Get Out: Is It Summer Yet?

Been shopping? There's something big happening Sunday. Remember?

Yes, Mother’s Day is Sunday, but in case you’ve put off heading to the mall there are lots of things you can do to show her you care. Other things are going on as well. You can enjoy a taste of Louisiana and marvel at the talents of local artists in Santee and beyond from May 5 to 11.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: Prescott Promenade, West Main Street and North Magnolia Avenune, El Cajon, 6 p.m. Friday.

• Why go: Nobody wants to wait for summer to get here, and El Cajon is no different, as the city launches its “Concerts on the Green” series in the middle of spring. The weekly shows continue through September.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Walker River Park, Mast Blvd & Marathon Pkwy, Lakeside, 8 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: Lakeside River Park Conservancy hosts a 5K Trail Run/Walk to support restoration of the San Diego River. Bring your dogs, but keep 'em leashed. Registration closes May 6.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr W, El Cajon, 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The garden's new exhibit, “H2O: The Art of Conservation” opens with a reception for the featured artists. The show continues through November.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , Riverwalk Dr & Cuyamaca St, Santee, noon, Saturday.

• Why go: The Santee girls' softball league ends their season with a festival featuring games, a fair and prizes, including the big one – sitting in a luxury box at Petco Park. Half the proceeds will go to the March of Dimes.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 9349 Mission Gorge Rd, Santee, 1 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: We haven't even hit summer yet, so if you're missing football, it's hard times. Ease your burden by stopping by the grand opening of the store, where Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is set to appear.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 9310 Fanita Pky, Santee, 5 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The Santee-Lakeside Rotary Club Foundation hosts “Symphony at the Lakes,” an evening featuring ’s band & choir and s orchestra. 

• Price: $40.

• Where/when: Main Street 5, 124 E Main St, El Cajon, 5 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The gallery hosts a reception for artists whose work will be included in the exhbit “The Wonderful World of Watercolors.”

• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

THE WOMEN BEHIND TWO HBO HITS 

• Where/when: Warwick's, 7812 Girard Ave,  La Jolla, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Mysterious Galaxy, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, 5 p.m. Tuesday.

• Why go: , creator of Carrie Bradshaw and the Sex and the City books, appears at Warwick's, while , whose series about the trevails of Sookie Stackhouse spawned True Blood, comes to Mysterious Galaxy.

• Price: Free, but must purchase book for signing.

• Where/when: Spanish Landing Park, Harbor Island Drive and North Harbor Drive, San Diego, Friday through Sunday.

• Why go: Have a taste for zydeco and crawfish? Come on down for Gator By the Bay, a music fest that will feature more than 80 performances on six stages.

• Price: $25-$75.