Chamber music from France: Modigliani String Quartet, one of France’s best young chamber ensembles, is coming to San Diego’s Neuroscience Institute at 8 p.m. The ensemble will perform Franz Josef Haydn’s Quartet in B Major, Op. 76. No. 4 (Sunrise), Felix Mendelssohn’s Quartet in A minor, Op. 13 and Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major. Tickets can be purchased online and range from $31 to $34. The Neuroscience Institute is located at 10640 Jay Hopkins Drive in La Jolla. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 858-534-TIXS or 8497 or visit www.artpower.ucsd.edu.

BabyCakes’ artist of the month: Come put some yummy in your tummy and celebrate Babycakes’ Artist of the Month opening with free cupcakes and wine and beer specials from 5 to 9 p.m. BabyCakes – San Diego’s celebration destination in Hillcrest – features and honors a new artist the second Saturday of every month. This month the artist is John “Gouda” Brooks with his “Puzzlement” series. Babycakes is located at 3766 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest. For more information, call 619-296-4173 or visit www.babycakessandiego.com .

‘Who We Are As Women’: To celebrate Women’s History Month, Starla Lewis, Professor of Black Studies at San Diego Mesa College will lead “Who We Are As Women” an intergenerational, cross-cultural community conversation for and about women at the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center at 10 a.m. Those that attend the conversation can also view the “Considering Black Womanhood” art exhibit, a display of traditional African, Western Colonial and contemporary global works of art on the black female body. Parking is free, but seats are limited. Guests are encouraged to RSVP. The Joe & Vi Jacobs Center is located at 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA, 92114. For more information or to RSVP, call Lois Meza at 619-527-6161 ext. 110 or e-mail lmeza@jacobscenter.org.

Got lasagna?: Join Rona Maraan and his cycling partner Jodee Page for a night of lasagna dinner, food, drinks and prizes at Big Kitchen at 7 p.m. Help the two cyclists reach their funding goal to participate in AIDS Life Cycle 8. Tickets are for sale online and at the door for $20. Big Kitchen is located at 3003 Grape St. in South Park. For more information, call 619-234-5789 or e-mail teamchedex@yahoo.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival: The annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off at Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street at 11 a.m. From there it will proceed west to Fifth Avenue, where it will head north to Upas Street and disband. The festival will be held in Balboa Park between Laurel and Quince until dusk and will feature children’s rides and an entertainment center. Both events will take place rain or shine! The parade starts at 11 a.m. For more information, call 858-268-9111 or visit www.stpatsparade.org.

American Dance Theater: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be bringing its African-American cultural expression and American modern dance tradition to the California Center for the Arts in Escondido at 8 p.m. The genius of Alvin Ailey forever changed the perception of American dance; today the legacy continues with Judith Jamison’s remarkable vision and the extraordinary artistry of the company’s dancers. The show is offered both on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $47 to $62 for adults and $44 to $59 for seniors. The California Center for the Arts is located at 340 N. Escondido Blvd. in Escondido. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 800-988-4253 or visit www.artcenter.org.

Cooking Bold and Fearless: Jack Holden, chief and owner of prominent Baja restaurants, will be giving a one-hour workshop, Cooking Bold and Fearless, on how to be a better cook and how to entertain with flair and panache at the San Diego LGBT Community Center at 1 p.m. The workshop, sponsored by the 50 and Better Club, is free, open to all ages and will take place in the community resource room at The Center. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information, call 619-692-2077 or email dvangilder@thecentersd.org.

What’s Happening at City Hall?: Newly-elected San Diego City Councilmembers Todd Gloria and Sherri Lightner will give their first impressions on policies, politics, setting priorities in a budget crisis and their hopes for first-term accomplishments at a private residence at 5:15 p.m. Appetizers and beverages will be served. The Democratic Professional Club is sponsoring the event. No charge for DPC Members. Tickets for nonmembers are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The event will take place at 4088 First Ave. (just north of Washington Street). For more information, visit www.sddemcorats.org.

Karaoke with Laura Jane: Laura Jane rocks Hillcrest with karaoke this Wednesday night at The Wit’s End from 8 p.m. to midnight. Check out the remodeled bar, new menu and Laura Jane. The Wit’s End is located at 420 Robinson Ave. in Hillcrest. For more information, call 619-294-4848.

‘Facing East’: A new play, Facing East will open at the Diversionary Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The play revolves around Ruth and Alex McCormick, a Mormon couple coping with the suicide of their gay son. The cast features Dana Hooley, John Polak and Scott Striegel. Tickets are $20. The Diversionary Theatre is located at 4545 Park Blvd., in University Heights. For more information, call 619-220-0097 or visit www.diversionary.org.

‘Rabioso Sol, Rabioso Cielo’: Julian Hernandez’s film Rabioso Sol, Rabioso Cielo will be shown at the Ultra Star Mission Valley Cinemas as a tribute to the director at 7 p.m. The film is part of The SD Latino Film Festival and Cine Gay 2009. The director is scheduled to make an appearance. Tickets are $9.50 and $7.50 for Media Arts Center San Diego members, as well as students, seniors and military. Ultra Star Mission Valley Cinemas is located at 7510 Hazard Center Drive. For more information, call 619-230-1938 or visit www.sdlatinofilm.com.