Featured events 

‘Ithamar Has Nothing to Say’ performance and master class
Saturday, Jan. 16 and Sunday, Jan. 17

This one-night only performance by Ithamar Enriquez will be held at Finest City Improv (4250 Louisiana St., North Park) from 8 – 9 p.m. Jan. 16. This unique performance by the comedian described as “the Charlie Chaplin 21st century” will be an entirely wordless show of silent improv.

The following day on Jan. 17, Enriquez will host a “master class” for improv and comedy professionals from noon – 3 p.m. Tickets to the show are $15; the Sunday workshop is $40. Visit finestcityimprov.com for more information and tickets.

Author Gabriel Ramirez book signing
Saturday, Jan. 16

San Diego resident Gabriel Ramirez will be signing copies of his book “12 Red Roses” from 10 a.m. – noon at Industrial Grind Coffee (3922 Park Blvd., Hillcrest). The novel is described as a “dark romance” centered on the love story of an angel and a mortal. Visit gabrielramirez12redroses.tateauthor.com for more information.

Martin Luther King Jr. weekend of commemoration
Saturday, Jan. 16; Sunday, Jan. 17; and Monday, Jan. 18

The opening program of this weekend will be a free screening of the film “12 Years a Slave” on Jan. 16 in the Friendship Hall at United Church of Christ of La Mesa (5940 Kelton Ave.) from 1:30 – 4 p.m. Discussion of the film’s message will follow. For more information, visit TableUCC.com or call 619-464-1519.

On Jan. 17 a free fellowship gathering with “small plate supper” will be held at the Christian Fellowship UCC (1601 Kelton Road, Emerald Hills) at 4 p.m. with entertainment by the Gospel Jazz Vespers at 5 p.m. For more information call 619-262-8095 or email [email protected].

A breakfast on Jan. 18 with featured speaker the Rev. Richard Lawrence, a Selma walk participant, will be held at 7 a.m. at Jacobs Center (404 Euclid Ave., Lincoln Park). There is a $50 fee for this event. Visit JacobsCenter.org for more information.

The final event of the weekend on Jan. 18 will be the MLK Jr. Day of Interfaith Community Service from 9 a.m. – noon in Balboa Park. The opening interfaith ceremony will be at 9:15 a.m. at Marston House (3525 Seventh Ave.), followed by a cleanup and beautification of the Marston House grounds at 9:30 a.m. and musical entertainment and picnic lunch at 11:30 a.m. Visit CBISD.org/event/mlk for more information.

Live music: Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band with Elephant Revival
Monday, Jan. 18

Americana music mainstay Josh Ritter and his band the Royal City Band will headline at the Observatory North Park (2891 University Ave.) Ritter recently released his eighth album, “Sermon on the Rocks;” each ticket to this show comes with a digital download of the album. Folk rockers Elephant Revival will open the show. Tickets are $25 and the show is 18 and up. Visit observatorysd.com for tickets and details.

Jai Rodriguez performance
Thursday, Jan. 21

Jai Rodriguez presents his new show, “Tales of An Aging Twink,” at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Martinis Above Fourth (3940 Fourth Ave., Second Floor) in Hillcrest. He calls this show “the R-rated GLEE version of his life.” Rodriguez, best known for his role as the culture guide on Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” is also a Broadway singer/actor and TV/movie performer. Tickets are $20-$25 at martinisabovefourth.com.

Mission Hills Library events
Saturday, Jan. 23 and Wednesday, Jan. 27

The Friends of the Mission Hills Branch Library will host a book sale from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to support the library on Jan. 23. On Jan. 27 the Mission Hills Book Group will meet from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. to discuss “Paris Deadline” by Max Byrd. New members are always welcome to attend and participate. Please read the book beforehand. Books are available at the Circulation Desk while supplies last. Visit library92103.org for more info.

Hillcrest Business Association
Thursday, Jan. 28

Hillcrest Business Association will present its quarterly Open House & Mixer from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Vom Fass Hillcrest in the Hillcrest HUB shopping center. Open to HBA members. RSVP to [email protected].

RECURRING EVENTS

Select dates:

Canyoneers guided nature walks: These free walks are part of a countywide program by the San Diego Natural History Museum through June 26, 2016. A map and schedule of walks can be found online at sdnhm.org.

Mondays: 

Singing Storytime: 1:30 p.m., learn what’s going on inside your baby’s mind, strengthen your bond and sing songs together at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.org.

North Park Toastmasters meeting: 6:30 – 8 p.m., weekly meeting at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3725 30th St., North Park. 8469. 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., 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. New members wanted. 1220 Vermont Ave., Hillcrest. Uptowndemocrats.org.

Open Mic Charlie’s: 7 – 9:30 p.m. (except the third Tuesday), open mic night at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, free. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.

North Park Brewer’s Club: 8:30 p.m., monthly meeting of the club every second Tuesday of the month on the back patio at Thorn Street Brewery, 3176 Thorn St., North Park. Thornstreetbrew.com.

Wednesdays: 

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.

Storytelling: 7 – 8:45 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month featuring members of Storytellers of San Diego at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, Suggested $5 donation. Ages 12 and up. Storytellersofsandiego.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 Farmers Market: 3 – 7 p.m., in the parking lot behind CVS at 32nd Street and University Avenue, North Park, free. Northparkfarmersmarket.com.

Kornflower’s Open Mic: Signups at 7 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.

Kirtan Musical Meditation: 8:15 p.m., chant and sing contemporary mantras celebrating love and life at Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga, 3287 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, donation requested. Pilgrimageyoga.com.

Cinema Under the Stars: 8:30 p.m., classic movie screenings at 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills. Additional showings Friday – Sunday. Tickets start at $15. Topspresents.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.

Preschool Storytime: 10:30 a.m., at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.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.

Tai Chi Qigong: 10 a.m., all skill levels welcome in Balboa Park, Upas Street and Sixth Avenue, free. Call Chris at 619-504-1557.

Children’s Craft Time: 10:30 a.m., at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.org.

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

Free Pancake Breakfast: 8:30 – 9:45 a.m., every second Sunday this neighborhood breakfast precedes worship service and Sunday school at Normal Heights United Methodist Church, 4650 Mansfield St., Normal Heights. Email [email protected].

ASD Mornings: 9 a.m. – noon, every second Sunday members of the autism spectrum community are given chance to explore the museum in a quiet, less-crowded environment at the San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park. bit.ly/1TjvYkQ

Hillcrest Farmers Market: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., under the Hillcrest Pride Flag, Harvey Milk and Normal streets, free. Hillcrestfarmersmarket.com.

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: sduptownnews.com/community-organization-meetings.

—Email calendar items to [email protected].