Event briefs: Aug 23

La Jolla Playhouse: Acclaimed piece by comedy legend John Leguizamo

La Jolla Playhouse will present “Kiss My Aztec!,” book by John Leguizamo (Playhouse’s Page To Stage productions of Latin History for Morons and Diary of a Madman) and Tony Taccone (Latin History for Morons, Zorro in Hell). Produced in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Kiss My Aztec! will run in the Mandell Weiss Theatre Sept. 3 – Oct. 13. In the spirit of Book of Mormon, Young Frankenstein and Spamalot, “this hysterical new musical could only spring from comedy legend Leguizamo.”

“This fierce new musical by Playhouse favourite John Leguizamo boasts a terrific cast and creative team, who imbue his deeply-irreverent, outrageously funny piece about the Aztec resistance to the Spanish conquistadores with incredible gusto,” said Christopher Ashley, the Rich Family artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse. Tickets: (858) 550-1010; LaJollaPlayhouse.org

Exhibit of paintings by award-winning artist Natasha Ragland

Award-winning artist Natasha Ragland will have an exhibit of original paintings titled “Visions of Joy” at the Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad from Aug. 29 - Nov. 1.

Ragland has created a large body of work featuring fanciful scenes of animals, dancers, musicians and landscapes composed from elements of the local terrain. Her deep conviction for veganism and preserving the earth is evident in her paintings as well as her life’s mission to uplift the spirit through her art and music. She and her father, Jack Ragland, have a website: Ragland Fine Arts Atelier. The exhibit is open to public viewing during library hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday.

LeucadiART Walk

The LeucadiART Walk on Aug. 25 is a must-attend event drawing 8,000 people to Leucadia for the day to purchase art, experience creativity first-hand and enjoy the performing arts. The event covers a one-mile stretch of Hwy 101 with 101 artist booths of original art, jewelry, ceramic, glass and more in private parking lots. Attendees may watch live music, dance and art demonstrations and bring the kids to the Children’s Art Pavilion. A Craft Beer Garden will also be featured. The community is invited to park at City Hall and ride the open air trolley. The walk will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 at N. Coast Hwy 101 in Leucadia. Free. Contact the Leucadia 101 Main Street at (760) 436-2320 or info@Leucadia101.com

First Sunday Music Series

Friends of the Encinitas Library’s First Sunday Music Series will present “Music from the Cinema” Sunday, Sept. 1, 2-3 p.m. at the Encinitas Library Community Room.

This concert is a celebration of the everlasting magic of movies from Italy, France, Japan and the U. S. The featured film and inspirational score will be subsequently introduced with a short clip during this multi-media event. Because familiar musical pieces from the cinema will be performed, audiences will be exposed to jazz that offers another language to exchange ideas and feelings.

Featuring Jaeryoung Lee (piano), Matt Falker (vocal), Harley Magsino (bass) Kevin Koch (drums). Free to the public. Seating is limited to chairs in room only. Additional parking available at City Hall. Address: 540 Cornish Dr. • Encinitas, (760) 753-7376, encinitaslibfriends.org.

Gala in the Garden

The San Diego Botanic Garden’s 20th annual Gala in the Garden: Cultivating Community will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. This year, guests will have the chance to see the Garden’s new exhibit space, the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory. This new greenhouse and education campus is named after this year’s Paul Ecke Jr. Award honorees Martin and Carol Dickinson.

Gala in the Garden is San Diego Botanic Garden’s largest annual event and fundraiser. Guests stroll outdoors through several garden areas while enjoying fine wine, craft beer, spirits and exceptional dishes from local restaurants and caterers. The event also features a variety of live entertainment and interactive education stations. Tickets are available online at SDBGarden.org/gala.htm or by calling Josh Pinpin at the Garden at (760) 436-3036 x217. Proceeds benefit the San Diego Botanic Garden.

Olivenhain Summer Cinema Outdoor Movie Nights

Friday, Aug. 23 (movie starts at dusk), Movie Night – Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (1971), Olivenhain Meeting Hall, 423 Rancho Santa Fe Rd. Visit www.olivenhain.org/events/

Henkel and Shay to perform at Ki’s

Musicians Robin Henkel and Whitney Shay will perform at Ki’s Restaurant Saturday, Aug. 31 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Address: 2591 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas; (760) 436-5236.

Auditions, Roger Anderson Chorale

The Roger Anderson Chorale sings an international collection of songs by both modern and classical composers and is often accompanied by dancers from the Performing Arts Workshop. Concerts take place at the Encinitas Library and other venues. A tour of Spain is planned for 2020. Required donation of $140 per year to the Chorale. For information on auditions, visit rogerandersonchorale.com/auditions or call (760) 522-7187.

Hope Made Visible: Expressive Arts Workshop for Cancer Patients

This eight-week series invites cancer patients to explore and transform their experiences into creative personal expressions using mixed-media painting, writing, stamping and collage with images, quotes and objects to help them express their thoughts, ideas and home for themselves and others. Workshops take place 10 a.m. to noon Fridays, Aug. 23-Sept. 27 at the UCSD Cancer Center, 1200 Garden View Road. Suggested donation: $20. RSVP: bit.ly/2ytcHuU or (858) 735-5708.

Healing Grief Thru HeArt, Intro Expressive Arts Workshop

This program facilitates healing for those who are experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one. Participants will use a variety of guided mixed-media art activities to help them process the complex physical, emotional, spiritual aspects of their loss. This workshop takes place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at UCSD Cancer Center, 1200 Garden View Road. Suggested donation: $20. (858) 735-5708. E-mail Alessandra@AlessandraColfi.com

Fresh Dances

This yearly performance showcases local, national and international choreographers in San Diego. Presenting work this year are: LITVAKdance, Emily Miller (Performing Arts Workshop), Trixi Agiao, Mayra Barragan, Thom Dancy/Ashley McQueen and others. This show presents diverse and exciting quality dance work, funds artists and paves a way for dance makers to build connections. This performances takes place 8-9:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Aug. 23-25 at White Box Live Arts, 2590 Truxtun Rd. #205. $20. freshdances.org

Pacific View Volunteer Work Event

Volunteers are needed to rehab buildings and remodel the landscape. Join from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at Pacific View, 390 West F. Street. Bring work gloves and closed-toe shoes. eacea.org

La Paloma Theatre

La Paloma Theatre is now showing Pavarotti, Echo in the Canyon, The Biggest Little Farm, Heavy Water 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.

Voices for Children: Starry Starry Night benefit

Starry Starry Night, one of San Diego’s premier fundraising events, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 5-11 p.m. The 17th annual gala will take place at the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. All event proceeds will benefit Voices for Children, a local nonprofit organization which transforms the lives of children in foster care by providing them with volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). CASAs advocate for foster children in the courtroom, at school, and in the community to ensure their needs are prioritized.

Tables and individual tickets can be purchased at SSN2019.org. Starry Starry Night sells out every year, and guests are encouraged to reserve early. For more information about Starry Starry Night, to become a sponsor, or to join the Honorary Committee, contact events@speakupnow.org or 858-598-2271.

Volunteers wanted for Crest Canyon clearing

Volunteers are needed Saturday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., to help clear invasive plants in Crest Canyon. With enough hands and a few hours, it should be possible to halt invaisive encroachment into this sensitive canyon habitat.

Meet at the intersection of Durango Drive and Lozana Road Trailhead with close-toed shoes, wear clothes appropriate for hiking and light bushwhacking, and bring water.

La Jolla Renaissance Singers Auditions

For over 50 years, the La Jolla Renaissance Singers have been bringing the finest of early choral music to the San Diego area. The auditioned, a capella choir draws members from across the county. The group is currently recruiting in all voices. If you are an experienced choral singer with strong sight reading skills who would like to join this small and supportive ensemble, please send a short email with the best way to reach you and some idea of your choral experience. The email address is lajollarenaissancesingers@gmail.com.

La Jolla Renaissance Singers members rehearse each Wednesday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in University City. Rehearsals for the new season will begin Aug. 28. For more information, visit www.ljrs.org.

Dance for Diabetes

The Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) is hosting its second annual Del Mar Dance for Diabetes on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 6-11 p.m. at the Del Mar Plaza (1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar). The event will feature live music and dancing from Encore Event Entertainment, silent auction, spectacular ocean views and a silent dance party to close the night. Prominent local restaurants will tantalize guest’s taste buds with fabulous foods.

The Del Mar Dance for Diabetes will raise necessary funds to support DRC’s mission to connect donors with early-career scientists enabling them to perform peer-reviewed, novel research designed to prevent and cure type 1 diabetes (T1D), minimize its complications and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease. For more information, visit DiabetesResearchConnection.org/ dancefordiabetes/ or call 844-484-3372.

Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Celebration of Second Chances

Tickets are on sale now for the Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Celebration of Second Chances on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Cape Rey Carlsbad at 1 Ponto Road, Carlsbad.

The theme is “Sapphire Night – Where the Animals Shine.” Enjoy a spectacular sunset, ocean view, festive cocktails, coastal cuisine and entertainment. The Celebration supports the RCHS programs for people and animals. For more information visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, call 760-753-6413, log on to www.sdpets.org or contact events@sdpets.org for tickets and sponsorship information.

2019 San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival

The 2019 San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival will be hosted between Aug. 23 to Aug. 25 in Carlsbad. Filmmakers from all over the world will attend the festival and meet the audience after the screening for a brief Q&A session.

The SDIKFF also prepared panels for different film themes. With Hollywood professionals as panel speakers, both filmmakers and the audience have the opportunity to get close to the stars in the industry and learn about experiences and how to start from the beginning and make it to the top.

All events are open to public and tickets are available at http://2019sdikff.eventbrite.com. For more information and locations, visit www.sdkidsfilms.org

Upcoming events at Del Mar Racetrack

Racing at Del Mark happens Wednesday through Sunday (with the exception of Closing Day on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2). First post daily will be at 2 p.m. First post on Fridays will be at 4 p.m. The following events take place at Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Call (858) 755-1141 or visit delmarracing.com

• SOJA: These weight friends will play the sounds of summer on Friday, Aug. 23, shortly after the last race at Del Mark Racetrack, Del Mar Fairgrounds. VIP spots available in the exclusive South Terrace VIP area. Racetrack guests will receive free admission if they enter before the final race of the day. Concert admission is $30 after the last race. Must be 18 or older.

• Sip in Style: Every Friday, track-goers can be seated at a table at the exclusive Turf Club at Del Mar Racetrack and partake in a featured Drink of the Week and complimentary drink tastings from different beverage partners from 4-6 p.m. Sip in Style admission is $80 and includes Turf Club admission and a table reservation. The beverage partner for Friday, Aug. 23 is Bacardi.

Friday, Aug. 30 is track-goers’ last chance to enjoy a table at the exclusive Turf Club, a featured Drink of the Week and complimentary drink tastings from different beverage partners from 4-6 p.m. Sip in Style admission is $80 and includes Turf Club admission and a table reservation. The beverage partner for Friday, Aug. 30, is Ballast Point.

• Country Beer Jam: Country Beer Jam is coming on Aug. 24. Award-winning beers, rare and unique specialty crafts and favorites from the local brewing scene. Local brewery reps will be available to answer questions. Country artists will perform throughout the day, including a performance by Nancarrow. Tasting wristbands are available for purchase ($12.50 for five samples) inside event.

 Steel Pulse – Start your weekend with the mellow beats and soulful lyrics of Steel Pulse on Friday, Aug. 30. Those looking to enhance their experience, can purchase a VIP spot in the exclusive South Terrace VIP area. The concert is presented by San Diego Country Toyota Dealers. Racetrack guests will receive free admission if they enter before the final race of the day. Concert admission will cost $30 after the last race. All concerts are 18+.

Angels & Airwaves – These San Diego natives will rock out on the Seaside Stage shortly after the last race on Saturday, Aug. 31. Those looking to enhance their experience can purchase a VIP spot in the exclusive South Terrace VIP area. The concert is presented by Coors Light. Racetrack guests will receive free admission if they enter before the final race of the day. Concert admission will cost $30 after the last race. All concerts are 18+.

Taste of New Orleans – Join Del Mar for an epic celebration of New Orleans culture on Sunday, Sept. 1 from 12-6 p.m. Experience a day in The Big Easy with live Cajun music, headlined by Cowboy Mouth, and the tasty food of New Orleans – gumbo, shrimp po’boys, beignets, crawfish etouffee, New Orleans-themed drink samples, and more!

 Daybreak at Del Mar – Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, the Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant will welcome early risers from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Fans will be able to dine and watch morning workouts while learning behind-the-scenes details from horsewoman and racing broadcaster Michelle Yu. There is no charge for admission, but a $10 parking fee applies.

Family Weekends – Bring the whole family to the Infield for Family Weekends on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, to enjoy numerous attractions, including pony rides, a giant obstacle course, face painters, a game zone and more!

 Taste of the Turf Club – Sunday, Sept. 1, fans can enjoy the mouthwatering menu of one of San Diego’s most celebrated chefs, Brian Malarkey, at the exclusive Turf Club. Seats are $100 per person and include Turf Club seating for the race day, Turf Club admission, choice of appetizer, entree, dessert and bottomless mimosas, Del Marys or Chandon. Tables are limited.

Concert: LotZof HeART

This all-original show featuring Susie Litzof will feature Litzof performing 10 original songs with background tracks produced and performed by Peter Sprague. This event is intended to be inspirational, humorous, risqué and feature story-telling. Multimedia artworks and handcrafted jewelry for purchase. Guests may partake in wine and snacks. This event takes place 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. $20. bit.ly/2Kli7xo

Auditions, San Diego North Coast Singers

San Diego North Coast Singers is looking for singers in grades 2-12. SDNCS meets in Encinitas and has four choirs serving the youth of the San Diego area. Auditions will be held through September at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena. To schedule a brief and friendly 15-minute audition with artistic director Melissa Keylock, e-mail info@northcoastsingers.com.

Bayside Summer Nights concert series

7:30 p.m. through Sept. 1 at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 206 Marina Park Way, downtown San Diego. Single tickets $17-$108 (subject to change). sandiegosymphony.org

 Aug.24: Chaka Khan (with special guest Macy Gray)

The soulful power of her voice on massive hits like I Feel for You and I’m Every Woman has won her 10 Grammys, sold 70 million records, and influenced generations of musicians.

 Aug. 30, Aug. 31, Sept. 1: 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular

The summer season comes to a dazzling end with a must-see grand finale: the 1812 Overture complete with booming cannons and a sparkling fireworks display over San Diego Bay.

Tenderly — The Rosemary Clooney Musical at NC Rep

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents “Tenderly — The Rosemary Clooney Musical,” based on the life of Rosemary Clooney, who was hailed as America’s favorite girl singer. It offers a fresh, personal picture of the woman whose unparalleled talent and unbridled personality made her a legend. “Tenderly” runs through Sunday, August 25. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach. (858) 481-1055. Visit northcoastrep.org.

City Ballet Gala

Hotel del Coronado is the setting for City Ballet of San Diego’s fundraising gala on Saturday, Oct. 12, with the Del sponsoring the cocktail reception in its new outdoor event venue beginning at 6 p.m. Dining, a ballet performance by City Ballet Dancers, a live auction with auctioneer Darren Diess and dancing to The Mighty Untouchables will be enjoyed in the ballroom. For more information and reservations, visit www.cityballet.org/events.

Proceeds from the gala fund City Ballet’s Performances and Education and Outreach Programs which include: Discover a Dancer program provides free year-round ballet instruction for disadvantaged children and youth at risk. This program offers a creative alternative to violence, gang association, substance abuse, and leaving school early for low-income children.