ONGOING EVENTS

‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile’
Through Oct. 12
Grossmont College Theater presents a play by Steve Martin set in 1904 Paris. Albert Einstein, a 25-year-old patent clerk, waits for his date at the Lapin Agile, a Parisian watering hole, when 23-year-old Pablo Picasso drops in to meet a recent conquest. Kept company over the course of their evening by an amusingly incontinent barfly, a gullible yet lovable bartender, a wise waitress, and a surprise visitor from beyond, the two geniuses’ conversation bounces like excited molecules and sweeps like bold brush strokes over art, science, love, existence, and the unknown. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. at the Stagehouse Theatre, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon. Tickets range $12–$15, available at bit.ly/2lZT0rB.

‘Art Telling: It All Begins with a Word’
Through Oct. 25
On view at the Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Visitor and Interpretive Center through Oct. 25 is an exhibition featuring eight award-winning San Diego artists: Pat Aiken, Joan Boyer, Sue Britt, Lynn Daniel, Vicky DeLong, Deb Gargula, Ellie Hitchcock, and Gail Woods. “Art Telling” includes works in mediums as diverse as paper, copper enamel, clay, paint, color pencil, and polymer clay. The artists express words like “calm,” “sanctuary,” or “bountiful” in dialogue with each other through their various practices. The Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center is located at 1 Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and admission is free. For more information and a list of this year’s exhibitions, visit mtrp.org/art.

Friday, Oct. 11

‘On Golden Pond’
Through Nov. 10
Lamplighters Community Theatre presents a play written by Earnest Thompson, made famous by its 1979 film adaptation. The plot focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on a lake called Golden Pond. During the year the story takes place, they are visited by daughter Chelsea with her fiancé Billy Ray and his son Billy Ray Jr. The play explores the often-turbulent relationship the young woman shared with her father growing up, and the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. at Lamplighters Community Theatre, 5915 Severin Drive. Tickets are $23 general: $20 seniors, students, active military; $18 groups of 10 or more, available at bit.ly/2kPmvMr.

Saturday, Oct. 12

Ms. Smarty Plants Goes Batty
Learn what goes boo in the night and have fun at a spooktackular Halloween-themed event held at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College, 121222 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon. Enjoy a family-friendly event with a Ms. Smarty Plants show, a trick-or-treat trail, creepy critter encounters and a costume contest. 5:30-8 p.m. $5, free for children under 3.

Sunday, Oct. 13

Vocalist Lillian Palmer
Lillian Palmer will perform a free concert Oct. 13 at the Mission Trails Church, 4880 Zion Ave. from 3-4 p.m. This is the 10th concert presented this year by Second Sunday Community Concerts. Lillian has performed at the East County Performing Arts Center, Poway Center for the Performing Arts, and the Center for Performing Arts. Escondido. She has performed at the Old Globe in Balboa Park and at the Lawrence Welk Theater. Lillian began her vocal study at the age of 15, beginning with classical music. She then moved on to musical theater and discovered her passion for American popular music. Lillian sings jazz, swing, Latin, and songs from the Great American Songbook.

A Fair Trade Event
St. Martin of Tours invites the public to “Shopping That Makes a Difference” at its Fair Trade Event. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Parish Hall, 7710 El Cajon Blvd. Shop for fair-trade gifts, home décor, clothing and jewelry from a variety of vendors. Enjoy fair-trade coffee, teas, ice cream and chocolate. Fair wages create brighter futures for families in developing countries. Call 619-466-3241 for more information.

Monday, Oct. 14

Afro Cuban & Jazz Ensemble Concert
The Grossmont College Jazz Studies presents Afro-Cuban and jazz ensembles directed by Manny Cepeda and Derek Cannon. 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Grossmont College Recital Hall Building 26, Room 220, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon. Admission: $10 general, $8 seniors/faculty, $5 students. Contact 619-644-7254.

Saturday, Oct. 19

‘Handbagged’
Through Nov. 17
The Iron Lady and The Queen would like to invite you to tea. Born six months apart, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II both ruled with a handbag over their wrist. But who had the upper hand behind closed palace doors? “Handbagged” is an award-winning West End hit comedy written by Moira Buffini and directed by Kim Strassburger. At Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N. For tickets and information, visit moxietheatre.com.

Halloween Expo
Over 25 vendors, pumpkin carving demos, special effects artists, costume contest, face painting and more will be on hand at The Dojo Café’s first ever Halloween Expo. 1-8 p.m. at The Dojo Café, 4350 El Cajon Blvd. Free.

Monday, Oct. 21

Swing Under the Stars
This scholarship fundraising event with the Gaslamp Quarter Orchestra features Grossmont College faculty, students and alumni. 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Grossmont College Quad, between Building 10 and 70, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon. Admission is $20 general, $10 for students and for patrons who bring a non-perishable food item for Gizmo’s Kitchen. For more information, contact the Grossmont College Music Department at 619-644-7254.

Friday, Oct. 25

Halloween Happening
San Carlos Preschool’s annual Halloween Happening is a fun event for children ages 3-7 and their parents. The carnival features games, food, silent auction and a cakewalk. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is free. Tickets for games and refreshments sold at the event. Money raised will go directly back into the classroom and provide the opportunity for teachers to purchase items that meet the needs of their classroom community. Tickets for food and games are available at the event. Contact Cindy Prodor at 619-464-4335 for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Pumpkin Poolooza!
Come to a floating pumpkin patch on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Children will get to dive in, pick a pumpkin, and then decorate it! The whole family will be entertained by the inflatable obstacle course, rock-climbing wall, games, prizes, goodie bags, candy and more. Plus, stay for open swim after from 1-4pm. Children 6 months-12 years: $7 for members /$10 for community. Adults ages 13 and over: $1 with paying child (Does not include pumpkin or goodie bag.) Space will be limited. Sign-up began Sept. 23 at: sd.kroccenter.org/poolooza.

Saturday, Nov. 2

Craft & Bake Sale
St. Andrews Lutheran Church and Lake Murray Community Church have joined together to present an annual Craft & Bake Sale. It will be held Nov. 2-3, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 8350 Lake Murray Blvd., San Diego, CA 92119. The crafters have been working very hard to sew, design, bake and create many new crafts to be sold at the event. All proceeds go to local and global charities. All are to join us for the fun festivities.

Sunday, Nov. 3

Artisan Festival
Temple Emanu-El will host an Artisan Festival on Nov. 3 featuring a variety of art including pottery, mosaics, jewelry, Judaica, glass, wood and more. There will a chance to win items from the artists in an opportunity drawing, as well as a silent auction. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive, 92120. Cash and checks preferred.