Gay, Chicano, proud… and funny! Gaytino!, the second show of Diversionary Theater’s 2006-07 season, opens with a preview performance Sept. 8 at 8:00 p.m. Gaytino! depicts the life journey of the show’s writer and performer, Dan Guerrero, featuring universal themes of self-discovery, self-identity and acceptance interwoven with music, dance and plenty of laughs. Tickets are $27 to $29. Gaytino! will run through Oct. 1. (619) 220-0097, www.diversionary.org.

A cozy oasis: Slip into the Plaza Bar at the Westgate Hotel to hear the cool piano and vocal sounds of Fran Loskota from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Enjoy live piano entertainment, liquid therapy and a fine assortment of pates, international cheeses, tempting pastries, specialty coffees, cappuccinos, espressos and more. (619) 557-3650, www.westgatehotel.com.

Think outside of the bar: Women Out and About in San Diego’s Women’s Networking Group invites you to a special monthly “coffee talk.” The event, which provides an opportunity to network, brainstorm, plan and make new friends, will feature District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis as the special guest speaker. The event will take place on the patio of Diedrich’s Coffee, located at 1080 University Ave. www.womenoutnaboutsd.com.

Ray at Night: San Diego’s largest monthly art walk celebrates it’s five-year anniversary from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Various city officials and business owners will speak about the importance of an art community and how the monthly event, which occurs on the second Saturday of each month, has been instrumental in the redevelopment of North Park. 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.

Club Fashion Whore: Hosted by May*Star, this discotheque and fashion show takes place every second and fourth Saturday at the San Diego Sports Club from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Fashionable go-go boys and girls, costume contests and prizes along with midnight shopping are featured. This week’s theme is “Back to School.” DJs spin a variety of electroclash, indietronic, shoegaze, indie dance rock, Brit pop, electro punk, synth pop, mod, new wave, ’80s, dark wave and more. Admission is $5. The San Diego Sports Club is located at 1217 University Ave. in Hillcrest. (619) 299-7372.

Art that can hurt you: Check out the fascinating WhipArt work of Mark O’Keefe. More than 23 of these unique pieces are on display, and the artist is hosting a reception Sept. 10 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Pleasures & Treasures, located at 2228 University Ave. The show runs through Sept. 15. (619) 822-4280, http://members.cox.net/markbokeefe.

Thread: This independent shopping event will provide the savviest of dressers the chance to find truly original items to spruce up their wardrobes. More than 100 independent fashion designers from around the country will be represented at this event, which will feature music, food, cocktails, massage, manicures and a fashion show. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. inside the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal, located at 1140 N. Harbor Dr. Tickets are $10, or $7 with advance online purchase. www.threadshow.com.

An American in Paris: The Old Globe presents a free screening of the Academy Award-winning film An American in Paris, which stars Gene Kelly as Jerry Mulligan, a struggling American painter in Paris who has to choose between a young French girl engaged to an older man and the patronage of a rich American. Admission is free, with seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. The film begins at 7:45 p.m. at the Old Globe Theater, located in Balboa Park. (619) 23-GLOBE.

Gentleman’s Martini Night: San Diego’s weekly gathering for gay professionals and friends takes place at a different location each week. There are no membership fees, cover charges or hidden agendas. There is a mandatory dress code: dressy casual or business attire. No tank tops, cut-off sleeve shirts, T-shirts, blue jeans, distressed pants, shorts, open-toed shoes, tennis shoes or club-wear. The event takes place each week from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at some of the best-known hotels and resorts in San Diego, Coronado and La Jolla. A surprise location will be revealed approximately three days prior to the event at www.gentlemensmartininight.com.

Romeo and Juliet: The Coronado Playhouse is running a free production of Shakespeare’s most famous tale, Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Keith A. Anderson, the script has been adapted by substituting modern words for archaic ones to make it easier for the audience to understand. All shows begin at 8:00 p.m. at Coronado Playhouse Pavilion, located at 1335 First St. in Coronado. Tickets are free, but must be obtained in advance by calling (619) 435-4856 or visiting www.coronadoplayhouse.com.

Taste of Downtown: San Diego’s most prominent tasting event returns to downtown for the seventh consecutive year. Satisfy your senses with culinary creations while taking a stroll through San Diego’s liveliest downtown neighborhoods for an eclectic blend of food, fun and culture. The Taste of Downtown runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. throughout downtown San Diego. Tickets are $25. (619) 233-5008, www.dtsd.org.

Jazz at Jack’s: Visit one of La Jolla’s hippest night spots for Live Jazz Wednesday Nights. The comfortable Wall St. Bar at Jack’s of La Jolla features live jazz music, drinks and a cool crowd. The bar is open from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Jack’s is located at the corner of Girard Avenue and Wall Street in La Jolla. (858) 456-8111, www.jackslajolla.com.

The quintessential dame: Adrienne Barbeau, known for portraying strong female characters in such films as Escape from New York, The Fog, Swamp Thing and Creep Show, as well as for originating the character of Rizzo in the Broadway production of Grease, has penned her memoir, There are Worse Things I Could Do, and will be on hand to sign copies at Claire De Lune at 7:00 p.m. The coffee house is located at 2904 University Ave. (619) 688-9845.

Open Hype! Laura Jane hosts the open-mic night “Open Hype” every Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight at Riley’s, located at 2901 Nimitz Blvd. Anything goes: musicians, poets, MCs, comics, singers, whatever. Come out and show off your talent or enjoy the work of others and the ever-comical Laura Jane. Sign-ups begin at 7:30 p.m. (619) 255-8635.