FEATURED EVENTS

Old Harbor Distilling grand opening
Friday, Jan. 1

The celebration for Old Harbor’s grand opening will take place at SILO at Makers Quarter (753 15th St., East Village) and the nearly finished Old Harbor Sunset Bar (270 17th St., East Village).

A free bus will be taking attendees between the two venues for live music throughout the day by Wild Wild Wets, Diamond Lakes, Jimmy Ruelas, Dani Bell and the Tarantist and more. Tickets include one drink ticket and proceeds go to David’s Harp Foundation — a nonprofit helping “to inspire, educate and empower ‘at-risk’ and homeless youth to achieve academic success through music education, sound engineering and multimedia production.” The party takes place from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Visit on.fb.me/1RBjebu for more information and tickets. 

San Diego International Car Show
Through Sunday, Jan. 3

This year’s auto show will feature over 400 different 2015 model-year vehicles, offer ride and drives, an expanded exotics salon and more. The show will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1 and Saturday, Jan. 2; and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3. The car show is once again held at the San Diego Convention Center (111 W. Harbor Drive, Downtown.) Visit sdautoshow.com for tickets and more information.

‘Whales 3D’
Monday, Jan. 4

This documentary by Jean-Michel Cousteau will be shown at the San Diego Natural History Museum (1788 El Prado, Balboa Park) today through Sept. 6. The film explores everything from the coral reefs of the Bahamas to the exotic Kingdom of Tonga. The awesome film gives viewers an up-close view of humpback females with their newborn calves, singing humpback males and more. Narrated by Daryl Hannah. Admission to “Whales 3D” is included with admission to the museum. Visit sdnhm.org for tickets and show times.

‘Sesame Street’ and HBO’s free museum day with performances by Elmo and friends
Saturday, Jan. 9

San Diego children are invited to join Elmo and friends at a free museum day at The New Children’s Museum (200 West Island Ave., Downtown) with performances by “Sesame Street” muppets and lots of activities. The event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a performance and activities with another performance and set of activities at 1:30 p.m. Kids will also be invited to join “Sesame Street’s Everyday Heroes Club” which promotes acts of kindness big and small. Kids and families can then share these acts of kindness at sesameheroes.org and earn badges for “manners,” “respect” and more. This special event will also promote the launch of the 46th season of “Sesame Street” to begin airing on HBO and HBO Latino starting Jan. 16. Visit thinkplaycreate.org for more information.

ASD Mornings
Sunday, Jan. 10

The second Sunday of every month the San Diego Natural History Museum (1788 El Prado, Balboa Park) opens early for adults and children on the autism spectrum (ASD) and their families, friends and caregivers. The program is designed to give members of the ASD community the chance to explore the museum in a quiet, less-crowded environment. “Ocean Oasis” will be shown in the theater at a lower volume and with higher light levels. There will also be a “quiet room” from 9 a.m. – noon if visitors need a space to decompress or desensitize and attendees will receive a special gift from the museum. Visit bit.ly/1TjvYkQ for more information, an online RSVP form and tickets.

‘America’s Got Talent’ open auditions
Tuesday, Jan. 12

NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” will host Season 11 open call auditions at the San Diego Convention Center (111 W. Harbor Drive, Downtown). San Diego is the seventh stop on a 12-city nationwide search for America’s next big undiscovered entertainer. Those interested in auditioning can register for the San Diego auditions at agtauditions.com.

Career fair
Wednesday, Jan. 13

This free career fair is perfect for job seekers looking for opportunities in inside and outside sales, customer service and much more. Many of the companies represented offer: base plus uncapped commission pay structure, flexible work hours, full benefits, 401K, stock options, gas allowance or company car and more. The event will be held from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel (601 Pacific Hwy, Marina). Visit hirelive.com for more information.

‘Nordic Landscapes’ Camarada concert
Sunday, Jan. 24

This installation of “Mingle @ The Mingei” will feature the chamber music ensemble Camarada performing the concert “Nordic Landscapes.” They will perform music by Edvard Grieg, Carl Nielsen, Christian Sinding, Jean Sibelius and Kalevi Aho featuring Camarada’s woodwind quintet, violin, cello and piano. Mingei International Museum (1439 El Prado, Balboa Park), 6 – 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $25 for students, seniors, military and museum members. Visit classicalmusicsandiego.com.

‘J’adore Little Italy’ Sunday Supper 
Sunday, Jan. 24

A Parisian-inspired five-course dinner including cheese in every course will be served at The Cheese Store of San Diego (1980 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy) from 6 – 8 p.m. The meal will be crafted by two guest chefs: Katie Grebow (former executive chef of Café Chloe) and Amy Finley (food writer, chef and winner of the Next Food Network Star.) Event price is $69 and includes one glass of wine or beer. The Cheese Store of San Diego, 1980 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. Visit thecheesestoresd.com for reservations.

‘Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It’
Thursday, Jan. 28

William Shatner’s one-man show promises to deliver a larger-than-life performance complete with humor, storytelling and select musical selections in his inimitable style. Through anecdotes, songs, jokes and more, Shatner will share the story of his path from classically trained Shakespearean actor to cultural icon. This show will be one night only at Balboa Theatre (868 Fourth Ave., Downtown) starting at 7:30 p.m. There are a limited number of VIP tickets which include a post-show meet and greet with Shatner. Visit sandiegotheatres.org/shatners-world for tickets starting at $44.

Bands for Bernie fundraiser
Saturday, Jan. 30

All money collected from the sale of tickets to this fundraiser will support the Bernie Sanders election campaign. The event, from 5 – 10 p.m. at the Worldbeat Cultural Center (2100 Park Blvd., Balboa Park), will include the musical acts Broken Stems, Tony Tig, Jason French, Moves Collective and Neveready. Each band is playing for free so that as much money as possible will go to Sanders’ campaign. Tickets will be available at the time of the event and cost $10. This event will be all ages with a 21 and up beer garden. Visit bandsforberniesd.com for more information.

‘Donny Osmond: The Soundtrack of My Life’
Sunday, Jan. 31

Celebrating 50 years a performer, Donny Osmond is embarking on his first solo concert performance in four years. “The Soundtrack of My Life” tour features an intimate look at Osmond’s most beloved moments in entertainment, including his chart-topping solo hits. Osmond recently released his 60th studio album, also called “The Soundtrack of My Life,” which features songs that summarize his life so far, telling a story with each track. One night only at Balboa Theatre (868 Fourth Ave., Downtown), at 6 p.m. Visit sandiegotheatres.org/donny-osmond for tickets starting at $40.

WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS

TUESDAY

Residents Free Tuesdays in Balboa Park: Participating museums change the first four Tuesdays of the month. Free for San Diego city and county residents with ID, active military and dependents. Hours vary by museum. Visit balboapark.org/visit/Tuesdays.

Coronado Certified Farmers Market: 2:30 – 6 p.m. First and B streets at Coronado Ferry Landing. Visit welcometocoronado.com.

Trivia: Bring a team or play alone. 7 – 9 p.m. 98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. Visit 98bottlessd.com.

WEDNESDAY

Comedy Open Mic: Up-and-coming comics test their skills while patrons enjoy drink and appetizer specials and no cover. 8 p.m. American Comedy Company, 818 B Sixth Ave., Gaslamp. Visit americancomedyco.com.

THURSDAY

Trivia Night: Bring a team or play alone. 7 – 9 p.m. 98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. Visit 98bottlessd.com.

FRIDAY

Weekly Downtown San Diego Partnership walkabouts: Join DSDP’s Clean & Safe program at 10 a.m. in alternating neighborhoods: Cortez, Core, Columbia, Gaslamp, Marina and East Village. For more info, call 619-234-8900, visit downtownsandiego.org or sign up for their newsletter.

Take a bite out of Downtown: Hosted by food tour service Bite San Diego, join fellow foodies and winos for a historical walking tour sampling some of Downtown’s finest restaurants. 21+. Noon. Tickets are $45. Tours also on Saturday. Visit bitesandiego.com/index.php.

SATURDAY

Little Italy Mercato: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Over 100 booths at Date and India streets. Visitlittleitalysd.com/mercato.

The Gaslamp Architectural Walking Tour: Stops on this tour include architecturally significant structures from the 1800s including Old City Hall, the Keating Building, William Heath Davis House Museum and more. 11 a.m. 410 Island Ave., Gaslamp. Visitgaslampquarter.org.

SUNDAY

Rooftop Flow: Dynamic yoga class by Yoga One. Hotel Solamar, 435 Sixth Ave., Downtown. 9 – 10 a.m. Visit yogaonesandiego.com.

Walk-in eReader and device assistance: Free and open to the public. Bring your Android and iOS devices for hands-on learning. 2 – 4 p.m. Room 222, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., Downtown. Visit sandiegolibrary.org.

Outdoor organ concert: The San Diego Organ Society presents a free organ concert. With over 4,500 pipes, this organ is one of the largest organs in the world with wonderful sound, playing classic and popular hits by Downtown News contributor Carol Williams. Enjoy free parking, lots of seating. Balboa Park’s Organ Pavilion. 2 p.m. Visit balboapark.org.

—Compiled by Jen Van Tieghem. Send items for inclusion to editor Morgan M. Hurley at [email protected]. 

Editor’s Note: We are trying out some changes to our calendar this year. Let us know what you think by writing to [email protected].