Event briefs: Aug. 2

31st Annual Taste of Encinitas, Aug. 6

The Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association will hold the 31st Annual Taste of Encinitas, presented by First Team Real Estate, on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., along Coast Hwy 101 in downtown Encinitas. With the purchase of a $45 ticket, participants will be able to enjoy Tastes from a number of local restaurants, sample wine and beer at Sip Stops, and enjoy a variety of live music.

In addition to the Sip Stops, the Taste will feature locations serving non-alcoholic beverages, such as coffee, kombucha, juices and water. Tickets can be purchased at www.encinitas101.com and at the Encinitas 101 office located at 818 S. Coast Hwy 101.

Art Night Encinitas

Encinitas civic and local art galleries are opening their doors to celebrate the city’s diverse visual art scene for Art Night Encinitas from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Several participating locations with offer live music and refreshments.

“Art Night Encinitas was conceived by the Commission for the Arts in 2018 as a way to bring focus to our civic art galleries and thriving visual art scene,” said Commission for the Arts Chair Collette Stefanko.

Forty-seven exhibits by local artists will be presented in the city’s three civic art galleries, along with a myriad local artists who will exhibit their work. Participating galleries and locations include Lux Art Institute (artist Carolyn Case), 1550 S. El Camino Real; Off Track Gallery (San Dieguito Art Guild artists), 937 S. Coast Hwy. 101; Art N Soul on the 101 (artist Kori Gabs), 633 S. Coast Hwy. 101; Bliss 101 (artist Patrick Sattley), 553 S. Coast Hwy 101; First Street Gallery (artists Jim Hornung and Robert Kennedy), 820 S. Coast Hwy 101; the Encinitas Library (artists Susan Brook, Susan Harris, William Leslie and Alessandra Colfi), 540 Cornish Drive; and Civic Center Art Gallery at City Hall (artists Kerry Campbell and Deborrah Henry), 505 S. Vulcan Ave.

The bi-monthly art open house benefits artists through the sale of their art and provides the public an opportunity to interact with artists and learn about the creative process. This is a free event. The public is encouraged to park at City Hall, the Encinitas Community Center and the Encinitas Library to access the free shuttle rides offered. More information at encinitasca.gov/visualart

Encinitas North Coast Democratic Club meeting, Aug. 3

The Encinitas North Coast Democratic Club will meet on Aug. 3 at the Carlsbad Dove Library Gowland Room from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be a forum on SANDAG’s “5 Bold Moves” and the 2021 Regional Transportation Plan. Forum participants include Hasan Ikhrata, executive director of SANDAG, Cori Schumaker, Carlsbad City Council member, and David Grubb, transportation chair, Sierra Club, San Diego chapter. Refreshments will be served. For more information, www.encdc.org.

Half Price Encinitas Library Book Sale

Thousands of books (mostly priced from 25 cents to $1) 25 cent CDs and DVDs mostly for $1 will be for sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Encinitas Library Book Store, 540 Cornish Drive. www.encinitaslibfriends.org

North Coastal Sheriff’s National Night Out Community Event

North Coastal Sheriff’s National Night Out event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 6, 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Moonlight Beach, 400 B St., Encinitas. Meet deputies, take pictures, explore Sheriff vehicles, ATVs, Bomb Robot, motorcycles, free shaved ice, beacj games with Sheriff deputies and more. and more. For more information, contact the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station at 760-966-3500

Torrey Pines Docent Naturalist Training

A comprehensive docent training program at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve begins on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday training sessions will include plants, insects, geology, birds, history and much more. Participation is limited and preregistration is required. To register, go to torreypine.org/volunteering/

For questions, contact docenttraining@torreypine.org

Ovation Theatre Presents ‘Footloose’

The musical “Footloose” is based on the 1984 film about a city boy who moves to a rural backwater where dancing is banned, but soon has the town on its feet. The musical will feature classic hits “Almost Paradise,” “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” and the title track. Suitable for all ages. Performances take place 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Aug. 2-3 and Aug. 9-10, and 2 p.m. Sundays Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 at Brubeck Theatre, Palomar College, 1140 West Mission Road, San Marcos. Tickets from $20 at ovationtheatre.org/footloose.html or call (760) 487-8568.

Healing Arts Classes

Healing Arts Classes will be held for those recovering from brain injuries and/or neurological challenges. Participants may partake in self-expression through art, increasing skills, improving eye/hand coordination and enjoy the support of facilitator Denise McMurtrie. Supplies provided. Hosted by Synergy Art Foundation. Register at Pimstone.Deborah@scrippshealth.org or call (760) 633-6709. Classes take place 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3 and 17; 4 p.m. Tuesdays Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Scripps Hospital Brain Injury Room, 354 Santa Fe Drive. Free.

Japan Festival

The Encinitas Library’s Japan Festival celebrates San Diego’s Sister City Amakusa, Japan. The festival features an array of Japanese artists with poetry readings, folktales, a Japanese kamishibai picture card theater, flute-beat-boxing, traditional tea ceremony demo, kendama toy demo, spin-and-win game with prizes, Japanese-themed books and more. Asian food will be available for purchase. This event is free and will take place 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. (760) 753-7376.

Performing Arts for Children/Teens/Adults with Autism

Positive Action Community Theatre is hosting performing art workshops designed to teach social/communication skills to teens and young adults (3-5:30 p.m.) and children (2-3 p.m.), with autism in an inclusive environment. Workshops take place 2-5:30 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at Dance North County, 535 Encinitas Blvd., Ste. 100. $20 per session. (760) 815-8512.

Off Track Gallery Artists Reception

The public is invited to an “Artists Reception” Saturday, Aug. 3, from 4-9 p.m. at the Off Track Gallery featuring the jewelry of Cindy Alcoset and the artworks of three MiraCosta, Oceanside, art students: Jermaine Morales, Andy Brandon Portillo, and Joshua San Nicolas.

The three MiraCosta College students will each be awarded a check for $500. The award ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the reception. All artwork in the gallery will be 10 percent off the entire day from 10 a.m. to closing. This event is free and open to the public.

Off Track Gallery is owned and operated by San Dieguito Art Guild, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization made up of over 200 talented local artists. The gallery is located at 937 South Coast Highway 101, Suite C-103, Encinitas, 760-942-3636, pr@sandieguitoartguild.com, OffTrackGallery.com.

Concert by the Sea: The Smokin’ Cobras

The Smokin’ Cobras have played stages from Dodger Stadium to Japan and are known for playing high-energy performances of music from ’50s through ’80s radio hits. They are slated to perform 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 at Moonlight Beach, 400 B Street. No dogs or glass on the beach. Guests are encouraged to bring low back chairs. Free.

SDA Class of 1989 reunion

San Dieguito High School Class of 1989 will hold its 30-year reunion on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 6-10 p.m. at 1144 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, 92024 (aka Leucadia).

The event will feature a live band out back (yacht rock - ’70s/’80s), ’80s playlist inside, open bar and snacks, free photo booth, party games, food truck (no-host). Prices: Pre-sale: $70, $85 at the door. Visit http://bit.ly/1989SDHS or email 1989SDHS@gmail.com

Blood Drive

Save lives by giving blood on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. San Diego Blood Bank’s bloodmobile will be in Solana Beach’s Lomas Santa Fe Plaza parking lot between Vons and Starbucks just east of I-5. Free beverages, bagels, and discounts will be provided to all donors by Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels, Pizza Nova and Del Mar-Solana Beach Rotary. Make an appointment: www.mysdbb.org or 1-800-4-MYSDBB (1-800-469-7322) or just show up. Photo ID required. Hosted by Del Mar-Solana Beach Rotary.

First Sunday Concert Series: Watson, Beldock and Beach

Peggy Watson, David Beldock and Paul Beach perform original acoustic folk, blues and jazz. Together, the three are known for their dazzling musicianship, beautiful harmonies and humorous stage presence. This concert is slated to take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Free. encinitaslibfriends.org

Author Talk & Signing by local resident Karna Small Bodman

On Saturday, Aug. 10, Karna Small Bodman, a Rancho Santa Fe resident who served six years in Reagan White House, first as Deputy Press. Secretary, later as Senior Director of the National Security Council, will speak and sign copies of her political thriller, “Trust but Verify,” 3 p.m. at the Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave, Suite 100, San Diego, 92111. For more information, call: 858-268-4747.

Movies showing at La Paloma Theatre

La Paloma Theatre is now showing “Echo in the Canyon,” “The Biggest Little Farm” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Tickets are $10, cash only. 471 Coast Hwy. 101. Show times available at lapalomatheatre.com Call (760) 436-7469 for more information.

Art in the Village

Held on the second Sunday every August for 21 years, the Carlsbad Village Association’s (CVA) Art in the Village will return on Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., bringing 110 local and regional fine artists together for a one-day, open-air art show.

Starting at 9 a.m., just blocks from Carlsbad State Beach, attendees can browse dynamic exhibits and meet the artists along State Street and Grand Avenue. Live sculpting and painting demos will also take place throughout the day. Returning to Art in the Village this year:

Village eateries, including several new breakfast and lunch venues, coffee shops, wine bars and fine dining, are conveniently located on State and Grand just adjacent to the art show. For more details and information, please go to the website at bit.ly/artinthevillage

Del Mar Racetrack’s 80th Racing Season

The Del Mar Racetrack’s summer season includes a wide variety of fun, food, music and racing for guests of all ages. Racing at Del Mar happens Wednesday through Sunday with the exception of Closing Day on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 2). First post daily will be 2 p.m., first post on Fridays will be 4 p.m. Call (858) 755-1141 or visit delmarracing.com for more information and a list of events.