Celebrate Chinese New Year with an inspired five-course feast at Kettner Exchange.
Film and improv festivals, world-premiere musicals, festive 5K runs and more fun things to do are on tap this month. Here are the top 30+ San Diego things to do in February.
Edited by Jordan Fraser.
Museum Month
Feb. 1-28. Explore more than 40 of San Diego’s top museums, monuments, gardens and cultural institutions for half-price admission for up to four guests. Pick up passes at participating libraries. See website for participating venues. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org
Paint Your Pet
Feb. 2. Paint a one-of-a-kind portrait of your pet with help from local artist Paul Naylor in support of Museum of Man’s latest exhibit, Living with Animals. Supplies will be provided, just bring a photo of your pet for inspiration. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free for museum members or with general admission. Museum of Man, 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.2001. museumofman.org
Rigoletto
Feb. 2, 5, 8, 10. You’ll recognize melody after melody in this tale of the lecherous Duke of Mantua who seduces wives and daughters while his hunchbacked jester, Rigoletto, adds insult to injury by ridiculing their husbands and fathers. Eventually, a furious father puts a curse on Rigoletto. When the Duke seduces Rigoletto’s young, innocent daughter Gilda, Rigoletto plots his revenge. The performance is sung in Italian with projected English translations. 7 p.m. except Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. San Diego Opera at Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. sdopera.org
Black Film Fest
Through Feb. 3. Catch more than 100 films across all genres that celebrate African-American cinema at this annual event, which is one of the largest black film festivals in the country. The long weekend also includes opening day receptions, panel discussions, industry parties and a filmmaker’s breakfast. Check website for film list and event locations. 619.232.1913. sdbff.com
Catch a glimpse of Cardiff’s famous statue during this coastal race that begins and ends under the Encinitas sign.
Cardiff Kook Run
Feb. 3. Start and finish this scenic loop under the famous Encinitas sign. The course passes by the Cardiff Kook statue on Coast Highway 101, rises above some of the most popular surf breaks in San Diego and then make its way down to Cardiff State Beach. See website for start times and race prices. 505 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas. cardiffkookrun.com
Super Bowl Viewing Party
Feb. 3. Watch the big game on the biggest screens in San Diego inside the dine-in cinemas at Theatre Box. Ticket packages include reserved seats. A $15 ticket includes two beers and a tub of popcorn. A $25 ticket includes one beer, a tub of popcorn and a burger from Sugar Factory. Tickets for children 12 and under are $10 and include a tub of popcorn or bag of gourmet popcorn. The full menu of food and drinks will also be available for purchase. 3-7:30 p.m. 701 Fifth Ave., downtown. Tickets
Cooking Class and Dinner
Feb. 6. Join Marine Room executive chef Bernard Guillas and chef de cuisine Thomas Connolly for a lively winter-themed cooking demonstration and pairing menu. The menu includes smoked heirloom Chioggia beets, Rum Point baked lobster tail and Valrhona chocolate cake. Sip a welcome cocktail during the demonstration, and enjoy each course with a perfectly paired wine. 6 p.m. $95. 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, 858.459.7222. marineroom.com
San Diego Improv Festival
Feb. 7-10. Laugh your way through this yearly festival that features top improv talent from all over the nation. The festival includes professional workshops and performances from a selection of hand-picked improv teams from cities around the country. See website for show times and ticket prices. Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave., downtown, 619.306.6047. finestcityimprov.com
The powerful feature ‘Echo’ is available at Clairemont Reading Cinemas on Feb. 10 and 12.
San Diego Jewish Film Festival
Feb. 7-14. Watch the best contemporary Jewish-related films at this 29th annual festival. This year’s lineup comprises a slew of shorts, documentaries and feature films that illuminate the diversity of Jewish culture and experience. See website for schedule and locations. $5-$18. 858.362.1348 .sdcjc.org
Atmosphere
Feb. 8. Hip hop icons Slug and Ant continually evolve Atmosphere’s signature sound, even after more than 20 years in the industry. Touring to support their latest album Fishing Blues, expect to hear a passionate collection of songs from this release and their two-decade career. 8 p.m. $32.50. Observatory, 2891 University Ave., North Park. observatorysd.com
Jurassic Park in Concert
Feb. 9. Experience one of the most thrilling science-fiction adventures of all time with the enhancement of sound performed by a live orchestra. The film will be projected in high definition while Scott Terrell conducts the San Diego Symphony through John Williams’ iconic score. 8 p.m. $28-$88. Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown. sandiegosymphony.org
Nourished: The Gluten Free, Allergy and Special Diet Festival
Feb. 9-10. Get a grasp on what healthy eating means to you with samples, educational presentations, coupons and more from all types of dietary angles including gluten-free plant-based zones, Keto and many more. Exhibitors will showcase a range of products from gourmet corn-free baked goods to vegan coconut energy bars. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $15 GA, $5 children. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. nourishedfestival.com
The PettyBreakers
Feb. 9. Pay tribute to the late Tom Petty with The PettyBreakers’ cover songs of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Plus, Desperado plays all your favorite hits from The Eagles. 9 p.m. $19-$61. Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy, 619.795.1337. musicboxsd.com
Coronado Valentine’s Day 10K, 5K & 1 Mile Run
Feb. 10. Choose your preference of race bib-Available, Taken, or It’s Complicated-at this annual race turned matchmaking event. Each 10K, 5K, 1-mile participant will receive a high-quality t-shirt, finishers medal, continental breakfast, photos with heart sweets and access to the beer garden. See website for race details and prices. Tidelands Park, 2000 Mullinex Drive, Coronado. valentinesday10k.com
Somebody to Love
Feb. 14. Go on a multi-sensory journey at this mixed-media event that features the powerful music of Queen, with the visual element of dance. Renowned ballet dancer and San Diego local Kirsten Bloom Allen teams up with vocalist and America’s Got Talent finalist Brian Justin Crum to fuse music and dance into this special presentation to promote their unifying message on the official day of love. 7 p.m. $67-$100. Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy, 619.795.1337. musicboxsd.com
San Diego Theatre Week
Feb. 14-24. More than 30 San Diego performing arts organizations come together to promote and celebrate the vast array of performing arts in the city through a variety of special promotions. Tickets to participating performances will be offered at $15, $30 and $45 levels. Participating theaters include Point Loma Playhouse, National Comedy Theatre, Lyceum Theatre and many more. See website for show times and locations. sandiegotheatreweek.com
Stoplight Singles Mixer
Feb. 15. Mix and mingle with music and karaoke and get a jump start on finding next year’s Valentine. At check-in, sign up for a badge related to your relationship status: green for singles, yellow for anyone who thinks it’s complicated or red to signify you’re in a relationship. No matter what color you’re wearing, you can enjoy the music and drink specials. Free. Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park. lafayettehotelsd.com
Chinese New Year Fair
Feb. 16-17. Welcome the Year of the Pig at this celebration that includes live performances, children’s crafts, a lantern parade and a variety of Chinese and Asian foods and cultural plays. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Third Ave. and J St., downtown. sdcny.org
5K Paw Walk in the Garden
Feb. 16. For this special occasion, 5K walk dogs (and their people) are allowed in the 37-acre San Diego Botanic Garden. There will also be pet products, treats for people and dogs, educational information for dog lovers and dogs available for adoption. In partnership with Rancho Coastal Humane Society, this walk raises funds that support people, plants and animals. 8 a.m.-noon. $14-$32. San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. sdbgarden.org
Aubergine
Through Feb. 17. Get a real appreciation for the healing power of food as this unforgettable story of love and family unfolds around Ray, a gourmet chef who must prepare a secret family recipe to save his father, and his uncle who unexpectedly arrived from Korea. When words fail, a home-cooked meal transcends cultural differences and language barriers in this touching story of intergenerational connectedness and forgiveness. See website for show times and ticket prices. San Diego Repertory at Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown, 619.544.1000. sdrep.org
Jeanna de Waal plays the title role in the world-premiere musical ‘Diana.’
Diana
Opens Feb. 19. In 1981, an assistant kindergarten teacher married the Prince of Wales and, overnight, became the most famous woman in the world. But behind the fairy-tale romance, there was a troubled marriage and a young woman who struggled to find her voice. See website for show times and ticket prices. Mandell Weiss Forum at the La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Chinese New Year Chef’s Table Dinner
Feb. 20. Experience exotic flavors, decadent dishes and of course, pork, at this five-course showcase by Kettner Exchange executive chef Brian Redzikowski and chef de cuisine Nick DeVries. Menu highlights include a playful twist on shark fin soup, TenderBelly spare ribs, Szechuan noodles with savory Sonoma Lamb and Hainanese chicken with sweet coconut milk and Carolina gold rice, all of which will be paired with Chinese beer and cocktails. 7 p.m. $149. Kettner Exchange, 2001 Kettner Blvd., downtown. Tickets
Aladdin
Opens Feb. 20. From the producer of The Lion King, this thrilling new production is filled with magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle, and features all your favorite songs from the Disney film along with new tunes. Broadway/San Diego, Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. Tickets.
Culture and Cocktails
Feb. 21. This month’s San Diego Museum of Art event is themed Legends & Voyages after the museum’s three magnificent panels by José María Sert which illustrate three episodes of Sinbad the Sailor’s seven epic voyages. In addition to the debut of these impressive panels, watch whimsical mermaid siren performers, participate in “message in a bottle” jewelry making and dance to the beats of DJ Gabe Vega. 6-10 p.m. $10-$15 museum members, $25-$30 non-members. San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. sdmart.org
Moonshine Flats welcomes the “A Little More Country Than That” singer on Feb. 22.
Easton Corbin
Feb. 22. Two-step down to Moonshine Flats for an intimate performance from country music star Easton Corbin. The Florida native was nominated for two Country Music Association awards, one CMT Music Award and one Academy of Country Music Award and won two American Country Awards. 21+. 9:30 p.m. $20-$25. 344 Seventh Ave., downtown. moonshineflats.com
Harlem Globetrotters
Feb. 22, 24. See ball-handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, comedy and unequaled fan interaction from the Harlem Globetrotters. The Globetrotters feature some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, including Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm. New this season, download the Globetrotters’ interactive mobile application for exclusive content and features. 7 p.m. $26+. Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway. pechangaarenasd.com/
Farm to Table Yoga Brunch
Feb. 23. Start the day with a beautiful all-levels vinyasa yoga practice in the center of Wild Willow Farm hosted by the yogis at Honey Yoga then roam the fields of the farm during an hour-long tour before dining al fresco on a locally sourced, farm-to-table brunch prepared by Chef Kathryn Rogers of Vivacious Dish with seasonal kombucha offerings from Bootstrap Kombucha. 9 a.m. $99. 2550 Sunset Ave., San Ysidro, 619.289.9802. Tickets
Aziz Ansari
Feb. 24. The former Parks and Recreation star and Modern Romance author is on the Road to Nowhere with this new standup special. Expect his signature wit to touch on life and love in the technological age. 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown, 619.235.0804. copleysymphonyhall.com
Guys and Dolls
Through Feb. 24. Set in New York City in the mid-20th century, Guys and Dolls is populated with gangsters and gamblers, missionary dolls and showgirls and Broadway hits including “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat,” “If I Were a Bell,” and “Take Back Your Mink.” See website for show times and ticket prices. Coronado Playhouse, 1835 Strand Way, Coronado, 619.435.4856. coronadoplayhouse.com
Literary Tea at The Westgate
Feb. 24. Enjoy a three-course afternoon tea with Champagne in the company of author Christopher Castellani, who will be discussing his new book. Leading Men is an expansive yet intimate story of desire, artistic ambition, and fidelity, set in the glamorous literary and film circles of 1950s Italy. 2:30-5 p.m. $65. 1055 Second Ave., downtown, 619.238.1818. westgatehotel.com
Photos: Chinese New Year Dinner courtesy JPR. Cardiff Kook Run courtesy Cardiff Kook Run. San Diego Jewish Film Festival by Daniel Miller. Diana by Little Tang. Easton Corbin courtesy Katalyst PR.
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