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Preview Night April 23: $17 "The Book Club Play" MiraCosta College Theatre By Karen Zacarias Directed by Eric Bishop When a devoted book club becomes the subject of a legendary documentarian, their cozy gatherings take a hilarious turn. Everything spirals out of control when a provocative new member joins, bringing eyebrow-raising book selections and throwing the group dynamics into chaos. This side-splitting comedy follows Ana and her fellow book lovers as they navigate friendship, literature, and the absurd situations that unfold when cameras start rolling. A playful testament to the power of books to bring people together, you'll feel like part of the group yourself! “A delightful, fresh comedy.” – Talkin’ Broadway Note: Children under the age of 5 are not admitted to the Theatre. MiraCosta College Theatre on Facebook / Instagram

The nonprofit Photographer’s Eye Collective in Escondido will host an auction of fine art photographs donated by artists from around the country for its annual fundraiser. On-line bidding opens on Nov. 24 at 4 p.m., and a live auction featuring a gala reception will take place on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m., at The Photographer's Eye Gallery. Bidding will close on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Twenty-seven images are up for auction, and they can be seen on The Photographer’s Eye website. Information on each work and artist is viewable by clicking on the thumbnail for each image. Artists who have donated works for the fundraiser include Pulitzer Prize winner Don Bartletti; New Mexico artists Susan Ressler and Karen Hymer; San Diego underwater photographers Marie Tartar and Steve Eilenberg, and many more whose works have appeared at the gallery. Also donating works are artists Amy Caterina, Jacqueline Ramirez, Jodie Hulden, Judith Preston, Louise Russell, Melinda Finn, Suda House, Diana Bloomfield, Mitch Eckert, Dave Marsh, Brandy J Sebastian, Marek Matusz, Will Gibson, Lisa Brussell, Sandra Klein, Jacqueline Ramirez, Tom Vancisin, Jerry Takigawa, Robin North, Robert Younger, Grant Brittain, and The Photographer’s Eye director, Donna Cosentino. The gala reception will feature wines from Escondido’s Orfila Winery and appetizers by Red Tail Catering. There is no charge to attend the event. Free parking is available in front of and behind the gallery. Proceeds from the auction will help support the nonprofit gallery’s mission to foster the education and appreciation of photography. The seven-year-old Photographer’s Eye Gallery is a 501(c)(3); donations are tax deductible. Photographer’s Eye Collective on Facebook / Instagram

Join Vistal at InterContinental San Diego for an elegant Thanksgiving buffet dinner overlooking the San Diego Bay, complete with live music and coastal views. Savor a menu of coastal-inspired cuisine and refined holiday classics, featuring fresh seafood, seasonal salads, and expertly carved turkey with traditional accompaniments. Guests can also enjoy a curated selection of chef-driven entrées, elevated sides, and indulgent desserts to complete the evening. Reservations are available via OpenTable from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., priced at $125 for adults, $75 for children ages 5-12, and complimentary for kids under 4. Tickets include complimentary 3-hour parking. Vistal Bar + Restaurant on Instagram

For the 5th consecutive year, La Maestra Community Health Centers and Mission Fed Credit Union are partnering to spread holiday cheer with their annual Toy and Gift Drive, benefiting patients and families in need this season. Donations of new, unwrapped toys, books and gifts for children of all ages are being accepted at any of Mission Fed’s 34 branch locations throughout San Diego County or at its corporate headquarters – 10325 Meanley Drive, San Diego, CA 92131 – from Nov. 14 through Dec. 5. All donations will be distributed to low-income families visiting La Maestra’s El Cajon and City Heights locations. For donation drop-off locations, visit missionfed.com/locations. Monetary donations for the Toy and Gift Drive will also be accepted at Mission Fed branches or at lamaestra.networkforgood.com. La Maestra Community Health Centers on Facebook / Instagram

The Jane Austen Bollywood Musical you didn't know you needed! This modern adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, "Pride and Prejudice," features the lives of four unmarried daughters in an Indian family. Directed by Gurinder Chadha, "Bride and Prejudice" features vibrant Bollywood musical set pieces and dance numbers guaranteed to make you shake what your mama gave you. There will be a live Bollywood cultural dance performance before the film by San Diego Indian dance groups Arudra Dance School and 35-Bhangra Club. Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha is the director of the hit sports comedy-drama "Bend It Like Beckham" that follows the lives of two young women chasing soccer glory despite their parents' wishes. At 40 years plus, Picture This at the Central Library is the longest running cinema series in San Diego. Weekly screenings showcase Hollywood, American independent, and international cinema, with occasional added features including speakers, artists, and music. Visit mysdpl.org/austenevents for other Austen 250 events! San Diego Public Library on Instagram

"Hauntings of the Holiday - Christmas Ghost Stories" is inspired by the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas eve. We invite you to step back in time at the beautifully decorated Villa Montezuma for an afternoon of chilling tales. Expected stories inhabited by spectral visions, spirits, shadows and Christmas visitations by writers beyond Mr. Dickens.

Need ideas for your holiday baking this year? Get inspired at this fun baking demo with Chef Tommy of Big City Chefs! Space is limited, registration is recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. About Chef Tommy: Food has been my passion for as long as I can remember! I spent a lot of my childhood helping my mom in the kitchen experimenting with flavors and learning the magic of cooking. By age sixteen, I was working as a busser soaking in the energy of a busy restaurant. Instead of following my culinary dreams, I took a detour and instead went to college to study accounting. I received a Bachelor of Science and cruised through a successful five-year sales career. Despite my successes, I always felt I was meant for something more and decided to pursue my true calling in the restaurant world. I kicked things off as a server in Charleston, SC before moving to San Diego, where I worked my way up to General Manager at Knotty Barrel. Along the way, I enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education and gained experience working at Michelin-starred Gramercy Tavern in NYC, Trust and as Sous Chef at Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters. By December 2024, I was ready to break free from the traditional kitchen grind and launched my own personal chef and catering company. Now, I’m thrilled to be working with Big City Chefs offering catering, cooking classes and more! Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable meal or a hands-on cooking experience, I’m here to take you on a culinary adventure! Coronado Public Library on Facebook / Instagram

Experience a journey of solo flute pieces spanning different cultures and times with musician Pam Vliek Martchev. She will be featuring the flute, alto flute, and piccolo, as well as composers like Marin-Marais, Bozza, Karg-Elert, and more. Pam Vliek Martchev served as principal flute with the Boulder Philharmonic in Colorado for 10 seasons, and has been a guest principal flutist of the San Diego Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Reno Chamber Orchestra, California Chamber Orchestra, and Long Beach Opera. She has been featured on many chamber music series such as La Jolla Summerfest, Art of Elan, Jacaranda, Chamber Music Unbound in Mammoth, Blanco Performing Arts in Texas, the Tannahill Arts Festival in Scotland, Le Salon de Musique, Bruman at UCLA, Dilijan, and LACMA Sundays Live. She is currently a member of the woodwind quintet Presidio Winds. You may have heard her on movie soundtracks, CD recordings, television specials, and in the San Diego pit for broadway shows such as King and I, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and My Fair Lady. A native of Long Island, NY, she began attending the Manhattan School of Music pre-college program at age 12, and continued another four years for her Bachelor of Music - her primary teachers were Harold Jones and Linda Chesis. During her student years, she won prizes in many competitions, was a soloist with the Long Island and Massapequa Philharmonic, and was featured on WQXR’s Young Artist Showcase. She has been a guest teacher at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC); University of Oregon, Eugene; University of Nevada, Reno; and Manhattan School of Music. Her students have auditioned successfully for conservatory degrees across the country, top prizes in national competitions including the NFA High School Soloist, the National Youth Orchestra, and CA All-Southern and All-State ensembles. She is a Haynes Artist, and is the flute professor at San Diego State University, Pt. Loma Nazarene University, the University of San Diego, and San Diego Summer Music Institute (SDSMI) Coronado Public Library on Facebook / Instagram

Zest up your gift list this holiday season and support Escondido’s small businesses. Shop, eat, and explore downtown Escondido (Grand Avenue) to discover special treats, sales, and discounts, while collecting stamps in the EDBA’s popular Bingo Game. Bingo cards, and a map of participating businesses, can be picked up at Heritage Garden at the corner of North Juniper Street and Grand Avenue between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. where a host of activities will take place. The Holiday Trolley is also back this year (noon to 5 p.m.) to get shoppers around! A Tree Lighting will take place at the end of the day (approximately 5:15 p.m.) in Maple Street Plaza. This season’s Shop Small campaign will run from Small Business Saturday through the end of the year; its theme celebrates Escondido’s rich agricultural roots and citrus heritage, so add a little zest to your holidays — shop, dine, and celebrate local. For more information, please visit www.downtownescondido.com/small-business-saturday Escondido Downtown Business Association on Facebook

Spreckels Organ Society will host a Holiday Celebration & Annual Holiday Sing at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in the heart of Balboa Park. Starting at 1:30 p.m. there will be an Educational Workshop, with Raul Prieto Ramírez, San Diego’s Civic Organist and the Society’s Artistic Director, will invite kids and families to join him on-stage to build a little mechanic pipe organ, assisted by docents. While the kits are being built on stage, Ramírez will perform some fun holiday music for the audience. Once the little pipe organs are set and ready to play, Ramírez will have the kids play together with the Spreckels Organ. There will be a Concert & Annual Sing-Along following the educational workshop, at approximately 2:15 p.m. Ramírez will play a few magnificent pieces by great composers, serving as an interlude before the audience is invited on stage (approximately 2:45 p.m.) to participate in the annual sing-along of Christmas carols and popular holiday songs. “Hallelujah” by G.F.Haendel will be sung by the entire audience, while performed on the Spreckels Organ by Ramírez; this serves as the golden closure for the annual Holiday Celebration Event. For more information about the Spreckels Organ Society, visit www.SpreckelsOrgan.org. Spreckels Organ Society on Facebook / Instagram