thursday, oct. 20
Taylor Swift
As part of her Speak Now world tour 2011 Taylor Swift comes to San Diego for one night only. Taylor, who is currently nominated for four Academy of Country Music Awards – including the evening’s biggest honor, the fan-voted Entertainer of the Year Award, spent most of the month of February playing to capacity crowds in Asia, and this month she has headlined arenas throughout Europe. During the show, Taylor performs on two different stages, playing several different acoustic and electric guitars and also the piano and the ukulele, and has earned rave reviews from critics at every Speak Now tour stop.
Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. in San Diego, 7 p.m., tickets from $29, 619-224-4171, valleyviewcasinocenter.com.
friday, oct. 21
North Park Playwright Festival
The North Park Vaudeville and Candy Shoppe presents the ninth annual North Park Playwright Festival with 25 new short plays by playwrights from around the country. The program includes 22 directors and more than 40 actors each weekend, Oct.7 through Oct. 30. The North Park Vaudeville and Candy Shoppe is an intimate theater specializing in new plays, melodramas, improvised theater, acoustic music and Vaudeville style variety shows.
North Park Vaudeville and Candy Shoppe, 2031 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego, 8 p.m., admission $14, 619-647-4958, northparkvaudeville.com.
saturday, oct. 22
Hitchcocktober
It’s Hitchcocktober at Reading cinemas. Salute the master of suspense by catching one of Alfred Hitchcock’s best movies on the big screen for only $5. This Saturday see Rear Window (1954) with James Stewart and Grace Kelly. Screenings are all month long. Check out the Web site for other movie showings. Prizes and giveaways every week.
Gaslamp 15, 701 Fifth Ave. in San Diego, 7 p.m., $5, readingcinemasus.com.
sunday, oct. 23
An evening with Howie Mandel
The versatile career of Howie Mandel has encompassed virtually all aspects of the entertainment spectrum, including television, film and stage. From his work on the Emmy-Award winning St. Elsewhere , to the international animated children’s series Bobby’s World , Howie has become a mainstay of the American comedy scene. Currently hosting the new hidden camera show Mobbed and serving as a judge on America’s Got Talent , Howie continues to perform his stand-up concert across the U.S. and Canada. Don’t miss his stop here in San Diego.
Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. in San Diego, 7 p.m., tickets from $30, 619-570-1100, sandiegotheatres.org.
monday, oct. 24
Annual Horror-House Scream Fest
The Haunted Hotel, located downtown in the Gaslamp District, is the longest running haunted house in San Diego. It was named by Haunt World magazine as one of the top 13 haunted houses in America and featured in America Haunts IV on The Travel Channel in 2009. The horror filled nights run through Halloween. This year, see where the Hellevator takes you, explore Freddy Krueger’s workshop and go crazy in rooms inspired by Legion and Shutter Island. Meet the night riders on the moving Subway and try to escape the virus outbreak in our Zombie office. The Haunted Hotel is packed full of spine tingling, heart pounding effects that are so real they will keep you screaming for your life as you try to find your way out.
The Haunted Hotel, 424 Market St. in San Diego, 7-11 p.m., general admission $15, 619-696-SCARE (7227), hauntedhotel.com.
tuesday, oct. 25
Celtic Thunder Heritage Tour
From rousing ensemble numbers to solos showcasing each member’s vocal style and personality, Celtic Thunder performs powerful ballads, popular hits and heartwarming songs of love and loss from across the Celtic music spectrum – Irish, Scottish, traditional and contemporary. The eclectic mix of music includes traditional songs (“Mountains of Mourne,” “Come by the Hills,” “Love Thee Dearest”), pop classics (Paul Anka’s “Puppy Love,” the Eagles’ “Desperado,” The Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin” ) accompanied by The Celtic Concert Orchestra, a full band, bagpipes and monks. Choreography, dramatic lighting, visual effects and a set resembling ancient stone steps and paths enhance the musical production.
Humphreys Concerts by the bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive in San Diego, 7:30 p.m., tickets $75, 800-745-3000, humphreysconcerts.com.
wednesday, oct. 26
Stage Monkeys improvised theater
Stage Monkeys perform Chicago-style longform improvised theater. Always unscripted and spontaneous, they take one single suggestion from the audience which will help catapult them into characters, scenes, games, songs and much more. Every performance is one of a kind and never to be seen again.
Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets $5, 858-598-7620, facebook.com/StageMonkeysSD.
