June 9, 2012 (Santee) – The city of Santee’s Summer Concert Series, now in its 29th year, begins June 14.  Performances are every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through August 16, except July 5.  The concerts take place at the Town Center Community Park at the north side of the San Diego River.

The 9 concert series features the return of three musical acts that attracted sizeable crowds last year, as well as an eclectic lineup of 7 other bands that range from country to classic rock.

June 9, 2012 (Spring Valley) – A benefit concert for The Mighty Joe Longa will be held at the Spring Valley Moose Lodge, 9062 Memory Lane, Spring Valley on June 10 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  The entertainment will include the Robin Henkel Band with Billy Watson, Modern Rhythym, Tomcat Courtney, Joey Harris and Mental Farmers, Black Market III and Mojo Nixon.  The master of ceremonies will be Jim McInnes.

This year’s concerts through the decades will honor the centennial

June 9, 2012 (La Mesa) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County Foundation presents the 2012 “Sundays at Six” Summer concerts beginning June 10 at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa at 6:00 p.m.  The series of free concerts will continue through June, July and August.

June 7, 2012 (Campo) – The Mountain Empire-Campo Kiwanis presents a Barn Dance at the Star Ranch, 31310 Hwy 94, Campo on June 9.  The BBQ begins at 7:00 p.m. with the dance following from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.  The “Honkey Tonk Kings” will be the featured country dance band.

June 7, 2012 (Jacumba) – Telemagica’s Galaxia 2012 takes place June 8, 9 and 10 beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday on the grounds of the Institute of Perception (Railroad Street) in Jacumba. 

The event is a yearly gathering of collective performance art dedicated to the evolution of the human spirit through the arts.

June 1, 2012 (Jacumba) – Local artist Bill McGee is showing two pieces of his work at the Jacumba Library, 44605 Old Highway 80, during the month of June. The artwork will be for sale and McGee will donate all proceeds to the Jacumba library and the Mountain Health Center, except for a small amount to be used to replenish his paints.

May 24, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Olaf Wieghorst Western Heritage Center will present the 2nd Annual Wieghorst Western Music Jubilee!  The event will take place on Saturday, June 2, at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theater in Rancho San Diego.

Belinda Gail, Sourdough Slim, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Tom Hiatt & The Sundown Riders, are just a few of the artists who will be entertaining. The show begins at 7:00 p.m.

Update May 28, 2012 with a video news report by Paul Kruz, exclusive to East County Magazine, including interviews with the developer and Councilman Wells:

By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery

May 23, 2012 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Council drew applause yesterday when by a unanimous decision, Council members rejected a proposal to tear down the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site.

Instead, Council agreed to work with community members and a newly formed ECPAC Foundation to reopen the theater long heralded as a centerpiece of El Cajon's downtown revitalization. 

May 27, 2012 (San Diego) – Young Actors’ Theatre is holding auditions for a production of Guys and Dolls on May 29, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at 9620 Campo Road, Spring Valley for aspiring actors from Grade8 through college.

May 25, 2012 (La Mesa) -- O’Dunn Fine Art is hosting a first viewing of Paul Strahm’s new paintings on May 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the gallery, 8325 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa.  Strahm’s fresh-to the market pieces include paintings of Torrey Pines, the Del Mar Fair, The Gaslamp, Little Italy, Balboa Park and more.

ECPAC Foundation, SAVE ECPAC groups  plan rally to save theater at 1 pm;  workshop at 2 p.m.; Council meeting at 3 p.m.

May 22, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Today at 1:30 p.m., the El Cajon Council will hold a special workshop on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center.   Council has given an exclusive 180-day agreement to a developer to propose plans for tearing down the theater and building a hotel.  Today, developer E. Neal Arthur will present his plans at the workshop.

May 19, 2012 (El Cajon) – Valley Music Store is holding Open Microphone Night May 19 at 1611 N. Magnolia Ave., Ste. 310, El Cajon at 6:00 p.m.  Dress up as your favorite pirate or gypsy and take the stage to play, sing or tell family oriented jokes.  Or just listen and be supportive.

A light repast of water, snacks, coffee and cookies will be available for a small donation.  During Open Microphone all items in the store (excluding consignments) will be 20% off.

May 17, 2012 (Flinn Springs) – The Strings of Spring Music Festival is being held at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs on May 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Bring lawn chairs and blankets. The event benefits the Challenge Center which provides physical therapy and assisted fitness services for the disabled.

By Miriam Raftery

May 16, 2012 (El Cajon )—El Cajon’s City Council will hold a public workshop on Tuesday, May 22 at 1:30 at 200 Civic Center Way to discuss whether to destroy the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and put up a hotel on the site—and if so, how to finance the proposal.

Representatives of a newly formed ECPAC Foundation that seeks to save the theater have put out a public plea for concerned citizens to turn out in support of keeping the theater.

May 8, 2012 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale will present two performances of “Resonantes Musica,” featuring the works of choral music composer Morten Lauridsen, at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 11, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 625 Pennsylvania Ave., San Diego, and at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 7710 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa.

May 5, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) hosts the 19th annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival. The festival, rich in culture, talent, and Jewish soul, is organized and directed by Todd Salovey, associate artistic director, San Diego REP.

May 4, 2012 (Julian) – Through the beauty of films celebrating the environment, the Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival promises to inspire activism and appreciation for the natural word. 

This weekend's May 5-6 festival in Julian, a historic gold rush mountain town, brings touring films from the famed Nevada City Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The fun debuts with a party tonight and another Saturday featuring lively tunes of Grand Canyon Sundown. Hikes on Volcan Mountain and in Santa Ysabel Preserve are also planned, as well as award-winning films, a non-fiction filmmakers workshop, and guest speakers.

Film highlights include Connecting the Gems, which tracks two National Geographic Adventures of the Year on a 520 mile trek through the Rockies’ premier wildlife corridors.  Chasing Water, winner of  Best Environmental Film and Best Documentary at other film fests, traces a Colorado watershed from river to the sea. 

May 3, 2012 (El Cajon) – It's been two years since the East County Performing Arts Center went dark.  But on Monday, a group of concerned citizens seeking to "Save ECPAC" took a behind-the-scenes tour last week to determine the extent of repairs needed to reopen the cherished community landmark. 

Although challenges are steep, the good news is that the cost for critical repairs appears to be significantly less than the estimates  provided by the city for a more ambitious renovation.

May 2, 2012 (San Diego) -- The Allied Gardens SpringFest is May 11-12 at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center, 5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego.  The kick-off party begins at 5:00 p.m. on May 11 with a concert featuring Fusion Beat at 7:45 p.m.  Saturday’s events begin at 9:00 a.m. with a Pancake Breakfast, followed by the SpringFest Parade.

Festivities include a car show, vendor booths, including food and a beer garden.  Saturday’s performances will be by Pullman Standard and Rockola. Children’s activities include a carnival, pony rides, inflatables, a rock climbing wall and a dunk tank.