Our picks of this week's events, Jan. 21 to 27

ART

Taco Thursday

This Thursday, Jan. 22, from 6 to 10 p.m., Luce Loft (1037 J St., Downtown) will be transformed into a south-of-the-border wonderland in an event called HACER. Cuban-born artist Tocayo, who now calls North County home, will show some of his recent paintings while his Mexicana illustrations will be screen-printed onto T-shirts on the spot as the shirts are ordered. Tijuana-based DJ Lady D will also perform, and tacos, piñatas and cervezas will be enjoyed by all. Proceeds from the event, which is brought to you by the creative-minded folks over at Jedidiah Clothing and Sezio, will benefit the Gabriel House, a home for kids with disabilities in Ensenada. Donations accepted. www.sezio.org.

Art to heal: From 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Cream Coffee Bar (4496 Park Blvd., University Heights) will host an art show and benefit for Robin Hennequin, a San Diegan with a rare form of cancer who needs some help paying for treatment. There’ll be a silent auction featuring the artwork of some pretty kick-ass artists, including Richard Reyes, Sean Nana, Rukus, Fesh and Izzo. There will also be raffle prizes, free chair massages and music from Junior the Disco Punk and others. Donations at the door. www.creamcoffeebar.com.

Theater

Tosca turns up

On Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m., San Diego Opera will kick off its 44th season with Puccini’s Tosca. Last performed here in 2002, the opera is coming back to the Civic Theater (Third Avenue and B Street, Downtown) to entertain San Diegans with its intricate tale of crime, sex and deceit. Tosca will feature the company debut of two critically acclaimed performers: soprano Sylvie Valayre as Tosca and baritone Marcus Haddock as Cavaradossi. The performance will be preceded at 6 p.m. by 30-minute informative lectures about the production, which are free to all ticket holders. The opera will be performed through Wednesday, Feb. 4. $65-$200. www.sdopera.com.

FASHION

Wannabes

If you’re one of those people who find themselves, after your third Project Runway marathon of the weekend, saying, “I could do that,” then you’ll want to check out San Diego’s miniature version of the competition, Project Fashion. This one-day event will test the knowledge and skills of local designers and give them an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of an expert panel. The winner may not receive a spread in Elle, but he or she will get a full year scholarship to San Diego’s Fashion Careers College. The competition will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Fashions Career College (1923 Morena Blvd.) and is free and open to the public. Details and entry forms at www.fccprojectfashion.com.

MUSIC

Coffee and Fruit

Stephanie Schneiderman will bring her Portland-bred eclecticism to San Diego at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Lestat’s West, 3343 Adams Ave. in Normal Heights. Schneiderman will debut material from her new album, Dangerous Fruit, the product of a recent collaboration with Northwest electronic producer DJ Keith Schreiner. In her sixth album, Schneiderman takes her music in a new direction while remaining somewhat loyal to her folky roots. Fans of Goldfrapp, Feist and Beth Orton will appreciate her combo of pop, trip-hop, soul, electronica and folk. The show starts at 8 p.m. www.lestats.com.

POLITICS

Migration nation

The annual Western Migrant Stream Forum is geared toward clinicians, administrators, educators, advocates, researchers and students interested in serving the migrant and seasonal farm-worker communities, but this year, shutterbugs and art enthusiasts are invited to the conference to check out photographs from Karl W. Hoffman’s Living on the Border documentary series. From dramatic black and whites of tired migrants rubbing their feet to beautiful depictions of determined young Mexicans, the show is both aesthetically pleasing and educational. Living on the Border will be on view during the conference, from Jan. 23 through 25, with an opening reception from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Hilton Hotel, 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd in Del Mar. www.nwrpca.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS

ASR after party

As the action-sports industry converges in San Diego for the big Action Sports Retailer (ASR) expo at the Convention Center from Jan. 24 through 26, businesses and bars around town will be switching up their programming to meet the needs of the skaters, surfers and the rest of the tribal-tattoo-sporting folk who think you’re not living unless you’re flying through the air on some sort of board or bike. There are countless unofficial ASR after-parties going on, but your best bet is stopping by Two Roses Inc. (2181 Logan Ave. in Barrio Logan) at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, for a screening of Deathbowl to Downtown, a film about the evolution of skateboarding in New York City. The Creepy Creeps will perform a quick set before the film. And at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Two Roses is hosting a Rockers vs. Mods meet-and-greet featuring the bands Meatwagon and Dead as Dillinger. Food and drinks will be served. All ages. Free.

LECTURES

Women and wealth

In Misfortunes of Wealth, longtime San Diego journalist James O. Goldsborough takes a look at his own family’s history in order to explore the impact inherited wealth can have on a person’s sense of self. Goldsborough will talk about his new book and discuss the future under Barack Obama and the effect of the recession on women and the global community. Goldsborough will be joined by Nancy Jamison, executive director of San Diego Grantmakers, who’ll talk about effective philanthropy and how, women especially, can play a vital role in supporting nonprofits even in hard times. The forum, sponsored by Voices of Women, will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s Peace and Justice Theatre on the University of San Diego campus. Free. RSVP at rsvp@voicesofwomen.org.

The image on this page is "Untitled" by Tocayo.