“Admirable cohesion...beautiful touch.” – DownBeat Magazine

“Wittily melds jazz, blues, classical, and Brazilian music.” – Boston Globe

East County News Service

January 16, 2018 (San Diego) -- Pianist/composer Danny Green and his trio – featuring bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelm – perform at the Mission Trails Golf Course (7380 Golfcrest Place, San Diego) on Thursday, January 25^th. Pre-performance dining begins at 4:30 p.m. and the performance will be from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Source: Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural project

Photo: Artist Rik Erickson works to complete expansive 12 feet x 70 feet Mt. Woodson mural to be placed at the Ramona Fitness Center on Jan. 27

January 14, 2018 (Ramona) -- A dedication ceremony for the “Hiking on Mount Woodson” mural will be held on Saturday, January 27 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Ramona Fitness Center at 558 Main Street, Ramona. The public is invited to attend. In addition to refreshments, attendees will receive a picture of the mural, autographed by the artist.

East County News Service

Photo:  Lisa Sanders

January 3, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - The San Diego County Library’s Acoustic Showcase series offers a variety of top local singer/songwriters, folk music performers and storytellers in free concerts for the community.

Upcoming performances include two in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

December 28, 2017 (Descanso) – Acclaimed pianist, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter John Nilsen from the Pacific Northwest will perform a solo piano concert on Saturday, January 13^th at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Hills Community Church, 25153 Viejas Blvd. in Descanso. The concert is free of charge. The church will provide light refreshments, a chance to chat with the artist in a reception after the performance, and his musical CDs will be available for purchase.

According to his bio, Nilsen is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most successful performance and recording artists, with records that have sold well over a million copiesl His love of the outdoors is reflected in many of his works. Chosen a Deering Banjo artist in 2016, he has performed in all 50 states and many foreign countries, also speaking and conducting residencies on songwriting and music performance at schools across the U.S.  He has performed with luminaries such as Jose Feliciano, Jesse Colin Young and Marc Cohn and Kenny G.

Landmark vote sets path to reopen theatre in 2019 for headline acts, though community groups’ use of theatre may be limited

By Paul Kruze

Photo by Miriam Raftery, left: Arich Berghammer, Live Nation, addresses Council prior to historic vote

December 20, 2017 (El Cajon) -- After many community discussions, public meetings and  frustrations over the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) remaining closed for nearly the past decade, the El Cajon City Council last Tuesday unanimously approved a preliminary draft agreement for City Manager Doug Williford to ink worldwide concert producer Live Nation as the new manager of the theatre. (Councilman Ben Kalasho was absent, citing an emergency.)

Prior to the landmark vote which longtime councilmember Gary Kendrick has characterized as “the most important vote and the biggest thing to happen to El Cajon. Everybody wins.” He added that Live Nation “has the Midas touch. Every performing arts center they touch turns to gold.”

By Liz Alper

Photo via Youtube

December 15, 2017 (San Diego) - A lot has been said about Winston Churchill.  Some people (the British) see him as a hero who won Britain the Second World War.  Americans probably see him as that too, but with an added dose of crazy.  And still, some people in darker circles don’t see him as a hero at all.  Focus Features’ Darkest Hour reveals the truth about the man. Or does it?

East County News Service

East County News Service

December 3, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Clap and dance with Celia Lawler, back by popular demand.  The fiddling and clogging singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist will be performing holiday concerts at Parkway Plaza shopping mall in El Cajon on two Saturdays, December 16 and 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Macy’s Court. 

For more information, visit www.shoppingparkwayplaza.com.

East County News Service

December 1, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – Borrego Springs Performing Ars Center will present “Here We Come A-Caroling, Borrego Style” on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 and 9 p.m. and again on Sunday, December 10 at 3 and 4:30 p.m. 

You’re invited to come sing carols with neighbors and friends while being entertained by Borrego's finest musicians and orators.  A program of songs, heartwarming stories and surprise appearances will lift your spirits and add joy to the Holiday season as you celebrate, Borrego style.

By Miriam Raftery

November 24, 2017 (Santee) – Off Broadway Live Theatre in Santee will present “A Big Band Christmas with The Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra & Leonard Patton" on Friday, December 22^nd at 7 p.m.

East County News Service

November 21, 2017 (Julian) – Julian Theatre will present Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.”  This timeless tale focuses on the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future.  Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit and his impoverished family including the frail Tiny Tim face a grim future, unless Scrooge can find redemption and discover the true spirit of Christmas.

East County News Service

November 18, 2017 (La Mesa) – Looking for holiday cheer?  San Pasqual Winery’s tasting room in La Mesa is offering cork wreath making classes, an evening of wine and cheese, and live music nights featuring musicians specializing in jazz, classical, and guitar ranging from country to classic rock and more.  For a full schedule of holiday season happenings, scroll down.

By Valerie Watts

By Paul Kruze

Link to audio of Santee City Council Meeting, Oct. 25, 2017

November 3, 2017 (Santee) -- Cinemark Theatres won unanimous approval from the Santee City Council Wednesday to operate a multiplex movie theater. The multiplex theater is to be built on a seven-acre parcel purchased last spring from the County of San Diego near the Santee Town Center shopping mall and Parc One apartment complex at 320 Town Center Parkway.