East County News Service

August 18, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The critically-acclaimed and award-winning Kidz Danz Kompany, San Diego’s premier children’s dance company, presents “The Red Cloak," a re-telling of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood at Greenfield Middle School Theater (1495 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA, 92021) on September 7-8, 2018 @ 7 p.m. 

By Miriam Raftery

Our East County Fest 10-year anniversary celebration for East County Magazine on August 25^th at Mission Trails features an array of top musical talent from East County including prominent jazz/pop/ classical/Nuevo Flamenco guitarist Miles Moynier, award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Jim Earp, talented and creative performers from Visionary Dance Theatre, and the San Diego Native American Flute Circle, honoring 12,000 years of Native American history in our region.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A highlight of our upcoming East County Fest on August 25^th from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park (advance tickets required) will be prominent artist Chuck McPherson, who will create a painting live to be auctioned off at the event. 

Self-described as “flamboyant and a stand out creative,” this talented local artist and teacher has won international recognition and received hundreds of awards in juried art shows. Cherished by collectors, recent works by McPherson have sold for thousands of dollars.

His works have been displayed around the world, including locally at the Ola Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center, San Diego History Center, California Center for the Arts  and Marston House Museum. Internationally, he holds three Signature Memberships with The San Diego Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies; A Signature in watercolor is like a PhD in medicine.

Source: Mt. Helix Park Foundation

July 12, 2018 (La Mesa) - Tickets are on sale now for the 11th annual heART of Mt. Helix. You’re invited to come and experience local art, music and cuisine at Mt. Helix Park’s popular celebration/fundraiser held at one of East County’s most extraordinary venues. 

The Arts District at Liberty Station’s Ingram Plaza will transform into a sea of colors as local artists display artwork of all mediums

East County News Service

July 7, 2018 (San Diego) – ArtWalk @ Liberty Station will return to Ingram Plaza for its 13th year on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12 in the Arts District at Liberty Station. The free event’s 2018 theme “Connecting Creative Communities” embodies ArtWalk’s mission to bring San Diego together to enjoy art and cultural expression all weekend long. In addition to thousands of works of art, attendees can also expect food, wine and beer, live entertainment and interactive art projects. East County artists include clay artist Cindy Teyro, photographer Amir Barlev, jewelry artist Bette Barnett and abstract artist Theresa Vandenberg Donche.

Source: Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project

July 1, 2018 (Ramona) -- The Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project will hold a dedication ceremony for its 18^th mural, “Ramona Raceway Dragster,” by artist Dave Ybarra at Ron’s Tire & Brake, 2560 Main St., Ramona on Saturday, July 7, at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

Source:  Saps at Sea

June 18, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Ahoy all Saps! Time to set Sail on the ocean of laughter!  The Saps at Sea, the San Diego section of the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, the Sons of the Desert, presents their 40th Anniversary Spectacular on Saturday, July 28 starting at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley.

By Peggy Junker

June 14, 2018 (La Mesa) - With the publication of James Newland’s chronicled history of La Mesa and the Mt. Helix area titled “Around Mt. Helix,” word has gotten out that this community has been an artist’s hub since the turn of the 20^th century.  From the area’s famous film-makers, performers and painters of the past, to today’s galleries and well-known residents, it remains a haven for the arts and art supporters in East County. 

Dan and Roz Oserin, owners of Nainsook Framing + Art, expanded their part in the local art scene last year when the two hosted a juried art show for the heART of Mt. Helix event to benefit Mt. Helix Park.  For the second year, they will host the contest in their Nainsook Gallery along with the artists’ reception on Saturday July 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is open to the public.

East County News Service

June 13, 2018 (El Cajon) - Sha Na Na debuted in the ‘50s, performed at the now legendary Woodstock festival, was featured in the movie Grease, and on their own Sha Na Na TV show. 

Founded by students at Columbia University in New York, the band has continued through the years with new members from Columbia joining three of the original band members still on tour.

By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – What good is sitting alone in your room? As the song goes, come to the cabaret this Sunday, June 17 at San Pasqual Winery’s tasting room in the La Mesa downtown village. This night of story and song in the winery’s intimate back room will feature four talented singers Roylee York, Tim Moore, Amy Rubinate and Ron Snyder on piano, organized by Los Angeles producer Clifford Bell. 

The 6 p.m. show has a $15 cover charge plus two items minimum (beverages and light snacks are available).

For tickets, visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3476298.

East County News Service

June 5, 2018 (Alpine) – Summer concerts at the Alpine Community Center Park return on select Friday nights starting at 6 p.m.  The park is located at 1830 Alpine Blvd. behind the library.

Presented by the Alpine Community Center and Alpine Library, the concerts provide live music for all ages.  Bring a picnic dinner or you can buy food from local vendors.

The summer concerts schedule is:

By Miriam Raftery

June 3, 2018 (Poway) -- “Country crooners, ‘80s hitmakers and man’s best friend are among the headlining talent Poway OnStage have lined-up for their 2018/19 Professional Performance Series at the Poway Performing Arts Center. This season, we are delighted to welcome old friends and new talents to the Poway stage,” says Poway OnStage President and CEO Michael Rennie.  “Returning Poway OnStage alum include perennial Poway favorites and equal opportunity offenders The Capitol Steps, guitar masters the Romeros; and celebrity talents from Dancing with the Stars and American Idol performing the all-new Motown with a Twist.” 

“First time appearances include  ‘80s hitmakers Starship featuring Mickey Thomas; the Indian-dance-by-way-of-Bollywood spectacular, Mystic India; the wily canine exploits of The Stunt Dog Experience; the revamped Kingston Trio, the inimatable Arlo Guthrie, Irish dance phenomenon Murphy’s Celtic Legacy and country singer Clay Walker.”

Below is the full schedule and details:

East County News Service

May 29, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Foothills Art Association invites everyone to enjoy “Art in the Park” an art show and sale at MacArthur Park in La Mesa on Sunday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Many local artists will be displaying and selling their artwork during a festive day in La Mesa’s newest community park. See the art, listen to the music, bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy a family day at MacArthur Park.  

Source:  Saps at Sea

May 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the official Laurel & Hardy fan club of San Diego, will continue their slam-bang festival of Funtastic films on Saturday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. (with the show starting at 7:00 p.m.) at Williams Hall at Trinity Church (3902 Kenwood Drive) in Spring Valley.