Review by Kathy Carpenter

Photos courtesy Eva Anderson

October 15, 2018, (City Heights) – Questa, the chronicles of an American family, is a celebration of director Spencer John Powell's ancestors from the beautiful little village of Questa, New Mexico. Alex Haley once said, "In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, bridge to our future."  Powell celebrates his family with this dance tribute, performed by Visionary Dance Theatre  in 13 amazing contemporary dance numbers. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2018 (San Carlos) – The third annual pop-up garden art show presented by the On the Edge Art Collective will be held on Sunday, October 21 from 12-4 p.m.  The event will be hosted by Bebe Brookman in her home and garden at 6378 Lake Athabaska Place in San Diego’s San Carlos community.

The show will feature works of artists Sandee Bass, Bebe Brookman, Fredda Schiffman Ferguson, Suzanne Gegna, Midge Hyde, Joan Creech Kraft, Shelby Marzoni, Lori Sandstrom and Berta Villaescusa.

East County News Service

October 1, 2018 (City Heights) – Visionary Dance Theatre of La Mesa will present “Questa," chronicles of an American family, at the City Heights Performance Annex (3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego) on October 11th-13th at 8 p.m.

The performance is based on the genealogical work of Artistic Director Spencer John Powell’s ancestors from the beautiful little village of Questa, New Mexico. He has traced his family’s roots back to the early 1600s and has developed work representing the family names of Duran, Rael, and Quintana, their indigenous, Spanish, Jewish, French and African lineage.  Powell also explores the beautiful landscape of this village nestled in the mountains.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo left by Eric Metz

September 14, 2018 (Ramona) – Artist Chuck McPherson personally delivered his magnificent painting of Cedar Creek Falls to the lucky auction winner, Cindy Fuchser, at Lenora Winery in Ramona.  McPherson live-painted the artwork during East County Fest to benefit East County Magazine and the East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts.

Photo courtesy of Marty Ennis: Am anniversary commemoration of the PSA crash two years ago drew hundreds to Grossmont College to hear witnesses, first-responders and family members of those who perished share their memories of the tragedy. This year marks the 40^th anniversary and a film screening and discussion on Sept. 25will be open to the public. 

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The 40^th anniversary of the PSA Flight 182 crash in San Diego that killed 144 people and scattered wreckage and carnage across North Park will be remembered at an event Sept. 25 at Grossmont College.  Family members of those who perished, as well as first responders and PSA workers, will share their memories following a free, public screening of the documentary film, “Return to Dwight and Nile,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Grossmont College’s Griffin Gate, Building 60. 

Source: Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Murals

September 11, 2018 (Ramona) -- Check out two utility boxes turned into art at 4^th and Main across from the Ramona Valley Inn by Lourans Mikhail and another at 14^th and Main, facing 14^th  next to Dunkin Donuts, by Marie Bravo.

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (El Cajon) – Alley Cat Art Walk will take place on Friday, September 14^th from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  It’s the purr-fect place for lovers of arts and music, plus you can enjoy wine tasting, a beer garden, artisan crafts booths, boutique vendors, live music and children’s activities in addition to fine art.

The event’s activities will be held in Arts Alley between Main and Rea streets, as well as surrounding street.  Alley Cat Art Walk is sponsored by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center and supported by a San Diego County Community Enhancement grant.

East County News Service

August 27, 2018 (Ramona) - Gregory Page & pianist Sky Ladd will perform at the Schwaesdall Winery September 22nd from 1-4 p.m. for an afternoon of vintage and perhaps even some brand-new music on the vineyard stage. To borrow Gregory's famous lyrics: "Let's wine & dine" on Schwaesdall's estate wines and artisan pizzas while savoring music from the GP Duo.  

East County News Service

August 18, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The critically-acclaimed and award-winning Kidz Danz Kompany, San Diego’s premier children’s dance company, presents “The Red Cloak," a re-telling of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood at Greenfield Middle School Theater (1495 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA, 92021) on September 7-8, 2018 @ 7 p.m. 

By Miriam Raftery

Our East County Fest 10-year anniversary celebration for East County Magazine on August 25^th at Mission Trails features an array of top musical talent from East County including prominent jazz/pop/ classical/Nuevo Flamenco guitarist Miles Moynier, award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Jim Earp, talented and creative performers from Visionary Dance Theatre, and the San Diego Native American Flute Circle, honoring 12,000 years of Native American history in our region.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A highlight of our upcoming East County Fest on August 25^th from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park (advance tickets required) will be prominent artist Chuck McPherson, who will create a painting live to be auctioned off at the event. 

Self-described as “flamboyant and a stand out creative,” this talented local artist and teacher has won international recognition and received hundreds of awards in juried art shows. Cherished by collectors, recent works by McPherson have sold for thousands of dollars.

His works have been displayed around the world, including locally at the Ola Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center, San Diego History Center, California Center for the Arts  and Marston House Museum. Internationally, he holds three Signature Memberships with The San Diego Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies; A Signature in watercolor is like a PhD in medicine.

Source: Mt. Helix Park Foundation

July 12, 2018 (La Mesa) - Tickets are on sale now for the 11th annual heART of Mt. Helix. You’re invited to come and experience local art, music and cuisine at Mt. Helix Park’s popular celebration/fundraiser held at one of East County’s most extraordinary venues. 

The Arts District at Liberty Station’s Ingram Plaza will transform into a sea of colors as local artists display artwork of all mediums

East County News Service

July 7, 2018 (San Diego) – ArtWalk @ Liberty Station will return to Ingram Plaza for its 13th year on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12 in the Arts District at Liberty Station. The free event’s 2018 theme “Connecting Creative Communities” embodies ArtWalk’s mission to bring San Diego together to enjoy art and cultural expression all weekend long. In addition to thousands of works of art, attendees can also expect food, wine and beer, live entertainment and interactive art projects. East County artists include clay artist Cindy Teyro, photographer Amir Barlev, jewelry artist Bette Barnett and abstract artist Theresa Vandenberg Donche.

Source: Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project

July 1, 2018 (Ramona) -- The Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project will hold a dedication ceremony for its 18^th mural, “Ramona Raceway Dragster,” by artist Dave Ybarra at Ron’s Tire & Brake, 2560 Main St., Ramona on Saturday, July 7, at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

Source:  Saps at Sea

June 18, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Ahoy all Saps! Time to set Sail on the ocean of laughter!  The Saps at Sea, the San Diego section of the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, the Sons of the Desert, presents their 40th Anniversary Spectacular on Saturday, July 28 starting at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley.