The arts are all over the format spectrum this weekend. This could be our new and slightly confusing reality as arts consumers, with virtual, in-person and combination offerings giving us options for whatever our comfort level (and government health order) may be. There's the purely digital: with dancers literally edited into scenes with their fellow dancers. We have the curious new genre of drive-in concerts, but with a classy serving of Vivaldi. Virtual theater is delivered in several forms this weekend. And you can even book an appointment to see some art in real life, no screens required. Here are all the details to add a little San Diego art and culture to your weekend.
Mozart At The Drive-In
Music
Why should rock and roll get all the pandemic drive-in action? Mainly Mozart, San Diego's 30-year-old classical music organization dedicated to sharing the music of the masters, has been hosting drive-in chamber music performances throughout the summer. This Saturday, it's third, will celebrate the music of Vivaldi, featuring several concertos, including one for trumpets, and the dramatic and moody Summer movement of the "Four Seasons." It's a powerful symphonic piece that also lends itself well to smaller chamber groups. The performers for Saturday's show include some nationally acclaimed artists.
Held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds' east dirt parking lot, you'll need to RSVP and arrive early to get a spot — though entry is guaranteed for their elite Club Amadeus supporters — and you'll have to remain in your car to listen to the music.
Details: Saturday at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. (6 p.m. show is sold out). 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar. RSVP required. Free.
'The Re-use Project' Exhibition
Visual Art
CSU San Marcos art students have installed their latest exhibition in the "Re-use Project," which explores the impact of single-use plastics on the environment. Each piece uses recycled materials and draws attention to sustainability issues and ways to change our behaviors. And with single-use plastics on the rise as we turn to disposable hygiene and PPE products (and yes, way more take-out), this topic is more timely than ever.
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The works are on display at Hill Street Country Club in Oceanside now through September 20. You can book an appointment for a tour here (masks required and maximum 5 people per group). A lot of the work can be viewed (and purchased) online, but don't miss some of the large-scale installation pieces. This project also features several virtual panel discussions with a variety of scientists, artists, environmentalists and more.
Details: Now through August 20, by appointment. 530 South Coast Hwy, Oceanside. Free.
Spark New Play Festival: 'Best Lesbian Erotica 1995'
Theater
This one wins the title award for the week. Described as a "triptych of love, lust, and domestic terrorism," this play centers on the Oklahoma City bombing, one of the darkest days in U.S. history. This is a somewhat obscure full-length offering from Baltimore-based playwright Miranda Rose Hall, whose work "The Hour of Great Mercy," produced by Diversionary in 2019 received a San Diego Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Play. "Best Lesbian Erotica 1995" tackles unimaginable loss that's all too real these days, colliding with a fantastical look at erotic fiction. This radio play production is directed by San Diego theater powerhouse Kym Pappas and will be available to stream from Friday through August 20. This is the third offering for Diversionary Theatre's digitally reimagined Spark New Play Festival.
Details: Stream anytime online, now through August 20. Free.
Roustabouts Theatre: 'Margin of Error' Virtual Encore Presentation
Theater
Did you miss "Margin of Error" when it was on stage at the Lyceum three years ago? Need some respite from Zoom-based theater? Well, Roustabouts Theatre is taking the taped performance of the play's world premiere out for another whirl. Playwright Will Cooper's play takes place in a high-tension dinner party and combines a little lust with a bit of academic arrogance.
Starring Roxane Carrasco, Joel Miller, Kate Rose Reynolds, and Ruff Yeager.
Details: On-demand video, now through August 23. Donation based, starting at $14.
City Ballet: 'The Dark Room Series 2: Event Horizon'
Dance
Do you ever see the ballet and think it'd be better with space suits? Maybe not, but chances are you've watched astronauts float eerily in a zero-gravity chamber and recognized the graceful movements of a dancer. Either way, City Ballet of San Diego has a show for you. The second installment in its virtual dance series, The Dark Room, is "Event Horizon," and features dancers from the company exploring outer space, with shimmering silver costumes and space helmets. The helmets are a nice twist on COVID-safe face masks, but for the most part, the dancers were recorded separately and edited together for any scenes where dancers are around each other. And this technique takes on an interesting effect, making use of overlays and transparency.
Details: The performance is just under 16 minutes and is available to watch on Vimeo or the company's website, whenever you'd like. Free.
For more arts events, visit the KPBS/Arts calendar or sign up for the weekly KPBS/Arts newsletter.
