The best things to do this week in San Diego: Jan. 12-16

Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Jan. 12 to Friday, Jan. 16.

Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.

Monday

Argentine Tango Class: Eduardo Santana teaches an all levels, all ages Argentine tango class. Participants are asked to wear shoes that allow for a pivot. 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., San Diego. $20. centroculturaldelaraza.org/current-events

Animation Domination: Join Cygnet Theatre artists in a night for adults celebrating songs from animated favorites such as Disney movies and “South Park.” 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday. Cygnet Theatre, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $30. https://libertystation.com/do/musical-monday-animation-domination

Tuesday

Journal jam: The Friends of the North Park Library are organizing a monthly third-space event called Journal Jam. The gathering invites the public to use journals to express one’s creativity, whether that’s making a planner, a reading tracker or writing stories. Journal supplies will be supplied. The Journal Jam is meant for teens and young adults. 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. 3795 31st St., San Diego. 619- 533-3972, sandiego.librarymarket.com 

Wednesday

Borrego Springs Film Festival: Over 50 films will be showcased at the 13th annual Borrego Springs Film Festival. Movies include animated short films, documentaries, comedies and dramas. There will also be panel discussions, networking events, a gala and an awards ceremony. Wednesday through Jan. 18. 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs. $10-$175. 760-767-4275, borregospringsfilmfestival.org 

“The Trip to Bountiful”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents  Horton Foote’s drama about an elderly woman who takes a trip back to her childhood hometown to reconnect with fond memories. 7 p.m.Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through March 1. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $39-$78. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org

Susan Narucki recital: This 2026 Grammy nominee and soprano will perform a concert fusing poetry and music with pianist Donald Berman and coloratura soprano Kirsten Ashley Wiest. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, 9410 Russell Lane, UCSD, La Jolla. $10-$20. music-web.ucsd.edu/concerts/cms_index.php

‘Louisa Gillis’ premieres at North Coast Rep: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Joanna McClelland Glass’ psychological thriller “Louisa Gillis,” about a family ripped apart by haunting secrets from their past. Previews, Wednesday through Jan. 16. Opens Jan. 17 and runs through Feb. 8. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $58.50-$80.50. 858-481-10055, northcoastrep.org

“The Trip to Bountiful”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents  Horton Foote’s drama about an elderly woman who takes a trip back to her childhood hometown to reconnect with fond memories. Opens Wednesday and runs through March 1. 7 p.m.Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $39-$78. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org

Thursday

Verbatim Books in the Park til Dark: Inside Edition Looking to set aside time to get some reading done? Verbatim Books is hosting a reading event. Meet like-minded people, and participate in silent reading from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. There will be a food truck. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Little Bird Brewing, 3176 Thorn St., San Diego. Free. verbatimbooks.com/events/#event=verbatim-books-in-the-bar-after-dark;instance=20260115173000?popup=1&lang=en-US

“Cotton”: The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center is holding a panel discussion with singers who will be performing in the operatic song cycle “Cotton.” The  singers speaking will be UC San Diego professor Anthony Davis, singers Justin Austin and J’Nai Bridges, and poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph. The panel will talk about the creative development and performance of Cotton, an opera that showcases music and photography as a means of exploring African American history and resilience. (The performance will take place Jan. 16). 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday. 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Free with RSVP. 858-459-3728, theconrad.org/events/2026-cotton-outreach 

“Red White Winter”: OnWord Theatre opens its 2026 season with Adam Rapp’s drama about a love triangle that develops when two longtime American friends fall for athe same sex worker in Amsterdam’s red light district. Play has strong sexual content and some nudity. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays. Through June 24. Light Box Theatre, 2590 Truxtun Road, #205, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego. $30-$40. onwordtheatre.com

“Swing State”: OnStage Playhouse opens its 2026 season with Rebecca Gilman’s drama about Peg, a grieving widow who lives alone on her 40-acre Wisconsin property. Her life is disrupted by the appearance of an old family friend with a checkered past. Opens  Thursday and runs through Feb. 1. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 5 p.m. Sundays. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $15-$25. 619-422-7787, onstageplayhouse.org

Friday

The Old Globe hosts Powers New Voices Festival: Friday through Sunday, the Globe presents its 13th series of play readings by three local playwrights and four national emerging and award-winning playwrights. Celebrating Community Voices, featuring short plays by three local writers, is at 7:30 p.m. Friday. “On the Far End” by Mary Kathryn Nagle will be presented at 4 p.m. Saturday. “The Valentine Vendetta: A Famous Girl Detective’s Least Famous Case” by Laura Winters at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; “This Is Not an Immigrant Story” written and performed by Reza Salazar at 4 p.m. Sunday; and “Three-headed Monster” by JuCoby Johnson at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. Free . Reserve tickets at theoldglobe.org/shows–tickets/powers-new-voices-festival

Singles fitness meet-up: Studio by Catalyst is teaming up with the matchmaking services Amador Matchmaking for a singles meet-up event geared towards fitness enthusiasts. The event starts with a 50-minute pilates class. Then, guests will go through the Studio’s wellness lounge, which includes a sauna, cold plunge, red light therapy, normatec compression and vibroacoustic loungers. Amador Matchmaking staff will be available to offer advice and answer dating questions. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. 16473 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego. 858-485-0234, $92.55. eventbrite.com/e/move-match-an-amador-matchmaking-singles-experience-tickets 

San Diego Rodeo: The San Diego Rodeo is bringing county culture for a third year at Petco Park. Visitors to this three-day event can expect to see bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling and bareback riding. There will also be more food and entertainment options such as vendors, concerts and family-friendly activities centered on rodeo cultural traditions. 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Sunday. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. $30-$405. rodeosd.com

J’Nai Bridges headlines multimedia song cycle ‘Cotton’ plays Jan. 16 in La Jolla: La Jolla Music Society and San Diego Opera are co-producing “Cotton,” a multimedia song cycle by composer Damien Geter and photographer John Dowell. Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges joins baritone Justin Austin and pianist Laura Ward in a performanceof the piece, which explores African American history and heritage and the economy of the American cotton industry. 7:30 p.m. next Friday. The Baker-Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $96-$118. 858-459-3728, theconrad.org/events/cotton

“Cotton”: La Jolla Music Society and San Diego Opera are co-producing “Cotton,” a multimedia song cycle by composer Damien Geter and photographer John Dowell. Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges joins baritone Justin Austin and pianist Laura Ward in a performanceof the piece, which explores African American history and heritage and the economy of the American cotton industry. 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Baker-Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $96-$118. 858-459-3728, theconrad.org/events/cotton

“Monty Python’s Edukational Show”:  Trinity Theatre Company presents this staged series of sketches from England’s Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV show, including “Dead Parrot,” “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” “The Lumberjack Song” and more. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Jan. 25. Mission Valley Mall, 1640 Camino Del Rio North Suite 129, San Diego. $30. 619-500-4985, trinityttc.org

“Of Mice and Men”: Lamplighters Community Theatre preents the stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel about two laborers in Central California struggling to survive and make a life for themselves during the Great Depression. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays (no evening performances on Saturday and Jan. 31). Through Feb. 1. 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa. $25-$30. 619-303-5092, lamplighterslamesa.com