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Poets Underground Presents CV Slam Fest ’26: A Powerful Fusion of Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Community in Chula Vista CHULA VISTA, CA — April 25, 2026 | 12 p.m. | Memorial Park Bowl Amphitheater Poets Underground will present CV Slam Fest ’26, a dynamic, free, all-ages cultural event uniting spoken word, hip-hop, youth expression, and community storytelling. Taking place at the Memorial Park Bowl Amphitheater, the festival highlights the region’s creative voice through a multigenerational lineup of performers, educators, and artists. Headlining the event are renowned hip-hop artists Eligh and Scarub of the influential collective Living Legends. The duo will open the festival with a live performance, setting the tone for a full day of competition and artistic showcase. Central to the event is a high-stakes poetry slam competition featuring 12 poets competing for a $1,000 cash prize. Participants represent three divisions—Rookies (first-time competitors), Veterans (previous slam champions), and CV Locals—ensuring a diverse range of voices and perspectives. Competing Poets Merrell • Soul Stuf • Lou • Deal Profits • Jozer G • Faith Marie Kearns • The Ramblr • Alex Nuno • Monarch the Poet • Demetri Manabat • Espi Love • Robbie Hammel In addition to the competition, CV Slam Fest ’26 will showcase the impact of Poets Underground’s Poetry Heals Program, an initiative focused on youth development through creative expression. The 9th grade class of High Tech High Chula Vista will perform selected works from their published student anthology, developed through a 10-week curriculum centered on emotional processing, storytelling, and community engagement. The program will also include a multidisciplinary performance by a student from Maraya Performing Arts Studio, highlighting the integration of poetry with theater and dance as a form of expressive storytelling. Further expanding the event’s artistic scope, Poets Underground co-owner Anthony Azzarito will debut a track from an upcoming collaborative spoken-word EP with Eligh, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s continued evolution in cross-genre performance. Event Highlights • Live opening performance by Eligh & Scarub • $1,000 Poetry Slam Competition • Youth performances from Poetry Heals Program participants • Multidisciplinary theater and dance showcase • Food vendors and local merchants • Free admission for all attendees CV Slam Fest ’26 serves as both a cultural gathering and a platform for authentic storytelling—demonstrating the power of poetry as a tool for connection, expression, and community building. Event Details Date: April 25, 2026 Time: 12 p.m. Location: Memorial Park Bowl Amphitheater, Chula Vista, CA Admission: Free ⸻ Media Contact Poets Underground Poetsundergroundsubmissions@gmail.com PoetsUndergroundPress.com ⸻ About Poets Underground Poets Underground is a San Diego based arts organization dedicated to amplifying voices through poetry, performance, and education. Owned and operated by married creative partners Sunny Rey Azzarito and Anthony Azzarito, the organization leads community-centered initiatives such as Poetry Heals, providing youth and community members with tools for creative expression, emotional development, and public storytelling. Its events and workshops create accessible platforms for emerging and established artists to connect and perform. ⸻ Funding Acknowledgment This event is funded in part by the City of Chula Vista through the Performing and Visual Arts Grant (PVAG) program. Poets Underground on Instagram

In 1936, as the British Empire tightens its grip on Palestine, Yusuf is caught between his village home and his work in Jerusalem. Amidst an anti-colonial revolt, and Jewish refugees fleeing persecution from Europe, all sides converge in a decisive moment for the entire region. Palestine’s Official Selection for the 98th Academy Awards. Digital Gym Cinema on Facebook / Instagram

In Virunga National Park, rangers are on the front lines — playing a critical role to contain the surging virus while coping with an upsurge in conflict-related violence.

The Israeli military confirmed hitting a vehicle and said the incident is being reviewed. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun called the strike "a flagrant violation to Lebanese sovereignty and international law."

ImprovCon is a new 3.5-day event dedicated to the art and craft of improvisational theater, taking place August 20–23, 2026 at the Town and Country Resort. The event brings together performers, teachers, and audiences for a weekend of live performances, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions exploring the full range of modern improv. The inaugural lineup features acclaimed artists including TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, Scott Adsit, Jet Eveleth, Susan Messing, and Rachael Mason, along with groups like Asian AF and 3Peat, with additional artists to be announced. Programming spans long-form and experimental improv, comedy, storytelling, and hybrid formats, offering opportunities for both seasoned performers and those new to the art form to engage with the work on stage and in the classroom. In addition to scheduled programming, ImprovCon emphasizes community and connection, creating space for collaboration and conversation among artists and audiences throughout the weekend. Passes are available in advance, and the event is currently accepting submissions for performers, educators, and panelists through April 30, 2026. Play Pass: $200 for full 3.5-day access to performances, panels, and select workshops. A limited number of early-bird passes are available at $150. Patron Pass: $400. Includes all Play Pass access plus priority check-in, priority entry to performances, and premium front-of-theater seating. Hotel Play Pass: $20 with a qualifying stay at the Town and Country Resort. Provides full 3.5-day access as part of the on-site experience. Community Access: A 40% discount on Play Passes is available for active military, teachers, and students with valid ID at check-in (use code: COMMUNITY). Additional premium workshops and seminars will be available for purchase once programming is announced. ImprovCon on Facebook / Instagram

Join us for a powerful weekend of film and conversation exploring disability, family, safety, and community with filmmaker David F. Fortune. Stories That Move Us: A Weekend of Film & Impact Because stories don’t just move us — they change us. Experience a powerful weekend of storytelling through film, conversation, and community. This special event features screenings of the acclaimed short film US (14 minutes) and the award-winning documentary NATTY (18 minutes), both directed by visionary filmmaker David F. Fortune—named one of Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch.” Presented by the USD Alliance for Disability Advocates (ADA) and The Natalie Project (#UsToo), with generous support from the University of San Diego Associated Student Government (ASG). For more information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stories-that-move-us-a-weekend-of-film-impact-tickets-1984848751045

Write Out Loud – an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience – announces a three night run of "Mano A Monologue", written and performed by David Fenner and co-directed by Robert Alexander Owens and Write Out Loud Artistic Director, Veronica Murphy. The performances take place at the Dottie Studio Theater (Cygnet), part of the new Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center in Liberty Station. Presenting a selection of his greatest misses– whether by tough luck, naivete or plain bad judgement– San Diego native actor, David Fenner, returns to the stage with a collection of personal stories, one would normally prefer to forget. He seems to think that by re-creating these bad turns for the benefit of your amusement, they’ll take on some value after all. Maybe. But what if the reenactment of these failed routines, inappropriate auditions, embarrassing turns, and wrong-path choices amount to the greatest miss of all? What is he thinking? Either way, hit or miss for him, it will be an unforgettable evening of joy, laughter and more, for the audience. Visit: https://writeoutloud.ticketspice.com/mano-a-monologue Write Out Loud San Diego on Instagram and Facebook

NPR has tracked deported Filipino sailors who say they were accused without evidence of possessing child sexual exploitation material. Almost none have been charged or prosecuted.

Peruvians will elect their new president Sunday with polls suggesting a polarized but tight race between hard-right candidate Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sánchez.

FACE FOUNDRIÉ, an all-inclusive facial bar focused on efficient, results-driven skincare, is celebrating its La Jolla grand opening with a free community launch party on Saturday, May 9 at 7855 Girard Ave. The first 50 guests in line will receive a goodie bag including a certificate for a complimentary Focused Facial when doors open at noon. The celebration kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the La Jolla Village Merchants Association, followed by light bites, a raffle featuring prizes from PCA SKIN/EltaMD, RevitaLash, and FACE FOUNDRIÉ, local vendor experiences, and a DJ until 2 p.m. The vendor lineup includes Permanent Wave Jewelry + Charm Bar, Color Analysis, 12 Hrs Matcha, Pop-Up Bagels, The Graze Collective Charcuterie, and a flower bar making it a perfect outing to treat Mom for Mother's Day. FACE FOUNDRIÉ provides expert facial, lash, brow, and skincare services in streamlined formats designed to fit into everyday life. With advanced treatments, accessible pricing, and a highly trained team, each visit is focused on helping guests look and feel their best. The La Jolla location is open daily from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at 7855 Girard Ave. For more information, visit www.facefoundrie.com/location/la-jolla. FACE FOUNDRIÉ on Facebook / Instagram