Valentine's Day and culture go hand-in-hand in San Diego this weekend, from Johann Strauss to Greek god modern gardeners. Plus, there's an exhibition of civic art at the San Diego Central Library and a free emo surf punk show.
San Diego Ballet: 'Dances of Love and Laughter'
Dance
In a joyful and diverse line-up, the San Diego Ballet presents a full program of some of the company's favorite works, set to romantic music including Nat King Cole, Roberta Flack and Rachmaninoff.
They'll also feature the San Diego premiere of a beloved 1977 choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton of the Royal Ballet, "Voices of Spring." It's set to the Frühlingsstimmen waltz by Johann Strauss II, and while it is a traditional, regal ballet duet, it's well-known for being a fun, cheeky and playful performance.
And they'll perform artistic director Javier Velasco's interpretation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." To quote the bard: "The course of true love ne'er did run smooth."
Details: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego; find tickets here.
'Hurricane Diane' at the Old Globe
Theater
Pulitzer Prize finalist, playwright Madeleine George, brings a west coast debut of a new Obie Award-winning play, "Hurricane Diane," to the Old Globe. The play is a reimagination of the Greek god Dionysus story, but if Dionysus returned to the modern world as what the Globe calls "a butch gardener," tasked with seducing a bunch of housewives.
For this production, the Old Globe tapped a local band to pen an original score. Golden Howl, which has a folksy and soulful indie sound, wrote music, lyrics and served as music directors on the set.
Details: Through March 8. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre at The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park; find tickets here.
'Fear No Art' at the Central Library Art Gallery
Visual Art
"Fear No Art: Civic Engagement, Histories, Currencies" is a new exhibition of artworks from the city of San Diego's Civic Art Collection. Hosted in the Central Library Art Gallery, the exhibition will display works from as early as 1822 — an etching and engraving by William Hogarth — and also include contemporary works: by Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney, Zoya Sardashti, Joe Yorty and more.
"Art can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be," said curator Lara Bullock. The aim of this exhibition and in the Civic Art Collection as a whole is to invite San Diegans to interact with public art, and to seek it out and notice it out in the community.
The Civic Art Collection, established in 1909, contains over 800 works of art. The goal is to have 70% of the works on display to the public, and the city is constantly adding to it.
Details: Fear No Art opens on Saturday with a reception at noon, through May 17. Central Library Gallery, 330 Park Blvd, San Diego; more information here.
The Frights at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Music
Here's an unexpected use of the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion: surf punk. The Frights, which got their start in Poway, are coming home to perform a free, all-ages show at the Organ Pavilion Saturday night.
The band has a new album, "Everything Seems Like Yesterday." It's a bit of a departure from their gritty surf rock sound, and more pared down and sonically mellow but more emotionally wrought. Perfect for a Valentine's Day antidote.
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American Rd E., Balboa Park; more information here.
For more arts and culture events, check out our KPBS Arts calendar or subscribe to the KPBS Arts newsletter.
