“Don’t Call Me Cloud-Chaser”: Local artist Joshua Krause debuts his new exhibition “Don’t Call Me Cloud-Chaser.” Check out Krause’s latest works, which include more than 30 pieces. As an added bonus, the artist’s sister Rachel will debut her jewelry, and his brother Adam will display his photos. The opening reception takes place from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight at the Magpie Gallery, located at 2205 Fern St. (619) 563-5124, www.krauseart.com.

First Fridays on Fern: South Park establishments are open late as part of First Fridays on Fern (and Juniper 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.

Carnaval! Spend a Saturday afternoon exploring the history and color of Carnaval celebrations throughout the world. View costumes and photographic depictions of Carnaval throughout the ages, spanning from Spain to New Orleans. The exhibit is being shown at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults. (619) 239-0003, www.mingei.org.

The Mar Dels: Come out and enjoy the sounds of one San Diego’s most beloved and well-known dance bands, The Mar Dels. The group will perform a selection of oldies and rock ’n’ roll tunes as part of the La Jolla Concerts by the Sea series. Enjoy a picnic and afternoon concert along the beautiful shores of La Jolla Cove. The 2:00 p.m. concert is free and takes place at the Ellen Browning Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove. www.ljconcertsbythesea.org.

Big sticks: The game you played as a kid on your block is actually a spectator sport! Yes, the Little Italy Association is hosting the eighth annual Little Italy Stickball Invitational. Stickball, which actually originated in Italy, consists of opposing teams pushing a ball around with sticks trying to earn points by making “goals” in set locations. Come out and watch stickball competitions between local teams on the streets of Little Italy anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. This free event takes place on Columbia Street between Cedar and Beach, and on State Street between Ash and Beach. Call Jim Strickland at (619) 299-9323 for more information.

Last chance: The San Diego Zoo’s annual nighttime spectacle ends its 2006 run Sept. 4. “Nighttime Zoo” includes special shows, music and close-up animal encounters. The nighttime activities begin at 4:00 p.m. and run until 8:00 p.m., with park guests allowed to roam the grounds until 9:00 p.m. Park admission is $32 for adults. The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park. Visit www.sandiegozoo.org for more information.

Bingo! Get out your lucky Bingo dauber and head over to The Center for Tuesday night Bingo. Join in the fun and maybe you’ll be a lucky winner, too! The weekly Bingo night raises funds for The Center and its programs. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with the first game called at 7:00 p.m. Admission for 10 games is $10 for a six-card game pad. Additional pads are $5. Prizes for the first nine games are $50 and the last game played is $100. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. For more information, contact Sarafina Scapicchio at (619) 692-2077 ext. 246 or sscapicchio@thecentersd.org.

The Dumb Waiter: Produced by the Reconnoiter Theater Company and performed at 6th @ Penn Theater, The Dumb Waiter centers around two hit men who, upon waiting for their instructions, realize that something isn’t right. Their final order reveals a shocking end! The 7:30 p.m. show runs through Sept. 6, and tickets are $10. (619) 688-9210.

Chopsticks or fork? Learn the art behind sushi making and eating from longtime sushi chef Jeff Roberto of Sushi on a Roll. You will learn how to order and how to make sushi, while tasting some of Chef Roberto’s delicious creations. Participants will also have the opportunity to roll their own sushi. The “Wanna Nori More About Sushi?” class, which begins at 6:00 p.m., is offered through the Balboa Park Food & Wine School. Registration fees are $55. (619) 557-9441 ext. 203, www.balboafoodwine.com.

Houghton Vineyards Tasting: Houghton Winery, Western Australia’s most awarded winery, will be the featured brand at this event taking place at 7:00 p.m. at The Wine Encounter. Satisfy your taste buds as you sip fine wines and nibble on appetizers, crackers and bread. The event costs $25 and reservations are required. The Wine Encounter is located at 690 University Ave. (619) 543-9463, www.thewineencounter.com.

Siren Open Mic: The free event highlighting women’s spoken word, hip-hop, comedy, music and activism takes place on the first Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. at The Rubber Rose, located at 3812 Ray St. in North Park. Come on down and check out San Diego’s most talented women artists! For more information, e-mail sirensandiego@bust.com.

Tijuana fashion show: Thursday Night Thing presents a Tijuana fashion show as part of its festivities, which take place from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Come check out this interactive event, which includes a live fashion show featuring an array of kaleidoscopic designs by Tijuana designers, an opportunity for visitors to create their own fashions and live performances by Tijuana bands and DJs. Attendees are asked to bring their own T-shirt for the interactive portion. The show will take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, located at 1001 Kettner Blvd. (858) 454-3541, www.mcasd.org.

Urinetown: The final show of the Starlight Theater’s 2006 season, Urinetown, the Musical, tells the hilarious tale of a terrible water shortage that forces the government to ban private toilets. A greedy company profits off the public-toilet industry and a heroic citizen begins a journey to lead the people to “freedom.” The show runs through Sept. 17 and tickets range from $10 to $75. The Starlight Theater is located in Balboa Park. (619) 544-STAR, www.starlighttheatre.org.