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Ekphrastic writing has been described as “taking the visual and transforming it to the verbal.” This form of writing, used for centuries, encourages writers to use visual art as a muse for putting words to paper. In this highly generative, immersive workshop, participants will engage with imaginative writing prompts, exploring the use of images as a source of inspiration for creativity. This generative, interactive session will cover numerous ways on how visual art can be a wellspring for new projects and a way to infuse current projects with energy and excitement. We’ll experience the various forms ekphrastic writing can take, using our own unique perspectives to create fresh narratives. The workshop will include a taste of SoulCollage®, an expressive arts method, through which we’ll create and write from our own images. (No artistic background required.) Participants will have the opportunity to share their work and receive positive, uplifting feedback, and they’ll leave with several short pieces they may wish to develop further. Materials will be provided. San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

Featuring the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America (UBC), under the direction of artistic director Oleh Mahlay, and the one-of-a-kind 60-stringed bandura. The UBC, a 2025 recipient of the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient, comes to Arizona with its Все буде Україна -- Ukraine Lives! concert program. The ensemble, established in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1918, established itself in North America in 1949 after a turbulent and perilous history. Over the past century, the ensemble has performed in Carnegie Hall, Massey Hall, Lincoln Center, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, touching and inspiring hundreds of thousands of listeners with its performances, educational programs, and extensive discography. The ensemble continues to amplify Ukraine’s voice and to highlight the culture's history and identity. This performance is more than just music: It is a celebration of Ukraine's cultural heritage and resilience. The concert will start at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The ensemble's "22 and under" free admission policy is part of the UBC Bandura Education and Outreach program. The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus on Facebook / Instagram

Before Chagall became Chagall, there was Yehuda Pen. Join art historian Jennifer Stern for an illuminating lecture on Yehuda Pen, the first Russian artist to combine classical technique with Jewish subject matter drawn from everyday life. Pen's Vitebsk art school became a cradle of Jewish modernism, nurturing talents such as Marc Chagall, El Lissitzky, and Solomon Yudovin. Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 Time: 11 a.m.–12 p.m. PT / 2–3 p.m. ET Platform: Zoom Cost: $18 early bird (If registered before May 17, 2026) | $25 regular Jennifer Stern holds an MA in Art History from Yale University and dedicated 26 years to the Art History Department at Brandeis University. She writes on art and culture in English and Yiddish for the Forverts.

Welcome the arrival of spring at The Rooftop Bar in Oceanside with a full day of music, cocktails, and coastal views. The Spring Equinox marks the moment when day and night fall into perfect balance, making it the perfect excuse to gather above the Pacific and celebrate the season ahead. Join us from noon through the evening as DJs set the tone and specialty cocktails keep the energy flowing. Settle in for sunset, watch the sky shift from golden hour to starlight, and enjoy a day that naturally turns into night on the rooftop. Visit: https://www.rooftopbaroceanside.com/event/spring-equinox-celebration/ The Rooftop Bar Oceanside on Instagram and Facebook

Chocolate and caramel were clearly meant to find each other. Celebrate National Chocolate & Caramel Day at The Rooftop Bar in Oceanside with a dessert and cocktail pairing designed for indulgence above the Pacific. Chef Alec presents S’Mores Panna Cotta, layered with dark chocolate custard, espresso caramel, torched meringue, and graham. Pair it with the Midnight Roast, featuring Grey Goose, Caffè Borghetti, and cold brew. Rich, playful, and best enjoyed under the evening sky. Dessert first. Questions later. Visit: https://www.rooftopbaroceanside.com/event/national-chocolate-and-caramel-day/ The Rooftop Bar in Oceanside on Instagram and Facebook

From June 3-7, 2026 DISCO RIOT will present San Diego’s signature queer-focused movement-arts festival, Queer Mvmnt Fest. The festival presents artists who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ dance community from San Diego and beyond. Queer Mvmnt Fest features queer-focused spaces as well as events open to the general public, including performances, workshops, artist Q&A’s, and movement-based short films. This program addresses inequity through an intersectional lens by centering the work of queer artists who additionally identify as BIPOC/Global Majority and Disabled. This year, we will be featuring four artists with one being an international artist. We are also featuring a Variety Showcase with 10 unique artists, highlighting many eclectic performance forms such as drag, burlesque, and circus acts. The festival also features an International Film Screening, and 6 dance classes and workshops offered by the Performing Artists throughout the weekend. Artists will be coming to San Diego from Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Raleigh, and Montreal, Quebec along with an array of local San Diego artists. Festival Schedule Wednesday, June 3 — International Film Screening International Film Screening 5pm Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - La Jolla Thursday, June 4 — Workshops + Community Outing The Rhythm of the Heartbeat with Azul Lopez 5 – 6:30pm 1100 Kettner Blvd. Community Outing - 2 Options Cathaus Revue Rich's San Diego, CA 7:30 pm - 11 pm Diversionary Theater’s RENT Diversionary Theater 7pm Friday, June 5 — Workshops + Variety Show MORNING EXORCISE with Jas Lin and musical accompaniment by Hearthealer 10am-12pm 1100 Kettner Blvd. Ballet For All Bodies with Alyah Baker 12:30-2pm 1100 Kettner Blvd. Variety Show 6:40pm Doors Open & Pre-Show 7:00pm Show Starts Malashock Black Box Studio Theater Saturday, June 6 — Workshops + Featured Artist Showcase dragXDance with Rowan Janusiask 11am-12:30pm 1100 Kettner Blvd. The Art of Kunt-Fu: Becoming The Queer Warrior with Devante Love 1-2:30pm 1100 Kettner Blvd. Primal Physics with Meesh Herd and Toni Brianna Guida Wendel 3 – 4:30pm 1100 Kettner Blvd. Featured Artist Showcase 7:10pm Doors Open & Pre-Show 7:30pm Show Starts Malashock Black Box Studio Theater Sunday, June 7 — After Party After Party 1 - 4pm Négociant Winery Disco Riot on Facebook / Instagram

Pride season has arrived, and Songwriter Sanctuary San Diego is celebrating on Friday, June 26 with their annual LGBTQ+ Pride edition. For this year’s event, the monthly music series (recently recognized by San Diego Pride with the Spirit of Stonewall Larry T. Baza Arts and Culture award) presents a lineup of local acts from Raspberry Management, a queer-forward artist collective supporting some of the best rising talent in San Diego and beyond. This Nashville-style songwriter’s round will be guest-hosted by Raspberry artist and Songwriter Sanctuary board member Rachel Hall (aka Mariela), featuring stripped-down versions of original music from Saint Misty, The Dimes, and Daddy. Julian Forest will start off the evening at 6 p.m. with an unplugged busking set on the sidewalk stage to accompany Songwriter Sanctuary’s community care initiative called the “Pre Show Pantry Jam," which encourages attendees to arrive a little early with unopened/unexpired donations for the venue’s community fridge, pantry, and closet. Thanks to sponsorship from Ability Central, ASL services will be provided by Deaf Community Services of San Diego for music in the sanctuary. About the Artists Saint Misty is a synth-pop artist whose sticky-sweet hooks wrap around songs that reckon with identity and escape, tracing her journey from radical Christian cult to lesbian icon in the making. The Dimes are a 6-piece nonsense rock band known for their high-energy sets that swing from riot grrrl to queer yearning to absurdism. The Dimes are here to make you feel something. Anything! Daddy is the intoxicating and sparkly indie glitter rock project of vocalist/guitarist Brooke Patterson and bassist Jessica Muchnick—two high school acquaintances turned best friends. (Pantry Jam artist) Julian Forest is a songwriter, lyricist and musician who floats between genres with ease, telling stories laced with imagery and themes of empowerment. Songwriter Sanctuary Pride Edition At a Glance Presented in partnership with Raspberry Management Friday, June 26 | Normal Heights United: 4650 Mansfield St. San Diego, CA 92116 $10 Suggested Donation, no one turned away for lack of funds Pre-Show Pantry Jam 6pm, Doors 6:30 p.m., Featured Music 7 p.m. RSVP/Info and Accommodation Requests For inquiries, media comps, sponsorship opportunities, accommodation information or further info, contact Lindsay White at songwritersanctuarysd@gmail.com or visit songwritersanctuary-sd.com Spirit of Stonewall Awards: In related news, Songwriter Sanctuary San Diego will be honored by San Diego Pride for their work uplifting LGBTQ+ artists on Friday, July 17 at the 2026 Spirit of Stonewall rally. They will also march in the following day’s Pride Parade as an honored guest.

A free, vibrant, youth-led celebration of healing, art, and mental health advocacy hosted by The BRIDGE Lab. The fair features inspiring gallery walks of student-produced films, music, and multimedia artwork alongside raw, peer-led panels discussing identity and resilience. Interactive reflection spaces, community health resources, and free food are provided. Perfect for San Diego teenagers, transitional-age youth (14–25), and families. The BRIDGE Lab on Facebook / Instagram

Join us for a fun-filled celebration to launch this year’s Summer Reading Program: Plant a Seed, Read, where the focus is on how both reading & food can nourish our lives! 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Participate in a fun storytime with Ms. Maureen, Smile Dentistry, and puppets! 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Enroll in the Summer Reading Program. Meet 20+ amazing community partners. Enjoy crafts, games, & giveaways. Listen to musical performances by Bach to Rock & Bertrand's Music. Community Partners: American Red Cross, Bach to Rock PQ, Bertrand's Music & Lessons, Brain Balance, BrightLife Kids, Carlsbad City Library - Genealogy & Carlsbad History Division, Coastal Medix, Family Health Center Of San Diego, Feeding San Diego, Fresh Brothers, Girl Scouts, Healthy Adventures Foundation, Le Petit Patissier A Culinary Arts Lab For Kids, Papaya Veterinary Care, San Diego Archaeological Center, San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, San Diego Humane Society, SDSU - Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, SLAM Summer Camp, Smile PHR, SPACE Lab - San Diego State University, Tree San Diego, Voltage Vipers FTC Robotics Team. Visit: https://sandiego.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=329900

Join us at The Nat in Balboa Park for our KPBS Producers Club June mixer. Enjoy a casual reception in the Atrium, mingle with fellow PC members, and take an optional behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s new state-of-the-art Paleontology Center. The paleo collection contains more than 1.5 million fossils, many of them found on construction sites right here in Southern California. While at The Nat, you’ll also have a chance to see their newest exhibitions, Amazement in the Basement and Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea. Your registration includes a reception with small bites and drinks. There is no cost to attend. Space is limited and RSVP is required. P.S. Paid parking enforcement ends at 6 PM.