Tag: seaport village

Fun pics from the San Diego Multicultural Festival.

Japanese drummers add rhythm to the San Diego Multicultural Festival.
Japanese drummers add rhythm to the San Diego Multicultural Festival.

Today I directed my feet toward the Embarcadero, where the 17th Annual San Diego Sheila Hardin Multicultural Festival took place.

In partnership with the Port of San Diego, the World Beat Cultural Center, and other community organizations, the Multicultural Festival featured lots of diverse music, culture and perfect Southern California sunshine.

This annual festival used to take place along the narrow Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, which is dedicated to the great civil rights leader. This year it was moved to Ruocco Park to provide more space. The relatively new park, just north of Seaport Village, seems like an ideal location, with lots of grass for kids to play on, throw a ball and just have fun. Personally, I love this park and often sit on one of the benches near the water to read and watch people.

Here are a few photos that I captured…

The annual festival took place this year in Ruocco Park, just north of Seaport Village.
The annual festival took place this year in Ruocco Park, just north of Seaport Village.
Lots of local organizations and vendors had cool stuff on display and for sale.
Lots of local organizations and vendors had cool stuff on display and for sale.
Young lady with awesome smiling painted face was decorating other folks!
Young lady with awesome smiling painted face was decorating other folks!
A bubble blower floated small globes of color across the grass, all the way to the stage!
A bubble blower floated globes of color across the grass, all the way to the stage!
This nice lady from nearby USS Midway Museum helped me sit in this ejection seat!
This nice lady from nearby USS Midway Museum helped me sit in this ejection seat!
Among lots of cool things on display were these two gravity cars from the Soap Box Derby.
Among cool things on display were two gravity cars from the Soap Box Derby.
A big pile of drums wait to make music in the waterfront park!
A big pile of drums wait to make music in the waterfront park!
Serviceman with small child enjoys a sunny day at the Multicultural Festival in San Diego.
Serviceman with child enjoys a sunny day at the Multicultural Festival in San Diego.

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Signs of Halloween in downtown San Diego.

Scarecrow and hay bales at pumpkin patch in San Diego's new waterfront park.
Scarecrow and hay bales at pumpkin patch in San Diego’s new waterfront park.

During my mid-afternoon walk around downtown San Diego today, I was watching for fun Halloween photo opportunities. It’s less than two weeks away!  I had a little bit of luck…

(The above pic was taken after all the pumpkins were snatched up, but lots of families were still about enjoying the pleasant day!)

Spiders on side of Little Italy building wrap a skeleton.
Spiders on side of Little Italy building wrap a skeleton.
Spooky shredded sails of haunted Star of India on Embarcadero.
Spooky shredded sails of haunted Star of India flutter in wind on the Embarcadero.
Gaslamp parties celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead.
Gaslamp parties celebrate Halloween and Mexico’s Day of the Dead.
Alamo Flags at Seaport Village has a smelly witch foot!
Trick or treat?  Alamo Flags at Seaport Village has a smelly witch foot!
Just relaxing on a nice Autumn Sunday by the Seaport Village carousel.
Just relaxing on a nice cool Autumn Sunday by the Seaport Village carousel.
Kid checks out pumpkins and colorful display at Seaport Village.
Kid checks out pumpkins and colorful leafy display at Seaport Village.
Gaslamp banners advertise a monster bash block party.
Gaslamp banners advertise a monster bash block party.
Donut Bar window contains a scary skull-headed server!
Donut Bar window downtown contains a scary skull-headed server!

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Flying colors and patriotism at Alamo Flags.

Alamo Flags in Seaport Village certainly has a few flags!
Alamo Flags in Seaport Village certainly has a few flags!

If you live in San Diego, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Alamo Flags. The cheerful specialty shop near the center of Seaport Village has been known to give away large, beautiful American flags on the Fourth of July.

To express his gratitude for his country, the owner, Mike Ismail,  has created a tradition of presenting Old Glory to lucky shoppers on Independence Day.

Recently, he was recognized for this patriotic tradition by local San Diego Chapter 472 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Should you visit his colorful store, you’ll definitely see plenty of red, white and blue!

Bright flags and banners of every type flutter in the blue San Diego sky.
Bright flags and banners of every type flutter in the blue San Diego sky.
An outdoor passage of brilliant colors.
An outdoor passage of brilliant colors.
Mike Ismail in front of Alamo Flags in Seaport Village.
Mike Ismail in front of Alamo Flags in Seaport Village.
Award above front door from San Diego Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America.
Award above door from San Diego Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America.
Two young men look in window at a huge collection of flag pins.
Two young men check out window display of many flag pins.
A variety of fanciful wind socks dazzles and delights the eye.
A variety of fanciful wind socks dazzles and delights the eye.
Fun gifts shaped like hot air balloons seem to lift off.
Fun gifts shaped like hot air balloons seem to lift off.
Stars and Stripes are a frequent sight.
Stars and Stripes are a frequent sight.
Alamo Flags stands proudly near the center of San Diego's Seaport Village.
Alamo Flags stands proudly near the center of San Diego’s Seaport Village.

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Tuna Harbor Dockside Market’s grand opening!

Fresh fish on display await customers at dockside market.
Fresh fish on display await customers at new dockside market.

The new Tuna Harbor Dockside Market had its grand opening on the Embarcadero this morning! The fresh seafood market, which will be open Saturdays from 8 to 1 on the pier adjacent to Tuna Harbor (between Seaport Village and the USS Midway Museum), is San Diego’s attempt to recreate Seattle’s famous Pike Place Fish Market and San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. It appeared to be a modest but very popular beginning!

There were tables and tanks of fresh fish and invertebrates caught locally by fishermen from the large fleet of boats docked nearby. The ocean off San Diego offers a bounty of healthy and sustainable food that can now be more affordably purchased by the public, direct from the source.

The catch this morning included stone crab, box crab, sea urchins, top snail, kellet’s whelks, black cod, ling cod, rock fish, sand dabs, bluefin, yellowfin, yellowtail, sheepshead and even octopus!

According to what I read on the internet, Tuna Harbor Dockside Market is the production of the San Diego Fishermen’s Working Group, which was established in 2010 to promote commercial fishing in San Diego. With the assistance of the Port of San Diego, these hard-working fishermen are adding to the vitality of an already extremely active waterfront!

A huge line of customers was still growing well before the market’s morning opening. Looks to me like they’ll need more fish!

County Supervisor Greg Cox checks out a tank full of crabs.
County Supervisor Greg Cox checks out a tank full of crabs.
Lots of fresh fish sold to the public on San Diego's Embarcadero.
Lots of fresh fish sold to the public on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Fisherman takes fresh catch from ice in cooler.
Fisherman removes fresh catch from ice in cooler.
Television reporters and San Diegans await opening of dockside market!
Television reporters and San Diegans await opening of dockside market!

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A very cool photographer near Seaport Village.

Photographer near Seaport Village shows me some great stuff.
Photographer near Seaport Village shows me some great stuff.

Yesterday I took a leisurely walk past Seaport Village. I said hello to a gentleman in the nearby Embarcadero Marina Park North who was displaying some stunning framed photographs, hoping for a donation. I’d never seen him there before.

I’m glad I paused to chat. Ralph Guest is one cool dude. (And a much better photographer than me!) In semi-retirement, he’s just begun to show and sell his photographs. He spends a lot of time out east of San Diego in the desert, especially in and around Slab City, which he described for me. He’s taken many amazing photos of the place, and of the people, who are called Slabbers. The folks out in the desert are a laid-back, independent,  unique bunch. He described a place out there named East Jesus, where trash is converted into art and power is supplied entirely by solar power. According to Wikipedia, “The inhabitants of East Jesus…provide a refuge for artists, musicians, survivalists, writers, scientists, and laymen. They are dedicated to providing a working model of an improbable improvised community…” Sounds to me like a rather interesting place! Ralph has photos and videos that can be checked out via links on his website.

It’s great to meet new people!

Ralph Guest is a super cool and interesting guy!
Ralph Guest is a super cool and interesting guy!

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A few cool faces in downtown San Diego.

Mural of Native American appears tattered on a modern building.
Mural of a rugged face seems tattered on modern building.
Unique image of human face on a building in downtown San Diego.
Unique image of human face on a building in downtown San Diego.

Here are a few pics of interesting (and sometimes mysterious) faces found in downtown San Diego.

Face of Andre the Giant high on a building near America Plaza.
Face of Andre the Giant high on a building near America Plaza. By artist Shepard Fairey.
Wide-eyed graffiti face on a downtown taco stand.
Wide-eyed graffiti face on a downtown taco stand.
Painting of female face by an artist near Seaport Village.
Painting of female face by an artist near Seaport Village.
Bearded face painted on a downtown San Diego building.
Bearded face painted on a downtown San Diego building.
Grinning monkey head on billboard in San Diego.
Grinning monkey head on billboard in San Diego.

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Lots of fun at Seaport Village’s Busker Festival!

Baard Kolstad drums like crazy near the Pier Cafe.
Baard Kolstad drums like crazy near the Pier Cafe.

This afternoon I checked out the Spring Busker Festival at Seaport Village. A huge crowd turned out to enjoy the sunny day and some amazing street performers! Enjoy a few cool pics!

Aerial silks dancer performs near Seaport Village carousel.
Aerial silks dancer performs near Seaport Village carousel.
Crowd gathers at West Plaza for a Busker Festival magic show.
Crowd gathers at West Plaza for a Busker Festival magic show.
Funny magician wows kids at Seaport Village.
Funny magician wows kids at Seaport Village.
Folks head toward busker stage in Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Folks head toward busker stage in Embarcadero Marina Park North.
The hilarious Skip Banks prepares to enter a huge balloon.
The crazy Skip Banks prepares to enter a huge balloon.
Skip Banks' head pops out of big balloon at Busker Festival.
Skip Banks’ head pops out of big balloon at Busker Festival.

Skip Banks was absolutely hilarious. His hyperactive routine, celebrating silly slices of our pop culture, was one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a long while! His website has some great videos.

Acrobatic juggler entertains crowd with spectator's help.
Acrobatic juggler entertains crowd with spectator’s help.
Baard Kolstad, of Norway, sets up in East Plaza at Seaport Village.
Baard Kolstad, of Norway, sets up in East Plaza at Seaport Village.

Baard Kolstad came all the way from Norway to participate in the Seaport Village Busker Festival. With his dazzling skills, he seems destined to be the next big rock drummer!

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People dance as Catillacs rock Seaport Village.

People dance as the Catillacs rock Seaport Village.
People dance as the Catillacs rock Seaport Village.

Whenever I take a weekend walk through Seaport Village, I always hope the Catillacs are playing their vintage rock and roll at the East Plaza Gazebo. Because nobody can resist dancing to those classic tunes!

There’s just something magical about the sunshiny, laid-back atmosphere. Everyone loses their inhibitions. Young and old alike are moved by the music, and twirl about like delighted maniacs!

People let loose and just enjoy the weekend.
People let loose and just enjoy the weekend.
Everyone is jamming to vintage rock and roll music.
Everyone is jamming to vintage rock and roll music.
Dancing to a live band near the East Plaza Gazebo.
Dancing to a live band near the East Plaza Gazebo.
Catillacs guitarist in Seaport Village gazebo.
Catillacs guitarist in Seaport Village gazebo.

Joshua Randle, a great musician in San Diego.

Joshua Randle and friend play music on San Diego's embarcadero.
Joshua Randle and friend play music on San Diego’s embarcadero.

I was surprised during my walk today to hear some exceptionally good music from two young performers near Seaport Village. Joshua Randle and his friend were playing extremely polished music with outstanding vocals and providing great, energetic entertainment for everyone passing by. I have no doubt that these guys will become superstars!

Please check out Joshua’s website!

Joshua Randle is a talented up-and-coming singer and musician.
Joshua Randle is a talented up-and-coming singer and musician.
A beautiful day and some great positive, stirring music.
A beautiful San Diego day and some great positive, stirring music.

Art, music and fun on San Diego’s waterfront!

Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.
Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.

Enjoyed my walk today. Took a bunch of pics. Street artists and performers use their talents to add zest to the colorful San Diego waterfront.

Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Captain America patrols San Diego's Embarcadero.
Captain America patrols San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on the Embarcadero.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on sidewalk.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.

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