East County News Service

April 7, 2023 (Julian) -- San Diego Music Hall of Fame curator Java Joe Flammini brings the music of Berkley Hart to the iconic Julian Town Hall, a historic, intimate setting that comfortably seats 200.  The well-known musicians will perform their Americana original songs in a concert as American as Julian apple pie on April 22 at 3 p.m.

By Kathy Carpenter

March 28, 2023 (Poway) -- On March 25 at Powpac Theatre in Poway, "The Savannah Sipping Society" opened.  It’s a tale of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. The story follows four women who form a deep bond through a series of unexpected events, helping each other navigate through life's challenges. It is a refreshing take on female friendships that is both hilarious and heartwarming.

Through their weekly meetings, they share laughter, tears, and support each other through their triumphs and struggles. The joy they bring to each other's lives is palpable, and their friendship is a testament to the power of human connection.

East County News Service

Photos courtesy Steve Covault, rockmusicphotos.com

March 3, 2023 (La Mesa) – Local and national stars will be playing American blues harmonica music at Spring Harp Fest. The family-fun event, which raises funds to benefit music education countywide, will be held April 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street in La Mesa.

Since 1999, the Spring Harp Fest has introduced local musicians and music lovers to the great American art of Blues Harmonica. The unique once-yearly showcase includes local jams, competition among unknown players, and some of the best professional players in the music scene.

SNL Star Brings Comedy Brilliance to East San Diego County’s Top Destination for Entertainment and Fun

March10, 2023 (Jamul)  – On Saturday, April 1, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Jamul Casino will welcome Darrell Hammond to The Rooftop for a one-of-a-kind dinner and comedy show.  Widely recognized for his sharp humor and masterful impressions of politicians, celebrities and newsmakers on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Hammond has been keeping audiences laughing for nearly three decades. 

He comes to Jamul Casino as part of its Supper Club at The Rooftop series, which pairs “outstanding entertainment with exceptional cuisine at Jamul Casino's spacious outdoor event venue.  The show demonstrates Jamul Casino’s commitment to offering its guests world-class entertainment, food, and fun,” according to a press release from Jamul Casino.

East County News Service

March 8, 2023 (San Diego) – The San Diego Film Festival is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. This year’s festival, produced by the nonprofit Media Arts Center, will take place March 9-19 at two locations: AMC Mission Valley Cinemas  (1640 Camino Del Rio N., San Diego) and at the Digital Gym Cinema (1100 Market St. 2^nd floor, San Diego).

The San Diego Latino Film Festival is an 11 day celebration of Latino Cinema, Arts & Culture. The festival will present over 160 films from Latin America, the United States, and Spain as well as Opening Night and Closing Night Parties, the 5th Annual Sabor Latino – Food, Beer & Wine Festival, Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, free student screenings, and more. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to meet filmmakers and actors from all over the world. Full lineup to be announced in February 2023.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Racquel Tejada Welch in 1976.

February 15, 2023 (San Diego) – Famed actress Raquel Welch, an international sex symbol who also drew acclaims and a Golden Globe award for her acting talent, died today at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness at age 82. She was a star of movies, TV and Broadway, but her childhood and first acting jobs were here in San Diego County.

Born Jo Raquel Tejada in Chicago, Welch moved with her family to San Diego when she was two years old. She grew up in La Jolla and began winning beauty pageants at age 14. While still in high school, she was named Miss San Diego – Fairest of the Fair – at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar. She attended San Diego State College (now SDSU) on a theater scholarship and married her high schools sweetheart, and had roles in several local theater productions.

She later became a weather presenter for KFMB, the CBS station ion San Diego, before moving with her husband and two children to Dallas, where she worked as a model and cocktail waitress before stardom struck.

Source:  San Diego Watercolor Society

Photo:  “Neptune’s Fountain” by Susan Hewitt.  Watercolor, 18 x 30.  Image courtesy of San Diego Watercolor Society

February 4, 2023 (Lakeside) - Lakeside artist Susan Hewitt has won the Best of Theme awardin the February Members Show “Rendezvous With Paint” on display in the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) gallery at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego. Susan’spainting entitled “Neptune’s Fountain” was selected by nationally known local juror Nancy Oleksa for this honor, out of 214 entries. Oleksa said of  the painting, “This painting is a celebration of the medium of watercolor. The components of the painting, its space division, use of texture, and choice of palette, have come together to evoke a sense of majesty.”

January 26, 2023 (Pala) -- Pala Casino Spa Resort is excited to present legendary group Spyro Gyra and world-renowned prolific acoustic guitarist Peter White on Friday, February 17, performing live indoor at the Events Center. The show will start at 8:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $45.

This show is just one of the impressive lineup of headliner and tribute concerts that will be held at the Events Center and Starlight Theater.

By Kathy Carpenter

January 19, 2023 (La Mesa) - After tragedy, life needs to be rebuilt. Lamplighters Theatre presents The Revlon Girl, written by Neil Anthony Docking. With so many tragic events hitting the news these days, it's hard to recall the details from month to month. Disasters need to be remembered and documented. The Revelon Girl humanizes Aberfan in England in 1966, delivering the stories and healing process of four women who lost their children and the woman who volunteers to help them.

East County News Service

January 12, 2023 (San Diego - Local artist Redin Winter will be a featured artist at The Studio Door gallery located in Hillcrest from January 16- 28. There is a special reception at The Studio Door on Saturday, January 21st from 6 to 9 p.m. The reception is open to the public. The Studio Door gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 12 to 7 p.m.

Winter creates inner landscapes that connect our inner worlds with our outer worlds. The paintings capture an essence, a deeper emotional connection i nspired by natural elements through a lens of abstration. A layering process of marks, c olor, brushstrokes, drips and textures infuse depth into the work, leaving specific locations or places absent.  Rdein's works entire the viewer with a sense of the famiiar, a touchstone to delve further into the depths of meditation, contemplation, memories and dreams.

Source: San Diego Watercolor Society

Image: “Borderlands” watercolor by Tim Coleman, courtesy of San Diego Watercolor Society

January 9, 2023 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon artist Tim Coleman has won the Best of Theme award in the January Members Show “Serendipity” on display in the San Diego Watercolor Society gallery at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego. His painting entitled “Borderlands” was selected by nationally known local juror Wanda Honeycutt for this honor.

East County News Service

January 5, 2023 (La Mesa) -- Visionary Dance Theatre: School for the Performing Arts announces a call for submissions for BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color) artists to design and paint building business signage at the front of their studio at 8674 La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa. The artist awarded the project will receive $1,000 in compensation and will receive up to $500 to purchase supplies. 

East County News Service

December 26, 2022 (Borrego Springs) - The 10th Annual Borrego Springs Film Festival will take place on January 12 – 16, 2023, in Borrego Springs, California - a small town in the northern end of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, in San Diego County.  The five-day festival presents screenings of selected short films, features, documentaries, animated shorts and Hispanic/Latin films, shown in Blocks at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center.  

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC by NC-ND via Bing

December 12, 2022 (Washington D.C.) -- Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) issued  the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted in favor of Congressman Issa’s American Music Fairness Act on Dec. 8.

East County News Service

December 6, 2022 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Concert Band wishes you "Happy Holidays" and a prosperous New Year at its 33^rd annual Holiday Celebration Concert, “Sparkling Lights.” The Band will perform new pieces, old favorites, and will accompany the audience for the sing-a-long at the concert on Tuesday, December 13 at 7 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre for the Performing Arts.