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Join OMA’s Free First Sundays for Art for All! Each month, OMA welcomes friends and neighbors on Free First Sundays to join in Art for All, our fun hands-on art-making experience led by artists and cultural partners from our community. The San Diego Art Prize is dedicated to the idea that the visual arts are a necessary and rewarding ingredient of any world-class city and a building block of the lifestyle of its residents. Conceived to promote and encourage dialogue, reflection, and social interaction about San Diego’s artistic and cultural life, this annual award honors artistic expression. The San Diego Art Prize, a cash prize with exhibition opportunities, spotlights artists in the San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico, region whose outstanding achievements in the field of visual arts merit the recognition. Join us this month as we celebrate the three 2026 winners of San Diego Art Prize: Danielle Dean, Ingrid Hernández, and Tatiana Ortiz-Rubio. Come create art projects inspired by their award-winning work! Whether you’re new to art or have your own creative flow, Art for All is the time to let your imagination soar. Visit our current exhibitions to spark your creativity! Explore different art-making materials through creative projects at each session while learning from local and regional artists. Check back each month to see what we’re up to next! These informal drop-in workshops are open to all ages. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided free of charge, while supplies last. All levels welcome! Ticket Prices: Free Oceanside Museum of Art on Facebook / Instagram

Kick off the 13th season of the First Friday Art Walk Oceanside on Friday, May 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Oceanside. This free, family-friendly event features over 60 local artists, makers, and creatives showcasing unique, handmade work in Artist Alley and the Civic Center Library Plaza, along with live music throughout the evening. Returning for its second year, the After Art Party continues from 8 to 9 p.m. with a live performance by Jaco Mello on the Civic Center Library Plaza stage. In conjunction with the Art Walk, the Oceanside Museum of Art will offer free admission from 5 to 8 p.m., including a docent-led tour at 6 p.m. and a cash bar with beer and wine. The First Friday Art Walk Oceanside takes place on the first Friday of the month from May through September, with a special holiday event each December. Oceanside Art Walk on Facebook / Instagram

Join the North County Melody Makers as they take you on a tour of classic hit songs from the 1950's through the 1970's. From romantic ballads and rock-'n'-roll tunes of the '50's through the music of the British Invasion / Woodstock eras to the folk-rock and dance songs of the '70's, the Melody Makers are sure to strike a chord within you with their love of singing. North County Melody Makers on Facebook / Instagram

If your ideal summer read involves friendship, second chances, family secrets, and a touch of seaside charm, you won't want to miss a special Summer Reads Author event at the Coronado Public Library on Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. The event brings together New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey, USA Today bestselling novelist Meg Donohue, and special guest Kate Luckinbill, offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from the voices behind some of this season’s most talked-about titles. The three authors will explore their latest works: Harvey’s "Summer State of Mind," Donohue’s "The Memory Gardener," and "A Book" by Desi Arnaz, newly expanded with contributions from Luckinbill, granddaughter of the legendary entertainer. Together, the three will share the inspiration behind their work, the themes that shape their storytelling, and the creative journeys that brought these books to life. For readers who gravitate toward uplifting yet layered fiction, Harvey’s newest novel promises a perfect escape. Known for her “elevated beach reads,” she weaves stories of love, community, and rediscovery—often set against warm, inviting backdrops. Donohue, beloved for her emotionally resonant and often cozy storytelling, brings a different but complementary tone, exploring memory, healing, and the quiet magic found in everyday life. Meanwhile, Luckinbill offers a deeply personal perspective, sharing family history and new insights into the life of Desi Arnaz. A book signing will follow this talk. The event is free and open to the public, with limited preferred seating available through pre-order from Adventures by the Book. Coronado Public Library on Facebook / Instagram

On Friday, May 15 at 1p.m., San Diego Music Award nominee Mark Montijo will be at the Coronado Public Library sharing a performance inspired by the breadth of his experiences. He’ll be joined by multi-instrumentalist Lenny Bole, a longtime banjo player and skilled dobro and lap steel musician. As San Diego Troubadour writes, “Montijo’s voice breaks and falters unapologetically, delivering the weight of each moment with raw sincerity… lyrics… meticulously crafted—perfectly hewn… this feels like home.” This event is free to attend thanks to the support of the Friends of the Coronado Public Library and City of Coronado. Seating is first come, first served and doors open at 12:45 p.m. Learn more at cplevents.org. After decades away from the spotlight, singer-songwriter Mark Montijo has returned with a quiet confidence that reflects both experience and restraint. First emerging in the 1960s club and festival scene, Montijo built his sound alongside a circle of musicians—some of whom would go on to national recognition—before stepping away from music entirely in the late 1970s to pursue business and political work. Encouraged by longtime friends and fans, Montijo recently reentered the studio, releasing a series of albums that have earned critical attention. His debut return, History, drew praise from American Songwriter, while subsequent releases have garnered songwriting awards and San Diego Music Award nominations. His latest work, Apricot Moon, continues that momentum with a nomination for Best Folk or Americana Song. Joining him is multi-instrumentalist Lenny Bole, a seasoned banjo player whose talents extend to dobro, lap steel, and Weissenborn guitar. A former member of the touring band Montezuma’s Revenge, Bole spent years as a teacher before returning to music in retirement. Today, he performs regularly with local groups, including the bluegrass band Stay Tuned, and remains a sought-after collaborator

Doors open at 4:30 p.m., films start at 5 p.m.. Donation is $10 per person and includes refreshments. Takeout or other food is allowed. Our cartoon is "Plane Crazy" (1928), the first Mickey Mouse cartoon to be produced... but the fourth to be released. Next is another important first: "The Lucky Dog" (1921). This Stan Laurel film features a character actor named Oliver Hardy. It would be five years before they made another film together, and made history! And our own Russ Peck will provide live piano music! In "One Good Turn" (1931), an elderly woman gives food to Depression victims Stan and Ollie, so they decide to help her out. Stan's young daughter Lois was upset that Stan always got the worst of it from Ollie, so in this film the tables are turned... Another first! Other films include "The Finishing Touch," "The Stolen Jools," "The Midnight Patrol," and our first showing of a special tribute to Oliver Hardy. Visit the Saps At Sea - San Diego Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/111118255744315 The Saps at Sea will also host the International Sons of the Desert convention in San Diego, June 21-25, 2026. Passes are available for the entire convention, or for separate events like the evening harbor cruise, formal banquet with vintage music by Dean Mora & his Orchestra, or the $20 Three Hour Film Night featuring restored Laurel and Hardy films. For details see www.sonsfestsd2026.com

"Bloodlines & Brushstrokes" AAPI Group Exhibition Presented by Thumbprint Gallery, Hosted at Distinction Gallery Opening Reception: Saturday, May 9 | 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Exhibition Dates: May 9 – June 6 Location: Distinction Gallery Thumbprint Gallery is proud to present "Bloodlines & Brushstrokes," a dynamic group exhibition celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and their diverse creative voices. Hosted at Distinction Gallery, this exhibition serves as an extension of the "Bloodlines & Brushstrokes" exhibition currently on view at Thumbprint Gallery in La Jolla, expanding the conversation and bringing additional visibility to the featured artists and themes. The exhibition opens Saturday, May 9 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will remain on view through June 6. Featuring original works by several local AAPI artists, "Bloodlines & Brushstrokes" highlights the richness of cultural identity, heritage, and lived experience through a wide range of visual styles and mediums. From deeply personal narratives to bold contemporary expressions, the exhibition offers a vibrant reflection of the many perspectives within the AAPI community. The opening reception coincides with the Escondido 2nd Saturday Art Walk, inviting guests to experience an evening of art, community, and culture throughout downtown Escondido. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet participating artists, explore the exhibition, and enjoy live music during this special celebration. This month's featured window display artist at Distinction Gallery is Lourans Mikhail, a multi-faceted creative currently living in San Diego, California, after honorably serving 13 years as a U.S. Marine. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Mikhail creates work across sculpture, painting, murals, and graphic design to explore different perspectives and challenge complex narratives surrounding socioeconomics, culture, politics, and race. Inspired by his Assyrian heritage, graffiti, comics, anime, cartoons, and fine art, Mikhail’s work exists between the realms of lowbrow and pop surrealism. Through the use of wordplay and perspective—both figurative and literal—his work invites viewers to reconsider familiar ideas and engage with layered visual storytelling. "Bloodlines & Brushstrokes" serves as both a celebration of artistic excellence and a platform for representation, dialogue, and connection within the AAPI community and beyond. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Cover art "Rock, Paper, Scissors" by Lucy Halle (detail) Live music by Soft Serve Thumbprint Gallery on Facebook / Instagram

Raised in Brooklyn, New York and now living in Los Angeles, American novelist Ivy Pochoda is the critically acclaimed author of seven novels, including "These Women" (Ecco 2021), a finalist for The Los Angeles Times Book Prize, The Edgar Award, the California Book Award, The Macavity Award, and the International Thriller Writers Award; and "Sing Her Down" (Picador 2024), which won the LA Times Book Prize. Pochoda is also a 2018 winner of Strand Critics Award for Best Novel and the Prix Page America in France. Her work often delves into themes of female violence, societal judgment, and mythology. Her latest novel, "Ecstasy" (G.P. Putnam's Sons 2025), was considered one of the most-anticipated horror books of 2025. A horror reimagining of playwright Euripides’s Greek tragedy, "The Bacchae," "Ecstasy" explores themes of empowerment, desire, and what happens when women reject the roles set out for them. Ivy Pochoda now leads a creative writing workshop in Skid Row, Los Angeles, where she helped found Skid Row Zine. She is currently a professor of creative writing at the University of California Riverside Palm Desert low-residency MFA program. Come attend this author's reading and Q & A event!

Widely known as a founding editor of the literary journal, Hobart, fiction and non-fiction writer Aaron Burch has authored seven books, including the novels "Year of the Buffalo" and "A Kind of In-Between." He is also the author of a memoir/literary analysis, Stephen King's "The Body," and a short story collection, "Backswing." Burch is also the editor of the craft anthology "How to Write a Novel: An Anthology of 20 Craft Essays About Writing, None of Which Ever Mention Writing," and is currently the editor of the journals "HAD" and "Short Story, Long." Burch grew up in Tacoma, Washington but now lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he teaches at the University of Michigan. He is currently the co-editor of "W&S" (a.k.a. "WAS Quarterly: Words & Sports") and the Substack journal "HAD." He currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. Come attend this author's reading, Q & A, and book selling/signing event!

The Imperial Irrigation District is already in the midst of several key elections and a high-stakes negotiation over the future of the Colorado River.