March 4, 2013 (Spring Valley) – Click your ruby slilppers and make a wish: Young Actors Theatre will present the Wizard of Oz  on March 8-10 and March 15-17 at the Encore! Theater, 9620 Campo Road in Spring Valley.

This childhood musical classic tells the tale of Dorothy, a Kansas farm girl who dreams of what lies over the rainbow.  A twister sweeps her off to the land of Oz, where she encounters Munchkins and Glinda, the sorceress of the north, who sends her down a yellow brick road in search of the Wizard's Emerald City.  Along the way she befriends a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion, before facing threats from the Wicked Witch of the West.

March 2, 2013 (Hillcrest) – Anti-bullying expert and ECM writer/reviewer Walter G. Meyer will be leading a discussion of bullying and school violence from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday March 9, 2013 prior to the 4 p.m. matinee performance of Punk Rock by Simon Stephens at Ion Theatre in Hillcrest.

President of the San Diego Unified School District's Board of Education, Richard Barrera will also be on the discussion panel along with ion’s Producing Artistic Director, Glenn Paris, who directed the play.

Meyer’s most recent book Rounding Third powerfully addresses the bullying/suicide crisis and was published just before started making the news. The novel was reviewed in East County Magazine when it first debuted: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2580 and Meyer is a frequent contributor to ECM.

February 26, 2013 (Rancho San Diego) -- Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale announce the seventh concert in the 2012-2013 performance season: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Experience an evening of Shakespeare as musically set by Felix Mendelssohn, with actors from Grossmont College and the community in a complete recited performance of, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” This rare performance allows the audience to experience all of Mendelssohn’s beloved music about fairies, honorable love, and comedic drama—three stories in one—as performed by the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra, women of the Grossmont Master Chorale with soloists, and seven outstanding actors performing no fewer than twenty-two (22) roles.

February 20, 2013 (San Diego)--As San Diego comes together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the San Diego Latino Film Festival (SDLFF),  mix and mingle with celebrities, filmmakers, and civic and community leaders.

Showcasing the latest in Latino cinema, from the highly anticipated documentary Hecho en Mexico featuring Diego Luna, the historical drama Cinco de Mayo: La Batalla; to Colosio, the film that delves into the life and mystery shrouded murder of the Mexican presidential candidate.

February 14, 2013 (San Diego) --The excitement and glamour of Hollywood are coming to San Diego on Oscar Night.  Residents of San Diego can experience the thrills and surprises of the 85th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, at San Diego’s premier Oscar Experience. 

A viewing party benefiting Community Campership Council Inc will be held in Celebration Hall at Market Creek Events & Venues beginning at 5:00 p.m. More information about the event and the Community Campership Council can be found at www.kidstocamp.org; tickets are on sale.

February 4, 2013 (San Diego) – The Friends of Taka Sumi-e Art Society will exhibit traditional Japanese-style brush paintings, called sumi-e, on February 17 at Mission Trails Regional Park, 1 Fr. Junipero Serra Drive, San Diego from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of the Mission Trails Regional Park concert series featuring the Japanese bamboo flute.  The art show features the works of the members of the art- based society, Friends of Taka Sumi-e dedicated to studying and sharing the art of sumi-e brush painting.

Rhino records to reissue landmark Rumours album on January 29

January 28, 2013 (Alpine) - Based on an overwhelming response to the recently announced Fleetwood Mac Live 2013 North American tour, which has already sold over 325,000 tickets, the band announced today that they will be adding 13 shows—including the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University.  The newly announced leg of the tour includes second shows in Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles, new stops in Cleveland, Wantagh, Charlotte, Des Moines, Spokane, Portland, Sacramento, Albany, as well as, Montreal, Canada. A complete itinerary follows this release.  Tickets for the second leg of the tour go on sale beginning February 1st at Ticketmaster.com. 

Two UCSD MFA Alumna return to San Diego to lead the storytelling 

January 26, 2013 (San Diego)--Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company and MOXIE Theatre have announced the cast and creative team for their upcoming co-production of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, adapted by Lydia Diamond.  The play, about the legacy of racism on a young Black girl, begins previews on February 2 and runs to March 3, 2013, at MOXIE Theatre, located at 6663 El Cajon Blvd. Suite N, San Diego, CA, 92115, with a Press Opening on Friday, February 8 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available at  www.moolelo.net or 619-342-7395.

January 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Joan McKasson and Joan Merrick were awarded first and second places respectively in the San Diego Watercolor Society’s January show “New Beginnings”. The juror, Carol Mansfield, complimented both paintings for their expert use of watercolor along with their strong colors and designs.

January 20, 2013 (La Mesa) – Brew HaHa presents Ha Ha Heights at Haritna Mediterranean Restaurant, 7303 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa on Jan. 23 from 7:30 – 9 p.m.  The featured stand up comedy act is Four Fabulous Femmes with International Comedian Diane Jean, Maria Herman and more.

September 15, 2013 (San Diego) -- Joan McKasson and Joan Merrick were awarded first and second places respectively in the San Diego Watercolor Society’s January show, “New Beginnings”.  The juror, Carol Mansfield, complimented both paintings for their expert use of watercolor along with their strong colors and designs.

January 6, 2013 (La Mesa) – Biz Center Art is hosting a reception and sale of new artworks on January 19 at 6:30 p.m. at 7317 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa.  The show will include a bonus from some creative student artists a JCS San Diego Academy that will be showing work from their Monuments Project using symbols representing their goals in life.

January 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Youth Symphony is a free, after school advanced music program for young musicians ages 6 to 25. No tuition and/or fees are required to participate. Ongoing auditions are now being held  in January and February for the Spring 2013 Concert Season. All sections have open positions.

Pre-Orchestra Division is for the string players ages 6 to 12. Concert Band is for the winds and percussions ages 9 to 18. Symphony Orchestra (all instruments except saxophone and bass clarinet) is for ages 10 to 25.

December 28, 2012 (San Diego) – The award-winning Southern Gospel trio Greater Vision will perform at Skyline Church, 11330 Campo Road, San Diego on January 13 at 5:00 p.m.  Greater Vision, organized in 1990, has been inspiring audiences with its rich vocal blend and gospel message. Tickets are $16 advance general admission, $20 at the door or $25 for Artist Circle admission.

December 28, 2012 (Julian) – As part of the San Diego County Library’s acoustical performance series, The Yes Team will perform at the Julian Library on January 8.

The free concert will be held from 6- 7 p.m. The library is located at 1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036.