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KPBS Midday Edition

Across the county this weekend: Theater, art and zines

Sofia Jean Gomez, Eddie R. Brown III, Christopher Michael Rivera, Anne Son, and DJ Miki Vale perform in a recent community show of The Globe for All's tour of "Shakespeare: Call and Response."
Rich Soublet II
/
Old Globe
Sofia Jean Gomez, Eddie R. Brown III, Christopher Michael Rivera, Anne Son, and DJ Miki Vale perform in a recent community show of The Globe for All's tour of "Shakespeare: Call and Response."

Our guest for Midday Edition's weekend arts preview segment this week is Andrea "Angie" Chandler, the cultural arts strategist behind Culture Mapping: San Diego, and also the Audience and Engagement Specialist with Balboa Art Conservation Center.

Chandler's picks:

'Hear U.S. Now' New Play Festival

This event is in the past.
Ongoing until November 14, 2021
Virtual
Pay what you will
From the theater:San Diego REP Hear U.S. Now New Play Festival, featuring readings of commissioned plays that provoke contemporary conversations, will take place in November of 2021. The new festival will showcase brand new plays from four playwrights: Boni B. Alvarez, Jason Grasl, Nambi E. Kelley, and Giovanni Ortega. Top directors from around the nation will also join these writers. Those directors for each play are: Elizabeth Frances for "The Normal Force," Margo Hall for "American History X (working title)," May Adrales for "Duty Free," and Jesca Prudencio for "The Butterfly of Chula Vista."Reserve a ticket here.In 2020, San Diego REP commissioned and developed plays from writers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or LGBTQIA+ through the Hear U.S. Now Commission program funded in part by the Leon and Margo Embry Fund for New American Plays as well as a National New Play Network Commission (for Nambi E. Kelley’s play).Readings of the following plays will be presented online:On Friday, November 12 at 6 p.m. PT"The Normal Force" by Jason Grasl centers on Logan, a Native American PhD student in particle physics who is on the precipice of a scientific breakthrough, yet confronted with fundamentalist protests that consider his research a threat to their religious beliefs. Meanwhile, secrets from the past and unexpected discoveries could challenge everything he holds to be true. This play explores colonialism and ethics in science as well as the under-represented voices and realities of Native Americans in STEM fields. Jason Grasl is an actor/playwright/director of Blackfeet descent who is an ensemble member with Native Voices at the Autry in Los Angeles. As a playwright, his plays include The Blame of Love, Emergency Management, The Wheels On the Bus Come Off, and Lying With Badgers. A long time ago, Jason worked as a control systems engineer and rocket scientist. Directed by Elizabeth Frances.On Saturday, November 13 at 11 a.m. PT"American History X (working title)" by Nambi E. Kelley is a National New Play Network commission that spans from American slavery to Black Lives Matter present day through the lens of one family across generations. This powerfully poetic one-woman show asks the question: Who is the dreamer? Are the ancestors dreaming you, are you dreaming them, or are we dreaming each other? This play is a meditation on how dreams affect consciousness, agency, and personal power in the construction of a Black woman's understanding of her connection to her ancestors through time. Nambi E. Kelley is an actress, Film/TV writer, and playwright who has been in residence at the National Black Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and New Victory Theatre through the LabWorks Program (current). Her plays include adaptations of Tony Morrison’s Jazz, Richard Wright’s Native Son, and a modern day reimagining of Antigone called Xtigone. Kelley’s production company, FIRST WOMAN LLC, is producing a digital and national tour of her young audiences' play, Jabari Dreams of Freedom.Directed by Margo Hall.On Saturday, November 13 at 2 p.m. PT"Duty Free" by Boni B. Alvarez explores the experiences of various immigrants seeking entry into the United States such as Filipina journalist Merlina Rojas who was recently named an ‘enemy of the republic’ and is seeking refuge in America. She meets others across time in the same US Customs detention room at LAX airport. This play seeks to shed light on the Filipino experience and how everyone co-exists with other groups within the American landscape. Boni B. Alvarez is a Los Angeles-based actor-playwright. His plays have been produced at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre, Echo Theater Company, Theatre Rhinoceros, and Playwrights’ Arena. He is currently in Skylight Theatre’s Skylab, the Geffen Playhouse Writers’ Room and a Resident Playwright of New Dramatists. Directed by May Adrales.On Sunday, November 14 at 11 a.m. PT"The Butterfly of Chula Vista" by Giovanni Ortega follows Libertad Molina, a Mexi-Pino (Mexican-Filipino American) as he embraces his many layers by performing drag at GG Island Grindz Bar & Grill in Chula Vista. This heart-felt and fast-paced comedy touches on powerful themes about familial duty, identity and acceptance. Giovanni Ortega is currently an Assistant Professor in Pomona College’s Department of Theatre for the Claremont Colleges. His work, such as Criers for Hire and ALLOS, the Story of Carlos Bulosan has been performed globally including in Sydney and Singapore. He was a resident scholar for Playwriting Australia’s National Play Festival and is the Artistic Director of FilAm Arts Teatro. Directed by Jesca Prudencio.RELATED LINKS:San Diego REP on FacebookSan Diego REP on Instagram

Globe for All Tour: Shakespeare Call and Response

This event is in the past.
Ongoing until November 14, 2021
Multiple locations
Free
Oct. 26-Nov. 14, 2021From The Old Globe:Rooted in the vibrant interplay between performers and audience, "Shakespeare: Call and Response" is an hour-long celebration of verse, music, dance, and audience participation. Built for plazas and outdoor venues, the piece features five virtuosic actors, who transform into a variety of roles based on feedback from the audience. Part “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and part “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” the event is anchored by a DJ inviting the crowd in while spinning hits to get people on their feet. No two shows are the same, but all include scenes from five significant Shakespeare plays. The Globe for All Tour will be presented with free public performances at the following locations:Wednesday, October 27 at 4:30 p.m.: Mountain View Park (beside the Mountain View Community Center)Thursday, October 28 at 4:00 p.m.: San Diego Central LibraryFriday, October 29 at 3:30 p.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park (beside the George L. Stevens Senior Resource Center)Saturday October 30, at 4:00 p.m.: Chula Vista Public Library – Civic Center Branch LibraryTuesday, November 2 at 4:00 p.m.: Cal State San Marcos’s University Student UnionFriday, November 5 at 4:30 p.m.: Prescott PromenadeSaturday, November 6 at 4:00 p.m.: Montgomery-Waller Recreation CenterWednesday, November 10 at 3:30 p.m.: Treganza Heritage ParkThursday, November 11 at 3:30 p.m.: City Heights Performance AnnexFriday, November 12 at 3:30 p.m.: Oceanside Civic Center PlazaSaturday, November 13 at 3:30 p.m.: Lauderbach ParkSunday, November 14 at 1 p.m.: At the "Cascades" by the Fleet Center fountain in Balboa ParkFor FAQs and more information, check The Old Globe's event page here.COVID note: Guests using The Globe's provided seating are required to wear masks. Guests may also bring their own chairs or blankets, or choose to stand. All venues are outdoors. Related links:The Old Globe Arts Engagement on FacebookThe Old Globe Arts Engagement on Instagram

Book Signing: 'Around The Way Girls' by Delana Delgado and Checka Sardina

This event is in the past.
Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 2 PM
Libélula Books & Co
Free
From the artists:This Saturday, November 13th at 2-3 p.m., join Delana Delgado and Checka Sardina as they celebrate ‘Around the Way Girls’ vol. 1+2 for sale on the shelves of your favorite local bookstore with a signing and Q&A.Libelula Books is a social Justice motivated book store that supports local artists, authors, and provides educational & bilingual accessibility to our beautiful community in Barrio Logan.The book is otherwise sold out. Copies at the store are limited.

'The Nutcase Art Show'

This event is in the past.
Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 12 PM
Mixed Grounds Coffee
Free
From the organizer:An art show at Mixed Grounds takes place Saturday: "The Nutcase Art Show."This free event starts at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 13. This is a domestic art show, not only highlighting artists of all mediums from all over the country.The festivities will start at noon with a kids bell painting station and the Sprockids pumptrack. The day culminates with the "Helmet" exhibit starting at 6:30pm. The art show will also include food by @barrelmanbbq and @pizzakaijusd, DJs and night full of celebrating artists and your contributions to the action sports industry.Bring your kiddos and enjoy a great time.

2021 Cannon Invitational

This event is in the past.
Ongoing until February 5, 2022
William D. Cannon Art Gallery
Free
On view Nov. 13 – Feb. 5, 2022Opening Reception: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 5 - 7 p.m.The Cannon Art Gallery’s ninth Invitational exhibition features the work of five San Diego County artists; Samantha Barrymore (Carlsbad), Brad Maxey (San Diego), Griselda Rosas (Chula Vista), Jiela Rufeh (Encinitas), and Melissa Walter (La Mesa), selected by gallery curator Karen McGuire from the 2021 Juried Biennial exhibition.Pictured: Detail of Melissa Walter's "Gravitational Lensing" work, photographed by Michael Andrew.Gallery hours: Tuesday through Thursday: Noon - 7 p.m.Friday and Saturday: Noon - 5 p.m.Admission is free. Masks are required.

RELATED: San Diego weekend arts events: 'Capturing Balance,' Cannon Invitational, 'Untitled' photography, Romantic composers and more

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For more arts events, visit the KPBS/Arts calendar.