San Diego Weekend Guide: Feb. 21-23 – Roots & Reveals

This San Diego weekend, honor the past, feel the love and get ready for two eagerly awaited debuts, one on stage, the other on the pitch.

Film fans should head to Oceanside Friday for:

• The final two days of the Oceanside International Film Festival, including surf lineups on Friday and the documentary, Foxtrot: Operation Reunification, featuring vets from Camp Pendleton, on Saturday. Screenings cost $20.
• The view, vibes and a great movie? Awesome. But the weather – you better bundle up for Oceanside’s free screening of WALL-E at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater. Bring chairs to sit near the movie screen. For pre-show fun and munchies, the evening starts with crafts, music and food vendors.

The two-day “Tribute to the Reggae Legends” fest offers up multiple artists at the WorldBeat Cultural Center beginning Friday, with Dezarie, Ninjah P, Michael Palmer and Ranking Joe on the bill. On Saturday, see Sister Nancy, Johnny Osbourne, Warrior King, Etana and more, with a focus on roots reggae. Shows start at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is at $40 for Friday-only tickets, rising to $80 for a pass on both days.

U.S. history in a musical? It worked for Hamilton, after all. The La Jolla Playhouse premiere of 3 Summers of Lincoln, which tells the story of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ friendship during the Civil War, is in previews. Loved the playhouse’s Babbitt, Diana and Memphis? The same team is behind the new production. Tickets are extremely scarce this weekend, but the show has been extended and runs through March 30.

It’s not Valentine’s anymore, but it’s all about love in two communities on Saturday:

• S&S Friendly Ranch in Nestor aims to “celebrate the powerful collaboration of Black leaders in gardening” at the free Roots of Love Community Planting. The collaboration with Blk Girls Who Garden includes the planting, a guided “movement flow,” lawn games and crafts. Reserve a spot online for the 10:30 a.m. event.
• The goal for the City Heights Multi-Cultural Festival of Love? To bring together people from differing cultural and linguistic backgrounds in “a joyful, inclusive setting.” Through the support of residents and nonprofits, the free fest offers performances, food, crafts and a fun zone. Head to Henwood Memorial Park on Fairmount Avenue at 11 a.m.

It’s been a couple years since the announcement that San Diego FC would be the region’s latest pro team. It’s finally time for the club’s inaugural match, on the road in L.A., at 4 p.m. Sunday, and you can catch it at Novo Brazil Brewing Company Mission Valley. Novo has more than 100 feet of LED video walls, along with speakers for surround sound and a CO2 blast machine to celebrate each goal. Go early – seating will be first come, first served.

Monday bonus! The Balboa Theatre continues its Silent Movie Mondays series with perhaps the most famous silent star of all – Charlie Chaplin. The triple feature includes The Adventurer, The Immigrant and Easy Street. Tickets cost $24.