Tag: news

Nutcracker dances by San Diego Civic Youth Ballet.

The San Diego Civic Youth Ballet has been an institution in Balboa Park since 1945. Their annual performances of holiday favorite The Nutcracker begin in early December. That’s quickly approaching!

A preview of several Nutcracker dances was offered this afternoon at Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

Most of the weekly Sunday organ concert was devoted to the youthful dancing. And it was quite good!

Light, graceful movement, as if on a cloud, shined up on the stage. The professionalism and poise of the young ballet dancers was remarkable.

Several times during today’s preview a connection problem with an iPhone caused the music to unexpectedly stop, but the dancers danced on, unfazed. When the music suddenly started again, it was as if the glitch had never happened.

These photos show how wonderful The Nutcracker is bound to be. The upcoming performances will be at the Casa del Prado Theater in Balboa Park. Get your tickets 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!

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Sculptures installed at new City Heights cultural center!

San Diego has a new cultural center in City Heights. Columbus Hall, located at 4425 Home Avenue, has recently become a destination where artists and lovers of art can gather.

A sculpture installation around the Columbus Club of San Diego‘s building opened last week. It’s titled Beyond the Anthropocene.

Beyond the Anthropocene is a three-dimensional, sculptural collection that asks each artist to project their idea about “what is next.” Three of the pieces are new. Others were previously located in the sculpture garden that used to be along University Avenue just east of Interstate 15. (You can see blog posts about that past sculpture garden here and here.)

Local artist Jim Bliesner is the curator of Beyond the Anthropocene. The other contributing artists are Karl Gindelberger, Tarrah Aroonsakool, Spenser Little, Marcus Montes, Lionel Delevingne, Dianne Brunner, Randy Lane and Iain Gunn.

Drive down Home Avenue just east of Fairmount and you’ll notice several of the pieces beside Columbus Hall. The extraordinary wire art hanging against the building will undoubtedly catch your eye!

During my visit yesterday, I noted that there was a food truck and picnic table nearby for hungry visitors.

If you’re ever in the area, you definitely want to stop on by!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Balboa Park cottages prepare for holidays!

Christmas Tree ornaments in the House of Mexico cottage.

Many of the International Cottages in Balboa Park are already getting ready for the holidays. And others cottages will soon be decorating. December Nights is less than two weeks away!

I poked my nose into most of the cottages today searching for Christmas and seasonal decorations. These photographs represent what I found.

Hand-crafted holiday gifts inside the House of Sweden cottage.

Hand-painted Christmas ornaments available inside House of Italy’s cottage.

Beautiful candles and greenery inside the House of Hungary cottage.

The House of Scotland Pipe Band will be performing during December Nights.

Santa and elves at work inside the House of Denmark cottage.

A uniquely beautiful wreath inside the House of Ukraine’s cottage.

Here comes Santa Claus inside the House of Finland’s cottage!

As I walked around, I noticed other parts of Balboa Park are getting ready!

The big poinsettia Christmas Tree that is coming to the San Diego History Center has its framework set up. Santa, his sled and reindeer are already taking to the sky between the Plaza de Panama and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. And the the religious nativity scenes have been set up in back of the pavilion. No Gingerbread House yet!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

A beautiful Luminous Flux in La Jolla!

A cascade of beauty is flowing in La Jolla!

Like a waterfall producing rainbows, Luminous Flux now splashes the Joseph Clayes III Gallery at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library with color and light!

Luminous Flux is part of a new Athenaeum exhibition titled Anne Labovitz: The Blue Hour. It opened yesterday.

Anne Labovitz, who resides in Minnesota, has created beautiful works of art that connect the viewer with surprising light. The radiated and reflected light inspires awe. Of course, luminosity is abundant in this world, but our eyes at times miss it.

Should you visit the Athenaeum to experience the work of Anne Labovitz, you won’t be disappointed. In addition to Luminous Flux (14′ x 20′ x 5’6″ acrylic on Tyvek), you’ll find tall slender stacks of tiny, many-colored books, and shining, colorful, illuminated windows. You really must see them!

The exhibition Anne Labovitz: The Blue Hour will be on display through January 13, 2024.

These photographs of Luminous Flux give a hint of the wonder you’ll experience…

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Christmas decorations appear in Old Town State Park!

Christmas decorations have already popped up all around Old Town San Diego State Historic Park! I took a short walk through the historic park today and snapped these photos.

As you can see, three very colorful wise men have arrived at the Fiesta de Reyes stage. And a couple of jolly Santas have arrived elsewhere in the park, too!

I learned that the Casa de Estudillo will be putting up their Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving. I suspect even more holiday decorations will be appearing at various museums and shops.

What free holiday activities can be enjoyed in Old Town San Diego this year? The following will take place outside of the State Park:

A festive Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held beside the Whaley House on December 7, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

The 65th Annual Las Posadas procession will take place in Heritage County Park on Friday, December 8, 2023, starting at 7:00 pm.

A couple of large wreaths welcome everyone to Fiesta de Reyes.

A wreath with Mexican flavor hangs by a shop window.

Many holiday wreaths along the balcony of the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

Santa Claus welcomes visitors to Toby’s Candle & Soap Shop in Old Town.

Moon and sun kiss behind a wreath’s red ribbon in front of El Centro Artesano.

Merry Christmas! Good old Santa has returned to Old Town Market on his wagon!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Holly Jolly Trolley coming for the holidays!

Father Christmas and children in a winter wonderland. Happy needlework at the House of Germany.

Something new is coming to San Diego this coming holiday season. The San Diego Trolley will be offering a free family event called Holly Jolly Trolley!

How fun is this?

Embark on a ride through downtown San Diego on the “Holly Jolly Trolley”, our vintage 1001 Trolley decorated in style for the holidays. Picture yourself stepping into a different era as you board our decked-out vintage Trolley and embrace the spirit of the season with family and friends.

This seasonal trolley ride through downtown can be enjoyed on Saturday, December 9, 2023. After every ride, passengers will get free hot cocoa and cookies at the Gaslamp Quarter station, then decorate their own Christmas tree ornaments!

I wonder. Will Santa Claus be there?

If you’d like to experience this free event, make your advance reservation 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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Outpouring of love, for one who loved San Diego.

I never met San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler. Every voice I’ve heard agrees that he was a man who loved the fans, our city, and people in general.

He loved baseball. He gave so much to advance our team.

He was compassionate for the less fortunate, working to help those who are homeless.

Today there was an outpouring of love for Peter Seidler around San Diego. I heard it all day on sports radio. He touched so many people.

This afternoon, on the steps of Petco Park, members of the Padres staff were building a memorial full of flowers and memories. I walked by to see.

I offered my own thanks to Peter Seidler last year.

Thank you, again.

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

New downtown mural celebrates San Diego!

I spotted this awesome new mural yesterday during a walk in downtown San Diego. It’s painted on a wall by the small parking lot on India Street north of A Street.

The colorful artwork appears to celebrate San Diego’s Columbia District, with musical notes from the nearby Music Box, a train (Santa Fe Depot), a cruise ship and distinctive Emerald Plaza. But I’m not certain. Because I also see an image of Balboa Park’s distant California Tower and part of the Padres logo.

I searched for an artist signature but found none.

Does anybody reading my blog know who created this great mural? Is it a work in progress? There’s a difficult-to-reach section on the right end of the wall that is blank.

If I learn more I’ll provide an update.

UPDATE!

I’ve learned the mural is by international artist and downtown San Diego resident David Feucht. It was finished just recently.

Very cool!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Star of India starts across San Diego Bay!

The world’s oldest active sailing ship, San Diego’s own legendary Star of India, is sailing this weekend! It has been five years since she headed out into the Pacific Ocean.

At 9 o’clock this morning, Maritime Museum of San Diego crew members cast off the ropes that held Star of India to the Embarcadero, and two tug boats commenced to tow her across the bay.

Once far out on the ocean, the beautiful Star would unfurl her majestic sails and become a white cloud floating on the blue. Unfortunately, nobody would see that from downtown–unless, perhaps, one could peer out into the watery distance from a high building.

Five years ago, from the end of Point Loma, I photographed the Star of India cruising out into the wide ocean. It was accompanied by other tall ships that make San Diego their home. See those photos 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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Fleet Week’s downtown Veterans Art Exhibit.

You have until 4 pm today (Sunday) to view Fleet Week San Diego’s special Active Duty Military & Veterans Art Exhibit. It’s open free to the public at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s old downtown location, at 1100 Kettner Boulevard.

If you’re watching the Veterans Day Parade along the Embarcadero today, you might enjoy stopping by afterward. It’s within easy walking distance.

The artwork covers several walls in the museum’s Melinda Farris Wortz Gallery. Diverse artists with different military experiences have pieces on display. Many of the works depict life in the military or on the battlefield–occasionally with a bit of humor. Other paintings include impressionistic landscapes and dreamlike visions. There’s even some fine nature photography!

I captured a few of the canvases…

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!