DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: LATE FEBRUARY AND EARLY MARCH EVENTS

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Hike by the light of the moon, join a stargazing party, enjoy a Nature Day celebration, tour a wolf preserve or a camel dairy, enjoy live comedy, concerts, a livestock fair and barbecue, and a desert art show—all coming up in East County.

SPACEBAR COMEDY SHOW FEB. 23

SpaceBar Cafe & Wine Bistro  in  La Mesa hosts its next comedy night on February 23rd at 7:30 p.m. 

This month’s show promises an uproarious evening with a stellar lineup of talented comedians. Beyond the laughter, SpaceBar offers foods made from locally sourced ingredients.  For more information, visit atSpaceBar.com  

BEETHOVEN MOVIE IN EL CAJON FEB. 24:  BRING YOUR DOG TO BREAK A WORLD’S RECORD

The City of El Cajon is going to the dogs--trying to break the world record for the most dogs to watch a movie screening together. You’re invited to bring your dog to a showing of the movie Beethoven on Saturday, February 24th at 1 p.m. in Wells Park.

The family comedy film  features a St. Bernard dog who causes all kinds of trouble for his human family. This event will also have fun activities for children.

Be sure that your dog is vaccinated, not aggressive, and used to being around crowds with people and dogs. You can come early to enjoy dog park areas at Wells Park—then hopefully help set a world’s record.

WOLF TOURS IN JULIAN

The California Wolf Center in Julian invites you to book a guided tour of their facility to see their resident wolves and learn about wolf conservation. 

Various tours are offered each weekend this month at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations are required.

The Wolf Conservation and Behavioral Enrichment Tours are both one hour in length and offer an opportunity to see critically endangered wild wolves and learn all about them from an expert at the center’s Conservation Facility on KQ Ranch Rd. in Julian. 

Both public and private tours are available. Reserve online at californiawolfcenter.org

FULL MOON DESERT HIKE FEB. 24

The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History  Association will lead a full moon nighttime walk in South Palm Wash on February 24th from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

The mile and a half long moonlight walk is a tradition of the organization, now in its 13th year.

A flashlight, water, and good hiking shoes are required. 

For reservations, visit the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association at ABDNHA.org 

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS FEB. 24

Young Adult Theatre will present “Little Shop of Horrors” February 16th-25th at Cuyamaca College in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon.

A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. 

 The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. He soon discovers the plant’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination.  

For tickets, visit YATsandiego.org/littleshop.

OPEN FARM DAY AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY FEB.24

Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona hosts its next open farm day on February 24th from  12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Guests can enjoy a bird and camel show, meet-and-treat camels and lambradoodles, take a camel ride,  and shop for camel milk products including artisan soaps, lotions, chocolate and more.

For tickets and registration, visit cameldairy.com. 

PLEIN AIR INVITATIONAL ART SHOW IN BORREGO SPRINGS

The 18th Annual Plein Air Invitational in Borrego Springs, California promises to be a captivating celebration of art and nature. The event runs from March 4th to April 14th.

The invitational centers around Plein Air paintings, which capture the unique beauty and environmental significance of the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Borrego Valley.

While wildflowers typically start popping up halfway through February, the peak blooming usually occurs in March and continues through April. Given all this winter's rain this year's floral blooms in the Anza Borrego should be early and quite exceptional.

Fourteen talented artists have been invited to create plein air or outdoors paintings during the week of March 4th to 9th, inspired by the desert landscape.

Throughout the week, new artwork will be displayed daily in the gallery at the Borrego Arts Institute..On March 9th, from 3 to 5 p.m., the awards ceremony and reception will take place.  

For more information visit borregoartinstitute.org. 

MARSHALL TUCKER BAND AND JEFFERSON STARSHIP AT SYCUAN FEB. 29

The Heritage Events Center at Sycuan Casino will host a leap day concert on February 29th at 8 p.m. with the Marshall Tucker Band and Jefferson Starship.

Jefferson Starship has earned 3 platinum and 8 gold records, as well as many top 40 singles hits such as “We Built This City” and “Somebody to Love.” The Marshall Tucker Band’s many hits include “Heard It in a Love Song,” Can’t You See” and “Ramblin’.”

For tickets, you can visit  Sycuan.com 

STAR PARTY AT MISSION TRAILS MARCH 1

Mission Trails Regional Park and the San Diego Astronomy Association invites you to a star party on the first Friday of each month starting at sunset at the Kumeyaay Lake campground parking lot. The next star party is on March 1st.

Telescopes will be available to view the nighttime sky including stars, planets and constellations, weather permitting.  Find more information at Mission Trails Regional Park’s website at MTRP.org   

LAMPLIGHTERS PRESENTS “FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS”

Lamplighter’s Theatre in La Mesa will present the comic play, “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.” The show runs March 1st through 24th.

During an ostentatious wedding reception at a Tennessee, estate, five reluctant, identically clad bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom, each with her own reason to avoid the proceedings below. As the afternoon wears on, these five very different women joyously discover a common bond in this wickedly funny, irreverent, and touching celebration of women’s spirit.

For tickets, visit https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/. 

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NATURE DAY ON MT. HELIX MARCH 2

The Mt.  Helix Park Foundation will host  Nature Day atop Mt. Helix on March 2nd from 9  a.m.to 3 p.m. 

This event celebrates the historic nature preserve, native plants and wildlife that rely on habitat at Mt. Helix Park. There will be fun for all ages, from kids’ activities to learning lectures. Vendors from nature-minded organizations will have booths, crafts and activities.

You can bring a picnic, or buy lunch from food trucks. There will be no parking on Mt. Helix, but you can take a complimentary shuttle from the fire station at the corner of Vivera and Mt. Helix Drive.

Learn more at MtHelixPark.org 

EASTERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR AND BBQ MARCH 17 IN LAKESIDE

Here’s an event to squeal about! A tradition since 1947, the Eastern San Diego County Junior Fair will be held on Sunday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds (12584 Mapleview St., Lakeside).

Future Farmers of American and 4-H members will be exhibiting and auctioning livestock that they have raised.

You can also savor slow-cooked barbecued meats and vie for raffle prizes, as well as get more information about 4-H and FFOA. All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit  Eastern San Diego County Junior Fair. Tickets for the barbecue are $15.

LYLE LOVETT AT THE MAGNOLIA MARCH 24

Country music singer and songwriter Lyle Lovett will perform live in concert at the Magnolia theater in El Cajon on March 24th at 7 p.m.

Lovett has won four Grammy awards, including best country vocal performance and best country album. He’s recorded 13 albums and released 25 singles, including the hit song,”Cowboy Man.”

For tickets, visit MagnoliaSanDiego.com 

That’s all for this week. We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!