East County Magazine
Our guide to live music and entertainment venues in East County
By Branda Gorgies, with updates by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery East County has various places to listen to live music, hear comedy, watch plays and enjoy other live entertainment, all while supporting local artists and businesses. Venues range from cozy coffee shops, wineries, breweries and bars to casinos, restaurants, colleges, community theaters, performing arts centers, and city street
SCRIPPS RANCH THEATRE ANNOUNCES MARY’S WEDDING APRIL 4-27
East County News Service Photos by Ken Jacques March 13, 2025 (Scripps Ranch) — Scripps Ranch Theatre continues its Season 45 with Mary’s Wedding, written by Stephen Massicotte. Directed by Kate Rose Reynolds, the production runs April 4th – 27th on the campus of Alliant International University. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2
THE RAM, BORREGO VALLEY COMMUNITY RADIO, LAUNCHES
East County News Service March 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Ram, a grassroots, nonprofit community radio station serving Borrego Springs is now online and can be heard here. Thew station features music from all genres, largely contributed by community members, as well as potential coverage of live local events such as community gatherings, concerts and school events, local businesses,
MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN WITH SEAN GASKELL: MARCH 7 AT JULIAN LIBRARY
East County News Service March 2, 2025 (Julian) — Friends of the Julian Library will present a concert by Sean Gaskell on the kora, a 21-stringed West African harp. This performance, titled “Music on the Mountain,” will take place on March 7 at 3 p.m. in the Julian branch of the county library, 1850 Highway 78 in Julian. Gaskell studied
GROSSMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HOSTS “SPANISH NIGHTS” CONCERT MARCH 7 WITH NEW CONDUCTOR HERNAN CONSTANTINO
East County News Service February 21, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra welcomes its new conductor, San Diego Symphony Orchestra violinist, Hernan Constantino. He is also on his seventh season as the music director for Mainly Mozart with the San Diego Symphony. His first concert performance is titled “Spanish Nights: A Concert of Passion and Fire” on March 7 at 7:30
A GUIDE TO EVENTS HAPPENING DURING GROSSMONT COLLEGE’S SPRING 2025 SEMESTER
By G. A. McNeeley February 19, 2025 (El Cajon) – There’s a lot happening on Grossmont Campus, including a variety of free and paid events open to the general public as well as students, staff and faculty. These include concerts, movies, theatrical productions, blood drives, and more. Below are details. To see more details for these events and more,
WOMEN’S CHORAL GROUP, KEY OF SHE, PERFORMS MARCH 2 IN SANTEE
East County News Service February 2, 2025 (Santee) – Key of She, a 12 woman choral group, is presenting a free concert on Sunday March 2, at 2 p.m. at the Carlton Hills Lutheran Church at 9735 Halberns Blvd in Santee. The repertoire is an eclectic blend of classical and contemporary pieces. Some a cappella and some accompanied, to
LAUREL AND HARDY FAN CLUB MEETS FEB. 1 IN EL CAJON
East County News Service January 16, 2025 (El Cajon)– In honor of Valentine’s Day, the Saps at Sea Laurel & Hardy club presents: Laurel & Hardy – Romantic Leads?? Films include “Should Married Men Go Home?”, “Our Wife”, and “Yes, Yes Nannette.” The event takes place on Saturday, February 1, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at First Lutheran Church of
BORREGO FILM FESTIVAL JANUARY 15-19: TICKETS NOW ON SALE
East County News Service January 8, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Film Festival takes place January 15-19 in Borrego Springs, showcasing independent films. The event also features a filmmaker networking event, catered opening gala, panel discussions, filmmaker activities, Saturday party, red-carpet event, and catered awards ceremony. For a list of films, see: https://www.borregospringsfilmfestival.org/2025films For tickets (on sale now) and
WAIT UNTIL DARK: THRILLER TAKES STAGE AT LAMPLIGHTERS IN LA MESA JAN. 10 THROUGH FEB. 2
East County News Service January 8, 2025 (La Mesa) — Forty-seven years after Wait Until Dark premiered on Broadway, Jeffrey Hatcher has adapted Frederick Knott’s 1966 original, giving it a new setting. In 1944 Greenwich Village, Susan Hendrix, a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by a trio of men in her own apartment. As the climax builds, Susan discovers
East County Arts Organizations
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues
VIEJAS OUTLET CENTER ANNOUNCES “TUESDAYS IN THE PARK” FREE MOVIES N THE PARK–ALPINE’S FIRST FARMERS’ MARKET
June 10, 2009 (Alpine) — Viejas Outlet Center will host “Tuesdays in the Park” featuring the 2009 Movies in the Park Season with free, family-friendly movies starting June 16. In addition, the center will host “Market in the Park”, Alpine’s first farmers’ market, beginning June 23. Both events are free to the public. Every Tuesday through August 11, the Viejas
C. HOOK THEATER PRESENTS DAMN YANKEES JUNE 24-27 AT KROC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
June 9, 2009 (San Diego)–Damn Yankees, a baseball-themed musical comedy, will be presented by C. Hook Theater at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Performing Arts Center June 24-27. The show provides a musical retellingof the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., during a time when the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball. Joe Boyd
ARTISTS NEEDED TO PAINT UTILITY BOXES–AND BEAUTIFY DOWNTOWN EL CAJON
May 28, 2009 (El Cajon)–Art – and the community it creates – is at the heart of igniting culture, communicating history and values, stimulating economic development, and building community pride. Transform common utility boxes into works of public art for all to enjoy through UArt: Downtown El Cajon’s Utility Art Box Program. If you’re an art lover and/or community enthusiast,
VIEJAS COOLS DOWN WITH FREE “POWER OF NIGHTFIRE” SHOW—AND AN INTERACTIVE WATER FOUNTAIN
ALPINE, Calif. — May 28, 2009 — As the weather begins to heat up and children get out of school, Viejas offers a place to beat the heat with an array family-friendly events. The annual Power of Nightfire show will feature performances at 9 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday, until Labor Day. The unique performance intrigues the audience with water
CHALDEAN VIRTUOSO JOINS GROSSMONT SYMPHONY IN “MIDDLE EAST MEETS WEST” CONCERT MAY 29
May 26, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Symphony Orchestra will present “Middle East Meets West,” starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 29, at the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Church, 1627 Jamacha Way in El Cajon. Special guest artist will be Luay Yousif, violinist. Yousif, born in Baghadad in 1979, has performed with the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra at the
ART SHOW AT WILLIAM HERRICK COMMUNITY HEALTH LIBRARY FEATURES DISABLED ARTISTS’ WORKS
The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library in La Mesa, a public library specializing in health research information, has announced it is hosting a display of 20 charcoal drawings drawn by persons who have developmental disabilities from Sophie’s Art Gallery, an art program provided by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a non-profit based in El Cajon. The free
FREE “CONCERTS ON THE GREEN” OPENS MAY 22 WITH THE CAT-ILLACS
May 18, 2009 (El Cajon)–The 14th Annual Concerts on the Green, the free weekly summer concert series featuring live music for all ages opens Friday, May 22, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on the Prescott Promenade in Downtown El Cajon. Opening night of 2009 Concerts on the Green will feature the Rock’n Roll sounds of The Cat-illacs. In addition
CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD
LA MESA, CA (May 8, 2009) – Concerts in the Courtyard will feature free live entertainment produced by Grossmont Center in Macy’s Courtyard every first and third Thursday now through July 2ND from 6p.m. – 8p.m. The family-oriented concerts will feature sounds of diverse artists who will perform a variety of music genres from oldies and Jazz to Motown
ROCKOLA! BEATLES TRIBUTE BAND CONCERT OPENS SPRING FEST IN ALLIED GARDENS FRIDAY NIGHT
Allied Gardens (April 29, 2009) – Spring Fest, one of East County’s favorite community parties kicks off Friday night, May 1st at 6 p.m. with a concert by Rockola. Bring your dancing shoes! Enjoy classic rock ‘n’ roll music as well as food, a beer garden, and more. Known for their Beatles tributes, Rockola has concert clips you can view
“DREAM SCAPE” PAINTINGS AMONG ART ON DISPLAY AT ST. CLAIR GALLERY THROUGH MAY 29; ARTISTS’ RECEPTION MAY 19
By Miriam Raftery "Morning Light" by Alex Toporovsky April 27, 2009 (El Cajon)—“In my work, I try to evoke a séance of peace and happiness,” artist Alex Toporovsky told East County Magazine. “These are usually things which are lacking in most people’s lives, including my own. We are all so busy running around and trying to make a living these
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues
East County Magazine
Lemon Grove film premiere Oct. 17 and 18 shines light on community spirit and history
East County News Service October 16, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Town Films proudly presents the hometown premiere of Welcome Home to Lemon Grove, California, a new documentary by local
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues