The City: Top to Bottom

thursday, may 9

The Big Bad Armo Show

Playing to sold-out audiences across California, The Big Bad Armo Show is a hilarious, bold, fun and witty sketch-comedy show about the Armenian-American experience. Written by Lory Tatoulian it stars Alex Kalognomos, Helen Kalognomos, Ludwig Manukian, James Martin, Alex Mashikian and Lory Tatoulian.

Lyceum Space Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets $25, 619-544-1000, sdrep.org

friday, may 10

Manhattan Transfer

The first group ever to win Grammy Awards in both Pop and Jazz categories in the same year (1981) – Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Jazz Performance, Duo or Group. Join this amazing vocal group as they perform live on stage at the historic Balboa Theatre for one night only!

Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. in San Diego, 7:30 p.m., tickets from $34.50, 619-570-1100, sandiegotheatres.org

saturday, may 11

Ray at Night

Ray Street is a tiny little one way street in the heart of North Park. This tiny little street is lined with galleries, stores and shops. It has become an art mecca, and is considered to be one of the most culturally rich art and culture districts in San Diego. It is host to one of San Diego’s largest and longest running (9 years) art and culture events, Ray at Night. Ray at Night takes place every second Saturday of each month with live music, arts, crafts and good food.

Ray Street in North Park, 6-10 p.m., free, 619-800-2787, raystreet.com

sunday, may 12

The Sound of Music

The final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis. The family’s narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theater.

The Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., in San Diego, 2 p.m., tickets from $26, 858-560-5740, sdmt.org

monday, may 13

Piranesi, Rome and the Arts of Design

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) was a printmaker, architect, antiquarian, art dealer, theorist and designer – one of the foremost artistic personalities of the 18th century, whose views of Rome remain the city’s defining image. Fresh, thought-provoking and innovative, Piranesi, Rome, and the Arts of Design sets out to show the range of the artist’s genius in a 21st-century approach to his creative endeavors.

The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., adult admission $12, 619-232-7931, sdmart.org

tuesday, may 14

The Agency – 30 Years Later

Photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe

NYC, 1983 – Robert Mapplethorpe approached Alfredo Santiago, then president of the agency Models Incorporated to photograph his models in hopes of breaking into the fashion photography industry. The results were artistic and unlike any other fashion photography ever created. An exhibit of the photographs was held May 3, 1983 at Hardison Fine Arts Gallery in NYC. Today, Santiago lives in San Diego and had these works (tucked under his bed) for 30 years. He would like to share them with you.

White Box Contemporary, 1040 7th Ave. in San Diego, open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., $25 donation, 619-237-8813, whiteboxcontemporary.com

wednesday, may 15

Be a Good Little Widow

Melody thought being a young wife was hard, until she became a widow. Luckily her mother-in-law is an expert in the field. As Melody navigates the prickly terrain of pressed black dresses, well-meant advice and inappropriate outbursts, she stumbles toward understanding what it means to find someone through losing them. A bittersweet look at the messy parts of life, this quirky comedy contemplates how grief, devotion and hope can persevere within us all. Contains strong language.

Old Globe Theatre, Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park, 7 p.m., tickets from $29, 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org