By Kathy Carpenter

By Kathy Carpenter

East County News Service

November 28, 2018 (San Diego) – Now in its 18^th season, the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present “Sounds of the Season” on December 9th at 3 p.m. at College Avenue Baptist Church (4747 College Avenue, San Diego 92115).  Based in East County, the group performs choral masterworks and popular programs, regularly filling up the 1500-seat venue for its concerts.

One-act Christmas opera in English; two performances only on December 22 at STAR Repertory Theatre in Escondido

November 20, 2018 (Escondido) - “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a one-act Christmas opera in English written by Gian Carlo Menotti, will be presented at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 22nd at the STAR Repertory Theatre, 329 E. Valley Parkway in Escondido.  The production by Genesis Opera Theatre features an all-star cast of talent drawn from Southern California’s San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, and is directed by Cynthia Leigh with musical direction by Tim Leon.

East County News Service

November 12, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Historical Society presents Globe for All, a free performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Wednesday, November 14^th.  The production is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Alvarez Auditorium (next to the Lemon Grove Library), plus a free dinner will be offered at 5 p.m.

To reserve a seat, contact lghistorical@gmail.com. 

East County News Service

November 4, 2018 (Poway) – You’re invited to swing into your holiday season at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, November 30^th at 8 p.m. with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party.  So, break out the zoot suits and swing dance dresses to take a step back in time to the ‘40s and ‘50s.

East County News Service

November 1, 2018 (Alpine) - The youngest singer to win a Grammy and also be nominated by the Academy of Country Music, LeAnn Rimes will be live onstage at Oak Ballroom stage at Viejas Casino & Resort on Friday, December 14 at 8 p.m. With a string of hits throughout her career, she is still best known for her signature song “Blue”.

For tickets and details, visit https://Viejas.com and click on the entertainment option.

East County News Service

November 1, 2018 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale kick off a busy month of concerts at both colleges.The orchestra and master chorale join choirs from the San Diego School of Creative & Performing Arts in the multimedia performance of Tolga Kashif's monumental choral orchestral work, "Queen Symphony - An Anthology of the Works of Freddie Mercury and Queen" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd., La Mesa.  

The "Queen Symphony" is a six-movement symphonic work that features many of Queen's iconic melodies, including "Bohemian Rhapsody" to "We Are the Champions." Admission: $15 general, $10 seniors, $5 students. For more information, call (619) 644-7254. 

East County News Service

October 17, 2018 (Julian) - The Julian Triangle Club  presents a Julian melodrama titled “Lady Sophie’s Secret” running now through October 27^th.  You’re invited to join the floozies, boo the villain, cheer for the hero and laugh until you cry at this production written by Patricia McFarlane exclusively for the Julian Triangle Club.

You can find tickets at www.JulianMelodrama.com, at EventBrite.com or at the Julian Town Hall.

Review by Kathy Carpenter

Photos courtesy Eva Anderson

October 15, 2018, (City Heights) – Questa, the chronicles of an American family, is a celebration of director Spencer John Powell's ancestors from the beautiful little village of Questa, New Mexico. Alex Haley once said, "In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, bridge to our future."  Powell celebrates his family with this dance tribute, performed by Visionary Dance Theatre  in 13 amazing contemporary dance numbers. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2018 (San Carlos) – The third annual pop-up garden art show presented by the On the Edge Art Collective will be held on Sunday, October 21 from 12-4 p.m.  The event will be hosted by Bebe Brookman in her home and garden at 6378 Lake Athabaska Place in San Diego’s San Carlos community.

The show will feature works of artists Sandee Bass, Bebe Brookman, Fredda Schiffman Ferguson, Suzanne Gegna, Midge Hyde, Joan Creech Kraft, Shelby Marzoni, Lori Sandstrom and Berta Villaescusa.

East County News Service

October 1, 2018 (City Heights) – Visionary Dance Theatre of La Mesa will present “Questa," chronicles of an American family, at the City Heights Performance Annex (3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego) on October 11th-13th at 8 p.m.

The performance is based on the genealogical work of Artistic Director Spencer John Powell’s ancestors from the beautiful little village of Questa, New Mexico. He has traced his family’s roots back to the early 1600s and has developed work representing the family names of Duran, Rael, and Quintana, their indigenous, Spanish, Jewish, French and African lineage.  Powell also explores the beautiful landscape of this village nestled in the mountains.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo left by Eric Metz

September 14, 2018 (Ramona) – Artist Chuck McPherson personally delivered his magnificent painting of Cedar Creek Falls to the lucky auction winner, Cindy Fuchser, at Lenora Winery in Ramona.  McPherson live-painted the artwork during East County Fest to benefit East County Magazine and the East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts.

Photo courtesy of Marty Ennis: Am anniversary commemoration of the PSA crash two years ago drew hundreds to Grossmont College to hear witnesses, first-responders and family members of those who perished share their memories of the tragedy. This year marks the 40^th anniversary and a film screening and discussion on Sept. 25will be open to the public. 

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The 40^th anniversary of the PSA Flight 182 crash in San Diego that killed 144 people and scattered wreckage and carnage across North Park will be remembered at an event Sept. 25 at Grossmont College.  Family members of those who perished, as well as first responders and PSA workers, will share their memories following a free, public screening of the documentary film, “Return to Dwight and Nile,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Grossmont College’s Griffin Gate, Building 60. 

Source: Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Murals

September 11, 2018 (Ramona) -- Check out two utility boxes turned into art at 4^th and Main across from the Ramona Valley Inn by Lourans Mikhail and another at 14^th and Main, facing 14^th  next to Dunkin Donuts, by Marie Bravo.