Featured Events

‘Big in Japan’
Friday, Feb. 27 – Thursday, March 5

The film, playing at Digital Gym (2921 El Cajon Blvd., North Park), is part comedy, part rock ‘n’ roll odyssey. It tells the story of a struggling rock band from Seattle, Tennis Pro (played by the real members of the band), as they take a journey to Tokyo for one last shot at success. “Big in Japan” premiered at last year’s SXSW Film Festival, and has shown at various other film fests, where it has garnered high praise. The storyline is loosely based on actual events, and the film was partly funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign by director John Jeffcoat (Outsourced). Visit digitalgym.org for showtimes and to purchase tickets. 

Great Hillcrest Spring Clean
Saturday, Feb. 28 
Saturday, March 14

Editor’s note: The Spring Clean was postponed due to rain in the forecast, rescheduled for March 14. 

This annual event is co-sponsored by The Hillcrest Town Council (HTC), Hillcrest History Guild (HHG) and the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) along with UCSD Medical Center. The event will start at 8 a.m. in two different locations; the “core/medical district” group will meet at the Hillcrest Shell Station, located at the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue and Washington Street. Ben Nicholls, executive director of the HBA, will direct that group. The group tackling the eastern side will meet at Heat Bar and Kitchen, located on Park Boulevard near Essex Street, and Luke Terpstra, chair of the HTC, will lead that charge. The cleanup will begin at approximately 8:30 a.m. and end around noon. There will be coffee and donuts at each location, and all necessary supplies will be provided “HTC Clean T.E.A.M (together everyone achieves more)” T-shirts will be provided to new volunteers as long as supplies last. Previous volunteers are encouraged to wear their shirts. Happy hour will be held at Hillcrest Brewing Company (1458 University Ave.) after the cleanup. For more information visit hillcresttowncouncil.com or find “The Great Hillcrest Spring Clean” event on Facebook.

Read Across America Day
Wednesday, March 4

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday (March 2) Franklin Elementary STEAM Magnet (4481 Copeland Ave., Kensington) will hold their own “Read Across America” event. It gives community members the chance to interact with students and parents by volunteering to be a reader for the day. Attendees are invited to wear a red or white top with black pants. The fun will take place from 9:30 a.m. – noon, starting with registration and refreshments. The scheduled events include a principal’s welcome at 9:45 a.m., recess at 10 a.m., a school tour at 10:15 a.m., classroom readings at 10:45 a.m., a Dr. Seuss parade at 11:15 a.m. and a school picnic at 11:30 a.m. For more information visit sandi.net/franklin.

Jaime Valle Latin Jazz Ensemble with Alex Acuna
Friday, March 6

The Athenaeum Jazz at The Studio series will wrap up with this final concert before the Studio of the Athenaeum School of the Arts (4441 Park Blvd., University Heights) moves to a new location. Jazz guitarist Jaime Valle — winner of multiple San Diego Music Awards — leads an ensemble for this show that includes Otmaro Ruiz (keyboards), Rene Camacho (bass) and Allan Phillips (percussion). They’ll be joined by special guest Alex Acuna (drums), a bandleader in his own projects and a well-versed session musician. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. For information and tickets visit ljathenaeum.org/jazz.html or call 858-454-5872.

Joe Marson at Lestat’s
Sunday, March 8

Rock/soul musician Joe Marson, one of five finalists in Guitar Center’s singer-songwriter competition, will soon perform at The Troubadour in Hollywood for a shot at a four-song EP produced by Don Was, a mentoring session with Colbie Caillat, $25,000 and a performance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” But before Marson competes, he’ll appear in San Diego at Lestat’s (3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights) to flex his pipes and strum his guitar. The show starts at 8 p.m. For more information visit lestats.com and facebook.com/joemarsonmusic.

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.

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.

Celebrity Book Readings: 2 p.m., local celebrities will visit the “Ingenious! The World of Dr. Seuss” at the San Diego History Center on the second Saturday of each month to read their favorite Seuss stories to those in attendance, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, free. Sandiegohistory.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].