SAN DIEGO EVENTS CALENDAR (updated Feb 6th, 2009)

*Please call to confirm times, dates-- they are subject to change without notice. 

FEB 1 - 28
San Diego Museum Month:  The San Diego Museum Council and Macy's invite entertainment seekers to visit more than 30 participating institutions at half price admission. A special Museum Month Pass will be available at all San Diego area Macy's beginning February 1, 2010 (visitors must bring the Pass in order to receive half-priced admission). San Diego Botanic Garden, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Museum of Making Music, USS Midway, Mingei International Museum and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, are all participants in Museum Month.  Info www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org

FEB 1 - APR 30
Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers:  Depending on rainfall in winter, the natural beauty of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is enhanced by the almost magical appearance of desert wildflowers in the spring. THE FULL BLOOM IS ONLY FOR TWO TO SIX WEEKS.  Anza-Borrego State Park.  Info 760-767-4684 or www.parks.ca.gov

FEB 1
Senior Monday Lecture & IMAX Film: A Lecture Series for Adults. Join scientists from around the county to learn about a variety of topics as they share the latest information in a friendly and exciting environment. Each lecture takes place in the William & Grayson Boehm Community Forum from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.  Info www.rhfleet.org

FEB 3
"The Sky Tonight" Planetarium Shows: "The Sky Tonight" is the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's monthly live planetarium show in the newly renovated Space Theater. Featuring a digital tour of San Diego’s night sky in California’s largest planetarium, "The Sky Tonight" is perfect for “backyard astronomers” or anyone trying to find their way around the universe. "The Sky Tonight" takes place at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Tickets for “The Sky Tonight” include a visit to the Exhibit Galleries.  Price: $10.50 for adults, $9 for seniors or children. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.   Info www.rhfleet.org

FEB 3 - 28
Aurélia's Oratorio:  Behind the red velvet curtain lies Aurélia’s Oratorio’s topsy-turvy world of surreal surprises, tricks, and transformations, where dreams come to life and the impossible happens before your very eyes. Aurélia Thierrée was first seen on stage as a young girl, performing with her parents Jean-Baptiste Thierrée and Victoria Thierrée Chaplin, creators of the famous Cirque Imaginaire and Cirque Invisible, which enjoyed a successful run at La Jolla Playhouse during the 1995 season. Now an actress in her own right, Ms. Thierrée has charmed audiences around the world with this dazzling display of stage illusion, inspired by the magic of music hall and circus,co-created with her mother Victoria Thierrée Chaplin, and performed Jaime Martinez.  $25-$35.  Info www.lajollaplayhouse.org

FEB 4 - MAR 7
Welk Resort Theater presents I Do! I Do!:  The audience will be able to observe two ordinary people as they grow in love with each other, aging right in front of us. Ultimately, perhaps, all of us can search the eyes of our own partner and collectively say, "We do! We do!"  Show only: $29-$47, Pre-show buffet and show: $35-$73.  The live productions are presented at the Broadway style theater at the Welk Resort Center Dinner Theater in Escondido. Info www.welktheatre.com

FEB 5
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra:  Revelle Chamber Music Series. 8pm at MCASD Sherwood Auditorium. $75/$55/$25 Info and tickets. 858-459-3728 or www.ljms.org

FEB 5 - 6
MAINLY MOZART:  The Spotlight Series 2010, Szymanowski Quartet.  8 p.m.  The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Dr, La Jolla.  $48. Info www.mainlymozart.org

FEB 5 - MAR 21
An Inspector Calls: The Birling family is having a quiet celebration of their daughter’s engagement, when a Police Inspector appears with questions about the death of a young woman. At first it appears that the event was entirely random, but as the evening progresses, facts unfold that reveal a connection between the deceased and each member of the family - and before the night is over, more than one of them may have some explaining to do. J.B. Priestley’s compelling tale of human connection and moral responsibility is a modern classic that will delight and intrigue.  Price:
$22 - $58.  Info www.lambsplayers.org

FEB 6
Free Youth Only Fishing Derby:   It’s that time again when trout put on their thinking caps to outwit, outrun, and outlast parents and their kids at Poway’s annual Youth Fishing Derby at Lake Poway. Join the City of Poway, Captain Ron Baker formerly of Fish Talk Radio, and several big-name sponsors for a great day of fun and prizes, and it’s FREE! Registration for the event will begin at sunrise, fishing continues until noon, and then all participating youths and their families are invited to enjoy a tasty barbecue lunch courtesy of El Cajon Ford. The awards ceremony will begin shortly after 1 p.m. and great prizes will be awarded to age division winners and to lucky raffle winners. Prizes will also be awarded for the Kids Best Fishing Story Contest, so pull out your best fish story and join the fun!   Ages 15 and Under.  The lake will be stocked with 4,000 pounds of hungry rainbow trout. Information: 858-668-4772

FEB 6
Camarada presents Ignite:  Enjoy a evening of music featuring Il Lamento di Tristano by opera composer Robert Rodriquez, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 by Villa-Lobos #5by Villa-Lobos, Tempestad by Juan Serano, the famous Malagueña by Lecuona and Spain by Chick Corea. Beth Ross-Buckley, flute Fred Benedetti, guitar Gloria Lanuza, flamenco dance The wine-tasting starts at 6:30 pm and the concert begins at 7:15 pm. These concerts are 60-75 minutes. $40 - $50.  Info www.camarada.org

FEB 6
Moscow Festival Ballet - Sleeping Beauty: The famed dance company founded by Bolshoi Ballet principal Sergei Radchenko performs this timeless classic.  All ages must have their own ticket in the same seating area.  $69.00 - $49.00 - $39.00.  Location: Balboa Theatre-868 Fourth Ave @ E St.  Info www.sandiegotheatres.org

FEB 6 - JUNE 6
State of Mind: A California Invitational In creating the Invitational, MoPA invited forty California-based curators, writers, gallery owners, and publishers to nominate photographers of note. MoPA juried the exhibition from this collective. While regional by way of where these photographers live, the issues within the photographs from State of Mind are global. They address what photographers from Berlin to Beijing are currently thinking about, among them: how photography continually re-invents itself, and how well it can describe the imaginary or reveal the invisible.  $6 Adults, $4 students, Free to Members.  Info www.mopa.org

FEB 8
Climate and the California Current: Climate has enormous impacts on the marine life off California, influencing its major fisheries and the abundance of krill, seabirds and mammals. Join Tony Koslow as he shows how a 60-year ocean observation program, the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (or CalCOFI) is unraveling the impacts of the El Niño/La Niña cycle, decadal-scale climate cycles and human-induced climate change.  $5-$8.  Info www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

FEB 10 - 21
San Diego Jewish Film Festival:  The festival attracts more than 20,000 ticket holders to screenings of over 40 feature-films, shorts, and documentaries that explore the Jewish experience. Various theaters in San Diego County. Info www.sdcjc.lfjcc.org

FEB 11 - 28
The Marriage Bed:  West Coast Premiere! By Nona Shepphard. Directed by Rosina Reynolds. Funny, touching, timely and ingenious. Underwritten by Joann Clark. Reynolds has directed eight productions for Diversionary, including The Twilight of the Golds, Beautiful Thing and Lot’s Daughters.  Price: $10-$33.  Info www.diversionary.org

FEB 12 - 21
Julian Craft Show: Location: Julian Town Hall, 2129 Main Street , Julian. Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: Free. Info 760-765-1857 or www.julianca.com

FEB 12 - 21
A Little Night Music: One of the great Broadway classics, A Little Night Music returns to our stage for the first time in 12 years with the full original orchestration and Stephen Sondheim's glorious melodies. This touching story of a rekindled love affair that lasts across the years features some of the greatest songs written for Broadway: “A Weekend in the Country,” “Liaisons,” “In Praise of Women,” and of course “Send in the Clowns.”  Price: $32 - $52.  Info www.lyricoperasandiego.org

FEB 12
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS:  Annual basketball match between the Globetrotters and the Nationals. Starts 7:00PM (Doors Open 60 Minutes Before Start) San Diego Sports Arena. Info www.sandiegoarena.com

FEB 13
Tidepooling Excursions:  Explore the beauty and mystery of life along the San Diego coast during engaging tidepooling excursions this season with Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. Winter is an excellent time to explore local tide pools because lower tides reveal wider beaches and pools teeming with native marine life, such as hermit crabs, sea hares and sea anemones. Aquarium naturalists will guide participants through these fragile environments and identify inhabitants. Directions to meeting place will be provided at time of RSVP.  Birch Aquarium,  2300 Expedition Way , La Jolla.  2:00pm - 4:00pm.  $12 Adult, $9 Senior, 60+, $8.50 Youth, 3-17,Children 2 and under free.  Info 858-534-FISH or www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

FEB 13
San Diego Brazil Carnaval:  Music, Dance, Costumes, Glitter, Beads and Masks. It signals the start of the San Diego Mardi Gras season. Over the years, it has developed the reputation of being one of San Diego’s signature events and one of the largest and most authentic Brazilian Carnaval celebration on the West Coast. San Diego Brazil Carnaval takes place at 4th& “B” from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am and signals the start of the San Diego Carnaval Mardi Gras Celebration which culminates with the San Diego Gaslamp Mardi Gras Celebration on Fat Tuesday. Info 619-865-8972 or www.brazilcarnival.com

FEB 13 - 14
35th Annual Concert of Philippine Dances & Music:  The SAMAHAN Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center will present their 35th Annual Concert of Philippine Dances and Music at the Joan B. Kroc Theater, 6611 University Ave, Saturday, at 8 o'clock in the evening and on January 10, Sunday, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The two-hour program of popular dances choreographed for theater performance by Ruby Pearl B. Chiong will showcase SAMAHAN's rich repertoire in vivid and colorful costumes. The exhilarating dances and lively music of the Rondalla and Kulintang Music Ensembles promises an enjoyable evening.  The general public is invited to attend this yearly celebration of Philippine cultural heritage by the SAMAHAN Philippine Dance Company and its musical ensembles. General admission is $15, students with ID and seniors 60 years and over is $12. Info and tickets 619-444-7528 or www.samahanphilippinedance.com

FEB 13 - 14
Crossroads of the West Gun Show:  All of our shows offer hundreds of tables to meet the needs of everyone, from the once a year hunter to the avid collector. Saturday, 9:00AM-5:00PM, Sunday, 9:00AM-4:00PM.  Adults, $12.00;
Children younger than 12, free; $1 off coupon on event Web site.  Del mar Fairgrounds, O'Brien Hall.  Parking: $9.00.  Info www.crossroadsgunshows.com

FEB 14
Wild Animal Park Valentine's Dinner: Enjoy a romantic Valentine's Day Dinner at the Park's Mombasa Island Pavilion, overlooking peaceful Mombasa Lagoon. Hors' d'oeuvres and non-host cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by an animal presentation and a three-course gourmet dinner. Limited seating. Price includes a three-course meal and a bottle of house champagne or wine. San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road , Escondido.  Cost: $99/couple, plus tax & gratuity. Non-members add park admission.  Info 760-738-5055 or www.sandiegozoo.org

FEB 14
San Diego Zoo Valentine's Dinner:  Romance is in the air at Albert's Restaurant. Celebrate with your loved one and enjoy a special Valentine's Dinner. Limited seating. Maximum party size is 8 people.  San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr , San Diego.  5 p.m. - 9 p.m.   $99/couple, plus tax & gratuity. Non-members add park admission.  Info 619-557-3964 or www.sandiegozoo.org

FEB 14
Valentine's Day At The Pops: The San Diego Symphony presents a Winter Pops Concert. A popular San Diego concert activity at Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego. Info www.sandiegosymphony.com

FEB 15
Tribute To The Reggae Legends: Festival is at the San Diego Sports Arena.  Info www.sandiegoarena.com

FEB 16
Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp:  This Gaslamp-wide outdoor celebration includes two spectacular parades on Fifth Avenue and a fabulous block party featuring many great stages with fun musical acts.   Be sure to wear your green, purple and gold while you try to catch some beads. A ticketed event for age 21 and up. 5 p.m. to midnight with Masquerade Parade at 8 p.m.  Info www.gaslamp.org

FEB 18
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo:   Meet Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or as they're affectionately known, the Trocks. And should there be any lingering doubt, there's not a woman among them - despite the high quota of tutus, tiaras and tights onstage.  All ages must have their own ticket in the same seating area.  Price: $69.00 - $49.00 - $39.00. Location: Balboa Theatre-868 Fourth Ave @ E St.  Info www.sandiegotheatres.org

FEB 18 - 28
Plays by Young Writers Playwrights: Project's annual festival of winning scripts from the California Young Playwrights Contest. Selected from 243 contest submissions, three scripts will be presented as full productions and three as readings at the Lyceum Theatre.  Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego.  $9-$50 Opening Night (Feb. 20) includes post performance reception with the playwrights, $50. General Admission $20, Seniors/students/military $15.   Info 619-239-8222 or www.playwrightsproject.org

FEB 19
Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk- WinterFest Gala 2010:  Mr. Bell will enchant audiences with his breathtaking virtuosity in the only special event of the winter season, a solo recital at Copley Symphony Hall, with Jeremy Denk at the piano. 8pm at Copley Symphony Hall. Price: $95 / $60 / $40 / $25. Info 858-459-3728 or www.ljms.org

FEB 20 - 28
San Diego Opera Presents "Nabucco":  Verdi’s electrifying music tells this epic tale with breathtaking glory. "Nabucco" is the opera that solidified Verdi’s reputation as a composer and 160 years later it is still as powerful as the day it premiered. Performances: Saturday, February 20 at 7 PM; Tuesday, February 23 at 7 PM; Friday, February 26 at 8 PM; Sunday, February 28 at 2 PM. For tickets 619-533-7000 or www.sdopera.com

FEB 20 - 28
Street Lights:  Street Lights uses hip hop, R&B and pop to tell a timeless story in the musical language of today's youth, while creating a bridge to earlier generations by incorporating samples of classic civil rights anthems.  $29-$62.   The Old Globe, Balboa Park. Info www.theoldglobe.org

FEB 21
Bark in Balboa Park 4:   In conjunction with the San Diego Humane Society, Civic Organist Dr. Carol Williams and her two dogs will greet and entertain with appropriate organ music all San Diego dog owners and the pets -- owners are encourage to bring their dogs to the concert and join the parade as the organ plays just for them.  Sunday, 2:00pm Price: Free.  Balboa Park, San Diego.  Info 619-702-8138 or www.sosorgan.com

FEB 21 - MAR 21
Lichtenstein, Warhol and Friends:  Classic Contemporary features major Pop, Minimal, and Color Field works in MCASD's collection of American Art dating from the 1960s and 1970s. Iconic examples from the Pop Art pantheon such as Edward Ruscha's lush, droll painting Ace (1962) and Warhol's silkscreen Flowers painting (1967) will be juxtaposed with one of Ellsworth Kelly's greatest early paintings, Red Blue Green (1963). Sculpture will be represented by works including Claes Oldenburg's whimsical Alphabet/Good Humor (1975) and an open-grid sculpture by the seminal conceptual artist Sol LeWitt, Floor Piece #4 (1976). Classic Contemporary showcases the mid-century masterworks that anchor MCASD's progressive collection. Info 858-454-3541 or www.mcasd.org

FEB 21
IMAX® En Espanol: “Amazing Journeys” at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.  Join the Fleet Science Center for an IMAX film screening with the soundtrack entirely in Spanish. Witness the most mysterious, spectacular and amusing migrations on the planet, from zebras in Africa to monarch butterflies in Mexico in AMAZING JOURNEYS.  Film shows at 6:00 p.m. in the Heikoff Dome Theater. Normal film prices apply. $14.50 adults; $11.75 juniors and seniors.  Info www.rhfleet.org

FEB 25
Dome Day at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center:  For one day only, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will host special screenings galore! See the newest IMAX films and the latest digital projection technology presented on the world's first IMAX Dome Screen!  Film schedule to be announced. Free with admission and IMAX purchase.  Info www.rhfleet.org

FEB 25 - MAR 14
Cirque du Soleil "KOOZA":  Cirque du Soleil returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds with an exciting new show, KOOZA, under the elaborate Grand Chapiteau that magically appears in the corner of the Fairgrounds' main parking lot.  KOOZA tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world. KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning.  Del Mar Fairgrounds.  Info www.cirquedusoleil.com

FEB 26 - 28
Silver Bay Kennel Club Dog Show:  The Silver Bay Kennel Club dog show is one of the largest in the United States. It will take place in the O'Brien, Bing Crosby and Exhibit Halls. A dog agility competition also will be part of the competition. Members of the public can take a tram to the competition location.  Free. Info 760-751-2302 or www.jbradshaw.com

FEB 27 - 28
Asian Arts in the Garden:  San Diego Botanic Garden will be celebrating the art of Asian horticulture with outstanding displays, lectures, and demonstrations, including Japanese floral arranging and Bonsai from Japan, China, Vietnam and the West. Tea Ceremony Saturday and Buddhist drumming group Sunday.  San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive , Encinitas.  Cost: Free with Admission.  Info 760-436-3036 or www.sdbgarden.org

FEB 28
Tidepooling Excursions:  Explore the beauty and mystery of life along the San Diego coast during engaging tidepooling excursions this season with Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. Winter is an excellent time to explore local tide pools because lower tides reveal wider beaches and pools teeming with native marine life, such as hermit crabs, sea hares and sea anemones. Aquarium naturalists will guide participants through these fragile environments and identify inhabitants. Directions to meeting place will be provided at time of RSVP.  Location: Birch Aquarium,  2300 Expedition Way , La Jolla. 2:00pm - 4:00pm.  $12 Adult, $9 Senior, 60+, $8.50 Youth, 3-17,Children 2 and under free.  Info 858-534-FISH or www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

FEB 28
Keyboard Conversations "Chopin for Lovers!":  Jeffrey Siegel will celebrate the 200th birthday of one of music's most beloved composers as he performs "Chopin for Lovers!" This program is a musical excavation of the composer's love life and presents some of the most stirring, romantic music ever written. Siegel enhances the musical experience with a combination of performances and discussions that explore the life and works of this amazing composer.   California Center for the Arts, Escondido.  340 N Escondido Blvd , Escondido CA.  Time: 4 p.m. Cost: Varies.  Info 800-988-4253 or  www.artcenter.org

FIN