thursday, dec. 15
John Caparulo
Cleveland’s favorite son, John Caparulo, is a nearly 20-year veteran of stand-up, achieving national recognition on Chelsea Handler’s much-missed E! show, Chelsea Lately. Cap has also made numerous appearances on late night, such as The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and was featured on national stand-up tours like Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Next Generation and Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Tour.
The American Comedy Company, 818B Sixth Ave. in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets $20, 619-795-3858, americancomedyco.com
friday, dec. 16
The Normal Heart
Larry Kramer wrote this seminal play over 30 years ago, setting it in New York City at the very beginning of the HIV/AIDS crisis. It combines humor and love, as well as rage against widespread apathy in the government, media and health industries at a time when thousands were infected and dying from this ravaging illness. In the play, Kramer’s avatar – Ned Weeks – leads a small but courageous group of organizers that stepped up to face off against the silence many felt was tied to ongoing prejudice against the gay community as AIDS was originally considered just a ‘gay’ disease.
ion’s Blkbox Theatre, 3704 Sixth Ave. in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets $32, 619-600-5020, iontheatre.com
saturday, dec. 17
Holiday Rhapsody
The holiday spirit will be in the air as the Hillcrest Wind Ensemble (HWE) presents Holiday Rhapsody. The concert will include music of Christmas, Hanukah and New Year’s Eve. Guest harpist Tasha Smith Godinez and a special appearance by the Hillcrest Wind Ensemble Holiday Singers will add to the festivities.
The San Diego Woman’s Club, 2557 Third Ave. in Bankers Hill, 7 p.m., tickets $15 in advance and $20 at the door and are available at The Windsmith, 3875 Granada Ave. in North Park and at sdartstix.com
sunday, dec. 18
The Nutcracker
This engaging and highly entertaining production is both beautiful and fun-loving. The family-oriented performance, which features a cast of over 200 performers and guest artists from San Francisco Ballet captures the magic, wonder and innocence of Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet as seen through a child’s eyes. Spectacular sets, gorgeous costumes, and live music by the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra come together to create a stunning, grand-scale event that has become a popular family holiday tradition.
The California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd. in Escondido, 2 p.m., tickets from $21.50, 800-988-4253, artcenter.org
monday, dec. 19
A Chanticleer Christmas
Chanticleer has been known around the world for almost four decades as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its twelve male voices ranging from countertenor to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz and gospel. The first vocal ensemble voted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame will bring a festive holiday program to San Diego.
Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B Street in San Diego, 7:30 p.m., tickets from $20, 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
tuesday, dec. 20
Denial
When university professor Deborah E. Lipstadt includes World War II historian David Irving in a book about Holocaust deniers, Irving accuses her of libel and sparks a legal battle for historical truth. With the burden of proof placed on the accused, Lipstadt and her legal team fight to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred.
Digital Gym Cinema, 2921 El Cajon Blvd. in North Park, 11 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., general admission $11, 619-230-1938, digitalgym.org
wednesday, dec. 21
Trinh Mai: Lifeline
Trinh Mai is an interdisciplinary artist based in Orange County with strong ties to San Diego whose work is driven by innovative narratives of storytelling. Her work—charcoal, gouache, mixed media, and stitching—re-imagines personal memories, family roots, and spiritual connections, altering conceptions of our identities and shared histories. These works are intimate, emotional, uplifting, and hopeful. For Mai, the interlacing moments of our lives create a cord, a meandering thread that strings together the details that provide the experience needed for us to survive and thrive.
Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way in Oceanside, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., admission $8, 760-435-3720, oma-online.org
