By Editor,Lupe Fiasco

Copyright timesofsandiego

With everything from monster truck shows to gourmet dining deals and Prince funk classics, this weekend has something to make everyone’s calendar a little more colorful. And speaking of tunes, if you’ve been humming Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” all week, El Cajon is commemorating the final day of summer with a celebration that’s perfectly timed for the season.

The world’s largest women’s surf competition and music festival returns to Oceanside Pier Friday bright and early at 8 a.m. for the 19th annual Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro. The three-day event showcases more than 600 athletes across 10 sports, from top World Surf League surfers to beach volleyball and women’s inline. The festival village is stacked with activities such as a pop-up roller rink, art and giveaways. A free music festival rounds out the weekend with 17 concerts headlined by Lupe Fiasco and Plain White T’s.

Get ready for a night of New Orleans – or Nawlins – flair as Jon Batiste takes the stage at the Rady Shell Friday at 7:30 p.m. on “The Big Money Tour,” joined by San Diego’s own Andra Day. Batiste, the five-time Grammy and Academy Award winner will bring his genre-defying sound to life, performing “Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1),” reimagining Beethoven through the blues, along with selections from his Grammy-nominated “World Music Radio.” Tickets start at $85.

Then, if you can’t stop thinking about the Prince lyrics Stephen Colbert quoted in his Emmy acceptance speech, stick around the Shell Saturday at 7:30 p.m. when Classic Albums Live brings Prince’s “Purple Rain” to life. Experience every note of the entire album, from “When Doves Cry” to “Let’s Go Crazy,” plus other Prince hits performed by top musicians. Tickets start at $54.

Step into the whimsical world of late artist James Hubbell at the Ilan-Lael Foundation, now offering docent-led tours every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. through the end of the year. Nestled on 10 acres of oak woodlands near Julian, the property showcases Hubbell’s hand-crafted living spaces, studios, gardens and galleries, blending art, architecture and nature in a truly immersive experience. Tours run about 90 minutes and cost $90 per person. Reservations are required at ilanlaelfoundation.org.

Hop aboard the MTS Green Line Saturday and Sunday for San Diego Dance Theater’s Trolley Dances, where more than 50 dancers perform site-specific works along the route. Created 27 years ago by former SDDT Artistic Director Jean Isaacs, the tours take art “to the people.” Tours begin and end at the Fashion Valley Transit Center, with free parking, running hourly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $41.80 and discounts are available for students, seniors, military and professional artists. Kids under 8 ride free with a paying adult.

If you love car-crushing action, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live returns to San Diego at Pechanga Arena Saturday and Sunday with the all-new “Glow-N-Fire” show. Cheer on fan favorites such as Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Bone Shaker and the new Skelesaurus. Attendees can also catch a special appearance by a transforming robot and stunts from the freestyle motocross team. Tickets start around $25, with pre-show party and VIP experiences available for an extra dose of adrenaline.

San Diego Restaurant Week continues through Sunday, with more than 100 establishments across the county offering chef-curated multi-course brunch, lunch and dinner menus at a great value. And fire up your appetite with West Coast Barbecue Shop’s 16th anniversary “BBQ Fest” in Chula Vista Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This free celebration includes grill demos, samples straight off the smoker (yes, even whole alligator!), live music and a raffle for a Blaze Grill. Later Saturday, you can savor more flavors at the 29th Annual “Taste of Gaslamp” Saturday, 1-4 p.m., with general admission tickets at $62 and VIP tickets at $87.

The 43rd annual Adams Avenue Street Fair takes over 10 city blocks in Normal Heights Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free, two-day festival features 75 musical acts on seven stages, carnival rides, Fern Street Circus performances, 300 exhibitors, festival foods and three beer gardens serving craft beer and cocktails.

If you’re ready to “remember the 21st night of September,” head to downtown El Cajon Sunday for the free “September to Remember” celebration from 2-8 p.m. Prescott Promenade will say goodbye to summer with music from Whitney Shay, Santana Ways and The Mighty Untouchables, plus a classic and custom car show, children’s activities, tasty bites from food trucks and goods from specialty vendors.