San Diego's Top Weekend Events: Cultural Celebrations And Songs About Love

This is KPBS midday edition. I'm Maureen. A tribute to black history month. A favorite Indie musician. And a cross border art show. Those are the events we're talking about in today's weekend preview. Joining me is Nina Guerin. What is KUMBA fest? >> This is a celebration of African American expression, culture, and heritage. It actually started yesterday. It's four days of art shows, theater, and educational lectures. >> Can you break it down? What will people see each day? >> Tonight is the big night. It's a favorite. It's the black parade of history. It's a show that focuses on historical figures that go all the way back to ancient Egypt. Saturday, there's a whole bunch of stuff, youth plays, dance performances, comedy, movies, and Sunday is the gospel and blues concert. >> This sounds like an arts event. But there's also a pretty heavy educational component. Is that right? >> The organizer actually calls it EDU-TAINMENT. There will be films about mass incarceration. A play about the journey of a black woman. And there's kid's self esteem presentations too. >> This event is not new to San Diego but how long has at been going on. >> This started at an off chute gang diversion program in the 1990s. It was always meant to be educational. This is the 26th year. And it's also the first time the event goes from three days to four days. >> KUMBA fest continues to day through Sunday at the San Diego rep retori theater in Horton plaza. Next you'll tell us about musician Anya marina. >> She's an an Indie singer. Based in New York now. She spent many years in San Diego. She work as a radio DJ at local alternative stations here too. >> How would you describe her style? >> She, I like to say is a quirky story teller. She has a high voice but sings about the darker side of romance. But she's also very relatable. She's done covers by Tom petty and the rapper TI. And she brings great nuances to those songs. >> Let's listen to one of her songs, this is "not mine" [ MUSIC ] I can not touch that thing, it is not mine [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] I can not take it, no matter how you shine [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] I can not take a gift that is not true, I love myself too much to love you [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] OOOH, OOH, OOOH [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] >> That's Anya Maria performing, not mine. She may sound familiar to TV and movie watchers, why is that? >> TV jump started her career quite a bit. Her music has been used on TV shows like gray's anatomy, how I met your mother, vampire diaries, it was also in one of the twilight movies. People may not know her name from that stuff. But her music is familiar and people have sought her out because of it. >> There are two opportunities to see her this weekend. >> Yes, she's playing a solo show at java Joes. But she's also performing at the Steve poles ninth annual 50th birthday party. >> What is that? >> It's a tradition that musician Steve PULTZ has done to celebrate this milestone birthday. He does it every year. He gathers friends and they sing and tell stories. And this year Anya Marina is one of the guests. The rug burns will be there. Tim FLANNERY and others. >> Sunday at java Joes she performs solo in old town. >>> Finally a BARIOS ARMANOS art show. >> It's a collective that connects neighborhoods in Tijuana and San Diego. So this event is putting an art show together by Mexico based artists known on both sides of border. >> What can you tell us about the artists. >> One of them is Jorge, his work is colorful and introspective. And it's very popular. It's been commissioned by a winery in Baha to also brands like Adidas and LULU lemon. And then there's Rod, a muralist and street artist. He does murals in Mexico to brighten he has surroundings. He uses bold lines and abstract shapes. And there's a theme of a common man in larger than life scenarios in his art. >> Why were these artists chosen to represent BARIOS ARMANOS. >> They have connections to Mexico and the United States. They're inspired by artists who have come before them but they bring pop culture and other influences they get from the United States. >> There's an opening party tonight. what can people expect? >> There's a party at the rose wine bar in south park. The artists are going to be there. So they'll be able to discuss their work. You can buy their work. There will be wine and food for sale. And then it's just like a fun minglely art show that San Diego art people love. >> The BARIOS ARMANOS tonight at the rose wine bar in south park. I'm speaking with editor Nina Guerin, Nina, thanks. >> Thank you. Midday edition produced by Michael lip kin. Art segment producers, Beth, and Nina. Midday edition senior producer is Megan Burke. Executive producer, Natalie Walsh. Em Lee is our technical director. Stay with us for KPBS round table coming up right after the break. I'm Maureen, have a great weekend.