Another Eventful Week in San Diego: In The Heights, Bret Michaels and Rick Springfield, Pat Benatar, Paula Poundstone and much more

Week after week, San Diego entertainment doesn’t disappoint. This week highlights arts in the theatre and dance with Broadway hit In The Heights and Robin and the 7 Hoods along with the Jean Isaac’s Modern Dance Workshop Concert. Also unique this week, San Diego’s music venues throwback to the ’80s and ’60s with Pat Benatar and tribute bands, Tainted Love and HELP!

Wednesday July 28

Opening on Broadway in 2008 to rave reviews, the sexy musical sensation, In the Heights is at the San Diego Civic Theatre for this week only! Coming from a successful stint in Los Angeles, In the Heights is sure to wow San Diegans with its powerful performances and warm message about the American dream. Get your tickets ($17.50-$73.50) online before it sells out!

Four-time Grammy award winner, Pat Benatar and lead guitarist and husband Neil Giraldo will perform ‘80s classics, including “Heartbreaker” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” at 8pm at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay. Tickets are limited, start at $55 and may be purchase online.

Thursday July 29

Fun for families: The Wiggles Wiggly Circus comes to downtown San Diego’s Balboa Theatre for only two performances today at 2:30pm and 6:30pm. Join the Wiggles and their wiggly dancers for an interactive night at the theatre that your kids will love. Tickets range from $17.50 to $77.50 and can be purchased online.  Children 1+ year must have their own ticket in the same seating section.

For a more adult night at the theatre, check out the farcical “Broadway-bound musical comedy,” Robin and the 7 Hoods The Old Globe Theatre Through until August 22. Reviews for the show are altogether positive citing a “very entertaining evening-energetic and upbeat” with particular praise for the male tap dance number. Expect to hear a lot of your Frank Sinatra favorites. Guarantee good seats by buying tickets ($71- $81) from here or check out discount tickets starting at $42.50.

Downtown’s no-frills venue 4^th and B is hosting back-to-back hip-hop performances featuring Three 6 Mafia (Feel It)tonight and E-40 (Tell Me When To Go) Friday night. Tickets for each show are available for $25 or $35 online. Doors open at 7:30pm

Friday July 30

Friday is packed this week! If you can’t find tickets to Adam Lambert’s sold out show at the Copley Symphony Hall, rest assured that there is still plenty going on.

If you’re set on enjoying some music, the San Diego Regional MSDS Benefit Jazz Concert starring award-winning contemporary Jazz artist Najee with Fattburger will start at 8:30pm at downtown’s Balboa Theatre. Tickets ($45-$55) can be purchased online.

In case you missed Pat Benatar on Wednesday, head over to the House of Blues for Tainted Love’s tributes to the‘80s complete with performances of Madonna’s “Material Girl” and B-52’s “Love Shack” ‘80s music lovers- bust out those acid-washed jeans and feather that hair! Purchase tickets ($10) online. It goes without saying, this is a 21+ show.

This year’s summer comedy, Dinner for Schmucks opens today in theaters near you. Steve Carell and Paul Rudd pair up to bring you the dumbest dinner party ever. An adapted version of the French film, Le Diner de Cons, Dinner for Schmucks mercilessly mocks the party idiot (Carell) while he consistently botches every attempt to help the eager employee (Rudd) attempting to get ahead at his expense.

Support local charities by attending Philanthro Production’s InterLUDE with free cover and drink specials from 8:00pm-10:00pm at Bar West in Pacific Beach. Meet and mingle with like-minded philanthropists like yourself or get involved with a local project that speaks to you- either way, enjoy happy hour specials including $2 well drinks, $2 draft beers, and $2 sliders. Be sure to try the “Melon Mingle” from which 25% of proceeds go back to Philanthro Productions. Email [email protected] with your full name before noon to enjoy free champagne at 9:00pm.

Saturday July 31

Famous funny-woman Paula Poundstone comes to Anthology in downtown San Diego for two shows only at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. The show, featuring Poundstone’s signature self-deprecating humor and masculine attire, will be $39 and $34 for the 7:30pm and 9:30pm show, respectively. Purchase tickets online.

Support local art students and feed your own artistic education by attending Jean Isaac’s 37th Summer Dance Workshop Concert at the City College Seville Theatre. The culmination of the Summer Dance Workshop in Modern Dance, this concert will showcase the growing talent of San Diego dance students. Tickets may be purchase online at $20 adult/ $15 seniors and student.

Playing favorites, including “Jessie’s Girl” and “Every Rose has It’s Thorn,” and new material, Bret Michaels and Rick Springfield join up at the Palomar Starlight Theater at the Pala Casino Resort and Spa for a performance under the stars. Tickets start at $39 for the 7:00pm show.

Woa, there! FREE concert at Pala Casino Resort and Spa- HELP: A Tribute to The Beatles will bring fans back to the height of Beatlemania complete with costumes and hair! Join Beatle-fans of all ages at The Grand Cabaret at 8:00pm.

Sunday August 1

From 10:am-5:pm this Sunday, discover everything Argentina at the House of Argentina’s 2010 Lawn Program. Enjoy traditional Argentine foods, including Empanadas, Asado, Mate, Flan and Alfajores, and marvel at the skilled tango and folklore dancers at this free event at the International Cottages in Balboa Park. Discover a new country every Sunday; in the coming Sundays… House of Peru and House of Hungary, among others. Check out the full calendar.

All summer long, San Diego’s Natural History Museum is hosting Dinosaur Sundays where you and you’re your friends and family can “meet dinosaur experts and friends, dig for fossils, create dinosaur art, and explore all things dino” from 11:00am-3:00pm. Free with museum admissions ($17 adult/$12 military, youth 13-17, students/ $11 children 2+) Plan your visit for this Sunday!

Thanks for letting us supply you with cool things to do each week. We’re here to help–Let us know how we’re doing and what kind of events you’re looking for! Continue to read up on each week’s upcoming events with the San Diego Entertainer.