Source:  Saps at Sea

June 18, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Ahoy all Saps! Time to set Sail on the ocean of laughter!  The Saps at Sea, the San Diego section of the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, the Sons of the Desert, presents their 40th Anniversary Spectacular on Saturday, July 28 starting at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley.

By Peggy Junker

June 14, 2018 (La Mesa) - With the publication of James Newland’s chronicled history of La Mesa and the Mt. Helix area titled “Around Mt. Helix,” word has gotten out that this community has been an artist’s hub since the turn of the 20^th century.  From the area’s famous film-makers, performers and painters of the past, to today’s galleries and well-known residents, it remains a haven for the arts and art supporters in East County. 

Dan and Roz Oserin, owners of Nainsook Framing + Art, expanded their part in the local art scene last year when the two hosted a juried art show for the heART of Mt. Helix event to benefit Mt. Helix Park.  For the second year, they will host the contest in their Nainsook Gallery along with the artists’ reception on Saturday July 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is open to the public.

East County News Service

June 13, 2018 (El Cajon) - Sha Na Na debuted in the ‘50s, performed at the now legendary Woodstock festival, was featured in the movie Grease, and on their own Sha Na Na TV show. 

Founded by students at Columbia University in New York, the band has continued through the years with new members from Columbia joining three of the original band members still on tour.

By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – What good is sitting alone in your room? As the song goes, come to the cabaret this Sunday, June 17 at San Pasqual Winery’s tasting room in the La Mesa downtown village. This night of story and song in the winery’s intimate back room will feature four talented singers Roylee York, Tim Moore, Amy Rubinate and Ron Snyder on piano, organized by Los Angeles producer Clifford Bell. 

The 6 p.m. show has a $15 cover charge plus two items minimum (beverages and light snacks are available).

For tickets, visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3476298.

East County News Service

June 5, 2018 (Alpine) – Summer concerts at the Alpine Community Center Park return on select Friday nights starting at 6 p.m.  The park is located at 1830 Alpine Blvd. behind the library.

Presented by the Alpine Community Center and Alpine Library, the concerts provide live music for all ages.  Bring a picnic dinner or you can buy food from local vendors.

The summer concerts schedule is:

By Miriam Raftery

June 3, 2018 (Poway) -- “Country crooners, ‘80s hitmakers and man’s best friend are among the headlining talent Poway OnStage have lined-up for their 2018/19 Professional Performance Series at the Poway Performing Arts Center. This season, we are delighted to welcome old friends and new talents to the Poway stage,” says Poway OnStage President and CEO Michael Rennie.  “Returning Poway OnStage alum include perennial Poway favorites and equal opportunity offenders The Capitol Steps, guitar masters the Romeros; and celebrity talents from Dancing with the Stars and American Idol performing the all-new Motown with a Twist.” 

“First time appearances include  ‘80s hitmakers Starship featuring Mickey Thomas; the Indian-dance-by-way-of-Bollywood spectacular, Mystic India; the wily canine exploits of The Stunt Dog Experience; the revamped Kingston Trio, the inimatable Arlo Guthrie, Irish dance phenomenon Murphy’s Celtic Legacy and country singer Clay Walker.”

Below is the full schedule and details:

East County News Service

May 29, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Foothills Art Association invites everyone to enjoy “Art in the Park” an art show and sale at MacArthur Park in La Mesa on Sunday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Many local artists will be displaying and selling their artwork during a festive day in La Mesa’s newest community park. See the art, listen to the music, bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy a family day at MacArthur Park.  

Source:  Saps at Sea

May 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the official Laurel & Hardy fan club of San Diego, will continue their slam-bang festival of Funtastic films on Saturday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. (with the show starting at 7:00 p.m.) at Williams Hall at Trinity Church (3902 Kenwood Drive) in Spring Valley. 

A local take on Humans of New York; book launch event July 19 at Warwick's La Jolla at 7:30 p.m.

By Jennifer Coburn

May 16, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - We’ve all seen how projects like the popular blog and book Humans of New York connects people through photography. Real people are seen through a new lens as they share their life experiences. Snapshots and text serve as a means to share universal truth through unique images.

San Diego artist and photographer Jennifer G. Spencer is adding a new photographic element to this conversation with the release of her new book THE ARTIST PORTRAIT PROJECT: A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMOIR OF PORTRAIT SESSIONS WITH SAN DIEGO ARTISTS (She Writes Press, July 12, 2018). Eleven of the artists live right here in East County, including La Mesa residents: Dottie Korn-Davis, David Beck-Brown, Suda House, Chris Lee, Polly Jacobs Giacchina, Jess Dominguez, and Mary Lynn Dominguez; El Cajon residents Ellen Phillips, Ron Tatro, and Bill Mosley; and Spring Valley resident Kim Knox. 

Source: Steele Canyon High School Drama Department

Photos: Leanna Neely, Jackson Shaffer (cover photo), Mary Rose Vadeboncoeur

May 10, 2018 (Spring Valley) -- The Steele Canyon High School Drama Department is proud to announce that three of their students have received nominations for the 2018 Broadway San Diego Awards for their roles in the SCHS spring production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 7, 2018 (El Cajon) – East County Art Association in El Cajon seeks entries for its “Masters of the Moment” juried art show, which will run June 1-July 13 at the Olaf Wieghorst Gallery in El Cajon. Entries will be accepted in these media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, gouache, collage, ink, pencil, mixed media, and photography.

East County News Service

April 30, 2018 (Lemon Grove) - San Diego County Library’s Lemon Grove branch is partnering with the City of Lemon Grove for the second  annual Art Days: Family Art Festival. The event takes place in front of the Lemon Grove Library (3001 School Lane) on May 19 from 1-3 p.m.  The highlight will be an engaging community art project, led by local artist Ben DeHart. Art Days allows the community to get creative and participate in a variety of explorative art options, including button making and painting.

By Kathy Carpenter

East County News Service

April 18, 2018 (San Diego) - East County’s San Diego Festival Chorus presents its spring concert on April 29th with Rutter’s "Requiem" and songs from "West Side Story" and "The Wizard of Oz".

The "Requiem" comes from the Englishmen, John Rutter. It is a contemporary masterwork, a beautiful, simple requiem with an appeal to all who hear it.