November 12, 2010 (Julian)--Julian Stage Company and the Julian Chamber of Commerce present the 2010 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol--a Julian holiday tradition. Give your holiday spirit a boost with the classic story of a lonely, hard-hearted old man who finds the true meaning of life and love one haunted Christmas Eve.

Be sure to allow time to take in the quaint holiday charm of small-town historic Julian this holiday season, with its horse-drawn carriages, strolling carolers, and spiced cider.

November 9, 2010 (Alpine)  Artists perform in period costumes and even guests are invited to attend in historical fashions at the Chamber Music Extravaganza on November 13 at 4 p.m. at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 1460 Midway Drive in Alpine.

November 4, 2010 (Poway) - Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, two of the world's most celebrated Celtic fiddlers and the power couple of the Canadian fiddling world, return to Poway for a concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 6th.

By Anne Spencer and Hub Thompson

October 21, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Valley Music Store hosts its next open mike nights  from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sasturday, October 30th. For many years now, the 58-year-old music store has had a reputation for drawing some of the best musical talent around at its open mike nights. These events are free and open to the public at the store’s new location at 1611 Magnolia Ave. in El Cajon.

October 8, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present Tin, written and directed by Jerry Hager, October 22 & 23 at 7:30 p.m. and October 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the Stagehouse Theatre. All tickets for this event are $6 each. The story, Tin, is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story The Steadfast Tin Soldier, an adventurous tale in which toys come to life in the shadows of night.

October 2, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present The Miser, directed by Henry J. Jordan, Oct 7-9 and 13-16 at 7:30 pm and Oct 9 and 16 at 2:00 pm in the Stagehouse Theatre.  

East County News Service

September 29, 2010 (El Cajon) –The German American Societies presents the 39th annual Oktoberfest in El Cajon over the first two weekends of October, the 1st – 3rd and 8th – 10th, 2010. Hours of this traditional, family-friendly festival are Fridays from 5:00 to 10:00 PM, Saturdays from noon until 10:00 PM, and Sundays from noon until 9:00 PM.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Paul Parks

September 14, 2010 (Alpine)--Michael Bolton displayed the dazzling breadth of his talent in a concert at Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge in Alpine Sunday night. His performances ranged from vintage classics by Sinatra and Gershwin to jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. Mounting a platform in the center of the audience, he sang his Grammy Award-winning version of “When a Man Loves a Woman” – much to the delight of women in the crowd.

September 11, 2010 (El Cajon ) - The 21st Invitational Art Exhibit at St. Clair Gallery, featuring over 165 pieces of fine art, runs through September 17. An artists’ reception will be held on September 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

September 9, 2010 (Alpine) –Viejas Casino (http://www.viejas.com) announced today that legendary singer, songwriter Michael Bolton will perform at the Viejas DreamCatcher Lounge on September 12.

August 26, 2010 (Alpine) – It’s comedy night at The Vine in Alpine on Friday, August 27 at 9 p.m. This month’s comedians include headliner Patrick DeGuire, as well as Graci Stumpf, Willy Wilson, and Josh Lawson—with a cover charge of just $7.

How do you top that act? On Saturday, August 28 from 4-7 p.m., the Vine is offering wine tasting—at just $10 for up to 10 tastes.

August 20, 2010 (San Diego) – The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Verge Teen Theatre company will present Les Miserables School Edition, the first show for this teen-organized theatre company.

Revealing art exhibit Aug. 18-Sept. 26

August 13, 2010 (La Mesa) – O’Dunn Fine Art in La Mesa unveils “A Century of Naked Ladies”, kicking off the month-long exhibition with a special celebration August 18 from 5 to 9 p.m.
 

August 5, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - “This has been a very big undertaking,” Valerie Harrison, president of the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, said of the first-ever Summer Music & Culture Festival set for this Sunday, August 8 starting at 11 a.m. in the Water Conservation Garden. “The Chamber has been working on this for nearly a year."