Event briefs: Aug. 30

Cardiff Greek Festival

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church welcomes the San Diego community to join the celebration at the 41st Annual Cardiff Greek Festival on Sept. 7 and 8.

Enjoy and experience Hellenic cuisine, entertainment, and hospitality as the church grounds will once again be transformed with the sights, sounds, and tastes of Greece. City of Encinitas officials will formally kick off the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11:30 a.m.

The Cardiff Greek Festival will be celebrated Saturday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the grounds of Saints Constantine and Helen, 3459 Manchester Avenue, a half mile east of I-5 at the Manchester exit in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Free parking is available at the adjacent Mira Costa College. For more information, visit www.cardiffgreekfest.com.

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

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.

Encinitas North Coast Democratic Club

The Encinitas North Coast Democratic Club will meet on Sept. 7, at the Carlsbad Dove Library, Gowland Room, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. The meeting will be a District 3 Supervisor Candidate Forum with Terra Lawson-Remer and Olga Diaz, moderated by The League of Women Voters. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.encdc.org.

Encinitas Friends of the Library Bookstore Sale

Encinitas Friends of the Library Bookstore will hold a book sale Saturday, Sept. 7. Most books will be from 50 cents to $2, with CDs for 25 cents and DVDs typically $2. 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 encinitaslibfriends.org.

Foreign Film: “Bend it like Beckham”

This PG-13 film will be shown in English. An Indian family in London tries to raise their soccer-playing daughter in a traditional way. Unlike her more conventional older sister, Pinky, who is preparing for a lavish Indian wedding and a lifetime of cooking the perfect chapati, Jess dreams of playing soccer professionally, like her hero David Beckham. When Jess is forced to make a choice between tradition and her beloved sport, her family must decide whether to let her chase her dream--and a soccer ball--or follow a more orthodox path. Heart-stopping talent doesn’t seem to be enough when your parents want you to hang up your football boots, find a nice boyfriend and learn to cook the perfect chapati. The film will be shown 1-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 at San Elijo Campus of MiraCosta College, 3333 Manchester Ave. in Room 204. Free. lifesanelijo@gmail.com

Public Tour: Your Water System at Work

Olivenhain Municipal Water District offers public tours several times a year for customers interested in a behind-the-scenes look at its daily operations. Visit www.olivenhain.com/events or call 760-632-4641 to register for the next tour on Sept.12 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m

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. For information on auditions, call (760) 522-7187 or visit rogerandersonchorale.com/auditions

The Exiles in Encinitas

The Exiles are a versatile band with an eclectic sound. They play updated and refreshed rock, R&B, jazz, blues and original songs. Their next local conert is slated to take place 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 at American Legion Post 416, 210 West F Street. Free.

Family fun at the Museum

The community is invited to join in some family fun with make-and-take projects for the entire family. This craft time take place Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. at San Dieguito Heritage Museum, 450 Quail Gardens Drive. Free. (760) 632-9711 or sdheritage.org

La Paloma Theatre

La Paloma Theatre is now showing Pavarotti, Echo in the Canyon, Maiden, Wild Rose 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.

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.

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.

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.

NC Rep Impro Theatre’s Shakespeare Unscripted

Paying homage to the genius of William Shakespeare, Impro Theatre’s company spontaneously creates a new play in The Bard’s unmistakable style. Using language that sizzles with poetry, colorful imagery and bawdy innuendo, “Shakespeare UnScripted” starts with audience suggestions and brings to life the monarchs, spirits, lovers and fools that make up Shakespeare’s world.

Shakespeare Unscripted will take place on Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, 92075. Tickets are $29 ($24 for Season Subscribers) with discounts for students, military, and educators. Call 858-481-1055 or visit www.northcoastrep.org to purchase tickets.

Taste of Del Mar

Explore more than 30 culinary creations from local and award-winning restaurants, experience craft beer and wine “Sip Stops” and enjoy live music, all located throughout the Del Mar Village. Taste of Del Mar will be held Thursday, Sept. 5, from 5-8 p.m. Visit bit.ly/2zcoaiM

San Diego Blues Festival

The San Diego Blues Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, noon-8 p.m. at Embarcadero Marina North Park. The event, which will feature a line-up of top blues performers including Taj Mahal with the Phantom BLues Band, will raise funds for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and its North County Food Bank chapter.

For tickets and more information, visit sdbluesfest.com

California Native Gardening Workshop

The California Native Plant Society-San Diego Chapter is holding a special day of speaker presentations from experts in the field of California native gardening Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The workshop will be held on the campus of First Unitarian Universalist Church, 298 West Arbor Drive, in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. Registration for the workshop is $55 and includes lunch and hot beverages and muffins in the morning. Parking is free. Visit cnpssd.org/events

MDA Muscle Walk of San Diego

MDA Muscle Walk of San Diego will be held Sept. 7 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Crown Point Park in Mission Bay. Cost: Free.

MDA Muscle Walk is a life-changing event that helps raise critical awareness and funds for muscle-debilitating diseases that severely weaken muscle strength and mobility. Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help MDA find research breakthroughs across diseases, care for kids and adults from day one and empower families with services and support to live longer and grow stronger. But Muscle Walk is more than a fundraising walk — it’s a powerful experience that forges lifelong connections, celebrates families and the barriers they overcome, and turns hope into answers.

For more information about this event, visit mda.org/office/san-diego or contact the local MDA office at 858-492-9792 or sandiego@mdausa.org.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala

March of Dimes recently announced that Crystal Sargent, president and founder of Invested Advisors, will return as event chair for the annual Signature Chefs Gala, one of San Diego’s most anticipated charity food events which will take place Sunday, Oct. 6, at 4 p.m., at the Paddiock at the Del Mar Race Track. As the event chair, Sargent will play an integral role in raising awareness and funds to advance the scientific research and educational programs at the core of March of Dimes efforts to lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies. With 25 years of experience as a brand and business builder in the financial services sector, and as a business owner supporting public agencies and private enterprise, Sargent is known for positioning organizations as top brands and helping them grow into that space through a disciplined process, collaborative relationships and creative excellence.

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, visit signaturechefs.org/sandiego or contact Heidi Lang at hlang@marchofdimes.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.