In the newsletter, they are calling for donations to the Friends of Balboa Park Endowment Fund. One generous donor has offered to match gifts made to the endowment during 2015, up to $500,000. That means every dollar you give before the end of this year will likely be doubled.
If you’ve ever been to Balboa Park, you know how special it is. Please consider giving a donation. To do so, click here.
Over the past hundred years, countless millions of people from around the world have enjoyed visiting the park. They have experienced so much joy. Let’s make sure the next hundred years are just as wonderful.
Plaque at east end of Cabrillo Bridge. To commemorate the foresight and civic wisdom of the founders of Balboa Park this tablet is erected by the people of San Diego.View of the Natural History Museum from a point near the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.History comes alive in one small section of the Casa del Prado’s fantastic facade.People enjoy the grass near the Botanical Building.Exploring life and beauty in Balboa Park’s reflecting pool.More natural beauty along Sixth Avenue, the west edge of immense Balboa Park.A view of the Alcazar Garden from above.An artistic face in a fountain by the Old Globe Theatre.The House of Charm and California Tower in silhouette as day ends.It’s the holiday season. Make a donation to the Friends of Balboa Park, and it will be an enduring gift to the entire world.
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A statue of China’s unifying First Emperor. It stands at the front entrance of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Extension of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.
From time to time I walk through San Diego’s historic Chinatown, which is located in what is officially called the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District. The area is bounded by Market Street, 2nd Avenue, 6th Avenue and J Street. You’ll find it downtown right next to the Gaslamp Quarter.
Over the years, I’ve learned a bit about San Diego’s early history during these walks. And I’ve accumulated a few photographs. Here are some cool sights that you might enjoy. I’ve provided interesting information in the captions.
The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum in the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District. The Chinese Mission Building, built in 1927, was moved in 1995 to its present location at 404 3rd Avenue.The California Mission Revival-style Chinese Mission Building, dated 1927, was designed by Louis Gill, nephew and protege of renowned architect Irving Gill.Banners along side of downtown’s San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.Looking through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Gate on Third Avenue. Behind the museum is a small Asian garden.Ornate front of the San Diego Chinese Center, a community resource located in the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District.A century ago, Quin Produce was located here on Third Avenue. Ah Quin ran a family produce business and was once considered the unofficial mayor of Chinatown.The Chuang Archive and Learning Center of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.Display in window explains Feathered Beings Iconography. Feathered beings were frequently seen motifs in artifacts of the Han Dynasty.Three bay windows at the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Extension display historical photographs and common artifacts from San Diego’s old Chinatown.Photographs in this outdoor exhibit show various aspects of Chinese culture.A view of San Diego’s Third Avenue a hundred years ago, and the family of influential businessman and civic leader Ah Quin.Items from daily life in old Chinatown include kerosene heater, iron, and a grocery scale.Scale manufactured by National Store Specialty Company, circa early 1900s.Display includes various articles used for food preparation and cooking in San Diego’s old Chinatown.Beautiful, artistic and historically interesting objects from daily life long ago in Chinatown.A walk through San Diego’s Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District provides many cool sights!
Benjamin Franklin with his famous kite, and Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb and phonograph, are depicted on a very unique mural in Ocean Beach.
Here’s a cool (and somewhat unusual) mural that I spotted on a wall next to a parking lot in Ocean Beach. It’s called History of Electricity! Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Guglielmo Marconi and Alessandro Volta share the OB streets with images of pop culture icons and surfers!
This artwork was created by Janis Ambrosiani of Walls With A View. Take a look!
Janis Ambrosiani of Walls With A View painted History of Electricity in Ocean Beach. OB is a cool, laid-back neighborhood with lots of colorful street art.Guglielmo Marconi was instrumental in the development of the radio.Alessandro Volta invented the electrical battery.Electricity has become a modern necessity. Technology is the backbone of our day-to-day living and central feature of 21st century culture.
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The San Diego Potter’s Guild in Spanish Village recently created this artistic tribute to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and Balboa Park’s centennial.
A fun exhibit debuted today in Spanish Village’s large outdoor patio courtyard. It’s called Dance through the Decades of Art! Colorful works by local artists jut out of various planters, representing the history of art styles over the past century. It’s another creative offshoot resulting from Balboa Park’s centennial, which is being celebrated throughout this year! The cool exhibit lasts through November 25.
I walked about and took these photos…
Spanish Village in Balboa Park has a new Dance through the Decades of Art exhibit in their patio courtyard. It celebrates the evolution of art over the past hundred years. This bold piece represents the graffiti art style!I was allowed to photograph these works of art being created on Saturday (the day before the exhibit opened) in a hidden Spanish Village work area!This artwork represents the 1930s, when the Works Progress Administration provided artists with employment during the Great Depression.This work very loosely represents photorealism, a distinctly American genre of painting that originated in the late 1960s.This fun art in Spanish Village contains elements of steampunk, a sub-genre of science fiction that highlights 19th century Victorian and industrial themes.Visitors to Balboa Park look into a double kaleidoscope! This wildly colorful sculpture represents psychedelic art, which originated from 1960s counterculture.Here’s a photo I took after turning a dial of the kaleidoscope.I turned the dial again!These splashes of bold color are a tribute to Abstract expressionism, which originated in the late 1940s, the first specifically American movement to achieve international influence.Someone sits on a planter which contains artwork representing minimalism, a literalist movement that arose during the 1960s.This panel celebrates the Art Deco style with images of musical instruments popular during the Jazz Age.This creation for the outdoor exhibit represents Cubism, an early 20th century avant-garde movement, which revolutionized painting and other art forms.Dance through the Decades of Art enlivens Spanish Village! Painted pieces trace art’s history and development over the past 100 years.
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Close-up photo of one tile panel in a long mural, which is located on a wall near the Cesar Chavez Park playground in Barrio Logan.
Relatively few people know about a fascinating mural in Barrio Logan. Dedicated art and history lovers can find it at the very edge of San Diego’s beautiful bay, between the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and the base of the Coronado Bridge.
The mural is located in Cesar Chavez Park, on a long wall just north of the playground. Created by Dale Marsh/Tile Artisans, it consists of eleven ceramic tile panels depicting half a century of local history–from the 1900s to the 1950s–through the use of vintage photographs. Images fondly remember the day-to-day life many San Diegans in this predominantly Mexican American neighborhood experienced while growing up and working on our busy waterfront.
A brief description of each panel is contained in a nearby plaque also composed of tiles. I’ve transcribed most of the words and have used them in my photo captions.
Looking north past the Cesar Chavez Park playground at an interesting public mural that depicts local history.Descriptions of the eleven panels in the mural, which depicts Logan Heights in its Golden Years, 1900 through 1959.Aztec Brewery Art Ensemble adorned the ceiling and walls of the Rathskeller and Beer Tasting Room of the brewery in the early to mid 1900s on Main Street.Hoop skirts, 1932 Model T car with rumble seat and white 1936 Ford, Metro Theater usherette twins, model parents of the era, neighborhood Rhythm and Blues bands and their followers.Papa Chuey founding proprietor of Chuey’s Restaurant cashed checks and provided credit accounts for fishermen and cannery workers in hard times.Nifty Fifties teen scene in “The Heights” spotlights Physical Education class, jitterbug dancing and positive socialization. Friendship was a true binding factor among teenagers.Tuna boats filled with tired fishermen arrived at the tuna canneries bringing work for hopeful dockworkers and cannery workers. Their arrival meant livelihood for countless families.This 1948 Cannery Workers group photo depicts the numbers and spirit of the work force of the various canneries of San Diego’s Cannery Row.The “Leona C – San Diego” fishing crew portray the faces of the hard working men who in turn provided for numerous jobs for entire communities.Logan Heights landmarks include the street car at 5 cents per ride . . . the beautiful earlier architecture of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Las Palmas nightclub . . .Community social groups fostered a healthy and happy neighborhood where age gaps did not exist. Neighbors watched out for each other and provided a safety net for the youth.Teen social clubs such as Los Gallos, Los Chicanos and the Drifters comprised the Southeast Youth Council, which was sponsored by the Old Neighborhood House.Neighborhood House provided many community programs including Rondalla musical groups for women. Lupita, far right first row, is a legend in Logan Heights.
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A traditional Dia de los Muertos altar in Sherman Heights summons ancestors and loved ones who have passed from this world.
I went for a long walk this morning. My feet carried me through Sherman Heights, a neighborhood directly east of downtown San Diego. I was hoping to see some of the community Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altars. These outdoor altars, distributed about a few residential streets, were the focus of yesterday’s popular Sherman Heights Muertos Festival, which I missed.
Heading down 24th Street, I spotted one elaborate altar near the sidewalk and was struck by the rich, heartfelt symbolism.
Loved ones who’ve “passed to the other side” are remembered with reverence on Dia de los Muertos, and their spirits are enticed back among the living. Traditional items featured in the altars can include sugar skulls, samples of the deceased person’s favorite food, pan de muertos (bread with a small human figurine baked inside), seeds, flowers, portraits of the dead, candles, alcohol (to toast the arrival of spirits), and papel picado (decorative perforated paper which represents the fragile nature of life).
I don’t know whose spirits are being summoned by this particular altar. I can tell that precious memories are being kept alive among the living, and that those memories contain whole lifetimes of love.
Powerful symbols of life, love, hope and renewal on display in this colorful outdoor altar.In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is a joyous celebration of the dead. It is a beloved time in culturally rich San Diego.A beautiful outdoor Dia de los Muertos altar in Sherman Heights. An ordinary family cherishes extraordinary memories.
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A colorful religious procession makes its way through San Diego’s culturally rich Little Italy neighborhood.
Early this afternoon, the historic Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Little Italy celebrated Catholic Mass then held a grand procession. Parishioners marched from State Street in front of their church down to San Diego’s Embarcadero, where a fishing boat representing the local tuna fleet was blessed. I witnessed the procession a few years ago, but took no photos. So today I decided to walk along the sidewalk with my camera.
Forgive me for not knowing the details of the religious procession. I do know a large host of the faithful, in all manner of dress, many of Italian descent, and many carrying images of Jesus and Virgin Mary, marched joyfully north up India Street, then turned west down Hawthorn Street until they reached Harbor Drive. At the Hornblower dock, the fishing boat Patty Jo, which is a common sight out on San Diego Bay, was blessed by the priests of Our Lady of the Rosary. It’s a unique San Diego tradition that dates from the early 50s. At the completion of the religious ceremony, which was not open to the public, fireworks resounded in the overcast October sky!
In the early afternoon few were near the front entrance of the Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Little Italy. That would soon change.Plaque on Our Lady of the Rosary Church. Historical monument dedicated December 20, 1925.Banner declares Sunday, October 4 is Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church’s much anticipated Festa 2015.Mass was celebrated at noon in a large outside tent in nearby Amici Park.
The procession slowly assembles after Mass in front of the church.An elegant canopy emerges from the Catholic Church.The colorful religious procession, led by a youthful band, is ready to begin.
The procession is now heading north up India Street.
Approaching a banner announcing that next Sunday is Little Italy’s popular neighborhood Festa.Passing under the landmark Little Italy sign on India Street.
I caught an airplane coming over Bankers Hill preparing to land at Lindbergh Field.Now proceeding down Hawthorn. The threatened rain held off for the event!You can see that hundreds participated in this truly grand spectacle.
Finally arriving at San Diego Bay.A Harbor Patrol boat gives a water cannon salute for the occasion.Priests and those instrumental in blessing the tuna boats head onto the Hornblower dock at Grape Street.My camera could just catch a glimpse of the elaborate Catholic ritual beside the Patty Jo fishing boat.Fireworks launched from a nearby pier burst loudly in the air like exultant sparks.Little puffs of smoke hover in the heavens after the fireworks.The Patty Jo now confidently heads off across the gray water, hoping for safe ocean journeys and bountiful catches.
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Friendly guy at Pacific Islander Festival representing Tokelau shows how skirts are fashioned using natural fibers.
Today I went to San Diego’s annual Pacific Islander Festival. Wow!
The awesome event was held at Ski Beach Park on Vacation Isle, at the center of Mission Bay–and it was much, much bigger than I had expected. Thousands sitting in lawn chairs or walking among dozens of colorful tents enjoyed music, dance, food, fascinating crafts and a huge variety of cool sights.
Here’s some of what I saw. I’ll let the photo captions tell the story…
Miss Pacific Islander of San Diego greeted me with a warm smile!The popular annual festival attracts thousands, who enjoy lots of music and dance on a big main stage.The theme for 2015 was Heroes of the Pacific, honoring military veterans from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.Youthful dancers on stage were a favorite of the crowd.Many tents contained interesting artistic and cultural exhibits from different Pacific islands. Here we see Guam.Native arts and crafts fascinated visitors to the festival.Lots of super nice people were enjoying the day at Ski Beach Park in Mission Bay, and many wore colorful costumes!Glass floats are incredibly beautiful, like solid bubbles of light.Tivaevae Polynesian quilting from the Cook Islands, finely made fans, and other handcrafted works on display.Those are two very cool ukuleles!Chamorro outrigger canoe (proa) Sakman could be boarded by curious festival visitors at Ski Beach.An exotic boat in genuine blue Pacific Ocean water on a glorious San Diego day.This lively juggler simply had to be photographed.Drummers create rhythmic beats for event performers rehearsing behind the stage under some shady trees.The Heiva San Diego tent contained colorful Tahitian sights.Typical foods one might find on a South Pacific Ocean island.A sea turtle is swimming above the grass!Artist representing Samoa creates Siapo, also known as tapa, using ink made from native seeds and tree bark.A funny octopus and dancing knife on display at the Samoa tent.Books include Myths and Legends of Samoa.A beautiful wooden bowl was among many cultural artifacts from American Samoa.Palau’s tent had many interesting photos and unique objects for everyone to enjoy.Lots of life and energy at the Pacific Islander Festival!
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Dancers in the fountain at San Diego’s Waterfront Park reach skyward during the Trolley Dances.
This morning I caught the very first performance of the Trolley Dances. The venue for the first stage of the Trolley Dances in 2015 is the County Administration Center Waterfront Park–to be exact, the long fountain on the north side of the County Administration Building.
When I arrived, a group of dancers was rehearsing and a videographer was setting up near the end of the fountain where the audience would watch. After a few minutes, the first mobile audience arrived, and I enjoyed a cool performance. And I mean cool. It was a water dance! On a very warm and muggy morning, I wouldn’t have minded rolling through and leaping about the refreshing water, either! But, alas, nobody who is sane would pay even a nickel to watch me dance.
The Trolley Dances is a unique tradition in San Diego. Put on by the San Diego Dance Theater, the outdoor performances occur in often surprising public places. Those who watch get started every 45 minutes, traveling from one site to the next on foot and by public transit. This year, groups travel from the Waterfront Park to Balboa Park, taking one of the new MTS Rapid buses from Santa Fe Depot.
Anyone in San Diego who loves dance must check out the Trolley Dances. Performances continue throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays, September 26 – 27 and October 3 – 4. More info can be found on their website.
Rehearsing and getting the video camera ready before the first Trolley Dances mobile audience arrives at 10 o’clock.A beautiful venue for a dance. Palm trees along the Embarcadero and San Diego Bay provide a perfect stage.Dancers rehearse the very beginning of the performance, which involves rolling out through the shallow fountain.They’re rolling! During the summer, many tourists and visitors love running through the water. On such a warm morning, I almost jumped in myself!This nice lady saw my camera and provided a super smile!Stephan Koplowitz, an award-winning director and choreographer provides the dancers with some final advice before the first audience arrives.And here they come! Guides with Trolley Dances signs lead the way to the first unusual outdoor dance site.The dancers are lying in the water as everyone trickles in and finds a place to sit or stand.The first audience is ready! Here we go!Slowly rolling…OH, NO!!! A child playing in the park nearby is heading out to join the dancers! Horrors!The young child is intercepted. I’m sorry, but this to me was the highlight of the performance!The dancers rise up as individuals, like living things emerging from primordial waters.Some still lay flat on their backs, moving their feet as if coming to life. The dance was very organic, and very watery!Rising up from the liquid into freedom and boundless space.The free form dance was a very cool spectacle that everyone should enjoy.Now the dancers rise in unison, plunging forward, swirling, alive!Dancers from San Diego Dance Theater provide wonderful entertainment on a sunny weekend day!Clusters of dancers merge, writhe, change shape, like strange newborn beings experiencing life for the first time.This artistic group seemed to be evolving, ascending into the world.Flying skyward through the fountain!More beauty and mystery, as the dancers slowly spread south, away from the seated audience.Another dynamic photo.The dancers are now clearly moving away from the audience, pushing out into the broader world, over this bridge.It is a shining, watery path that passes through many splashing fountains.Moving outward, away, slowly, with poise.Beyond white curtains of water, away, into the unknown future…And the stunning performance is over. The dancers paused and bowed, as the mobile audience drew up beside them and applauded.
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Dancers from Calpulli Mexihca perform at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion during weekend House of Mexico celebration.
This evening I enjoyed a walk through beautiful Balboa Park. As I approached the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, I heard the rhythmic beat of drums. I’d stumbled upon something wonderful and unexpected!
The House of Mexico, of Balboa Park’s House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, was having a celebration!
I lingered for a while and took a few photos…
Doll greets visitors at Friday evening House of Mexico event in Balboa Park.The House of Mexico, of the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, celebrated Mexican Independence Day and Balboa Park’s Centennial with music and dance.Performer from Danza Azteca Calpulli Mexihca in a colorful Aztec costume.Musicians from Mariachi Garibaldi of Southwestern College would take the stage in a few minutes.Smiles during a celebration of Mexican culture and history in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
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Cool San Diego Sights! 