I can’t believe how quickly the years pass by. It feels 2017 San Diego Comic-Con happened only yesterday!
Just for fun, I’ve been reviewing my blog posts from last year. It was amazing. So much fantastic stuff going on. Running like a crazy person around downtown taking hundreds of photos almost wore me out, but what an incredible, unforgettable experience!
Would you like to revisit some of the cool cosplay and fun activities outside Comic-Con in 2017?
Click the following links to see lots and lots of photos!
The first trolley wrap for 2018 San Diego Comic-Con features two Syfy shows–Krypton and HAPPY!
More than a month to go until 2018 San Diego Comic-Con and trolleys are already getting wrapped! A record 40 or more trolley cars will feature Comic-Con graphics this year, according to MTS!
I spotted the very first wrap this morning at the Little Italy station! Here are my quick photos!
It appears Syfy will be returning to San Diego Comic-Con in a big way in 2018. The wrap promotes two of their shows: Krypton and HAPPY! Both series have been renewed for a second season.
I noticed that Syfy’s slogan from last year–It’s a Fan Thing–is being referenced once again. On this trolley the words read: It’s a Fan Made Thing.
The Krypton art was created by Moritat, a comic book creator who has done some work for DC.
The HAPPY! trolley art was created by a fan named Alyssa Veysey. You can see her personal DeviantArt page, including the HAPPY! trolley artwork, here.
Because I live in downtown San Diego, I plan to take hundreds of photos during Comic-Con, as I’ve done the past few years!
Stay tuned!
A closer photo of the Krypton trolley graphic.The other half of the trolley car features imaginary characters from the highly original fantasy-comedy-crime show HAPPY!A three-headed dog named Raspberry!It’s a blue, flying unicorn named Happy!
UPDATE!
A couple days later, and I’ve spotted a second San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap that promotes the two Syfy shows The Magicians and Wynonna Earp.
I got some photos!
A cool Syfy wrap on a San Diego Comic-Con trolley. It’s a fan made thing. Find your fan thing!A Comic-Con trolley wrap that promotes The Magicians on Syfy.Another photo of the graphics for The Magicians.The other half of the San Diego Trolley car promotes the Syfy show Wynonna Earp.The characters of Wynonna Earp are portrayed on playing cards.
UPDATE!
Here’s another Syfy trolley car I’ve spotted! This one promotes the shows Nightflyers and Deadly Class!
Nightflyers graphics on a 2018 San Diego Comic-Con Syfy trolley wrap.A second photo of the Nightflyers trolley graphics.Deadly Class, another show on Syfy, is promoted on another half of the trolley car.Deadly Class on Syfy is being promoted on a San Diego trolley car with cool fan art.Second photo of the Deadly Class San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap!
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The Rockademy performs on the main stage at 2018 Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach.
Today I rode the Coaster train from downtown San Diego up to Solana Beach to experience the annual Fiesta del Sol street festival!
I’d never been to Fiesta del Sol, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I found was a lot of family fun, live music, a tasty chicken quesadilla, and a perfect bench overlooking the event where I could read and gaze out at the beach and Pacific Ocean!
This cool event continues through the weekend. You’ll find it just off the Pacific Coast Highway, right next to Fletcher Cove Beach Park!
Fiesta del Sol, presented by the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce, takes place beside Fletcher Cove Beach Park. The street festival continues through the weekend.Thousands turn out for a fun community event on a spring day in Solana Beach.Lots of tasty food could be found.Lots of art, too.This guy recycles surfboards.GC Dance Company performs at Fiesta del Sol.Photo of Fletcher Cove Beach Park from Overlook Park. I found a nice bench where I sat and read a book. (After visiting the food trucks to grab a mouthwatering lunch!)I wandered down to Fletcher Cove and looked north along the cliffs. Not many people were on the beach this overcast, slightly chilly day.A stand up paddle surfer was out on the Pacific Ocean waiting for the perfect wave.Walking back up from the beach toward the colorful festival.A cool Solana Beach sign above the tops of tents at Fiesta del Sol.Some people checked out some old school music for sale.Another vendor had all sorts of unique wooden items, including awesome model ships.The Solana Beach Civic Historical Society had a fascinating display of old photos. I learned about their Heritage Museum in La Colonia Park, which I’ll visit someday!Teenage rock band The Elements gets ready to perform at another stage near Pacific Coast Highway.More food!This artist surrounded by cool surf images displays his artwork at various festivals. I remember seeing him at the Ocean Beach Street Fair.These super long skateboards are Blue Murphy’s original Wonderboards! Murphy was a very friendly guy!On my way back to the Solana Beach train station to catch the Coaster, I spied this friendly stiltwalker. She was inviting people to a gallery down the street in the Cedros Avenue Design District.Lots of folks were having a great time today at Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach!
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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!
Talented floreador Miguel Bautista performs rope tricks in Balboa Park during Cinco de Mayo!
Today was the first time I’ve gone to a big, festive Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park. What fun!
In the early afternoon I wandered down El Prado to absorb the general flavor of the event, but I spent most of my time watching cultural performances in the Plaza de Panama. The day’s highlight in my opinion was the noontime equestrian parade and rope handling entertainment.
I’ve included some fascinating info in my photo captions!
The festive 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park was the scene of great pageantry and life today!Many traditional Mexican costumes, crafts and entertaining activities filled the Plaza de Panama.Ballet folklorico dancers with the community group La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego entertain a crowd in Balboa Park during Cinco de Mayo.Buoyant traditional Mexican music is provided by City Heights Mariachi, an ensemble that welcomes all ages. They are actively seeking trumpet players!Many people in diverse and colorful garb were in the audience.The noon Equestrian Procession is entering the Plaza de Panama! The group is called Escaramuza Charra las Golondrinas.Riders on horseback wear various traditional costumes. The caballero carrying the American flag is in the gala dress of a charro.Circling in the Plaza de Panama so that all can enjoy.The equestrian group’s floreador performs elaborate rope tricks for the crowd.Great agility and showmanship on display.Performing more amazing rope tricks up on the back of his horse!This cool lowrider was out in the plaza. It’s a 1958 Chevy Del Ray Sedan Delivery painted with flames!Several Balboa Park museums and organizations had tables in the plaza where kids could create Cinco de Mayo-themed artwork.Many food trucks were lining El Prado!When not on the main stage, City Heights Mariachi did some more entertaining along El Prado.At one o’clock there was a Traditional Dress Showcase with models wearing regional attire from different Mexican states.The various traditional Mexican dresses were from the Olga de la Vega private collection.I believe this was said to be a dress from the Michoacán region. The shawl is an important aspect of the attire–it is used to send social signals.Dress from the Mexican state of Guerrero, if my notes are correct. Images in the fabric include flowers and jaguars.Abundant color and pageantry filled the Plaza de Panama during the 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration 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!
The large Reading Cinemas building on Fifth Avenue is being renovated. Once reopened, the interior will be radically altered.
Early yesterday morning I walked through the Gaslamp Quarter. As usual, I was amazed at all the ongoing renovation of buildings and businesses up and down Fifth Avenue.
It isn’t unusual for restaurants and nightclubs to come and go, but several projects are in progress that will upgrade long-time San Diego destinations.
The two projects that I observed were a radical transformation of the building that used to be home to the now closed 15-screen Reading Cinemas, and an expansion and redesign of the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop.
The old Reading Cinemas building is being converted into a luxury movie theater and two restaurants. The developer is part owner of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The Gaslamp’s new 8-screen Theatre Box will host film festivals, San Diego Comic-Con events, and be within steps of a tasty new Sugar Factory restaurant (which includes a candy store with superhero themes) and a Landshark Bar and Grill (part of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville food and hospitality empire).
A somewhat confined Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop down the street is being expanded and made much more roomy and inviting. When completed, it will once again welcome visitors to the Gaslamp Quarter with a tempting array of delectable, mouth-watering treats!
Fifth Avenue south of Broadway is the hub of San Diego’s popular Gaslamp Quarter.Workers beautify a building that will be home to a luxury theater and two new restaurants.One of several Gaslamp destinations undergoing renovation. Many downtown establishments strive to be attractive and upscale.The iconic Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop will also see various changes.Square footage is being increased and counters repositioned. The interior will be less crowded, more inviting.A graphic on a construction fence designed to make people drool! All these Ghirardelli treats and more will be returning to the Gaslamp!
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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!
Canoes head out into Mission Bay during the 5th Annual San Diego Shaka Fest, a celebration of Hawaiian culture, arts, and athletics.
Yesterday I walked along the east side of Mission Bay. For a few minutes I lingered at De Anza Cove to take in the rich color and Hawaiian vibe at San Diego Shaka Fest.
Many youth were racing outrigger canoes out on the water, and entertainment on the grass included dance and music.
Here are some photos. Read the captions to learn more!
The San Diego Shaka Fest at De Anza Cove is hosted by the Nā Koa Kai Canoe Club. There was a outrigger canoe regatta, stand up paddle race and Polynesian entertainment!Many youth would participate out on the water.Some stand up paddle boards are ready on the sand.A team walks their outrigger canoe out into beautiful Mission Bay.The SUP Race Course in Mission Bay heads down to Fiesta Island.Hundreds of visitors to the event enjoyed entertainment and an assortment of vendors.Lots of crafts and colorful clothing could be found at Shaka Fest.Hawaiian music and dance in sunny San Diego!Whether family by blood or friends by choice, we are ohana.
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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 performance by Japanese drummers at the 2018 Pacific Rim Festival in Chula Vista.
Yesterday I headed down to the South Bay to check out the 2nd Annual Pacific Rim Festival in Chula Vista. The fun event, sponsored by the Port of San Diego, featured food and entertainment representing many nations that share the Pacific Ocean.
I lingered for over an hour and watched a rousing performance by the Naruwan Taiko Drummers, lion dancing by the Southern Sea Kung Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association, and Philippine martial art demonstrations by the Cardenas School of Modern Arnis.
Please enjoy a few photos from my walk through Bayside Park, and many more after I arrived at the colorful event!
A family enjoys the small beach near the fishing pier at the south end of Bayside Park.A father plays super hopscotch in the park!Walking slowly through sunshine, on the way to a cool festival in San Diego’s South Bay.Downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bay Bridge are in the hazy distance.I’ve arrived at the 2nd Annual Pacific Rim Festival.The first thing I saw was lots of yummy food from many countries around the Pacific Rim.Beautiful crafts were also on display and available for purchase. A nice lady made this amazing glass artwork by hand.Continuing through the festival. One vendor had unique clothing for sale. Kids had a bounce house. Another perfect San Diego day.An audience has gathered at the stage to watch energetic drumming by Naruwan Taiko.Meanwhile, some lion dancers are waiting to one side for their turn to perform.People have gathered to celebrate many cultures around the Pacific Ocean.The lion dancing has begun. This local group is the Southern Sea Kung Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association.Music accompanies the traditional lion dance.Banners unfurl, wishing everyone a happy and prosperous year.The two lions come down onto the grass to the delight of everybody.A young girl offers the red lion a dollar bill for good luck.After this performance, I stretched my legs with a short walk along the nearby water of San Diego Bay. Others were enjoying the day, too.I stumbled upon some wild California poppies. They are the official flower of the state of California.As I returned to the stage area, students from the Cardenas School of Modern Arnis had assembled.People get ready to view a Philippine martial arts demonstration.The exciting demonstration begins.Celebrating the cultures of many Pacific Rim nations at a very fun event!
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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!
This afternoon I headed to the Pacific Rim Festival in Chula Vista’s Bayside Park. I’ll blog more about this fun event shortly!
The highlight of my day was an incredible performance by Naruwan Taiko!
Imagine resonant, heart-pounding, pulsing beats, and drummers swinging unstoppable arms in a synchronized dance. Imagine smiles and shouts, muscles and sweat, powered by a pure love of life. For a few moments Bayside Park was stirred by magic. Hearts were lifted by thundering, unabashed joy!
I was ready to leap over the sun!
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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!
On Sunday afternoons I seem to be spending more and more time in the grand Ballroom of the Balboa Park Club. Cushioned chairs line the walls, and I can sit peacefully as I read or write, listening to gentle, sprightly folk music, occasionally looking up at happy people dancing.
I don’t do much in the way of dancing–not with my feet. But I’m sure some of you do! And I bet some of you’d like to learn all sorts of different folk dances!
I spoke to a nice lady who is a member of one of Balboa Park’s dance clubs, and she told me they are looking to grow their membership. There’s an opportunity for ordinary people with varying levels of experience to learn folk dances from many different cultures. And each lesson costs only a couple bucks!
As you can see from one of my photos, kids and parents can also learn how to dance the third Sunday of every month, from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Sounds like fun!
Interested? Visit the International Dance Association of San Diego County website by clicking here!
If you can walk, you can dance!
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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!
A tour group has entered the Spreckels Theatre from the Grand Lobby of the Spreckels Theater Building in downtown San Diego.
Several years ago I wrote a short blog about the Spreckels Theater Building on Broadway. I took a few photos of the six-story office building’s exterior and Grand Lobby. You can see those here.
During the San Diego Architectural Foundation 2018 OPEN HOUSE event last weekend, I enjoyed a tour of the Spreckels Theatre, which is found inside the large mixed-use building. Our group met in the building’s Grand Lobby near the original old box office, which for many years had been hidden and forgotten behind a wall. We then ventured into the theatre’s smaller elegant Baroque lobby.
After learning some fascinating history, we headed down an aisle through the theatre, up over the orchestra pit and right up onto the stage! By tilting our heads back we could gaze six floors straight up at the stage’s complex workings, and by walking a few steps off the stage, we could poke our noses into the three “Star” dressing suites.
Our group was provided with all sorts of cool information, but sadly I didn’t write it all down. We did learn that the Spreckels Theatre and the building that it’s housed in was built by San Diego entrepreneur and philanthropist John D. Spreckels, and was designed by Harrison Albight. The structure is built of concrete and steel–it actually contains more steel than nearby modern high-rises. The Grand Lobby outside the theatre entrance contains a vast quantity of beautiful onyx that was shipped in from Mexico.
When the theatre opened in 1912 it was the largest theatre of its kind west of New York City. The theatre originally had 1915 seats, to celebrate the 1915 Panama-California Exposition which would be held in Balboa Park. The theatre has been operating continuously for its entire existence–well over a hundred years. To this day, the theatre has one of the best acoustic ratings anywhere in the world.
Everyone in our tour group smiled when we heard about a 1923 production of Ben Hur, which included horse-drawn chariots actually racing across the Spreckel Theatre’s stage! Apparently the chariots raced in a circle through the lot behind the building, and would periodically come into the building to thunder across the stage!
The interior of the theatre was fairly dark during our tour, so many of my photographs didn’t come out very good. Please read the captions to learn some more about this very cool old theatre.
One additional thing! When questions were posed to the theatre’s manager, I asked whether Conan O’Brien would be returning to the Spreckels Theatre for 2018 San Diego Comic-Con. The answer was he almost certainly will!
The Grand Lobby shines with onyx brought in from Mexico. I learned this original box office was hidden for many years behind a wall and forgotten.A sign describes the Spreckels Theatre story. In the 1920’s, it was transformed into a grand movie house, hosting Hollywood premieres and the leading stars of the day.We’ve stepped into the lobby of the theatre. The amazing glass artwork above the entrance was created in 1983 by Yaakov Agam, commissioned by theatre President, Jacquelyn Littlefield. Check out its very different reflection in the mirror!The very elegant concession counter in the theatre, still in use today.Old photos in glass displays behind the lobby’s counter show the historic building, past movie stars and John D. Spreckels.Spreckels Theatre. Opening Night: August 23, 1912.Looking up at light fixtures, one at the theatre lobby and one up some stairs at the Mezzanine.Portraits of Hollywood stars left of the front counter.Early movie stars on the right side.Resolution by San Diego City Council honoring Jacqelyn Littlefield Day, owner and operator of the beautiful Spreckels Theatre since 1970.Cool poster from Conan O’Brien’s appearance at the Spreckels Theatre during 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.Now we’ve entered the dark theatre where my old camera struggles. Here’s an idea of what you will see.Balcony seats surrounded by fantastic Baroque elegance.One of two plaster sculptures by Charles C. Cristadoro, who would go on to work for Walt Disney.Looking out toward some seats from the theatre’s stage.The distinctive Spreckels Theatre design at the end of every seat row.A quick peek into a modest suite to the side of the stage. A mirror, sink and restroom are reserved for the biggest stars.Our tour group learns some of the fascinating history of one of San Diego’s most treasured places.
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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!
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