It was 1967. While her dusty tire was attended to, Becket wandered off to a dilapidated recreation hall nearby. Inside, she saw a stage caving in, walls covered in mud, and floors warped from flood damage, but as she peeked through the cracked door, the structure whispered to her. We could make magic together.

When the allure of California called, Becket—a lifelong New Yorker who was then in her 40s—answered with a singular passion few have matched. An artist to the core, trained to dance, paint, and play piano, Becket cast aside her Broadway life and moved to Death Valley Junction (population: a handful), setting up shop in the squalor. The place had potential, after all, even if only she could see it. This project would be her opus.

Renting the theater for $45 a month, Becket paid for repairs and got to work painting an ornate mural depicting a permanent audience on the walls, with cherubs rejoicing on the ceiling. She changed the building’s name to the Amargosa Opera House and, in 1968, began performing original dances and acts for a few people at a time—or sometimes none at all. It wasn’t about fame, it was about freedom.

But fame came nonetheless. National Geographic wrote about her, as did Life. People were curious to see the ballerina in the desert. For more than four decades, Becket performed on her fixed-up stage, delighting and inspiring countless theater lovers willing to make the trek to nowhere.

Along the way, Becket became owner of the entire town, which she turned over to a nonprofit organization that now oversees Death Valley Junction, including the opera house and an adjoining hotel.

Becket would have turned 100 this year. Though she died in 2017, her legacy continues. Business operations took a hit during Covid, but the opera house still offers daily tours and hosts sporadic shows on that famous stage.

“Even if you’re not an artist, you have to appreciate what she was about,” Amargosa Board of Directors President Fred Conboy says. “She was a courageous and audacious woman. There’s nobody like Marta.”

The post The Odd Little Opera House in the Middle of Nowhere appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Food and Drink | Festivals and Art | Concerts and Theater | More Things to Do

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

Solstice Soirée

June 14

The Old Globe is starting its summer season off with a bash worthy of the Bard himself. The Solstice Soirée fundraiser, taking place from 6 to 11 p.m. at JULEP Venue this Friday, will feature crafted concoctions from Snake Oil Cocktails, live music, and interactive theater fun. The highlight? Several of the city’s best chefs are coming together to create distinctive dishes that pay homage to the theater’s upcoming programming. Tickets are $85 for general admission and $150 for VIP passes, which include perks like access to a secret garden with an open bar and chef station. 

1735 Hancock Street, Mission Hills

City Heights Street Food Fest

June 15

Can’t find the City Heights Street Food Fest? Just follow the aroma of meat charred to perfection and the sugary scent of mouthwatering sweet treats. The fourth iteration of the culinary block party includes art, live music, and worldwide cuisine from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. While kids receive free admission, adults can expect to pay $15 ($10 if you live in City Heights). All tickets can be purchased here. Proceeds from the event will go towards housing and job assistance and additional services for those in the City Heights neighborhood.

University Avenue between 37th and 38th Street, City Heights

Rooftop Lobster Cookout

June 15–16

This weekend, Mister A’s serves up a rooftop Father’s Day brunch in support of the Monarch School. The cookout fundraiser’s featured dish is a seafood boil special: lobster in a Cajun lemongrass broth with Manilla clams, crab legs, red potatoes, andouille sausage, and corn on the cob. The menu, from Mister A’s executive chef Stephane Voizwinkler, will also include dishes like stone fruit with Iberico ham and a Southern eggs benedic. While dining on French-inspired fare, guests can enjoy live music by City Lights Jazz Trio and students from the Monarch School. Reserve your Father’s Day brunch spot here. 

2550 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill 

Festivals & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend

Binational Youth Poster Exhibition

Opens June 13

As part of World Design Capital 2024, WDC 2024 Club has launched a Binational Youth Poster Exhibition, selecting 16 young artists from the San Diego-Tijuana region to take part in a collaborative project. Each artist designed a unique poster expressing ideas for how the area can grow and thrive. The showcase opens with a reception this Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at UC San Diego Park & Market and remains on display through August 30 at the East Village venue and at Casa de la Cultura in Tijuana. RSVP for the reception here. 

100 Market Street, East Village 

Kinfolk Fest

June 15

SD Melanin is throwing a Juneteenth party at Waterfront Park this Saturday from 12 to 9 p.m., offering live music, wellness activities, and the opportunity to shop from local Black-owned businesses. A 21-plus event, Kinfolk Fest also promises tasty food, drinks, and art installations and an afternoon of community-building that centers Black joy. General admission is $35. $100 VIP passes come with expedited entry, luxury restrooms, cash bar access, exclusive photo ops, and top-shelf Uncle Nearest whiskey. 

1600 Pacific Coast Highway, Embarcadero 

San Diego Wooden Boat Festival

June 15–16

San Diego’s most devout sea dogs will show off their meticulously detailed wooden boats to the public this weekend. Admire 50 boats and enjoy live music, local artists, and vendor booths at Koehler Kraft Boatyard & Marina from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 per day for kids and $10 per day for adults; children under 6 years old will receive free admission.

2302 Shelter Island Drive, Point Loma

Concerts & Theater in San Diego This Weekend

Santee Summer Concert Series

June 13

The summertime concert series at Town Center Community Park East returns with new weekly shows and local food truck lineups every Thursday (except July 4th) through August 15. San Diego band Cassie B will perform a medley of Top 40 hits at the season’s first concert this Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Featured food vendors include Born in Brooklyn, Delish Dogs, Gelu California, Sapos Tacos, and Sweet Treats. Rescues A Way Home for Dogs and Rugers Rescues will bring along pups for you to meet and adopt. Residents are welcome to bring beer and wine to sip on during the show, but glass containers are not allowed. 

550 Park Center Drive, Santee

Bro-Am 2024 Benefit Party & Beach Fest

June 13 & 15

San Diego alt-rock band Switchfoot’s marquee fundraising event celebrates two decades of community philanthropy with a swanky benefit party and a free waterfront festival. From 6 to 10 p.m. this Thursday, the Bro-Am benefit party will bring silent and live auctions, food and beverage samples, and a Switchfoot concert to a private event space in North County. Tickets for reserved seats are $375 and general admission is $275. On Saturday at Moonlight Beach, the Bro-Am Beach Fest will run 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with several surfing events—including the iconic surf jousting—plus live music from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., with Switchfoot headlining. ⁠Proceeds from the 2024 Bro-Am benefit several San Diego-based nonprofits, including A Step Beyond, Feeding San Diego, and Save The Music Foundation. 

⁠252 5th Street, Encinitas

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend

2024 USA Surfing Championships 

Through June 15

Cheer on the champions of the ocean one wave at a time. Now through Saturday, San Diegans can settle on the sand near Oceanside Pier and spectate this year’s USA Surfing Championships. Dozens of the best youth and adult surfers in the country will compete to win hardware and represent their nation in International Surfing Association World Championships events. 

1374 North Pacific Street, Oceanside 

San Diego County Fair 

Through July 7

San Diegans will converge on the Del Mar Fairgrounds for four weeks of fun at the San Diego County Fair. This week at the fairgrounds, attendees can check out concerts from Kolohe Kai (June 12) and TLC (June 14). At the Fair-Tastic Food Competition (June 14), San Diego Mag’s own Troy Johnson will serve as a judge, selecting the best (and most indulgent) fair bites. Kids 5 years old and younger receive free admission daily, while kids ages 6 to 12 get in gratis on Fridays. General admission tickets for adults (ages 13–61) are $16 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $20 Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Fairgoers can buy their tickets online 24 hours or more in advance and save 20 percent on the day’s ticket price.

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar

Love Isn’t Blind

June 13

Hosted and created by comedian Allison Goldberg, Love Isn’t Blind is a dating show that puts men firmly in the hot seat. In this interactive comedic experience, coming to Mic Drop Comedy this Thursday night at 7 p.m., a group of men let Goldberg put them through the ringer in exchange for the chance to go on a date with a bachelorette contestant immediately after the show. Goldberg will go through their phones, call up their moms, and not let them talk… at all. Audience members also get in on the fun by wearing wristbands that indicate relationship status, and a “wingcouple” will help pair up singles in the audience—so if you’ve been keeping up with Nicolle Monico’s Unhinged, A Dating Series column and are looking to expand your dating horizons, here is your chance. Tickets for Thursday’s show can be purchased online for $25. 

8878 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Kearny Mesa

ChuckyMania: A Community Celebration with San Diego FC

June 13

San Diego FC has inked its first designated player: Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. The beloved Mexican winger, who has earned 70 caps for the Mexican National Team and been an integral part of multiple league titles overseas, will join the SDFC on a four-year contract at the start of the new year. To celebrate the occasion, SDFC is hosting a community fan fest at the Rady Shell this Thursday with live music, an appearance from the city’s newest soccer star, and much more. Fans can claim up to two free tickets to this event, and gates will open at 6 p.m. for the festivities at 7:30 p.m. 

222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero

Father’s Day Car Show 

June 16

More than 150 classic cars will be on display at Belmont Park for the 11th annual Father’s Day Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday. Attendees can get an up-close look at a wide variety of retro automobiles, explore caricature art and live music from Beach Vibe Band and JB Saxx, chow down on burgers and hot dogs hot off the grill, and grab drinks from a Chevy suburban beer truck with four Pizza Port Brewing Co. drafts on board. 

3146 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach

The post 13 Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend: June 13–16 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

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Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

San Diego Magazine‘s Best of North County Party

June 7

Want to party with San Diego Mag and North County’s most influential tastemakers? Have your fill of unlimited food and drink offerings from the area’s standout restaurants, distilleries, brands, and more at the Carlsbad Flower Fields this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests can also take part in golden hour photo-ops, listen to live music, and check out over 40 local vendors. General admission to this 21-plus party is $85 per person. 

5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad

San Diego Brew Festival

June 8

The 13th annual San Diego Brew Festival is back with food trucks, live music, and many, many beers. This 21-plus event at Liberty Station NTC Park is a craft beer lover’s paradise, with more than 70 local breweries serving up a couple hundred different selections—from hazy IPAs to malty pale ales—plus several food trucks, lawn games, and cover-band concerts to enjoy. Ticket options include $50 general admission passes, which get you access to the brews from 1 to 4 p.m., and $65 VIP passes, which come with an extra hour of sipping from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., as well as specialty pours. 

2455 Cushing Road, Point Loma

Concerts & Theater in San Diego This Weekend

Mrs. Doubtfire at the San Diego Civic Theatre

Through June 9

In this musical adaptation of the beloved 1993 Robin Williams movie, a down-on-his-luck actor desperately attempts to reconnect with his family by posing as an eccentric Scottish nanny. As expected, hijinks and hilarity ensue. Following successful stints on Broadway and abroad, the musical heads to the San Diego Civic Theatre for eight shows. Tickets for Mrs. Doubtfire start at $48.

1100 Third Avenue, Downtown

Pásale Pásale at Bayfront Charter High School

Through June 30 

Written by Mario Vega with music and lyrics from Eliza Vedar, Pásale Pásale—a poignant love letter to South Bay—continues its month-long run at Bayfront Charter School. TuYo Theatre’s new musical (which premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls Festival earlier this year) tells the story of a community coming together when vendor fees are raised at the local swap meet. Ticket prices range from $25 to $39. 

830 Bay Boulevard, Chula Vista

The Ballad of Johnny and June at the La Jolla Playhouse

Through July 7

The La Jolla Playhouse hosts the world premiere of The Ballad of Johnny and June, a musical detailing the passionate and sometimes volatile love story of country music’s beloved “it couple.” There will be four performances of The Ballad of Johnny and June this weekend, and tickets start at $25. 

2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla

Janet Jackson & Nelly Concert at SDSU

June 6

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Janet Jackson stops by the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater this weekend, performing crowd favorites from her hit-heavy discography. The concert will also feature rap legend Nelly, known for addictive chart-toppers like “Hot In Herre” and “Ride Wit Me.” Tickets for Thursday night’s performance start at $40.75. 

2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista

Festivals & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend

room in a room in a room at (LOS/NR) Gallery

Opens June 6

Through July 14, new La Jolla gallery levels of service not required (LOS/NR) hosts its first-ever exhibition, room in a room in a room. The show’s group of eight local artists includes photographers, psychologists, and woodworkers. This Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m., room in a room in a room will open with a free reception featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony and free soft-serve ice cream cones. 

7910 Ivanhoe Avenue, La Jolla

Teen Arts Collective Showcase at MCASD

June 7–9

Interconnections: The Relationships that Form Us will showcase the work of 20 high school juniors and seniors from San Diego County for one weekend only at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Museum visitors can hear from the young artists and enjoy refreshments and a local DJ set during the museum’s Teen Night event this Friday at 4:30 p.m. The free exhibition will be on display in the Axline Court gallery from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

700 Prospect Street, La Jolla

Latino Book & Family Festival

June 8

At MiraCosta College from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, the 74th annual Latino Book & Family Festival brings together more than 120 educational, health, and author-led booths; a food village; bilingual workshops; and more. Keynote speakers at this free event include La Bamba writer and director Luis Valdez; Dr. Beatriz Villareal, director of the Mano a Mano Foundation; and author and O’side lifer Victor Villaseñor. The night before the fest, catch a screening of La Bamba at the Little Theatre on campus at 7:30 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served.

1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside

San Diego Greek Festival

June 8–9

St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church hosts the San Diego Greek Festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Spend the weekend watching folk music and dance performances and sampling Greek bites, beers, wines, and spirits—but be sure to go easy on the ouzo. General admission is $4, and children under the age of 12 get in for free. A complimentary park-and-ride shuttle will take off from the San Diego Unified School District lot (4301 Campus Avenue) every ten minutes throughout the festival. 

3655 Park Boulevard, North Park

More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend

Giro Di San Diego GranFondo Bike Race

June 8

Cyclists can test their endurance on this Tour de France–esque ride through inland San Diego. Riders will start bright and early at Ryan Park with the choice of 20-, 32-, 56-, and 95-mile ride options. Once you cross the finish line, celebrate with a beer garden, live music, and the greatest reward of all: an Italian feast. There’s still time to register for this long-distance ride. 

390 Hidden Trails Road, Escondido

Queer Mvmnt Fest at the City Heights Performance Annex

June 9–15

This week-long movement and arts festival kicks off Sunday with free dance workshops and performances at City Heights Performance Annex from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Bring blankets and chairs to stay comfy during the outdoor happenings!) Highlighting local queer artists, the week-long event series includes workshops, panels, and live performances throughout San Diego and Tijuana. All offerings are free, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP ahead of time.

795 Fairmount Avenue, City Heights

The post 13 Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend: June 6–9 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Food and Drink | Concerts and Theater | Festivals and Art | More Things to Do

Food & Drink Events in San Diego

Taste of Hillcrest

April 13

Take a self-guided tour of one of San Diego’s most fun and flavorful neighborhoods this Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. with Taste of Hillcrest. More than 25 local cafés, eateries, and restaurants will offer up samples, including sips like specialty cocktails and cold brew and eats such as sashimi and brownie bites. Taste of Hillcrest passes are $40 and can be purchased here. | 5th Avenue and University Avenue, Hillcrest

Celebrate the Craft 

April 14

From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, SoCal’s culinary community will show out in full force for the 21st annual Celebrate the Craft, a festival dedicated to cooking, winemaking, and agricultural excellence. Taste the region’s finest ingredients and celebrate the area’s top tastemakers and artisans with samples of SoCal’s best wine, craft beer, and dining delights. VIP tickets are already sold out, but general admission passes are still available for $250. A portion of the proceeds from the festivities will go to The Ecology Center. | 11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla

Concerts & Theater in San Diego

BRAT

April 12 & 13

Taking inspiration from the real-life experiences of children from military families, Wendy Maples’ BRAT revolves around the life of a military kid who must grapple with constant moves and work to create new friendships in unfamiliar places. The Light Box Theater’s two performances of BRAT (Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m.) are free for audiences; sign up for a ticket to attend. | 2590 Truxtun Road Suite 205, Liberty Station

Billy Joel & Sting

April 13

Music legends Billy Joel and Sting share the stage at Petco Park for a special concert this Saturday night. The two icons——the minds behind iconic hits and karaoke essentials like “Piano Man,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and “Roxanne”—recently launched their co-headlining tour, and this concert is their only performance together on the West Coast. Tickets are still available for the show, starting at $98. | 100 Park Boulevard, East Village

The 39 Steps

April 13–May 12

Opening this Saturday night, The 39 Steps is an adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 spy thriller of the same name. Whereas Hitchcock’s adventure film leaves audiences on the edge of their seats, the parodic stage version puts a comedic and romantic spin on the dramatic source material. Directed by AJ Knox, The 39 Steps will run on the Ray Charles Stage at New Village Arts for over twenty shows through mid-May. | 2787 State Street, Carlsbad

Festivals & Art Exhibits in San Diego

Duke Windsor: Reflections

Through April 28

See Reflections from Mt. Helix–based artist Duke Windsor at the exhibition’s free opening reception this Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Sparks Gallery. Windsor brings a touch of magic to his acrylic paintings of everyday San Diego sights by giving our beloved city gold-leaf skies. Catch the show through April 28. | 530 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp

San Diego Arab Film Festival

April 12–13, 19–21

The 13th annual San Diego Arab Film Festival kicks off this Friday at The Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art. A 7:20 p.m. screening features the short film I Am From Palestine and the feature film A House in Jerusalem. The festival, from local nonprofit KARAMA, will host eight screenings in total, each highlighting one full-length feature and one short film, with the intention of celebrating cinema from countries such as Lebanon, Palestine, and Morocco. After Friday night’s screening, see two on Saturday (6:10 p.m. and 8:25 p.m.). Each evening of the festival will be followed by a cafeteria-style Arabic dinner ($15). Tickets for individual screenings ($15), three screenings ($40), and all eight screenings ($80) are available. | 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park

South Bay Earth Day

April 13

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bayfront Park, South Bay will celebrate Earth Day in a big way with several environmentally friendly activities and zero-waste exhibits. At this free event hosted by the City of Chula Vista, learn more about living an eco-conscious lifestyle thanks to demonstrations on composting, green energy conservation, and diminishing your carbon footprint. The event will also feature a bike-only valet, a fix-it clinic for broken items, live entertainment, organic food, and more than 40 sustainable vendors. | 980 Marina Way, Chula Vista 

San Diego Made Spring Market

April 13

The 10th annual San Diego Made Spring Market arrives in La Mesa Village this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shop niche finds and beautiful crafts from more than 120 local makers, artisans, and artists. The free market will also include mini golf, face painting, a beer and wine garden, an abstract painting workshop, and high tea service. But the fun’s not over yet—attendees can expect gourmet food trucks, live music from local musicians, craft stations, photo ops, a variety of discounts and deals, and a scavenger hunt for the chance to earn prizes. | 8111 Orange Avenue, La Mesa

Rolando Street Fair

April 14

The Rolando Street Fair takes over Rolando Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Sunday, with more than 100 local vendor booths showcasing San Diego’s vibrant local businesses. Attendees can enjoy performances from local bands, including School of Rock San Diego and Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra, plus tasty craft brews and bites from dozens of San Diego food trucks. Kids can get in on the block party fun, too, with the $5 kids zone, where they can spend the afternoon climbing walls and inflatables, playing games, and making crafts. | Rolando Boulevard, Rolando Village

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego

The Bulls of Sant’Agata Charge Little Italy

Sunday April 14

Instead of the loud grunt of a bull raring to charge anyone wearing red, onlookers will hear the engine purr of pristine Italian icons as The Little Italy Association and O’Gara Coach San Diego team up once again for the Bulls of Sant’Agata Charge Little Italy this Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. More than 20 classic and rare Lamborghinis, also referred to as “Italian bulls,” will cruise down India Street and give car lovers the chance to see the automotive beauties up close for free while enjoying live music and entertainment in the heart of Little Italy. | India Street between West Fir and West Grape Streets, Little Italy

The post 11 Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend: April 11–14 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

La Jolla Playhouse’s newest world premiere musical, Redwood, follows Jesse, a self-proclaimed perfectionist who fills her days and nights with work in the wake of the loss of her son, Spencer. It quickly becomes clear that she and her wife, Mel, have very different means of coping: where Mel needs to process the grief, Jesse veers away from it—and, eventually, into the driver’s seat of a car, fleeing across the country. 

She ultimately lands in the redwood forest of Eureka, California. It is only there, under a canopy of stars and branches which stretch to the sky, that Jesse is finally able to breathe. 

Then, she meets scholars and scientists Finn and Becca, adventurers seeking answers in the treetops of the giants. Jesse decides that maybe she, too, needs to shed the tethers of pain that hold her back and reach for the sky.

Playwright and director Tina Landau conceived of Redwood in collaboration with star Idina Menzel. Landau also contributed lyrics to music by Kate Diaz. The production features a small but mighty cast of Broadway veterans: Menzel as Jesse, De’Adre Aziza as Mel, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Becca, Michael Park as Finn, and Zachary Noah Piser as Spencer (and others). Their experience and skill are undeniable as they navigate the new material, integrate choreographic elements into their ascension to the treetops, and nail the show’s tight harmonies.

In many ways, the talent onstage is a boon for a show that feels unfinished. While the plot elements are relevant and current, tackling both mental health crises and a fentanyl overdose, the examination of each character’s backstory is emotionally taxing and, if anything, detracts from the primary plot line. References made to Finn’s family, for example, go nowhere. And, though we hope Jesse can find peace in the face of loss, the character’s monologic suicidal ideation and ongoing inconsideration for others make it difficult to connect emotionally with her journey.

Furthermore, while the songs are lovely and well-performed, they are also stagnant, rarely advancing the plot or connecting us with the characters, with the exception of a handful of numbers: “The Place” (the production’s opening tune), “Becca’s Song,” “No Repair,” and “Still.”

However, Redwood is visually stunning and immersive. A blank canvas space is brought to life by projections and animations under the creative eye of media designer Hana S. Kim, paired with a floor-to-ceiling redwood on which the characters climb and dance. Stretching around the perimeter of the theater, the projected forest is lush, vibrant, intoxicating, and, ultimately, when paired with the polished vocals of the show’s performers, reason enough to attend.

It will be interesting to see how this show grows and develops over its run and in the years to come. My advice? Enjoy Redwood as a concert. Look beyond its inexplicably sentient inanimate objects, stacked traumas, and lengthiness. Soak in the setting and the songs. I’d wager that in there you’ll see the seeds of something that, like the redwoods, stands to root someday.

Redwood runs at La Jolla Playhouse’s Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre through March 31.

The post Review: Idina Menzel’s World Premiere of “Redwood” appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Chicago at the San Diego Civic Theatre

An irresistibly fun tale of dueling showgirls vying for the media spotlight, Chicago brings “Cell Block Tango,” “Razzle Dazzle,” and several other iconic musical numbers to the San Diego Civic Theatre for eight upcoming performances. Set in the Windy City during its illustrious Jazz Age, this sensationalist story of murder, romance, and courtroom drama runs through Sunday. Tickets start at $68.
1100 Third Avenue, Downtown

February 16

Clarice & Sérgio Assad at The JAI

The La Jolla Music Society hosts the father-daughter duo of Clarice and Sérgio Assad for a pair of concerts this Friday night at The JAI. Guitarist Sergio and vocalist Clarice combine elements of classical, pop, and jazz music to channel the diverse sounds of their Brazilian homeland. The 6 p.m. show is already sold out, but tickets for the 8:30 p.m. concert are still available, ranging from $35 to $63.
7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla

February 16–18

San Diego Tét Festival in Mira Mesa

This free, three-day festival at Mira Mesa Community Park offers activities, games, food, lion dancing, firecrackers, and more to celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. The San Diego Tét Festival also features two stages with live entertainment, including singing, dancing, talent contests, and the annual Miss Vietnam of San Diego pageant. Attendees can also catch an opening “lucky red envelope” ceremony featuring several city officials and explore a cultural village, a petting zoo, a beer garden, and carnival rides.
8575 New Salem Street, Mira Mesa

Opens February 17

Ving Simpson: Inside Out at the Oceanside Museum of Art

Through May 12, the Oceanside Museum of Art’s newest exhibition showcases art made with silver, bronze, wood, and found objects in Oceanside-based artist Ving Simpson’s local studio. Also on display this weekend at OMA is The Teeny Tiny Art Mart, a sale of five-by-five-inch canvases from several regional artists. The market runs through March 10.
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside

February 17

San Diego Made Factory Flood Relief Fundraiser in Logan Heights

This Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., Bread & Salt hosts a night of food, art, and fundraising as San Diego Made Factory drums up money for local residents who were affected by the recent citywide flooding. The all-ages event includes a silent auction of artwork from resident artists at The Factory, plus spoken word poetry, live music, a food truck, and several local vendors. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP in advance, and donations are accepted online and at the door.
1955 Julian Avenue, Logan Heights

Peter and the Wolf at The Joan B. Kroc Theatre

The City Ballet of San Diego presents two family-friendly ballets at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre: Peter and the Wolf and Stravinsky Pieces. With the goal of teaching local children about music and dance, this show features dances orchestrated by resident choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich and is a great entry point to the world of ballet. Prior to the show, little ticket-holders can enjoy crafts, coloring, and photo ops with the dancers when the lobby opens at 1:30 p.m. Admission to the show and all activities costs $25 per person. | 6611 University Avenue, Rolando

February 17–18

Jason Mraz Foundation Presents “Kaleidoscope” in Escondido

The Jason Mraz Foundation hosts a special musical performance this Saturday at 3 p.m at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Grammy-winning artist Jason Mraz will perform alongside dozens of San Diego students from eight local performing arts programs, including Diversionary Theatre, Tap Fever Studios, Banding Together, and Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts. The event is intended to highlight and support these nonprofits, which have all received grants from the foundation.
340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido

Generational Black Pioneers Featuring Oceanside Firsts

Presented by Oceanside Theatre Company, the Oceanside Historical Society, and Bliss Tea & Treats, Generational Black Pioneers Featuring Oceanside Firsts celebrates San Diego’s Black history milestones while illustrating how the struggle for civil rights still persists today. This production recounts the stories of San Diego County’s first Black mayor (Terry Johnson), police chief (Kedrick Sadler), and Oceanside Chamber of Commerce president (Robbie Hass), along with the first Black teachers in Oceanside’s school district. This multimedia theater performance at Brooks Theater takes audiences back to the turbulent 1960s with shows Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for $20.
217 North Coast Highway, Oceanside

February 17–19

San Diego Surf Festival in Mission Bay

The 10th annual San Diego Surf Festival arrives this Saturday with 23 new international films from far-flung locales such as New Zealand, Ghana, South Africa, and Ireland. Attendees can watch screenings of documentaries and short films at the San Diego Mission Bay Boat and Ski Club and enjoy parties, art receptions, body surfing, and the Jen Smith Aloha Invitational honoring local surfboard-making legend Skip Frye. Tickets ($10 for adults, $5 for children) can be purchased for each block of three to four films. A limited number of all-inclusive Nautilus Passes are available for $52.50.
2606 North Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay

February 18

Super Book V at Admiral Baker Golf Course

Fresh off the Swiftie Super Bowl, San Diego bibliophiles can enjoy a day with 20 best-selling authors at Super Book V from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Admiral Baker Golf Course Clubhouse this Sunday. The fifth iteration of this annual author showcase promises keynote speakers, a continental breakfast, and a gourmet lunch, plus activities like book signings, photo ops, and meet and greets. Tickets to Super Book V are $155 and include the option to order books from the participating authors for an additional cost.
2400 Admiral Baker Road, Mission Gorge

Daygo Eatz Food Market in Encanto

This free afternoon market from The Mental Bar, Black San Diego, and Pillars of the Community celebrates Black History Month and highlights local Black-owned businesses and Black artists from 12 to 4:45 p.m. this Sunday. The Daygo Eatz street fair will take up nine blocks of San Diego’s Encanto neighborhood and feature local vendor pop-ups, an art walk, and live entertainment, including spoken word performances. The event also has a strong focus on health and fitness, with activities hosted by Movement Matters Collective and Fit, Black and Educated, Inc. at Marie Widman Park.
449 Ritchey Street, Encanto

The Ten Tenors: Greatest Hits Live at The Poway Center for Performing Arts

Australian singing supergroup The Ten Tenors offer a program of their greatest hits—spanning nearly every singing genre imaginable—during this Sunday-night show at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Starting at 7 p.m., the music ensemble from Down Under brings beautiful harmonies and show-stopping charisma that will leave audiences spellbound. Tickets for the concert range from $34 to $94.
15498 Espola Road, Poway

The post The Best Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: Feb. 15–18 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

San Diego Museum Month

Skip the gooey grocery store chocolates and, instead, treat your Valentine to a pair of tickets for Museum Month. For 29 days, admission to more than 60 museums, historic sites, gardens, aquariums, and zoos in San Diego will be half-off. Head to your local public library to pick up your free pass, or download it online.

February 1

David Maass Book Signing at Warwick’s

Longtime San Diego journalist and ex-CityBeat editor Dave Maass returns to town for a book signing at Warwick’s in La Jolla, which will be moderated by KPBS arts journalist and author Julia Dixon Evans. Maass, who lives in Reno now and is the director of investigations at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, just published Death Strikes, a graphic novel based on a suppressed opera written in 1943 by Peter Kien and Viktor Ullmann, two prisoners at the Terezín concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. The authors did not live to see their masterpiece performed, but now Maass has helped bring their work back into the light. Tickets are $25 and include a copy of the book.

February 1-8

English at the Old Globe

A Pulitzer Prize–winning production is coming to the Old Globe. Set in Iran, English, a funny, tender new play by Sanaz Toossi, follows four adult students prepping for an English proficiency test that, if passed, promises new opportunities.

February 2

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo at the Balboa Theatre

Even the formidable stars at Lips don’t do drag quite like this: en pointe. Founded in 1974, all-male dance troupe Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo take on dazzling choreography at the Balboa Theatre while exaggerating, to hilarious effect, the haphazard slips inherent to live performances.

February 2, 4

Don Giovanni at the Civc Theatre

Considered one of the greatest operas ever, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, a retelling of the classic Don Juan story, traces the famous womanizer’s conquests and eventual downfall. In two shows at the San Diego Civic Theatre, the orchestra joins the San Diego Opera’s cast of singers on stage.

February 7, 14, 21

South Bay Open Aire Market

South Bay‘s favorite farmers market lines up dozens of vendors every Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. Head to the Chula Vista Golf Course parking lot for fresh produce, local art, and other finds.

February 29

Bianca Del Rio at the Balboa Theatre

A dimple-cheeked queen is coming to town to read us to filth: Bianca Del Rio. Also known as Roy R. Haylock, the winner of the sixth season of Ru Paul’s Drag Race will hit the Balboa Theatre on her Dead Inside World Comedy Tour for a night of snarky jokes and jaw-dropping glam.

February 13-18

Chicago at the San Diego Civic Theatre

Travel to the Windy City, no airline points necessary. Chicago drops by the San Diego Civic Theatre, weaving a glitzy tale of vaudeville, homicide, and fame in the Jazz Age.

February 15-18

Failure: A Love Story at the North Coast Repertory

At the North Coast Repertory Theatre, Philip Dawkins’ Failure: A Love Story follows three sisters through life and death in a musical fable narrated, in part, by the pets and clocks that dwell in the trio’s family clock shop near Lake Michigan.

February 25

San Diego Magazine‘s Taste of South Bay

Savor the culinary delights of San Diego’s southernmost cities at SDM’s newest event: Taste of South Bay. Bring your friends and family (children are welcome) to this all-you-can-eat-and-drink fair celebrating the South Bay’s best bites, sips, and goods at Novo Brazil Brewing in Imperial Beach.

February 29

“Making Waves: Summit to Sea” at Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

Rock-climber-turned-marine-photographer Andy Mann is making a splash at La Jolla’s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center with his “Making Waves: Summit to Sea” chat, part of the Conrad’s ongoing speaker series. Tracing encounters with crocodiles, sharks, and icebergs, Mann’s work aligns with his mission to protect the ocean.

The post San Diego Events Calendar: February 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

WSL Junior Championships 

The world’s best youth surfers will compete in Oceanside this week during the WSL World Junior Championships, stoked for the chance to earn a wildcard spot in the Challenger Series. This is the first time Oceanside will host the competition. Of the 24 men surfing, keep an eye out for Brazilian surf prodigy Ryan Kainalo, Encinitas native Levi Slawson, and reigning WSL World Junior Champion Jarvis Earle. On the women’s side, Australian Sierra Kerr, Canadian phenom Erin Brooks, and Malibu’s own Talia Swindal are among the frontrunners for the title. 

1 Oceanside Pier, Oceanside

The Wiz

Before The Wiz officially returns to Broadway in April, the show is embarking on a cross-country theater tour for the first time in four decades, with a series of eight shows planned at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Adapted from L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz is acclaimed for its funk and R&B-filled score that produced timeless songs like “Ease on Down the Road,” and “A Brand New Day.” With a crew of Tony-, Emmy- and Academy Award–winning artists, this modern-day production of The Wiz incorporates ballet, jazz and pop music to take the Emerald City to the 21st century. 

1100 Third Avenue, Downtown

January 11-15

Borrego Springs Film Festival

Local film fanatics are being summoned for five days in the desert to enjoy narrative, documentary, animation and short films during the 11th annual Borrego Springs Film Festival. In addition to the screenings, the festival includes a gala, filmmakers panel discussions, an awards ceremony, afterparties and more. Come for the stunning setting of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which has inspired much art of its own, and stay for the deluxe festival experience. Attendees can purchase a pass for $175 and tickets can be purchased by block (groups of 1-7 films) for $10 each.

590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs

January 12-14

San Diego Rodeo

The San Diego Padres with C5 Rodeo Company Inc. and Outriders Present will host Petco Park’s first-ever rodeo, kicking off a three-day competition with cowboys competing for a prize of more than half a million dollars. See these athletes put their bravery to the test as they try taming their bucking broncos during a weekend full of family-friendly fun, all leading up to the announcement of the winner on Sunday. Saturday’s show has sold out but tickets for individual seats and ballpark suites to the San Diego Rodeo can still be purchased for Friday and Sunday.

100 Park Boulevard, Downtown

Powers New Voices Festival 2024

The 11th annual Powers New Voices Festival begins this Friday with readings of 10 new plays from American playwrights, including works from a handful San Diegan artists. Held in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, the festival will begin Friday night at 7:30 p.m. with six 10-minute play readings from San Diego playwrights during “Celebrating Community Voices” as the Old Globe spends the weekend highlighting the local theater community. Tickets to all festival readings require a free reservation. 

1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park

January 12-13

Poway Winter Festival

Even though Christmas has passed, it’s not too late to experience a winter wonderland, with the Poway Winter Festival commencing this Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Poway Community Park. Attendees can enjoy sledding down a mound of snow, eating s’mores by the fire, skating around the ice rink, playing carnival games, and running around in the snow.  

13094 Civic Center Drive, Poway

January 13

San Diego Resolution Run 

If your list of New Year’s resolutions included getting in running shape or breaking a personal record, then Saturday’s San Diego Resolution Run is your time to shine. Runners can sign up for 5K, 10K and half marathon options as they race through Mission Bay. All race participants will receive a t-shirt, finisher’s medal and chip-time results. Following the race, they will be greeted by a wellness village with health-conscious food, discounts and products. 

1292 East Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay

San Diego Underground Film Festival

Local artists and creatives will display their eclectic talents at UCSD Park & Market’s Media Arts Center Theater this Saturday with a day’s worth of screenings and live performances from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the 9th annual San Diego Underground Film Festival. The festival lineup will feature a wide selection of experimental films, live music, Q&A sessions, projector performances and more. Anyone interested in attending the festival can reserve their free general admission here.

1100 Market Street, Downtown

Tiffany Bociek: “Enduring Exuberance”

“Enduring Exuberance” is artist Tiffany Bociek’s exploration of her past, present and future and will be on display Sparks Gallery through March 3. The exhibition consists of three wax paintings that embody various states of well-being, with layers reflecting the passing of memories through generations to create a detailed family line. Attendees can RSVP for the exhibition’s free opening reception here. 

530 6th Avenue, Gaslamp

San Diego Monster Jam

Brace yourself for a rockin’ motorsports experience as 12,000-pound monster trucks conquer the dirt in tests of speed, skill and pure awesomeness during the first of two weekends at Snapdragon Stadium. Audiences can expect to see crazy stunts, high-flying backflips and competitive racing from the most daring monster truck drivers. Attendees who are interested in a VIP experience can pay extra for the Monster Jam Pit Party to see their favorite supercharged trucks and meet their favorite drivers prior to the event, and enjoy inflatable slides, a remote control truck course and trophy photo ops. 

2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley

January 14

42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade

Harbor Drive will host the 42nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, coordinated by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the San Diego Alpha Foundation. This year’s parade theme is A Healthy Community Thrives Together! and will feature floats, high school bands, drill teams, plus universities, fraternities, sororities, churches and youth organizations. The festivities will also include a 5K walk/fun run and a health and wellness festival at Ruocco Park from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.   

Harbor Drive, Embarcadero

Carlsbad Marathon & Half Marathon

Starting and finishing at The Shoppes at Carlsbad, the Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon takes place along Buena Vista Lagoon, offering prime views of the Pacific on Highway 101. Participating runners will receive a long-sleeve race shirt, a quarter-zip pullover, a souvenir cinch bag and post-race refreshments at the Finish Line Festival and beer garden.  

2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad

The post 12 Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend: January 11-14 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Ring in the new year by hopping onto the first brunch cruise of 2024—think endless mimosas and picturesque views of the skyline and bay that will make you fall in love with the city all over again. The two-hour-long jaunt launches from North Harbor Drive and features a buffet, music, and a fully stocked bar. Kids under three ride free.

January 6

Sing your heart out to your favorite hits from the King of Pop. Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience moonwalks into El Cajon’s Magnolia Performing Arts Center, taking audiences on a live tour of Jackson’s most iconic songs and dance moves.

January 9–14

Step into your ruby slippers and follow the yellow brick road to the San Diego Civic Theatre to see The Wiz, a Tony Award–winning adaptation of The Wizard of Oz celebrating Black American culture. The musical puts a twist on the original production, throwing in ballet, jazz, and modern pop moves to match the show’s contemporary spin on the story’s score.

January 12–14

Twinkling treasures await at the Del Mar Fairgrounds’ Gem Faire, a marketplace for fine jewelry, crystals, beads, minerals, fossils, and other sparkly things. Tickets are $7 and give you access to a kaleidoscopic lineup of accessories, raw minerals, supplies, tools, and vendors ready to repair, clean, or resize your jewelry on the spot. Kids 11 and under enter free.

January 12–14

Grab your 10-gallon hat—it’s Petco Park’s first rodeo. The Padres are partnering up with C5 Rodeo Company Inc and Outriders Present to showcase a three-day competition in which cowpokes attempt to ride, wrestle, and rope their way to a half-million-dollar prize.

January 14

The San Diego Alpha Foundation sponsors several activities fêting Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including a sensational parade through the Embarcadero. Attendees can also take a trek themselves with the MLK 5K, then explore wellness-and social justice–focused activities, workshops, and vendors at the Harmony Health Festival at Ruocco Park.

January 19–21

A 60-foot-long spinosaurus and an 80-foot apatosaurus are barging onto the Del Mar Fairgrounds for Jurassic Quest, an opportunity to live out the Jurassic Park movies (without fear of being chomped). Check out life-sized replicas, meet baby dinosaurs, and entertain the kiddos with dino rides, bounce houses, games, and more.

January 20

As a tie-in to their exhibition of 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century Korean masterworks, the San Diego Museum of Art presents Korea in Color: On The Steps at SDMA. The free festival features K-pop performances, art activities, Korean snacks, local artwork by Korean artists, and other fun happenings.

January 20

On every third Saturday of the month, the East Village Artisan Market sets up shop at The Merian Community Plaza at Park and Market, bringing an array of artisan goods. In partnership with Las Jefas Markets, the fair offers plants, accessories, jewelry, and other treats crafted by San Diego–based small businesses.

The post San Diego Events Calendar: January 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

“San Diego is such a dynamic theater town that there is room for all sizes of companies, and not in a competitive way. We all get to have the pleasure of seeing each other soar,” says Jenny Case, the executive director of Diversionary Theatre. Case cut her teeth at La Jolla Playhouse as their associate general manager.

Moxie’s newly appointed executive artistic director, Desireé Clarke Miller, adds, “We’re trying to be creative in the way that we think about our mission to be really and truly inclusive of all different types of folks.” Their play selections speak to that.

As America’s third-oldest LGBTQ theater, University Heights’ Diversionary is committed to “telling LGBTQI stories, and then sharing them [with] the world … [and giving] our community a place to come see themselves reflected,” Case says. Their current 38th season welcomes canonical characters like Tom Wingfield of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie (closing Dec. 23). But Diversionary’s production in this partnership brings something new: the world premiere of TL; DR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix, a musical reimagining of the classic flick’s characters with a lesbian lean, questioning why all strong female characters have to die. Backed with a raucous riot girl soundtrack, identity-seeking never sounded so badass.

Launching its 20th season next year, Rolando-based Moxie centers on the stories of women and other people who face gender-based marginalization. Their pair production, Notes on Killing Seven Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Board Members, is a Puerto Rican drag fantasia that speaks to decolonization. “It’s gonna have music. It’s gonna have dancing,” Miller says. “It is going to feel like a party, even though we’re talking about decolonizing places in our bodies.”

Miller, who previously directed at Diversionary, was curating Moxie’s season when she landed on Notes. “Immediately, given the context of it with trans women on stage and a gay man on stage and [it being] written by a trans woman, I reached out to Matt Morrow [Diversionary’s former artistic director] and was like, ‘Hey, listen, we’re thinking of doing this play. I’m wondering if there’s an opportunity to partner,’ she recalls. “And Matt said, ‘You know, it’s interesting because I was going to reach out to you, because we’re doing this musical…’”

Mission-based minds think alike.

“We both have these incredibly dynamic shows that are wild and adventurous and a little dangerous to produce, and they seem like such a complement to each other energetically,” Case says. And, as hyper-specific as the tales might seem, the humanity resonates, which is the beauty and functionality of this kind of holistic storytelling. Regional theater, if you’ll let it, can guide our city toward radical inclusion.

“I think one of the important things that people miss in our mission is that we’re trying to demystify what women’s work really looks like. Women write about all different types of things,” Miller says of Moxie’s ethos.

Right now, these two women leaders are writing the future of SD’s regional theater.

The post Moxie and Diversionary Team Up For a Dynamic 2024 Season appeared first on San Diego Magazine.