Free Preview of the Balboa Theatre: The Centre City Development Corp (CCDC) invites the San Diego community to help celebrate the reopening of the historic 1924 Balboa Theater in Downtown. CCDC is hosting five free preview performances featuring local performing arts groups in mini-concerts. On Jan. 11 the Montgomery High School Mariachi Performers will take the stage at noon; Bolgazohdoomah – Ghana West Africa Music & Dance will perform on Jan. 12 at noon followed by the Bayou Brothers – Cajun & Zydeco Music & Dance at 3 p.m.; Moonlight Chinese Dancers & Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts will perform on Jan. 13 at noon, followed by Westwind Brass at 3 p.m. The free tickets are available for pickup at the CCDC Downtown Information Center located at 225 Broadway, at the Civic Theater box office at Third Avenue and B Street, or online. 619-235-2222, www.sdbalboa.org

Kettner Nights: In Little Italy, the art has as much flavor as the espresso and pasta. The Art and Design District, modeled after New York City’s trendy SoHo and Chelsea districts, offers art-lovers and design patrons diverse resources. Come explore this ever-growing, distinctive neighborhood with an art walk through the businesses and studios on Kettner Boulevard and beyond. Kettner Nights runs from 6-9 p.m., and participants may visit Simply Italian at 1646 India Street to pick up a walking map of shop and gallery locations, specials and events. www.taddsd.com

Corteo – Cirque de Soleil: Corteo, which means “cortege” in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. Corteo – Cirque de Soleil has arrived in San Diego and will run through Feb. 10. The show joins the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. Tickets for Corteo, which will be playing under the Grand Chapiteau at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, range from $35-$85. Showtimes vary. The Del Mar Fairgrounds is located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. in Del Mar. www.cirquedusoleil.com

Hillcrest Comedy: Stand-up comedy invades Hillcrest! Hillcrest Comedy, which spotlights local stand-up talent, holds a show inside the beautiful Bamboo Lounge on the second Sunday of every month. The show is free. Different comedians appear each month, but the audience will be laughing all night, with the option of drinking and dining at the venue. Showtime is 8 p.m. The Bamboo Lounge is located at 1475 University Ave. www.hillcrestcomedy.com

Manic Monday: Zap back in time to the ‘80s as the Brass Rail Nightclub and Lounge kicks off “Manic Monday.” AJRoy & Hotch will be hosting this new night, which features DJ Junior “The Disco Punk” spinning Paula, Bananarama, Madonna, Diana Ross, George Michael, Eurythmics, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Village People, Prince, Cyndi Lauper and everything ‘80s. Cover is 80 cents, well drinks are 80 cents and bottle service is 80 bucks. Come join the bodacious people of San Diego for the hippest, gnarliest ’80s dance party around! The Brass Rail is located at 3796 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest. www.myspace.com/manicmondaysd

Quest for the Crown: The San Diego Kings Club presents Quest for the Crown. This contest features drag king hopefuls who compete for a chance to earn a spot in the club. The winner gets to join the popular drag troupe. The Quest for the Crown contest takes place the first three Tuesdays of each month at 10 p.m. at Bacchus House. The last Tuesday of each month is the San Diego Kings Club revue. $3 cover. Drink specials include $3 Heineken Lights, $3 Skyy Martini menu, and $5 Bacardi Drinks. Bacchus House is located at 3054 University Ave. in North Park. www.sdkingsclub.com

Lunch and Learn: The Senior Services Department of The San Diego LGBT Center invites the community to lunch! During the special “lunch and learn,” participants will have the opportunity to ask “everything you want to know about your taxes but are afraid to ask.” Kathryn J. Carlson will share tax preparation tips with the 50 and Better Club at the lunch which runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Center’s Community Resource Room. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information or to RSVP contact David VanGilder at 619-692-2077 ext. 205 or e-mail dvangilder@thecentersd.org.

Wines, Women & Hormones: Is your sex drive non-existent? Are you tired most of the day? Are you discovering emotions you didn’t even know you had? If so, relief is on the way!

Tango Wine Co. invites the community to a very special event – Wine, Women and Hormones. LaVita Compounding Pharmacy, San Diego’s only women-owned compounding pharmacy, will bring a team of experts to answer questions about what happens to women as they move through life’s milestones. The 6 p.m. event is free and wines will be available by the glass. Tango Wine Co. is located at 2161 India St. in Little Italy. www.tangowine.com