Where to Dance, Act, Eat, Play and Watch a Movie this Weekend

Is everyone gearing up for back to school? There’s clothes-shopping, lunch-packing, uniform-buying and supply-stocking to be done before your child’s first day back. Patch encourages you to take a break from the errand-running and slow down this weekend with some art and entertainment.

This weekend, from Aug. 26-28, Carlsbad’s best bets include an old Hollywood film at a famous ranch, salsa lessons and a free day of acting for your thespian child. If you’re ready to get out of town, Encinitas has an art walk and a beneficial fashion show, La Jolla has a concert and shark swimming and Qualcomm Stadium is hosting a Soul Food Festival.

Whatever you do this weekend, take a breather. You deserve it.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: , 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln., Carlsbad, 6 p.m. Friday.
• Why go: Take a low-back chair or blanket to Leo Carrillo Ranch for a movie under the stars. Enjoy a movie from the 40s, What’s Cookin’?, and feel free to tap your toes along to the musical. Movie snacks can be purchased, or bring or own.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 2787 State St., Carlsbad, 1-3 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: If your kid loves to act but is a little wary about taking the stage, bring them here. Kids get a chance to test the waters of the child performing group, Kids Act.
• Price: $15.

• When/where: , 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad, 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: Get a salsa dancing lesson for an hour, then heat things up with a Caribbean Latin-influenced free-for-all.
• Price: $10.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: Bliss 101, 687 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, 6-9 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Support DEMA, a high school scholarship foundation, while you enjoy a fashion show with local designers, music, art, trunk shows, food and drinks.
• Price: $10-$25.

• When/where: , 505 S Vulcan Ave., Encinitas, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: Artists will display their works along a mile stretch of Highway 101. You can Park at Civic Center Gallery and get a free shuttle ride to the main event, which will also feature art demos, live music and activities for the kids.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, after the race on Friday.
• Why go: See the Airborne Toxic Event in concert at the fairgrounds after the race.
• Price: The concert is free if you paid race admission; otherwise the cost is $20.

• When/where: , 8200 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, 8-10 a.m., Saturday.
• Why go: Take your snorkeling gear down to the shore and swim with native sharks and learn about snorkeling and the underwater world.
• Price: $25-$30.

• When/where: Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd., San Diego, noon-6 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Enjoy authentic soul food, live entertainment, raffles, prizes, games and cool drinks.
• Price: $40 in advance, $60 (cash) the day of the event.