FEATURED EVENTS
Bankers Hill Historic Walking Tour
Saturday, Oct. 25
Archtoberfest San Diego is a month-long program of events and activities pertaining to architecture and design. In support of the annual occasion, Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) hosts walking tours throughout October. The final two Archtoberfest walking tours will take place in the pedestrian-friendly neighborhood of Bankers Hill at 9 and 11 a.m. The 90-minute tours will give attendees a chance to observe a variety of architectural styles including Craftsman, Spanish Revival, Prairie-style and more. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at archtoberfest.com or sohosandiego.org. The tours begin at the corner of Walnut Avenue and Albatross Street in Bankers Hill.
San Diego High School Class of 1964 50th reunion
Saturday, Oct. 25
Alumni of San Diego High School (SDHS) Class of 1964 are invited to a reunion dinner and dance to be held at the historic Lafayette Hotel (2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park). The reunion will include a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. followed by buffet dinner at 7 p.m. and a dance with DJ service from 8 – 11 p.m. Reservations for the event are required. For a reservation form and more information, contact Bev Barrett at 619-282-0425 or [email protected]. For hotel reservations at the Lafayette, call 619-296-2101 and mention the SDHS Class of ’64 for a special group rate.
Oktoberfest Under the Stars
Saturday, Oct. 25
This Oktoberfest dinner will benefit the Uptown Faith Community Service Center, a non-profit organization located in North Park. Festivities will be from 6 – 10 p.m. on the rooftop of the Imperial Towers Building (2350 Sixth Ave., Bankers Hill). Tickets for the event are $55 and include a buffet dinner with entrée, side dishes and “pretzel bars” along with live music and a silent auction. Money raised will support the Uptown Faith Center’s programs to help homeless and needy individuals to become self-supporting community members. For tickets and more information visit uptownfaith.org.
Drop Dead Dames Burlesque Revue’s calendar release party
Saturday, Nov. 1
Drop Dead Dames will release their first-ever calendar at this party featuring a special performance by the troupe with DJ Sean Smith. The event kicks off at 9 p.m. at The Hideout (3519 El Cajon Blvd., Normal Heights) and festivities continue until the venue closes. The first 25 attendees will get in for free and receive $5 off their purchase of the 2015 calendar by the Dames and Vixen Photography. There will also be a raffle for prizes including a ticket to the troupe’s Valentine’s Show at Queen Bee’s in North Park in February. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Calendars will be $20. For more information visit dropdeaddamesburlesque.com.
Art San Diego – Contemporary art fair
Thursday Nov. 6 – Sunday, Nov. 9
This four-day event will feature art talks and panel discussions, interactive activities and a showcase of art from over 50 artists and galleries. Collectors, curators and art enthusiasts will all be in attendance for this sixth year of the art fair. The VIP opening night kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday (tickets start at $75 for this night only) with various events spread through the weekend ending at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Three-day (Friday – Sunday) general admission tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. The Balboa Park Activity Center (2145 Park Blvd., Balboa Park) will be the scenic setting for this year’s Art San Diego. For detailed schedules and tickets visit art-sandiego.com.
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:
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.
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
Hillcrest Farmers Market: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., under the Hillcrest Pride Flag, Harvey Milk and Normal streets, free. Hillcrestfarmersmarket.com.
Haunted happenings
Monsters! exhibit opening
Saturday, Oct. 25 (runs through 2015)
This family-friendly exhibit showcases monsters and beasts both familiar and strange. The displays at the San Diego Museum of Man (1350 El Prado, Balboa Park) will include info on everything from unicorns to werewolves plus many more monsters throughout history and from various cultures. Hands-on activities include making a monster of your own and putting on a play with “strange creatures.” Members of the museum can attend a special preview reception (with RSVP) and see the exhibit first on Friday, Oct. 24. For more information, museum hours and tickets visit museumofman.org/monsters.
Halloween Bash
Friday, Oct. 31
This party gets started early at 4 p.m. at Wang’s North Park (3029 University Ave.). Fabulous drag queen Babette Schwartz will host a costume contest at 8 p.m. with $100 and $200 cash prizes awarded. Happy hour in the bar will go all night and feature $6 large well martinis. Special discounts in the dining room will be offered to anyone in costume. For more information visit wangsnorthpark.com.
The Zombie Ball
Friday, Oct. 31
This Halloween night gala will benefit the Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company, a non-profit theater group which operates at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center in East Village. The Zombie Ball will be held at the San Diego Museum of Man (1350 El Prado, Balboa Park) and feature music, dancing, live performances and a costume contest. Tickets start at $65 and include Starbucks coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks and a zombie-themed dessert buffet. VIZ (very important zombie) guests will also be treated to special effects makeup services to complete their costume. The party “for a purpose” starts at 7 p.m. and goes until midnight. Visit partyforapurposesd.com to purchase tickets.
The Creepy Creeps, The Burning of Rome, Cramped and Schitzophonics
Friday, Oct. 31
Each year San Diego’s quintessential rock club The Casbah (2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown) puts on a Halloween bash to rival all others. Aptly named psych-surf rockers The Creepy Creeps will headline this one with their spacy sounds and onstage antics. The Burning of Rome have a special holiday treat planned and will perform punk icons The Dead Kennedy’s 1980 debut album “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables” in its entirety. Doors at 8:30 p.m. Tickets $20 online at casbahmusic.com or $22 at the door.
2nd annual University Heights Urban Harvest Festival
Saturday, Nov. 1
This free community event is hosted by Friends of Alice Birney Elementary and the University Heights Community Association. The festival will be from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Willie Serrano Joint-Use Field at the school (4345 Campus Ave., University Heights). The community is invited to bring a picnic if they like. There will also be garden tours with freshly harvested fruits and veggies, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, and more. Attendees can bring their Halloween pumpkins to recycle into compost or launch from a trebuchet. Visit friendsofalicebirney.org or email [email protected] for more information.
Old Town Dia de los Muertos
Saturday, Nov. 1 & Sunday, Nov. 2
This celebration will take place throughout Old Town with eight different zones including public altars, face painting stations, storytelling areas and more. The event is from noon to 9 p.m. both days with a procession on Sunday at 6 p.m. starting at Harney Street and San Diego Avenue. Dia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is not to be confused with Halloween and is not a morose remembrance. The holiday is meant to celebrate with loved ones to honor and remember those departed. The event is free and includes many activities such as arts and crafts. Note: Some craft areas charge a nominal fee. For history on the event and detailed schedules visit sddayofthedead.org.
—Email calendar items to [email protected].
