FEATURED EVENTS

‘Desperate Living’ 
Saturday, April 9

FilmOut San Diego, Horrible Imaginings and The Film Geeks present this event showcasing filmmaker John Waters’ horror-comedy “Desperate Living” at Museum of Photographic Arts (1649 El Prado, Balboa Park). The film tells the story of a murdering housewife (Mink Stole) on the lam with her overweight maid (Jean Hill). The screening will be held from 3 – 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 for MOPA members; $10 for general admission. Visit bit.ly/1Rwxnmr.

‘Community Safety & Security Meeting’
Tuesday, April 12

This meeting at Normal Heights Community Center (4649 Hawley Blvd.) will feature San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman as the special guest speaker. Learn about making your neighborhood safe at this special event starting at 7:30 p.m. It is presented by the Normal Heights Community Association along with other community organizations. Visit bit.ly/1Mbq6vo for more information.

FilmOut Screening: ‘Donnie Darko’
Wednesday, April 13

This month’s FilmOut San Diego screening showcases the psychological thriller “Donnie Darko” starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a jaded teenager who survives a freak accident and begins exploring what it means to be alive. The character – and film – delves into concepts of time travel and destiny. The mind-bending film is turning 15 this year. Tickets are $10 and the screening starts at 7 p.m. at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas (3965 Fifth Ave. #200, Hillcrest). Visit filmoutsandiego.com for more information.

HBA quarterly open house and mixer
Thursday, April 14

The Hillcrest Business Association presents their quarterly open house and mixer at Lemonade (3958 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest). Get to know other HBA members while enjoying food and drinks. Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman will be the guest speaker. The open house and mixer will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Visit hillcrestbia.org for more information.

‘Bike In Cinema’
Starts Friday, April 15

Digital Gym Cinema will be hosting monthly bike rides from City Heights to an outdoor movie screening in North Park. The bike rides will occur on the third Friday of the month to coincide with the block party that takes place in the business district around 30th Street and El Cajon Boulevard called #30ECB. Riders should meet at 6 p.m. outside the City Heights Weingart Library (3795 Fairmount Ave.) They will then ride about three miles to Digital Gym Cinema (2921 El Cajon Blvd.) for the screening around 7 p.m. The first screening will be cult classic “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” Visit mediaartscenter.org for more information.

The PGK Dance Project presents “San Diego Dances”
Friday, April 15 – Sunday, April 17

“San Diego Dances” are pop events featuring The PGK Dance Project and guest artists performing in unexpected community places. The three performances on April 15, 16 and 17 each have 100 seats available so space is limited. These events will take place at SDYS Tay Academy (2220 Broadway, Golden Hill) and feature a collaboration with Lux Boreal of Mexico. Several choreographers will present various dances. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for students, military, seniors and PGK Dance Passport members, and $10 each for groups of ten or more. The performances on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s performance is at 2 p.m. There will be a beer and wine garden with the first drink offered for free by the San Diego Reader. Visit sandiegodancesattay.bpt.me for tickets and more information.

Taste of Hillcrest
Saturday, April 16

This annual event features more than 35 restaurants spanning 12 blocks in Hillcrest. Ticket holders will go on a self-guided culinary tour from noon — 4 p.m. stopping along the way to try everything from Italian to Mexican to Middle Eastern cuisines. A few participating restaurants/locations include: Baja Betty’s, Napizza, Vinavanti Urban Winery, Vom Fass and many more. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of. Check in for the event will be at two locations: Rite Aid Pharmacy (535 Robinson Ave.) and Gossip Grill (1220 University Ave.). Visit fabuloushillcrest.com for tickets and more details.

‘Rise Up’ concert
Saturday, April 16

The First Unitarian Universalist Church’s women’s choir will perform this special concert named for the poem “Rise Up” by Maya Angelou. The event will include uplifting music, storytelling, food and drinks and more. The concert will be held at the church’s meeting house (4190 Front St., Mission Hills) at 7:30 p.m. with a reception to follow in Bard Hall. The concert will benefit refugees and other poor women aided by San Diego Women’s Empowerment International (SDWEI). Some of the women SDWEI has helped will tell their stories at the event and showcase their various wares at the reception. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door (tax-deductible). Visit womenempowerment.org for more information and to register to attend the concert.

‘Hops Over The Vine’
Saturday, April 23

This event will feature tastings of boutique craft beer, wine and spirits from local producers. There will also be gourmet bites provided by San Diego eateries. Everything will be served under the stars at the Cabrillo National Monument (1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, Point Loma) with views of the ocean and city plus live entertainment. Along with ticket sales, a silent auction and raffle will be held to benefit the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation. This event fundraises for the park’s programs and celebrates the foundation’s 60th birthday. Tickets are $60 for members and $75 for nonmembers. Each ticket comes with eight wine, beer and/or food tastings. Visit cnmf.org for more information.

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., 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. 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.

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: 8:15 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].