Opening Day for the Padres and More Upcoming Events

Spring has officially sprung, but for many people it's not really official until the first pitch on Opening Day. That happens Tuesday when the San Diego Padres face the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park, and the community will celebrate with a day-long festival leading up to game time. 

If sports isn't your bag, the arts might be, and local girl Stephanie Weiss does good this week, making her debut at the San Diego Opera in Der Rosenkavalier. Those are just two of your choices for fun, artsy and sporty things to do in Carlsbad and beyond, from March 31-April 5.

Other events include a mythical space adventure touching down nearby, a major rowing competition in Mission Bay and a flurry of dance performances.

Click the links for more details.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: Legoland, 1 Legoland Dr., Carlsbad, Thursday.

• Why Go: The park's new Star Wars Mini-land opens, complete with replicas of famous scenes and characters from the ageless saga.

• Price: $59-69.

• Where/when: Carlsbad Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: See and purchase the work of local artisans while sampling locally grown delights.

• Price: $5-$10.

• Where/when: MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Dr., Oceanside, 9 a.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: Performers in the college's dance program show off their moves to entertain and expose potential students to the curricula. 

• Price: $20-$30; pre-registered high school students, free.

RUNNERS OF ALL AGES

• Where/when: Carlsbad Village Drive and Roosevelt Street, 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: The city's popular youth run, , and adult race, , take place on Saturday and Sunday respectively, along with a health expo and other attractions.

• Price: Varies; entry to some races closed, but expo and other events available.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• Where/when: UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, Thursday through Saturday.

• Why Go: An array of dance companies share billing as part of Wonderland, a celebration of contemporary dance. On-campus sites and community venues, including the East Village.

• Price: $10-$20.

• Where/when: Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, Thursday through Sunday.

• Why Go: Cirque du Soleil brings one of its nearly two dozen rotating shows to the former Sports Arena. Quidam unfurls as the dream of a misunderstood youngster.

• Price: $40-$110.

• Where/when: Crown Point in Mission Bay, San Diego, Friday through Sunday.

• Why Go: The San Diego Crew Classic drops anchor at Crown Point for three days, with music and other diversions provided for spectators, in addition to the races.

• Price: $5-$10; Friday is the free preview day.

• Where/when: Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: Five local children and teens stood out in the California Young Playwrights Contest. Now their works will be performed, through April 10. Ben Kelly, 18, of Carlsbad, and Kira Nolan, 11, of Encinitas, are two of the winners.

• Price: $9-$20; $50 on opening night.

• Where/when: University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, 10 a.m. Sunday.

• Why Go: To tryout for the San Diego Chargers cheerleading team, so you can perform at Qualcomm Stadium and travel around the country. Meet at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on campus. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1200 Third Ave., San Diego, 2 p.m., Sunday.

• Why Go: To see the opening of Der Rosenkavalier, Strauss' epic tale of love and loss; soprano Stephanie Weiss, who attended La Jolla Country Day School, debuts with the San Diego Opera in the supporting role of Marianne.

• Price: $35-$195.

• Where/when: Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, Tuesday.

• Why Go: Make a day of baseball. The Padres kick off the 2011 season with a 3:35 p.m. game and the East Village community celebrates by holding a street fair starting at 11:30 a.m. 

• Price: Game, $5-$71, with limited availability; street fair, free.