Día de Muertos is coming up at the start of November. Many in San Diego are getting ready.
Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park has already set up their many different, very colorful Catrinas. But one in particular is pretty spectacular!
This large Catrina has been erected at the Fiesta de Reyes stage. I saw her today during a walk around Old Town.
She seems to stand in an arbor made of marigolds, with giant red roses on either side…
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Artists were invited to submit their interpretation of Japanese yokai for this exhibition. These original works can be viewed in both the Upper Garden Gallery and the Lower Garden’s Inamori Pavilion.
Yōkai include shapeshifters, ghosts, demons, and tricksters. They can be mischievous, helpful, or malevolent, often appearing as animal-like figures, possessed objects, or humanoids. They embody the mysterious and uncanny aspects of nature and human emotions.
Check out a few examples that I photographed.
I’ve always enjoyed this type of artwork. It can be wild, weird, fierce and unsettling. Mysterious forces in our world are often portrayed in human or animal form–familiar figures that we emotionally understand.
It would be interesting to compare yokai to deities and characters from the mythologies of other cultures.
The Spider’s Thread, by artist Joshua Benz.Oiwa, by artist Tomi Tate.Hōnengame, by artist Hunter/Moon Hunter Tattoo.You Can’t Escape Gashadokuro, by artist Chris Rogers.
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The word US is capitalized for a reason. On this 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, US can stand for both us and the U.S. Unique moments in history help to explain our present-day life.
The exhibition concerns a variety of past events in the United States and Coronado. They are often tied together.
History tends to be created through turbulence. A new country’s revolution and its founding documents, the Mexican-American War, gold rushes, voting rights with the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments, World War II…
Moments That Made US also includes history of the Hotel del Coronado, North Island as the birthplace of naval aviation, the ferry, notable residents…
All of these pieces of history–large and small–have helped make us what we are today.
My favorite part of the exhibition is a silent video loop showing footage of Coronado’s traditional Independence Day parades in the mid 1950s to early 1970s.
There are marching bands, patriotic floats–everything you’d expect on the Fourth of July. Every year: enthusiasm and an appreciation of liberty, but evolving uniquely over the years.
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A beautiful Dia de Los Muertos altar (ofrenda) was created today for the large display case outside the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park.
This particular altar, containing marigolds and other traditional spiritual symbols, is dedicated to beloved athletes who’ve passed away, including Tony Gwynn and Junior Seau.
The altar was created by members of the Sherman Heights Community Center, whose own displays at the community center will open to the public on October 15th.
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When I visited Liberty Station about a week ago, I checked out this newly painted mural. It’s located in the arched breezeway that connects The Lot movie theater with the Dorothea Laub Dance Place.
The colorful mural is composed of bold designs that one might select at a tattoo parlor!
Estación Libertad is the mural’s title and Mexican American artist Enrique “Chikle” Lugo is the creator. The art was commissioned by Liberty Station. It’s the latest work of public art you can enjoy at the former home of Naval Training Center San Diego.
Dragon, butterflies, hummingbird, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, a Navy anchor, skull, cacti, eagle, dolphin, a zebra-like Tijuana zonkey, a baseball and soccer ball… Many of the images are associated with San Diego or the unique culture of our border region.
I see a flying saucer, too!
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You might enjoy the artwork now on display in the Dick Laub Command Center Gallery at Liberty Station. The current exhibition is titled Inspired.
Works by seven Liberty Station based artists hang in the lobby of the NTC Dick Laub Command Center. If you are interested in a particular piece, all are for sale. Swing by the studios of more than 40 artists in the nearby barracks buildings, and you can find even more!
It seems every time I walk in Point Loma through Liberty Station, I discover new art! More blog posts from my most recent visit are upcoming!
The Inspiredexhibition is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm, through October 3, 2026.
Tlaxcala, the smallest state in Mexico, located in east-central Mexico, is known in part for its agriculture. So it’s no surprise that much of Tlaxcala’s traditional art and crafts originate as seeds.
Visitors to Balboa Park’s International Cottages can see this in a newly installed exhibit. The House of Mexico’s cottage is now filled with beautiful objects that promote Tlaxcala!
I stopped by today and was wowed by the art and crafts on display!
Should you step into the cottage when it’s open on weekends, you’ll see small mosaic murals made of different colored seeds. You’ll see necklaces made of dried corn. You’ll see beautiful crafts made of plant fibers.
Here’s a fun fact! Did you know that Tlaxcala’s name comes from the native Nahuatl word tlaxcalli, which means tortillas? At least 12 heirloom varieties of corn are grown in Tlaxcala.
The Mexican state is also famous for its traditional wool and cotton weaving.
What else did I learn? There’s a Tlaxcala Firefly Sanctuary. During peak Summer, millions of endemic fireflies turn the mountain woods into a glowing fairytale-like nighttime spectacle!
In forever amazing Balboa Park, there’s always something new and interesting to learn!
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In January, the House of Afghanistan became an associate member of the House of Pacific Relations in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Today they held their first cultural lawn program!
The Afghan people have a history that goes back thousands of years. A speech by the Founder and President of the House of Afghanistan, Omed, explained a mission of the organization isn’t merely to archive the past, but to boost a sense of heritage in the present day community.
As their website explains, the House of Afghanistan is working to awaken, document, preserve, and carry forward the philosophical, intellectual, and cultural inheritance of the Afghan people — so future generations inherit more than fragments.
Their first ever lawn program was excellent. All sorts of traditional Afghan food was available, including cream rolls and bolani, a thin, pan-fried flatbread stuffed with various tasty fillings. (Similar to a quesadilla!)
Afghanistan is famous for its pomegranates. Under one canopy pomegranates were being juiced.
Many signs posted around the lawn explained how the Afghan people have contributed to world history. Fun fact: Did you know the first known Afghan in America fought at Gettysburg?
The most inspirational sign concerned how kite flying is one of Afghanistan’s best-known traditional pastimes. The kite operates as a symbol of a resilient people.
In the early afternoon the program took to the International Cottages’ outdoor stage. A contest was held between ladies, to see who could recognize the many spices for which Afghan cuisine is famous.
Soon thereafter, there was the reading of poetry–another thing for which Afghans are famous. Then beautiful singing!
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Musicians were entertaining visitors to the House of the Philippines cottage in Balboa Park today. Many of those walking through the International Cottages paused to listen.
I learned the beautiful string music was being created by members of CTFLC Rondalla, a local group organized in 2021 by the CTFLC (Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture).
According to a flyer that I was handed, the Rondolla is the Philippines’ original ensemble. It is composed of stringed instruments played with a plectrum (pick)…of Hispanic origin since the early Filipinos who made their first instruments patterned these after the guitars which the Spaniards brought with them to the Philippines…
The folk music being played, I was told, was a waltz. It was very soothing and very beautiful!
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A series of special concerts is coming up in downtown San Diego. Music lovers need to take notice!
Intersections: Soundscapes of Identity and Connection will offer audiences unique and memorable experiences. Concerts feature Daneen Wilburn, one of San Diego’s most compelling vocalists; Allan Phillips, an Emmy Award-winning composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist; and Peter Sprague, an acclaimed guitarist and composer. The concerts will be enjoyed in the state-of-the-art Guggenheim Theatre at UC San Diego Park & Market.
Andrew Waltz, Director of Arts Management at UC San Diego Park & Market, has provided the following:
I’m really excited to share the 2026 season of Intersections: Soundscapes of Identity and Connection at UC San Diego Park & Market.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about putting this season together is seeing a kind of arc emerge across the three performances: expression, exchange, and transformation.
We start with Daneen Whitley Wilburn, whose incredible voice and storytelling are deeply rooted in gospel, soul, jazz, and her own lived experience. There’s something powerful about music that starts from such a personal place and then connects with an entire room.
Then Allan Phillips takes us much further afield, bringing together Afro-Indigenous traditions, African and Latin influences, Brazilian rhythms, jazz, reggae, funk, and more. His work is a great example of how music travels, crosses borders, and grows through cultural exchange.
And we close with Peter Sprague & Friends, taking on the music of Paul Simon and hearing those familiar songs in a completely different way. I love ending the season there—reminding us that music we think we know can still surprise us when a great artist brings a new perspective to it.
I’ve also really appreciated building this season with Daneen, Allan, Peter, Kamau Kenyatta, and Yale Strom. There’s a real alignment among this group—not just creatively, but in the way they approach collaboration. Everyone has brought ideas, curiosity, generosity, and genuine excitement about what the series could become. That energy has made shaping these three very different concerts a lot of fun.
For me, that’s one of the best parts of this work: collaborating with people who are exceptionally good at what they do, but who are also open, engaged, and willing to build something together.
Three performances. Three very different musical journeys. From expression, to exchange, to transformation.
I can’t wait to share it with an audience.
You can learn more and purchase tickets by clicking the following links:
