Guitar music propels Flamenco dancers in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.
This afternoon I enjoyed watching some amazing Flamenco dancing. Balboa Park’s colorful Spanish Village, the home to many artist studios, hosted the special event. As beautifully dressed lady Flamenco dancers performed for the public, local artists at easels painted away!
Flamenco dancing is fiery, stately and proud. Each dance and dancer glowed with unabashed human emotion. The audience learned a little about the nature of this Spanish folk dance, but I was so mesmerized I failed to jot down many notes. I remember that one dance was said to represent defiant joy, another a representation of pure, carefree womanhood.
The public was invited to watch local San Diego artists painting a performance by the La Paloma Flamenco Dance Company.Crowd shouts and claps as the whirling ladies move their limbs and tap feet with graceful, fluid, joyful abandon.The energetic Spanish folk dancing causes colorful fabric to fly and twirl like a gauzy dream.A range of powerful human emotion is transmitted to the audience during each fantastic Flamenco dance.A carefully watching artist has made a few sketches during the performance in Spanish Village.I don’t know how an artist can begin to capture the dynamism and detail of the colorful, kinetic dance!A local artist from Spanish Village in Balboa Park streaks color across a canvas. A skilled hand and eye produces the same bold living essence expressed by the dance.
Young and old together dream in a small outdoor nook in Balboa Park.
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park has erected a cool little exhibit on their outdoor rear patio called the Centennial Railway Garden. To commemorate the hundred year anniversary of Balboa Park, a detailed layout features streetcars traveling among 3D-printed reproductions of several buildings in the park. The scenes date from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Visitors young and old can dream they’ve traveled back in time as they take control of the fun model train action with their smart phone! (Technology has changed somewhat in the last hundred years!)
Go check out the Centennial Railway Garden and have a lot of fun!
Volunteer at San Diego Model Railroad Museum walks past 3D-printed model of the historic California Building with its bell tower.Putting a model of a streetcar on the tracks. A hundred years ago, John D. Spreckels’ Class 1 streetcars provided transportation around San Diego.This small replica of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is part of special exhibit that commemorates Balboa Park’s centennial.The Centennial Railway Garden also includes a model of Balboa Park’s Botanical Building and nearby reflecting pool!Getting the streetcars ready early one weekend morning before many visitors arrive at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum.The very cool Centennial Railway Garden is a place in Balboa Park where dreams from the past come alive.
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Painted underwater scenes on the grass at the Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration.
Astonished eyes were staring down at the ground at the Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration. That’s because a very colorful, very long painted canvas had been unrolled on a patch of grass for festival visitors to admire.
What you see in these photos is a segment of the seven kilometer long “Fishes of the Ocean” painting. The amazing artwork, depicting marine life, was created by thousands of mostly young people in the Philippines from 2006 to 2009. The project was an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest painting on a single canvas!
I did some research on the internet, but I’m still not sure whether a record was officially set. If you can provide more info, leave a comment below!
Small segment of the amazing seven kilometer long Fishes of the Ocean painting.Talented young artists, mostly unknown, contributed to this colorful environmental art.Abstract fish forms swim in a school on a very large canvas.All sorts of exotic tropical fish are swimming at the ocean’s bottom.Sea life painted in many vivid colors.Fishes of the Ocean was created in the Philippines in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record.Visitors to Balboa Park in San Diego walk past an unexpected cool sight!A land shark waits motionless in the grass!The long strip of fun art zigzagged across the grass near the International Cottages.Creativity is one of the attractions at the annual Filipino cultural festival.Just a wonderful product of human imagination.This appears to be a scene from a coral reef.A scuba diver among bubbles and rays of colored light.I see a turtle, whale, starfish and octopus.Cartoon ocean creatures prompt smiles in Balboa Park!
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Mural being painted for the Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration.
I saw a variety of cool sights during my morning walk today. While soaking up some San Diego sunshine, I checked out this weekend’s Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration. The annual Filipino cultural event is bigger and better than ever!
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the setting for many top notch performances, including a concert tonight by American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez! The festival also enlivens the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, with lots of art, history, food and fun.
I learned that the House of the Philippines has received the green light to build their own cottage in Balboa Park. I’ll be sure to follow that project’s progress on my blog!
House of the Philippines participated in the event. They will soon have a home among the nearby House of Pacific Relations International Cottages.A crowd is gathering on Saturday morning to watch Filipino entertainment at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.Tents around the perimeter of the pavilion contained interesting cultural information.Poster shows many important Filipinos throughout San Diego’s rich, diverse history.Marie Zhivago wrote a cool children’s book titled The Sakura. I learned sakura in Japanese means cherry blossom.
Marie Zhivago is a super nice person who is also an author and cartoonist. I enjoyed talking with her and learning new stuff! Please check out her website!
Numerous interesting displays were on the lawn in the International Cottages area.This poster documents Heroes and Presidents of the Philippines.Another poster shows how hip hop culture has been influenced by Filipino artists.Beautiful costumes and dresses were being worn by many at the festival.Kids check out fun exhibits at the Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration.Philippine American organizations contributed to Balboa Park’s historic centennial with this great event.
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Jeff, a challenged athlete who benefits from Operation Rebound, at a special marathon Spreckels Organ concert.
Right now I’m sitting at my computer on Cortez Hill, not far from Balboa Park. Sometimes I imagine–for a brief moment–that I can hear music drifting in through the window. Whether my ears are deceiving me or not, I do know that the huge Spreckels Organ is booming across the beloved urban park at this very exact moment.
How do I know this? Because San Diego’s own Civic Organist, Dr. Carol Williams, is playing the king of musical instruments today for twelve and a half hours straight! In addition to setting a new official Guinness World Record for organ playing, she’s raising money for Operation Rebound!
Operation Rebound is a division of the Challenged Athletes Foundation. They help American military personnel, veterans and first responders who face permanent disability, but who have a passion to compete in sports. An active lifestyle can help greatly when it comes to both mental and physical health. Here is their website.
The unique event today at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion helps to raise money, so that wounded warriors can obtain expensive prosthetics, specialized equipment, and funds for travel as they compete in sporting tournaments.
It is a most worthy cause.
You can donate right now! Even a few bucks helps! To do so, click here!
Operation Rebound table had images of wounded warriors who have turned or returned to sport. This organization helps challenged athletes with their expenses.Dr. Carol Williams, San Diego’s Civic Organist, is playing for over 12 hours to help raise money, plus to set a new world record!The beautiful Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park is the scene of an important Memorial Day weekend event.Jeff talks movingly about how Operation Rebound has helped him. Wounded warriors who engage in sports often need funds for prosthetics, travel to tournaments, and special equipment.At a table nearby, people were creating greeting cards that thank our troops for sacrificing for our freedom.One handmade heartfelt card reads: You Rock! Thank you for your bravery, dedication, and amazing strength.
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Two fountains near the reflecting pool, at either end of the Botanical Building, have fallen into disrepair.
This year Balboa Park is celebrating its centennial. A hundred years ago, for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, many event structures were created out of plaster, with the idea that they would be temporary. But San Diego fell in love with the park as it was and changed its mind. It would be a shame to lose so much beauty. Today much of Balboa Park, after many years of maintenance and restoration, is like a glowing vision preserved from San Diego’s past. But time marches on. And more work always needs to be done.
During a quick walk this afternoon through Balboa Park, I paused to look at some construction that is underway near the monumental El Cid statue, at the south edge of the Plaza de Panama. A friendly guy who was working there told me a little bit about three current restoration projects.
Here are my pics! Please read the captions, where I provide some more information.
Funds for many Centennial restorations and improvements have been provided by the Friends of Balboa Park.Plaque recalls how a second identical fountain (next to the Timken Museum of Art) was restored back in 1965 by The Thursday Club.The passage of time has been unkind to the impish faces on two fun Balboa Park fountains.One of two guardhouses on either side of El Prado, at the west end of the Cabrillo Bridge.The stately guardhouses are being repaired this summer. The plaster ornamentation on top is in bad shape.A close up photo of the plaster finial at the apex of one tile roof. The hundred year old material has crumbled.The decorative finial has already been removed from the second guardhouse, and is being reconstructed.Guy working on restoring the balustrade next to the El Cid statue. The walkway will soon be ADA accessible.The old wooden balustrade is being replaced with modern material that should last much longer. Hopefully another hundred years!This hard-working guy at the balustrade construction site was nice enough to talk to me and smile for the camera!
UPDATE!
During a walk in mid-September, I noted the balustrade is completely finished, and so are the two fountains! They look awesome–like new!
Both fountains–on either side of the Botanical Building–have been beautifully restored!
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Colorful umbrellas, chairs, tables, planters and even a patch of green have been added to the Plaza de Panama.
Improvements were recently unveiled in the heart of Balboa Park, San Diego’s crown jewel and cultural center. The historic Plaza de Panama is now a gathering place containing many tables with colorful chairs and umbrellas, planters brimming with green, and art-splashed benches. A once semi-barren public square has become a truly comfortable gathering place for both locals and visitors to America’s Finest City!
In June 2013, the first wave of improvements set in motion by Mayor Filner removed unsightly parking from the Plaza de Panama. Some tables and chairs were added, but a large area between the beautiful fountain and the San Diego Museum of Art remained empty. Three weeks ago, under Mayor Faulconer, additional amenities appeared. Personally, I love the scattered reds and blues of the umbrellas, a color scheme which I find very tasteful. Plaza de Panama is now a suitably dynamic and welcoming outdoor public space.
A few days ago I got some pics!
Someone walks between red and blue umbrellas that have sprouted in front of the San Diego Museum of Art.A bicyclist and tourists on a rented quadracycle head through the beautified Plaza de Panama.This cool new art bench on the east side of the plaza includes an image from Balboa Park.You can now sit on sunshine!Many trees, shrubs and succulents have been added to the once semi-barren area.Photo of House of Hospitality rising behind colorful umbrellas. I love it!Just walking along with the dog.The Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park is a place to talk, read, enjoy, eat, relax.
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Thoughtful, talented young artists create a graphic novel using imagination and creativity.
I made a very cool discovery!
A local high school had an intriguing exhibit in Balboa Park yesterday during the big Garden Party of the Century event. The CCA Envision Conservatory for the Humanities Hummingbird Project has been launched by Canyon Crest Academy in Carmel Valley. Students are creating a graphic novel!
The four-part graphic novel will tell the story of four separate children who magically transform into a hummingbird and take flight. During each journey, the central character meets other animal friends and explores new places. The exciting stories encourage imagination and help educate the reader about culture, mythology, history and the environment.
What a fantastic, brilliant idea! Students learn, write, create art and become published all at once!
Perhaps other schools might be interested in doing something similar!
The Hummingbird Project includes a four-part graphic novel created by students at Canyon Crest Academy!Inspiring exhibit at Balboa Park’s big Garden Party of the Century event.
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Child gives potted plant to spectator during floral wagon parade in Balboa Park.
It was a memorable day in Balboa Park!
To celebrate its centennial, San Diego’s historic Balboa Park is throwing a number of special events this year. Today our beautiful park was the scene of the Garden Party of the Century. And what a party it was!
As the title suggests, the emphasis was on gardening and the many incredible gardens of our world-class urban park. Spring flowers filled every corner, and lots of people came out to enjoy excellent exhibits. A unique parade also took place, as you’ll see in the following photographs.
The event’s main ceremony involved Marines from San Diego’s Marine Corps Recruit Depot, which is perhaps a mile (or two) from the park. The Marines played an instrumental role during the early days of Balboa Park, which was created for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The mere presence of a Marine camp inside the large park back then eventually helped to preserve many of the wonderful old Spanish Colonial Revival-style buildings visitors marvel at today.
Many tents with horticulture exhibits were around Balboa Park for the Garden Party of the Century. Some can be seen next to the Botanical Building.These friendly folks explained that dahlia blooms can be as large as fourteen inches!Displays concerning gardening were front and center during the special Balboa Park Centennial event.These master gardeners showed me what a ladybird larva looks like! (It’s the critter on the right.)There were lots of flower arrangements and botany-themed art throughout the park!It’s still early in the morning, so some exhibitors are still setting up near the reflecting pool.This super cool lady talked to me about the work of the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department.Smiling lady from the San Diego Epiphyllum Society.Lots of plants were for sale in the park, including on the Casa del Prado patio.Ducks and baby ducklings were swimming about the lily pads in the Balboa Park reflecting pool!Sign shows the way to the Rose Garden across Park Boulevard.One example of Balboa Park’s Adopt-A-Plot volunteer gardening program. This plot is in Sefton Plaza.A photo I took this morning of beautiful flower beds in the Alcazar Garden.Another exhibitor near the huge Moreton Bay Fig Tree and Natural History Museum has a cool trash can painted with flowers and a bee.The Navy was showcasing its environmental programs.Marines cross street in front of the Casa del Prado Theater.The floral wagon parade was staged in a parking lot by the Balboa Park carousel.Musicians stand ready for the beginning of the big parade through Balboa Park.San Diego’s own Fern Street Circus has gathered for the parade holding colorful banners.Other performers from the Fern Street Circus wait a bit further down the parade route for the spectacle to begin.The Garden Party of the Century Parade is underway and turning onto El Prado!Kids, families, wagons and flowers. An overcast day after our recent stormy weather.Here come drummers and a flag down the festive parade route!Look at the boldly colored dresses and fantastic costumes!Here come some lush, wonderful floral wagons.Garden Party of the Century parade turns the corner and heads down El Prado toward Plaza de Panama.Flower-laden wagons pass in front of ornate Casa del Prado facade.A bee is followed by a beekeeper!The parade approaches the reflecting pool as it passes booths that line El Prado.This lady in an elegant old-fashioned dress was handing out goodies to the watching crowd.A painter in Balboa Park gets an eyeful as the parade passes by.Uncle Sam and lots of other happy San Diegans.Dr. Seuss seems to be a favorite author of the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department!The cool parade finally reaches the spacious Plaza de Panama in front of the San Diego Museum of Art.A second parade nears! Marines from San Diego’s MCRD march down El Prado for a special ceremony.The band leads the way as marchers from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot enter Plaza de Panama.The Marines played an important role in Balboa Park’s beginning, and are duplicating their march from 100 years ago!Marines stand at attention. The San Diego mayor, MCRD commandant and other dignitaries spoke during the special Balboa Park Centennial event.Civilian and military bystanders look on as a memorable San Diego event is taking place.Proudly marching Marines head west down El Prado toward California Tower and Museum of Man.Marines start across the Cabrillo Bridge to reproduce a famous photograph from one hundred years ago!
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EarthFair was held in San Diego’s Balboa Park to celebrate Earth Day.
Late this morning I took a walk through this year’s EarthFair. You might have seen my blog last year, when I posted photographs from the gigantic event. Every year EarthFair attracts tens of thousands of enthusiastic San Diegans to Balboa Park to celebrate Earth Day. It’s billed as the largest free annual environmental fair in the world, and that sounds true to me! It’s huge!
Many of the over 300 exhibitors throughout Balboa Park can be seen at the event every year, and last year I featured many in photos. So I figured this year I’d focus slightly more on close up images. Super colorful art on signs, shirts, gifts and canvases provided many opportunities for my camera. I also saw a lot of smiles!
Cool graphic on official EarthFair shirt. The annual Balboa Park event attracted a huge crowd as usual!One of many handmade signs with environmental messages… love the Earth. Plant a tree.Bright sunflowers on table of urban farming advocates.Super smile promoting the Cacaofest, which celebrates the cultures behind the chocolate! I’m there!Solar-powered rotating globe held in a sculpted human hand.Creating art out of perfectly good food saved from dumpsters. I blogged about these guys last year!
Donate Don’t Dump is a project undertaken by Rob Greenfield. Check out my blog from last year, if you’d like!
A powerful smile from the artist behind Nuts and Beans are Powerful Proteins!Protecting animals was one major theme at EarthFair.This cool guy is Dr. Wilderness. He had a family magic show. Great outfit!This cheerful Dad and daughter musical duo was raising money to help build school gardens.A flower and a smile. I learned how copper gives slimy snails an electrical shock!A happy blue whale out of water.Lots of tie-dye could be seen throughout Balboa Park.Many crafts, clothes and goods for sale featured lush color and spiritual imagery from Eastern religious traditions.A super cool painting of Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, created by artist Michael Rosenblatt.
Is this painting of local baseball legend Tony Gwynn awesome, or what? It has a Facebook page!
Lots of hand-crafted musical instruments were for sale.Some guys carry flags in preparation for a small Earth Day parade through Balboa Park.Sam Garcia, Jr. paints a canvas. Several talented artists were at work for all to see.Creative kids (or adults) could color these huge panels however they pleased!Large panels on display featured fantastic artwork, many images with a 1960s feel.This human skull really caught my attention!Beautiful wild animals in an exotic nature scene.What’s your sign? This panel showed activist signs photographed during the 25 years of EarthFair.This very nice Quaker lady advocates vegetarianism.Kids’ art shown at The Project Lennon table. This organization promotes peace and positive outlets for urban youth.Various vegan and vegetarian groups had different booths and some humorous signs.I wonder what the animal rights folks would think of this? Animals used to fight poverty and hunger!Which one of these is the real animal? That happy parrot on top!Sign states that every year 30,000 species go extinct.I saw lots of banners with peace signs and rainbow colors.This butterfly was flitting about in the San Diego spring breeze.Food was also a major topic, and appeared in unusual works of art.This totem pole was made of recycled materials!A table in the kids activity area promoted imagination and creativity.Harry Eubanks of Rivers Eden paints cool art on old bits of wooden fencing.Fun art from recycled everyday items in the Repair and Reuse tent.The art of peace by Da Vinci, Warhol, Picasso, Van Gogh and other famous artists.Arts and crafts were for sale in a large vendor area on the grass near Park Boulevard.Lion dances would take place later in the day!Volunteer today! Plant a butterfly garden in Balboa Park! Do it!Art was encouraged everywhere I turned. I enjoyed taking a walk through the 2015 EarthFair!
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Cool San Diego Sights! 