Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

East County Magazine

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues

Nutcracker Ballet comes to The Magnolia in El Cajon Dec. 20-21

East County News Service November 17, 2025 (El Cajon) — San Diego Ballet brings “The Nutcracker”, a cherished holiday classic, to the Magnolia performing arts center in El Cajon with performances on Saturday, December 20 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. as well as Sunday,  December 21 at 12 p.m. The Nutcracker features Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and an international cast

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“Jingles and Jam” with Rebecca Jade and friends Dec. 5 at Sycuan

East County News Service November 17, 2025 (El Cajon) — ‘Tis the season to enjoy “Jingles and Jam” with Rebecca Jam, who was named Breakout Artist of Year by the Smooth Jazz Network and “Debut Artist of the Year” by JazzTrax, both in 2022. She earned a San Diego Music Award in 2023 “Best R&B/Funk/Soul Album” for her debut solo

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Saps at Sea present ‘End of Year Film Fun’

East County News Service November 15, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel and Hardy fan organization, invite you to close out their 47th year with some End of Year Film Fun in El Cajon on Saturday, December 6. This month’s guest comedian is Charlie Chase in

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Hear our interview with La Mesa director Elisha Cecil, whose movie “Amber” is screening at San Diego Film Week Nov. 14

By Heidi Hope  November 12, 2025 (La Mesa) – Elisha Cecil is a filmmaker, screenwriter and director from La Mesa. His films have been featured in many major film festivals, including Eyes of Shadow and Amber, a short horror film showing at the San Diego Film Week  on November 14.  East County Magazine interviewed Cecil for our radio show, which

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BalletCenter Studios bringing a twist on a holiday classic

“Clara & the Nutcracker Soldier” Comes to the Joan B. Kroc Theatre   East County News Service   Nov. 8, 2025 (San Diego) — A fresh take on the magical holiday experience of The Nutcracker is coming to San Diego later this month.   Mission Hills-headquarterered BalletCenter Studios is presenting an enchanting new production, “Clara & the Nutcracker Soldier,” for

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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 filmmaker Michael Fanter. The film celebrates the community’s history, landmarks, and the people who have shaped “The Town with the Giant Lemon.”  The event will take place at The Neighborhood

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Olaf Weighorst Museum announces 1st annual fashion show fundraiser: ”Boots and Belles: Fashion at the Wieggy”

East County News Service October 16, 2025 (El Cajon) – Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center will host its first annual Fashion Show Fundraiser – “Boots and Belles: Fashion at the Wieggy” on November 8 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  The event will feature stunning designs of local artist and designer Dawn Hough Sebaugh, whose WALA Collection blends the

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13th annual Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival set for Nov. 1

East County News Service   Oct. 15, 2025  (Ramona) — The 13th annual Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival is heading to the Begent Ranch in Ramona on Saturday, Nov. 1.     The popular event, set from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the ranch at 18528 Highland Valley Road, will include wines and craft beverage tastings, all-day live local

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Hear our interview: Santee filmmaker Natalie Camou de Zavaleta talks about #1Bad Dad, her short comedy airing at the San Diego Film Festival

  By Heidi Hope October 8, 2025 (Santee) – Natalie Camou de Zavaleta is a Santee resident and award-winning filmmaker whose short comedy, #1 Bad Dad, will be showing at the San Diego Film Festival, which runs October 18 and 19.  ECM interviewed her for our radio show on KNSJ, 89.1 FM on her film, which explores the theme of

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Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues

Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues