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East County News Service
May 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes hot events happening in May across our region, from Friday night dinners and concerts in El Cajon, to Mother’s Day teas in Julian.
Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including America on Main Street in El Cajon, Explore Mission Trails Days, and more.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more.
THIS WEEK
FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER AND A CONCERT SEASON STARTS MAY 5 IN EL CAJON
El Cajon’s Friday Night Dinner and a Concert season starts May 5th and will continue all summer long (through Sept. 29) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Prescott Promenade on Main Street in downtown El Cajon.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to dine at a local restaurant or bring your picnic and lawn chairs. These concerts (free!) are hosted by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. You can see the full line-up of bands soon at downtownelcajon.com.
BLOOMING FASHIONS MAY 6 IN EL CAJON BENEFITS EAST COUNTY ARTS
Friends of East County Arts, which has supported the arts in East County since 1984, will present “Blooming Fashions”, a fashion show at the El Cajon Elks Club, on Saturday, May 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This year’s event promises participants a relaxing afternoon of complimentary champagne catered lunch and the latest fashions from “Macy’s” at Grossmont Center. Friends of East County Arts has contributed more than $800,000.00 to art-based organizations.
For tickets, you can visit FriendsofECArts.org.
FORCES OF NATURE: ROCKCLIMBING & PARTY FOR WOMEN MAY 6 AT MISSION TRAILS
Seeking to empower women through outdoor activities REI has launched “Forces of Nature,” a series of over 1,000 programs for women from May through September nationwide. Locally the series kicks off with events at Mission Trails Regional Park on May 6th that include rock climbing classes for women and a free inspirational TED-talk style presentation by outdoor writer Shelby Stanger. She encourages you to come meet other outdoorsy women around a campfire while stargazing with astronomers, enjoying outdoor games, a campfire with a deluxe S’mores bar and live music.
Nationally, REI is telling stories of women adventurers, makers and rule-breakers, encouraging women. Alyson Wright from REI in San Diego tells women, “Let’s make outside the largest level playing field on earth.”
For details, you can visit www.REI.com and click on the “more” tab, then choose “Forces of Nature” or visit the calendar at www.EastCountyMagazine.org.
BUTTERFLIES AND WATERWISE PLANT SALE IN ALPINE MAY 6
The Alpine Garden Club presents the Waterwise & Butterflies Plant Sale & Festival in Alpine on Saturday, May 6th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine. Guests will see birds of prey, hummingbirds, shop at vendor booths, and enjoy opportunity drawings and a silent auction. There will also be a “Monarch Mania” with butterfly releases at noon, with monarch host plants for sale at Baron’s Market in the Alpine Creek Town Center.
BALLET MY WAY MAY 5-6 AT SAN DIEGO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Kidz Danz Kompany presents its Spring Dance Concert titled “Ballet My Way” at the San Diego Performing Arts Center in the Mission Gorge area of San Diego (4579 Mission Gorge Place) on May 5th and 6th at 7 p.m.
Founding Artistic Director Spencer John Powell will premier two new works “In the Land of Qualities – A Ballet”, a fun new fairy tale inspired by “The Book of Qualities” by J. Ruth Gendler will explore the human qualities within us all, such as Fear, Power, Charm and Joy. The second work will be “My Mother’s Son”, a deeply moving work which will include all male dancers from Kidz Danz Kompany and Visionary Dance Theatre.
Assistant Artistic Director Ramon Montes will present his last new work on Kidz Danz Kompany before leaving San Diego. In addition, a new work called Victory, choreographed by the dancers of Kidz Dance Kompany will combine Hip Hop and Ballet. You can reserve tickets at www.VisionaryDanceTheatre.org.
VINTAGE ALPINE MAY 7
The 27th annual Vintage Alpine event will be held on May 7th from 1 to 4 p.m. This “Wine Experience in the Country” will take place in the lovely gardens at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, hosted by the Alpine Kiwanis Club.
Guests will savor premium wines from California and around the world, also sampling the best that local restaurants from across San Diego County have to offer. The event also includes live music in a garden setting and a silent auction.
Al proceeds will benefit children’s causes across our region, in partnership with the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. This event is for those age 21 and up. For tickets and details, you can go to VintageAlpine.org.
SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL CHORUS & ORCHESTRA SPRING CONCERT MAY 7
The San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present its spring concert on May 7th from 3 to 5 p.m. at College Avenue Baptist Church, performing Mozart’s Requiem, one of the master’s greatest works.
In addition, the musical groups will present “A Salute to Andrew Lloyd Webber” showcasing his unforgettable Broadway musical songs from “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats,” and more. For tickets and details, you can visit sandiegofestivalchorus.org.
NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…
MOTHER’S DAY TEAS MAY 11-15 IN JULIAN
Julian Tea and Cottage Arts will host Mother’s Day teas from Thursday, May 11th through Monday, May 15th. These very special teas include finger sandwiches and savories, scone and tea breads with lemon curd, jam and whipped cream and dessert, Special menus are available by advance requests for children under 12, vegans or gluten-free options.
There are several serving times to choose from, and reservations are commended. For information or reservations, visit www.JulianTea.com.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL MAY 13
The El Cajon Library (201 E. Douglas Ave.) will host its first Monarch Butterfly Festival, in partnership with San Diego Master Gardeners and the Water Conservation Garden organization, on Saturday, May 13th from 1 to 4 p.m.
The event will feature crafts for kids; free native milkweed seeds; and informational tables including the Water Conservation Garden and Resource Conservation District. There will also be a presentation on how to create a butterfly garden, live monarch caterpillars, and a program by Ms. Smarty Plants.
COOL CAR CLASSIC MAY 13
Nearly 70 classic vehicles and muscle cars will be on display during the “Cool Car Classic” on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heartland YouthBuild campus, located at 5280 Orange Avenue in City Heights.
Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Heartland YouthBuild, which provides immediate part-time jobs for high school drop-outs in low-income communities while helping them earn their high school diplomas and receive free hands-on training in green building and construction, building affordable homes.
For more information, you can visit www.HeartlandYouthbuild.org.
AMERICA ON MAIN STREET MAY 20
America on Main Street, a family fun celebration honoring the American spirit, will be held in downtown El Cajon on May 20th from noon to 8 p.m. The event includes four stages with live entertainment, a Ferris Wheel, petting zoo, hay ride, pony rides, kids’ games and crafts.
This year’s entertainment reflects a myriad of cultures in our region. Performers include Chase Avenue Folklorico dancers, Suzuki Violins, Flying Hills Fame, USA Taekwondo Center, Great Musical Sounds, CYT, Latin Percussion, and Wasan Jarbo Folkloric Dance.
For full details, you can visit AmericaOnMainStreet.org.
EXPLORE MISSION TRAILS DAY MAY 21
On May 21st, you’re invited to Explore Mission Trails Day at Mission Trails Regional Park. This all-day event includes special nature hikes, bird walks, a moonlight walk and a start party.
You can also meet birds of prey, visit educational exhibits, enjoy flute music, crafts, face painting, pony rides for children, a climbing wall, and a mini mountain bike track. For a full schedule of events visit MTRP.org.
BAJA BLUES BOYS IN WYNOLA MAY 26
The Baja Blues Boys, known for their original acoustic and electric blues plus roots, Americana and party music, will be performing at the Wynola Pizza Express just outside of Julian on Friday, May 26th from 6 to 9 p.m. You can find details and directions at www.WynolaPizzaExpress.com or get a list of all local appearances by this talented group at www.BajaBluesBoys.com.
That’s all for this week!
If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.
We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!
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