Dec. 28 and Dec. 21: Event briefs

Dec. 28 event briefs:

Comedian to perform new show at La Jolla Playhouse

Award-winning comedian and storyteller Mike Birbiglia will perform In The New One at the La Jolla Playhouse Jan. 9-14, 2018.

Birbiglia has performed in front of audiences worldwide, from the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall. His most recent shows, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend and Thank God for Jokes, were both filmed for Netflix. Birbiglia has released four albums for Comedy Central Records, including My Secret Public Journal Live, which was named one of the “Best Comedy Albums of the Decade” by The Onion AV Club. Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times called Birbiglia’s recent show Thank God for Jokes “the best night I’ve spent in a theatre in a very long time.” In The New One the Birbigilia approaches an entirely new subject in a new way with the same heart and humor he is known for.

Visit lajollaplayhouse.org/mike-birbiglia

Penguin Plunge

The 32nd Annual Del Mar Lifeguard Penguin Plunge will take place at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day on the beach in front of the 17th Street Lifeguard Tower in Del Mar. Donuts and refreshments provided courtesy of Poseidon Restaurant. Participant certificates available to those who take the plunge. For more information, call Del Mar Lifeguards at (858) 755-1556.

New Village Arts to hold New Play Festival

New Village Arts recently announced its inaugural New Play Festival, to be held Jan. 4-Jan. 7 at New Village Arts, 2787 State Street, Carlsbad Village.

In partnership with Oceanside’s Bagby Beer Company, NVA will offer readings of three new plays, a playwriting workshop, and a panel discussion geared towards advancing the careers of playwrights, as well as local craft brewery beer tasting.

“We wanted to create an event that celebrates our local playwriting community,” says Festival Producer Tiffany Tang. “San Diego is rife with writing talent and playwrights who are eager to take the next steps in their careers. We are looking forward to a weekend of inspiring events, networking opportunities over tasty beer and, of course, great theatre from a handful of our city’s finest writers.”

Visit www.newvillagearts.org/final-draft

San Diego International Auto Show

The San Diego International Auto Show runs Dec. 28-Jan. 1 at the San Diego Convention Center. Visit sdautoshow.com.

Gem Faire coming to Del Mar Fairgrounds

Gem Faire, a jewelry and bead show, will be held Jan. 12-14, 2018 at Del Mar Fairgrounds, located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. in Del Mar. Exhibitors from all over the world will be on site with a large selection of fine jewelry, crystals, gemstones, beads, minerals, fossils and much more.

Visit www.gemfaire.com

‘Seeing is Believing’ art exhibit opens at Sparks Gallery

Sparks Gallery recently announced the opening of “Seeing is Believing/A Group Show,” which will run Jan. 6-April 8, 2018. An opening reception will be held Jan. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (RSVP required.)

Bringing together a diverse and exceptional group of more than 30 photographs, sculptures, paintings, and illustrations, the exhibition will highlight the inspired minds and imaginations of each artist’s innermost thoughts, as they transform the everyday mundane into thought provoking explorations of the body, relationships, emotion, form, and inanimate objects.

Del Mar artist Maidy Morhous is one of the 21 local artists participating in the show.

Located in the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego, the Sparks Gallery (Est 2013) is housed in the historic Sterling Hardware Building between Island and Market on Sixth Avenue. Sparks Gallery represents contemporary artwork by artists living in San Diego and Southern California. For more information, visit sparksgallery.com

Dec. 21 event briefs:

Del Mar Lifeguard Penguin Plunge on New Year’s Day

The 32nd Annual Del Mar Lifeguard Penguin Plunge will take place at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day on the beach in front of the City of Del Mar Beach Safety Center. Donuts and refreshments provided courtesy of Poseidon Restaurant. Participant certificates available to those who take the plunge. For more information, call Del Mar Lifeguards at (858) 755-1556.

Art on display at Solana Beach City Hall

Snapshot, a 26-piece installation of minimalist impressionism by Madeline Claire is on view at Solana Beach City Hall through Dec. 27. Claire’s paintings have a unique perspective on the present. She depicts provocative scenes in her unique monochromatic style leaving the viewer free to interpret the story within each painting.

Claire is from Rancho Santa Fe where she attended Solana Santa Fe, Earl Warren and Canyon Crest Academy before moving to Oakland where she completed her fine art education at California College of the Arts.

The exhibition is free to the public, open Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Solana Beach City Hall Lobby is located at 635 S. Highway 101, Solana Beach, 92075.

Frozen Fairgrounds at Del Mar

Frozen Fairgrounds will run Dec. 15-31 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Featuring a community (holiday) ice rink and NHL ice hockey rink. Holiday public ice skating and Golden State Hockey Rush Tournaments. Concession stands available. Visit frozenfairgrounds.com

Fairen Del offerings

Last-minute gifts wrapped free with style and tasty treats. Fairen Del, the award-winning shop with two floors of fashions and gifts, has extended hours to 8 p.m. this week with extra wrapper elves (free service) and complimentary homemade spiced nuts and beverages for all. Located at the Flower Hill Promenade on Via de la Valle. Free parking.

Three Nutcracker Productions

1. City Ballet offers matinee and evening shows Dec. 22-24 at Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown San Diego. Saturday evening performance tickets start at $20, all others start at $25. The dancers will be accompanied by the City Ballet Orchestra and Chorus. Following matinees, cast members will be in the lobby to greet the audience and pose for photos. cityballet.org

2. San Diego Ballet’s version features 100 dancers reveling in Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. It also features members of the San Diego Children’s Choir, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 22 and 23, and also 2 p.m. Dec. 23 at Mandeville Theater, UC San Diego campus. Tickets $25-$55. sandiegoballet.org

3. California Ballet’s Nutcracker is onstage matinees/evenings through Dec. 23 at the San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave. downtown San Diego. Tickets: $54-$75. (800) 295-5354. sandiego.civictheatre.net

Holiday Concert with Peter Sprague in Del Mar

Jazz artist Peter Sprague will perform at the L’Auberge Amphitheaterin Del Mar Sunday, Dec. 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. Address: 1540 Camino Del Mar.

Barbra Streisand tribute concert

Actress/Singer Rebecca Clark becomes Barbra Streisand in this live one-woman, holiday-themed musical delivering the greatest hits of this legendary singer, and its’s performed live with no sync or voice track! Clark promises to capture the character and heart of Streisand, recounting her amazing journey through stage, television and film, 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive. Tickets from $39. (858) 362-1348. sdcjc.org

Holiday Happenings

1. West Coast Performing Arts Presenters will stage the Dickens’ classic “Scrooge” starring Kellan Baker in a one-man show, 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 23 at Jewish Community Center’s Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive. Tickets $39-$59. (858) 362-1348. sdcjc.org/garfield/boxoffice.aspx

2. Global Winter Wonderland, an international celebration featuring the largest display of traditional Chinese lanterns outside of China — along with Cirque du Soleil-level acrobatics, 35 carnival rides, holiday-themed activities, games, and international food and shopping — is on through Jan. 7 at SDCCU Stadium (formerly Qualcomm Stadium), 9449 Friars Road. Tickets $22, with discounts. globalwonderland.com

Balboa Park Offerings

1. This year’s Holiday Food Truck Festival invites you to eat, drink and be merry, Dec. 26-30 with a dozen popular San Diego-area food trucks, live music and dance performances in the Plaza de Panama. The Spanish Village Art Center will also present craft activities for kids, and the Fab Trailers Vintage Photo Booth will help visitors capture the moment. Plaza de Panama/El Prado walkway, Balboa Park. (619) 331-1920. balboaparkconservancy.org

2. Your last chance to see The Old Globe’s production of “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” is Dec. 24 on The Old Globe Theatre’s Shiley Stage, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. Tickets start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (ages 17 years and younger). Children under age 3 will be admitted to 11 a.m. performances only, which are open to all. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org

3. Ahead of its January performances, Culture Shock dance company presents a free public preview of its take on “The Nutcracker,” 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 on The Old Globe’s Copley Plaza, Balboa Park. The preview features “the snow scene” performed by intermediate- and advanced-level Culture Shock dancers, trained in all styles of dance, including hip-hop, freestyle, breaking, popping, jazz, ballet, contemporary rhythms, and gymnastics. bit.ly/CultureShockNutcracker

4. Fleet Science Center’s Tinkerer’s Club meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 will help young engineers make holiday rockets. Design a pop-up holiday rocket using PVC pipes, extra-large rubber bands and more, or design a rocket that uses air power to fly. Price: $5 per project, while supplies last. Registration recommended. Gallery admission not required. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park. (619) 238-1233. rhfleet.org

It’s not too late for Santa and snowfall

Saturday and Sunday, Dec.23 and 24: Flower Hill Promenade is the place to visit this holiday weekend: Snow will be falling throughout the day with plenty of snowpack to create a snowman and toss a few snowballs. Santa is seeing visitors at his chalet for any last-minute requests as well as Elsa the Snow Queen and many other great family activities! Last-minute shopping is handled with ease at the award-winning shops, all beautifully decorated. Located on Via de la Valle just east of I-5. Free parking.

Title Wave Bookstore sale at SB Library

Shop for books, art work, puzzles, CDs or DVDs at the Title Wave used bookstore at the Solana Beach Library. The sale will run through Dec. 31.

Check out “like new” children books. These books will make perfect gifts for the holidays. Title Wave also offers many quality books for teens and adults. Plus, look for the sale rack of paperback books at 10 for $1.

Friends of Solana Beach Library is a nonprofit organization and all proceeds from the sale will pay for programs for all ages at the Solana Beach Library. Your support is appreciated. Visit www.FriendsOfSolanaBeachLibrary.org

Solana Beach Library is located at 157 Stevens Ave. Sufficient parking will be available in the parking lot below.