Events

Paul Oakenfold in Concert at The Music Box

Feb. 17. Trailblazing DJ, remixer and record producer Paul Oakenfold performs in a special show on Friday at the Music Box. Known for hit tracks like “Starry Eyed Surprise” and “Ready Steady Go,” the award-winning English artist has worked with more than 100 musicians—providing remixes for the likes of Madonna, U2, the Rolling Stones, Massive Attack and many more. His latest releases include his album Shine On—featuring a Craig Connelly remix of the title song with Baby E. 9 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 1337 India St., Little Italy, 619.795.1337. More Info

Pool House Saturdays at Pendry San Diego

Feb. 18. Pop some bubbly and splash into summer with Pendry’s chic pool scene unfolding on the hotel’s rooftop. Reserve a cabana with bottle service or relax poolside for an afternoon of sunbathing, people-watching and music. Guests can also order specialty cocktails and frozen libations, such as the Wet Sand with Malibu Black rum infused with coconut liqueur and pineapple juice; plus a full food menu that includes breakfast burritos, burgers, sandwiches, salads and seasonal sorbet for dessert. Reservations recommended. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 435 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.738.7030. poolhousesd.com

Food + Drink

“Crazy Stupid Brunch” at Mic Drop Comedy

Feb. 19. Both love and laughter are in the air at Mic Drop Comedy—San Diego’s new destination for standup comedy. Inviting gals and their pals (and anyone else who could use a good laugh), the entertainment venue is hosting a special comedy brunch event on Sunday—featuring a variety show filled with standup comedians, trivia, a Cupid-inspired lip-sync battle, mimosa flights, specialty cocktails and a hearty brunch food menu. See website for more info. 1 p.m. (Doors open at noon.) General admission is $10. 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Kearny Mesa, 858.225.2100. micdropcomedy.com

Mati’s Birria + Beer

Now Open. This casual Pacific Beach eatery lives up to its name—specializing in slow-braised Mexican birria in the form of tacos, tortas, nachos, bowls, platters and more; along with Mexican lagers to wash it all down. Menu highlights include the El Padre Taco, with birria drizzled with house-made chipotle sauce, loaded into a corn tortilla; plus the birria crunch-wrap, birria grilled cheese (available on weekends), and the birria flautas. Vegans will love the cauliflower ceviche and mushroom “birria” taco. Open daily beginning at 11 a.m. 4150 Mission Blvd., Suite 107, Pacific Beach, 619.936.5324. More Info

The Sushi Stand at Liberty Public Market

Now Open. The owners of Le Parfait Paris have opened Liberty Public Market’s first sushi eatery. Welcome to The Sushi Stand, a fast-casual concept where patrons can grab fresh, locally sourced sushi to-go—served in custom recyclable (and adorable!) boxes—for lunch and dinner. Try the Maria Maria roll, with spicy Kanikama, cucumber, avocado, Hamachi, pineapple and jalapeño; and the vegan Blue in Green roll with radish sprouts, cucumber, tempura asparagus, avocado, roasted mushrooms and chili garlic. Open daily beginning at 11 a.m. 2820 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station, 858.789.6557. thesushistand.com

Arts + Culture

San Diego Ballet’s Romeo et Juliet

Feb. 17-18. You know how the famous story ends. But San Diego Ballet’s gorgeous re-staging of it at The Conrad—under the direction of artistic director Javier Velasco—will make you feel like you’re seeing Romeo et Juliet for the first time. Shakespeare’s masterpiece is truly poetry in motion—starring married principal dancers Tonatiuh Gomez and Stephanie Maiorano in the title roles. The major fight scenes have been nixed in favor of a romantic garden set, accompanied by Sergei Prokofiev’s powerful score. 8 p.m. See website for tickets. 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.459.3728. sandiegoballet.org

S.D. Symphony’s “Carnival of the Animals”

Feb. 18. Calling all kids and animal lovers. This family-oriented concert—presented by San Diego Symphony and music director Rafael Payare—is billed as a “wild menagerie of music,” centered on composers whose works were inspired by their favorite animals (think: lions, bears and swans). The orchestra will perform Leroy Anderson’s “Waltzing Cats,” Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals,” and Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 82 in C Major (“The Bear”). Tristan Rais-Sherman conducts. 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. See website for tickets. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown, 619.235.0804. sandiegosymphony.org

Ticitozaa Folklorico Festival

Feb. 18. Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts presents the sixth annual Ticitozaa Folklorico Festival—a celebration of the beauty of Mexico’s history, expressed through music and dance. The family-friendly, culturally rich event is the largest folklorico festival in Southern California, with top dance groups from around the region performing. The festival is organized by three separate shows: a youth show at 10:30 a.m.; a performance for teens and adults at 3:30 p.m.; and the gala show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person (see website). 340 N. Escondido Blvd. Escondido, 800.988.4253. artcenter.org

The Outsiders at La Jolla Playhouse

Opens Feb. 19. Based on the 1983 film by Francis Ford Coppola and 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton, the world-premiere musical The Outsiders opens at La Jolla Playhouse on Sunday. The coming-of-age drama takes us back to the world of the “haves” and “have nots” in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967—reintroducing audiences to Johnny Cade, Ponyboy Curtis and their “outsiders” family. Danya Taymor directs; with music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (pictured: Zach Chance and Jonathan Clay) and Justin Levine. See website for showtimes and tickets. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org

El Huracán at Cygnet Theatre

Closes Feb. 19. Don’t miss Cygnet Theatre’s West Coast premiere of El Huracán before it closes on Sunday—centered on a monster hurricane that is headed toward Miami. Written by Academy Award-winner Charise Castro Smith and directed by Daniel Jáquez, the lyrical drama captures four generations of Latina women, while zooming in on a mother and daughter as they brace for the storm—focusing on themes of the importance of family and forgiveness (with a dose of music and magic). See website for showtimes and tickets (which start at $25). Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525. cygnettheatre.com

Photo credits: San Diego Ballet by Canela Photography. El Huracán by Karli Cadel. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.