East County News Service

December 4, 2017 (La Mesa) -- The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa , is now presenting its Fall Art Exhibit showcasing 20 watercolor paintings by Ruth Benjamin, a San Carlos resident.

East County News Service

December 1, 2017 (Borrego Springs) -- Sinatra and Friends pays tribute to the man and his music featuring countless songs, synonymous with Frank Sinatra, as well as many other memorable favorites people have come to love.

East County News Service

November 29, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra will present a free concert on Sunday, December 17 at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 500 Farragut Circle in El Cajon. The program includes a medley of Christmas music.  Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

Image: “Signs of Survival” courtesy of SDWS

Source: San Diego Watercolor Society

November 28, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Ski Torzeski, an artist and resident of El Cajon, won the Second Place award in the highly competitive Member’s show, “Polar Extractions," currently at The San Diego Watercolor Society. His painting titled “Signs of Survival“ was given the honor by award-winning artist and juror, Mary Sievers.  According to Sievers, “I love how this artist captured the light. The colors and design are remarkable.”

  By Paul Kruze

November 20, 2017 (El Cajon) – Since the East County Perform Arts Center shut down  in 2010, many East County residents have been frustrated with the slow pace of completing repairs and finding new management.

Finally, at last Tuesday’s El Cajon City Council hearing, residents heard the news they’ve long been waiting for. Mayor Bill Wells and City Manager Doug Williford announced that a preliminary five year management agreement for the theater has been reached with Live Nation, a Beverly Hills-based live-events company focused on producing worldwide concert and entertainment-show promotions.

Details of the final agreement are expected to be shared at the next meeting and approved by the City Council. The vote will mark the culmination of some one-and-a-half years of negotiation by Williford.

Story by Liz Alper

Photos courtesy Disney

November 6, 2017 (San Diego) - Just in time for Dia de los Muertos, Disney and Pixar’s Coco takes audiences on a colorful journey..  Right off the bat, the music introduces you to the rich Mexican culture you'll experience throughout the film.  Music continues to carry you throughout the movie.  In fact, the movie is about music!

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left: 1948: Creation and Catastrophe Directors Professor Ahlam Muhtaseb, Ph.D. and Andy Trimlett

November 13, 2017 (San Diego) – October’s San Diego Arab Film Festival was a success, featuring films from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, France, Tunisia and the United States.

By Valerie Watts

November 3, 2017 (El Cajon) - Are you ready to see all your favorite fair tales mixed together, stood on end, and performed by an enthusiastic high school performing troupe?  Granite Hills High School Theater is presenting the Broadway version of "Into the Woods" at 1719 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon.  Performance dates are November 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. with additional matinee showings at 1 p.m. on the 11th and 18th.  Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger.  For more information, message 619-655-1213.

East County News Service

October 29, 2017 (San Diego) – Mission Trails Regional Park announces a series of fall activities.  These include concerts and a Native American flute circle, a star viewing party, live hawk demonstration, bird watching and wildlife walks, an art show and more.

For a full schedule of events, scroll down.  For details on all of these activities, visit http://www.MTRP.org.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left:  Mackenzie Hyden, Michelle Porras, Zayda Estrada, and Sophia Torres in “Spiral Dance” 

October 20, 2017 (San Diego/La Mesa) - Bamboozled by Spencer John Powell's Kidz Danz Kompany was energetic, fast-paced and fun to watch. The music selection was stellar and made for an upbeat show; even a toddler in the row next to me was jumping up and down and dancing with the music. My favorite parts were the flips by Michelle Porras, the high energy classical piece “Psalms for the Children of Syria” and the graceful “Spiral Dance.”

Show continues this weekend Oct. 12-14

Review By Kathy Carpenter

Associate Reviewer sdtheatrereviews.com

Freelance Writer Splash Magazine

October 10, 2017 - (Casa De Oro) - Kids are amazing. The Young Actors Theatre stars shine again and again. They are committed, work hard, and keep growing as talented young people—some of whom could have long careers in the arts if they wish.

Peter and the Star Catcher, directed and choreographed by Joe Dioisio, is a complex but not well known show that is at times hard to follow. The story is about Peter Pan, before he was Pan. Let your imagination take flight.

By Liz Alper

October 7, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the international Laurel & Hardy fan club, presents their Halloween program, Howlarious HalloScream! on October 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.   The Saps are teaming up with the Theater Organ Society of San Diego and both groups' very own Russ Peck will be playing organ accompanyments to the films.

East County News Service

September 30, 2017 (San Diego) -- Visionary Dance Theatre, a La Mesa-based dance troupe, presents “Circular Visions” at the City Heights Performance Annex (3795 Fairmount Ave, San Diego) on October 6th-7^th at 8 p.m.

East County News Service

September 28, 2017 (El Cajon) - The German America Club of San Diego hosts its annual Oktoberfest at its headquarters (1017 Mollison Ave.) in El Cajon over two weekends, September 29^th through October 1^st and again October 6^th through 8^th.