Best Bets

Paper Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

This is not your everyday paper shuffling. “Origami—the Art of Paper Folding” takes a loving look at the ancient craft of creating swans, dragons, flowers, cranes and more, through July 21 at Mingei International Museum’s Escondido branch. 619-239-0003; mingei.org.

Reel Identity

The San Diego Latino Film Festival expands the lineup for the 14th annual event, March 8-18 at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center. Billed as “one of the few truly binational film festivals in the world,” it features the Borders on Film program (films addressing border issues like immigration and binational relations), the Cine Chileno Showcase (films from Chile), Cine Gay (LGBT themes), animation and more. 619-230-1938; sdlatinofilm.com.

Don’t Garden and Drive

Ah, spring, when Mother Nature awakens to blooms of azaleas, geraniums and . . . tequila? The 22nd annual Spring Home and Garden Show is at the Del Mar Fairgrounds March 2-4 with a new (lime?) twist: an authentic Mexican blue agave garden. Hundreds of exhibitors showcase home-improvement ideas, hands-on advice, new products and trends in home/garden design. Just remember to pace yourself. Friday, noon-7; Saturday, 10-7; Sunday, 10-5. 858-350-3738; springhomegardenshow.com.

Snow Day

You know you’ve made it big when your album is one of the year’s most downloaded on iTunes. And 2006 was that kind of breakthrough year for Ireland-bred rock band Snow Patrol, performing March 3 at Cox Arena. Their Eyes Open album went gold and has sold more than 800,000 copies. Listen for their hit “Chasing Cars” on reruns of Grey’s Anatomy. 619-220-8497; ticketmaster.com.

Gridiron to Green

The 15th annual Junior Seau Celebrity Golf Classic Weekend, March 10-12, honoring Warren Moon, kicks off with the Wild West–inspired Legends Party, open to the public, at 8 p.m. in Seau’s The Restaurant ($55 per ticket). The Team Seau Dinner & Auction ($300 per seat) is March 11 at La Costa Resort & Spa. 858-244-SEAU; juniorseau.org.

From Arabia to Ireland

The San Diego Symphony travels from the exotic strains of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, March 9-11, to the earthy merriment of a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, bolstered by Irish performers including the Brian Baynes Band (below) and the Bracken School of Irish Dance, March 16-18. Copley Symphony Hall, downtown, 619-235-0804; sandiegosymphony.com.

Whole Lotta Wiggling Going On

The Wiggles may not have wriggled their way into your consciousness if you’re over 6 or don’t have/know a kid that age, but the rest of the world knows to shout “Wake up, Jeff!” when the Purple Wiggle falls asleep onstage. The giggling, wiggling family-entertainment band brings its Racing to the Rainbow Live! show to Cox Arena March 9 at 3 and 6:30 p.m. 619-220- 8497; ticketmaster.com.

The Bickers of Pickles and Wickett

Courtroom capers and social conventions turned on their heads occupy The Uneasy Chair, Evan Smith’s witty comedy about a Victorian landlady suing a boarder who refuses to marry her, at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach through March 25. 858-481-1055; northcoastrep.org.

Altared Reality

Reverent they’re not. Heavenly, however, they definitely are. The Christian boy-band spoof Altar Boyz crosses from parochial parody to halo-skewing hilarity, dancing into downtown’s Civic Theatre March 6-11 for Broadway/San Diego. 619-570-1100; broadwaysd.com.

Not-So-Private Dancer

Australian dance company Chunky Move crashes—quite literally—onto the UCSD ArtPower! roster with “I Want To Dance Better at Parties.” In the quirky piece, five men express their feelings about dancing in public, revealing the “humor, anxiety and beauty of movement in men’s lives.” March 8 at 8 p.m. Mandeville Auditorium, La Jolla, 858-534-TIXS; artpower.ucsd.edu.

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