East County News Service

November 17, 2025 (Julian) – Ebeneezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future will come to life in Julian, where the Julian Theater Company presents Charles Dickens’ holiday classic play,  “A Christmas Carol.”

East County News Service

November 17, 2025 (El Cajon) — ‘Tis the season to enjoy “Jingles and Jam” with Rebecca Jam, who was named Breakout Artist of Year by the Smooth Jazz Network and “Debut Artist of the Year” by JazzTrax, both in 2022. She earned a San Diego Music Award in 2023 “Best R&B/Funk/Soul Album” for her debut solo album, A Shade of Jade.

East County News Service

November 15, 2025 (El Cajon) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel and Hardy fan organization, invite you to close out their 47th year with some End of Year Film Fun in El Cajon on Saturday, December 6.

East County News Service

October 16, 2025 (El Cajon) - Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center will host its first annual Fashion Show Fundraiser – “Boots and Belles: Fashion at the Wieggy” on November 8 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  The event will feature stunning designs of local artist and designer Dawn Hough Sebaugh, whose WALA Collection blends the color, creativity, and western spirit that defines our community.

Located in the heart of the art district in El Cajon, the museum stands as a tribute to the artist whose vivid portrayals of the American West captured the spirit of a bygone era.  Olaf Wieghorst not only painted the West, but he also lived it.  Of all the places he could have called home, he chose El Cajon, where he raised his family, connected deeply with neighbors, and truly began his artistic journey.

By Heidi Hope

October 8, 2025 (Santee) – Natalie Camou de Zavaleta is a Santee resident and award-winning filmmaker whose short comedy, #1 Bad Dad, will be showing at the San Diego Film Festival, which runs October 18 and 19.  ECM interviewed her for our radio show on KNSJ, 89.1 FM on her film, which explores the theme of a father and son separted by detention, then reunited. 

Click hear to listen to the full audio, or scroll down for highlights.

Photo by Hana Tobias for transcenDANCE

East County News Service

Sept. 24, 2025 (San Diego County) – With cuts in federal and state funding putting many arts organizations and cultural institutions at risk, along with as local budget shortfalls, donor fatigue and inflation woes, grants from outside agencies have grown more important than ever for many groups.

Leading the way to help local organizations stay rooted, keep operating and thrive is the The Conrad Prebys Foundation, the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County.

The Prebys Foundation this month announced it is providing $13.375 million in emergency grants to help keep some of the county’s most important cultural centers open.

“Arts are not a luxury,” said Prebys Foundation President and CEO Grant Oliphant. “They are essential infrastructure for a thriving, equitable, and prosperous region. When we invest in the arts, we invest in jobs, innovation, understanding and the shared spaces where our community’s stories and healing come alive.”

More than 60 local arts and culture organizations will benefit from the combined amount of the emergency grants.

The investment includes $8.625 million in unrestricted operating support for 22 organizations ranging from major cultural anchors to grassroots community arts groups. It also includes $4.75 million for venues and spaces funding to 39 organizations to preserve and enhance affordable, accessible places for creativity and connection.

Source: Bonitafest

Photo:  campus police officer threatens to arrest the newspaper faculty advisor for refusing to turn over students in the 48th annual Bonitafest Melodrama "Here Comes The Sun," based on the true story of the 2010 South Bay Corruption Scandal story broken by Southwestern College journalism students. Pictured (l-r) Randy Phillips, Ella Aldridge, Dalia Candelario, Alec Zelaya, Kloie Blunt-Coleman, Sofia Petroulias and Yanelli Robles. "Here Comes The Sun" runs Sept. 24-27, 7:30 p.m. at the Southwestern College Performing Arts Center. Tickets (619) 850-7126. 

September 22, 2025 (Chula Vista) - For a few weeks in September 2010 the Southwestern College Sun student newspaper was the most famous publication in the U.S., if not the world. A corrupt college president ordered the paper shut down but did not count on a team of scrappy students and their stubborn professor punching back.

East County News Service

Photo: “In Trouble” depicts a twisting bronc as it tries to throw its rider. It is the artist’s best known etching.

September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) -- The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon opens an exhibition of the Etchings of Olaf Wieghorst on Friday, September 12 and runs through October 10. Twenty-six original etchings created by Olaf Wieghorst between 1937 and 1940 along with an original copper etching plate will be displayed.  

East County News Service

August 9, 2025 (Julian) - If you are going to Summergrass, and if you are a Julian Family Fiddle Camp (JFFC) alumni OR if you are interested in attending JFFC, you are invited to attend the JFFC pie scial & promotion at 7 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 16.

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Hot August nights and late summer days bring some of East County’s most iconic events. 

This month’s hot happenings include the Ramona Country Fair, San Diego Dark Sky Fest in Julian, A Gatsby-themed Mt. Helix Food and Wine Festival celebrating the Mt. Helix Park’s centennial, a country music pool party at Sycuan, Santee’s summer concerts,  La Mesa’s classic car show, Julian Mountain brew fest, Macy Gray in concert at the Magnolia, Grammy Award-winning Alabama Shakes at SDSU, Julian Mountain Brew Fest, open farm days at the Oaisis Camel Dairy,  and the new Jacumbia Fest brings Afro-Columbian vibes to Jacumba Hot Springs.

Scroll down for details on these events and more.

By Miriam Raftery

July 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As the weather heats up,  late July has many cool events including visits to the new Camel Lavender Farm in Ramona, Music on Main in El Cajon, Cajon Cruises, Movies at county parks and recreation centers, La Mesa’s Sundays at Six concerts and classic car shows, outdoor concerts in Santee and Lemon Grove, concerts by a lazy river at Sycan, tribute band concerts at The Magnolia in El Cajon, as well as outdoor concerts at Viejas.

Scroll down for details on these sizzling midsummer events.