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By Miriam Raftery
January 20, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – January and February are prime times to enjoy a full moon desert walk, Valentine’s dinners and wine pairings, farm tours, hawk watching, new nature walks at Lakeside’s River Park, concerts, theatrical productions and more in San Diego’s East County.
NATURE WALKS AT LAKESIDE’S RIVER PARK: EACH SATURDAY STARTING JAN. 27
Lakeside River Park Foundation will begin offering weekly nature walks each Saturday morning starting January 27 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Up to 10 guests will meander as they explore the trail and wild areas not usually open to the public. Learn about the natural history of the San Diego River, as well as the species and activities found on site.
All ages are welcome. Reserve your spot for any available Saturday in 2024 at https://www.lakesideriverpark.org.
GROOVIN' IN THE GROVE JAN. 28
Lemon Grove Happenings in collaboration with Elevated Coffee, and the Musicians Club of San Diego are hosting ‘Groovin’ in the Grove’, a band open mic event at Elevated Coffee Sunday January 28, 2024, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Elevated Coffee is located in Lemon Grove at 8073 Broadway. The event is held outside in the parking lot.
The event is free so bring a chair and sip a cup of coffee while you enjoy a concert of local musicians that have signed up to participate.
For more info go to the Lemon Grove Happenings page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/989033778930256
STAGEHOUSE THEATRE PRESENTS INSIDE THE ACTOR’S PROCESS: IDENTITY FEB. 2-3
The Stagehouse Theatre at Grossmont College will present “Inside the Actor’s Identity” on February 2 and 3.
Conceived and directed by Benjamin Cole, the play portrays the strength, determination, and resilience of myriad characters struggling for fairness. Whether it be social tolerance, civil liberties, recognition of identity, or personal equilibrium, these scenes test our actors in often emotional, sometimes comedic scenes to push boundaries.
For tickets, visit https://gcccd.universitytickets.com/.
VALENTINE AND WINE PAIRING DINNER AT RUSTIC RIDGE WINERY IN JAMUL FEB. 9
Rustic Ridge Winery in Jamul invites you to savor a valentine and wine pairing dinner on February 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Indulge in a curated four-course menu to ignite romance, paired with the winery’s vintages, all while enjoying twilight views over the vineyards.
For reservations, visit https://www.rusticridgevineyards.com/.
CASA GABRIELA OFFERS LOVE AT FIRST BITE FEB. 14
Love is in the air at Casa Gabriela restaurant in La Mesa on February 14. Chef Gaby is preparing a special three-course Valentine’s dinner priced at $54.95 per person.
To view the menu, visit https://www.casagabrielalamesa.com/happenings/. For reservations, call (619) 337-3445.
FULL MOON DESERT WALK JANUARY 24
The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association’s Education Director Mike McElhatton will lead a full moon nighttime walk in South Palm Wash on January 24 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The moonlight walk is a tradition of the organization, now in its 13th year.
Experience the unique and serene beauty of moonlight on the canyon walls along this a free 1.5- mile walk through South Palm Wash. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool. A flashlight, water, and good hiking shoes are required. Activity cancels with cloud cover or high wind. Call the Nature Center at 760-767-3098 to reserve. This walk is fairly easy with short moderate sections.
For details, visit https://www.abdnha.org/calendar1.htm.
LAMPLIGHTERS THEATRE IN LA MESA PRESENTS THE CRUCIBLE JAN.12-FEB.4
Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present playwright Arthur Miller’s classic, The Crucible January 12 through February 4.
Written in 1953, it is a dramatized and fictionalized retelling of the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692-93. Most of the characters are real historical figures. Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism. It is regarded as a central work in the canon of American drama. It’s a story of one man’s struggle toward grace. It depicts human struggles both internal and external: a community galvanized by fear and suspicion, a wife betrayed by lust, an orphan girl blind with passion and obsessed with revenge, ruthless prosecutors, deluded holy men, and covetous neighbors. Lamplighter’s director has updated once again, this time to 2020, where it appears the country is again seemingly divided and moving in two extreme directions.
This play is recommended for ages 14 and up. For tickets, visit https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/.
HAWK WATCH EACH SATURDAY IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
The Wildlife Research Institute in Ramona invites you to Hawk Watch each Saturday in January and February at 10 a.m. at Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Rd, in Ramona.
Arrive at 9:30 for coffee and donuts, then enjoy the free program that includes biologist’s talks, Q&A with falconry or ambassador raptors up close, followed by optional roadside observations of wild raptors and other wildlife including a Bald Eagle nest where you'll drive your own car less than 2 miles on paved roads and come and go at your leisure. Biologists and local expert volunteer observers will help you spot and identify birds and show them to you through our high-powered professional telescopes.
In the event of rain, the educational program will be held inside the barn, but the usual falconry flight displays will not occur. There is no hiking portion of Hawk Watch, but we recommend wearing sturdy shoes for uneven terrain and going on your own to the nearby Ramona Grassland Preserve hiking trail after the program. Hawk Watch is wheelchair accessible. All ages are welcome.
Bring binoculars, a camera, and folding chair if you have them. Wear a jacket or other layered clothing and sturdy shoes for uneven terrain.
YOUNG ADULT THEATRE PRESENTS LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS FEB.16-25 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Young Adult Theatre will present “Little Shop of Horrors” February 16-25 at Cuyamaca College in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon.
A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.
The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination. Note: This program is rated PG-13.
For tickets, visit https://www.yatsandiego.org/littleshop.
COMEDY NIGHT JANUARY 26 AT SPACEBAR CAFÉ AND WINE BISTRO
Comedians Gene Levin and Carol Johnson produce 4th Friday Comedy every month at SpaceBar Cafe & Wine Bistro, 7454 University Avenue, La Mesa from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The monthly show is one of longest running free comedy shows in our region.
This month’s show features Rand, Rachel Lloyd, newcomer Mitchell Simon, Cindy Sheridan and hilarious headliner Chris Clobber, who is also an actor and writer. You may have seen him on an episode of Malcolm in the Middle and commercials.
Come hungry to enjoy food available for purchase; wine and beer is also available.
SANTEE DISCOVERY DAY SATURDAY JANUARY 27
You're invited to Walker Preserve at 9500 Magnolia Ave. in Santee, January 27th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Santee Discovery Day, part of Santee Discovery Month, encouraging the public to visit Santee's beautiful and plentiful family friendly trails (click for Citywide trail map).
In addition to food available for purchase, there will be a rock wall, nature exploration booths, opportunity drawing and more, making this the signature event of January's public awareness campaign.
OPEN FARM DAY AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY JANUARY 27
Oasis Camel Dairy invites you to an open farm tour on Saturday, January 27 from 12 to 2 p.m. Enjoy a bird show and camel show, meet and feed camels and lambradoodles, take a camel ride, and enjoy camel milk products such as artisan soaps, lotions, chocolate and camel milk.
Tickets must be purchased online. General admission is $15; children age 3 and under are admitted free. All paid admission includes treats for you to feed the camels and mini sheep.
Camel rides will be available to purchase for $15 per rider. (or only $12 per rider when purchased online with admission tickets). Camel rides are for ages 4 and older; rider must weigh under 200 lbs.
SISTER SLEDGE: FEBRUARY 16 AT VIEJAS
Multi-Platinum Grammy-nominated musical group Sister Sledge will perform live at Viejas Casino & Resort’s Oak Ballroom on Friday, February 16 at 8 p.m.
Sing along to their top hits like “Lost in Music,” “He’s the Greatest Dancer,” “We Are Family,” and more.
For tickets, visit https://viejas.com/event/sister-sledge/.
FORT CROSS OLD TIMEY ADVENTURES HOSTS WEEKEND OPEN FARM TOURS
Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures in Santa Ysabel is for educational and historical farm tours most upcoming weekends with lots of outdoor recreational activities. The nursery will also be open for shopping when you sign up for a farm tour package.
The Farm Tour Activity Package includes:
- Farm Animal Visit
- Educational & Interactive Reptile Show
- Archery
- Tomahawk Throwing
- 20 paintballs at the Ghost Town Slingshot Range
-$22 per person (ages 4 and up)
For reservations and details, visit https://www.fortcross.com/farmtouradventure.
CUYAMACA COLLEGE CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES JANUARY-MAY
Cuyamaca College in El Cajon’s Rancho San Diego community will host the ECHO Chamber Music series at the Samuel M. Cicatti Theatre. The concerts will be held on select Thursdays at 7 p.m. from January 11 through May 30.
Below is the schedule of performances:
January 11: Guitarist Ana Vidovic
January 25: Zlatomir Fung and Benjamin Hochman
February 17: Schumann Quartet
March 3: Colburn School pianists Yanfeng Tony Bai and Ryota Yamazaki
March 21: James Ehnes and Orio Weiss
April 4: Colburn School’s Quartet Integra
April 14: Violinist Richard Lin
May 2: Ehnes Quartet
May 16: Reiko Uchida and Che-Yen Chen
May 30: Harpsichordist Takae Ohnishi and Friends
For tickets and details, visit https://www.gcccd.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx?cid=172.
For information on Cuyamaca College, visit https://cuyamaca.edu.
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