LATEST IN ARTS & CULTURE
San Diego Art Prize; Toy Piano Festival; Gilbert Castellanos plays Dizzy Gillespie; Nereida Dusten at Visions; Surf Côte d’Ivoire's screening of "The Rising Dawn"; local poetry; "Phantom of the Opera" and more.
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Book clubs can start with a book, but they often become about the people those stories bring together. Three San Diego book club organizers share what keeps their groups going, from lasting friendships and shared traditions to unexpected connections that happen when people read together. -
In this episode of Port of Entry, poet and journalist Adolfo Guzman-Lopez reflects on growing up between Tijuana and San Diego and turning those experiences and memories into his book “California Southern: Writing from the Road, 1992–2025.”
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Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Sal Veder, who was known for his iconic image “Burst of Joy,” has died. -
Art as an "anti-tribute" to a children's book; the power and burden of heirlooms; Asian American Dance Festival; Carnaval of New Latinx Musicals; Ess Whiteley's immersive sound art; soul music; Jesus Gonzalez in Jacumba; SummerFest finale and more.
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In their respective careers, Hoyes and Green have never wanted to be just one thing. Hear what happens when they refuse to choose. -
Olivia Rodrigo is thinking about joy, falling madly in love and what pop music can do when the world feels overwhelming.
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Athenaeum Arts Center just opened a sound installation called "Ess Whiteley: listening materials," and it might change how you perceive the world. -
NPR critics remember some of their favorite Dolly performances — including a duet with Kermit the Frog and the twinkle in Dolly's eye singing with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
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NPR's Juana Summers talks with award-winning author Marlon James about his new book, The Disappearers, the story of a brutal attack on a group of gay men in Jamaica and its aftermath.
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Three Pulitzer winners, a Booker Prize winner, two Booker longlisted authors this year, and a number whose works have been adapted for the screen are among the authors with new books out this month.
MORE ARTS & CULTURE
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Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year by the NBA, and the team was ordered to pay $30 million for violating salary cap circumvention rules in a case involving Kawhi Leonard. -
The inaugural edition of Rodrigo's one-day, women-led concert, which featured artists like Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan and Chappell Roan, didn't sideline its stated political mission. -
KPBS Midday EditionA new crime thriller by a fomer professional football player explores a different side of San Diego, away from what the public usually sees. We speak with author Andre Hardy about what led him from the gridiron to the written word, and how his San Diego upbringing informs his work. -
NPR Music culture critic and reporter Rodney Carmichael ruminates on the latest in rap culture. This week: like-minded releases from Erykah Badu and Saul Williams, closure in the 2Pac murder and more. -
At a time when both touring costs and concert ticket prices keep climbing, Harry Styles' decision to play a 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden has been met with mixed reactions. NPR talked to fans outside the venue about what it took to attend the residency.
Latest Arts Events
Chef's Dinner: The Study of Corn | The Kitchen at MCASD
Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 5 PM to 8 PM
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Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego: La Jolla
$95 per person
Parrotdise on the Bay | Jimmy Buffett Tribute Night
Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 6 PM to 9 PM
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San Diego Mission Bay Resort
$65.87
One Hit Wonders: Music Trivia Night at Dos Desperados Brewery
Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
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Dos Desperados Brewery
Free
Angus & Julia Stone’s 'Karaoke Bar' Album Release Party at Werewolf
Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 7 PM
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Werewolf American Pub
Free
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month On Third Avenue
Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 7 AM
Ongoing until September 30, 2026
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Third Avenue
La Jolla GPS-guided Walking Tour: Must-see Sights with a La Jolla Local
Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 8 AM
Ongoing until December 31, 2027
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Various Locations in La Jolla
$14.99-$19.99
Carlsbad GPS-guided Walking Tour: The Village by the Sea
Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 8 AM
Ongoing until December 31, 2027
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Various Locations in Carlsbad
$14.99 -19.99
Discover UC San Diego: A GPS-Guided Walking Tour for Prospective Students, Parents, New Staff and You!
Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 8 AM
Ongoing until December 31, 2027
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UCSD Town Square
$14.99
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Together with the KPBS/Arts Calendar, you'll find news, reviews, events, profiles and other arts and culture stories.
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San Diego's creative scene is thriving in unexpected ways. Musicians are crowdfunding their careers. Tea culture is evolving. A painter's lost dreams spark a bold new vision. The city's last alt-weekly falls, but its rebellious spirit fights on. And in a rare conversation, the city's outgoing and incoming poets laureate dig into the power of words. The Finest brings you the artists, advocates and disruptors redefining culture in San Diego.