By Helen Ofield, President, Lemon Grove Historical Society

East County News Service

May 15, 2016 (San Diego) -The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego’s 8^th Annual International Documentary Film Series continues May 16, and 23, screening three compelling documentary films that shed light on what life is like for refugees around the world. Plus, each film will be followed by Q&A with a guest speaker who has relevant firsthand experience providing humanitarian response to conflict and disaster.  See flyer on the website for schedule and details.

East County News Service

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to have a ropin’ good time at a Cactus Garden BBQ at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum, a hidden gem at 131 Rea Street, just off Main Street in downtown El Cajon. On June 4^th and 5^th from 5 to 9 p.m. Sons of Charity Inc. will celebrate western Heritage and famed artist Olaf Wieghorst’s iconic art with a cowboy BBQ and concert by “Smith and Western.

East County News Service

May 8, 2016 (Julian) -- The California Old Time Fiddlers Association invites you to the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest on Saturday and Sunday, June 4^th and 5^th plus a Saturday night performance by two two-time National Fiddle champions. There’s also a warmup workshop on Friday June 3^rd led by a national Grand Fiddle champions.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

May 7, 2016 (El Cajon) – The Odd Couple is a case of opposing personalities coming together.and trying to work things out. The original movie was in 1968, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.  I can hardly believe it was so long ago. In 1970 they made the television series with Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, also a classic. Recently came the remake with Brian Cebrain as Felix and Matthew Perry as Oscar. Although I have only seen a couple of shows, it was also quite funny.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

May 5, 2016 - (El Cajon) - Remember when you were in the theatre program in high school? Perhaps even El Cajon Valley High School?  They have this beautiful little old theatre which I'm sure housed many many of you and your plays over the years. Remember how nice it would be or would have been to perform in front of a full house? A real confidence booster to feel people are here to see me. I matter.

By Tom and Colleen Taylor

April 29, 2016 (Alpine) - We are in the beginning stages of forming an art league here in Alpine.  We want to meet with local artists who are interested in becoming active in the community by participating in open studios as well as art shows.  We have already reserved www.alpineartleague.org and will be designing that website shortly through FASO (Fine Art Studios Online).  If you would like more information on us, please visit our current website at www.carefreefineartstudio.com or feel free to contact us at 619-609-8304.     

April 28, 2016 (El Cajon) - A mystery dinner theatre production by Toby Otero. Come spend the evening at the Salty Dog Seaside Seafood and Steak restaurant and see what happens when Captain F. “Bigbeard” McQuarrie and his misfit crew decide to stop their pirating ways and try to sail the straight and narrow. With the notorious French Privateer, “The Razor,” always on his tail, and a drunken pirate head waiter who always seems to do the wrong thing, can Captain Bigbeard and his crew ever truly live a peaceful life? This is the manic tale of a stolen treasure chest, a sensational swashbuckling swordfight, mayhem, mischief, and…MURD-ARRR!!! Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday nights, April 29^th and 30^th, at 7:00pm and on Sunday May 1^st at 2:00pm. The venue is Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon. All seats are $20.00 and include a themed meal. For reservations, please e-mail thecircleplayers@gmail.com or phone (619) 588-5348.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Spring Valley) – Howdy, partner! It’s time to travel out West. The San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, Saps at Sea Tent, will present Laurel and Hardy – Wacky Western Night on Saturday, May 14^th in Williams Hall at Trinity Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley. Doors open at 6:30 with show time at 7 p.m.  There is a $6 donation per person.

15^th annual celebration includes East County musicians

East County News Service

April 20, 2016 (San Diego) – San Diego’s 15th annual Gator By The Bay is the largest, most authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou. The festival will be held from May 5-8, 2016 at Spanish Landing Park, across from the San Diego International Airport. Presented by San Diego’s Bon Temps Social Club, it features four days of live music with over 90 musical acts and special performances on seven stages, along with 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked from Louisiana, non-stop dancing, shopping, playing and eating on the beautiful San Diego Bay.

Several East County bands are among the performers, including Chet Cannon Blues Party (El Cajon), Fanny & the Atta Boys (La Mesa), Blue Frog Blues Band (La Mesa), Bubba McCoy Band (La Mesa), Todo Mundo (La Mesa) will be joining the list of more than over 90 musical acts and special performances on seven stages.

By Jaime Mirman

April 19, 2016 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Concert Band presented an impressive  27^th Annual Spring Celebration Concert, Music From Stage and Screen last April 5^th at the Joan B. Kroc performing Arts Theatre.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrerevi

April 12, 2016 (Santee) - The West Hill Dramakids offered a fresh take on THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, with a woman in the chair, as the storyteller instead of a man. Thank you Carrin Edwards, director, for this innovative move. Rose Hawaree took on the role of (Wo) Man in the chair. She did an incredible job--so fun and enthusiastic to watch. The characters are engaging, funny, and quite entertaining.

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

April 1, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College is hosting a free screening of “Underwater Dreams,” an inspirational documentary about the sons of undocumented Mexican immigrants who built an underwater robot as Arizona high school students in 2004 and defeated engineering powerhouse MIT in an international competition.

East County News Service

March 29, 2016 (Ramona) - Mark your calendars for the 13th annual Ramona Open Studios Tour on April 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring 25 artists working in all mediums in 17 private studios located throughout Ramona.

Hear our interview with Rev. Kenneth Anderson, originally aired on KNSJ Radio:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

March 19, 2016 (San Diego) – East County Magazine intern Tasha Matthews interviewed Rev. Kenneth Anderson, director of three prominent gospel choirs at the University of California San Diego, Grossmont College and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir. He’s led choral tours and performances across Europe including at the Vatican. His gospel choir class at UCSD is consistently the most popular course on campus.  He’s also the fifth highest rated university professor in the nation, according to Rate My Professor.