East County News Service

August 27, 2019 (San Diego) – The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association (PSRM), an East County-based historical and educational nonprofit, is partnering with the Spreckels Organ Society for the final concert of its summer-long 2019 San Diego International Organ Festival on Saturday, Aug. 31 at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Admission to the concert is free.

By Kathy Carpenter

August 23, 2019 (Spring Valley) – Watching Xanadu is like stepping into a time warp. The musical is based on the Universal film starring Olivia Newton-John. Yes, I saw the movie way back when and loved it--the music, the romance, the innocent kind of fun. It's what we did back in 1980. But I haven't seen the movie since.

East County News Service

August 15, 2019 (San Diego) - Artists from East County that will be showcasing their artwork at the 2^nd annual ArtWalk Carlsbad, afine arts festival that will bring immersive art experiences, visual arts and live music—including a performance by A.J. Croce—to North County on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22. The participating artists from East County include Jason Humphrey, Monique Straub and Gloria Chadwick. 

By Caley Hernandez and Eva Anderson

August 5, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego Repertory Theatre brings 33 ⅓ House of Dreams to the stage at the Lyceum Theatre downtown this August and promises a fun show filled with music and history.  

Before the performance begins, you have a chance to explore the lobby and read the history of David Gold and Stan Ross of Gold Star Recording Studios and even participate in some trivia!  Of note, the show is the brainchild of Ross’ son, San Carlos dentist Brad Ross, and La Mesa teacher/psychologist Jonathan Rosenberg, as ECM previously reported.)

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2019 (Santee) – Off Broadway Live Theatre in Santee will present a live musical play, “Roadshow,” on Sunday Sept. 29 at 3 p.m.   The performance follows a roadshow as singers barnstorm across the country to win a record deal.

East County News Service

July 30, 2019 (San Diego) - ArtWalk @ Liberty Station will return to Ingram Plaza for its 14^th year of “Connecting Creative Communities” on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11 in the Arts District at Liberty Station. The fine arts festival brings visual arts, music and interactive art experiences to the historic San Diego community all weekend long. More than 200 visual artists will be on hand including East County artists Linda Drake, Jason Humphrey, Bette Barnett, Cindy Teyro and Island Paper. Thousands can peruse through the garden browsing artwork and enjoying food, wine and beer, and live entertainment at the two-day, free event.

Source: St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center

July 26, 2019 (El Cajon) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to realize their full potential, will celebrate its 42nd Haute with Heart Fashion Show and Luncheon: Dreaming of Style on Saturday, August 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, located at 1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101.

By Cory Marshall, SDSU News Center

Photo via Disney

July 22, 2019 (San Diego) - Imagine coming across a talking meerkat, muddled between tall blades of grass, somewhere in the serene savannas of Kenya, and feeling as though it is a completely normal encounter. That was the goal for the Disney filmmakers behind this summer’s live action “The Lion King” remake. In order to do that, filmmakers, including San Diego State University alumnus Tom Peitzman (‘87) set out to create a virtual world, and in the process, fashioned an entirely new way live action films are produced.

By Mimi Pollack

July 19, 2019 (La Mesa) - There is nothing better than to see a labor of love come to its fruition.  After six incarnations, the musical play, 33 1/3 House of Dreams, will be presented at the SD REP during the month of August. It is a “dream come true” for Jonathan Rosenberg and Dr. Brad Ross. The history ofhow this play came about is also interesting.

It all started at the dentist’s office. Since 1989, San Carlos dentist, Dr. Brad Ross, has been and continues to beJonathan Rosenberg’s dentist. For many years, they shared a cordial professional relationship. Ross knew that Rosenberg was a special education teacher/psychologist in La Mesa, but it took some years for him to discover that Rosenberg was also a musician and music historian.

East County News Service 

July 15, 2019 (Lakeside) – A concert by Pete and Norene Cook in Lakeside will benefit youths in our area who can’t afford summer camp.  Mapleview Baptist Church will host the concert on Sunday, July 28 at 6 p.m.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photos courtesy Visionary Dance Theatre

Photo:  Shine - KDK dancers; Ruby Anderson, center

July 6, 2019 (San Diego) - This was my third time seeing Kidz Danz Kompany live in performance, so I was delighted to bring a few friends to “Visions of Broadway” at the Horton Grand Theatre on June 1st. The show opened with a fast-paced, crowd-pleasing group number from “Annie Get Your Gun” but later showcased soloists and small groups of dancers, including some adagio numbers and lesser-known Broadway pieces that packed powerful themes.

By Miriam Raftery

July 3, 2019 (Ramona) -- Visitors at the Begent Ranch got hands-on artistic experiences at Ramona’s eclectic new event, the Anomar Arts Festival, last weekend. The festival is the creation of the 2CreateGallery and The Art Center of Ramona, with a goal to help everyone explore the world of art.

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2019 (San Carlos) – The Tennessee Stiffs, performing folk rock/American music, are are making their first west coast outing, the Wayward and Westward tour. Their songs recount “the veiled stories of characters so down and out and steeped in the lonesome tradition of American folklore, they seem more real than anyone would like to believe,” says spokesman Adrian Voorhies. Based in Texas, the performers are receiving national and international acclaim – and on Wednesday, July 24, en route to the Wildwood Music Fest in Oregon, the group will be performing a special no-cover show at The Navajo Live (8515 Navajo Rd., near the corner of Lake Murray Blvd. and Navajo Rd., San Diego) in the San Carlos community from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.

“30 Pieces,” the group’s record released last summer, is described by Voorhies as “an undeniably tasty blend of Outlaw Country, old time Rock ‘n’ Roll, Bluegrass & Folk” from soaring harmonies to grit fiddle riffs and catchy guitar hooks flowing through the record along with evocative songwriting and “just plain fun.”

The group has attained recognition on international and domestic radio. Their song “Nightery” was featured on The Daily Show. Their album, “Bet Americana Album” was an executive top pick by The Akademia Music Awards.

Check out their rave reviews: