San Diego Reader

Thursday | 4

TOWER AFTER HOURS: FINLAND

The San Diego Museum of Man celebrates the land of lakes with music, dance, food, and drinks. “Discover why the Finns are so enlightened, with their love of nature, steamy saunas, bold design, and comfort food.”

Friday | 5

2011 STATE GAMES OF AMERICA

This year marks the first that this national multi-sport event (established in 1978) is being held on the West Coast, and it’ll be right here at Qualcomm Stadium! The opening ceremony includes keynote speaker and gold-medal gymnast Peter Vidmar and entertainment by the Navy Leap Frogs parachute team, Nico Bluffin, the San Diego Dance Centre, Wheels of Freestyle, and more.

HAIRSPRAY

The San Diego Junior Theatre presents the popular musical set in 1962 Baltimore — teenager Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins Show and rocks it when that dream comes true.

Saturday | 6

FAMILY GARDENING

The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation hosts this workshop to teach children about gardening, composting, and nutrition. Activities range from starting seeds to a garden scavenger hunt to worm-bin management.

BEAD BAZAAR

Been looking for the perfect pellet to finish your piece? Maybe you’ll find it at the Scottish Rite Center, where the Bead Society of San Diego hosts bead artists and vendors offering glass, crystal, sterling, and even steampunk supplies.

Sunday | 7

ARTLAWN 2011

The La Jolla Historical Society hosts this fundraiser and art show on the beautiful lawn of Wisteria Cottage. The show features work of La Jolla artist Mohan Sundaresan. Also on display: “art in various media,” including aluminum etchings and acrylic paintings on wood, canvas, and posterboard.

Monday | 8

SUBSIDIES, ALIENS, AND ECOLOGISTS

USD biological oceanographer Drew Talley speaks about Connectivity at the Edge for the Birch Aquarium’s Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture. “Marine and terrestrial habitats are intimately connected through a number of pathways, both natural and unnatural.” Wow! What?

Tuesday | 9

SAN DIEGO BAY’S DIRTY LITTLE SECRET

What’s hiding at the bottom of the bay? Learn about contaminated material along the bay’s bottom and its effect on wildlife and people during this Signs of the Tide panel. Experts won’t just talk about the problems; they have a proposal to remove the toxic material and to empower communities near the bay.

Wednesday | 10

SLEEPING BEAUTY WAKES

Is it all just a dream? The La Jolla Playhouse stages this take on a classic tale in which a father brings his sleeping daughter to a sleep-disorder clinic, after which the staff and the patients mysteriously find themselves sharing the same dream.