Prepare for a rollicking good time in Gilbert and Sullivan’s uproarious comic opera, brimming with endearing pirates, bumbling policemen, zany escapades, and delightfully ridiculous paradoxes.

 

By G. A. McNeeley 

Photos by Heather Longfellow

March 25, 2025 (La Mesa) — The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera that was created by Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert. Directed and Choreographed by Melissa Glasgow, with Musical Direction by Patrick Marion, this is one show at the Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre you won’t want to miss. 

By Branda Gorgies, with updates by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery

Updated March 13, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – East County has various places to listen to live music, hear comedy, watch plays and enjoy other live entertainment, all while supporting local artists and businesses. Venues range from cozy coffee shops, wineries, breweries and bars to casinos, restaurants, colleges, community theaters, performing arts centers, and city street festivals.

East County News Service

March 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Ram, a grassroots, nonprofit community radio station serving Borrego Springs is now online and can be heard here.

East County News Service

February 21, 2025 (El Cajon) - The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra welcomes its new conductor, San Diego Symphony Orchestra violinist, Hernan Constantino.  He is also on his seventh season as the music director for Mainly Mozart with the San Diego Symphony. His first concert performance is titled “Spanish Nights: A Concert of Passion and Fire” on March 7 at 7:30 p.m.

East County News Service

February 2, 2025 (Santee) - Key of She, a 12 woman choral group, is presenting a free concert on Sunday March 2, at 2 p.m. at the Carlton Hills Lutheran Church at 9735 Halberns Blvd in Santee. The repertoire is an eclectic blend of classical and contemporary pieces. Some a cappella and some accompanied, to cover all tastes in music.

You’re invited to join the Key of She in their first appearance “East of I-15."

You can hear previous performances on their website: KeyOfShe.org.

East County News Service

January 8, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Film Festival takes place January 15-19 in Borrego Springs, showcasing independent films. The event also features a filmmaker networking event, catered opening gala, panel discussions, filmmaker activities, Saturday party, red-carpet event, and catered awards ceremony.

East County News Service

Image: angels and devils prepare for an epic battle for the souls of humanity in the Teatro Pastorela production of "La Pastorela de Coraje," broadcast through January 1 on KNSJ 89.1 radio. The holiday musical comedy has run for 34 years on San Diego County stages and airways. It features (from top l) Ella Aldridge, Alexa Luna, Syara Platero, Chantal Branscomb and David Rivas.  

December 17, 2024 (San Diego) -- Lucifer has made a comeback.

Once tossed from Heaven, the Prince of Darkness is planning an ambitious global revenge tour.

The good guys are ready. Armed with courage fueled by hope and love, they are prepared to push back in a big way.

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – ‘Tis the season to be jolly – so Revitalize Broadway invites singers (no experience required) to join in spreading some holiday cheer. Caroling on Broadway will take place Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 21.

Source:  San Diego Watercolor Society

Photo:  "Got My Eye On You” by Dottie Thompson.  Watercolor, 18 x 24".  Image courtesy of San Diego Watercolor Society

November 19, 2024 (Lakeside) - Dottie Thompson, an artist and resident of Lakeside, California, has won the Best of Theme award in the highly competitive November 2024 San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) Member’s gallery exhibition “Evoking Mystery”. Thompson’s painting titled “Got My Eye On You” was selected by prominent local artist Alice Kayuha for this honor, out of 251 entries. Kayuha commented, “This painting fits the Best of Theme because it is really mysterious. When you first look at it, you don’t even realize what it is. Then you look more closely. and you realize that it is an eye, probably of a crocodile or alligator. The reflection really begins to take on the presence of an eye looking at you. So it really has a mystery to it.”

East County News Service

October 27, 2024 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Springs Film Institute is offering a series of free film showings at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center.

The next showing is the classic film “Casablanca” on November 6 at 7 p.m.  The1942  film, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, features a cynical expatriate American cafe owner who struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.

By East County News Service

October 16, 2024 (Ramona, CA) -- The Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival will expand music performances to include live music on four stages, add beer and hard cider tastings, and introduce food and beer for purchase at its 12th annual festival on November 2 at Begent Ranch,18528 Highland Valley Rd., Ramona.

East County News Service

September 30, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Jacumba Art gallery at 44608 Old Highway 80 in Jacumba  Hot Springs, will host an exhibit of new paintings by talented local artist Linda Churchill. You’re invited to view this special exhibit on Friday, October 18 at 3 p.m.

Churchill, owner of Muralizing, specializes in landscapes and has 35 years experience creating large-scale murals,in addition to paintings.

The artist suffered a devastating loss last year, when a fire destroyed her art studio and home, as ECM reported.

Visit Jacumba Art on Facebook for more on the new art gallery.

East County News Service

September 23, 2024 (Poway) -- Poway OnStage invites you to Eternamente: Dia de los Muertos Spectacular  on October 6 at 2:00 p.m. This celebration of life features lively music, dance, beautiful costumes, and a virtual altar to pay tribute to the departed. There will also be a meet and greet with the cast after the show in the lobby of the Poway Center for Performing Arts.

East County News Service

Photos: Bing Copilot Designer powered by DALL-E 3

September 18, 2024 (Sacramento) – California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed two bills that constitute the nation’s toughest laws regulating deceptive AI videos targeting political candidates.

AB 2839 makes it illegal to make or publish deepfake videos in political ads or election communications within 120 days before an election or 90 days after. The law takes effect immediately. 

The second bill, AB 2655, requires online platforms such as social media sites to remove or label deceptive digital content related to elections during certain time periods, and to allow reporting of such content. . It also authorizes candidates, elected officials, elections officials, the Attorney General, and a district attorney or city attorney to seek injunctive relief against a large online platform for noncompliance.