Press releases for arts and entertainment events and programs should be typed, double-spaced, with basic information about the event, performance dates and times, location, ticket prices and a public telephone number. Send notices two to three weeks before the event to Preview, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, 92025, or via e-mail to preview@nctimes.com. Or fax items to (760) 745-3769.

SPECIAL EVENTS

San Diego International Children's Film Festival -- The sixth annual festival, running through Aug. 16, will feature more than 200 films from around the world for children and teens in five locations around San Diego County, including Comic-Con International and the first-ever screenings in North County; coming up: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 31 through Aug. 3 at the Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park, free; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, free; and 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15 and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at the New Children's Museum San Diego, free with paid museum admission; the New Children's Museum will also host free animation workshops; sdchildrensfilm.org.

Thursdays on the Coast -- Carlsbad Village Association debuts its new Thursday-night downtown arts event series, featuring live music, art receptions and displays, open house receptions; opera singer Judy Tran will open the series with a performance by Beauty and the Blokes, an Irish music group, at Ivanffy-Uhler Gallery (565 Grand Ave.); 5 to 9 p.m. July 30; free; 760-434-2553.

Ramona Country Fair --- The four-day community fair will feature animal shows and auctions, music acts, craft booths, contests, amusement rides and vendors; 5 to 11 p.m. July 30 and July 31; noon to midnight Aug. 1; noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 2; Ramona Fairgrounds, Fifth Street and Aqua Lane, Ramona; fair admission free; parking is $5; all-you-can-ride wristbands are $12-$18; 760-789-1311 or visit www.ramonafair.com.

"Homes for Our Troops" Benefit -- Homes for Our Troops will host a fundraising concert and art auction featuring live music by Greg Douglass, Kathy Hammond, Alan James, Jackson Patrick, Meliesa McDonnell and Studebaker Hawk, as well as a silent auction of art by local artists; proceeds will benefit a project to construct an adapted home for injured Army Sgt. Jacque Keesler, who lost both legs while serving in Iraq; 3 p.m. Aug. 2; Del Dios Firehouse, Elm Street at Lake Hodges, Escondido; $15; 760-743-6634 or 908-447-9844.

Comedy film festival -- Lyric Opera San Diego opens its "Classics of Comedy" movie series with screenings of film comedies from the 1950s to 1980s at the Birch North Park Theater during the month of August. Films will be screened twice, at 2:30 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. First up is "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" this Aug. 2 and Aug. 5; future films are "There's No Business Like Show Business" (Aug. 9 and 12); "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (Aug. 16 and 19); "Harold and Maude" (Aug. 23 and 26); and "Young Frankenstein" (Aug. 30 and Sept. 2); Birch North Park Theater, 2891 University Ave., San Diego; $7-$9; 619-239-8836.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus -- This year's touring edition, themed "Zing, Zang, Zoom," features performing elephants, tigers, horses and dogs as well as clowns, aerial, acrobatic and magic acts; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 through Aug. 8; 11 a.m. Aug. 7 to 8; 3:30 p.m. Aug. 8; 5:30 p.m. Aug. 9; San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego; $17-$50 to $83.50; $15 parking; 619-220-8497 or ticketmaster.com.

La Paloma 2009 Summer Poetry Slam -- Full Moon Poets presents its annual summer slam. Eighteen poets, ages 18 and over, will compete through three elimination rounds for the top prize at the annual festival of spoken word poetry; 7 p.m. Aug. 6; La Paloma Theatre, 471 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas; donations accepted; 760-944-6027 or fullmoonpoets.org.

North Park Music Thing -- Three days of conferences and performances at various venues in San Diego. The media panels, featuring people such as Nathan East and Jack Tempchin, will be at Lafayette Hotel in San Diego. The NPMT's Club Music Fest on Day Two features 150 bands performing on 18 stages, including EL Ten Eleven, Scarlet Symphony, Apes of Wrath, Get Back Loretta, the Silent Comedy, the Vision of a Dying World, Billy Midnight, Lisa Sanders, Robin Henkel and Peter Bolland. Day Three features the NPMT Street Festival, with performances by the Presidents of the United States of America, Scott Russo and the Big Big Bang, the Night Marchers, Black Heart Procession, Steve Poltz and the Rugburns, El Ves, Uncle Big Ol' Driver and Avi Buffalo and others. Proceeds benefit the San Diego Music Foundation; Aug. 7 to 9; media conference at Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego; concerts at various San Diego venues; $25, two-day pass for Aug. 8 and 9; northparkmusicthing.com.

"Micah Film Festival" -- TwoShirts.org founder Jason Coker presents this first-ever festival celebrating documentary films that advance the cause of justice, mercy and humility in the world; films include "As We Forgive," "The Least of These" and "Shooting Beauty" and post-screening Q&As and panel discussions. The festival is named for the biblical book of Micah; 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 7; 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 8; 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 9; Crest Theater, 102 N. Freeman St., Oceanside; $5 per film; $12, weekend pass; full schedule at micahfilmfest.com.

Art in the Village -- Carlsbad Village Association hosts its 11th annual artisan faire, which features more than 100 regional artists and draws 20,000 visitors each year; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9; State and Roosevelt streets and Grand Avenue, Carlsbad; free; 760-434-2553 .

Pageant of the Masters -- The 76th year of Laguna Beach's "living pictures" pageant is titled "The Muse." The production will use actors, musicians and dancers to act out, as living statues, how painters and sculptors find their inspiration to turn blank canvases and blocks of stone into art. Artists whose works will be re-created with live people in the 90-minute nightly performances are Paul Gauguin, Maxfield Parrish and Anna Hyatt Huntington. This year's festival also features a tribute to female artists. Pageant spectators can also use their tickets to access the Festival of Arts all summer long. Pageant of the Masters is presented at 8:30 p.m. nightly, through Aug. 31; Irvine Bowl, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach; $15-$90; (800) 487-3378 or pageanttickets.com.

Percussion performance/lecture -- UC San Diego graduate Ross Karre will present a powerpoint lecture/performance on the development of percussion in classical orchestral and ensemble music and the rise of contemporary percussion-only music; program will include a concert performance, artist Q&A and an opportunity for the public to handle the instruments afterward; noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 1; Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad; free; 760-633-1953.

"Music and Mirth at the Movies" -- Lyric Opera San Diego presents a silent film program with live music. Buster Keaton's 1924 "Sherlock Jr." will be shown, along with some shorts and a cartoon classic with live accompaniment by Dr. Philip Carli; 7 p.m. Sept. 11; Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., San Diego; $12, general; $10, seniors and students; $8, children; 619-239-8836 or lyricoperasandiego.org.

THEME PARKS

Belmont Park -- The park offers discount family nights on Tuesdays, with half-price rides from 4 p.m. to closing; opened in 1925, this beachside amusement park features the historical Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, along with a traditional carousel, bumper cars, the Beach Blaster suspension thrill ride, CHAOS 360-degree spin ride, laser and mirror mazes, kiddie rides, flight simulator, climbing tree, arcade, picnic and play areas, the Wave House, with the Bruticus Maximus giant wave rider and Flow Rider perpetual wave machine, and the 80-year-old Plunge, the largest indoor pool in Southern California; hours, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; hours through June 18: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays-Fridays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays; hours, June 19-Aug. 20, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; 3190 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach; unlimited ride wristbands, $22.95 (50 inches and up) and $15.95 (under 50 inches); individual rides, $2-$6; Giant Dipper is $6; Flow Rider is $15; miniature golf is $7; 858-488-1549 or belmontpark.com.

Boomers! Vista -- Amusement park features arcades, bumper boats, batting cages, miniature golf, laser tag, children's rides and a large climbing structure; noon to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays; 1525 W. Vista Way, Vista; $27.99 (unlimited, excludes batting cages and coin arcade) for over 58 inches; $24.99, under 58 inches; $3-$8, single attractions; 760-945-9474 or boomersparks.com.

Castle Park -- Opened in 1973, the theme park includes more than 30 rides including roller coasters, a log chute, carnival rides, an arcade, miniature golf and magic shows; arcade opens at 11 a.m. daily; rides open at noon; 3500 Polk St., Riverside; unlimited ride pass: $19.99, taller than 48 inches; $12.99, under 48 inches; annual passes, $50-$55 (miniature golf has separate fee, $6.99-$7.99); 951-785-3000 or castlepark.com.

Discovery Science Center -- "Bugs Alive Weekend," July 25-26; "Robots & Us," an interactive exhibit explaining and demonstrating robot technology, is now open; "Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home," an exhibit on ecological conservation, is now open; "The Science of Hockey," a new interactive exhibit exploring the physics and physiology of the game, is open; more than 100 hands-on science, math and technology exhibits, including "Dino Quest," earthquake "shake shack," climbing wall, musical floor, and 4-D theater. Now featuring "Masters of the Night: The TRUE Story of Bats"; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Taco Bell Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana; $12.95, general; $9.95, children (3-17); free, children 2 and under; $3, parking; 714-542-2823 or discoverycube.org.

Disneyland Park -- "Celebrate! A Street Party" is a new daily parade event with 100 performers (including 48 dancers and 24 Disney characters) who walk behind the parade floats and stop at three spots along the parade route to perform and invite park guests to join in the celebration; also new is the Celebration Roundup & Barbecue, an outdoor dinner theater event in Big Thunder Ranch featuring a barbecue lunch or dinner and a live, Western-style stage show; cost is $28.99 for adults and $18.99 for children ages 3 to 19; "Summer Nightastic!" fireworks show runs through Aug. 23; Opened in July 1955, Walt Disney theme park includes 60 attractions, including roller coasters, trains, boats, trolleys, carriage and black-light rides, monorail, walk-throughs, live shows, hands-on exhibits and walkabout encounters; "It's a Small World" has recently reopened after an 18-month refurbishment with an all-new North America scene and new Disney character costumes (from "Aladdin" and "Lilo and Stitch") in various lands; "Innoventions Dream Home," a futuristic 5,000-square-foot home showcasing the latest home technology, is now open in Tomorrowland; Remember … Dreams Come True" fireworks and special effects show nightly; open daily; hours vary; Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; $69, general (ages 10-59); $59, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $84-$94, one-day park-hopper passes; $123-$143, two-day park-hopper passes; $134-$389, annual passes; $12, parking ($17, RVs); 714-781-4565 or disneyland.com.

Disneyland's California Adventure -- Opened in 2001, this 55-acre Disney theme park highlights the history, culture, beauty and industries of California; themed lands include Golden State (agriculture, aviation, wilderness), Paradise Pier (seaside amusement park) and Hollywood Pictures Backlot (filmmaking, TV and stage shows); the park has more than 25 themed attractions, shows and rides; the park is in the midst of a multiyear expansion and enhancement that will include the introduction of many new attractions, rides and shows through 2012; newly opened, refurbished midway games and carousel on Paradise Pier; "High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!" stage show, featuring a cast of 14 singer/dancers, plays three times a day in the Sun Plaza; "Toy Story Mania," a 3-D ride-through attraction where riders take target practice at "Toy Story" characters, is now open; hours vary, check Web site for daily schedule; Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; $69, general (ages 10-59); $59, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $84-$94, one-day park-hopper passes; $123-$143, two-day park-hopper passes; $134-$389, annual passes; $12, parking ($17, RVs); 714-781-4565 or disneyland.com.

Knott's Berry Farm -- Now through July 31, the park is offering "Sizzling Savings," with a four-pack of tickets available for $29.99 each (not including Saturdays); Knott's is a 160-acre amusement park featuring 165 rides, including an authentic Old West Ghost Town; roller coasters; Camp Snoopy's children's area; themed restaurants; all-new "Everybody Loves Snoopy" live ice-skating show and other family entertainment; thrill rides that include the Silver Bullet, a Western-themed suspended roller coaster that features a 109-foot drop, corkscrews, spirals and cobra rolls, and RipTide thrill ride, which sends riders in a floorless, spinning gondola soaring 59 feet into 360-degree vertical arcs; opens daily at 10 a.m.; closing time varies; 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; $51.99, adults ($41.99 for Southern California adults); $22.99, seniors (62+) and children 3 to 11; free, children 2 and under; $59.95-$114.95, annual passes; $10, parking; 714-220-5200 or knotts.com.

Knott's Soak City, Chula Vista -- The park is open daily through Sept. 7, then weekends Sept. 12-20; this 32-acre water park features 22 water slides, raft rides and children's play areas; gates open at 10 a.m.; closing hours vary from 6 to 7 p.m.; 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista; $29.95, adults (Southern California residents get a $5 adult discount); $19.95, children (3-11) and seniors; season passes: $79.99, adults; $49.99, children (3-11) and seniors; $12, parking; 619-661-7373 or knotts.com/soakcity.

Knott's Soak City, Orange County -- Now through July 31, the park is offering "Sizzling Savings," with a four-pack of tickets available for $19.99 each; The park is open daily through Sept. 7, then weekends Sept. 12-20; the 13-acre park has 23 water slides, raft rides and children's play areas; Pacific Spin is a tube slide that drops riders into a six-story funnel; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; $29.95, adults (Southern California residents get a $5 adult discount); $19.95, children (3-11) and seniors; season passes: $79.99, adults; $49.99, children (3-11) and seniors; $12, parking; 619-661-7373 or knotts.com/soakcity.

Knott's Soak City, Palm Springs -- The park is open daily through Sept. 7, then weekends only through Sept. 27; the park has 10 water slides, raft rides, wave pool, children's play areas, Pacific Spin; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs; $29.99, adults (Southern California residents get a $5 adult discount); $19.99, children (3-11) and seniors; season passes: $79.99, adults; $49.99, children (3-11); $9, parking; 760-327-0499 or knotts.com/soakcity.

Legoland California -- To mark its 10th anniversary, the park will host a nightly fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. through Aug. 29; The 128-acre Lego toy-themed amusement park, best suited for ages 2 to 12, offers hands-on Lego-building areas; new "Bob the Builder in 4-D: Bob the Builder and the Roller-Coaster" film; the park has interactive play areas; water rides and attractions; mini-roller-coasters and car-and -boat driving courses; live stage shows; walk-through attractions; Miniland USA (miniature cities of the world built from Lego bricks); dinosaur, Egypt, water, middle ages and other themed "lands"; winter hours (through May), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays (closed Tuesdays-Wednesdays); park is open daily June 13-Sept. 6); 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; $62, general; $52, children (3-12) and seniors; free, 2 and under; $10, parking; 760-918-5346 or legoland.com.

Raging Waters -- The park is open daily through Sept. 7, then Sept. and 13 only; California's largest water park features 36 slides and attractions includingeight-story speed slides, 50-foot half-pipe slide; enclosed, twisting and misting slides up to 600 feet long; two-person bowl-slide; 10-story two-person slide; family raft ride; wave pool; Flow Rider perpetual wave machine; children's wading and play areas; opens at 10 a.m. daily; closing hours vary; 111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas; $35.99, general (48 inches and up); $24.99, seniors (55 and up); $21.99, under 48 inches; free, children 2 and under; season pass, $69.99; two for $99.99; $10, parking; 909-802-2200 or ragingwaters.com.

San Diego Zoo -- The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey, the largest exhibit in the zoo's history, is now open; the 7.5-acre habitat features elephants, jaguars and California condors along with replicas of their Pleistocene-era ancestors; The 100-acre zoo houses more than 4,000 animals of 800 species and 6,500 plant species; features include walk-through gorilla, polar bear, tiger and rain forest habitats; live shows; children's petting areas; Chinese giant panda exhibit; orangutan and siamang ape enclosure; "Monkey Trails and Forest Tales" habitat is a 3-acre, walk-through multilevel habitat enclosure for African and Asian monkeys, leopards, snakes, tortoises, crocodiles and birds; spring hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (grounds close at 5 p.m.); summer hours, June 27-Sept. 7 are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; Balboa Park, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego; $28.50-$35, adults; $18.50-$26, children (4-11); (higher ticket price includes unlimited skyfari and guided bus tour rides); free parking; 619-234-3153 or sandiegozoo.org.

San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park -- Dino Mountain, an exhibit of 24 animatronic dinosaurs, is on exhibit in the Conifer Forest through Sept. 7; exhibit includes hands-on activities and crafts; admission to the exhibit is $4; Magical Mystery Dino Show at 2 and 5 p.m. in the Tembo Stadium; Dino Dig at Jameson Research Island from 1 to 4 p.m. daily; Park at Dark extended summer hours program with special evening entertainment, lighting and up-close animal encounters; opened in 1972, the 1,800-acre wildlife preserve operated by the San Diego Zoo allows visitors to see more than 3,500 animals of 429 species in their naturalistic habitats; now open, a new zipline aerial tour that flies riders over the rhino and giraffe enclosures at speeds up to 47 mph; price is $70; park tours available on the "Journey Into Africa" 25-minute tram ride ($6-$10); plus hands-on encounters, walk-through exhibits, live animal shows, children's petting areas; new ride, Balloon Safari, a tethered balloon that glides over the park's Serengeti plain for 15-minute rides, priced at $15; a 50-foot African-themed carousel with 61 animal-themed ride-on creatures is open; "Cheetah Run Safari" is a group tour that offers visitors a chance to see a cheetah sprint up close ($69); "Lion Camp" offers visitors an up-close look at the African cats in their natural habitat; "Frequent Flyers" bird show is performed several times daily; motion simulator ride; summer hours, June 20-Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, San Pasqual Valley; $28.50-$35, general; $18.50-$26, children (ages 4-11); (higher ticket price includes unlimited carousel and Journey into Africa rides); $9, parking ($14 for motorhomes); 760-747-8702 or wildanimalpark.org.

Scandia Ontario -- This Scandinavian-style theme park offers 25 rides and attractions including roller coasters, race cars, carnival-style rides, miniature golf, an arcade and batting cages; 1155 S. Wanamaker Ave., Ontario; unlimited rides: $22.95, taller than 54 inches; $17.95, under 54 inches; golf, $6.95-$9.50; 909-390-3092 or scandiafun.com.

Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland -- The aquarium include a 36,000-square-foot aquarium filled with more than 200 aquatic species including seahorses, stingrays and sharks in a 200,000-gallon aquarium; "Sharks Revealed" is a new interactive exhibit that introduces children to the mysterious world of sharks; also features more than 70 models made from Lego bricks display, including an 11-foot submarine; a sea-themed cafe and interactive sandcastle-building area; hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; $18.95, adults; $15.95, seniors 60 and over; $11.95, children ages 3 to 12; $10, parking; 760-918-5346 or sealifeus.com.

SeaWorld San Diego -- Summer Nights extended-hours program is now under way through Sept. 7, with evening entertainment including "Shamu Rocks," "Ignight" dolphin show, Sea Lions Tonight and Shamu's SkySplash fireworks show, Riptide hip-hop/gymnastics dance show; Cirque de la Mer acrobatics show and "Sea Lions Live"are performed in the daytime hours; For July 3-4, the park will offer an extended fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.; Opened in 1964, the 189-acre ocean-themed park owned by Anheuser-Busch features live shows with killer whales, dolphins and sea lions; hands-on sea creature encounters; skytower, virtual motion, rapids and splashdown rides; shark, seabird, penguin, dolphin, otter and manatee aquariums; Budweiser Clydesdale horses; stage shows and Sesame Street-themed play area; hands-on interactive experiences available with dolphins and beluga whales; hours vary; 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego; $65, adults; $55, children (3-9); free, children 2 and under; $12, parking; 800-257-4268 or seaworld.com/sandiego.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor -- The park is open daily through Sept. 7, then weekends through Sept. 27; the park features 23 attractions including 13 speed slides, six-lane racing slide, family raft ride, wave pool, lazy river ride, children's play area, wading pools; 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; $24.99, general; $19.99, children under 48 inches; free, 2 and under; season pass, $39.99; $15, parking; now through Labor Day, bring a Coke product to the Six Flags ticket booth and get in for $19.99; 661-255-4527 or sixflags.com.

Six Flags Magic Mountain -- The park's 16th coaster, Terminator Salvation: The Ride, is now open; the $10 million wooden coaster combines the feel of a classic "woodie" with state-of-the-art sound and ride elements; the theme park has the world's largest collection of roller coasters -- 16, including X2, a sound-and-light coaster with 360-degree turns; Tatsu, billed as the world's tallest, fastest and longest "flying" coaster; Scream floorless coaster travels at 65 mph with a 150-foot drop and 128-foot vertical loop; plus new Thomas Town toddler land, children's play areas, water rides, live shows; opens at 10:30 a.m. daily; closing hours vary; 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; $59.99, general; $29.99, children under 48 inches; free, 2 and under; $15, parking; now through Labor Day, bring a Coke product to the Six Flags ticket booth and get buy-one-get-one free admission for $29.99; (661) 255-4111 or sixflags.com.

Speed Zone Los Angeles -- This 10-acre auto racing-themed park offers miniature auto race tracks built for 3/4-scale Grand Prix cars and 18-foot, 300hp dragsters, as well as miniature golf and an arcade; hours vary; 17871 Castleton St., City of Industry; prices by the hour, playcards start at $40; 626-913-9663 or speedzone.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood -- The 415-acre movie-based theme park, built in 1964 on the grounds of the Universal television studios, features roller coasters and thrill rides, special effects-based live shows and a ride-through behind-the-scenes Studios Tour; the park's studio backlot (heavily damaged by fire last year) will reopen in mid-summer with all new sets and attractions; opening July 1, the "Creature from the Black Lagoon: A Raging Rockin' Show," a 25-minute musical stage show based on the classic horror film; "Universal's House of Horrors" walk-through haunted house; "Revenge of the Mummy -- The Ride," is one of the world's fastest indoor roller coasters (with forward/backward motion, 45 mph top speed and animatronic mummies) and has been renovated to include a chilling 45-degree mummy's tomb room; other features include a "Van Helsing" walk-through funhouse; "Shrek 4-D" ride; "Terminator 3-D" live/multimedia shows; "The Simpsons" virtual reality ride; "Waterworld" water show; "Jurassic Park," with new water features, "Back to the Future" thrill rides; Nickelodeon Blast Zone children's water play area; film and TV history exhibits; opening May 28 at the Universal CityWalk shopping district, The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club; park hours vary, but generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends; 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City; $64, adults; $54, children under 48 inches; free, children 2 and under; $74-$129, annual passes; $199 VIP experience; $10, parking ($20, preferred parking); universalstudioshollywood.com.

The Wave Waterpark -- The park is open daily through Aug. 23; then weekends only Aug. 29-Sept. 27; park features the Rippity's Rainforest, a four-story children's rain forest-themed climbing and play structure with water features; four water slides, a "Flow Rider" perpetual wave machine, lazy river tube ride, large competition pool, new-and-improved restaurant and picnic areas; regular hours, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; free parking; 101 Wave Drive, Vista; $16, general; $12, under 42 inches; $11, seniors (over 60); free, children 2 and under; $70, summer passport; daily admission after 3 p.m., $8; 760-940-9283 or thewavewaterpark.com.

Wild Rivers Waterpark -- The park is open daily through Sept. 7; then weekends Sept. 12-27; the 20-acre park has 40 rides and attractions, including two wave pools, slides, lazy river, tube and family flume rides, children's play area and wading; picnic area and dining; 8770 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine; $31.98, general (48 inches and up); $19.98, children (under 48 inches); free, children 2 and under; $10, parking; 949-788-0808 or wildrivers.com.

COMEDY

Jim Gaffigan -- 6:30 and 9 p.m. July 31; Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $45; $108, dinner package; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 1; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $35-$55; (877) 711-2946.

"Movies: Good, Bad & Ugly" -- The Hinges 15-member improv comedy troupe will present a comedy show based around movie quotes, favorite actors and the cinema; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1; Sews & Shows Theatre, 7860 Golden Ave., Lemon Grove; $8 in advance; $10 at door; hingesimprov.com.

Billy Watson and the Silver String Submarine Band -- Live blues music and comedy; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10; New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St., Carlsbad; $15; 760-433-3245.

Larry the Cable Guy -- 8 p.m. Aug. 28; Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort, 777 Harrah's Rincon Way, Valley Center; $40-$120; (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Sinbad -- 8 p.m. Sept. 10; Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $37; $100, dinner package; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com.

Wanda Sykes -- With Keith Robinson; 8 p.m. Sept. 19; Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $60; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com.

Daniel Tosh -- Sept. 19; the Grand Cabaret, Pala Casino Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala; $25-$35; 760-510-5100 or startickets.com.

Kathy Griffin -- 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sept. 26; San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue at B Street, San Diego; $47.50-$62.50; 619-220-8497.

Carlos Mencia -- 8:30 p.m. Oct. 17; Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $48; $111, dinner package; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com.

Jerry Seinfeld -- 8 p.m. Dec. 5; San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue at B Street, San Diego; $48-$79; 619-570-1100.

COMEDY CLUBS

The Comedy Club at Pechanga -- Improvisational comedy club hosts three comics nightly; 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; Pechanga Improv Comedy Club, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $22; 877-711-2946.

Comedy Store La Jolla -- New comedians nightly; 6:45 p.m. Sundays; 8 p.m. Wednesdays/Thursdays; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 916 Pearl St., La Jolla; $20 on Fridays/Saturdays; $8, Wednesdays; no cover/two-drink minimum, Sundays; 858-454-9176.

National Comedy Theatre --- San Diego-based improvisational comedy troupe creates on-the-spot skits from audience suggestions; appropriate for all audiences; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; National Comedy Theatre, 3717 India St., San Diego; $15, general; $12, students, seniors and military; 619-295-4999 or www.nationalcomedy.com.