Family Dysfunction, Renaissance-Style, Featured at College Theater

In these uncertain economic times, frugal characters in the arts are capable of generating a reasonable amount of sympathy. But Harpagon, the titular character in Jean-Baptiste Molière's 1668 classic "The Miser" (or, L'Avare) takes penny-pinching to the extreme. He buries his money, lends it out at exorbitant interest rates, and refuses to let his love-struck children wed their soulmates because he'd rather marry them off for financial advantage. Further complications such as a love triangle between Harpagon, his son and his son's lover result in a criminal plot that ends happily ever after, but only for some.

Under the direction of Henry J. Jordan, Grossmont College's Theatre Arts Department will stage the final performances of "The Miser" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Stagehouse Theatre on campus, 8800 Grossmont College Dr. General admission is $12; tickets for seniors, military and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District faculty and staff are $11; and GCCCD students with an ID get in for $10. For more information, call 619-644-7000.

Live music at the Riviera

Although the Riviera supper club is primarily known for its steaks and infamous Bacon Chocolate Cake, it also hosts free live music every night. This weekend, the club will feature MEX (aka the Mario Escovedo Experience), a genre-spanning blend of Tejano and rock 'n' roll, at 9 p.m. Friday. At 9 p.m. Saturday, the Riviera will host Blackout Party, a local San Diego band with a distinct bluegrass-country-rock flavor. 

Both shows are free, and will be located in the club's Turquoise Room (7777 University Ave).  For more information, call 619-713-6777 or visit rivierasupperclub.com.

Wildlife Wood Carvings Exhibit

From the tombs of ancient Egypt to modern gift shops in the Lagunas, the art of wood carving has endured through centuries of passing fads and technological improvements. Wood carvers today use basically the same tools as their ancestors, and still practice the various styles of their art, including sculpture and relief.

A free showing of wildlife, fish and decoy wood carvings created by world-champion carvers will be on exhibit all weekend in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center, 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego. The exhibition—presented by Pacific Southwest Wildlife Arts—begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 619-668-3281.

Adopt A Pet Weekend

If you find it impossible to pass up petting a box full of kittens, and you're not immune to the happy wag of puppy for sale in a store window, check out the Adopt A Pet event at the Fletcher Parkway Petco this weekend, and maybe you'll decide to finally bring one home. Adoption can save a pet's life—about 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year in the U.S., and more than half will not find new homes.

As part of National Adoption Weekend, the event will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  For more information, call (619) 337-0701.

La Mesa Village Farmers' Market

True to its lemon orchard and cattle grazing roots, La Mesa celebrates the joys of natural, fresh and local foods at its weekly Farmers' Market in The Village. Every Friday afternoon from 3 to 6, vendors offering fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs and more set up shop in the Allison Avenue parking lot east of Spring Street. The market also features baked goods, fresh flowers and handcrafted items, so bring plenty of reusable shopping bags, especially if it's your first time.

For more information, visit cityoflamesa.com.