May 7, 2011 ( La Mesa) -- You're invited to purchase tickets today for C. Hook Theater's upcoming production, Once Upon a Mattress. It will be held at the Performing Arts Center at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, located at 6845 Universtiy Ave., San Diego.

The play will be performed by C. Hook Theater's cast of high-school-aged students June 22, 2011 through June 24 at 7.00 p.m. with the June 25 performance at 1:00 p.m. Be our guests as you enjoy a delightful evening of entertainment and comedy.

May 5, 2011 (La Mesa)--Approximately 300 students from the Grossmont Union High School District plunged into designing water-themed jewelry in the 3rd Annual Golden Artistry Jewelry Design Competition. The twenty-two finalists will be honored this Thursday evening, May 5th from 5-9 p.m., at La Mesa’s Community Center.

This FREE event is a fundraiser for the arts, with funds distributed by Friends of East County Arts, Inc. The evening will have FREE food from Tiramisu Trattoria and El Cajon Applebys.  Wine and beer will be available for purchase. The evening also includes a live auction and opportunity drawing prizes. The event is open to all who want to support the arts.

April 28, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Arts Alliance and the East County Youth Symphony present the 4th Annual Spring Concert at the La Mesa Community Center on Sunday, May 1 from 3-5:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The event also includes a silent auction and refreshments.

April 28, 2011 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to express yourself in public through the spoken word, poetry, song or dance at the Space Bar Internet Café at 7454 University Avenue in La Mesa tonight from 7:30-10:00 p.m.  The event, hosted by Jim Moreno, will feature author, poet and musician Lalo Velasco, recipient of a California Arts Council Grant. Refreshments are available.

"We've got a conga player from Cuba, and a percussionist from Ghana, and another from Zimbabwe that make the evening an interesting combination of music and spoken word," Moreno said.

April 20, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – Heritage of the Americas Museum, located on the campus of Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, is holding anl art sale featuring original works by well known artist Guadalupe Apodaca, whose popular works feature Native Americans and the West. He has galleries in Scottsdale and Santa Fe.

The Museum is also holding a sale featuring Pan Dao, the stitchery of the Lao Hmong. During the Vietnam War, the Lao Hmong allied with United States forces. Their service was vital in leading downed airmen back to friendly territory. Without a written language, their stitchery was the art form that recorded their beliefs and their history.

April 15, 2011 (El Cajon ) – Main Street 5 Gallery will host an art and jewelry show Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. to showcase works by artisans Chuck McPherson and Jeff Fulkerson.

“McPherson’s paintings swim in rich color and vibrant brushstrokes, complimented by Fulkerson’s jewelry that will make any night on the town a unique experience,” said Esther Beish, owner of the gallery.

By John Rene Gardner
Photos by Veronica Lavarello

April 11, 2011 (Ramona)--A dusting of snow in many places over Ramona Friday night gave way to a bright sunny Saturday, fine weather for the fourth annual, Rotary-Kiwanas Music Fest in beautiful Dos Picos Park.

It was a perfect setting to enjoy a sampling of San Diego County’s finest musical talent featuring Cactus Twang &Whyte, Aja Alycean, The Gilbert Castellanos New Latin Quintet, Baja Blues Boys, Brandon Burrill, Emily Grace Rajcic, Jason Winters, the Filthy Violets, Sage, Grand Canyon Sundown, Ramona Town Hall Brass Band, Sherm the Band, RHS Royal Blues Jazz Band, as well as Henry and the Seacreatures.

April 2, 2011 (Ramona) – This year, The Ramona Music Fest IV benefit concert will be 50 percent longer than in the past – a full six hours on April 9 from noon to 6 p.m. at Dos Picos County Park, 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd. in Ramona.

The nonprofit event, hosted by Ramona Kiwanis and Ramona Rotary clubs, will feature top local and San Diego-area performers plus emerging talent on two stages.

March 29,2011 (La Meas)--The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library in La Mesa, is featuring an exhibit of 22 paintings by El Cajon resident Hazel Ross. The paintings include Ross’ signature watercolor landscapes and portraits in pastel.  Art will be on exhibit now through the month of May.

March 26, 2011 (Ramona)--If you've ever wondered what an artist’s studio really looks like, now is your chance to see for yourself. Eighteen award winning artists from Ramona have been invited to open their studios to visitors. Meet these artists, discuss their work and process, and even add to your art collection if you're so inclined.

By Abigail Migala

March 21, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation will present "Where the Wild Things Grow," an exhibition features paintings by seven award-winning artists in the Mission Trails Regional Park Gallery from March 26 through April 22.

RSVP by March 21; proceeds benefit St. Madeleine Sophie's Center

By Abigail Migala

March 8, 2011 (San Diego)—Young actors ages 6 to 18 are invited to audition for an upcoming musical production of The Sound of Music. Young actors will find plenty of opportunities to learn their craft and dazzle onstage,” a press release on the auditions states. Scholarships are available. Everyone who auditions will be in the show!

Auditions will be held Thursday, March 17 from 4-8 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., San Diego. Scroll down for details on the show and auditions.

Event at United Church of Christ La Mesa will benefits Charley Brown Children’s Center in La Mesa

March 3, 2011 (La Mesa) – Robert Preston, as Professor Harold Hill, created a memorable musical moment in the movie “The Music Man,” parading 76 trombones, 110 cornets and other instruments through the streets of River City. Sliding forward in time, on March 6, 2011 at 6 p.m., the eight trombonists in San Diego’s own Bone-A-FieD Brass Ensemble will appear in a special concert followed by a “Mini-Mardi Gras Party” featuring Cajun hors d’oeuvres and more music.