Not Our First Goat Rodeo
Music
If the San Diego Symphony is going to step aside and yield their shiny new Shell stage to another classical performance group, it had better be something like Yo-Yo Ma's astonishing and unusual quartet, "Not Our First Goat Rodeo." It doesn't exactly have anything to do with goats, but it's more a nod to the intricate chaos involved with the type of pieces they perform. You'll find virtuosos Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Edgar Meyer on bass, Chris Thile on mandolin and Yo-Yo Ma on cello, with special guest vocalist Aoife O'Donovan. Despite not playing together in nearly a decade, they recently put out an album last summer. It's an energetic blend of bluegrass, folk, experimental, improvisation and contemporary classical.
Details: Event information. Sunday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 200 Marina Park Way, Downtown. $45-250.
Javier Arreguin Villegas + Miguel Montaño
Visual Art
Javier Arreguin Villegas' exhibition "Anticuado" will close with a reception at The Hill Street Country Club on Saturday, but Villegas is sharing the stage with his mentor, Miguel Montaño, with a pop-up exhibition of Montaño's works, "Mirada Incidental."
Montaño lives in Ciudad Azteca, Mexico, and uses collage, found objects and sculpture to explore consumer capitalism and its role, particularly in his own city. Villegas' work showcases powerful stories of fatherhood, identity and immigration. His xylographic woodcuts are powerful and vivid.
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The event will take place Saturday evening with masks encouraged while inside, and you can also schedule a tarot reading with Christopher Marmolejo. The gallery will also host a virtual discussion and tour with the two artists beginning at 1 p.m.
Details: Event information. Virtual panel begins Saturday, Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. In-person closing reception takes place Saturday from 5-9 p.m. 530 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside. Free. (Tarot readings cost $10-40).
TwainFest
Literature, Theater
TwainFest is back! This year, Write Out Loud is bringing their all-day festival of 19th century literature and culture to Old Town's Heritage Park. The event has a limited capacity, so reservations are required.
There will be performances of local actors doing stories by Mark Twain, Virginia Hamilton, Robert Louis Stevenson and more, plus an interactive Mad Hatters Tea Party, kids' activities and free books, giant walking puppets, and a chance to interact with your favorite literary figures.
Details: Event information. Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with two hour time slots for reservations. Heritage County Park, 2454 Heritage Park Row, Old Town. Free.
More theater: I can confirm: "Hair" is as fun as you think it's going to be — but I was absolutely blown away by the talent. You can check out our feature on The Old Globe's return to full productions in their outdoor festival stage here. Due to demand, they've extended the run through Oct. 3.
San Diego Union-Tribune Festival Of Books
Literature
The fifth annual festival is virtual, again, but don't sleep on some of these panels, discussions and author talks. All events drop at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and shortly after the festival kicks off, the One Book, One San Diego selections will be announced.
Some don't miss author panels, discussions and sessions: Brit Bennett on exploring race and identity, Jeff VanderMeer on genre, Matt Coyle and Caitlin Rother on crime writing, Jonathan Safran Foer on the environment, Chris Baron [LINK TK] on resilience in young adult writing, Annette Gordon Reed and Clint Smith on taking control of American history (in conversation with KPBS' Jade Hindmon), Juan Felipe Herrera in a Spanish-language program, and a slew of rad children's storytime sessions: Ziggy Marley, Matt de la Peña, Carson Ellis and Kenny Loggins (!) to name a few.
Plus, I'll host a one-on-one conversation with the incredible Viet Than Nguyen about his new book, "The Committed," the follow-up to his Pulitzer-winning novel "The Sympathizer."
Details: Event information. Find the full list of panels here. Begins Saturday, Aug. 21 2021 at 10 a.m. Virtual. $0-95
Rosin Box Project: August Series
Dance
The Rosin Box will feature their summer guest choreographer Lauren Flower for a few world premieres, and they will also present the first live performances of a few works they performed in their 2020 virtual season — including the ballet "Remnant" by Donnie Duncan, Jr.
This is a hybrid program, so you can get tickets to either attend in person, or to watch the livestream.
Note: the live performances are indoors, and as of this writing, the current safety protocol is that audience members must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or will be required to wear a mask.
Details: Event information. Live performances are Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 through Saturday, Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. Tenth Ave. Arts Center, 90 Tenth Ave., Downtown. $35. Virtual performances stream Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
For more arts events, visit the KPBS/Arts calendar, or to sign up for the weekly KPBS/Arts newsletter.
