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Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with El Grito de Independencia at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido! Join Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts for an evening honoring Mexican culture, heritage, and tradition. The celebration will feature the Toque de Bandera, Himno Nacional, Juramento a la Bandera, and the traditional Grito de Independencia, along with live performances from special guests. Special Guests - Banda La Reina de SD - Los Cadetes de Santiago Avilez - LuMaya California Center for the Arts, Escondido on Facebook / Instagram

Susie Benchasil Seiter, conductor San Diego Symphony Orchestra "The Ring" – the landmark psychological horror film directed by Gore Verbinski – comes to Jacobs Music Center for a one-night-only concert performance. The film will be shown on the big screen as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra performs Hans Zimmer’s haunting score, conducted by Susie Benchasil Seiter. One of the most iconic modern-day horror films, the tale begins when the bizarre death of a teenage girl leads journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) to investigate a mysterious urban legend. In a cabin she discovers a videocassette containing disturbing imagery, and anyone who views the tape receives a chilling phone call from an unknown voice warning “seven days.” In the liner notes of the original motion picture soundtrack, composer Hans Zimmer describes the score’s minimalist, unsettling approach as essential to the film’s creeping dread and psychological tension. "The Ring," released by DreamWorks Pictures in 2002, helped redefine modern horror and remains one of the most influential psychological thrillers of its era. Motion Picture, Artwork, Photos © 2002 Dreamworks LLC. All Rights Reserved. San Diego Symphony on Facebook / Instagram

Camarada with Aaron Humble, Tenor Camarada, a resident ensemble at The Conrad in La Jolla, will present a unique concert spotlighting the remarkable tenor of CSUSM professor Aaron Humble. This diverse and engaging program takes audiences on a journey through the history of music, spanning from the Baroque era to the 20th century. The instrumental portion includes works by Baroque master Telemann, Romantic composer Robert Fuchs and contemporary composer Ian Clarke. Vocal selections will highlight lyrical and expressive works by Benjamin Britten, Italian opera composers Gaetano Donizetti and Ruggero Leoncavallo, and an exquisite French masterpiece by Georges Hüe. Performers include Beth Ross Buckley, flute; David Buckley, violin; Travis Maril, viola; and Dana Burnett, piano. Join us for an inspiring midday concert as we explore the world of vocal chamber music and more. Instagram: @camarada_music Instagram: @csusm_music Facebook: Camarada the Chamber Music Ensemble

Theater as a Means of Self-Exploration and Reconciliation Join us for a staged-reading presentation of “Pride: Mortal BEINGS part 1,” a one-person play written and performed by Terrell Donnell Sledge, a San Diego actor, writer, director, advocate, empowerment coach and CSUSM theatre arts lecturer. The story is an alternative telling of the fall of Lucifer – from Lucifer’s perspective – hinging on the questions of free will, love, loyalty, suffering, suicide, forgiveness and redemption. After the performance, Sledge will be joined by Stephanie Sledge – an artist, associate clinical social worker and CSUSM alumna – for a conversation about narrative representation and creative expression for self-exploration and healing. Stephanie will interview Terrell about the process of writing the play as a form of self-preservation when he was navigating academic environments prone to stereotyping and erasure of Black male identity. Guests will depart with the building blocks for harnessing their own creativity as a therapeutic tool. Sponsored by SubTeXt; co-sponsored by the City of San Diego through the San Diego Artist Incubator series, and TD Sledge Empowerment Coaching Website: terrelldonnellsledge.com CSUSM Arts & Lectures on Instagram

Kalena Bovell, conductor San Diego Symphony Orchestra MODEST MUSSORGSKY, arr. RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: "Night on Bald Mountain" AMY BEACH: "Bal Masqué," Op. 22 JOHANN STRAUSS JR.: Overture to "Die Fledermaus" JOHANNES BRAHMS: "Hungarian Dance No." 5 in G minor P.D.Q. BACH (PETER SCHICKELE): "Minuet Militarie" EDVARD GRIEG: Suite No. 1 from "Peer Gynt," Op. 46 Step into a musical Halloween adventure where magic, mystery, and music come alive! With flying bats, swirling dances, and a dash of orchestral mischief, the San Diego Symphony transforms Jacobs Music Center into a playful world of imagination and surprise. Families will journey through spooky mountains, glittering ballrooms, and enchanted forests – where melodies tiptoe, whirl, and even disguise themselves! Join us before the concert for crafts, costumes, and trick-or-treat fun that spark creativity and delight. Whether it's your family's first Symphony visit or a beloved tradition, this concert brings generations together for a joyful, not-too-spooky celebration of music and wonder. San Diego Symphony on Facebook / Instagram

Rafael Payare, conductor Leonidas Kavakos, violin Orchestre symphonique de Montréal MOUSSA: "Elysium" TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 STRAVINSKY: "The Firebird" (full ballet) The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, led by Music Director Rafael Payare, presents a program of radiant color and boundless imagination. The evening opens with Canadian-German composer Samy Moussa’s "Elysium," an orchestral meditation on the afterlife as a luminous plane of peace and moral fulfillment. With its vast soundscapes and glowing harmonies, the piece invites reflection on beauty, transcendence, and the human spirit’s eternal journey. Next comes Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, a timeless masterpiece of Romantic expression. Brimming with lyricism, exuberance, and dazzling virtuosity, the concerto moves from soaring melodies and poetic intimacy to fiery brilliance. Its seamless balance of tenderness and vitality has made it one of the most treasured works in the violin repertory. The concert concludes with Stravinsky’s "The Firebird," performed in its complete ballet version. Written for Diaghilev’s "Ballets Russes," the score dazzles with its glittering orchestration, magical storytelling, and ecstatic finale. This mythical tale of light overcoming darkness launched Stravinsky’s career and remains one of the most exhilarating creations in all music. From Moussa’s modern radiance to Tchaikovsky’s passion and Stravinsky’s fire, Payare and the OSM offer an unforgettable journey of imagination and triumph. San Diego Symphony on Facebook / Instagram

Navigating Culture, Language, & Preforming Arts in Disney's Live Action 'Moana' The release of Disney’s live-action "Moana" film involved local expertise and talent from CSUSM and our surrounding area in San Diego and greater Southern California. Audiences will learn about the making of the film through the perspectives of the Oceanic Cultural Trust, a group created by the film company to serve as cultural consultants on Oceanic language and performing arts. CSUSM faculty Dr. Grant Muagututi’a served as the lead cultural consultant for the film. His work focuses on the need for Oceanic language conservation efforts through mainstream popular media, independent documentary film, community partnership programming, and in higher education institutions both locally and abroad. He, along with others involved in the film, will offer reflections on their specific roles in making the live-action film. Members of the Oceanic Cultural Trust and actors from the film will engage audiences with behind-the-scenes stories and live-action musical and dance performances exclusively for CSUSM to inspire everyone to reimagine how grassroots cultural arts education can shape more inclusive experiences of higher education and impact popular media representations. CSUSM Arts & Lectures on Instagram

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Nathalia Palis, host and performer San Diego Symphony string quintet: Yumi Cho, violin Yeim Lee, violin Sung Jin Lee, viola Andrew Hayhurst, cello Susan Wulff, bass STEPHANIE LEAVELL: “Say Hello (From Your Head to Your Toes)” MOZART: "Allegro" from Eine kleine Nachtmusik SING-ALONG: “The Alphabet Song” SING-ALONG: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” MOZART: Twelve Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman” HARLINE & WASHINGTON, arr. DECLAN POSTLETHWAITE: “When You Wish Upon a Star” HARRISON, arr. ALISON GILLIES: “Here Comes the Sun” STEPHANIE LEAVELL: “We Have to Say Goodbye” A gentle, twinkling welcome into the world of string instruments! Perfect for babies, toddlers and curious preschoolers, this sensory-friendly 25-minute concert creates a cozy space where little ones can listen, sway, or simply sparkle with wonder. Featuring the soothing sounds of violins, violas, cellos and bass, children will hear how music can shimmer, hum and glow – just like a starry night. No need to sit still; movement, giggles and singing are part of the magic. These 30-minute interactive concerts are sensory-friendly and designed with little ones in mind. Sing-alongs, rhymes, dances and musical games will engage your child while introducing them to the instruments of the orchestra. San Diego Symphony on Facebook / Instagram

From Gang Life to Community Leadership Luis J. Rodriguez – an award-winning poet, acclaimed author and community activist – draws from his own life and shares how he overcame gang involvement to become a leading voice for hope, healing and social justice. His inspiring story reminds us that people can change, communities can heal and everyone deserves the chance to build a better future. Co-sponsors: Sociology Department and the CSUSM Latino Alumni Chapter CSUSM Arts & Lectures on Instagram

Come attend a screening of “You’re No Indian,” which is not just a film – it’s a call to action. At the heart of this 2025 documentary lies a battle for identity and justice, where militias storm casinos, graves are pillaged for DNA evidence and even proven lineage cannot save individuals from disenrollment. More than 10,000 people have been disenrolled from their tribes in recent years, eviscerated from their communities and families. Research confirms disenrollment’s relationship to tribal gaming and even the corruption of tribal politicians. Not only does it result in financial ruin for the disenrolled, but immeasurable psychological harm when they are now told “you’re no Indian.” This film exposes the dark intersection of power, greed and cultural erasure. It’s a powerful stand for those whose voices have been silenced, urging viewers to join a growing movement for truth and accountability. Sponsored by the CSUSM Climate Action & Sustainability Center, and co-sponsored by CSUSM Sustainability Website: yourenoindian.com Facebook: You’re No Indian Instagram: @yourenoindian Tiktok: @yourenoindian