Side A/ Side B: Experience a chamber ensemble through a kaleidoscope lens tonight at 8:00 p.m. at UCSD’s Erickson Hall B210. Side A/ Side B is an ongoing large ensemble project. Each concert presents original music composed specifically for the ensemble, bringing together everything from heavy metal power chords with ethereal chorales, to punk and thrash grooves with hip-hop and big band sounds. Admission is free. For more information, call (858) 534-4830.

Crime noir: The Mystery Café stages their interactive dinner-theatre whodunit “Crime Pays” tonight at 8:00 p.m. The Mob makes the rules, the Mystery Café cast makes the mayhem and the audience helps solve the mystery before dessert is served. Tickets are $46.50-49.50. The theatre is located at 505 Kalmia St. Call (619) 544-1600 for more information.

Learn CPR: It could save the life of your loved ones and yourself. The San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross is hosting “CPR Saturday” today from 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Plaza Hall at the San Diego Concourse. The three-hour classes are $40 each, and start every hour. For more information, call (877) 454-7229.

Masquerade ball: Celebrate the Year of the Monkey from 7:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight tonight at the Center for the Moving Arts, located at 3255 Fifth Ave. Come in costume (not required but desired), dance to live music and view performances related to “the body sculpture”. There is also visual art in various media to look at, arty beverages to drink (including “midnight monkey punch”), special treats to eat, and the opportunity to draw from live figure models, installations, casts, and much more. Tickets are $5-7. Call (619) 293-3858 for details.

Seuss’ 5,000 fingers: The San Diego Central Library presents the cult classic The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T tonight at 6:30 p.m. as part of its ongoing free film series, in honor of the library’s celebration of Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s 100th birthday. Conceived and written by Geisel, the film is one of the strangest films for children ever made. Call (619) 236-5800 for more information.

Oscars 2004: The Center presents its third annual “unofficial” Oscar party tonight at 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:00 p.m.), featuring a giant projection screen with surround sound, a catered buffet dinner, full no-host bar and fabulous door prizes donated by major movie studios. Proceeds from the event benefit programs at The Center. Cost is $35 per person. Tables of six for $210 may be reserved if paid in advance. Call (619) 692-2077 ext. 246 for tickets and information.

Rufus Wainwright: Armed with a piano and some seriously nimble fingers, Louden Wainwright’s friendly, chatty son, Rufus, plays his critically acclaimed “popera” tonight at 8:00 p.m. at 4th & B. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22.50 the day of the show. Call (619) 231-4343 for more information.

Gay Speed Racing: Miramar Speed Circuit, will host their first Gay and Lesbian Night tonight from 7:00-9:00 p.m., sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Times and Alternative Marketing Strategies. For $36, you get unlimited go-kart racing and catered food. For more information, visit Miramar Speed Circuit online.

Silent film: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s World Cinema Series continues tonight at 7:30 p.m. with Beyond Silence, a German film about Lara, a girl with a difficult but important task: to translate from spoken word to sign language and vice versa for her deaf and mute parents. When Lara becomes a musician, she must choose between the world her parents understand and her own passion for music. All films in the series are screened in Sherwood Auditorium at MCASD’s La Jolla location; 700 Prospect St. Tickets are $8-10. Call (858) 454 3541 for details.

R.I.S.E. to the occasion: Held the first Tuesday of every month, R.I.S.E. – Real Individuals Seeking Expression – invites anyone interested to a free artist networking forum at the Abbey Café from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Whether you identify yourself as a GLBT artist or just want to be exposed to those who do, come down to 127 University Ave. For more information, call (619) 692-0311.

Chocolate: The San Diego Natural History Museum celebrates chocolate with an exhibit exploring its plants, products and culture from the various perspectives of history, science and pop culture. Learn the 2,000 year-old story of chocolate, from its use by the Mayans and the Aztecs as money, to its introduction into the European upper class and it’s modern day consumption. Tickets are $5-8. Call (619) 232-3821 for hours and information.

Gay cabaret: “Lush Life”, a cabaret extravaganza featuring Angelo d’Agostino and G. Scott Lacy plays tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Cecilia’s Playhouse, 1620 Sixth Ave. Better hop to it – the final show is next Wednesday, March 10. Tickets are $10 at the door, cash only. Call (619) 863-7138 for more information.

Stars Worth Watching: On the first Wednesday of every month, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center planetarium presents The Sky Tonight at 7:00 p.m. The show is geared towards backyard astronomers, children and anyone who wants to impress their date while stargazing. There will be free telescope viewing after the show, hosted by the San Diego Astronomy Association, weather permitting. Tickets are $6.75 for adults and $5.50 for children. Call (619) 238-1233 for further information, or visit www.rhfleet.org.

Sensations of speed: The newest IMAX adventure, Top Speed, is now playing at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. The high-adrenaline film is a fast-paced, light-hearted and hair-raising look at the science of speed, and why and how humans keep going faster and faster. Tickets are $8.75-11.75. For more information and showtimes, call (619) 238-1233.

Script reading: A script reading tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center of a new film about lesbians and gays in the military will feature Hollywood stars and benefit the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. The event will be followed by a reception with beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Admission if free, but donations will be accepted. The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center is located at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, The Renberg Theater, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood, CA 90038. For details call (323) 254-3231.