Friday, Feb. 23

Live music: Warrant and Quiet Riot
1980s groups Warrant and Quiet Riot team up for a night of metal. 8 p.m. at Sycuan Casino, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon 92019. Tickets: $59–69, available at Sycuan.com.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Richard Thompson’s ‘Freedom’
The SDSU School of Music and Dance presents the world premiere of Richard Thompson’s composition “Freedom,” for choirs and orchestra, which is inspired by contrasting the prose in Langston Hughes’ 1951 poem, “Harlem, a Dream Deferred,” with the optimism of the “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr.

7:30 p.m. at the College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Ave., 92115. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for military/seniors, and $10 for students; available at bit.ly/2ojLQvY.

Live music: The Waits
Acoustic duo plays blend of folk, bluegrass, country, classic rock and more.
7 p.m. at San Pasqual Winery, 8364 La Mesa Blvd. 21 and over. No cover.

Monday, Feb. 26

Historically Black Colleges and Universities workshop
Part of Grossmont College’s Black History Month events. The workshop will be held by Helen Young, project director for the California Community Colleges Transfer Guarantee Agreement to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 11 a.m.-noon at Griffin Gate in Bldg. 60 at Grossmont College, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon 92020. Free.

Black history panel
Part of Cuyamaca College’s Black History Month events. 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Room I-107 in the Student Center, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon 92019. Free.

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Film discussion: ‘Rebel in the Rye’
San Diego Oasis’ “Film on the Fringe” series will view and discuss director Danny Strong’s movie about the life of author J.D. Salinger.
1 p.m. at San Diego Oasis Lifelong Learning Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, Suite 325, La Mesa. For ages 50 and up. Cost is $12.

Wednesday, Feb. 28

Fitness and fun for life
This free meeting on fitness includes a presentation by Daphne Miller, instructor of Feeling Fit Club classes and leader of the Sharp Grossmont Mall Walker. Light refreshments will be served and handouts will be available. 10-11 a.m. at Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. No reservation necessary. Call 619-825-5010 for more information.

Friday, March 2

Opening: ‘Night, Mother’
Lamplighter Community Theatre presents a dramatic play by Marsha Norman and directed by James P. Darvas.
This multi-award-winning play centers around Jessie, a middle-aged, down-on-her-luck woman who moves back in with her mom. As mother and daughter spend a high-stakes evening together, the ensuing debate — sometimes quiet, sometimes tempestuous — ultimately gives rise to deep, personal questions about how and why we value life.
Runs March 2–25; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. at Lamplighters Theatre, 5915 Severin Drive. Tickets: adults $20; students, seniors, active military $17; groups of 10 or more $15; available at lamplighterslamesa.com.

Saturday, March 3

The Amazing Acro-cats
The Amazing Acro-cats featuring Tuna and the Rock Cats are a troupe of real performing house cats. They have cats riding skateboards, jumping through hoops, and Alley, our rising star, has even leapt into the Guinness Book of World Records, holding the record for the longest cat jump!

Show runs through March 11 at Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. All shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25, $30 and $40, available at bit.ly/2E1qpcE.

Artists’ reception
Featured artists Beverly Berwick, Mary Sue Compton, Gary Dyak, Tina Fries-Miller, Sue Z. Gold, Susan Hewitt, Roberta Labastida, Harriet Lisak, Carol Mansfield, Ann Slater, Paul White and Jami Wright will be hosting an artists’ reception for a display titled “Glow.”
6–8 p.m. at Nainsook Framing + Art, 8130 La Mesa Blvd. This event is free and open to the public.

Artist workshop
Foothills Art Association presents a workshop with Mandy Toliver, who will help participants create a custom waterscape with acrylic, using techniques to simplify movement, reflection and light. All supplies provided.

9–11 a.m. at the Porter Hall Gallery, 4910 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. $25 members; $35 non-members. RSVP: Mandy Toliver at 352-672-2539 or [email protected].

Anza-Borrego Foundation Boots Ball
The Anza-Borrego Foundation is hosting their first fundraiser to celebrate the foundation’s next 50 years. The event includes live music, food and a silent and live auction. Guests are invited wear their finest hiking boot fashion. 2-5 p.m. at Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center, 401 Tilting T Drive, Borrego Springs 92004. Tickets: $51. Register online at bit.ly/2o4P1Yf or contact Lauren Poole at 760-767-0446 ext 1002 or email [email protected].

Dinner with Obi Kaufman
The Anza-Borrego Foundation is hosting an evening with Obi Kaufman, a poet, artist and advocate for wilderness defense and conservation. Attendees receive a poster for the park and a copy of Kaufman’s book “The California Field Atlas.” 6:30-9 p.m. at Borrego Art Institute, 665 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs 92004. Tickets: $150. Register online at bit.ly/2o3Px8Y or contact Lauren Poole at 760-767-0446 ext. 1002 or email [email protected].

Monday, March 5

Clean Comedy Night
Family-friendly comedy with nationally acclaimed comedians Dustin Nickerson, Don Friesen, and Patrick Deguire.
6:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., 92115. This event is free.

Resources and tools for family caregivers
Family caregivers can find out about health and community resources, placement options, support groups and more from Andrea Holmberg, program coordinator for the Sharp Senior Resource Center. This free class also covers emotional issues about caring for a loved one. 10-11:30 a.m. at the Sharp Health Plan, 8520 Tech Way, San Diego. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or go to sharp.com/classes to register.

Wednesday, March 7

Creative YOU! Wine + Paint Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’
Learn to paint a Van Gogh. No experience necessary. You will be guided by an instructor to create this beautiful painting on an 11-by-14-inch canvas. All materials and snacks included. Bring your own wine if you like.
6 p.m. at Nainsook Framing + Art, 8130 La Mesa Blvd. $35 per person, visit nainsookframing.com.

Thursday, March 8

‘Salute to Local Heroes’
Join the La Mesa Chamber for the 10th annual celebration that honors and recognizes first responders from the La Mesa police, fire, paramedics and retired senior volunteer patrol. The board of directors will also be installed at this event. 5-8:30 p.m. at the Town & Country Ballroom, Town & Country Resort Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle, Mission Valley.

Cost is $85 for single person, $150 for two people and $600 for eight people. To get tickets, email [email protected], call 619-465-7700 ext. 2, online at bit.ly/2o5aPmC or purchase tickets with PayPal at bit.ly/2o0YcsC. Reservations will not be held until payment is received.

Tuesday, March 13

‘Nevertheless, We Persist’
Three of San Diego’s celebrated female vocalists unite to perform songs of love, defiance, faith, persistence and humanity. The repertoire will draw from the Latin American, African-American and Jewish-American experiences from the point of view of women. Featuring Elizabeth Schwartz, Coral MacFarland Thuet and Lisa Payton perform as The PerSisters, backed by musicians Gunnar Biggs on contrabass and Fred Benedetti on guitar.

7 p.m. in Smith Recital Hall at SDSU’s Performing Arts Plaza. Free and open to the public. For more Information, contact [email protected].

Wednesday, March 14

Creative YOU! Alcohol Ink on Tile
Learn how to use alcohol ink, a brightly-colored medium that is fun to use and versatile enough to create anything from an abstract landscape to a detailed flower arrangement. No experience necessary. Roz Oserin will be teaching several techniques for using this special ink. Each student will receive two 4-inch tiles to paint and one frame and leave with a finished piece of art ready to hang. This class includes all materials and snacks. Bring your own wine if you like!

6 p.m. at Nainsook Framing + Art, 8130 La Mesa Blvd. $35 per person, visit nainsookframing.com.

Saturday, March 17

Caregiving at home
Family caregivers can learn the basics of caring for a loved one at home including transfers, personal care, proper body mechanics and more. Learn from a registered nurse how to physically care for your loved one and how to protect yourself from injury. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Brier Patch Campus, 9000 Wakarusa St., Rooms 13/14, La Mesa. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at sharp.com.

Wednesday, March 21

‘Aging process: What is normal and what is not’
Understand the physical, social and emotional changes in aging adults. Explore signs of normal vs. abnormal aging. Discuss ways of staying physically, emotionally and socially active. 10-11 a.m. at Clairemont Lutheran Church, 4271 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or visit sharp.com/classes to register.