The best things to do this week in San Diego: Nov. 3-7

Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Nov. 3 to Friday, Nov. 7.

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

Monday

Annual In-N-Out “Cover to Cover” Reading Program: Escondido kids ages 4 to 12 are invited to participating in a reading incentive program to score a free burger. For every five books they read, participants can win a gift card for a free hamburger or cheeseburger (with a cap of 3). Register online. escondido.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=241

Rufus Wainwright: The Going to a Town Solo Tour comes to Belly Up. 8 p.m. Monday. Belly Up,143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Tickets start at $60.80. bellyup.com/dates/#tw-event-dialog-13892624

Jay Kristoff author event: Author Jay Kristoff will be in conversation with author Callie Hart about “Empire of the Dawn.” 7 p.m. Monday. San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park, 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego. $42. mystgalaxy.com/11325Kristoff

Tuesday

‘Brilliant Baroque’: This historically informed performance will feature a rare appearance by renowned violinist Rachel Podger. Known for her virtuosic playing and a relaxed stage presence, Podger will lead Canada’s celebrated Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Their repertoire includes Telemann, Handel, and Bach’s reconstructed violin concerto BWV 1056R. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. St. James by-the-Sea, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $30-$60. 619-291-8246, sdems.org

‘Working Girl’: This world premiere musical, with a score by Cyndi Lauper and book by Theresa Rebeck, will be artistic director Christopher Ashley’s last directorial project before he leaves the Playhouse after 18 years to become artistic director of Roundabout Theatre Company in New York. The musical is based on the 1988 Melanie Griffith film about a bright young secretary at a New York investment firm who takes advantage of her boss’s absence to enter the world of high finance. Oct. 28 through Dec. 7. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/working-girl

Wednesday

Old Globe’s ‘Grinch’ returns next week: The Old Globe presents its 28th annual production of “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Written by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin, it’s a musical adaptation of the holiday children’s book. Andrew Polec has returned for his fifth year in the role of the Grinch. Opens Wednesday and runs through Dec. 31. Show times vary. Shiley Stage, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $34 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org

‘Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground’: Tony Award-winning actor John Rubinstein — he was Broadway’s Pippin in 1980 — will reprise the title role in this solo play by Richard Hellesen that premiered off Broadway in 2023 and has been touring ever since. New York critics described Rubinstein as “compelling” and “affable” as former U.S. president and retired Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower reflecting on his World War II and presidential experiences and his declining popularity in the polls. Peter Ellenstein directs. Through Nov. 16. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org

Coronado Island Film Festival: The fest begins Wednesday with the The Leonard Maltin Industry Tribute Awards Gala. It continues through Sunday with filmmaker interviews and panels, short films, movie screenings and more. There will also be happy hours and other events, such as a tribute to the Beatles on Saturday at 1 p.m. and a closing night screening of “Sentimental Value.” Wednesday through Sunday. Various venues. coronadofilmfest.com

JAWS@50: A Conversation with Wendy Benchley This event will feature Wendy Benchley, ocean advocate and wife of the late “JAWS” author Peter Benchley. Guests will see some of the “JAWS@50” documentary and there will also be a panel about shark science with Dovi Kacev and Brendan Talwar from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. $25 for members, $40 for nonmembers. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/jaws50-conversation-wendy-benchley

Aly & AJ: The sister duo known for both acting and their musical acts will perform as part of the Silver Deliverer Tour at Humphreys. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. $61.40. ticketmaster.com/event/0A006254204C620E

Comets & Meteor Showers: The Leonid meteor shower will be at the center of this version of the Fleet Science event known as Sky Tonight. Learn about the stars in the sky that night as well as look through telescopes with the San Diego Astronomy Association. 7 and 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego. Tickets start at $19.95. fleetscience.org/events/sky-tonight

“Arms and the Man”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents George Bernard Shaw’s “Anti-Romantic Comedy in Three Acts” about a war-weary solder finding refuge in the home of a sympathetic young woman. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 16. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $49-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org

Thursday

Priya Khrishna author event: ArtPower at the University of California San Diego hosts this appearance by New York Times food writer and restaurant critic Priya Krishna, who co-authored — with her mom, Ritu Krishna — the bestselling cookbook “Indian-Ish.” Krishna is dedicated to expanding the representation of non-Western foods in America. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6. Price Center East Ballroom, UCSD, La Jolla. $42. artpower.ucsd.edu/event/priya-krishna

‘Rent’: Two San Diego County theater companies, New Village and Diversionary, unexpectedly got the rights to produce Jonathan Larson’s “La boheme”-inspired musical set in 1990s AIDS-plagued New York. So rather than cancel, they’re co-producing and cross-promoting each others’ very different productions. New Village’s more traditional version will run this fall. Diversionary’s staging next spring will visually reimagine the tragic tale. Oct. 31 through Dec. 24 at New Village, 2787 State St., Carlsbad. newvillagearts.org; 

Sips & Science: The presentation “Traditional Medicine and Modern Science: Improving Health for People and the Planet” will be given by Director of Medicinal Plants Research Ben Naman. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers. sdbg.org/sips-and-science

Charles Ferguson author event: Former Camp David historian and presidential chaplain Charles Ferguson will discuss his new book, “Presidential Seclusion.” 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. $32.95 buys a book and a reserved seat. warwicks.com/event/ferguson-2025

Christina Jessica Carney author event: Christina Jessica Carney, author and associate professor of women’s and gender studies at the University of Missouri, will discuss and read from the book, “Disreputable Women Black Sex Economies and the Making of San Diego.” 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Libélula Books & Co., 950 S 26th St., San Diego.  instagram.com/p/DQGDZK8DGVx/

Friday

Margaret Cho: For two nights, Margaret Cho will bring the “CHOLIGARCHY” to San Diego. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. $58.50. micdropcomedysandiego.com/events/110172

Mariza: Born in Mozambique and based in Lisbon, Mariza is the reigning vocal queen of fado, the intensely dramatic Portuguese music style that is synonymous with her name. Her admirers and collaborators have included Gilberto Gil, Cesaria Evora, Sting and Lenny Kravitz. But Mariza shines far brighter on her own, and her first San Diego concert since 2013 should be an occasion worth celebrating. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. $49.50-$94. ticketmaster.com

Kenny G Live: The world famous saxophonist comes to San Diego. 8 p.m. Friday. Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. $87.05. humphreysconcerts.com/schedule.cfm

SnowJam: This ski and snowboarding expo provides all the necessities for the winter snow season. Shop from tons of vendors. 4 to 10 p.m. Friday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. delmarfairgrounds.com/events/2025/snowjam