Sapphic Cinema: The Center’s Women’s Resource Center screens Pedro Almódovar’s ode to women, All About My Mother at 7:00 p.m. All movie nights are free and open to the public. Concessions will be available for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Women’s Resource Center. Marlene’s Movie Mavens meets immediately following the screening; whether you loved the movie, hated it or just want to offer up your ingenious critique, the movie club starts at 9:00 p.m. For movie listings or more information, contact Claudia Lucero at or (619) 692-2077 ext. 206.

Lauren DeRose: Pride 2004 main stage performer Lauren DeRose plays the Green Room with local favorite Carlos Olmeda and more of San Diego’s best acoustic performers at Twiggs Coffee & Tea. Admission is $8. Twiggs Coffee & Tea is located at 4590 Park Blvd. Call (619) 296-0616 for more information.

Too Much Information: T.M.I. (Too Much Information) presents Miranda Mellis, who will be reading shorts from a collection of absurdist noir stories, and The Mercurial Gay Beings, playing geeky electro-folk fusion rock, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Voltaire Street Space, located at 4862 Voltaire St. in Ocean Beach. T.M.I. is a queer feminist reading series and open mic, hosted by Anna Joy Springer and Jenny Donovan. There is a $3-$5 suggested donation. Email jdonovan@hampshire.edu for more information.

Belly dancing basics: A four-week trial series teaching the basics of belly dancing, led by teacher Nari, shows you just how liberating and empowering belly dancing can be. All body types are encouraged. Shake your belly the Greek way in a room full of vibrant women. Wear workout clothing and a hip scarf; bare feet or sandals suggested. Classes take place Saturday afternoons – Dec. 18, and Jan. 8 and 15 – at 11:00 a.m. at The Center. Cost is $6 per class. Contact Claudia Lucero to sign up, at (619) 692-2077 ext. 206 or clucero@thecentersd.org.

Dysfunctional family theater: Don’t miss the last weekend of Dysfunctional Family Theater at Adams Avenue Studio of the Arts. Playing Dec. 16-18 at 8:00 p.m., celebrate the true spirit of the holidays with a slate of one-act comedies about the family unit gone awry. Tickets are $12-$15. The Adams Avenue Studio of the Arts is located at 2804 Adams Ave. Call (619) 584-3593 for reservations and information.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: The 33rd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights takes place from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. The parade route, led by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, begins at Shelter Island and ends at the Coronado ferry landing. Good viewing areas include the north and south ends of the Embarcadero, the pathway along Coronado, behind Seaport Village and from Harbor Island. Call (619) 235-4014 for more information.

7th Day Buskers: Local favorites the 7th Day Buskers, a lively and eclectic mix of acoustic, blues, folk, jazz, pop, rock, Celtic and bluegrass, play the Casbah at 9:00 p.m. The Casbah is located at 2501 Kettner Blvd. Call (619) 232-HELL for more information.

Celebs with their pants down: Okay, not really. But actor Jeff Bridges’ collection of photographs on display at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park is still an impressive collection of behind-the-scenes portraits from movies Bridges has worked on over the years, including shots of Michelle Pfeifer during filming for The Fabulous Baker Boys and an actor with their head in a toilet on the set of The Big Lebowski. Admission to the museum is $4-$6. Call (619) 238-7559 for more information.

Pen-wielding warriors: The Women’s Resource Center at The Center hosts a creative writers group the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Attendees choose a topic, write about it for 20 minutes and discuss their creations afterwards. Local writer Abby Schwartz, founder and host of Siren, is the group leader. Call (619) 692-2077 ext. 206 for more information.

Cheap eats: Tue$ Nite Out is a collection of Hillcrest restaurants, bars and retailers offering what they have – for less – every Tuesday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Participating establishments place a Tue$ Nite Out sign in their window to aid in your quest for all things good and cheap. Hamburger Mary’s, Babette Schwartz and Lalo’s are just a few options to check out.

Candlelight wine tasting: Slip away early for a romantic evening in Temecula. Indulge in a candlelit holiday wine-tasting event from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at Mount Palomar Winery, located at 33820 Rancho California Rd. Price for a complete series of tastings is $85 per person. Call (909) 676-5047 for additional information.

Free self-defense class: Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Center, local martial artist Tony Ma, an Olympic-level Wu Shu athlete, presents a free self-defense class. A release of liability form is required. Dress in comfortable, loose clothing so that you can move. Topics include: correct posture and breathing, body mechanics, punch and block, and other basic techniques designed to protect you from attack. Take advantage of the small class size and individual attention. These classes are co-ed and all are welcome. Call (619) 692-2077 for more information.

Jersey Boys: The production of Jersey Boys, about doo-wop sensation The Four Seasons, is so popular it’s been held over through January. Don’t miss the spot-on, high-energy performances showcasing The Four Season’s climb from the mean streets of New Jersey to “American Bandstand” and the world. La Jolla Playhouse is located at 2910 La Jolla Village Dr. Tickets are $39-$65. Call (858) 550-1010 for additional showtimes and to purchase tickets.

Cheese ball comedy: Cygnet Theatre presents The Book of Liz, written by David and Amy Sedaris, exploring the life of an under-appreciated Amish cheese ball maker who runs away to the real world. The world’s first Amish picaresque, according to Village Voice, The Book of Liz plays through Dec. 23. Call (619) 337-1525 ext. 3 for tickets and show times.