Padres at Petco, Star Wars Miniland, and a Tribute to the Piano Men

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 Lemon Grove and beyond, from March 31-April 6.

Other events include a mythical space adventure touching down nearby, a major rowing competition in Mission Bay and, just in time for the weekend warm spell, street fairs in La Mesa and Spring Valley.

Click the links for more details.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: Boys and Girls Club, 7775 Jr. High Dr., La Mesa, 9 a.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: Keep your kids active on a weekend day while helping them learn at “Fun with Physics,” where there will be interactive experiments and games, such as balloon bottle rockets, bubbles, glue balls, periodic table bingo, sink or float and more.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Bancroft Community School, 8805 Tyler St., Spring Valley, 11 a.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: To join in the school's Spring Carnival, where there will be rides, food and entertainment. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Exalt Motorsports, 910 El Cajon Blvd, El Cajon, noon Saturday.

• Why Go: The engine light goes on, a tire blows, the engine's making that peculiar clunking noise again. What do to? The Savvy Women's Basic Maintenance Car Clinic aims to give you the tools to figure it out without an expensive mechanic's bill. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 6845 University Ave, San Diego, Wednesday and Thursday.

• Why Go: Performer John Witter pays tribute to singers/songwriters Billy Joel and Elton John in “The Piano Men,” a concert that blends music and video presentations. 

• Price: $25.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

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

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

• Price: $59-69.

• 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; a play by Kelsey Bavencoff, a recent graduate of West Hills High in Santee, will be among them.

• 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, which could allow you to 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.