Art in San Diego is intrinsically wrapped up in the border, and this weekend's arts offerings are no exception. I wrote about the Medium Festival of Photography this week (and you can read my feature here) — but one component I'm excited about is the special on-site exhibition at Coffee and Tea Collective in North Park that runs through the end of May, featuring the work of five exemplary artists from Mexican border states (plus, you can pick up some limited edition, special-roast coffee beans with PANCA-designed packaging). And the "Domestic Geographies'' exhibition opens this weekend in San Ysidro. Plus, sing along to some Broadway standards, check out work by one of America's most prolific playwrights and a celebration of some architectural gems in San Diego's diverse neighborhoods.
'Domestic Geographies'
Visual Art
The 14th annual Día de la Mujer exhibition at The Front in San Ysidro, features the work of more than 30 artists working in the border region. The result of an open call curated by Ingrid Hernández, the works showcase a complexity and political defiance within traditional and modern domestic realms. The two-month long project includes film screenings, a performance of Sarah Hennies' work "Contralto," panel discussions, a piñata workshop — and breaking ceremony — with Diana Benavidez and more. And to add to the all-star crew, Karla Aguiñiga is the video art program curator, Itzel Martínez del Cañizo is the film curator, and Julieta Venegas is the music selector.
The exhibition opens on Saturday with a virtual reception on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and the gallery will be open for appointment-based viewing beginning Tuesday, March 9. Artists featured in the exhibition include Beatrice Basso, Laura Etel Briseño, Claudia Cano, Gaby Guetz, Adela Goldbard, Andrea Orozco, Irma Sofía Poeter, Hong Kim, Chantal Peñalosa and more.
Details: Virtual opening reception Saturday at 6 p.m. Free.
More visual art: RAVE | Focus San Diego is a virtual festival featuring gallery and museum visits, digital "booths" https://redwoodartgroup.com/rave/booths/ (including one for local Duke Windsor), panels with curators and more. Plus, it's our first chance to honor the 2021 San Diego Art Prize finalists: Beliz Iristay, Hugo Crosthwaite, PANCA and Perry Vásquez, with a conversation between the artists and curator Chi Essary, Friday at 5 p.m. The free event runs all weekend online.
'I And You'
Theater
Moxie Theatre is pairing up with the Orange County-based Electric Company Theatre for a production of Lauren Gunderson's celebrated play "I And You." Directed by Callie Prediville, Moxie's associate artistic director, the play stars Justine Sombilon and Miles Henry. It takes place in a single setting — a bedroom — with two students, one homebound for months from an illness, getting together to study poetry. Gunderson's writing is often funny, disarming and smart (she's not called "America's Favorite Playwright" for nothing), and this work promises to be an intimate look at human connection and character. Filmed on Moxie's stage, each viewing will include pre- and post-show content.
Details: Opens Friday and runs through March 28, with virtual performances Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. $15-35.
Leonard Patton And Friends: A Broadway Cabaret
Music
Bodhi Tree Concerts are bringing a Broadway cabaret-style performance to the virtual landscape. It'll feature the work of Leonard Patton on vocals, Rob Thorsen on bass, Ed Kornhauser on piano and Julien Cantelm on drums. Thanks to the local jazz scene's virtual streaming prowess throughout the pandemic (shoutout to ElectricLouieLand and the Jazz at the Athenaeum series), I've seen all of these musicians really crushing it lately. This promises to be a "singalong" style performance, but thankfully it's virtual so you don't actually have to. And if you needed more of an excuse to spend your Sunday afternoon with some great live(streamed) music, Bodhi Tree is raising funds to benefit Feeding San Diego.
This kicks off a four-show season, with a performance from the Anthony Davis Jazz Trio next month and a Rodgers & Hammerstein tribute in May. Plus, a 10th anniversary concert in September. You can buy a season ticket for the best deal for all four shows.
Details: Sunday at 4 p.m. Virtual. $25.
OH San Diego
Art, Architecture
OH (Open House) San Diego is an annual showcase for San Diego's architectural gems. This year, they're focusing on the neighborhoods of Barrio Logan, Chula Vista, City Heights, La Mesa, National City, San Marcos and Southeastern San Diego, and it runs Friday through March 12. Here are some of the events that are a little more arts and culture focused:
In Barrio Logan on Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., there's a live art installation by architecture students from Woodbury University. Saturday at 10:30 a.m., take an Urban Design Finds bike tour, and "Walk The Block" on Logan Ave. at any point in the afternoon. Plus, visit Carlos Castro's "Remorses and Other Maladies" exhibition at Bread and Salt from 12 to 4 p.m.
In City Heights on Saturday, check out the Poplar Street Art Walk from 12 to 4 p.m., which starts at Azalea Park.
And in National City, watch youth artists at work in the A Reason To Survive (ARTS) outdoor gallery space in the afternoon.
In Southeastern San Diego, the Pop-Up Gallery at Market Creek Plaza will be open from noon to 4 p.m., watch live mural painting at Southeast Community Church on Euclid Street, or check out the first legal graffiti art park at The Yard with Writerz Blok.
For some hands-on art, there's a KidSketch program by Built Environment Education Program (BEEP), featuring lessons on architectural sketching for kids (and adults). They're virtual but based on two iconic buildings — the National City Aquatic Center (Saturday at 11 a.m.) and the Ocean Discovery Institute in City Heights (Sunday at 11 a.m.).
Details: Friday through March 12, at various locations, plus virtual and self-guided tours. Free.
For more arts events, or to sign up for the KPBS/Arts Newsletter, go to kpbs.org/arts.
