FEATURED EVENTS
‘Let There Be Peace on Earth’
Through Sunday, Jan. 15
A new exhibit by gallery owner Susan Mae Hull is currently hanging at Ladybug Art Gallery (4685 Biona Drive, Kensington) with an emphasis on the need for peace. Paintings include depictions of children celebrating life, everyday pets, calligraphy quotes applicable to the theme and more. An artist’s reception will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. with Hull doing free quick sketches of animal attendees. A family holiday craft will be available to create and light refreshments will be served. Visit ladybugartstudio.com.
December Nights at Balboa Park
Dec. 2-3
The popular holiday festival will take place from 3-11 p.m. Friday and 12-11 p.m. Saturday as Balboa Park celebrates with Christmas lights, festival fun events, music, dance, food and shopping. Join 350,000 visitors who can also enjoy free admission to the park’s many museums from 5-9 p.m. Visit balboapark.org/decembernights.
South Park Winter Walkabout
Saturday, Dec. 3
South Park Business Group presents this quarterly festival to support brick-and-mortar businesses in the area. The free event will feature complimentary treats, live entertainment and special offers at various businesses. This time of year, visitors can also enjoy Luminaria – South Park’s season of lights when the streets are lined with sparkling trees through New Year’s Day. The Walkabout highlights the business district on the north end at Kalmia and 30th streets and at the south end at Beech and 30th streets. An info booth will be set up in the parking lot of California Liquor on Juniper and 30th streets. There will also be a free trolley making stops every 15 minutes at four spots around South Park. The event will take place from 6–10 p.m. Get details at southparksd.com.
Gingerbread house crafting
Thursday, Dec. 8
Kids are invited to this holiday event at Mission Hills Branch Library (925 West Washington St.). The crafting will start at 1 p.m. and kids will create their own gingerbread house. Visit facebook.com/mhlibrary.com for more information and contact the library to sign up for the event.
Uptown Democratic Club holiday party
Saturday, Dec. 10
The Uptown Democratic Club will hold its annual holiday party at Joyce Beers Community Center (3900 Vermont St., Hillcrest) from 4–10 p.m. Visit uptowndemocrats.wordpress.com.
‘Holiday on Adams Avenue’
Sunday, Dec. 11
Kensington Park (4121 Adams Ave.) will be transformed into a holiday wonderland with snow provided by Villainous Lair from 1 p.m. until it melts! There will also be an appearance by Santa Claus starting at 1 p.m., peppermint ice cream and hot cocoa by Moosie’s Ice Cream and caroling. This is a free all-ages community event. Visit adamsavenuebusiness.com.
‘Voices of Christmas’
Monday, Dec. 12
Write Out Loud will present this production at Old Town Theatre (4040 Twiggs St.) featuring short stories read aloud by professional actors along with poems and music interwoven. A pre-show reception will start at 6:15 p.m. with the readings starting at 7 p.m. Selections for this year’s event include “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote, “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and more. Tickets for the event are $20 with discounts for seniors, students and military. Visit writeoutloudsd.com.
2016 Holiday potluck dinner
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Bankers Hill Community Group, Hillcrest History Guild and their community partners will put on this annual potluck dinner at San Diego Indoor Sports Club (3030 Front St.) for the 10th year. Santa Claus will open the doors at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner starting at 6 p.m. There will be a performance by The Westminster Carolers from 7–8 p.m. UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest will provide the roasted turkeys for the meal; Scripps Mercy Hospital will provide the side dishes; Sharp Rees-Stealy is donating the dessert; and Bread & Cie is providing bread. Attendees are invited to bring their favorite dish as well. There will also be raffles for prizes including local gift certificates. Visit facebook.com/BankersHillCommunityGroup.
FilmOut presents ‘Auntie Mame’ classic
Wednesday, Dec. 14
“Life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!” That’s just one of many memorable lines uttered by Rosalind Russell in the 1958 classic film, “Auntie Mame,” which FilmOut San Diego will showcase as its holiday screening at 7 p.m. at the Hillcrest Landmark Theatre, 3965 Fifth Ave. Director Morton DaCosta’s film was nominated for six Academy Awards and noteworthy for Russell’s exquisite performance as Auntie Mame, a progressive and independent woman of the 1920s who is left to care for her young nephew when his wealthy father dies. Look for a breakout performance by Peggy Cass. Tickets are $10 at FilmOutSanDiego.com or at the door. Money raised by a raffle before each movie goes into FilmOut’s annual budget to present monthly screenings and the annual San Diego LGBT Film Festival.
RECURRING EVENTS
Select dates:
Cinema Under the Stars: Films presented at an outdoor viewing space on various nights of the week. Upcoming films:
- “Sleepless in Seattle” Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3
- “The Princess Bride” Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10
- “Love Actually” Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17
Films start at 8 p.m. $15. 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills. For more info, visit topspresents.com or call 619-295-4221.
Mondays:
North Park Toastmasters meeting: 6:30–8 p.m., weekly meeting at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3725 30th St., North Park. 619-694-9148. toastmastersclubs.org.
Open Mic Night: 7:30 p.m., the mic is open to you at Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, free. Lestats.com.
Unsung Genius: 6:30 p.m., bi-weekly trivia hosted by Rafael Gaitan starting at 7 p.m.; $2 to play; cash, bar tab and other prizes. Karaoke to follow at 9 p.m. on the big stage at The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Themerrow.com.
Tuesdays:
Curbside Bites: 5:30–8:30 p.m., gathering of gourmet food trucks at 3030 Grape St., South Park. Curbsidebites.com.
Tasty Truck Tuesdays: 6–9 p.m., Smitty’s Service Station hosts several food trucks under their well-lit shade structure, 3442 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Sdfoodtrucks.com.
Uptown Democratic Club: 6:30 p.m., Joyce Beers Community Center hosts these meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except November and December). 3900 Vermont Ave., Hillcrest. Uptowndemocrats.org.
Wednesdays:
Ikebana International meeting: 10 a.m. in the Casa Del Prado, Room #101. The San Diego chapter of this Japanese floral arrangement organization meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Email Yuko Burkett with questions at [email protected].
Storytellers of San Diego: 7–8:45 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, storytelling without notes for ages 12 and up at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.
Wednesday Night Experience: 7–8 p.m., uplifting and spiritually inspiring experiences for all, weekly at Universal Spirit Center, 3858 Front St., Hillcrest, love offering requested. Universalspiritcenter.org
Thursdays:
Uptown Sunrise Rotary Club meetings: 7 a.m., weekly meeting at Panera Bread, 1270 Cleveland Ave., Hillcrest. Sdurotary.org.
Gentle yoga for seniors: 2:30–4 p.m., presented by The Center and Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach (SAYCO) at The San Diego LGBT Center, 3909 Centre St., Hillcrest, free. Thecentersd.org.
North Park Thursday Market: 3–7 p.m., at 3000 North Park Way, between 30th Street and Granada Avenue, North Park, free. Northparkfarmersmarket.com.
Kornflower’s Open Mic: Signups at 6:30 p.m., open mic (no poetry or comedy) 7–10 p.m. Family-friendly event at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, free. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.
Liberty Toastmasters Club: 7 p.m., at Saint Paul’s Community Care Center, 328 Maple St., Bankers Hill. Libertytoastmasters.org.
Courage to Change – Al-Anon meetings: 7:15–8:15 p.m., a weekly meeting for friends and relatives of alcoholics at Christ United Presbyterian Church (in the chapel), 3025 Fir St., South Park.
2016 San Diego Film Series: 7:30 p.m., every third Thursday view a film representative of Italian cinema at the Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park. Sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com.
Kirtan Musical Meditation: 8:30 p.m., chant and sing ancient and contemporary mantras celebrating love and life at Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga, 3301 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, free – donations welcome. Pilgrimageyoga.com.
Fridays:
Memory Café: 10–11 a.m., second and fourth Fridays. Gathering place for those with memory loss, caretakers and those worried about memory problems in the Common Room at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front St., Hillcrest. At-will donation. Memoryguides.org and Firstuusandiego.org.
Square Dancing Classes: 6:30–8:30 p.m., every Friday. No previous dance experience needed. Recital Hall, 2130 Pan American Plaza. $50 for 13 classes. 858-277-7499 or circulators.sdsda.org.
Saturdays
Old Town Saturday Market: 9 a.m.–4 p.m., on Harney Street and San Diego Avenue, Old Town, free. Also held on Sundays. Oldtownsaturdaymarket.com.
Golden Hill Farmers Market: 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., on B Street between 27th and 28th streets, Golden Hill, free. Sdmarketmanager.com.
Comedy Heights: 8–10 p.m., local comedians take the stage next to Twiggs Coffeehouse at 4590 Park Blvd., University Heights, free. Comedyheights.com.
Sundays
Hillcrest Farmers Market: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., under the Hillcrest Pride Flag, Harvey Milk and Normal streets, free. Hillcrestfarmersmarket.com.
West African dance class: 5:30–7 p.m., Master dancer Djibril Camara from Guinea teaches these classes that are also a great workout for all ages and skill levels at La Vie Dance Studio, 325 W. Washington, Hillcrest. Lavie.dance.
Karaoke: 8 p.m., your chance to shine on the big stage at The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Themerrow.com.
To view local community organization meeting information online, visit: bit.ly/2esLpLR.
—Email calendar items to [email protected].