Ju Dizz becomes SoCal Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. (Photo courtesy @ju_dizz)
I happen to know the coolest wrestler in Southern California. Our paths usually cross several times a week. His name is Julius Coleman, and he wrestles with SoCal Pro under the name Ju Dizz.
Last weekend, at the completion of a hard fought cage match, fan favorite Ju Dizz lifted the championship belt as SoCal Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion! How cool is that?
Julius is not only a fierce fighter, but he’s a super positive guy and friend to many. As he rises to superstardom, he’ll be a many-time champion with an unstoppable, big heart. He’ll be an inspiring role model for all of his fans.
Ju Dizz is the Black Rose that blossoms through the rubble!
I’ve covered San Diego Comic-Con for many years. Cool San Diego Sights now includes hundreds of cosplay photos that were taken around the Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter.
While we impatiently wait three months for 2019 Comic-Con, I thought I’d share 150 of my favorite photographs. These include some of the weirdest, funniest, most jaw-dropping examples of cosplay that my roving camera has happily recorded.
Enjoy!
Adora Belle Dearheart and Moist von LipwigAhmanet of The MummyAlice and Mad HatterAnt-Man and the WaspAquamanAquamanAquaman, Mera and cosplay friendsAssassin’s CreedAzog and a NazgûlAzrael BatmanBatman and BaneBatman looking grimBatman, Robin and evil supervillains ready for a pool partyBaymaxBlack Mage encircled by Supergirl and dancing friendsBlack Widow and Ant-ManBlack Widow, Captain America and smiling friendBombshell BatwomanBumblebee and barbarian friend boarding a trolley in San DiegoCableCaptain America strikes a poseCatwoman and Jane Doe of BlindspotCloud StrifeCobra CommanderConeheadsCyclopsCylon Centurion from Battlestar GalacticaDark Angel OliviaDarth MaulDarth Vader in cool sunglassesDaymanDeadpool takes many forms, including a hot dogDeathstroke and BatgirlDisco Darth VaderDoc BrownDragon Slayer OrnsteinDragon Ball ZElectroElemental Hero AvianFast food superheroesFerengi from Star TrekFire Archangel VelajuelFrog Glenn with Batman and two RobinsFrozoneGame of ThronesGame of ThronesGamoraGarden gnomesGhostbustersGokuGreen ArrowGuardians of the GalaxyGumby and PokeyGurren LagannHarley Quinn and DeathstrokeHarley QuinnHaru of The Cat ReturnsHawkman and HawkgirlHenchman 21Hermione Granger, Daredevil and American MaidHomestuckImmortan JoeJawa from Star WarsJay Garrick version of FlashJudge Dredd and Judge DeathKevin Flynn from TronKevin from UpKlingonsKrieg the PsychoKuato from Total RecallLady SifLEGO CyborgLiliana VessLittle MermaidLoki and ThorLokiLord HaterLovecraftian steampunk Cthulhu-like characterMad HattersMad Max duoMad Max trioMadame VastraMadder Red of BedlamMadoka MagicaMercy and Reaper of OverwatchMing the MercilessMOBA LegendsMouth of SauronMystery Science Theater 3000Nightmare Before ChristmasObi-Wan KenobiOpera Bugs BunnyOrange Vader and friendsPac-ManPepsimanPikachuPoison IvyPost-apocalyptic Super Mario Bros.Professor McGonagall and DumbledoreQuidditch players for the Montrose MagpiesR2-D2RiddlerRobinRocksteady and BebopSalsa PicanteSamurai JackSans from UndertaleSatsuki KiryuinScarecrowSharknado victimsShe-Hulk and RavenShe-Ra has arrived to save the day. Her friend looks like a messed-up Phoenix, but I’m not sure…Sheriff Deputy Rick GrimesSilkSilver SurferSilverwareSnow WhiteSociety For Creative AnachronismSome sort of astronautSora from Kingdom HeartsSpeed Racer and Mario charactersSpiderman and VenomSpiderman driving a pedicab outside San Diego Comic-ConSpockStar Trek BarbeeStar WarsStar-Lord and ThorSteampunk Ghostbuster with proton packSteampunk ladySteampunk version of BatmanSteven UniverseStormSuper ShredderTARDISThe Addams FamilyThe Venture Bros.The Witcher characterThorTransformer in the GaslampTweedledum and TweedledeeUndead zombie running amok inside the San Diego Convention CenterUnknownVenomWALL-E and Cruella de VilWarlock from DestinyWolverineWonder Woman and a Golden Age enemyWonder Woman and MaleficentWonder Woman and Superman
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
In my opinion, the most exciting part of the House of England’s lawn program in Balboa Park yesterday was the historical sword fighting. A local group called Swords of Chivalry provided a fine demonstration of realistic combat between armored knights during the Middle Ages.
According to their website, the Swords of Chivalry Program is one of only 16 schools in the world that have been selected to the Chivalric Fighting Arts Association. The program is led by “San Diego’s own Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) expert and medieval history guru, Scott Farrell.”
As knights and their squires performed heroic feats upon the green grass of the International Cottages, I and everyone watching were drawn back in time to the fantastic Age of Chivalry.
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Knights in armor engage in mock battle during the House of England’s lawn program.
The House of England in Balboa Park hosted a really great lawn program today!
As I lingered on the grass at the center of the International Cottages, I saw historical costumes, several mock knight battles, a Beatles tribute band, and even a parade of Welsh Corgis! I also stepped into the House of England’s cottage to check out a bunch of cultural displays!
These photos show what I experienced…
The annual House of England lawn program drew a good crowd to the International Cottages in Balboa Park.A member of the group Swords of Chivalry removes her steel helmet after some mock medieval combat.Other members of Swords of Chivalry have donned historical armor during the House of England’s lawn program.Kids had fun learning about the Age of Chivalry, a time long ago that now seems like pure fantasy.Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter welcome visitors to the House of England’s cottage. Join us for a cup of tea.The House of England’s small cottage is full of interesting photos, artwork and cultural displays.One wall features the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. A nearby poster traces The Royal Lineage.A Briton’s Creed, Big Ben,Winston Churchill and more!I soon spotted a bunch of Harry Potter stuff. It’s the Sorting Hat from Hogwarts!One chart shows how the name Luna has become increasingly popular due to the Harry Potter books and films.It’s all of the Doctors from the popular Doctor Who series!A large display in the cottage is devoted to the British royal family, and Princess Diana in particular.An article about striving to keep Diana’s legacy alive by eliminating landmines around the world. (Click image to enlarge for easy reading.)Look at all the fun, unique teapots!Back outside, the House of England had a food tent up. Delectable treats for sale included Hagrid’s Dragon Eggs!All sorts of tents along the grass. Many contained information about English culture and history.Some attending the cool event wore historical costumes.A parade featuring dozens of cute Corgis caught everyone’s attention.Some guys rode penny-farthings to Balboa Park’s wonderful House of England event.Four gentlemen and their high wheels.This elegant lady had a table that concerned the show Victoria on PBS.Images from 19th century England.Claudia Previn Stasny, daughter of André Previn, sang The Star Spangled Banner and God Save the Queen to begin the program of afternoon entertainment.A happy group of Welsh Corgis hangs out by the stage.The Baja Bugs, a great Beatles tribute band, rocks the House of England’s lawn program.I think I see Ringo at the drums!Battling knights entertain an outdoor audience at the House of England’s lawn program in Balboa Park!
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Approaching the historic Amici House, a cultural center in San Diego’s downtown Little Italy neighborhood.
In downtown San Diego’s beautiful Little Italy neighborhood, tucked among trees between Amici Park and the popular Little Italy Dog Park, one can find a small house that is named for friendship. It’s called Amici House.
A century ago the Amici House was home to the Giacalone family, who lived in Sicily before their arrival in San Diego in 1916. Antonio Giacalone and his wife, Josephine, became an integral part of the local Italian fishing community. Their modest Craftsman style house was originally located a few blocks to the west, near India Street. Last year the structure was moved to its present location at 250 W. Date Street, in order to make room for the new Piazza della Famiglia.
The historic home, now called the Amici House, has become a gathering place for the present-day community. Sheltered by graceful trees, its shady patio is the perfect place to relax, have a drink and chat with friends. Inside the house one can observe museum-like displays and learn about life in Little Italy, which was home to many immigrant fishermen back when San Diego was considered the tuna fishing capital of the world.
The Amici House is operated by The Convivio Society for Italian Humanities, a nonprofit organization that promotes Italian arts, culture and heritage in San Diego. The house with its intimate patio provides a unique venue for concerts and other entertainment. A variety of community activities such as outdoor movie screenings are often enjoyed in nearby Amici Park. The house can also be rented for private events.
I paid a visit on Saturday afternoon and took a few photos.
This grassy area in front of Amici House will soon be a venue for outdoor entertainment, with its own small stage.A group of people exits Amici House. I will be able to explore the place during a quiet moment on a Saturday afternoon.Steps lead up into the small, renovated Craftsman style Amici House.At the bottom of the front steps is a table with books and other gifts. Caffè Convivio offers snacks and a few refreshing things to drink.Chairs and tables in front of Amici House provide a pleasant, shady place to relax on a sunny day.This kinetic fish sculpture is popular with kids.After stepping into the Amici House, I turned around and took a photo of old fishing artifacts above the door.Photo into a large mirror on one wall provides a glimpse of the small museum-like interior.The walls inside the Amici House are full of historical photos and information concerning Little Italy, once center of a thriving tuna fishing industry.Posters, old photos and works of art with an Italian theme appear on all sides. I see Frank Sinatra.This small exhibition of art features work by sports fan and artist Christopher Paluso.Examples of work by accomplished Italian American artist Christopher Paluso.In a wooden cabinet I saw colorful glassware and crafts imported from Italy.Painting of John D’Acquisto, Italian American baseball pitcher who played four years with the San Diego Padres.Little Italy has a rich history, including many generations of families that still thrive in the community today.I’m shown a rendering of a proposed, much larger cultural center that might be built by The Convivio Society in the future.Meanwhile, the Amici House holds (and produces) cherished memories for a lively San Diego neighborhood.
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
A new, permanent concert stage is now being built at Petco Park!
I walked through the Park at the Park today and saw workers erecting the large stage behind the wall-like batter’s eye, where temporary stages have been set up for special events in past years.
A couple mornings ago I walked around Petco Park looking for new banners, graphics and cool stuff in anticipation of the 2019 Padres baseball season. I spoke to a Padres employee who was doing some maintenance, and he indicated that the new stage will be operated by Live Nation, and will be used as a venue for concerts and other fun events throughout the year!
Great idea!
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
In past years, the National City Chamber of Commerce’s amazing Annual International Mariachi Festival and Competition has been held in Pepper Park. You might remember my photographs in 2016 and 2017. For this year, 2019, the event was held in Chula Vista’s spacious Bayside Park!
I love the whirling colors of Mexican ballet folklórico dancing, and the soaring, unabashed joy of mariachi music, so today I had to go again!
I took photos of anything and everything!
Enjoy!
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
San Diego’s own world-famous Murrugun the Mystic exhales a huge fireball during Seaport Village’s 2019 Busker Fest!
This is my fifth year blogging about Seaport Village’s annual busker festival. It’s so much fun, I try not to miss it!
This afternoon I randomly walked about Seaport Village, checking out the acts of great street performers from all around the United States and the world. I protected my camera from the wind and showers and took a whole bunch of photographs. Unfortunately, today’s attendance seemed reduced by the weather.
Tomorrow the sun is supposed to come out. Hopefully more people will then head to Seaport Village for this free weekend event!
The highlight for me was the two-act performance of San Diego’s own world-famous danger act and carnival sideshow performer Murrugun the Mystic! As I watched, I could plainly see he was enjoying himself!
Since I last blogged about Murrugun, he has appeared on even more TV shows. He has now been featured on AMC’s Freakshow, Cougar Town, CSI: New York, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! He also holds multiple Guinness World Records for sword swallowing!
I spoke to him briefly after his show, and I learned he’s devising a hollow tube contraption that he will insert into his throat. From that tube he will explosively shoot flaming arrows! Wow! I can’t wait to see that!
Here come fun photos! Enjoy!
Even with the drizzly, breezy winter weather, people came out to Seaport Village on Saturday to watch some of the best street performers in the world.Daniel Israel juggles while high atop a unicycle!Cate Flaherty is a professional circus acrobat with a big smile. Her juggling and balancing performance was great!George Gilbert entertains people by the water. For a grand finale, he magically made a pineapple appear under his hat!Nolan Webster included a lot of humor in his parlor magic show. That ball was actually attached to his nose! Cheater!The audiences at the Busker Fest were all smiles.Kids seemed to have the best time while the buskers performed. Many adults were very shy.Murrugun the Mystic calls an audience together near Seaport Village’s central fountain before beginning his amazing two-part act!Murrugun’s first act is a series of fantastic fire breathing and eating tricks, including shooting flames out of his mouth! He performed to one side, out of the wind.The second act was sword swallowing. Murrugun the Mystic is one of very few true sword swallowers in the world.That’s a genuine, long and very sharp sword poised on Murrugun’s tongue.Here we go!When all the way in, the sword has penetrated between his heart and lungs and ends at the bottom of his stomach, just below the belly button!Next comes a sword sandwich–six swords carefully aligned together. Over the decades, a scary number of performers have died doing this dangerous sword swallowing trick. Murrugun himself was once seriously injured.That’s a lot of sharp steel to swallow!In go six genuine swords!One of the most amazing human spectacles you’re likely to ever witness!Back near the water, Jonathan Strange was doing some mystifying ring linking magic with an assistant chosen from the audience.Molly Keczan includes lasso rope tricks in her fun The Farmer’s Daughter Show.The Farmer’s Daughter keeps balance as she walks along the top of glass milk bottles–with one good eye! A wildly successful show, in spite of her contact lens difficulty!While walking around I spotted Martika Daniels setting up for her act with a big smile.Martika’s amazing show included being stood upon while lying on a bed of nails!Ouch! Martika explained that stunts like this make some of life’s difficulties seem small by comparison. Her show was super positive and inspirational!Another awesome sword swallowing act!Buskers and audience members all seemed to have a great time, even if the San Diego weather didn’t cooperate today!
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Dancers entertain visitors to Balboa Park as the House of China celebrates Chinese New Year at the International Cottages.
It’s February already, and beginning to feel a tiny bit like spring!
Visitors to Balboa Park today could enjoy many wonderful experiences: the Chinese New Year Festival . . . the International Dance Festival . . . and even a few early cherry blossoms!
As I walked in sunshine and scattered sprinkles, I took many photos.
Colorful young dancers on stage celebrate the Chinese New Year in San Diego.Food, culture and sunshine (and scattered, sprinkling clouds) at the Chinese New Year Festival in Balboa Park.A glimpse of the El Cid statue in Balboa Park on a springlike Sunday in February.Sunshine on bubbles.There’s plenty of bright green down in the Balboa Park Rube Powell Archery Range.A beautiful photo between the House of Hospitality and Casa de Balboa.Prado Perk’s chalkboard indicates it’s almost Valentine’s Day!Athletes in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association gather during a time out during the Third Annual Brad Rich Invitational at Balboa Municipal Gymnasium.The ornamental pear trees are blooming near the Plaza de Balboa.Members of the San Diego Bonsai Club work on small olive trees in the Casa del Prado.I spotted Captain America in the cafe of the Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum! (He’s actually a member of San Diego’s Science Fiction Coalition.)A beautiful springlike day on El Prado.I was welcomed to the International Dance Festival in the Balboa Park Club.Flags of many nations follow a bagpiper through Balboa Park as the annual International Dance Festival is about to begin.Colorful banners approach the Balboa Park Club.Folk dancing is ready to begin!A banner of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.Meanwhile, folks walk through the always beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden.Looks to me like spring is coming fast!A few early cherry blossoms are blooming in February at the Japanese Friendship Garden.Yes! Spring is around the corner!
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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 2018 Holiday Bowl Parade headed down Harbor Drive the morning of New Year’s Eve. Chilly, drizzly weather couldn’t stop America’s Largest Balloon Parade!
It might’ve been a bit more chilly and breezy than usual for San Diego this New Year’s Eve morning, but the 2018 Holiday Bowl Parade was just as fun as ever!
The Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, which proceeded down Harbor Drive along the Embarcadero, is billed as America’s Largest Balloon Parade. This year the parade featured the two college football teams that are competing in the 2018 Holiday Bowl: Northwestern University and the University of Utah. The big bowl game is kicking off right as I post these photographs!
Without further ado, here we go!
Before the Holiday Bowl Parade began, three cool old biplanes made a fly-by. Trailing smoke is a 1941 Boeing Stearman; the other two are Great Lakes.The Solar Turbines 5K run begins down Harbor Drive shortly before the parade.Northwestern University and University of Utah fans wore their colors up and down the parade route.Barricades are moved as the Holiday Bowl Parade is ready to begin!First up is WorldStrides on Stage. They will perform the halftime show at the Holiday Bowl football game in the afternoon.Another super fun Holiday Bowl Parade has begun!The San Diego Harbor Police Honor Guard helps to lead things off.Here comes Marine Band San Diego.The first balloon is cheerful Cheri the Octopus!And here comes Carter the Sea Turtle!San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts waves from the Wonderfront float. San Diego’s waterfront is indeed full of wonders!I wish I’d gotten a better pic of this funny group: The World-Famous Lawn Rangers! Their synchronized routine is so absurd you have to laugh out loud!Here come the Shawnee Mission North Marching Indians from Overland Park, Kansas.Pageantry and marching bands make any parade exciting!That big balloon swimming under the clouds is Louie the Blue Whale!And now I see good old Garfield! He’s giving somebody the thumbs up.These are the Norris High School Marching Titans from Firth, Nebraska!Next up is the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.Bob the Builder has either lost his balance or the breezy weather had gotten the better of the balloon’s handlers!Herencia Hispana comes down Harbor Drive wearing elaborate dresses and folk costumes!Beautifully swirling Mexican dresses delight the eye.Chinelos dancers were viewed with astonishment by many in the audience. It’s an unusual Mexican tradition popular in the state of Morelos.Danza del los Diablos. Looks like devilish fun!Another marching band! This one comes from Palo Verde Valley High School.Go Padres!That’s one gigantic, very happy Gingerbread Man! (Any relation to the friendly Stay Puft Marshmallow Man?)Many in the audience suddenly became excited. Who is that approaching?Here comes Northwestern University, one of the teams in the 2018 Holiday Bowl!Banners twirl proudly!Members of the Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band thunder past!Willie the Northwestern mascot is up on the purple and white float with some cheerleaders!That’s one mighty big football!Members of Sports for Exceptional Athletes demonstrate their skill during the parade.Look! Here comes the University of Utah!The Utes also had a big contingent in the Holiday Bowl Parade.Swoop, the Utah mascot had a bit of trouble donning that Santa hat!The red and white Utah Utes float with smiling cheer squad passes by.The University of Utah Marching Utes all appear to be having a great time.More college football pageantry.Goodness! Here come even more balloons down Harbor Drive!It’s Hog Heaven!There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here! (My favorite.)And here is the Deer Valley High School Marching Band!Snowman is either tipping backward in the breezy weather or gradually melting.The San Diego State University Marching Aztecs precede Nicholas the Nutcracker!SDSU, a local university with a great sports history, marches with pride through downtown San Diego.The San Diego Star Wars Society is always a sure hit with young and old alike in any parade!Darth Vader says hello to someone watching the cool parade!A tiny TIE fighter and tiny Star Wars characters!Medieval fantasy follows futuristic fantasy. It’s Merlin the Wizard!Even more fun balloons! I see a San Diego Zoo Panda!It’s the beloved Very Hungry Caterpillar!It’s Mother Goose. (She must be taking a break from her big annual parade out in El Cajon.)More pageantry and excitement. It’s the Green Valley Marching Band!Yikes! Here comes the scariest Holiday Bowl Parade balloon of them all! Tessa the T-Rex!U.S. Naval Sea Cadets march past and receive many waves.The parade program calls this balloon entry Saxophone. It sure is a big one, though!The Bobcat Marching Band came to San Diego from Western Dubuque High School.During a break in the parade I turned my camera toward San Diego Bay and captured the nearby Star of India.From the world’s oldest active sailing ship to a space shuttle! This particular balloon Space Shuttle was taxiing down Harbor Drive on tiny wheels!You know these guys simply had to be in the parade. It’s the Al Bahr Shrine and their Tin Lizzies.Here come some Al Bahr Clowns.I had fun! Did you?
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Cool San Diego Sights! 