Tag: clowns

A clown, acrobats and circus animals on Fourth Avenue!

A happy clown face decorates the Fourth Avenue sidewalk, a block north of Broadway near the center of San Diego.
A happy clown face decorates the Fourth Avenue sidewalk, a block north of Broadway near the center of San Diego.

Should you ever walk along Fourth Avenue in downtown San Diego, you might stumble upon a delightful surprise.  A bit north of Broadway a clown face smiles up from the sidewalk. Above him is a heaven of old circus tile artwork, depicting exotic animals and performers in every sort of crazy pose. The art decorates a building which is now home to Halah’s Market.

It isn’t the sort of thing one expects to see in San Diego! At a Las Vegas hotel or casino, perhaps!

I can find nothing about the origin of this circus artwork. If you happen to know something, please leave a comment!

Halah's Market in downtown San Diego has a storefront with some amazing old circus artwork. After a little searching, I found nothing about the history of this building.
Halah’s Market in downtown San Diego has a storefront with some fantastic, nostalgic circus artwork. The canopy above the entrance resembles a carousel.  Searching the internet, all I learned about this building was that it was built in 1925.
Acrobats and performing animals of every description . . . including elephants, penguins, zebras, camels and bears. A circus atmosphere in an unexpected place!
Acrobats and performing animals of every description . . . including elephants, penguins, zebras, camels and bears. A circus atmosphere in an unexpected place!
A singing pig is joined by a trapeze artist and a seal in a hat. One often sees images of surfers, Hispanic culture or local landmarks in San Diego--not the circus!
A singing pig is joined by a trapeze artist and a seal in a hat. One often sees images of surfers, Hispanic culture or local landmarks in San Diego–not the circus!
More fun animals in poses that suggest absurd circus acts.
More fun animals in poses that suggest circus acts.
A surprising clown greets walkers in downtown San Diego!
A surprising clown greets walkers in downtown San Diego!

UPDATE!

I got a great comment! This location used to be the Chi-Chi Club San Diego! More can be learned here!

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Irish pride on display at big St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Irish damsels on horseback linger before start of the 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Diego.
Very elegant Celtic damsels on horseback linger before start of the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego.

Here come a bunch of fun pics! I took these this morning as folks were getting ready for the big annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in San Diego. I saw all sorts of Irish pride on display. Lots of smiles. Lots of laughter. Enjoy!

Members of the 3rd West Cork Brigade were dressed in period costume to demonstrate their Irish pride.
Members of the 3rd West Cork Brigade were dressed in period costume to demonstrate their Irish pride.
Irish gentlemen in green jackets cross the grass at the west end of Balboa Park.
Irish gentlemen in green jackets cross the grass at the west end of Balboa Park.  The festival was just getting started.
An Old Irish Pub sign at the big St. Patrick's Day Festival next to the parade route.
An Old Irish Pub sign at the big St. Patrick’s Day Festival next to the parade route.
This funny fellow was carrying the Morning Paper down Sixth Avenue.
This funny fellow was carrying the Morning Paper down Sixth Avenue.
I see this friendly smiling clown every year at the parade!
I see this friendly smiling clown every year at the parade!
Young and old alike celebrate Ireland and wear the green.
Young and old alike celebrate Ireland and wear the green.
I saw lots of Irish Setters, of course.
I saw lots of Irish Setters, of course.
Someone watches as members of local United States Marine Corps band practice. Photo taken near Balboa Park's lawn bowling green.
Someone watches as members of local United States Marine Corps band rehearse. Photo taken near Balboa Park’s lawn bowling green.
Marine Band San Diego gets ready to participate in the 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Marine Band San Diego gets ready to participate in the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Irish dancing was being performed on one stage an hour before the parade got underway.
Irish dancing was being performed on one stage an hour before the parade got underway.
Bagpiper players and drummers form a circle as they practice for the big parade.
Bagpipe players and drummers form a circle as they practice for the big annual parade.
One of several large Irish Wolfhounds that were checking out the festivities.
One of several large Irish Wolfhounds that were checking out the festivities.
Some musicians get ready on a trailer beside the parade route. They're advertising Rope the Musical.
Some musicians get ready on a trailer beside the parade route. They’re advertising Rope the Musical.
And here are some old-fashioned penny-farthing enthusiasts.
And here are some old-fashioned penny-farthing enthusiasts.
Folks prepare their float for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It will feature a big orange shamrock.
Folks prepare their float for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It will feature a big orange shamrock.
The mascot of a local business gets a necklace of shiny green beads!
The mascot of a local business gets a necklace of shiny green beads!
Smiles, laughter, great fun, and lots of Irish pride.
Smiles, laughter, great fun, and lots of Irish pride.

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Fun photos from today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Saint Patrick was seen in downtown San Diego banishing snakes and frowns.
Saint Patrick was seen in downtown San Diego banishing snakes and frowns.

A long, warm, wonderful walk today filled my trusty old camera with lots of photos! First up: some fun images from San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Last year I took pics up and down Sixth Avenue (just west of Balboa Park) where the parade was staged, and this morning I did exactly the same thing. Predictably, cool sights were everywhere my eyes turned!

This smiling gentleman is dressed in the uniform of the Knights of Columbus.
This smiling gentleman is dressed in the uniform of the Knights of Columbus.
Crowd gathers early before the big St. Patrick's Day parade kicks off.
Crowd gathers early before the big St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off.
Lots of dogs were wearing the green this morning.
Lots of dogs were wearing the green this morning.
Fun green hats and stuff line the grass by the sidewalk.
Green hats and fun festive stuff on the grass by the sidewalk.
Shriner mini cars are always a popular part of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Shriner mini cars are always a popular part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
These clowns are relaxing in the shade as a sunny San Diego day heats up.
These clowns are relaxing in the shade as a sunny San Diego day heats up.
This cool old Ambulance and Patrol vehicle awaits start of parade.
This cool old Ambulance and Patrol vehicle awaits start of parade.
The distinctive Shriners float doesn't look very Irish to me, except for a bit of green!
The distinctive Shriners float doesn’t look Irish to me, except for a bit of green!
The Best-Rate Repair Company float is making its first appearance this year.
The Best-Rate Repair Company float is making its first appearance this year.
This guy in a traditional kilt will be playing the bagpipes for everyone to enjoy.
This guy in a traditional kilt will be playing the bagpipes for everyone to enjoy.
Marching band instruments lie on the grass before start of the St. Paddy's parade.
Marching band instruments lie on the grass before start of the St. Paddy’s parade.
The Academy of Irish Dance gets their festive float ready.
The Academy of Irish Dance gets their elaborate float ready.
These super nice San Diego Roller Derby ladies posed for my camera!
These super nice San Diego Roller Derby ladies posed for my camera!
Motorcyclist in green heads down Sixth Avenue where the parade is staging.
Motorcyclist in green heads down Sixth Avenue where the parade is staging.
These cool old-fashioned penny-farthing bicycles will take part in the parade.
These cool old-fashioned penny-farthing bicycles will take part in the parade.
Everybody was busy getting ready as the 10:30 morning start approached.
Everybody was busy getting ready as the 10:30 morning start approached.
Serviceman helps affix some green to the front bumper of a car.
Serviceman helps affix some Irish green to the front bumper of a car.
The Young Marines were folding a large American flag as I walked down Sixth Avenue.
The Young Marines were carefully folding a large American flag as I walked down Sixth Avenue.
A smiling Irish clown perfectly captures the spirit of this wonderful annual event.
A smiling Irish clown perfectly captures the spirit of this wonderful annual event.

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Papa Alex, a psychic near Seaport Village.

papa alex psychic at seaport village

In Seaport Village and on the grassy fringe beside it one can find all sorts of curious, interesting and helpful folk. There are street performers of every kind. You’ll find clowns, cartoon portrait sketchers, an amazing rock balancer, guys with colorful exotic birds, face painters, henna tattoo artists, balloon twisters, poets, musicians, people in cute costumes posing with tourists, marvelous magicians, palm readers, tarot card readers and various seers with crystal balls.

Above is a pic of Papa Alex, a friendly psychic. According to his sign, he’s a specialist in love problems and finance. Seniors are entitled to a 75% discount.

And here are more pics taken on several of my walks…

This sign promotes psychic readingz and more!
This sign promotes psychic readingz and more!
HONEST READINGS sign near Seaport Village.
HONEST READINGS sign near Seaport Village.
The Angel Reader does both tarot and palm reading.
The Angel Reader does both tarot and palm reading.
Handmade sign in Embarcadero Marina Park North beside Seaport Village.
Handmade sign in Embarcadero Marina Park North beside Seaport Village.
Table next to sidewalk features tarot cards kept in place by crystal paperweights.
Table next to sidewalk features tarot cards kept in place by crystal paperweights.
This smiling psychic has a bright pink tent!
This smiling psychic has a bright pink tent!

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