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By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine
February 21, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Seussical, the Musical in Spring Valley’s Encore Theatre, Hawk Watch in Ramona, the Boots Ball in Borrego Springs, Gregory Page at Mission Trails, and the St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon in El Cajon.
Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions, including a First Fridays art show at 2Create Gallery in Ramona, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Circle of Art in Borrego Springs, Tomatomania at the Garden, the Alaskan String Band at Kroc Center, the Bunny Train at the Campo Depot, Spring Extravaganza at Santee Lakes, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa and a night of Laurel and Hardy comedy films in Spring Valley, all in March.
April’s events include Julian Gold Rush Days, Julian Family Fiddle Camp, Sweet Pea Days and an antique show at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s 25th anniversary party, the season opening of Cajon Classic Cruises in El Cajon, and Musical Journeys, a spring concert presented by the San Diego Festival and Chorus.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more!
SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL FEB. 22 - MARCH 4 IN SPRING VALLEY
Young Actors Theatre’s presentation of “Seussical, the Musical” continues at the Encore! Theatre in the Casa de Oro area of Spring Valley this weekend, concluding on Saturday, March 4th.
This musical production brings to life your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, from the Cat in the Hat to Horton the Elephant. For tickets, visit www.YATSanDiego.org.
HAWK WATCH AT RAMONA GRASSLANDS EACH SATURDAY IN FEB.
The Wildlife Research Institute invites you to Hawk Watch. Each Saturday in February at 10 a.m., visitors can see birds of prey such as hawks, eagles and owls. Sponsored by the Wildlife Research Institute, this year Hawk Watch be held at Begent Ranch, a private ranch open only for the Hawk Watch events in the Ramona Grasslands.
For more information, you can visit http://www.wildlife-research.org/.
‘NIGHT, MOTHER ON STAGE AT LAMPLIGHTERS LA MESA MARCH 2-25
Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present ‘Night, Mother March 2-25. 'Night, Mother, Marsha Norman's explosive 1983 play, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play.
The play centers around Jessie, a middle-aged, down-on-her-luck woman who moves back in with her mom. As mother and daughter spend a high-stakes evening together, the ensuing debate -- sometimes quiet, sometimes tempestuous -- ultimately gives rise to some of our deepest, most personal questions about how and why we value life. Because Jessie has decided that life is no longer worth living. And as she calmly announces and prepares for her own death, her mother will try anything to stop her.
For more information, visit https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/.
BOOTS BALL MARCH 3
You’re invited to don your “desert dressy” attire and finest hiking boots for the second annual “Boots Ball” hosted by the Anza Borrego Foundation on Saturday, March 3 from 2-5 p.m.
Guests will enjoy musical entertainment, food, live and silent auctions and learn about the Foundation’s vision for the next 50 years. The guest speaker, Obi Kaufmann, is a poet, artist, and advocate for wilderness conservation.
The Boots Ball will be held at the Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center in Borrego Springs. For tickets and registration for the Boots Ball fundraiser, visit the Anza Borrego Foundation’s website at www.TheABF.org.
GREGORY PAGE AT MISSION TRAILS MARCH 4
Gregory Page, an international touring and recording artist, returns to Mission Trails Regional Park auditorium for a concert (free!) on Sunday, March 4th at 3 p.m.
This London born Irish-Armenian citizen of the world has imagination and conscience as well as vocal talent. He will share his stunning guitar work, songs of peace, ballads of “Optimistic Melancholy” and in his words, “true stories he makes up” with the Mission Trails listening audience in performance for the whole family.
For details, visit Mission Trails Regional Park website at www.MTRP.org.
ST PATRICK’S DAY HALF MARATHON MARCH 4
Run East County invites you to take part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day half marathon, 5K race, and Green Mile through downtown El Cajon on Sunday March 4th. There’s also a Tribes and Clans CrossFit competition, a Tribes and Clans for Kids event, and a beer garden.
Participants are encouraged to wear green and participate in a costume contest as you join avid runners and walkers for a morning of fun – all to benefit local East County charities.
To register for the St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon race or other events, you can visit www.StPatricksDayHalf.com.
NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…
FIRST FRIDAY ART SHOW AT 2CREATE GALLERY IN RAMONA
You’re invited to meet artists, art teachers, furniture artisans and celebrate the life of the late, great artist Helen Petre on Friday, March 2 from 6-8 p.m. at the 2Create Gallery, 438 Main Street in Ramona. The event is the first of a series of “First Friday” art events that the gallery plans to host, each featuring art, furniture, music and refreshments.
Helen Petre was a colorful and acclaimed artist who lived in Julian and continued creating works of art well into her nineties. Known for her stylish hats and fashionable clothing that she designed herself, during her long and productive life she became a prolific artist excelling in collage, monoprinting, mixed media and bookarts. She won many awards for her works, which are in private collections internationally, and was an active member of the local art community until her death last year at age 96.
For more information, visit www.2CreateGallery.com.
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS MARCH 9-18
You’re invited to step back in time and enjoy an authentic 1805-1840s Rocky Mountain fur trader’s encampment March 9-18 at the Mataguay Scout Reservation in Santa Ysabel. Visit part of our historic past by attending a fun, educational and exciting mountain man rendezvous.
Demonstrations of primitive survival skills such as cooking, tool making, tomahawk throwing, archery and black powder target shooting make this event an unforgettable experience for young and old alike.
The group is based on the Mountain Man era of America by participating in pre-1840 living history. As a living history organization, the group and its members are involved in teaching, learning, experiencing, living and enjoying the activities associated with the fur trade of the early 1800’s.
This event is enjoyed annually by hundreds of fellow buckskinners & traders who travel from throughout the Western U.S. to carry on this very important part of history. Primitive and modern camping available on the site.
Day visitors and period campers are welcome. The cost is $20 for adults, $5 for children age 12 and over and free for children under 12.
To register and get more information, click here for the flyer/application or call Jim Frassett at (424) 212-1955.
CIRCLE OF ART IN BORREGO SPRINGS MARCH 10-11
Art lovers can view works of over 70 fine artists at the 29th annual Circle of Art Show and Sale on Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs.
This popular event will be held Saturday, March 10th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 11th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For tickets and details, you can visit www.CircleofArt.org.
ROMAS, BEEFSTEAKS, STRIPES AND MORE AT TOMATOMANIA MARCH 10TH
Tomatomania returns on March 10th and 11th from 9.a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. This famous weekend-long sale features heirloom and hybrid tomato seedlings of every size, shape, color, and taste profile.
Planting tomatoes marks the beginning of spring for gardeners and who can’t resist the fresh taste of a garden tomato? You can get expert advice, pick up tools, attend classes and take a tour of the garden. Plus, visitors can savor some time-honored tomato refreshments.
Find more delicious details at TheGarden.org.
ALASKAN STRING BAND IN CONCERT MARCH 16 AT KROC THEATER
The Alaska String Band brings the best of Americana. Winners of the Fame Awards - Bluegrass Band of the Year, this group has polished and riveting harmonies offering up American roots favorites: swing, jazz, rock, original, pop, folk and bluegrass. Highly praised, currently chosen and airing nationwide on PBS to over 80 million viewers is the Alaska String Band’s one-hour musical docu-drama, “Southeast Alaska Odyssey.”
Tickets are available online today by visiting www.ChristTheKingAlpine.org.
For more information, call 619-445-8968 or 619-445-3419 or visit www.ChristTheKingAlpine.org.
BUNNY TRAIN DEPARTS MARCH 24 AND 25 AND 31
The Easter Bunny will board the train at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum’s depot in Campo on March 24th, 25th and 31st to visit with passengers as the Bunny Train travels through San Diego’s beautiful east-county mountains.
After enjoying the one-hour journey along 12 miles of track, the train stops at the Museum’s Display Building where two Easter egg hunting areas for children have been set up—one with eggs in plain sight for young children, the other with eggs carefully hidden in the Museum’s display building.
Children can turn in the plastic eggs they find to Museum volunteers for sweets and other prizes.
For tickets and reservations, visit the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum website at psrm.org and click on the “Bunny Train” option listed under “train rides.”
SPRING EXTRAVAGANZA AT SANTEE LAKES MARCH 25
Santee Lakes and the City of Santee invite you to a Spring Extravaganza on Sunday, March 25th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This event includes continuous egg hunts for children age 8 and under, as well as carnival rides, crafts, face painting, pony rides, photos with the Easter bunny and more.
Tickets are required for some activities.
For details, visit www.SanteeLakes.com.
SPRING HARP FEST MARCH 31 IN LA MESA
Harmonica players from far and wide will participate in the 19th annual Spring Harp Fest on Saturday, March 31st from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa (9550 Milden St.).
The lineup of top players and a harmonica jam fest at the event all help benefit music programs in local schools. You can also shop for harmonicas and other musical items.
For details, visit www.SpringHarpFest.org.
THE SAPS AT SEA PROUDLY PRESENT COMIC CALAMITIES NIGHT MARCH 31
The Saps at Sea, the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization of San Diego, continue their slam-bang festival of funtastic films on Saturday, March 31st at 7:00 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Church in Spring Valley (3902 Kenwood Drive).
In the second of five 40th anniversary programs, the Saps will screen another Tex Avery cartoon followed by the hilarious short film "Going Bye-Bye!" Then, Charley Chase is joined by Thelma Todd in the mistaken identity laugh fest titled “The Pip from Pittsburgh" plus a screening of “Block Heads.”
For more information, you can visit the official Saps at Sea San Diego Facebook page.
JULIAN GOLD RUSH DAYS APRIL 7-8
Julian Gold Rush Days on April 7th and 8th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will celebrate discovery of gold in this mountain community.
The town of Julian was founded after the Civil War, when displaced Confederate Veterans from Georgia headed West to seek their fortunes. Among these were cousins Drue Bailey and Mike Julian, who settled in beautiful meadowlands between Volcan Mountain and the Cuyamacas.
In 1870, a cattleman named Fred Coleman dipped his hat in a creek for water and found flecks of gold, prompting San Diego County’s first and only gold rush.
Visitors are invited to learn more about our local gold rush history with a weekend of entertainment at The Julian Mining Company in Wynola (4381 Highway 78) April 7th and 8th that includes gold panning, tomahawk throwing, archery, candle dipping, hay rides, and more.
The old-fashioned mining camp will also offer historical re-enactors, an arts and crafts market, food and drink, a petting zoo, pony rides, and plenty of family fun.
For details, you can visit http://www.visitjulian.com/to-see-do/special-events/gold-rush-days/.
JULIAN FAMILY FIDDLE CAMP APRIL 11-15
The famous Julian Family Fiddle Camp offers instruction to all ages April 11th through 15th at a mountain retreat in Julian.
As long as you can play a couple of simple tunes on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, banjo or cello, you’ll find a class for you at the camp, that includes local and national level instructors.
This year’s camp offers classes in Appalachian old-time fiddle and banjo, Texas-style fiddle and backup guitar, bluegrass fiddle, flat-pick and rhythm guitar, swing and bluegrass mandolin, progressive jazz fiddle, Celtic style fiddle, upright bass, cello, band dynamics, harmony vocals and other specialized workshops.
Learn more at http://www.familyfiddlecamp.com/.
SWEET PEA DAY AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS APRIL 14 IN FLINN SPRINGS
Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, just east of El Cajon, invites you to Sweet Pea Day on Saturday, April 14th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit a towering sweet pea maze at this event celebrating the fragrant, old-fashioned flowers in their full glory.
You can preview the maze from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and cut your own bouquet starting at 11 a.m. until they are gone—which doesn’t take long!
Guests can also enjoy live music with Jim Earp on a shady pavilion, savor snacks at an outdoor coffee bar, or picnic on the grass to round out an idyllic spring day.
For more information you can visit www.SummersPastFarms.com.
CAJON CLASSIC CRUISE SEASON OPENER APRIL 14
The Cajon Classic Cruise will rev up its season opener on Wedneday, April 14th from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.
Thousands of people from across the region come to Cajon Classic Cruise nights each Wednesday, all summer long.
In addition to viewing classic vehicles with a different theme each week, visitors can enjoy musical entertainment at Prescott Promenade on Main Street just east of Magnolia, or arrive early to dine at an outdoor café for a roadside view of the Cajon Classic Cruise.
For more information, you can visit DowntownElCajon.com.
HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS ANNIVERSARY APRIL 14
Heritage of the Americas Museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special event on Saturday, April 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring guest artist Alfredo Rodriguez.
The celebration also features a catered buffet, music, auction, drinks and good times.
For more information, visit heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com/.
ANTIQUES AND CRAFT FAIR APRIL 21-22 AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS
An Antiques and Crafts Fair will be held at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs on Saturday, April 21st and Sunday, April 22nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can view works by over 70 craftsman and artisans while shopping for crafts, collectibles, antiques, and garden items.
Find details at www.SummersPastFarms.com.
MUSICAL JOURNEYS: SPRING CONCERT BY SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA APRIL 29
The San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present its spring concert titled “Musical Journeys” on April 29 at 3 p.m. in the College Avenue Baptist Church.
The program will include John Rutter’s Requiem, music from West Side Story, and the Wizard of Oz. For tickets and details, you can visit http://www.sandiegofestivalchorus.org/.
That’s all for this week!
If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ Radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.
We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!
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