Mother’s Day Weekend Picks, Starting Today

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 try some chocolate, enjoy a taste of Louisiana and marvel at contemporary ballet in La Jolla and beyond from May 5 to 11.

CLOSE TO HOME

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 travails of Sookie Stackhouse spawned True Blood, comes to Mysterious Galaxy.

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

• Where/when: , 4126 Executive Dr., La Jolla, 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

• Why go: Avi Liberman and Mark Schiff perform as Dos Mensches for Cinco de Mayo. The veteran comics have been featured on top comedy shows on the big networks and Comedy Central.

• Price: $21 per couple.

• Where/when:  The Loft, , 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, 8 p.m. Thursday.

• Why go: It’s time for Spike & Mike: Sick & Twisted again. Prepare to be left gagging by the short films, but giggling too.

• Price: $4-$8.

• Where/when: , 2910 la Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla, 7 p.m. Friday.

• Why go: Gioia de Cari created her one-woman show out of frustration at former Harvard president Lawrence Summer’s comments about women in the sciences. Her anger paid off: She’s played to packed audiences throughout the country.

• Price: $5-$20.

• Where/when: , 2000 Spindrift Dr., La Jolla, 8 a.m. Monday through May 15.

• Why go: The club hosts the National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships in divisions from 50 and over up to 90 and over. Color us impressed.

• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• Where/when: Spanish Landing Park, Harbor Island Drive and N. 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.

• Where/when: , 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: Enjoy the delicacies at the garden’s Chocolate Festival, featuring music, children’s activities and oh so many gooey delights.

• Price: $6-$12.

• Where/when: Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., San Diego, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The La Jolla Music Society welcomes Complexions Contemporary Ballet for two shows.

• Price: $30-$65.