FEATURED EVENTS

Blood drive and film screening

Sunday, Jan. 4

The Digital Gym (2921 El Cajon Blvd., North Park) at the Media Arts Center San Diego (MACSD) has partnered with the Red Cross for this blood drive to benefit San Diego County residents in need. The event, in conjunction with the showing of the documentary “Remote Area Medical,” is also hoping to spread awareness about the number of people in the U.S. without affordable health care. Remote Area Medical is an organization that holds three-day clinics where people can receive free medical, dental and vision care. With blood donation, participants are eligible for a special $6 ticket price to see the film. The blood drive is from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Email [email protected] with your full name and “MACSD Blood Drive” in the subject line to sign up for the blood drive. The film shows on Jan. 3 at 4 p.m., Jan. 4 at 3 p.m., Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. Visit digitalgym.org/remoteareamedical for more information.

Centennial Beer Tasting

Thursday, Jan. 8

This tasting is just one of many events that will take place this year to honor the 100-year anniversary of the Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park. The San Diego Museum of Man (1350 El Prado, Balboa Park) will host the tasting from 6 – 8 p.m. to commemorate its own 100-year birthday. The event will feature beer tasting from craft breweries including Stone Brewing Co., Coronado Brewing, Mike Hess Brewing; food from local eateries including Carnitas’ Snack Shack, Tarantino Gourmet Sausages, Grove Pastry Shop; and a 1915-themed costume photobooth inside the historic building. Event is 21 and up. Tickets are $20 – 30 and can be purchased at museumofman.org/centennial-tasting.

Second Saturday with Let’s Go Clandestino!

Saturday, Jan. 10

Let’s Go Clandestino, a local company that offers craft beer and culinary tours of Baja, has collaborated with Hamiltons Tavern (1521 30th St.) for this event. The South Park bar will feature three Baja breweries: Insurgente, Wendlandt and Agua Mala. Each brewery will have a wide variety of several special beers on draft, plus Insurgente will have dueling casks, one of an IPA with mango and Serrano peppers and another of a Xocoveza Milk Stout. Food items for pairing will be available for purchase, including spicy shrimp tacos, pork chili Colorado stew, Mexican wedding cookies and more. Visit hamiltonstavern.com for more information.

‘Sons of the Prophet’

Thursday, Jan. 15

Previews for this play, making its San Diego premiere at Cygnet Theatre (4040 Twiggs St., Old Town), start tonight with a performance at 7:30 p.m. The comedy-drama is directed by Rob Lufty and was written by Stephen Karam. The play revolves around two brothers after their father’s unexpected death. The brothers are forced to fend for themselves and care for their aging uncle. “Sons of the Prophet” was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Previews continue through Jan. 23 and the play runs through Feb. 15. Preview tickets start at $24. Visit cygnettheatre.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

RECURRING EVENTS

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.

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.

Tuesdays:

Curbside Bites: 5 – 8:30 p.m., gathering of gourmet food trucks at 3030 Grape St., South Park. Curbsidebites.com.

“Grab a Mic”: 6 p.m., an open mic night hosted by singer/actor Sasha Weiss. Sign ups at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m., Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Martinisabovefourth.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.

Open Mic Charlie’s: 7 – 10 p.m. (except the third Tuesday), open mic night at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, free. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.

Wednesdays: 

Wang’s Trivia: 7 p.m., free trivia competition for prizes, tournament for $1,000. Drink specials during trivia range $3 – $6. Wang’s North Park, 3029 University Ave., North Park. Wangsnorthpark.com.

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.

Young Lions Music Series: 7 p.m., each week features a new “young rising star” chosen by Gilbert Castellanos. Castellanos will also join in during the first set, the Expatriate Room, Croce’s Park West, 2760 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill, $5 cover. Crocesparkwest.com.

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, donations welcome. Ages 12 and up. Storytellersofsandiego.org.

Wednesday Jazz Jam Session: 7:30 p.m., Gilbert Castellanos hosts the Jazz Jam Session with special guest musicians at Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave., North Park, free. Sevengrandbars.com.

Thursdays: 

Gentle Yoga for seniors: 2:45 – 3:45 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 St. and University Ave., North Park, free. Northparkfarmersmarket.com.

Kornflower’s Open Mic: Signups at 6:30 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.

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.

Fridays:

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

Fridays on Fifth: 4 – 9 p.m., various restaurants and bars offer discounts and specials for a social hour on Fifth Avenue between Washington Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Hillcrest. Fridaysonfifth.com.

Cinema Under the Stars: 8:30 p.m., Classic movie screenings at 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills. Tickets start at $15. Topspresents.com.

Saturdays 

Old Town Saturday Market: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., on Harney Street and San Diego Avenue, Old Town, free. 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.

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

Melodies in Balboa Park: 1 – 5 p.m., the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory ensembles fill Casa del Prado with classical music, 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park, free. Sdys.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].

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

—Email calendar items to [email protected].