Danni’s birthday charity fund-raiser: Join everyone’s favorite Universal bartender, Danni, at Universal tonight, Thursday July 24, for his 24th birthday celebration, and a charity event supporting HIV/AIDS research. Danni, who has hosted fund-raisers for UCSD’s HIV/AIDS research center in the past, asks guests to donate to the research center again this year, in lieu of birthday gifts. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Universal is located at 1202 University Ave. in Hillcrest.

Comic-Con International: More than 125,000 people are expected to descend upon the San Diego Convention Center this weekend for one of the world’s largest comic conventions, Comic-Con International. San Diego has played host to this annual event for more than 30 years. The four-day event includes a film festival, workshops, exhibits, discussions, networking, parties and more. Celebrity sightings are common at the convention, and many attendees don costumes portraying their favorite comic book characters. Professional and amateur comic artists, die-hard fans and other curious individuals will attend. Comic-Con International runs from July 24-27. The San Diego Convention Center is located at 111 W. Harbor Dr. in Downtown. More information and registration is available online at www.comic-con.org.

Club Pop Noir: San Diego’s only 18 and over club night, dance party, and fashion show, Club Pop Noir, hosted by May*Star on the fourth Friday of every month, is held at the Static Lounge in Downtown San Diego. DJ Groundfloor from Los Angeles and Edgartronic of Club Fashion Whore will spin all night long as mod and indie go-go dancers provide eye candy for the crowd. The fashion show will feature threads provided by Eclectic Couture, Chocolate Cherries and Pandora’s Closet. The event, which runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. will also have a full bar available for those 21 years and older. Static Lounge is located at 634 Broadway. www.myspace.com/clubpopnoir

Dyke March & Fest: San Diego’s Dyke March and Dyke Fest organizing committee is calling all dykes, lesbians, queers, trans brothers and sisters, allies, activists and bike riders to the annual event which will kick off at 11 a.m. with a rally at The San Diego LGBT Community Center. Following the rally, dykes will “take to the streets” to increase dyke/queer visibility. Participants may march on foot or ride bicycles along the Dyke March route, which will follow University Avenue from Hillcrest into North Park. Other community members, queer brothers, and allies are encouraged to come out to support the march. Dyke March will be followed by Dyke Fest from noon to 5 p.m. at The Rubber Rose. The festival will include live music from Team Gina (Seattle), Melange Lavonne (Palm Springs), and The Tighten Ups, Roxy Blue, and Veronica May of San Diego. Also available will be workshops, queer-friendly vendors, and a beer garden for participants 21 years and older. The festival is free and open to everyone. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. The Rubber Rose is located at 3812 Ray St. in North Park. www.myspace.com/dykemarchsd

Shuffle Up and Deal: The Ladies Texas Hold ‘Em event is a monthly social card night that serves as a benefit for a rotating local charity or organization. The ladies provide a fun, festive environment for women to come together, play cards, enjoy snacks and drinks, and relax with old and new friends at the Moose Lodge. This month’s event is a benefit for Diversionary Theatre. Lessons and practice begin at 6 p.m. with games beginning at 7 p.m. A $25 donation is required for play. Approximately $1,000 in prizes will be handed out to first, second and third place winners. The Moose Lodge is located at 1648 30th St. in South Park. For more information contact Sally at sally.hall@raymondjames.com.

Hillcrest Wind Ensemble: San Diego’s Hillcrest Wind Ensemble will present a special concert titled “A Night on the Town: A Summer Pops Concert” at 8 p.m. in the Mississippi Room of the Lafayette Hotel. The ensemble, which is a program of The San Diego LGBT Community Center, will play popular hits like “New York, New York,” selections from Chicago, and music from favorites such as Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, and Leonard Bernstein. A no-host cocktail hour will run from 7-8 p.m., with the show immediately following. Following the concert, guests will be able to dance to music from the 1940s to the 1990s! General admission tickets are $15, with VIP tickets available for $30. Senior and child tickets are $10. The Lafayette Hotel is located at 2223 El Cajon Blvd. in North Park. 619-692-2077, ext. 814

Rhythm and the Method: Local band Rhythm and the Method will finish up its July schedule with a performance at The Epicentre in Mira Mesa. Rhythm and the Method, headlined by Rhythm Turner, is known for its unique blend of sultry funk, soul, and rock rhythms. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $7 in advance or $9 at the door. The Epicentre is located at 8540 Mira Mesa Blvd. Tickets and more information are available online at www.epicentre.org/concerts. Rhythm and the Method’s Web site is www.myspace.com/rhythmandthemethod.

Noches Calientes: Mondays at Mo’s are Noches Calientes, a Latino dance night and drag revue! Those who arrive early can munch on dinner from Urban Mo’s outstanding menu filled with tasty burgers, sandwiches, salads and other entrees. The drag show begins at 10:30 p.m. and happy hour prices are extended until 11 p.m. Also, there are Bud Light draft specials all night long. DJ Fariba spins after the show. Cover is $7. Urban Mo’s is located at 308 University Ave. in Hillcrest. 619-491-0400, www.urbanmos.com

Gentlemen’s Martini Night: Gentlemen’s Martini Night, a regular gathering for professional gay men and their friends, provides an opportunity for participants to gather at different venues and socialize with San Diego’s finest. A mandatory dress code is strictly enforced, as one of the goals of Gentlemen’s Martini Night is to promote a positive image of the gay community. The next event will be held at Universal Hillcrest, San Diego’s innovative and omnisexual lounge, from 6-9 p.m. Featured hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be available. Universal Hillcrest is located at 1202 University Ave. in Hillcrest. www.gentlemensmartininight.com

Twilight in the Park: Music fills the air at Balboa Park as Twilight in the Park continues the annual concert series. Twilight’s live music under the stars has been delighting visitors to the park for 28 years, and programs range from military bands and Dixieland jazz to big band swing and Latin salsa. Concerts begin on June 17 and run through Aug. 28, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-7:15 p.m. on the stage of the majestic Spreckels Organ Pavilion. The July 30 concert will feature Damary, performing African and World Beat music. All concerts are free and open to the public. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is located in the heart of Balboa Park with parking off of Presidents Way. www.balboapark.org

Screen on the Green: The San Diego Museum of Art is presenting its month-long series of family-friendly films shown on the lawn outside the museum. The 1940 classic The Shop Around the Corner, which was the inspiration for 1998’s You’ve Got Mail, will be shown at 8 p.m. Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullivan) constantly irritate each other, but this daily aggravation is tempered by the fact that each has a secret pen-pal with whom they trade long, soul-searching letters. The film screening is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket and an evening picnic to enjoy before the film. The San Diego Museum of Art’s East Lawn is located in the heart of Balboa Park near the Botanical Building. 619-232-7931, www.sdmart.org

Harbor Island, Shelter Island, the