Best Bets

Pedal Power

The Ride4AIDS bike ride rolls through San Diego April 1, benefiting the UCSD School of Medicine’s AIDS Research Institute and Being Alive San Diego, a nonprofit support and service organization for those with HIV/AIDS. Three routes vary in length and terrain: 10 miles (9 a.m. start), 25 (8 a.m.) or 50 (7 a.m.). Entry fee $25-$35, depending on route. Registration: 619-291-1400.

Handling the Truth

The gloves come off with Eve Ensler’s The Treatment, which examines the parallels between torture and psychiatric treatment. Moxie Theatre undertakes the tough subject April 6-29 at the Lyceum Theatre in Horton Plaza. 619-544-1000; moxietheatre.com.

Spirited Renditions

San Diego’s Dale Morris was so moved by his experience working on a play about survivors of the Rwandan genocide, he founded Resilience of the Spirit: Human Rights Festival 2007, staged throughout the month at Hillcrest’s 6th @ Penn Theatre. Comprising monologues, one-acts and full-length plays, the festival will “use the art of performance as a creative means to document human rights abuses and demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit.” 619-293-7904; resilienceofthespirit.com.

Parade of Hats

Break out the glitter, beads and feathers: It’s time for the annual Easter Bonnet Parade and Hat Contest, March 31, 10-3, at Petco Park at the Park. While the main event is the hat-making workshop (hats and decorating materials provided) and contest, there’s also the egg hunt for kids 2-12, in which 6,000 candy-filled eggs are scattered around the park. Educational activities and exhibits include SeaWorld educators. Advance admission for the workshop is $5 for kids, $10 for adults. Proceeds benefit the UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest Hematology/Oncology Department of Pediatrics Research. 619-233-5008; gaslamp.org.

Surf, Sun . . . and Sculpture

North County’s fastest-growing fine-arts event, the Oceanside Days of Art, showcases visual, performing and musical artists in Southern California. The 15th annual free, family-friendly festival takes place April 21 and 22, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Oceanside Civic Center and surrounding streets. More than 140 artists display paintings, sculpture, ceramics and blown glass; 200 performance artists and musicians entertain on several stages. 760-433-3632; oceanside-days-of-art.org.

The Next Scorsese?

Corral the kiddies for the fourth annual San Diego International Children’s Film Festival, presented by the Children’s Film Festival Company April 22–May 5 at the Museum of Photographic Arts and the WorldBeat Center in Balboa Park, featuring 70-plus animated and live-action movies for kids up to 17. Tickets are $5; admission is free for those 3 and younger. Animation and filmmaking workshops for ages 5 and up are offered at $10 per student. 760-470-2481; sdchildrensfilm.org.

Hold It Right There

The dynamics of the workplace make for dynamite comedy in Annie Weisman’s Hold Please, holding the fort at the Old Globe Theatre’s Cassius Carter Centre Stage March 31–May 6. 619-234-5623; theoldglobe.org.

Inner Wit and Wisdom

The title Wit may lead audiences to expect humor, but Margaret Edson’s play, at North Coast Repertory Theatre April 11–May 13, is instead a look at the sort of wit one needs to survive. San Diego favorite Rosina Reynolds stars. 858-481-1055; northcoastrep.org.

Love Your Mother

The largest free annual environmental fair in the world, EarthFair 2007, takes place April 22 (Earth Day), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in Balboa Park. Nearly 60,000 are expected at this year’s fair, themed “Cool Our Earth,” to peruse 200 exhibitor booths, Earth Day theme areas, a food pavilion, kids’ activity area, five entertainment venues, Children’s Earth Parade and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Parade & Show. 858-272-7370; earthdayweb.org.

Fiery Footwork, with Flute

“Flamenco Fire!” turns up the heat as the Camarada ensemble essays 10 flamenco-fueled works, with guitarist Fred Benedetti, flutist Beth Ross-Buckly and dancer Gloria Lanuza. April 15 at 6 in the Neurosciences Institute on Torrey Pines Mesa, April 20 at 7:30 in St. Paul’s Cathedral, downtown. 619-231-3702; camarada.org.

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