DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS APRIL 22 - MAY 15

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East County News Service

April 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a star party in Julian, an eco-folk musical at Mission Trails for Earth Day, Open Farm Days and Animal Shows at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, Jazz Sunday at La Mesa Wineworks, and a Clint Black concert at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade, a Wine Festival in Jamul, El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert Series, Vintage Alpine, America on Main Street and much, much more.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

THIS WEEK:

STAR PARTY IN JULIAN APRIL 22: CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK

You’re invited to a star party at William Heise County Park (4945 Heise Park Rd.) in Julian this Saturday, April 22nd starting at 7 p.m. with the Curiosity Peak Observatory and the Julian Dark Sky Network. The event celebrates International Dark Sky Week.   Organizers state, “Join us to travel through space and time and get to see what our local starry nights have to offer. You will get to see planets, moon, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and Jupiter with all its moons.”

Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars. Telescopes will also be set up. The event includes a guided tour and orientation of the night sky, and astronomers will be on hand to answer questions.  For more information, you can call (619)354-9258.   

DRYAD, AN ECO-FOLK MUSICAL, APRIL 22 AT MISSION TRAILS

Husband and wife musical duo Jon and Sabine Sherman will present the world premiere of their play titled “Dryad: An Eco-Folk Musical in One Magical Act” at the beautiful Mission Trails Regional Park Amphitheater on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22nd at 3:00 p.m.

With eight original, tree-friendly songs, the story tells of a dryad, the spirit of an oak tree, inspiring a man, through music and the magic of nature, to help save her forest. With only a guitar and their self-made branch flutes as instrumental back-up for their songs, the Sherman, hope to inspire a renewed love for the uniquely beautiful bioregion of Southern California.

For more information or directions, you can visit www.MTRP.org.

OPEN FARM AND SHOW AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY APRIL 22-23 IN RAMONA

The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to an open farm and show this Saturday and Sunday, April 22nd and 23rd.  The fun starts at 1 p.m. for an afternoon featuring friendly farm animals and curious camels. At 1:30 there’s an animal show featuring performing parrots, racing turkeys, working farm dogs and majestic camels. 

You can also ride camels, pet them and get great selfies while feeding treats to these gentle giants.  Plus, visit the mini-farm animal petting zoo, and you can shop for camel milk chocolate, lotions and soaps in the gift shop.  For more information, you can visit www.CamelDairy.com.

JAZZ SUNDAY AT LA MESA WINE WORKS APRIL 23

It’s Jazz Sunday at La Mesa Wine Works this Sunday, April 23rd from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.   Schrodinger’s Jazz Cats, a local San Diego group of jazz musicians, will be playing all styles of jazz from bebop to hard bop, fusion and Latin. For more information on this and other musical events, you can check out https://LaMesaWineWorks.com.

CLINT BLACK IS BACK: APRIL 23-24 AT SYCUAN

Clint Black, the country music super star, is back with his first album in 10 years-and he’ll be performing at Sycuan’s Live Up Close Theatre on April 23rd and 24th. He’s sold over 20 million albums worldwide including 22 number one hits.

Recordings such as “A Better Man,” “Killin’ Time,” “When I Said I Do" and “Nothin’ But the Taillights” have won honors from the Grammys, Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, plus membership in the Grand Ole Opry.  For tickets, you can visit  Sycuan.com.

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…

BACK IN THE SADDLE: LAKESIDE RODEO KICKS OFF APRIL 28-30

The 53rd Annual Lakeside Rodeo brings the exciting action of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to the Lakeside Arena April 28th, 29th & 30th, with four full rodeo performances featuring the seven events of rodeo: bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, barrel racing (WPRA), tie down roping, and team roping.

In addition, the Kids Stick Horse Race is hilarious to watch at each performance.  You’ll also find vendors to visit, snack bars with tasty treats, beer and a Specialty food booth.

All proceeds benefit the youths of Lakeside. For more information and a full schedule of events visit http://www.LakesideRodeo.com.

LAKESIDE WESTERN DAYS PARADE APRIL 29

The 52nd annual Lakeside Western Days Parade will be held on April 29th starting at 9:35 a.m.  This year’s theme is “Courage, honor and sacrifice: a salute to our law enforcement.”

The Western Days Parade is a highlight of Lakeside’s Western Days, which also includes the Lakeside Rodeo April 28-30 to benefit local youths in Lakeside.

The parade route is along Woodside and Maine Avenues. For details visit www.LakesideChamber.org.

WINE FESTIVAL APRIL 29 IN JAMUL

You can savor the flavors of local wines and foods at the second annual Wine Festival on April 29th from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Pius X (the 10th) Catholic Church in Jamul. This event will feature wines from eight wineries along Highway 94, East County’s newest emerging wine region. For more information, you can call 619-669 0085 (or visit http://www.stpiusxjamul.com/wine-tasting-festival.html ).

 SPRING BUTTERFLY AND GARDEN FESTIVAL APRIL 29

The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will host its Spring Butterfly and Garden Festival on Saturday, April 29th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities include butterfly pavilion and garden tours, butterfly releases, face painting, kids’ activities and craft vendors, animal exhibitors, educational exhibits and presentations, us edible, ornamental and native plant sales. You can also sign up for landscape design consultations.

For more information, visit http://www.TheGarden.org.

FIVE CHOICES DRAWING AT HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM APRIL 29

In conjunction with the Spring Garden Festival and the Butterfly Festival at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, the Heritage of the Americas Museum holds a very special drawing each year:  the "Five-Choices Dream Drawing."  The drawing will take place at the museum on Saturday, April 29, at 2:30 p.m.  

The prizes represent the four wings of the Museum:  Natural History, Archaeology, Anthropology, and Art. 

Proceeds from the drawing will support the nonprofit museum’s educational programs that benefit over 5,000 local school children each year.  

For details, you can visit:  www.HeritageOfTheAmericasMuseum.com.

THE ART OF THE QUILT APRIL 29 IN LEMON GROVE

The Lemon Grove Historical Society and the Lemon Grove Library are teaming up to present an encore lecture from "History Alive" -- the hugely popular "The Art of the Quilt" with quilt historian Sylvia Wallace. This event will be held at the Lemon Grove Library on April 29th at 2 p.m.  (Free!)

Wallace's fabulous quilt collection tells the story along with her words, as she traces the quilt from the Egyptians to modern times.

From shroud, to domestic necessity, to political statement, to work of art, quilts have emerged not only as treasured family heirlooms, but as museum-quality textile artworks.

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER AND A CONCERT SEASON STARTS MAY 5 IN EL CAJON

El Cajon’s Friday Night Dinner and a Concert season starts May 5th and will continue all summer long (through Sept. 29) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Prescott Promenade on Main Street in downtown El Cajon. 

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to dine at a local restaurant or bring your picnic and lawn chairs. These concerts (free!) are hosted by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. You can see the full line-up of bands soon at www.downtownelcajon.com.

BLOOMING FASHIONS MAY 6 IN EL CAJON BENEFITS EAST COUNTY ARTS

Friends of East County Arts, Inc., which has supported the arts in East County since 1984, will present “Blooming Fashions”, a fashion show at the El Cajon Elks Club, on Saturday, May 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This year’s event promises participants a relaxing afternoon of complimentary champagne catered lunch and the latest fashions from “Macy’s” at Grossmont Center. You will also be able to participate in a silent auction, and opportunity drawings, or purchase fusion glass flowers made students at Flying Hills Elementary, by a past grant recipient.

Friends of East County Arts has contributed more than $800,000.00 to art-based

BUTTERFLIES AND WATERWISE PLANT SALE IN ALPINE MAY 6

The Alpine Garden Club presents the Waterwise & Butterflies Plant Sale & Festival in Alpine on Saturday, May 6th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine (1460 Midway Dr.)

Guests will see birds of prey, hummingbirds, shop at vendor booths, and enjoy opportunity drawings and a silent auction. There will also be a “Monarch Mania” with butterfly releases at noon, with monarch host plants for sale at Baron’s Market in the Alpine Creek Town Center.

VINTAGE ALPINE MAY 7

The 27th annual Vintage Alpine event will be held on May 7th from 1 to 4 p.m.  This “Wine Experience in the Country” will take place in the lovely gardens at Summers Past Farms (15602 Old Highway 80) in Flinn Springs, hosted by the Alpine Kiwanis Club.

Guests will savor premium wines from California and around the world, also sampling the best that local restaurants from across San Diego County have to offer.  The event also includes live music in a garden setting and a silent auction.

Al proceeds will benefit children’s causes across our region, in partnership with the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.  This event is for those age 21 and up. For tickets and details, you can go to www.VintageAlpine.org

SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL CHORUS & ORCHESTRA SPRING CONCERT MAY 15

The San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present its spring concert on May 7th from 3 to 5 p.m. at the College Avenue Baptist Church, performing Mozart’s Requiem, one of the master’s greatest works.

 In addition, the musical groups will present “A Salute to Andrew Lloyd Webber” showcasing his unforgettable Broadway musical songs from “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats,” and more.

For tickets and details, you can visit www.sandiegofestivalchorus.org.

AMERICA ON MAIN STREET MAY 20

America on Main Street, a family fun celebration honoring the American spirit, will be held in downtown El Cajon on May 20th from 12 p.m.. to 8 p.m. The event includes four stages with live entertainment, a Ferris Wheel, petting zoo, hay ride, pony rides, kids’ games and crafts.

This year’s entertainment reflects a myriad of cultures found in our region. Performers include Chase Avenue Folklorico dancers, Suzuki Violins, Flying Hills Fame, USA Taekwondo Center, Great Musical Sounds, CYT, Latin Percussion, and Wasan Jarbo Folkloric Dance.

For full details, you can visit www.AmericaOnMainStreet.org.

That’s all for this week!

If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.  Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.

We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!


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