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On Friday, Dec. 5, Songwriter Sanctuary will ring in the holidays with a season closer featuring original music from some of San Diego’s folkiest and funniest troubadours. Don your gay apparel and join Cara Cormier, Peggy Watson and Dave Beldock, and JT Moring as they swap songs and stories in a Nashville-style round. The event is hosted by the legendary Jeff Berkley in partnership with Normal Heights United. (4650 Mansfield St. Suggested Donation $10. All ages. Doors 6:30 p.m., Music 7 p.m.) All donations collected go directly to artists, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. Community Care: Normal Heights United has a big community fridge and pantry just steps from the venue. Please consider bringing unopened/unexpired items for under-resourced neighbors! If our Songwriter Sanctuary audience can stock it once a month, that would be an incredible gift to the community and support for our venue partners at NHU who actually church like churches should church! (No frozen items please.) About the Artists Cara Cormier flings lyrical spaghetti into the universe to keep herself sane, help people laugh, and create a more just and compassionate society. Drawing from her rural Kansas Mennonite upbringing, Cara uses her love of folk and Americana styles to craft cheeky, heartfelt story-songs using acoustic guitar, harmonica, mandolin, banjo, and spoons. From hysterical dating accounts to mischievous protest songs to tender confessionals, Cara writes the songs you never expected to hear. David Beldock and Peggy Watson started their collaboration as unlikely music partners. While David spent years performing with various bands, honing his rock and blues guitar playing, Peggy was rooted in contemporary folk traditions with occasional detours into jazz and pop. But when they joined forces, they discovered that writing songs together was a fun challenge that they couldn’t resist. The result has been a collection of melodic, thoughtful, funny, and emotional songs that appeal to a wide range of listeners. Their styles span everything from folk to jazz to blues to show tunes. JT Moring is a dynamic entertainer known for incisive songs/stories and audience engagement. He performs solo on guitar or banjo, and in collaboration with a collection of San Diego County’s top musicians. 2024 was a year of recording, performances with Storytellers of San Diego (where they let me sing as long as I tell a story to go with it!), house concerts, backyard parties, Adams Avenue Unplugged, and recording and releasing a new album LINES. Get on the email list for notifications. 2025 has seen a lot of new songs and lots of performances, many of them with Richie Strell (harmonicas and other noisemakers), and Terry Wardell (bass). Event Details Location: Normal Heights United Church: 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego, CA 92116. Thank you to our generous venue partner for sharing this beautiful space with the local music community! Time: Doors 6:30 p.m., Show 7-9 p.m. ish. Suggested Donation: $10 (all ages) but please be generous in your support of these top tier talents whose creative work is their livelihood. 100% donations go to artists. No one turned away for lack of funds. All Ages: Bear in mind we do not censor our artists so please make sure to check out the lineup and make the best decision for your family. Parking: Street parking. Food/Drink: Beverages for small purchase, thanks to our sponsors Babe Beverages and Duck Foot Brewing Company. Guests are welcome to bring their own food into the venue (please eat and dispose of waste respectfully). There are so many delicious restaurants within walking distance - feel free to grab something take-out and bring it in! Accessibility: Normal Heights United is a 120+ year-old building with a non-traditional seating arrangement, but we want every guest to feel safe and supported. Please send any accommodation requests to Molly at mollyrose@nhunited.org at least five (5) business days prior to the event. Entrances & Seating: The venue has an ADA ramp entrance and two rows of reserved seating for guests who use wheelchairs and/or need additional space. Balcony seating (stair access only) is available for those who prefer less noise or stimulation. Our online RSVP form also includes a space to share accessibility preferences. Sensory & Safety: A sensory/safety station in the foyer offers single-use masks, ear plugs, and hand sanitizer. Two Corsi-Rosenthal box fan filters run during the event. Notepads are available at entry and concession for anyone who prefers to communicate in writing. If you’re feeling unwell, please plan to join us another time to help keep our community healthy. Event Enhancements: Whenever possible, we post a QR code with lyrics to featured artists’ songs for enhanced accessibility. Future Goals: We are actively seeking funding partners to provide ASL services for the 2026 season and have long-term goals of offering a livestream ticketing option. Please stay tuned and continue supporting us as we work toward these and other accessibility goals. Photo/Video Consent: Unless artists give blanket consent, please ask for consent before posting the faces and/or prominent features of folks online. While we've previously operated under the assumption that public events imply consent, a thoughtful call-in reminded us that consent must always come first, especially in a time when people’s images can be weaponized. Songwriter Sanctuary is committed to prioritizing consent and will continue to model and encourage this practice in our community. For inquiries, media comps, or further information, please contact: Lindsay White lindsaywhite.music@gmail.com Songwriter Sanctuary San Diego on Instagram

What happens when a young and curious filmmaker challenges his creativity with the limitless possibilities of a fake A.I.? A surprising mix of various stories, from new and old times, about the original myth of Dracula: a vampire hunt, zombies and Dracula crashing a strike, a science-fiction tale about Vlad the Impaler’s return, an adaptation of the first Romanian vampires novella, a tragic romance, a vulgar folktale, A.I. generated kitsch stories… and much more! Visit: "Dracula" Digital Gym CINEMA on Instagram and Facebook

You're Invited! Bach to Rock Music School Opening in Carlsbad – Join the Celebration! Get ready to rock! Bach to Rock, America’s modern music school for students of all ages, is bringing the beat to Carlsbad, and you’re invited to our Grand Opening Celebration! Join us for a FREE open house on Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 1820 Marron Road, Suite 112, Carlsbad, CA 92008. • Jam-packed fun for the whole family! • Explore our state-of-the-art music studios • Try out instruments & jump into mini jam sessions • Enjoy live performances & meet our awesome instructors Come see why Bach to Rock is the ultimate place to learn, play, and perform! Whether your child is a budding rock star or just discovering their love for music, we make learning fun. No experience needed - just bring your love of music! Don’t miss out—come rock out with us! Visit: Grand Opening, 'Bach to Rock' Music School - Carlsbad Bach to Rock Carlsbad on Instagram and Facebook

The photographer Peter Hujar, whose images exist in an important lineage and dialogue with the work of groundbreaking gay artists such as Robert Mapplethorpe and David Wojnarowicz, forms the center of the latest movie by fearless independent American filmmaker Ira Sachs ("Passages"). Based on rediscovered transcripts from an unused 1974 interview by nonfiction writer Linda Rosenkrantz (played by Rebecca Hall), in which she asked Hujar (Ben Whishaw) to narrate the events of the previous day in minute detail, Sachs’s film is a mesmerizing time warp, an illustration of the life of the creative mind, the quotidian and the imaginative at once, fully and lovingly inhabited by its two brilliant actors. With this engrossing and wholly unexpected film, Sachs shuttles us back to a specific moment in New York queer cultural history and a still-influential art scene that lives on in words as much as images. Digital Gym Cinema on Facebook / Instagram

Could you BE any more excited? Duck Dive in Pacific Beach is transforming into Central Perk on Wednesday, November 19, for a two-hour "FRIENDS" Trivia Night that’s guaranteed to test even the biggest fans of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe. From hilarious quotes to unforgettable moments, this is your chance to prove your Friends knowledge with your Central Perk crew by your side. Trivia kicks off at 8 p.m., so get ready for an evening packed with laughs and friendly competition! Enjoy themed cocktails, crafted to keep the fun going all night long, and bring your A-game and compete to win exclusive Friends-themed prizes - a perfect addition for any true fan’s collection. Tickets are on sale now, but to secure your spot, purchase your ticket and call Duck Dive at (858) 273-3825 to reserve your table. Please note that tickets alone do not guarantee entry without a reservation. Duck Dive is located at 4650 Mission Blvd. Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friends-trivia-at-the-duck-dive-tickets-1698721233939?aff=PR The Duck Dive on Instagram and Facebook

Kick off December at San Diego’s Best Brewery 2025, Pure Project Vista, with a soul-filling spent-grain breadmaking class. Whole grain dough, holiday flavors, award-winning beer, and a VIP experience in their beautiful barrel room. Tis' the Season! At the close of the brewer’s day, we will utilize the brewery's fresh spent grain to craft beautiful, whole-grain artisan bread. Guests will make the Grainbakers Spent Grain Artisan Bread. Once you have mixed your dough, you can customize your bread by adding various flavors from our selection of fruits, inclusions and spices. This class will have many selections, including: Dark Chocolate & Cherry Cheddar, Jalapeño & Bacon UBE Cardamon and Spice (Purple Sweet Potato) Honey Sea Salted Whole Wheat Rosemary and Sea Salt Cinnamon Raisin Holiday Fruit & Nuts Cranberry Orange Walnut** Cardamom & Raisin Cheddar, Jalapño & Bacon Class includes: Lecture and hands-on instruction to make artisan spent grain baked bread Recipe and instruction guide. Super fun mixing session to make your dough One bread in its first rise, in our very unique proofing box, ready to bake at home Extra spent grain for your freezer and recipes to make more bread VIP / FAQ: You will bake your bread at home. You leave with your bread rising in our very unique proofing box. Participants must be 18 or older and have a ticket. Please wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. You are welcome to invite a friend to wait for you while you’re in class. You can have dinner together before class, and then they can doomscroll some social media over a pint while in class. Please inquire for groups of 6+ if you would like to do this activity as a pre-holiday work outing. We love teambuilders! Allergen Considerations: Almonds and Walnuts will be used. Pecans and Pistachios will not be used. Peanuts will not be used. Visit: https://www.grainbakers.com/event-details-registration/brewery-spent-grain-breadmaking-class-pure-project-vista?utm_source=Vesta&utm_medium=Referral Pure Project on Instagram and Facebook

Do you want to see your writing in magazines? Would you like to receive a check for what you write? If your goal is to write personal essays and get paid for them, this is the class for you. We will go through idea generation, how to find publications that are right for your idea, and how to pitch to editors and locate their e-mail addresses. You will finish the class with several ideas for essays, where to pitch them, and with a list of resources to build those bylines! You will be emailed the Zoom link 24 hours before the start of the class. If you sign up less than 24 hours before the start of the class, please either send us a message or email us at programs@sandiegowriters.org to request your link. Note: We are offering TWO scholarships for writers who self-identify as having financial need. If you are interested, please contact Kristen at programs@sandiegowriters.org. Thank you! San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

Learn about new advancements in Alzheimer's treatments. This program will provide an overview of how disease modifying treatements slow disease progression, who are the intended candidates to receive the treatments, availability, and more. Alzheimer's Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter: Website / Facebook

Join Loud Fridge Theatre Group for the culmination of San Diego's most interactive new play development program: New Year New Draft! In February, the audience selected one scene from Nick Scutti's "(No) Exit to Mars" as they play they wanted to see more of, and now the full script is ready to share. Celebrate a new work from a local playwright and be the first to hear this satirical space comedy! About "(No) Exit to Mars": It’s the not-too-distant-future, and Earth can barely support life, so an eccentric tech billionaire blasts off in a spaceship to colonize Mars. Traveling alongside him are his much-younger wife, his over-eager assistant and her skeptical husband, and an advanced AI program. When the hyper-sleep pods malfunction, however, all four humans will have no choice but to get along with each other in cramped quarters with dwindling supplies throughout the entire seven month journey. Interweaving class, climate change, sex, and technology, this dark comedy asks, “How much further can we take all this?” And, “whose fault is this, really?” Visit: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=298676&pr=1 Loud Fridge Theater Group on Instagram and Facebook

People living with dementia may exhibit behaviors as a way to communicate their needs and feelings as the disease progresses. Learn how dementia can change a person’s behavior, possible triggers and person-centered care approaches to address behaviors. Alzheimer's Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter: Website / Facebook