Mark your calendar with these top philanthropy and culture events.
Experience Kodo’s traditional taiko drumming Feb. 11 PHOTO: BY TAKASHI OKAMOTO
**Through 2/26
The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci**
Take a journey through Leonardo da Vinci’s mind at Tony-winning director Mary Zimmerman’s The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, a genre-defying play shaped entirely from da Vinci’s own notebooks. Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park, theoldglobe.org
**2/2
Peltokoski, Thayer and Mozart**
Watch 22-year-old Filipino Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski lead the San Diego Symphony orchestra in Sibelius’ breathtaking ode to Finland, Symphony No. 2. 7:30PM, California Center for the Arts, Escondido’s Concert Hall, artcenter.org
**2/3-5
Motown: The Music That Changed America**
Enjoy the music of Motown at CCAE Theatricals’ annual celebration with outstanding performers and a stellar band reviving hits from Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, The Supremes and more. 7:30PM, California Center for the Arts, Escondido’s Center Theater, artcenter.org
**2/5
Adam Carolla**
Prepare to laugh as comedian, actor and radio personality Adam Carolla records his podcast before a live audience. 6:30PM, Belly Up, Solana Beach, bellyup.com
**2/11
Fit Athletic Yoga atThe Rady Shell**
Get a good stretch in while breathing in the fresh air at The Rady Shell during this boot camp yoga class hosted by Fit Athletic and taught by Viktoria Talbot. 9:30AM, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, Embarcadero Marina Park South, theshell.org
Concertmaster and violinist Jeff Thayer and the San Diego Symphony will perform Peltokoski, Thayer and Mozart on Feb. 2. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
**2/11
Hearts of Gold Gala**
Bring your heart of gold to Crisis House’s third annual Hearts of Gold Gala, featuring music, a private concert by Gregory Page and a special guest, an auction, delicious dining and inspiring stories—all benefiting survivors of domestic abuse and their children. 5:30PM, The US Grant, Downtown San Diego, crisishouse.org/inspire
**2/11
Tea3 Foundation’s The Killer Dueling Pianos**
Following the success of last year’s concert, the Tea3 Foundation is kicking off 2023 with The Killer Dueling Pianos—a lively musical fundraiser benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County. 6PM, private residence, Rancho Santa Fe, tea3foundation.org
**2/11
Kodo One Earth Tour**
For four decades, the Japanese group Kodo has wowed audiences with traditional taiko drumming—which is featured in the group’s new program, Tsuzumi, that traces its origins. 7:30PM, Balboa Theatre, Downtown San Diego, sandiegotheatres.org
**2/11-19
The Puccini Duo: Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi**
See two fantastic Puccini one-act operas, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, at this San Diego Opera event featuring mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, directed by Paul Curran and conducted by Yves Abel. Civic Theatre, Downtown San Diego, sandiegotheatres.org
Yves Abel will conduct the San Diego Opera’s performance of two Puccini operas PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
**2/11-3/12
Under a Baseball Sky**
Making its world premiere, José Cruz González’s story about baseball’s deep roots in the Mexican American community is inspired by San Diego’s Logan Heights neighborhood. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Balboa Park, theoldglobe.org
**2/18
Carnival of the Animals**
Bring your family of animal lovers to this concert that explores how furry creatures inspired renowned composers, with works ranging from Leroy Anderson’s Waltzing Cats to Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. 11AM, Balboa Theatre, Downtown San Diego, sandiegotheatres.org
Dean Nelson and Cornel West at Writer’s Symposium by the Sea PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
**2/19-3/19
The Outsiders**
See the world premiere of this inspiring musical about brotherly love and finding purpose in the world, based on the novel by S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola’s motion picture. Mandell Weiss Theatre, La Jolla, lajollaplayhouse.org
**2/20-24
Writer’s Symposium by the Sea**
This 28th annual event will feature thought-provoking conversations with writers from various genres and backgrounds—including William Finnegan, Anthony Doerr, Maria Hinojosa and N. Scott Momaday. Main Campus at Point Loma Nazarene University, pointloma.edu
Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman choreographed La Jolla Playhouse musical The Outsiders. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
**2/22
Dita Von Teese: Glamonatrix**
Celebrate beauty, glamour and sensuality at Dita Von Teese’s over-the-top burlesque show touring North America, produced by Live Nation. 8PM, The Magnolia, El Cajon, magnoliasandiego.com
**2/22
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham**
Dance company A.I.M by Kyle Abraham presents a powerful program with numbers that range from bold to sensual to playful, all in the group’s unique style. 8PM, Balboa Theatre, Downtown San Diego, sandiegotheatres.org
The San Diego Go Red for Women Luncheon returns Feb. 24 PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
**2/24
San Diego Go Red for Women Luncheon**
Go Red for Women unites and celebrates women, while educating them about cardiovascular disease. This empowering experience begins with a health expo before a lunch, program and survivor fashion show—all in support of the American Heart Association. 10AM, The US Grant, Downtown San Diego, sdgored.heart.org
**2/25
Mermaid Half Marathon San Diego**
Grab your sneakers and get ready to run or walk along Mission Bay. All ages and skill levels are welcome at this Mermaid Series event designed for women to experience the joy of crossing the finish line, where after a half-marathon, 10K or 5K, medals and postrace food will be available. 7AM, Tecolote Shores, Mission Bay, mermaidseries.com
Wai Yim, Adeoye, Christiana Clark and Cruz Gonzales-Cadel in The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci PHOTO: BY LIZ LAUREN
**2/24-25
Beethoven Concerto No. 3 and Symphony No. 4**
Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, conductor Case Scaglione and the San Diego Symphony will perform Piano Concerto No. 3—which is described as a turning point in Beethoven’s composing career—followed by Symphony No. 4. 8PM, Civic Theatre, Downtown San Diego, sandiegotheatres.org
**2/28-3/5
Mean Girls**
See the Broadway coming-of-age musical from composer Jeff Richard (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), director Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon) and Tina Fey (30 Rock), who wrote the book. It’s sure to be fetch! Civic Theatre, Downtown San Diego, broadwaysd.com
Jasmine Rogers and English Bernhardt star in Mean Girls. PHOTO: BY JENNY ANDERSON
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