ART
The Salk Institute is already a local design destination thanks to its iconic architect, Louis Kahn, and this weekend, it will get a little more interesting when it commemorates its 50th anniversary with an outdoor installation by master glass crafter Dale Chihuly. His vibrant blown-glass sculptures resemble life forms from another (very cool) planet, and we can’t wait to see them juxtaposed against the Salk’s simplicity. The event lasts from today until April 28, but if you drop in Sunday afternoon from 11-2, you can meet Chihuly during a lecture and book signing.
Snap up a few canvasses from over 300 gallery scene up-and-comers and street artists as they commune this weekend in Little Italy for its annual ArtWalk. The event will also feature crafts for the preschool set and six stages (six!) with plenty of fun performances.
Allison Renshaw, Wendell Kling and Kelsey Brooks are just a few gallery darlings up for the San Diego Art Prize’s Emerging Artist category – there are 13 in total, so hit up Project X in Solana Beach this Saturday to see who else scored a nom.
Already a big name in Mexico City, check out Tania Acala’s Rotho-esque brushstrokes at Alexander Salazar Fine Art, the buzzy brand-new gallery on Broadway.
SHOP
Design addicts, start standing in line - this Sunday, Objects USA will stage its hotly-anticipated Mod Swap. A culmination of local collector’s spring-cleaning, it’s sure to be chock full of tossed-away treasures, like furniture, paintings, and more. Lost Eames, anyone?
Over 450 vendors will set up shop in Encinitas this weekend for their 27th Annual April Street Fair. Featuring a Stone Brewing Co-sponsored beer garden, live music on 4 stages, and plenty of crafty goodies from local proprietors, it’s well worth a trip up the 101.
Partake in two very amazing things – shopping and saving the planet – with Buffalo Exchange’s $1 Earth Day Sale in honor of Earth Day (yes, one dollar!). Be warned: the line usually starts early, so get your Toms on this Saturday and trek over before doors open. Also celebrating E-Day and cute stuff is Hand Made Revolution’s second-annual spring trunk show, featuring adorable accessories made from recycled coffee filters and other found materials. It’s from 11-5 p.m. at the Yellow House on B Street (2940 B Street in Golden Hill).
BOOKS
Author Debra Ginsberg has a New York Times-notable novel and many a memoir under her belt, so it makes sense that her son, Blaze, would also have the writing gene. His take on life experienced from an Autistic point of view (now in his 20's, he was only recently diagnosed), “Episodes,” is also a must-read. Catch both of them at the SDSU library tonight (Thursday) as they participate in a reading of their work.
MUSIC
Mira Mesa’s Jason Farnan is a graphic designer from 9-5, but once the sun goes down, he’s Lieutenant FaceMelter, air guitarist extraoridinare (if you don’t believe us, just watch the video above). He’ll shred it - and possibly his pants (see video) - in the local bracket of the U.S. Air Guitar Championships this Friday at The Casbah. His set list is pretty hush-hush, but we hear a full Metallica treatment may be in the works.
Hungarian indie rockers The Moog are finally skipping over the Atlantic for the states – the first stop on their U.S. tour? Bar Pink next Wednesday; stop by at 10 p.m. to catch their opening gig.
Learn the original meaning of the word hipster at Orchestra Nova’s Pops concert, featuring finger-snapping jazz and bossa nova from the 50’s and 60’s. Featuring sultry vocals, a flautist/pianist husband-and-wife duo, and even a few ballroom dancers, swing by the California Center for the Arts in Escondido this Saturday night at 4 to chill out.
We’re keeping an eye on jazz songstress Sasha Dobson, who will lend her soothing, Sade-like sound to Norah Jones’ tour when she opens for her at Spreckels this Saturday. Date night?
USD’s Symphony Orchestra will ring in its 50th anniversary with two concerts this Friday and Saturday, featuring a few of the university’s most notable graduates and undergrads. The event will also feature S.D. Concerto Competition winners Clara Truong and Justin Li, both under 14, who make Mozart look like child’s play.
Meanwhile, get down with local music legends and rising stars at the 36th run of Adams Avenue Roots Fest this weekend, which will feature dozens of performances sprawling over the Adam’s Ave. stretch.
The state-wide budget cuts are pretty heartbreaking, especially when it comes to all of the amazing arts and culture programs that tend to get the boot – in order to salvage their opera program, SDSU is staging a series of famous opera snippets this weekend, which ironically touch on both the sadness of song and the potential loss of its presence in the school’s curriculum.
THEATER
Yee-haw! We think this could be considered theater: take a break from the usual gallery and theater hopping and head down the 8 East this weekend to Lakeside for its 46th annual rodeo, happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Can’t get your fill of the Sesame Street crew from KPBS? Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and more will make appearances at the Sports Arena this weekend during “Elmo & Friends” – exhausted parents, this is the perfect diversion.
FILM
Catch some of the best international films of last year for free at MiraCosta College this weekend – the school will screen gems like “Departures” and “In July” tomorrow at their San Elijo and Oceanside campuses.
