FEATURED EVENTS 

Encore ROCKS! A Jukebox Musical

Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23

The Encore Vocal Ensemble of San Diego presents this musical for two nights only at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla). The creative story involves a diner down on its luck and the magical talking jukebox that gives it a boost. The show features songs from stage and screen including selections from “Across the Universe,” “Rent,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and more. Show times are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. with a pre-show party starting one hour before each performance with drinks and snacks. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information visit encorevocalensemble.org.

Chargers Blood Drive XXXVI

Tuesday, Nov. 25

This year’s Chargers Drive XXXVI for Health and Wellness is presented by San Diego County Credit Union at the Town & Country Convention Center (500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley). This is one of the Chargers’ longest running annual community events. San Diego Blood Bank has expanded the drive this year, adding a “Wellness Zone” with interactive exhibits, activities, food sampling, entertainment and much more. In addition to donating blood and meeting Chargers players, the first 500 people will get free blood typing and all attendees may take advantage of the free bone marrow registry onsite. Admission is just $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 3 – 12. Proceeds will help the San Diego Blood Bank get a new Bloodmobile. Those who donate will receive parking validation and may also request a refund of their admission price. Blood donations will begin at 9 a.m. with the exhibits and entertainment starting at 10 a.m. The event ends at 6 p.m. For more information call 619-296-6393 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org or chargers.com.

“Food Chains” screening

Friday, Nov. 28 – Thursday, Dec. 4

North Park’s Digital Gym Cinema (2921 El Cajon Blvd., North Park) brings “Food Chains,” an exposé on where food comes from, to the big screen. The film is centered on a group of Florida farmworkers and their battle with the $4 trillion global supermarket industry as they work to improve working conditions for farm laborers in the U.S. On Nov. 29, the film’s award-winning director, Sanjay Rawal, will be on hand to discuss the film after its screening. On Sunday, Nov. 30, Ellen Gustafson — TED speaker, author of “We the Eaters: If We Change Dinner, We Can Change the World,” founder of the Apron Project, and co-founder of Food Tank: The Food Think Tank — will give a special presentation about a sustainable food system after the film’s final showing. Both guest panels are at no extra cost to theatergoers. Ticket prices vary between $6 – $11. Visit digitalgym.org for tickets, show times and more information.

The Donkeys, Soft Lions, Oh Spirit at Soda Bar

Saturday, Nov. 29

Soda Bar (3615 El Cajon Blvd., North Park) will showcase a who’s who in the San Diego indie pop/rock music scene on Nov. 29. The Donkeys recently took home top honors for Best Rock Album at the 2014 San Diego Music Awards for their critically acclaimed, retro-rock album, “Ride the Black Wave.” Soft Lions, a veritable hometown supergroup (members include musicians from local bands The New Kinetics, Boy King, Wild Wild Wets), play self-described “moody, psychedelic, post-Riot Grrrl” rock tunes that have been gracing the blogosphere for the past year.  Rounding out the bill, Oh Spirit blends Beatles-esque songwriting, impressive vocal harmonies and a dual-guitar attack for a musical style reminiscent of past greats, but one they’ve made entirely their own. The 21+ show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at sodabarmusic.com. 

FilmOut San Diego screening of  “Murder by Death”

Wednesday, Dec. 3

In honor of their current run of one-man play “Tru,” Diversionary Theatre is co-presenting a rare acting performance by Truman Capote. The 1976 mystery comedy, written by Neil Simon, is a spoof on whodunits with the cast members playing send-ups of fictional sleuths. Don’t miss this special one-night showing at Hillcrest Cinemas Landmark Theatres (3965 Fifth Ave.) at 7 p.m. Visit filmoutsandiego.com for more info. And visit diversionary.org for more on “Tru” playing through Dec. 21.

“Woman in the Mirror: A Dancer’s Journey”

Opens Thursday, Dec. 4

Devra Gregory, native San Diegan and life-long dancer and performer, is bringing her award-winning one-woman show “Woman in the Mirror, a Dancer’s Journey,” back to San Diego. Gregory will be taking the stage at Horton Grand Theatre, located at 444 Fourth Ave., Downtown, through Dec. 21. Performed by Gregory who also co-wrote the piece with director Jessica Bird, “Woman in the Mirror” is autobiographical. It tells the story of Gregory’s journey from a childhood wrapped up in ballet to her time in burlesque and then as a professional dancer, Michael Jackson impersonator, and Wiccan priestess — all through dance and illustrious costume changes. For more information or tickets, visit womaninthemirror.bpt.me. 

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.

—Email calendar items to [email protected].