Tag: costumes

Setting up the colorful Catrinas of Old Town!

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is already getting ready for Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos. Today I noticed that bigger than life Catrinas in beautiful dresses were being set up on barrels outside Fiesta de Reyes and Barra Barra!

I watched as a Catrina’s calavera (sugar skull) was removed from one figure, then attached to a second. Need to match those colors!

I was told that for Día de los Muertos, there will be a total of 51 Catrinas and skeletons set up at Fiesta de Reyes and Barra Barra!

I was also told that the celebration of Día de los Muertos in Old Town this year will be bigger and better than ever! The State of California’s Arts in Parks program is inviting local artists, culture bearers, chalk artists, piñata artists, traditional craftsmen and musicians to play a role!

I can’t wait to go! It’s a little over a month away. Meanwhile, lots of very fancy Catrinas will be greeting visitors to Old Town!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Mexican Independence Day celebrated in Little Italy!

This evening, Mexican Independence Day is being celebrated in Little Italy. Cultural performances, including lots of colorful folklorico dancing, can be enjoyed in front of San Diego’s Mexican Consulate. A good crowd had gathered for the event shortly after it began, as you can see in my photographs!

If you read this in time, the Mexican Independence Day celebration will continue on the 1500 block of India Street until 9 pm tonight!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Ukrainian Festival adds joy to Balboa Park!

A lively, joyful celebration of Ukrainian culture was held today in San Diego. The House of Ukraine’s big Ukrainian Festival drew an enthusiastic crowd to the International Cottages in Balboa Park!

Several artists on the lawn smiled and showed their art for sale. A couple of booths raised money for charitable causes. Much of the money raised during the festival would go toward providing relief to war-torn Ukraine.

After grabbing authentic Ukrainian food, such as kovbasa sandwiches and varenyky, families sat on the lawn and watched folk dancing and listened to traditional music.

I took these photographs…

A big crowd gathered at Balboa Park’s International Cottages for the House of Ukraine’s 2023 lawn program.

Sales of treats at one table raised money for the Ukrainian School of San Diego.

Two smiling artists were selling great artwork with a Ukraine theme.

Cheerful artwork by Svitlana Ivasyuk includes sunflowers.

Fun artwork by Orysya Barua includes traditional Ukrainian dress.

The next two people you see were raising money to help Ukraine during its present difficulties.

On the left is Daniel Bondarenko, who was promoting Healing Scalpel. The organization is sending medical supplies to Ukrainian field hospitals during the war.

On the right is artist Kateryna Marchuk. Sales of her art go to emergency supplies for Ukraine. Check out her fine art here.

People walk around the House of Ukraine cottage.

Signs around the cottage concern the invasion of Ukraine and the defense of Freedom.

A big line waits to purchase Ukrainian food during the festival.

Lots of tasty items on the menu!

Some crafts and souvenirs for sale. Money raised helps Ukraine.

House of Ukraine’s rock band u3zubmusic performs before the 2 o’clock cultural program begins.

Chamber Music Ensemble of the University of San Diego performs the Ukrainian National Anthem and other traditional songs on stage.

Here come the folk dancers! They are the Chervona Kalyna Ukrainian Dance Group out of Los Angeles.

Performing a joyful Welcoming Dance.

A hospitable welcome includes a big loaf of bread!

Young people dressed as Cossacks arrive.

Ukrainians love dancing!

The audience is then treated to traditional Bandura music.

Soulful singing during the 2023 Ukrainian Festival in San Diego!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

A colorful Philippine Cultural Festival in San Diego!

San Diego has a very large Filipino community. So it’s no surprise that many in the community came out today for the big, colorful 36th Annual Philippine Cultural Arts Festival!

This always popular festival, which takes place in Balboa Park, attracts an enthusiastic crowd, as you can see in my photos. (As I type this, the event is still going on for another hour or so.) There’s every sort of entertainment on the main stage, including music, singing, and a whole lot of folk dancing in costume. Those wandering about the grass can find Filipino food, cultural displays and art at every turn. Smiling authors and artists greet people, too!

The event is presented by the SAMAHAN Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center, and I joined the audience cheering on many students performing traditional dances.

I learned Filipino Folk Dance Classes are offered for children, teens and adults. Click here for more information!

That smile in my next photo belongs to author Jocelyn Francisco, Ph.D. She wrote the Little Yellow Jeepney series of children’s books!

Perhaps you recall that the film Lumpia With A Vengeance had a very well attended panel this year at San Diego Comic-Con. That cool guy smiling on the left–Patricio Ginelsa–is the Director! The movie will be available on demand and digitally on October 3.

Here’s a young guy with truly fine art. I wonder how soon until his work is included in museum collections. His name is Sean Arce.

I enjoyed perusing a few cultural exhibits…

Another great performance!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Panama’s colorful culture celebrated in San Diego!

A big celebration of Panama and its culture was held today in San Diego. The House of Panama brought food, dance, folk costume and family fun to the International Cottages in Balboa Park!

Before the speeches and entertainment commenced, I visited the House of Panama cottage, then walked about the International Cottages lawn. Lots of people were lined up for traditional Panamanian treats like empanadas and arroz con pollo. There were also many flavors of piraguas.

At one table, author Tamika Burgess told me about her new novel, Sincerely Sicily. It’s about a young Black Latina who learns about her Panamanian heritage. Check out her book here.

Another table celebrated the relationship between San Diego and Panama City. The two are Sister Cities. A cool LEGO model demonstrated how the Panama Canal works!

What is Panama City’s connection to San Diego? San Diego is the first American port-of-call after ships pass into the Pacific Ocean and head north. Balboa Park during its 1915 Panama-California Exposition promoted this fortuitous geographical fact.

At another table a raffle was being held to support the House of Panama. If you want to offer your support, or simply are curious, visit their website here.

Then speeches . . . and dancing! Several cultural groups participated in the lively folkloric dancing. Performers came to San Diego from as far away as San Francisco and Los Angeles! Everyone watching applauded loudly. Smiles were in the dancers’ eyes.

Between dances there was a fashion show. We were shown different types of beautiful pollera dresses, and quickly could see why some of the elaborate polleras could cost several thousand dollars. So many different colors whirled on the stage!

As you can see from my photographs, the annual House of Panama lawn program in Balboa Park is an exceptionally festive and colorful event!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Captain America army assembles in San Diego!

A formidable Captain America army formed today in San Diego. The call went out to assemble, and superheroes converged on the Marriot Marquis hotel from every direction!

Just as the army of superheroes seemed ready to defeat evil, more heroes arrived, swelling the ranks!

Those who would dabble in villainy beware!

As I walked through the Gaslamp up Fifth Avenue, returning home from Comic-Con, I noticed reinforcements were on the way!

Thank you for visiting Cool San Diego Sights during Comic-Con 2023!

I’ve enjoyed walking about all week, absorbing the amazing atmosphere and people watching. But I’m spent. It’s back to work tomorrow. And so this will be my final Comic-Con blog post this year.

In a couple days I’ll resume my more normal blogging. There will be posts about a fantastic exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art, hidden public art in Mission Hills, and a historical building in Coronado. And much, much more!

Until then!

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I had fun covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Another batch of Comic-Con cosplay photos!

Harley Quinn and Bane cosplay.

Here’s another batch of cosplay photographs taken during Comic-Con 2023 in San Diego!

Imagination and creativity are brought to life by fans during the world’s most amazing pop culture convention.

Enjoy!

Spider-Man cosplay.

Kraven the Hunter cosplay.

Sinestro and Green Lantern cosplay.

Rogue cosplay.

Star Wars cosplay.

Indian mythology cosplay.

Winter Soldier cosplay.

Demon Slayer cosplay.

Harry Potter cosplay.

Namor cosplay.

Mandalorian cosplay.

Rilakkuma cosplay.

Red Hood cosplay.

Loki cosplay.

Captain Jack Sparrow cosplay.

Star Wars Rebel pilot cosplay.

Angel cosplay.

Harley Quinn cosplay.

Batman cosplay.

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

The most magical day in San Diego!

I’m sure many would concur. Saturday during Comic-Con is the most magical day of the year in San Diego.

It’s definitely one of the craziest, must surreal and weirdly wonderful days!

In the afternoon and into the evening the crowds grow and become ever more colorful. Strange worlds of imagination–perhaps summoned by magic–fill the streets and sidewalks of San Diego.

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Cosplay photos from San Diego Comic-Con!

As one might imagine, cosplay can be seen everywhere near the San Diego Convention Center during Comic-Con 2023. There are lots of great costumes this year.

Enjoy a bunch of fun photos!

Rey and friends have lightsabers at the ready.

Mario must have put bleach in the laundry.

Indiana Jones substitutes coffee cup for the Holy Grail.

Luna Lovegood and friends smile. Gryffindor must’ve won.

I assume this is hatless Spider-Man Noir and not the black symbiote suit.

Batman is in San Diego for Comic-Con, so he might as well go surfing. He brought his bat-board.

The Wanderer cosplay from Genshin Impact.

Storm uses her power to bring the sun out in San Diego.

Ariel and King Triton must have emerged from nearby San Diego Bay.

There’s no need to fear, Recyclist is here!

Inosuke Hashibira from Demon Slayer, or a very distressing lab experiment.

A nice Men in Black family strolling down Fifth Avenue.

Sailor Jupiter smiles for a cosplay photo in San Diego during Comic-Con.

Guests at this Gaslamp hotel have several Power Rangers for added protection.

Picard makes it so with Starfleet officer.

Super awesome Darth Maul cosplay!

Batman tries very hard to terrify me.

A wonderful Wonder Woman wonders who the photographer is.

Either we’ve got a Spider-Verse situation, or Spidey doesn’t want get heat stroke in the San Diego sunshine.

Lord of the Nazgûl has risen in San Diego. Where’s Éowyn and Merry?

These two Mandalorians are mere tourists.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is fed up with my insolent comments.

Dr. Tommy Oliver approaches. Should I worry? Is he evil right now?

Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze regard me. Give me a quick blast of your freeze gun! It’s awfully hot out here!

Uh, oh! Now the Riddler! Batman villains nearly have me surrounded.

Why does Wario have such a pleasant smile?

Now that’s one fearsome pose. Leave it to Wolverine.

Iron Patriot should lead a Fourth of July parade.

Has Rocketeer teamed up with those nearby police? Villains beware!

Robin appears to be eager for action.

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Witches and wizards invade San Diego!

A magical army of witches and wizards has invaded San Diego.

Those attending Comic-Con 2023 should be advised that a powerful group of witches and wizards has descended upon San Diego. They arrived this morning, most likely from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I was able to capture these photos before they could flick their wands and Expelliarmus my camera.

Comic-Con attendees heading for the San Diego Convention Center were surprised to encounter several witches, wizards, and Dobby the house-elf.

Professor Trelawney must have peered into her crystal ball and seen the Grim.

Did Hagrid ditch his motorcycle and ride the San Diego Trolley instead? It’s really not all that different from the Hogwarts Express.

Professor Sprout might have a friendly smile, but she’s a witch. Are deadly mandrakes nearby? Those two nearby Dumbledores seem unconcerned.

There are two Mad-Eye Moody’s! Which one is the imposter? Is Polyjuice Potion in that flask?

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!