Encinitas events this weekend and beyond (April 27)

For more information and for a complete list of events, visit the city’s newsletter at https://bit.ly/2K1dtnm.

Spring Street Fair

Enjoy more than 450 booths and five live entertainment stages, children’s rides, bike valets and a beer garden on April 28 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Downtown Encinitas along South Coast Highway 101 between D and J Streets. Take advantage of free, family fun entertainment. Savor craft beers and soak up the sun while listening to the best bands in San Diego rock out at the Beer Garden Stage. Bring your kids and dogs. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2qL7pHI.

Encinitas and North Coast Democratic Club meeting

The Encinitas and North Coast Democratic Club will meet on Saturday, May 5, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Carlsbad Dove Library, Gowland Room, 1775 Dove Lane, in Carlsbad. Speakers will include Nikki Faddick from Moms Demand Action, Steve Bartram from the Brady Campaign, and High School Students Advocating for Gun Control and Gun Violence Prevention. In addition, Stephanie Corkran from the SanDiego350 Public Policy Team will speak on fighting climate change through opposition of the SDG&E pipeline and Regionalization (AB 813). Elections for the leadership positions will also be held, and pizza will be served.

Taste of Cardiff

Cardiff 101 Main Street will present the 9th Annual Taste of Cardiff on May 3 from 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join the community in celebrating culinary flavors and local crafted libations that make the downtown Cardiff district so unique. Individual restaurants and retailers will set up in front of their shops in downtown Cardiff and Restaurant Row along Hwy 101.

Enjoy food, drinks, live music and photos with friends in the vintage Camera Camper at this year’s Taste of Cardiff. Fifteen of Cardiff’s restaurants will be crafting decadent taste samples to ticket holders to win votes for the 2018 Taste of Cardiff Golden Fork Award, while local businesses host Sip Stops of libations.

Each stop provides a sample of North County’s finest foods, craft beers,wines and/or kombucha. There will be local favorites and new performing artists located throughout the event in downtown Cardiff and Restaurant Row.

To purchase tickets go to www.cardiff101.com.

Female composers concert

The San Diego Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon will present a program featuring women composers at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr., on April 29 at 2 p.m. Featured will be the Violin Sonata by Amy Beach, songs by Nadja Boulanger, a flute trio and works for piano four hands by Mel Bonis. Performers will be pianists Fontaine Laing, Monique Kunewalder and Lerina Chmura, violinist Eileen Wingard, flutist Lynn Becker, and mezzo-soprano Alexandra Annen. No admission charge.

Chocolate Festival

San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, presents its annual Chocolate Festival on May 12 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your taste buds will thank you when savoring the many varieties of goodies created by nearly a dozen chocolate artisans. For more information, visit www.sdbgarden.org.

A Spanish Affair

A screening of this Spanish movie (with English subtitles) will be presented April 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. on the San Elijo Campus of MiraCosta College, 3333 Manchester Avenue, in room 204. For more information, email lifesanelijo@gmail.com.

Encinitas Library Book Sale

Encinitas Friends of the Library Bookstore will hold a book sale May 5. Most books will be from 25 cents to $1, with CD’s for 25 cents and DVDs typically $1. Books range from current fiction, children’s selections, biography, self-help and spirituality to health, history, travel and science. The sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the general public and opens at 9 a.m. for members at the library, 540 Cornish Drive. Community members can join the Friends group at the door. Visit www.encinitaslibfriends.org.

Folk concert

The modern folk-trio, Watson, Beldock and Beach performs an acoustic blend of original folk, blues and jazz on May 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Together, the three are known for their dazzling musicianship, beautiful harmonies and humorous stage presence. Joining them will be one of San Diego’s most talented percussionists, Enrique Platas. For more information, visit www.encinitaslibfriends.org.

Spring herb walk

Lavender, basil and mint--oh boy! Take a walk in the Herb Garden at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, on April 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. Explore the medicinal and aromatic use of herbs and create herbal products for your home and body. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2JcWJZk.

Artist reception and fashion show

Enjoy a meet and greet with local artists, jewelry designers and fashion models on April 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Art n Soul on 101, 633 South Coast Highway 101. Enter a free raffle and be a hopeful winner of hand-crafted jewelry, gifts and fashion from designer Pink Soul. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2HPQlI2.

Class: Reiki Technique

Learn about the hands-on activity that promotes stress reduction, relaxation, and helps create balance and healing on April 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Cardiff Library, 2081 Newcastle Avenue. Led by Marcela Alva, who will explain the body’s energy centers, or “Chakras,” to help better understand how healing works. For more information, call 760-753-4027.

Passport to Brazil

The celebration of Brazilian culture will explore Carnival, with San Diego’s finest Brazilian artists on April 28 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Enjoy delicious Brazilian cuisine while you explore the Marketplace, an Opportunity Drawing, and beer and wine for purchase. Performances include Super Sonic Samba Drummers and Dancers, along with Cajuina Band, performing authentic Forró, Samba and Bossa Nova. They will get the dance party started with conga and drumming. For tickets and more information, visit https://bit.ly/2HO1oBr.

LITVAK Dance

Encinitas’ new dance company is dedicated to making and presenting quality contemporary dance with a diverse group of professional homegrown dancers. They will present their inaugural concert on April 28 at 7 p.m. and April 29 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the UCSD Dance Building #3, 9500 Gilman Drive in La Jolla. The event includes art by Wren Polansky and music by Kris Apple and Meredith Yayanos, with dances choreographed by Bradley Lundberg, Dave Massey, Yolande Snaith and Litvak Director Sadie Weinberg. For tickets and more information, visit https://bit.ly/2JcdIL9.

Coastal Communities Concert Band

The 75-member band will be joined by 26 outstanding high school musicians to perform the Chorale and Shaker Dance, Southwest Saga, Merry-Go-Round, Mt. Everest, and George Washington Bicentennial March on April 29 at 2 p.m. at the San Dieguito Academy Gymnasium, 800 Santa Fe Drive. Maggie Chen, last year’s Caneva Scholarship winner, will perform Carnival of Venice for solo clarinet. Tom Cole will conduct. For tickets and more information, visit https://bit.ly/2HiQKWk.

La Paloma Spring Poetry Slam

Celebrating 18 years of poetry in Encinitas on April 29 at 7 p.m. at the La Paloma Theater, 471 South Coast Highway 101. Hear outstanding local poets compete for cash prizes. Poets: be prepared to recite three original poems. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2JbLpN2.

The Power of Neuro Linguistic Programming & the TimeLine Process

Neuro Linguistic Programming is a powerful transformational process that works with the building blocks of how experience is formed. Learn the empowering perspective it brings to your challenges in life (finances, relationships, self-esteem..) in this interactive workshop with NLP & TimeLine Master Practitioner, Dr. Jane Ilene Cohen on May 6 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Dr. Cohen’s home office in Encinitas. There is limited space and a $10 to $20 donation is suggested. Interested attendees should RSVP by calling (760) 753-0733 for the address. For more information, visit www.JaneCohenCounseling.com.

Rock The Choir

A San Diego-based band that performs classic rock with a real choir will perform April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. The show merges the energy of an arena rock concert with the power of many voices performing together. If you enjoy the big vocal harmonies that dominated rock music in the 1960’s, 70’s, and 80’s, you will love the show. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2qNj4WF.

La Paloma Theatre

Now showing: Bombshell: The Lefy Lamarr Story, The Death of Stalin, Ocean Film Tour: Volume 5 and Rocky Horror Picture Show. 471 Coast Hwy. 101. For show times, call 760-436-7469.

‘A Hot Diamond Night’

The Beach & Country Guild presents its sixth annual Regale in The Ranch, “A Hot Diamond Night” event Saturday, May 19, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at the gorgeous Rancho Santa Fe home of Michael and Ilene Lamb. The event features libations and delicious bites from local vendors and restaurants, and an opportunity drawing. The highlight of the evening is live entertainment under the stars from Neil Diamond Tribute band Hot August Night. So, brush up on the lyrics to all your favorite Neil classics — whether it’s “Cherry, Cherry,” “America,” or “Sweet Caroline,” you know you’re going to want to sing along.

All proceeds support Beach & Country Guild’s sole beneficiary, United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County. Tickets are available at www.beachandcountry.org.

FACE Foundation’s 8th Annual Bags & Baubles fundraiser

On Sunday, April 29, Bags & Baubles will bring pet lovers and trendsetters together to shop the season’s hottest looks while giving back to the community. From 1-4:30 p.m., the Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) will host its annual silent auction event at an exclusive Rancho Santa Fe estate to raise funds and awareness for local San Diego pets in need of life-saving care.

Bags & Baubles is a unique event that allows guests to shop for a good cause. All auction items have been donated in order to raise money for the foundation’s mission of preventing “economic euthanasia,” an issue that occurs when a pet owners’ only option is to euthanize their pet because they are unable to afford life-saving veterinary care for their ill or injured pets.Established in 2006, FACE is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 public charity that has saved the lives of almost 2,000 local pets. Guests can register at www.face4pets.org.

Mainly Mozart

Mainly Mozart’s 2018 Spotlight Chamber Music Series opens with Anton Nel on piano, Steven Copes on violin, Hsin-Yun Huang on viola and Ronald Thomas on cello performing Mozart’s “Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, K. 493” and Brahms’ “Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60,” 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, Auditorium at TSRI, 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive. $58. (619) 239-0100. mainlymozart.org

San Diego Kids Expo & Fair

The San Diego Kids Expo & Fair will be held April 28-29 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The event features 150 local and national companies that have products and services that cater to kids and families. Meet instructors and coaches teaching karate, soccer and football. Or sign up for a gymnastics, talent or dance school. Pet a furry friend like a miniature donkey or touch exotic animals like a huge a snake. The event also includes kids activities, games, crafts and more. Visit www.sandiegokidsexpo.com

Rambling Through the Ranch

The Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club brings back Rambling Through the Ranch on May 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RSF Garden Club, 17025 Avenida de Acacias. Guests may enjoy open air trolley rides to tour four exclusive Rancho Santa Fe private gardens with live music at every location. Attendees may also shop local merchandise, sample food vendors and participate in a silent auction.

Rambling Through the Ranch supports Humane Smarts, a nonprofit urban farm located in the heart of downtown San Diego.

For more information, please call 858-756-1554 or email shelly@rsfgardenclub.org Tickets are $40 and are on sale now at www.rsfgardenclub.org

Voices for Children presents Wine Women & Shoes

Join co-chairs Patricia Brutten and Marina Marrelli for an afternoon garden party featuring fun, fashion, and fine wine on Saturday, May 12, from 1-4 p.m. at the 7th Annual Wine Women & Shoes event benefiting Voices for Children. Taking place this year on the Rooftop Deck at the Del Mar Plaza, guests will enjoy a stunning fashion show, sample premium wines, savor delectable bites, shop the fashion marketplace, and compete for “Best in Shoe.” The exciting live auction will offer irresistible items and unique experiences, with additional opportunities to win the “Key to the Closet,” or choose from our “Wall of Wine.”

Visit speakupnow.org/WWS or call 858-598-2216, events@speakupnow.org.

Founded in 1980, Voices for Children (VFC) transforms the lives of abused, neglected and abandoned children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties by providing them with trained volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs).

WAVELength Volley & Vine Sunset Soiree May 17

The WAVELength Association will hold its 4th Annual Volley & Vine Sunset Soiree on Thursday, May 17 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Powerhouse Park Community Center in Del Mar. The event will feature wine, beer, delicious food, silent and live auctions, raffle and door prizes. Proceeds benefit youth volleyball athletes. Adults 21-plus only.

Powerhouse Park Community Center is located at 1658 Coast Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014. Visit wavelengthassociation.com for more information and tickets.

Helen Woodward Center Puppy Prom

Helen Woodward Animal Center welcomes perros and their people to the Sixth Annual Puppy Prom back at the perfect festive location. To celebrate the Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend, the tail-wagging event invites canine adopters and adoptees to Casa Sol y Mar in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center for the uniting of former orphan alumni and the crowning of a 2018 Best Dressed Prom King and Queen. Grab your favorite fuzzy love and rub hairy shoulders with other pups at Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Sixth Annual Puppy Prom Sunday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to noon at Casa Sol y Mar in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center at 12865 El Camino Real, San Diego, 92130.

For more information, check out animalcenter.org/events/alumnipuppy-prom/. To RSVP or to register your pup for the Best Dressed King and Queen, contact Mindy Wright at Helen Woodward Animal Center at: 858-756-4117 ext. 379. Visit animalcenter.org

Annual Mama’s Day Tasting Extravaganza Fundraiser

The 27th annual Mama’s Day, benefiting Mama’s Kitchen, is scheduled for Friday, May 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine located at 3777 La Jolla Village Drive. The fundraising event, held the Friday evening before Mother’s Day, features more than 50 chefs offering distinctive tastes from San Diego’s finest restaurants, live music from Bonnie Foster Productions, a silent auction and more.

Mama’s Day is often touted as the original San Diego tasting event and helps to raise critical funds for Mama’s Kitchen’s mission to deliver three hot, nutritional meals a day, seven days a week and free of charge to local women, men and children vulnerable to hunger due to HIV, cancer or other critical illnesses.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.mamaskitchen.org.

North Coast Rep presents Tuesday Night Comics May 8

Tuesday Night Comics, returns to North Coast Repertory Theatre on May 8 at 7:30 p.m. Mark Christopher Lawrence, award- winning Actor of the Year, hosts the North Coast Rep stage with his extensive list of talented comedian friends from all over the country with late night credits as well as credits from Comedy Central, HBO, SHOWTIME etc.

Musical guests, John Brooks and the San Diego Jazz Quintet, are based in beautiful San Diego and play an assortment of jazz standards from around the word, throwing down jazz beats, Latin jazz rhythms, and classic jazz tunes. To order tickets, visit northcoastrep.org, or call the box office at 858-481-1055.

North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075.

5th Annual 5 Minute Short Play Festival

Hamlet might have said it best: “Brevity is the soul of wit.” And brevity is the source of creativity as the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family JCC, Jacobs Family Campus will present its 5th Annual 5 Minute Short Play Festival, the only one of its kind in San Diego, on May 7 at 7 p.m. This year’s submissions include comedies and dramas along with political and historical pieces. These plays focus on Jewish identity, heritage, values and cultural experiences. Playwrights represent all ages and walks of life. For most, this is the first time they will see their words come alive and performed by professional talented actors.

JCC David & Dorothea Garfield Theater is located at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla

Visit www.sdcjc.org, 858-362-1348.

Volunteers needed for Hospice of the North Coast Resale Shop

Hospice of the North Coast is looking for volunteers to work in its Resale Shop at 278-B N. El Camino Real (Homegoods Shopping Center), Encinitas. One 4-hour shift per week is required. Volunteers assist with customer purchases, pricing, sorting and processing donated merchandise. All proceeds go directly to Hospice, a nonprofit organization. If you are interested, please contact Mary Jo Barry, manager, at 760-943-9921.

UCSD economic roundtable

Fiona Greig, director of Research, JPMorgan Chase Institute, will discuss “The Future of Work Implications of Income Volatility and the Gig Economy” at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9 at the UC San Diego Faculty Club.

Discounts are available for UCSD faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Big data is bringing big changes both to the American economy and how economists study it. As Director of Research at JPMorgan Chase Institute, Fiona Greig has been using data from millions of financial transactions to get new insights into online labor platforms like Uber and TaskRabbit, sometimes referred to as the gig economy. In this talk, Greig will share some of the Institute’s findings about changing trends in income volatility and the future of work.

For additional information and registration, visit economics.ucsd.edu/events/economics-roundtable/index.html, email econroundtable@ucsd.edu, or call 858-534-9710.