San Diego Reader

Thursday | 31

From the Pearl in Point Loma to the Hard Rock Hotel downtown, a bash at Hillcrest’s Ruby Room to a masquerade at the Birch North Park Theatre, flamenco at Café Sevilla and music or gambling at Harrah’s — your choices are endless, but we can narrow it down for those who’ve waited till the last minute of the decade to make their New Year’s Eve party plans. Check sandiegoreader.com/2010 for all things New Year’s Eve.

Friday | 1

JUMP PARTY

The New Children’s Museum hosts its second annual New Year’s family celebration and fundraiser filled with DJ tunes, gallery games, and interactive performances (stories, song, and dance) with the Jumpitz entertainment group.

LOOK, UP IN THE AIR!

Let’s go fly a kite! The 18th annual New Year’s Day Kite Festival, hosted by the San Diego Kite Club, takes place at Mariner’s Point on Mission Bay. Kites of all kinds designs and sizes will be flying, and you are encouraged to bring your most impressive example.

Saturday | 2

WHEN AND HOW TO!

It’s time to say goodbye to the blooms, but worry not — if you trim those plants correctly, they’ll grow back better than ever. The San Diego Rose Society hosts its annual demonstration of when and how to correctly prune rose bushes. Gain hands-on instruction to “really get a feel for the way a bush should be pruned,” at Balboa Park.

TO THE LIGHTHOUSE

The gyms will be overflowing with resolute folks, so take to the streets instead and join the San Diego Bicycle Touring Society riders for a flat-road, 47-mile ride that includes a Coronado ferry venture (make sure to bring your fare) and a visit to the Point Loma lighthouse.

Sunday | 3

WHALE-AND-DOLPHIN-WATCHING ADVENTURES

It’s that time of year when the gray whales migrate past our coastline. Hornblower Cruises leads 3 1/2-hour outings in search of these giant, majestic mammals of the sea, with captains and naturalists from San Diego Natural History Museum on hand to help spot tails and teach watchers more.

SWINGIN’ THE NEW YEAR (WITH SOUL)

Begin 2010 with four nights of swing dancing and live music (and coffee) at Claire de Lune in North Park. Tonight, Mercedes Moore is ready to entertain.

Monday | 4

EXPLORING THE RENAISSANCE THROUGH SOUND

Take part in Clairemont Library’s Resounding Joy program to “learn about music’s purpose during the Renaissance period, instruments used, and rhythm and meter.” There will be discussion on music’s application during the period, intentional listening and music analysis, and active music-making. For musicians and nonmusicians alike.

Tuesday | 5

DOWNTOWN SOUND BITES

The Gaslamp has a lot of history. Learn what’s going on in your part of the world at the Downtown Information Center, where you can bring your lunch and listen to Gaslamp Quarter Association executive director Jimmy Parker as he presents an “insider’s view” of the Gaslamp Quarter. Followed by Q&A session.

Wednesday | 6

ARE WE READY FOR BRAIN PACEMAKERS?

“Do you have a remote control for that…?” Scientists are looking at electrical stimulation in the brain to possibly repair “disorders of mood or movement.” Panelists Michael Caligiuri of the University of San Diego and Ralph Greenspan of the Neurosciences Institute speak at this latest Exploring Ethics lecture.