Encinitas events this week (Nov. 23)

For more information and events, visit the city’s newsletter at https://bit.ly/2PFX66c.

West African Dance

The class on Nov. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. will be led by San Diego teacher/dancer/choreographer Aminisha Cunningham. She has been the master teacher of many African Dance teachers in this region as well as beginners. The class, at Dance North County, 533 Encinitas Boulevard, will be accompanied by fabulous percussionists. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2PBNFot.

Heritage Tree Lighting at Moonlight Beach

The city designated Heritage Tree, a 90’ tall towering Norfolk Island pine tree, will be covered in LED lights during the holidays. It was planted in 1952 by John & Peter Danforth as a Mother’s Day gift for their mother Jane. Enjoy live music by the North Coast Singers, caroling, refreshments and good cheer. (Encinitas Historical Society and Luis Ortiz.) Friday, Nov. 30, 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Moonlight Beach Parking Lot, corner of 4th and C Streets. Free. 760-753-5726, visit bit.ly/2OWeiz0

San Dieguito Art Guild to hold annual Holiday Bazaar Dec. 1

San Dieguito Art Guild presents its eighth annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive (corner of Encinitas Blvd and Balour), Encinitas.

The San Dieguito Art Guild, an over-200-member all-volunteer nonprofit organization that operates the Off Track Gallery located in the Lumberyard Shopping Center in Encinitas, serves the community by frequently offering art workshops, classes and demonstrations by outstanding professional artists.

Run by a board of 15 elected directors, SDAG was organized in 1965 by a group of artists for the purpose of promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the fine arts.

Carol Korfin, one of the event organizers, says, “This event gives local artists a venue to offer their hand-made items to the public. And gives the shoppers a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind artworks, which cannot be found in the malls. There are no imported items at this Bazaar. In addition, the buyer is purchasing work directly from the artist and can meet them face to face.”

Guild President Linda Melvin says, “Even if you have been to our Holiday Bazaar in the past, there are new artists and new items to see. We try to have a balanced mix of medium, so you will find photographers, watercolorists, oil or acrylic painters and as well as multi-media artists.”

There will be a silent auction of artworks donated by the participating artists. Karen Fidel, ceramic artist says, “Our artwork is special because it is from all local artists and often of local scenes. Our Bazaar features really special deals on silent auction items where the proceeds help support our Off Track Gallery.”

Come enjoy yummy treats, coffee, latte, espressos, raffle, silent auction, and art for sale by artists: paintings, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, gourds, mosaics, fiber art, cards, prints and more.

Admission to the Bazaar and ample parking are free. For more information go to OffTrackGallery.com, call 760-942-3636, or contact pr@sandieguitoartguild.com.

Small Business Saturday

Live music, free festivities and holiday shopping discounts all make this celebration of small business the place to be on Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Coast Highway 101. Shoppers will also receive a limited edition print that shows your town pride.

La Paloma Theatre

Now showing: Free Solo and Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tickets: $10. 471 Coast Highway 101. For tickets and showtimes, visit https://bit.ly/2S3sWXk.

North Coast Symphony Orchestra

The North Coast Symphony Orchestra will be joined by soprano Katie Polit and the Villa Musica Community Chorus to perform “Sounds of the Season” featuring festive holiday selections on Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. The orchestra will perform holiday favorites including “The Christmas Song,” “Jingle Bells Forever,” “Winter Wonderland,” Russian Christmas Music, among others. For more information, visit www.northcoastsymphony.com. The orchestra, conducted by Dan Swem, is funded in part by the City of Encinitas and the Mizel Family Foundation.

Enc. Library Book Sale

Encinitas Friends of the Library Bookstore holds a book sale Dec. 1. Most books will be from 25 cents to $1, with CDs 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 for more details.

Encinitas Ballet: ‘The Nutcracker’

Candy canes leap through the air, giant mice doing battle with toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and the Nutcracker transforms into a handsome prince, choreographed to the music of Tchaikovsky. Colorful scenery, dazzling costumes, unmatched choreography and extraordinary dancers make this production the best in North County.

Sunday, Dec. 2, 5 p.m. Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. www.encinitasballet.com, 760-632-4947.

Encinitas Guitar Orchestra to perform Christmas classics

The Encinitas Guitar Orchestra, a group of 35 local amateur and professional guitarists, will perform in concert Nov. 30 at 7:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 925 Balour Drive. The orchestra will perform favorite Christmas and holiday music including classical, jazzy and contemporary pieces. Selections include those by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Handel and Bach. For more information, visit www.encinitasguitarorchestra.com.

SCAN Health Plan Enrollment

Turning 65? Time to Enroll! Come learn about the Basics of Medicare on Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Already in Medicare? Annual enrollment into SCAN Health plan is in full swing. Ana Dhillon, a licensed health insurance agent and SCAN Health plan representative will be available to answer your questions. Drop-ins are welcome. For more information, call 760-487-1700.

Small Business 101

Get the information you need to know to start a small business on Nov. 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Encinitas City Hall, 505 South Vulcan Avenue. A panel of experts representatives from the San Diego Law Library and the City of Encinitas Business Registration Department will present information and be available to answer questions. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2S5cqGi.

Mr. & Mrs. Something

Benjamin “Bino” and Chelsea Peck, guitars and vocals, will perform at the Encinitas LIbrary, 540 Cornish Drive, on Nov. 28 from noon to 12:50 p.m. Weaving the soulful passion of blues with the honesty of folk, the duo offers a refreshing taste of hope that feels like coming home. Since 2012 they have written and performed their own music. They now perform full-time and are on a West Coast tour. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2BnQ7pY.

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

The Cardiff Library, 2081 Newcastle Ave., will screen the award-winning 1962 movie on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. Bring your own dinner or snacks. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2PI23vs.

Natural Meditation with Lama Tenzin Sherpa

Since the age of 13, Lama Tenzin has taught Reiki and meditation across the world and trained hundreds in Tibetan Buddhist meditation. These practices can be used for physical, emotional, mental healing and growth. Lama Tenzin will speak at the California Institute for Human Science, 701 Garden View, on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2PIgShq.

Art Lounge and Studio Series: Rachel Mica Weiss

This event Nov. 29 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lux Art Institute, 1550 South El Camino Real, features live music, drinks, and an artist talk. View the exhibition and residency work in progress in the Artist Pavilion, followed by artist talk in the Education Pavilion at 7 p.m. Rachel’s sculptural practice incorporates stone, cast forms, and wood constructions, as well as textile languages to generate works embedded with gravity and tension. Materials are often manipulated in unlikely ways, blurring connotations of formal and material characteristics. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2OPeEHT.

Healing Arts Class

For those recovering from brain injuries and/or neurological challenges. Enjoy self-expression through art, increase skills, improve eye/hand coordination and enjoy the warmth and support of facilitator, Denise McMurtrie. Supplies provided. (Synergy Art Foundation.) Sat. Dec. 1 and 15, 10:30 a.m.; Tues. Dec. 4, 11, 18, 4 p.m. Scripps Hospital, Brain Injury Treatment Room, 354 Santa Fe Drive. Free. 760-633-6709.

Volunteers needed for Hospice Resale Shop

Hospice of the North Coast is looking for Saturday volunteers to work in its Resale Shop at 278-B El Camino Real (Homegoods Shopping Center). They require one 4-hour shift per week. Volunteers will process customer purchases and price and sort donated merchandise. If you are interested, contact Mary Jo Barry, manager, at 760-943 -9921. All profits go directly to Hospice for care and assistance to those in need.

Blood drive at Ecke YMCA

Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, in partnership with San Diego Blood Bank, will hold a mobile blood drive Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.at 200 Saxony Rd., Encinitas, 92024 - Parking lot. Donors will receive a voucher for a free entree (up to $14), courtesy of The Broken Yolk. It is recommended that donors consume an adequate meal and plenty of fluids prior to giving. A photo identification must be presented upon signing up to donate. Visit www.SanDiegoBloodBank.org.

‘Lighting of the Forum’ set for Nov. 24

The holiday season officially gets underway with “The Lighting of the Forum” — a festive evening of fun for the whole family at The Forum Carlsbad on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The 16th Annual “Lighting of the Forum” will include a live stage show featuring “Upstream” — Holiday music with a Caribbean sound from 6 to 7 p.m., Santa’s Grand Arrival at 7:20 p.m. and Holiday Light Show and Magical Snowfall just after Santa flips the switch to light the tree.

Santa will be welcomed in style with an escort by members of the La Costa Canyon High School Marching Band.

Address: 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, 92009. Visit www.eventsforumcarlsbad.com

Fall Racing Season continues

The Fall Racing Season continues through Dec. 2 at the Del Mar Race Track. A variety of events are being held in addition to the races. (858) 755-1141. delmarracing.com

San Diego Symphony offers holiday concerts

The San Diego Symphony will present a variety of concerts during the holiday season. For information and a full list of events, visit www.sandiegosymphony.org

Birch Aquarium: Let it glow

Birch Aquarium presents a new spin on holiday lights with its “Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow,” event, which opens Nov. 29 at 2300 Expedition Way. Members get a special preview at 5:30 p.m., and the general public is welcome at 6 p.m.

Learn about fluorescence, bioluminescence, and phosphorescence through activities and encounters with creatures that glow. Tickets $20. (858) 534 3474. aquarium.ucsd.edu

Elements to perform at Small Business Saturday event

Indie rock band The Elements will once again be performing at the Leucadia Highway 101 Main Street Association Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m.

This year they will take the stage at the Gold Coast Plaza, 486 North Coast Highway 101, a stage for young musicians that will feature bands from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. TheElements.band