Featured events

‘Best in Show’
Opening Saturday, Feb. 13

This exhibit for animal lovers at San Diego Art Institute (1439 El Prado, Balboa Park) opens today. The multimedia exhibition is devoted to felines and canines with works from several artists. The opening from 6 – 8 p.m. will feature music by feline-inspired band Lion Cut. Other events during the exhibition include a dog portrait and adoption day on Feb. 20, a cat fashion show on Feb. 27 and more. The exhibition will be on display through March 17. Admission is only $5. Ten percent of proceeds from “Best in Show” will be donated to Four Paws Animal Rescue. Visit sandiego-art.org for information.

Valentine’s Day bubbles tasting
Sunday, Feb. 14

This tasting at Vom Fass in Hillcrest (1050 University Ave, E-103) will be held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. For only $5 attendees can enjoy a glass of champagne with chocolate-dipped strawberries on the side. And maybe pick up a present for their Valentine! Visit Hillcrest.VomFassUSA.com for details and additional tasting and class listings.

Two-person art show
Tuesday, Feb. 16 – Monday, Feb. 29

This art show at Southwestern Artist’s Association in Spanish Village (1770 Village Place, Studio 23, Balboa Park) will kick off today featuring two artists. Dot Renshaw does plein air pieces of San Diego in pastels and oils. Renshaw has been immersed in art for 50 years giving and taking workshops, teaching high school art, judging shows and more. Sharon K. Thomas does pieces in watercolor of people and places. Thomas “feels if one person likes what she does that makes her happy”. She paints what she likes including many scenes from the San Diego area. Get more information at facebook.com/SWAAstudio23.

Live music: Griffin House
Saturday, Feb. 20

Singer-songwriter Griffin House turned down a college sports scholarship to become a musician over 10 years ago. The result has been a career spanning more than a decade with several albums released and one on the way in March of this year. Check out his song “Paris Calling (Sweet Sensation)” for upbeat ditty full of romantic sentiments and vivid imagery. And catch him live at an early show (6 p.m.) at Soda Bar (3615 El Cajon Blvd., Normal Heights) on Feb. 20. Visit griffinhousemusic.com for more on the singer and get tickets for the show ($15 in advance, $18 at the door) at sodabarmusic.com.

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.

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].