All ticket and raffle sales from the event will assist Japan in rebuilding after earthquake, tsunami

June 10, 2011 (Santee) -- The Santee Summer Concert Series, now in its 28th year begins June 16 and features a live band from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every Thursday through August 18 (Except July 7). The series features the return of four bands that last year were crowd favorites, plus six other bands that range from doo-wop to authentic blues.

Bands will perform on a raised stage overlooking a lawn at the east side of Town Center Community Park just north of the former concert at Trolley Square.

June 3, 2011 (Jamul) --There will be a free reading this Saturday of "Triangle: The Fire That Changed America"" by Joel Castellaw. The haunting story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire of March 25, 1911 is told. This horrific event changed labor laws throughout the United States, and is a powerful, historic story.

June 2, 2011 (El Cajon) -- On Saturday, June 4, 2011 The Olaf Wieghorst Museum will be holding its Western Jubilee at the Cuyamaca Performing Arts Center located at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon, California. The stars are: Rusty Richards, Belinda Gail, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Tom Hiatt and the Sundown Riders. The concert will benefit Wieghorst Educational Programs.

May 27, 2011 (San Diego) -- Just in time for Memorial Day, hit songwriters Denny Randell and Buddy Schippers, creators of GIJams.com, debut their first in a series of compilation recordings featuring top GI Jams musical Artists.

They launched their social music network and multi-media project as a way to spotlight and promote the musical talents of active duty veterans and reserve of all branches, ranks, and rates.

 STUDENT RATES ADDED: $10 at door

EARLY-BIRD RATES EXTENDED! ($15 if you pre-pay online; $20 at door)

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.