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KPBS Midday Edition

San Diego's Top Weekend Events: Tree Houses and 'Killer Tomatoes'

Artist Wes Sam-Bruce climbing ropes in his immersive exhibit, "The Wonder Sound," at the New Children's Museum.
Nina Garin
Artist Wes Sam-Bruce climbing ropes in his immersive exhibit, "The Wonder Sound," at the New Children's Museum.
San Diego's Top Weekend Events: Tree Houses and 'Killer Tomatoes'
San Diego's Top Weekend Events: Tree Houses and 'Killer Tomatoes' GUEST:Nina Garin, editor/producer, KPBS/Arts Calendar

This is KPBS Midday Edition. I'm Maureen Cavanaugh. A magical space for kids and their parents opens at the children's Museum. Attribute to his San Diego blues artist, who left us too soon. Two of the topics ahead on our weekend preview. Joining me is KPBS arts calendar producer and editor, Nina Garin. The New Children's Museum is opening in exhibit that's attracting just as much attention from adults as from kids. What's happening there? I just came from there, it is fantastic. A very well-respected artist named Wes Sam Bruce, from Point Loma, he created this installation and it's like you are in a treehouse and like you're in a whole new world, he created a new language, it has its own soundtrack. It's not an ordinary treehouse is it? No. A treehouse you can see, what you are getting into, this has so many little rooms. I called through this dark tunnel and I was scared and I almost didn't do it. I conquered my fears and I went through and I got the most beautiful reward. I won't spoil it. That's what the whole vision is. It's connecting everybody in conquering your fears. This is a worldly, beautiful piece. This project has been in the making for many years. The artist Wes Sam Bruce spent years listening to kids in the community. I believe we have a clip of him talking about, how the process he went through. We sit down and you tell me about your family and the things that you are passionate about. I'm most likely going to respond. If you are vulnerable, there is reciprocity. This offers its vulnerable self to you and that vulnerable self has to do -- You are telling me that the artist got emotional, at the opening. He was talking about how this isn't just his project, but he's been talking to kids and parents in all sorts of communities in the South Bay to the LGBT centers to everywhere. Their stories have seeped into him, now this is also their project. You have to go see it. You have time, 'The Wonder Sound" opens Saturday at the New Children's Museum, it will be there for the next few years. Moving on, and may San Diego lost one of its beloved musicians, blues singer, Candye Kane died after a long battle with cancer. Tell us about the big love musical celebration in her honor. This is a concert in her memory, her last show in San Diego was at the Belly Up. She's going to be honored by local musicians, local friends, some of the names of the farmers, The Paladins, the swinging armadillos, a bunch of people -- people that performed with her. Her ex-husband's band is one of the bands. There was a musical, that opened about her life right next People who knew Candye Kane, knew she had a very interesting life. The musical was called "Toughest girl alive" it was put on the Moxie Theater and it chronicled her life story. It was quite a life story. She had everything from drug abuse, depression, weight issues, she joined a gang, she worked in pornography and was abused. She came through in camps in -- to San Diego. Candye Kane performed here, at the KPBS, several years ago. Let's hear some of her music from great woman -- great big woman. You need a queen sized woman. You need a big butt woman. You need a well-rounded woman. You need a great big woman, show you how to love big. You need a great big woman, you need a big haired woman. You need a hip shaking woman, show you how to love. I remember that, it is such a loss for San Diego. Big love for candy Cagle -- Candye Kane happens at the Belly Up on Saturday. The International Summer Organ Festival every -- happens every year. This is a favorite in Balboa Park. It's on a Monday, it brings organists from around the world, they perform at the Spreckels Organ and it happens for free. It's just for people who are not usually into organ music. Which concerts would you recommend? The first one on Monday, is with Robert Plimpton and the Marine band San Diego. That's always fun. The UCLA organist, he is called the rockstar organist, his name is Crystal Ball. The international Summer organ Festival begins Monday, at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, continues through August 29. Finally one of San Diego's knows -- most notorious movies, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes", for those who can't remember its premiere in 1978. Tell us about it. This is a musical, horror, black comedy. It was filmed in San Diego. It is a spoof of B-movies. It knows that it's bad and it's about set -- giant tomatoes that revolt against humanity. You don't know why they come to life. The "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes", will be screened at the Balboa theater at 7 PM on Saturday. We are going to say goodbye with the movie's famous theme song. Thank you, Nina Garin.

The Wonder Sound at the New Children's Museum

Visual Arts

Artist Wes Sam-Bruce has built a magical wonderland over at the New Children's Museum.

"The Wonder Sound" is an installation that's invites both children and adults to play.

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Visitors are encouraged to explore new histories, new languages and even push personal boundaries. Will you climb up the rope maze? Or decipher symbols to create a new language?

The project was built by Sam-Bruce, but is also inspired by the stories of San Diego children.

Details: Opens at 10 a.m. Saturday. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. New Children's Museum, 200 West Island Ave., downtown. $6 to $12; more information.

Candye Kane live at the Belly Up Tavern in 2014.
KPBS
Candye Kane live at the Belly Up Tavern in 2014.

Big Love For Candye Kane - A Musical Celebration

Music

Musician Candye Kane often performed at the Belly Up. One of her last performances was held there last New Year's Eve.

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Kane, a beloved Blues musician whose unconventional life inspired a play at Moxie Theater, died in May after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The venue will host a musical celebration in her honor. Bands scheduled to perform include The Farmers, The 44's, The Casey Hensley Band featuring Laura Chaves, The Paladins, Joey Harris and The Swinging Armadillos.

Expect an afternoon filled with memories, music and special guests.

Details: 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. $20 to $35; find tickets.

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Spreckels Organ Society
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion

International Summer Organ Festival

Music

One of Balboa Park's popular summer pastimes is the International Organ Festival, a series that brings internationally-renowned musicians to perform on the Spreckels Organ - the world's largest outdoor pipe organ.

The festival begins Monday, June 27 and continues weekly through Monday, Aug. 29. Highlights include: Organist Robert Plimpton with the Marine Band San Diego on June 27; organist Christoph Bull's collaborative program on July 11; and a Buster Keaton movie night on Aug. 22.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 29. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park. Free; more information.

A poster of the cult classic film, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes."
A poster of the cult classic film, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes."

"Attack of the Killer Tomatoes"

Film

San Diego's own musical black comedy, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" will be screened at the Balboa Theatre as part of its ongoing film series, Cinema @ The Balboa, which showcases everything from classic and art house movies to documentaries and concert films.

Find San Diego's best arts events on the KPBS/Arts events calendar.

Directed by John De Bello, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" is a spoof of B-movies that was filmed throughout San Diego and even includes an appearance by the San Diego Chicken. The story's about a group of scientists who band together to save the world from mutated killer tomatoes.

Stick around after the film for a Q&A with the writer and creator of the film, Costa Dillon. The movie is rated PG and it runs for 1 hour and 23 minutes.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday. Balboa Theatre, 868 4th Ave., downtown. $7 to $12; find tickets.