First Fridays on Fern: South Park establishments are open late as part of First Fridays on Fern (and Juniper Street, too), with refreshments and special sales. The event takes place on the first Friday of every month. Go to Fern and Juniper streets in South Park to explore.

A New Yawk Life: Adams Ave Studio of the Arts presents a dynamic play written and performed by Jovial Kemp, who brings to life 37 characters that explore his love/hate relationship with his hometown of New York City. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8, at 8:00 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 10, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($12 students and seniors). The Adams Ave Studio of the Arts is located at 2804 Adams Ave. (619) 584-3593.

Pacific BeachFest: Enjoy this free family-friendly outdoor event that takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be tasty food at the “Taste of Pacific Beach” food court along with art, live music on two stages, volleyball, kite flying and sandcastle building, as well as wind surfing, kite boarding and fireworks. The festival takes place at Crystal Pier, located at the end of Grand Avenue in Pacific Beach. (858) 273-3303.

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.

Queer sci-fi: The San Diego Queer Sci-Fi Book Group reads and discusses science fiction and fantasy novels that address issues of gender and sexuality the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at David’s Coffeehouse, located 3766 Fifth Ave. Novels may be by GLBT writers and/or contain GLBT characters, or they may simply examine sexuality, gender and culture in interesting ways. This week’s book is Merro Tree by Katie Waitman. Register online with their Yahoo group for more information, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sdqsf-books.

Little Italy Precious Festa: In its 11th year, this free celebration is one of the largest single-day Italian-American festivals west of the Mississippi. The festival of Italian culture, music and art features 150 vendor booths, three live-music stages and a Chalk La Strada in which artists from all over the world chalk-paint on Date and India streets. The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. (619) 233-3898.

Frightmare on Market Street: Travel down to the Gaslamp to experience a haunted house with rooms full of gore and crazy maniacs yelling in your face. Mmm… sounds like fun. See various images of popular urban legends and special effects. Tickets are $12.99. The Haunted Hotel is located on the corner of Market Street and Fourth Avenue. (619) 231-0131.

The Miser: Harpagon has decided his children are costing him too much money and must be married off. He’s found an old man who won’t demand a dowry for his daughter, Élise, and a rich widow for his son, Cléante. But Élise is already in love with Valére, Harpagon’s servant, while Cléante, who spends money as passionately as his father hoards it, is enamored with the penniless Mariane. The play runs from Oct. 11 to Nov. 13 at the La Jolla Playhouse, with performances Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $29-$39. The La Jolla Playhouse is located at 2910 La Jolla Village Dr. (858) 550-1010.

Brother of the Baladi: The Portland, Ore.-based Arabic folk band takes their eclectic sound to the Kava Lounge to promote their 10th album, Presence of the Past. The new disc is a collection of traditional and original Arabic, Greek, Turkish and Armenian songs featuring acoustic Middle Eastern instruments. Well-known local instructors and performers Urban Tribal, Jim Boz and Elizabeth will perform with the band. Tickets are $10 at the door. The Kava Lounge is located at 2812 Kettner Ave. (619) 261-8676.

Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market: Browse and shop at this farmer’s market that features approximately 80 booths containing a variety of select fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, cheese and flowers, as well as specialty items and tasty treats from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The market is located in Ocean Beach at the 4900 block of Newport Avenue. (619) 279-0032.

The Prince of L.A.: A modern verse drama of scandal and the clergy in present-day Los Angeles. Diving into the sensitive topic of corruption in the Catholic Church, the play gives insight into the men and women who devote their lives to the worship of God. Show starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $19-$50. The play runs until Oct. 30 at the Cassius Carter Centre Stage, located within the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. (619) 234-5623.

Imogen Heap: The British singer/songwriter takes her exquisite alternative-pop piano stylings to the stage at the Casbah as part of the Hotel Café Tour, which also features Butch Walker, the Carey Brothers, Gary Jules and Jim Bianco. Speak for Yourself, Heap’s new solo disc, is set to be released in the U.S. Nov. 1. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. The Casbah is located at 2501 Kettner Blvd. (619) 232-HELL.

SDSU Big Gay BBQ: Enjoy free food, drinks and music at San Diego State University as part of Coming Out Week. All students and the surrounding local community are invited. Sponsored by SDSU’s LGBT Student Union, the event takes place at Scripps Cottage on campus, which is located at 5500 Campanile Dr. Campus maps are available at http://www.sdsu.edu/maps. The event is free and takes place from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. with an auction and contest at 6:15 p.m. For more information, contact Ben Cartwright at (619) 316-9197.