Feb. 1 issue: Local and regional events

Theatre School @ North Coast Rep to present student production of ‘Failure: A Love Story’

The Theatre School @ North Coast Rep presents the heartbreaking romance “Failure: A Love Story” as its next student production Feb. 15-18.

By the end of 1928, all three Fail sisters will be dead — expiring in reverse order, youngest to oldest, from blunt object to the head, disappearance, and finally consumption, according to a news release. Tuneful songs, and a whimsical chorus follow the story of Nelly, Jenny June, and Gerty as they live out their lives above the family clock repair shop near the Chicago River, before their time unexpectedly runs out. A magical, musical fable where, in the end, the power of love is far greater than any individual’s successes or failures.

Director Benjamin Cole is eager to share the talents of his student cast. “The show offers some unique challenges for creative staging with characters like Front Door, Moses the ball python, December and Mae the feral monk parakeets, and even Cuckoo Clock,” Cole reveals in the news release. “We’re exploring storytelling in a way not often seen in youth theatre.”

Assistant Director Steve Smith adds in the news release, “This incredibly emotional script is both tragic and beautiful. It is a treat to work on with our students!”

The show runs a sweet 90 minutes with no intermission and hopes to be the perfect date night for Valentine’s week.

Featured in the cast are: Bugz Baltzer, Del Mar; Kai Bunyak, Cardiff; Landon Friis, Carlsbad; Kate Goodman, Carlsbad; Charlotte Larson, Carlsbad; Gabriela Neira, Carmel Valley; Isabella Podesta, Carlsbad; Nicole Sample, Carlsbad; Harper Smith, Encinitas; and Alicia Vazquez-Artigas, Carmel Valley.

Performances will be held on the MainStage at North Coast Repertory Theatre: 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Suite D, Solana Beach, 92075 with show times 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and Feb. 16; 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17; and 2 p.m. Feb. 18. Ticket prices are regularly $25 for adults and $21 for seniors 65 and older, children under age 19, and active military. Please call the box office to reserve your tickets today: 858-481-1055 or go to northcoastreptheatreschool.org.

Batiquitos Lagoon to hold speaker presentation

Batiquitos Lagoon will hold a presentation on Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. by Ben Frable, collection manager of the Marine Vertebrate Collection at Scripps Institution. Come hear his fascinating story of how he discovered several rare football fish that washed up on San Diego beaches in 2021 and 2023. This free, family event is interesting for both adults and kids, age 15 and older. Registration is required. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad. For more information and to register, visit Batiquitoslagoon.org.

San Diego Home Improvement Expo

San Diego Home Improvement Expo comes to the Del Mar Fairgrounds Feb. 3-4 for a two-day extravaganza of hands-on demonstrations, hundreds of home-improvement products and services exhibitors, plant sales, and face-to-face consultations with top experts—all with the convenience of one-stop shopping for everything pertaining to home and garden, inside and outside.

Show hours: Saturday, Feb 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information visit sandiegohomeimprovementexpo.com.

Melanoma - Cancer Center Open House

Melanoma will be the topic at a Cancer Center Open House to be held March 20, from 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Sanford Burnham Prebys Building 5, Chairmen’s Hall. Register at: bit.ly/3vJv53H

Meet the scientists working to better understand melanoma to prevent metastasis. Learn how new drugs are created and advanced to the clinic. Ask a melanoma oncologist about current treatment options and get an insider’s view on what’s to come.

Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with cancer scientists, survivors, and research advocates during an informal evening reception featuring healthy nibbles and refreshing drinks. Guided tours will be offered throughout the event, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look into scientists’ varied approaches to cancer research. The event address is 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037.

RSF Library author talk fundraising luncheon

The Library Guild of RSF, in partnership with Warwick’s bookstore will host New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn and co-author Janie Chang at a fundraising luncheon to be held at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, Tuesday Feb. 13, from 11:45 a.m.- 2 p.m. They will be discussing their new book “The Phoenix Crown.”

Tickets for current guild members are $135, and nonmember tickets are $150. Each attendee receives a signed copy of the new novel, The Phoenix Crown, and a seated lunch. Proceeds benefit the RSF Library.

Register by Feb. 1 online at libraryguildrsf.org or call 858-756-4780.

Mitchell Thorp Foundation 15th Annual Warrior Spirit 5K Run/Walk & Family Festival

The Mitchell Thorp Foundation will host its 15th Annual Warrior Spirit 5K Run/Walk & Family Festival on Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. at Carlsbad’s Poinsettia Park.

The family-friendly event supports families whose children suffer from life-threatening illnesses, diseases, and disorders. Join the event for a day of running/walking, music, food, games and prizes for a great cause. Poinsettia Park is located at 6600 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad. For more information and to register go to www.mitchellthorp.org.

Bluegrass at Del Mar Town Hall

The Del Mar Foundation will present Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands in a Town Hall performance on Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), as part of DMF’s “Bluegrass and Beyond” series. Lewis has twice been named Female Vocalist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association, and is a highly acclaimed songwriter, fiddler, and band leader. She has been nominated for Grammys for her own projects and has been prominently featured on Grammy-winning works, including a tribute to the father of bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, “True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe.” Tickets are available online at www.delmarfoundation.org/event/laurielewis/

Del Mar Civic Center is located at 1050 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar (free parking available).

‘Cheetah, Cheese, and Crackers’

Wild Wonders in Bonsall will hold a Meet & Greet, “Cheetah, Cheese, and Crackers,” from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 4 in the wild animal refuge’s cheetah area. Attendees will meet Tavi the cheetah, and Yara, his yellow Lab friend, along with Jackie Navarro, Wild Wonders’ founder and director. Navarro will tell Tavi’s story and talk about her connections with cheetah conservation groups in South Africa that partner with Wild Wonders. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to cheetah conservation. Cost is $125, including wine and cheese. Open to ages 21 and older. The refuge is at 5712 Via Montellano. Visit wildwonders.orgCQ.

Legoland puts on Ninjago Weekends

Legoland puts on Ninjago Weekends on Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 18 along with President’s Day, Feb. 19. Highlights include ninja-themed activities, shows and interactive entertainment, costumed characters and a scavenger hunt to help the heroes search for the missing dragon cores. There will be an Ultimate Dragon Lego building event and a Ninjago Training Campalong with 4D movie, “Lego Ninjago: Master of the 4th Dimension.” Tickets are $25-$94. Visit legoland.comCQ.

Square dancing club gives community classes

The Sandpipers Square Dance Club is starting a new round of classes in modern square dancing. The classes with lively music and camaraderie are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at St. James Parish Hall, 625 S. Nardo Ave. Dance experience and partner not required; wear casual attire. The first class is free and $10 per session thereafter. The classes are sponsored by the Sandpipers Square Dance Club and San Diego Catholic Adult Community. Visit sandpiperssquaredanceclub.org.

Cardiff Kook Run

Speedy runners and wild costumes will hit Highway 101 for the Cardiff Kook Run on Sunday, Feb. 11. The out-and-back ocean- front race features both 5K and 10K courses as well as a Junior Kook race for kids on Feb. 10. A post-race Finish Line Festival will be held at Moonlight Plaza with live music, a beer garden, breakfast tacos, local vendors and games and activities.

Bikes, carpooling and ride share services and other local public transportation are encouraged on race day morning. Ride Cyclery will also offer a bike valet service. Registration includes a t-shirt and medal. To register, visit thekookrun.com/

Father Joe’s guild holds Souper Bowl of Caring

Father Joe’s Villages Ladies Guild holds a Souper Bowl of Caring fundraiser at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 12 in the parish hall at St. Gregory The Great Catholic Church to benefit children and teens sheltering at Father Joe’s Villages. The event soup, salad and desert luncheon includes an auction. Cost is $60; make checks payable to Village Ladies Guild. Credit cards are also accepted. Proceeds help supply more than 150 children and teens with a backpack of school supplies, diapers, strollers, shoes, holiday and birthday parties, and Christmas shopping. Mail reservations by Jan. 31 to B. Lane, 1205 Pacific Highway, Suite 902, San Diego, CA 92101. For questions, email margie.r.mills@gmail.com.

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is now at the Wyland Center at the Del Mar Fairgrounds through April 4. The immersive experience seeks to enchant visitors with a multimedia presentation based on artist’s works. Visit beyondvangogh.com/city/san-diego/ for more information and tickets.

Regional concerts and exhibits

• “Ebb and Flow: Giant Kelp Forests Through Art, Science and the Archives,” a group exhibition presented by the UC San Diego Library and curated by San Diego-based photographer, marine scientist and Scripps Institution of Oceanography alumna Oriana Poindexter, runs through Sunday, April 21, at UCSD’s Geisel Library. The exhibit explores the giant kelp forest ecosystems of Southern California and how they have been observed and documented in the past 134 years. Works by featured artists Poindexter, Julia C R Gray, Dwight Hwang and Marie McKenzie will be accompanied by a curated selection of archival seaweed pressings created in La Jolla between 1890 and 2023. The Geisel Library is located at 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The exhibit is free and open to the public. library.ucsd.edu/news-events/events/ ebb-and-flow

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library continues its annual series of winter jazz concerts. Upcoming performers are the James Francies Trio at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, and the Benjamin Lackner Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. $40 per concert for Athenaeum members, $45 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/jazz, (858) 454-5872

• Le Salon de Musiques presents the chamber music concert “Romance in Paris” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. Music by French composers Saint-Saens, Hahn and Faure will be performed by tenor Jon Lee Keenan, violinist Benjamin Hoffman, violist Jonah Sirota, cellist Sarah Kim and pianist Xiao Chen. $95 general admission, $45 for students with ID. lesalondemusiques.com

• To celebrate its 20th anniversary, family-friendly band Hullabaloo will perform 20 shows at 20 different San Diego-area venues, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, with a solo show by the band’s singer-guitarist Steve Denyes at Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The concert is included with aquarium admission, which is $19.95-$24.95. Reservations are required. Each show will be a benefit for Feeding San Diego. bit.ly/3tTTB1v, hullabalooband.com

Old Globe to present “The Age of Innocence”

The Old Globe recently announced the full cast and creative team for the Globe-commissioned world premiere of The Age of Innocence. Based on Edith Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize–winning classic, this new adaptation for the stage is written by Karen Zacarías (The Old Globe’s Destiny of Desire, Native Gardens) and directed by Chay Yew (The Old Globe’s Dishwasher Dreams, The Public Theater’s Low). The Age of Innocence plays at the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, from Feb. 8 to March 10., with the official opening night on Thursday, Feb. 15. Visit www.TheOldGlobe.org for a full schedule, tickets and additional information.