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Ninety-five percent of the more than 800 eucalyptus species are native to Australia, New Zealand, and nearby Southeast Asian Islands. This tour examines how and why they became one of the most common coastal trees in California and why they inspire such passionate debate among their supporters and detractors. Forever Balboa Park offers thematic park tours that focus on the park’s unique biodiversity and highlight the park’s horticultural wonders on the second Saturday of each month. Led by park volunteer and horticultural enthusiast Bill Edwards, the free tours leave from the Visitors Center at 10 a.m. unless otherwise indicated. Walks last 90 minutes and are typically less than 1 mile on level terrain. It is advised that potential attendees contact the Balboa Park Visitors Center prior to the scheduled walk to determine if there are any last-minute changes or cancellations to the tours. Visit: Forever Balboa Park Forever Balboa Park on Instagram and Facebook

This weekend in the arts in San Diego: Peter Dreher at Quint; a lucha libre exhibit at the Comic-Con Museum; Katori Hall's "The Mountaintop" at New Village Arts; San Diego Symphony does Mahler 3; SACRA/PROFANA perform Black American composers; Future Is Color's jazz night; Fringe continues; plus live music picks and more.

Balboa Park is dotted with trees that have monument status in the State of California. These “Guinness Book of World Record Flora” are often included in various online lists of amazing trees. This tour highlights their unusual features and provides insight into their uses in their countries of origin and around the globe. Forever Balboa Park offers thematic park tours that focus on the park’s unique biodiversity and highlight the park’s horticultural wonders on the second Saturday of each month. Led by park volunteer and horticultural enthusiast Bill Edwards, the free tours leave from the Visitors Center at 10 a.m. unless otherwise indicated. Walks last 90 minutes and are typically less than 1 mile on level terrain. It is advised that potential attendees contact the Balboa Park Visitors Center prior to the scheduled walk to determine if there are any last-minute changes or cancellations to the tours. Forever Balboa Park on Facebook / Instagram / X

Discover the art of capturing life as it unfolds in the beautiful natural setting of Balboa Park! This hands-on course will teach you how to compose striking images, work with natural light, and anticipate the perfect moment to tell compelling visual stories. Through guided photo walks, in-depth discussions, and personalized feedback, you’ll gain the confidence to photograph the streets with creativity and purpose. Whether you’re using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone, this class will help you develop a keen eye for the unexpected and build a portfolio of powerful street images. No prior experience required! Six-Week Schedule Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. April 19, 26, May 3, 10, 24, 31 (skips May 17) Visit: Street Photography Essentials (Six week course) ICA San Diego on Instagram and Facebook

Beginning Saturday, March 1, join us in Encinitas for even more ways to interact with contemporary art! Weekly Wellness Saturdays at ICA North expands on our 2025-2026 exhibition season theme, "On Healing." The exhibitions are part of a year-long exploration of the ways artists address the various socio-cultural wounds revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the associated programs and events seek to explore how art can serve as a vital tool for mental, physical, emotional, and community wellbeing. Weekly Wellness Saturdays will take place most Saturdays throughout the year during ICA San Diego’s open hours (Noon – 5 p.m.), and includes: 1–2 PM: A rotating healing activity hosted by a local facilitator, including breathwork, yoga, and meditation 2:15–3:15 PM: A complimentary tour of the current exhibition in its Lower and Upper Pavilions, the outdoor garden, and sculpture trail 12–5 PM: An all ages art-making activity related to this year’s On Healing season 12–5 PM: Coffee and snacks for purchase 12–5 PM: Complimentary admission to ICA exhibitions Admission to Weekly Wellness Saturdays at ICA North is free, and a donation will be suggested for healing activities, and made directly to the facilitator. The current healing activity schedule is as follows: 1st Saturdays (March 1, April 5, May 3): Embodied Dance with Claire Halter About Embodied Dance: Get out of your head and into your body! This experience includes guided facilitation alongside free and intuitive movement and dance. Participants do not need any experience and are encouraged to move in their own authentic way in a safe, supported space. About Claire: Claire is a certified ecstatic dance facilitator and DJ, and she is also a certified Fluentbody (somatic-based movement practice) instructor. She has organized and facilitated gatherings for women and loves creating spaces for women to connect on a deeper level with themselves and others. In the spaces she holds, she hopes that women feel they can be their most authentic selves, as she has found, on her own journey, that her authenticity and vulnerability are her greatest gifts. 2nd Saturdays (March 8, April 12, May 10): Breathwork with Shawna Rogers About Breathwork: Experience the transformative power of transcendent breathwork, a modern, three-part breathing practice paired with evocative music to guide you into a state of deep healing and bliss. This gentle yet powerful technique helps release trapped emotions, harmonize your nervous system, and naturally boost your “happy hormones”. Through proper breathing, you can detoxify your body, reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance your overall well-being. Your session concludes with healing reiki, leaving you lighter, clearer, and more energized. Embrace the opportunity to heal in community and unlock your full potential. About Shawna: Shawna is a breathwork facilitator, reiki master-teacher and yoga instructor, teaching empowerment through embodiment practices. She is known for creating a safe space for others to journey deep beneath their layers. As a transformation guide to individuals ready for change, Shawna uses her innovative healing methods to help people get out of their head and into their body — so they can tap into their deepest desires, find clarity, and start living the life they truly want. 3rd Saturdays (March 15, April 19): Sound Healing and Art Making: Sound healing and meditation, followed by creating with paints, collage, clay or mixed media, with Karen Cadiero-Kaplan About Sound Healing: Sound healing and art in the garden: Enter a sound healing among plants and the sounds of crystal singing bowls and harp, then move into intuitive painting expressing your inner wisdom. Please bring a yoga mat or seat cushion and eye covering. All art materials will be supplied. About Karen: Dr. Karen Cadiero-Kaplan brings her 30 years of expertise as a teacher and artist to her sound healing practice. She creates a safe and sacred space that brings all who enter greater peace that opens participants to their inner wisdom and creative voice. 4th Saturdays (March 22, April 26, May 24): Yoga and Meditation with Diana Bamford About Yoga and Meditation: Experience an hour of gentle, mindful yoga and deep meditation, designed to nourish your body, calm your mind, and restore your spirit. This soothing practice for all levels invites you to move with ease, breathe deeply, and embrace stillness in a warm and supportive space. About Diana: Di is a certified yoga instructor specializing in Prenatal, Postnatal, and Trauma Informed Yoga, who brings her personal journey as a mother of three and PMADs survivor to create transformative experiences for her students. Since beginning her teaching journey in 2017, she has dedicated herself to providing a safe, inclusive space where practitioners of all levels can explore the mind-body-spirit connection. As a Reiki Master, Intuitive Energy Mentor, and certified Peer Support Specialist, Di combines her expertise in yoga with energy work to help high achievers break through barriers and find balance. Her commitment to Maternal Mental Health is reflected in her active involvement with Thrive Wellness Collective and the Postpartum Health Alliance in San Diego, where she volunteers to support other mothers. Whether leading a yoga class or providing energy mentoring, Di honors each individual’s unique journey while fostering an environment of growth, healing, and empowerment. 5th Saturdays (March 29, May 31): Breathwork with Shawna Rogers These Saturday offerings at ICA North are an evolution of ICA San Diego’s popular C You Saturday! series, a monthly community event where guests enjoy the galleries, participate in art-making, listen in on an artist talk, and more. This year, C You Saturdays! will take place on exhibition opening dates only, including: February 15, afra eisma: hush at ICA Central (Balboa Park) August 16, Las Hermanas Iglesias at ICA North (Encinitas) September 20, Ruben Ulisses Rodriguez Montoya at ICA Central (Balboa Park) ICA San Diego’s locations in Encinitas and Balboa Park are open Thursday – Sunday, Noon – 5 p.m. Weekly Wellness Saturdays at ICA North run from Noon – 5 p.m. (last entry into the galleries is 4:30 p.m.). C You Saturdays! at ICA Central and North run from 4-7 p.m. RSVP to a Weekly Wellness Saturday!

The artists of Spanish Village Art Center invite you to enjoy an afternoon of art in their working artist studios and colorful courtyard in Balboa Park. These working art studios enable visitors to meet artists, see demonstrations and enjoy the unique atmosphere. Visit their 36 working artist studios, galleries and art guilds who host over 200 local juried artists. Watch for special events, classes, workshops and summer camps. Open daily from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visit spanishvillageartcenter.com for calendar of events and artist/studio directory. Facebook / Instagram

An enchanting fairy tale full of magic and charm, "The Firebird" tells the story of a heroic prince and princess who fall in love, an evil sorcerer who tries to stop them, and the legendary, mythical creature who is summoned to save them. Based on classic folklore, set to Stravinsky’s dynamic score, and presented at the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet for the first time - in special celebration of SDCYB’s 80th Anniversary Season. This production will excite and inspire audiences of all ages from March 28 to 30 at the historic Casa del Prado Theater in Balboa Park. All tickets are priced at $25 and can be purchased online at www.sdcyb.org, or over the phone at 619-259-0220. ADA seating is available and may be purchased over the phone or in the office only. 10% discount available for groups of 10+ per performance (email tickets@sdcyb.org). Visit: www.sdcyb.org San Diego Civic Youth Ballet on Facebook / Instagram

Thursday–Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. January 9 & 10 (2 Days, 8 total hours of instruction) On location in Balboa Park Outdoor studies are the key to painting successful landscapes in the studio. Plein air painting is an excellent way to observe color, light, and aerial perspective. This workshop focuses on composition and color mixing with a limited palette. Each day will begin with a demo and conclude with a group critique. The historic Spanish Baroque architecture and beautiful gardens of Balboa Park are an inspiring and congenial place to paint outdoors. All levels are welcome in this workshop. We will meet up in the Plaza Panama in front of the Timken Art Museum. Materials: portable easel; four 8” x 10” or 6” x 8”, good quality canvas boards; half-dozen brushes, white bristle flat or filbert, # 2, #4, #6. One medium-size steel palette knife; small, pointed round brush for detail #2–#4. Paper towels; odorless turpentine; small jar for turpentine, wood palette; oil paints: Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Medium, Cadmium Yellow Medium Cadmium Lemon, Phthalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Permalba White, Raw Umber, Cadmium Orange. Sun hat, insect repellent, old shirt, and sturdy shoes are suggested. Max students: 12 Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/classes/10 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

The 2025 San Diego Fringe Festival runs through May 25, with performances at nine venues, including a new film showcase at SDSU.

This weekend in the arts: "Jaja's African Hair Braiding," "The Counter," "Nighttime Julianne" and more theater openings; plein air art meets San Diego farms; Lucha Fest; anti-fascist art; San Diego Ballet; plus Wonderfront Festival and more live music picks