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Bridge Music Series presents GRAMMY-nominated pianist HAN CHEN. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a “Les adieux” Liszt: "Funérailles," S. 173 No. 7 Stravinsky: "Four Études," Op. 7 (intermission) Lei Liang: "A Book of Time I" (2023) (west coast premiere) Stravinsky: "Trois mouvements de Petrouchka" Additional Description: A fearless performer with seemingly limitless imagination and possessed with uncanny energy, GRAMMY-nominated pianist Han Chen plays scores old and new with rare rigor and insight. A GRAMMY® nominee for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, Chen was recognized for his recording of Florence Price's Piano Concerto in One Movement in D minor with conductor John Jeter and the Malmö Opera Orchestra. Alex Ross, classical music critic of The New Yorker, who selected Mr. Chen's disc of the Ligeti Études and Capriccios as a "Notable Classical Recording of 2023," characterized him as follows: The Taiwanese pianist Han Chen, a noted interpreter of the Ligeti Études and other modernist repertory, has made a blistering album of the [Liszt] opera transcriptions. — The New Yorker, September 4, 2023 Attending Mr. Chen's recent traversal of the 18 Ligeti Etudes and 18 commissioned world premieres, George Grella titled his review: "Han Chen's remarkable playing equal to the genius of Ligeti's Etudes" and went on to exclaim: He is astonishing, with some of the finest pianism one has ever witnessed. — New York Classical Review, September 25, 2023 Gold Medalist at the 2013 China International Piano Competition and a prizewinner at the 2018 Honens International Piano Competition, Mr. Chen has also been praised by Gramophone as "impressively commanding and authoritative" and further cited by The New York Times for his "graceful touch," "rhythmic precision" and "hypnotic charm." He has appeared as soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic, Fort Worth Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, National Taiwan Symphony, and Xiamen Philharmonic. Han Chen has studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky, Wha Kyung Byun, and Ursula Oppens at The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, and CUNY Graduate Center. He is a Steinway Artist and is represented by Black Tea Music. Han Chen on Facebook / Instagram

Too much Halloween candy? Trade it in! Brain Balance San Diego, a leading drug-free brain training program, designed to help adults and kids improve focus, behavior, social skills, anxiety, and cognitive performance, is holding its annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back program at all three of its San Diego locations – Carmel Mountain Ranch, Chula Vista and Encinitas – from Monday, Nov. 2 through Wednesday, Nov. 4. Bring in your extra Halloween candy and swap it for toys, activities, or gift cards while supplies last. This event is also part of Brain Balance San Diego’s support for the Teal Pumpkin Project, helping create a more inclusive Halloween experience for individuals with food allergies, sensitivities, and sensory challenges. During Candy Buy-Back, all ages are welcome and costumes are encouraged. Drop-off takes place during normal business hours; hours vary by each location. Prizes will be provided while supplies last. Guests can take part in a free center tour and for a limited time, Comprehensive Assessment specials will be offered for attendees. Carmel Mountain Ranch (10175 Rancho Carmel Drive, Suite 124, 92128) Chula Vista (310 3rd Avenue, Suite C7, 91910) Encinitas (165 S El Camino Real, Suite E, 92024) Guests are encouraged to RSVP at bit.ly/bbcandy2026. For more information, please call (858) 324-5545 or visit www.BrainBalanceSanDiego.com. Brain Balance on Facebook / Instagram

Birch Aquarium’s newest exhibition, "The Axolotl’s Garden," is now open. Discover the world of the endangered Axolotl, from the mythology and folklore that make them famous to the challenges they face in a changing world. Encounter other unique Mexican species and explore each animal’s tale of survival and adaptation. Created in collaboration with Mexican-American artist Itzel Islas, "The Axolotl’s Garden" will transform Birch Aquarium into a living story world inspired by the ecological and cultural richness of Mexico and Baja California. Birch Aquarium at Scripps on Facebook / Instagram

Slip into your flip-flops, grab your favorite island crew, and set sail for a sunset tiki adventure where the rum is questionably strong, the vibes are always immaculate, and absolutely anything can happen. Join us one last time this year for a tiki karaoke cruise hosted by our very own Art Ruiz! When he‘s not hosting aboard Tiki Time, you‘ll find him belting out tunes at San Diego‘s Star Bar. Now he‘s bringing those smooth vocals and encouraging yours out onto the bay. Whether you‘re ready to steal the spotlight or just cheer on your fellow rock stars with a cocktail in hand, this is one cruise you won‘t want to miss. BYO – Blanket. The fine print: This is not a private charter. Other groups/people will be on board. Our boat holds 30 passengers,. A minimum of eight passengers (all groups combined) is needed to operate. Absolutely no outside food or beverages permitted. Visit: https://tikitimebaytours.com/tour-descriptions/ Tiki Time Bay Tours on Facebook / Instagram

Still need more details? It’s Halloween on a tiki boat! What more do you need? We’re talking spooky sips, costumes, prizes, killer nighttime bay views, and a whole lot of wicked fun. Bring your besties, dress to impress (or distress ), and get ready for a frightfully good time! - Costume contest with prizes - Signature tropical cocktails and island-inspired drinks - Scenic night cruise through San Diego Bay Tour: Approximately 2 Hours What's not included: Beverages The fine print: This is not a private charter. Other groups/people will be on board. Our boat holds 30 passengers,. A minimum of eight passengers (all groups combined) is needed to operate. Absolutely no outside food or beverages permitted. Ages 16+ Visit: https://tikitimebaytours.com/tour-descriptions/ Tiki Time Bay Tours on Facebook / Instagram

Halloween Party with Alific, Geoff Weers & Safety Orange Get ready to rock your spooky socks off at our Halloween Party featuring live performances by Alific, Geoff Weers, and Safety Orange! Costumes are highly encouraged, so bring your most creative, creepy, or downright hilarious outfit to join the fun. Whether you come as a ghost, ghoul, or glam rocker, this night promises to be a frightfully good time! Date & Time: October 31, 2026 at 8 p.m. Venue: The Harp The Harp on Facebook

Music by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave Conducted by Yves Abel Directed by Christopher Mattaliano Making jokes is what Rigoletto does for a living, serving as court jester to the predatory Duke of Mantua. But the joke may be on him when one of his jests enrages Count Monterone, the father of the Duke's latest victim, unleashing a curse with dangerous consequences for Rigoletto and his beautiful daughter Gilda. Packed with spectacular arias like “La donna è mobile,” “Caro nome,” and the stunning quartet “Bella figlia dell’amore,” Verdi’s sublime tale of betrayal, sacrifice, and revenge will hold you spellbound from start to finish. Please Note: We strongly encourage you to arrive early, as Latecomers are subject to a seating hold and will be asked to wait in the lobby until Intermission. Age Requirement 6+ San Diego Opera: Website / Facebook / Instagram

Step aboard the Maritime Museum of San Diego's Star of India after dark for a haunted waterfront nighttime experience filled with music, cocktails, mystery, and maritime legends. The Davy Jones Locker — Signature Cocktail The Haunted — Signature Cocktail Dead Ma Dance beneath the rigging to Harbor the People, sip specialty drinks, hear eerie stories from the sea, and take part in an interactive mystery hunt featuring hidden clues, keys, codes, and the Davy Jones Cryptex. Costumes are welcome and encouraged, but not required. Harbor the People is a San Diego-based DJ collective known for its #BringBackDancing events, creating high-energy dance experiences in unexpected spaces. For one night, they bring that energy aboard the historic Star of India. Dance beneath the rigging, grab a drink, and experience the ship after dark. Hidden throughout the event are letters, clues, codes, and keys waiting to be discovered. Follow the clues, decode mystery letters, find designated keys, and see if you can crack the Davy Jones Cryptex. Completing designated challenges may earn entries into special prize drawings and other prize opportunities. NOTE: Finding a key or solving the Cryptex does not guarantee a prize. Discover eerie maritime tales, shipboard superstitions, and ghostly legends inspired by life at sea. Some stories are part of history. Others are best told after dark. A full cash bar will be available throughout the evening with beer, wine, cocktails, specialty drinks, and a signature mocktail available for purchase. Additional beverages will also be available for purchase. Food and beverages are not included with admission. The first 100 guests to purchase tickets will automatically receive one entry into a special Davy Jones’ Locker raffle drawing. Maritime Museum of San Diego on Facebook/Instagram

The Book Catapult proudly welcomes our pal Jim Ruland for the release of his new novel, "Mightier Than the Sword" on Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m. Jim will be joined by a cavalcade of authors: Grace Krilanovich (author of "Orange Eats Creeps" and the brand new "Acid Green Velvet"), Adrian Van Young (author of the novel "Rough Beast"), Tammy Greenwood (author of the novel "Everything Has Happened"), and Molly McCloy (author of the new memoir "Nine Grudges: The Spiteful Origins of the Happiest Dyke on Earth.") What do a gambler, a poet, a punk, and a writer of westerns have in common? Four college professors embark on a crime spree in Northern Arizona in 1993. They start by robbing an off-campus bookstore, but when things don't go as planned, the book bandits are drawn into a bigger, bolder caper involving corrupt university officials, drug-dealing frat boys, Navajo ex-cons, and a mysterious golden pen. Steeped in the lore of the West, "Mightier Than the Sword" is a twisty, pulp take on the dirtiest job of them all: working as a part-time professor in a college town. San Diego's Jim Ruland is the author of the novel "Make It Stop, Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise and Fall of SST Records," co-author of "Do What You Want with Bad Religion," and "My Damage with Keith Morris," the founding vocalist of Black Flag, Circle Jerks, and OFF! Ruland has been writing for punk zines such as "Flipside" and "Razorcake" for more than twenty-five years and his work has received awards from Reader’s Digest and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit: https://thebookcatapult.com/event/2026-11-06/jim-ruland-2026 Jim Ruland on Instagram

Mannerism originated primarily in Italy. It lasted from approximately 1530-1600 and was a reaction to the harmonious classicism and idealized naturalism of the High Renaissance art as practiced by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Mannerist artists created a style that was characterized by artificiality and unique coloration. A thoroughly self-conscious cultivation of elegance and technical facility were part of this artistic movement. Sophisticated indulgence in the bizarre helped to distinguish its artists. The figures in Mannerist art frequently had graceful, but strangely elongated limbs, small heads, and stylized facial features while their poses seemed difficult or contrived. Painters such as Jacopo Pontormo and Francesco Parmigianino exemplified this unusual and fascinating style of painting. Mannerism began to wane after 1600 as the Baroque began to take hold throughout Europe. The evolution of the movement and its artists will be the focus of this docent-led virtual talk. Join us live on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86148328476?pwd=UmpTRGhYZS9UQnAxeHd6aHpCbENFdz09 Note that you will be muted upon entry and that this talk is being recorded as well as live-streamed. Please save all questions for the end. Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1216092697271532 Note that this talk is being recorded as well as live-streamed. Please save all questions for the end.