Tag: entertainment

Huge birds and fun at Without Walls Festival!

The big annual Without Walls Festival, presented by the La Jolla Playhouse in association with the San Diego Symphony, is taking place all this weekend at the Rady Shell!

Today after work I headed behind the San Diego Convention Center to Embarcadero Marina Park South where very unique outdoor performances and activities could be freely enjoyed!

I saw many families and theatre lovers enjoying music, food, and of course, the intriguing productions.

One play involves the actual recreational vehicle used by an actress during COVID, and her strong experiences during a cross-country expedition.

Interactive activities include exploring the inspiration behind a Mexican restaurant in Barrio Logan, negotiation between yourself and a stranger that might result in personal transformation, an imaginative playscape for children, an immense puzzle whose solution requires collective cooperation, thought-provoking artwork beside the water of San Diego Bay, and the chance to mingle among gigantic, stilt-walking puppets that resemble birds from prehistoric times! WOW, indeed!

Learn all about the what and where and when by clicking here.

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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!

Dance and food at the Cervantes Festival!

The Cervantes Festival was held today in San Diego!

The House of Spain hosted the fun cultural event in Balboa Park, with visitors enjoying entertainment, authentic Spanish food, a kids art table and more. I’m told the festival kicked off in the morning with young people reading from Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote.

When I arrived, people were watching flamenco dance on the International Cottages lawn and devouring tasty Spanish paella, jamón serrano, Manchego cheese (made in the La Mancha region of Spain) and other gastronomic goodies.

I walked about for a bit, looking for sights related to the great Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. I found small sculptures of the timeless character Don Quixote and his sidekick Sancho Panza in a display case inside the House of Spain cottage!

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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!

Fangaea Con coming to San Diego!

Oh, wow! Check it out!

Fangaea Con is returning to San Diego for 2023. It will be taking place in Mission Valley at the Scottish Rite Event Center on April 29th!

Your friendly neighborhood blogger has scored a media pass to the event, so you can bet lots of fun photos will be posted!

The Fangaea Con website explains:

The Fangaea concept started in late 2016 as just an idea between a few friends who are big fans of subcultures… the idea began to turn into reality when more friends got interested in being a part of making something great and fun for fans of all different worlds… nerds, geeks, gamers, cosplayers, movie lovers, and more… who love immersing ourselves into experiences… in a funtastic, all-inclusive event.

Artists! Cosplay! Panels! Video and board games! An escape room! Giveaways! I’m sure it’s going to be awesome!

Interested in learning more or attending? Click here!

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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!

Playback Theatre and real stories at Old Globe.

A live outdoor performance was enjoyed today at the Old Globe theatre complex in Balboa Park.

Audience members were asked to share stories from their own lives, then an acting and music ensemble interpreted those stories up on stage.

The program was titled Imagine Theatre Presents: Playback Theatre. The event was produced in partnership with Imagine and the Chrysalis–Monarch Performing Arts Center.

I sat in the audience for a time and experienced how three stories were courageously told then interpreted.

One story involved a man’s serious illness, frustration and anger, then the realization that he could live one day at a time, to the fullest, with optimism and a sense of adventure. A second story involved the loss of a loved one and precious memories. A third concerned forks in the road of life, and how new opportunities arise with change.

This wonderful, very powerful performance was part of the Old Globe’s free AXIS Performing Arts Series. Click the preceding link to learn about upcoming events!

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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!

Good times at 25th Annual Rolando Street Fair!

Spring must be here, because community festivals have begun to “spring up” around San Diego!

The 25th Annual Rolando Street Fair was held today, and because I’ve never experienced this event, I had to check it out!

What a cool neighborhood street festival!

Lots of families were enjoying a huge kids play zone, plus there were many booths that focused on youth education. There was a stage with live music, tons of food, the expected rows of vendors, and artists were showing their work, too!

A good crowd had already gathered in the Rolando Street Fair’s first hour.
It’s Odi from the San Diego Public Library!
Crawford High School has many notable graduates. I was told half a dozen major league baseball catchers have come from this local school!
If you want music lessons, this is the man to see!
The youthful @kidTRIBUTES were covering classic rock hits.
There’s a College Area Community Garden near SDSU. I think I’ve seen these guys at another event.
Colorful artwork by Bianca Marcellous (@Blancbyrd).
The artist smiled for a photo!
This cool guy was displaying some wood art. He represented Old Fashioned Lumber, a San Diego custom design and fabrication shop.
This is a time traveling character, by @zander6comix.
And here’s the artist!
Lots to do along Rolando Boulevard during the street fair.
Lots to eat, too!
A bunch of jumpers ahead await fun-loving kids.
Yes, it’s the 25th Annual Rolando Street Fair!

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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!

House of India energizes Balboa Park!

Wow! The House of India in Balboa Park put on one of the most colorful, dynamic events today that you’ll likely to ever experience!

Their cultural lawn program at the International Cottages was jam-packed with dance groups leaping and twirling to upbeat music, much of it inspired by Bollywood.

A large crowd watched the entertainment while sitting on the grass and eating traditional Indian food, like tandoori and, my favorite, samosas.

When each dance number concluded, there was enthusiastic cheering!

I took a couple of photos at the House of India cottage, checked out an art creation station and a game of carrom, then sat down on a bench by the International Cottages stage just before two-o’clock to capture some of the fun!

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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!

African American Heritage Celebration in Balboa Park!

An inspirational event was enjoyed by many today in San Diego. It was the first ever African American Heritage Celebration in Balboa Park!

The House of USA hosted this program at the International Cottages for Black History Month. Starting at 2 o’clock, the celebration was jam-packed with history, culture, education and optimism.

Community organizations had booths around the lawn, and some tasty food was served up on the patio in front of the House of USA cottage.

I thought the highlight of the event were the young speakers and dancers who took to the stage. They were like bright stars shining for all to see.

The House of USA royal court read inspiring words from Kwame Alexander’s “The Undefeated.”

A local artist professor spoke about African American creators and how they connect and inspire the community.

A skit performed by young people reenacted the historic bravery of civil rights hero Rosa Parks on that segregated bus.

And there was much more!

Enjoy these photographs and be sure to go to this great event next year.

(And please read about several organizations in attendance that are working to make a positive impact…)

The above smiling young people are future leaders who are participating in the Dr. JAM Program! Click this link to visit the website.

Their motto is: In the depths of Wisdom abounds Knowledge!!! Knowledge is divine!! So I lend my ear to Listen, my heart to the Respect of my People and my soul to the Preservation of my Culture!

What’s the Uplift Institute? Just what it sounds like!

They are working to improve lives in the community, particularly when it comes to our shared environment. They have an event coming up called Sustainable ‘Hood Education and Career Expo ’23. It will be taking place May 6 at UC San Diego’s downtown Park and Market.

Learn more here!

The above guys are Always Ready!

This organization empowers underserved, unemployed men, including Veterans and the unsheltered. They provide support for men who face challenges while attempting to transition back into the workplace to achieve self-sufficiency.

Visit their website here!

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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!

Photos of San Diego Chinese New Year Fair!

The 40th Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Fair is being held this weekend in the Gaslamp Quarter. I swung by earlier today to take in all the excitement, culture and color!

It seems every year I go to this event it has grown larger. A big crowd had gathered today, Saturday, as the festivities began mid-morning. (It probably didn’t hurt that many Padres fans were walking through on their way to FanFest.)

I watched the joyful traditional Lion Dancing, then a couple of energetic dance performances by students from Riverview International Academy in Lakeside.

Wishes for health, peace and prosperity abounded. One of the speakers was Camille P. Dawson, the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. How impressive is that?

Enjoy some photos and imagine the atmosphere! This fun Chinese New Year event continues through the weekend!

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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!

Preview of Animation Academy at Comic-Con Museum!

The Animation Academy – from Pencils to Pixels officially opens tomorrow at the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park!

Members of the Comic-Con Museum got a preview of the incredible new exhibition today!

Who doesn’t love animated features and cartoons? We all have our favorites, right? Well, chances are some of your best-loved television shows and movies pop up in this delightful exhibition.

The Animation Academy, as its name suggests, is both educational and interactive. Every sort of technology that has produced animation is explored, from early magic lanterns and spinning thaumatropes and phenakistoscopes(!), to state-of-the-art non-photorealistic rendering and 3D printing.

Not only will you learn about the rich history of animation, and the artists and studios who’ve added to the popular culture, but there are several opportunities for visitors to create their own animated masterpieces!

Among the numerous displays are realistic recreations of work stations, puppets and miniature sets that demonstrate what it’s like to be a stop motion animator.

Fans of Gumby and Looney Tunes, in particular, will be excited to find themselves immersed in well done, interactive displays.

Do you love Bugs Bunny and his friends? You’ll have a chance to view all sorts of original sketches, drawings and animation cells. You’ll even see the typewriter used by legendary Chuck Jones. (Did you know Chuck Jones was inspired by Mark Twain? I didn’t!)

The exhibition encourages curiosity and creativity. Kids will surely enjoy it. Adults with imagination and a sense of fun absolutely will, too!

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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!

Korean Heritage Celebration at San Diego Library!

A super fun event was held today at San Diego’s downtown Central Library. Lunar New Year was kicked off with the Korean American Heritage Celebration!

The library’s Neil Morgan Auditorium was filled with a large audience as several organizations provided the free cultural entertainment.

It’s the Year of the Rabbit, and energetic, traditional Korean dancing and drumming had everyone hopping with happiness! Loads of kids were in attendance, and they got to come up on the stage and drum, too!

Beautiful, colorful fan dances brought oohs and aahs, and the drumming was like an exuberant heartbeat beating with the joy of living. A crazy cool drum performance that received loud applause was to the tune of Gangnam Style!

Performers included the San Diego Korean American Folk Dance Association and the San Diego Korean Pungmul Institute. The program was organized by the San Diego Library and the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles.

I just happened to be walking through the library before the program began, and I’m so glad I stumbled upon it!

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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!