DEBE IR The San Diego Zoo kicked off its “23 Days of Play” on April 2, and the celebration will continue until April 24. The event features 23 different animal experiences daily, including keeper talks, special activities and treats for the animals and opportunities for zoo goers to meet the animals up close. Tiger feeds, elephant pedicures and bug shows are all part of the fun, and guests will even have the chance to feed some of the animals themselves. Also in April, the zoo will feature “Metamorphosis” in the tropical greenhouse exhibit, Hidden Jungle. Thousands of butterflies of every shape, size and color will be on display, flying and floating among guests during the Butterfly Jungle event, from April 9 to May 8. Both events free with park admission. Admission is $40 for adults and $30 for children ages 3 to 11. Children 2 and under free. For more information, visit www.sandiegozoo.org. MUST PLAY Canine lovers will come from all over the county on Saturday, April 9 to take part in the tail-wagging fun of “Balboa Barks: A Day of Peace, Love and Canine Companions.” The seventh annual dog-and-people festival, formerly known as “Woofstock,” will keep its 1960s theme for the various contests, food and shopping at the corner of Park Boulevard and Presidents Way. The day begins at 9 a.m. with the Peace, Love and Canine Companions dog walk, a 1.3-mile walk through the park. The rest of the festivities start at 10 a.m., with fun for all ages, including demonstrations by the Canine Companions assistance doge, Disc Dogs of Southern California and the Ballistic Racers Flyball Team. Guests can let their dogs try their paws on the flyball course and the K9 Agility Playground. Dozens of vendors will offer unique pet products and a silent auction will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Admission is $7 for the public and their well-behaved, leashed dogs. Children under 5 free. Registration for the dog walk is $35 for adults, $15 children and $75 for families. For more information or to register, call (760) 901-4306 or visit www.cci.org/balboabarks. All proceeds benefit Canine Companions for Independence, an Oceanside-based non-profit that provides assistance dogs to people with disabilities for free. MUST LAUGH As a three-time survivor of cancer, Heather Wilson says she is well aware of the healing power of laughter. Currently training for her third marathon, the San Diegan will hold a fundraiser titled “Laughter is Great Medicine” at Analog, 801 Fifth Ave., on April 23 from 6 to 9 p.m., raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Though she was told she wouldn’t live to see 22, Wilson will turn 35 in May, which she credits at least partly to the instructions from her oncologist to listen to comedy CDs to help in the healing process. Playing on this theme, Wilson’s fundraiser will feature performances from stand-up comics Dante Dumas and San Diego’s own Sindi Somers. Live music will be provided by Todo Mundo and guests can expect to pick up some great prizes through contests and at the silent auction, offering such goodies as a Chemistry surfboard, a night in the Cosmopolitan Hotel with dinner for two, tickets and VIP club access to Gator by the Bay, a photo session with photographer Sarah Day-Ives and a vintage emerald and diamond ring from Levi Family Jewelers. For more information, email [email protected]. MUST SEE David Sedaris will make an appearance Saturday, April 30 at the Balboa Theater, 868 Fourth Ave., to regale the audience with his acerbic humor. Coming on the heels of his most recent book, “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modern Bestiary,” Sedaris will deliver his trademark sardonic wit and social commentary from new and mostly unpublished pieces. Known for his self-deprecating comedic take on everyday life, Sedaris has published seven collections of essays based on his life and experiences and has been a regular performer on the radio show “This American Life.” Sedaris’ latest book can be purchased at the theatre, and the author will stay for a book-signing session after the performance. Not appropriate for children under 6 years old. Saturday, April 30, 8 p.m., $37-$57. For tickets or more information, call (619) 570-1100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. SATURDAY, April 9 Shake and Shout Family Festival at the New Children’s Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From urban dance with Culture Shock to circus arts with The Lindley Lopez Circus, the Shake & Shout Family Festival appeals to kids and adults alike. Featuring family-friendly musical talent, dance crews and unique performers, the festival is free with museum admission. For more information, call (619) 233-8792 or visit www.thinkplaycreate.org. MONDAY, April 11 The U.S. Small Business Association’s “Small Business Jobs Act Tour” will be coming through San Diego. The SBA invites small business owners and entrepreneurs to attend sessions designed to teach them about new tools to create jobs through contracting, lending, exporting, counseling and training. County Health Services Complex, 3851 Rosecrans St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/jobsacttour/sandiego. SUNDAY, April 17 Mingei International Museum will launch its “Family Sundays,” to be held on the third Sunday of every month starting April 17. The event will feature hands-on crafts and activities, including the “Discover Mingei Treasure Hunt.” Families will follow a treasure map (in English or Spanish) to locations throughout the museum. At each stop, they’ll find a picture of “Tassels,” the programs cloth horse mascot and an object indicated by a clue on the map. Prizes will be given for completing the treasure hunt. This month, a Native American theme has been chosen for the festivities. Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado in Balboa Park, noon to 4 p.m. Special “Family Sunday” rate of $5 for families and $3 for individuals. For more information, call (619) 239-0003 or visit www.mingei.org. WEDNESDAY, April 20 Shop Local, Shop Gaslamp: On the third Wednesday of every month, the Gaslamp offers special perks at some of its unique, local businesses. Shoppers can download a map or can get the iPhone app, Locurious, and take a tour of participating businesses. Last month, participants could take advantage of offers such as discounts at Downtown Ace Hardware, the Gaslamp Historical Foundation and Shorelines Gallery. Other benefits included demonstrations at To the Point Acupuncture, a free wine tasting class at Wine Smarties and Andaz Hotel, and live demonstrations at Exclusive Collections Gallary and Chuck Jones Gallery. For more information or for the map of participating businesses, visit www.gaslamp.org. THURSDAY, April 28 As part of its ongoing series celebrating San Diego’s vibrant ethnic communities, the San Diego Museum of Man will host its Tower After Hours event by celebrating Turkey. An array of regional food and drink, courtesy of the House of Turkey, will complement the showcasing of the country’s music, dance and performing arts. $10 for museum members, $15 students and military, $20 non-members. Tickets include entrance to the museum, food, beverages and entertainment. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://tahturkey.eventbrite.com. WineRave San Diego, a new wine-tasting series, is coming to FLUXX Nightclub, 500 Fourth Ave. Combining the nightclub atmosphere with a tasting room, the event is geared toward adults ages 21 to 35 and offers the chance to taste wines, beers and spirits from up to 25 different labels. Tickets are $45 in advance and $65 at the door, and went on sale April 1. For more information, call (619) 312-1212 or visit www.wineravesd.com. SATURDAY, April 30 The 27th Annual Children’s Book Party will take place in the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Parents and children grades K-12 are invited to attend the free event, which will feature entertainment, refreshments and two free new books for each child. For more information or to volunteer, call Roosevelt Brown at (619) 266-4118 or (619) 804-7992. ONGOING The Museum of Photographic Arts presents “Streetwise: Masters of 60s Photography,” through May 15. Building on Swiss photographer Robert Frank’s snapshot aesthetic, the exhibit includes Frank’s work as well as some of those he influenced, such as Diane Arbus, Ruth-Marion Baruch, Jerry Berndt, Lee Friedlander and more. Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $6 adults, $4 seniors, students, retired military and dependants, free for active military and dependants, museum members and children under 12. For more information, visit www.mopa.org.