery and collage to evoke the fragility and boundaries of domestic spaces. The show is open until September 5, providing a contemplative look at how physical and metaphorical lines define our sense of place.

A compelling film event takes place at The Rive Clubhouse on Thursday evening, featuring the documentary "The Rising Dawn," which chronicles the surf culture emerging in Côte d’Ivoire. Directed by Nadi Saddy, founder of Surf Côte d’Ivoire, the film traces the journey of pioneering surfer Souleymane Sidibé and the coastal community that inspires and sustains the sport. The screening includes a Q&A session with Saddy, offering insights into the intersection of sport, culture, and environment in West Africa.

Music lovers have several notable offerings, beginning with the Fools and Fables concert at the Casbah on Friday night. This event brings together a rich lineup of local folk, pop, and rock singer-songwriters, with proceeds partly benefiting the nonprofit Guitars For Schools. Later that afternoon on Saturday, the San Diego Central Library hosts the Toy Piano Festival, a rare showcase that honors the niche instrument’s unique repertoire, including compositions by John Cage. The festival invites an array of performers to celebrate this whimsical yet serious facet of contemporary music.

Jazz aficionados should mark their calendars for Saturday evening’s performance by trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos and the KSDS Jazz Orchestra at the Rady Shell. The program pays homage to the Afro-Cuban jazz legacy of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and Dizzy Gillespie, featuring classics like "A Night in Tunisia" and "Manteca." Castellanos, a prominent figure in San Diego’s jazz community, leads the ensemble through a vibrant exploration of this influential fusion genre.

The Asian American Dance Festival continues to showcase emerging and established artists with a residency showcase at the Light Box Theater on Friday. Featuring works by choreographers Hannah Joo, Forest Lee, Jess Dizon, and Vrisika Chauhan, the festival fosters collaborative mentorship and highlights the richness of Asian American and Pacific Islander dance narratives. The festival extends through October with additional performances and community events.

Literary events also contribute to the weekend’s cultural tapestry. On Thursday evening, poets Kazim Ali and Adam O. Davis engage in a conversation at The Book Catapult. Both authors have recently published new collections that grapple with themes of mortality, grief, and hope amid adversity. Their discussion promises an intimate and thought-provoking encounter with contemporary poetry.

For those drawn to theatrical spectacle, Broadway San Diego continues its run of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Civic Theatre. This long-standing blockbuster musical invites audiences into the haunting world beneath the Paris Opera House through its iconic score and storytelling. Tickets remain available through September 13.

Finally, the North Park Community Fair: Crafted by Hand offers a hands-on experience for visitors eager to engage directly with local artists. This daylong event on Saturday features interactive craft booths, a craft supply swap, and community activities, emphasizing participation and creativity in a bustling neighborhood setting.

Together, these events underscore San Diego’s thriving arts landscape, spanning visual art, film, music, dance, literature, and community engagement. The weekend offers residents and visitors alike an opportunity to experience multifaceted expressions of creativity and cultural identity.