East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) - The California Note Catchers, a women's four-part harmony chorus, will be presenting "Sounds of Summer" on Saturday, June 17, at 2 p.m. The concert will be held at the La Mesa First United Methodist Church, 4690 Palm Ave., La Mesa. 

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (Casa de Oro) - The Friends of the Casa de Oro Library will hold a benefit concert Sunday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in a private home.

The featured entertainment will be Fred Benedetti (photo) and Robert Wetzel, an award-winning guitar duo. Light refreshments will be served.

East County News Service

May 11, 2023 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel & Hardy appreciation society, present their June meeting "Stan & Ollie in Cop Troubles" on June 17 at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.  

By Miriam Raftery

\May 9, 2023 (Warner Springs) -- You’re invited to enjoy a self-guided driving tour through San Diego’s beautiful backcountry, savoring vintages from award-winning local wineries and discovering unique works by talented artists and artisans. The festivities include live art demos, fine arts and crafts, wine tasting, craft beer, picnicking, hiking and live music.

By Jessyka Heredia

May 2, 2023 (Spring Valley) - On Saturday April 29^th the Spring Valley Community Alliance (SVCA) put on its first annual Spring Valley Day with great attendance and lots of things to see and do once inside.

By Kathy Carpenter

April 26, 2023 (La Mesa) - Honky Tonk Angels delivers an electrifying dose of pure country energy with a powerhouse cast and a playlist of iconic hits that will have you singing along and cheering for these fierce, flawed and unforgettable women. Written by Ted Swindle, directed by Jonathan Sturch and with Jerrica Ignacio as music director, this musical revue is a must-see for fans of classic country music and the stories that come with it.

East County News Service

April 16, 2023 (La Mesa) – Renowned singer-songwriter Gregory Page is taking time out from his international tour to perform at San Diego Oasis in Grossmont Center, La Mesa with his haunting and illuminating songs. Opening the show will be local singer-songwriter Peter Boland. 

East County News Service

April 11, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert series opens May 5 and will continue every Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. from May through September.  Opening night will feature Twisted Gypsy, a Fleetwood Mac Tribute band taking you back to the early days of ‘70s rock and roll.

East County News Service

April 7, 2023 (Julian) -- San Diego Music Hall of Fame curator Java Joe Flammini brings the music of Berkley Hart to the iconic Julian Town Hall, a historic, intimate setting that comfortably seats 200.  The well-known musicians will perform their Americana original songs in a concert as American as Julian apple pie on April 22 at 3 p.m.

By Kathy Carpenter

March 28, 2023 (Poway) -- On March 25 at Powpac Theatre in Poway, "The Savannah Sipping Society" opened.  It’s a tale of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. The story follows four women who form a deep bond through a series of unexpected events, helping each other navigate through life's challenges. It is a refreshing take on female friendships that is both hilarious and heartwarming.

Through their weekly meetings, they share laughter, tears, and support each other through their triumphs and struggles. The joy they bring to each other's lives is palpable, and their friendship is a testament to the power of human connection.

East County News Service

Photos courtesy Steve Covault, rockmusicphotos.com

March 3, 2023 (La Mesa) – Local and national stars will be playing American blues harmonica music at Spring Harp Fest. The family-fun event, which raises funds to benefit music education countywide, will be held April 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street in La Mesa.

Since 1999, the Spring Harp Fest has introduced local musicians and music lovers to the great American art of Blues Harmonica. The unique once-yearly showcase includes local jams, competition among unknown players, and some of the best professional players in the music scene.

SNL Star Brings Comedy Brilliance to East San Diego County’s Top Destination for Entertainment and Fun

March10, 2023 (Jamul)  – On Saturday, April 1, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Jamul Casino will welcome Darrell Hammond to The Rooftop for a one-of-a-kind dinner and comedy show.  Widely recognized for his sharp humor and masterful impressions of politicians, celebrities and newsmakers on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Hammond has been keeping audiences laughing for nearly three decades. 

He comes to Jamul Casino as part of its Supper Club at The Rooftop series, which pairs “outstanding entertainment with exceptional cuisine at Jamul Casino's spacious outdoor event venue.  The show demonstrates Jamul Casino’s commitment to offering its guests world-class entertainment, food, and fun,” according to a press release from Jamul Casino.

East County News Service

March 8, 2023 (San Diego) – The San Diego Film Festival is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. This year’s festival, produced by the nonprofit Media Arts Center, will take place March 9-19 at two locations: AMC Mission Valley Cinemas  (1640 Camino Del Rio N., San Diego) and at the Digital Gym Cinema (1100 Market St. 2^nd floor, San Diego).

The San Diego Latino Film Festival is an 11 day celebration of Latino Cinema, Arts & Culture. The festival will present over 160 films from Latin America, the United States, and Spain as well as Opening Night and Closing Night Parties, the 5th Annual Sabor Latino – Food, Beer & Wine Festival, Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, free student screenings, and more. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to meet filmmakers and actors from all over the world. Full lineup to be announced in February 2023.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Racquel Tejada Welch in 1976.

February 15, 2023 (San Diego) – Famed actress Raquel Welch, an international sex symbol who also drew acclaims and a Golden Globe award for her acting talent, died today at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness at age 82. She was a star of movies, TV and Broadway, but her childhood and first acting jobs were here in San Diego County.

Born Jo Raquel Tejada in Chicago, Welch moved with her family to San Diego when she was two years old. She grew up in La Jolla and began winning beauty pageants at age 14. While still in high school, she was named Miss San Diego – Fairest of the Fair – at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar. She attended San Diego State College (now SDSU) on a theater scholarship and married her high schools sweetheart, and had roles in several local theater productions.

She later became a weather presenter for KFMB, the CBS station ion San Diego, before moving with her husband and two children to Dallas, where she worked as a model and cocktail waitress before stardom struck.

Source:  San Diego Watercolor Society

Photo:  “Neptune’s Fountain” by Susan Hewitt.  Watercolor, 18 x 30.  Image courtesy of San Diego Watercolor Society

February 4, 2023 (Lakeside) - Lakeside artist Susan Hewitt has won the Best of Theme awardin the February Members Show “Rendezvous With Paint” on display in the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) gallery at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego. Susan’spainting entitled “Neptune’s Fountain” was selected by nationally known local juror Nancy Oleksa for this honor, out of 214 entries. Oleksa said of  the painting, “This painting is a celebration of the medium of watercolor. The components of the painting, its space division, use of texture, and choice of palette, have come together to evoke a sense of majesty.”