BASIC's Big Art Night; Old Harbor Distilling's Grand Cocktail Contest

EAST VILLAGE— BASIC Urban Kitchen + Barxx is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a blowout version of its regular community-focused art night, dubbed The Big Art Night, the 12-hour celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23 from noon to midnight and will feature live art performances, live music and happy hour specials that'll run from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and include $3 draft beer, $4 well drinks and $5 wine. The event is free to attend but donations will benefit local organization ARTS (A Reason to Survive). [EaterWire]

DOWNTOWN— Old Harbor Distilling Co. is partnering with The Westgate Hotel for the sure-to-be-epic San Diego Masters' Cocktail Challenge. Held on Saturday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown hotel's Versailles Ballroom, it will showcase some of the city's top drink makers — David Tye of Lion’s Share, Stephen Kurpinsky of George’s at the Cove, Eric Johnson of Juniper & Ivy, Adam Lockridge of Prepkitchen, Ryan Andrews of Prohibition, Christian Siglin of Bracero, Ryan Walsh of Kettner Exchange and The Westgate's own Irving Gonzalez — competing to create the best drink featuring Ampersand, Old Harbor Distilling’s new cold pressed coffee liqueur. A panel of judges will decide the ultimate winner, but VIP ticket holders will be able to taste each cocktail entry; general admission tickets are also available. [EaterWire]

DEL MAR— The San Diego Cake Club is putting on the 33rd annual San Diego Confections for a Cause cake show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, a two-day event that includes a cake design competition, cake decorating classes, vendor booths and appearances by local food television personalities, including MasterChef Season 6 winner Claudia Sandoval, MasterChef Junior Nathan Odom and Sugar & Scribe's Maeve Rochford, winner of the Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship. Tickets are $8.50 per day or $16.00 for both days, with free admission for kids under eight. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charity of San Diego. [EaterWire]