Kettner Nights: This progressive evening features art and design exhibitions from a variety of showrooms. The Kettner Art and Design District is a grouping of retail shops, service establishments and art galleries dedicated to bringing the latest in design, home furnishings, accessories, fashion, jewelry and art to San Diego. The event runs from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on selected Friday evenings through November. (619) 546-5121.

Mambo Italiano: Adams Avenue Studio of the Arts presents the tale of Angelo, who at the prompting of his equally repressed sister, Anna, has told his very traditionally Italian immigrant parents, Maria and Gino, that he is gay. Hurt, betrayed and mortified by Angelo’s coming out, his lover, Nino, is not unprepared for his widowed Italian mother Lina’s reaction. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors and students. The Adams Avenue Studio of the Arts is located at 2804 Adams Ave. (619) 584-3593.

Ray At Night: The second Saturday of every month is Ray At Night on Ray Street in North Park, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Multiple galleries stay open late, featuring live music, beverages and refreshments. The free event is located on Ray Street between University Avenue and North Park Way.

Imperial Beach International Film Festival: Enjoy a cinema experience with over 50 films, including shorts, documentaries and features as well as a seminar series. The festival also hosts the Imperial Beach Art Walk Sept. 10, with over 50 artists’ paintings during the two-day event. The festival starts on Friday at 7:00 p.m. with an opening ceremony, and continues until Saturday night. A single day pass is $15 and a two-day pass is $25. The day’s events take place at Dempsey Holder Hall at Elder Street and Seacoast Drive near the Imperial Beach Pier. (619) 934-0051.

Pink Martini: The group was originally formed to play at political fund-raisers for gay and lesbian civil rights. Since then, this independent, Portland, Ore.-based band has gone on to become an international success story with over 1 million albums sold worldwide. The 12-piece ensemble band melds chamber music with Brazilian marching street band and Japanese film noir together in a multi-lingual repertoire. Show plays at 8:00 p.m. at the Belly Up Tavern, located at 143 S. Cedros Ave. in Solana Beach. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 day of show. (858) 481-8140.

The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife: 6th @ Penn Theatre presents a play about Marjorie Taub, the wife of a philanthropic allergist. Her children are grown, her therapist died recently and her mother incessantly bothers her. She tries to lose herself in a world of art galleries, foreign films and theater, but finds she is barely able to rouse herself from her sofa. Plays Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday matinee is at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20-$23. 6th @ Penn is located at 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. (619) 688-9210.

Mourning Becomes Electra: Eugene O’Neill’s rarely performed trilogy based on the Oresteia of Aeschylus will be read by the Grass Roots Greeks on two consecutive Mondays beginning Sept 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Adams Avenue Studio of the Arts, located at 2804 Adams Ave. Tickets are $10. For reservations, call (619) 584-3593.

Open mic at Lestat’s: Chill in the spacious, chic/Goth comfort zone of Lestat’s Coffee House in Normal Heights. Monday is open-mic night from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with a sign up at 6:00 p.m. Every night there is live music and an eclectic collection of overstuffed chairs, chaise lounges and Victorian sofas to watch it on. If you’re hungry, there is good food at the bakery towards the back. There is also a furnished reading room and Internet access for the less socially inclined. (619) 282-0437.

El Crimen Perfecto: Rafael, ladies department manager at an upscale department store, is rivaling for the job of floor manager with Don Antonio, veteran manager of the men’s department. When Rafael, without felonious intent, kills Don Antonio during a heated argument, the only witness is Lourdes, who blackmails Rafael into becoming her husband and slave. Desperate to be free, Rafael plots to rid himself of her. Playing at 4:35, 7:10 and 9:45 p.m. at the Ken Cinema, located at 4061 Adams Ave. (619) 819-0236.

Tori Amos: Witness the eccentric enchantress attack her piano, organ and other keyboards on her “Summer of Original Sin” tour, which stops at Embarcadero Marina Park South at 7:00 p.m. Embarcadero Marina Park South is located at Marina Park Way in Seaport Village behind the convention center. Tickets are $35-$50. (619) 220-TIXS.

Cedros Gallery Nights: Venture down the historic Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach on the third Thursday of every month for a visual evening of art, music and culture. Galleries will stay open until 8:30 p.m. or later, offering visitors a special after-hours viewing of paintings, sculpture, photography and more. (619) 533-3050.

‘TransGeneration’ screening: The Center is holding a special screening of the Sundance Channel’s eight-part documentary series “TransGeneration.” The event takes place at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Explore the lives of four transgender college students at campuses across the country. The Center is located at 3909 Centre Street in Hillcrest. For more information, call AJ Davis (619) 692-2077 ext 212.