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The latest album from Neal Francis, "Return To Zero," emerged from the kind of visionary fever dream that only the most masterful and inventive artists are capable of bringing to life. Amid a grueling tour schedule that found him playing nearly 400 shows from 2021 to 2024, the Chicago-based singer/songwriter/pianist immersed himself in creating a beautifully strange entangling of timeless rock & roll and ’70s-era dance music, merging supremely heavy guitar riffs with lush and pulsating grooves—all constructed sans digital programming, in keeping with his devotion to all things analog. Worlds away from the glitzy fantasia of archetypal disco, "Return To Zero" inhabits a far moodier atmosphere and ultimately makes for the most thrilling manifestation of Francis’ peerless musicality yet. Doors: 6:30 p.m. Neal Francis on Instagram and Facebook

'A Decade of Double Vanity — 10th Anniversary Tour' "A Decade of Double Vanity" celebrates ten years of the album that cemented BRONCHO as one of the most singular voices in modern American rock. Released in 2016, "Double Vanity" sharpened the band’s blown-out pop instincts into something both feral and melodic, equal parts garage grit, warped romance, and neon-lit melancholy. Critics praised the record for its raw immediacy and emotional punch, and fans quickly turned it into a cult classic that still defines the BRONCHO live experience today. Doors: 7 p.m. BRONCHO on Facebook / Instagram

What is this…"Artist’s Way"? Maybe you had a friend who read through it years ago and made some significant breakthroughs. Or you’ve had the book on your bookshelf and promised yourself–this is the year I open it!–every year? Or you took a class long ago…but don’t remember much. Wherever you are at, this is for ANYONE who wants to live a more creative, intentional life. "The Artist’s Way" is for novices and working artists of all types, including writers, visual artists, actors, dancers, musicians…ANYONE who recognizes their innate creativity. In a supportive and safe setting, we will: - Acquaint ourselves with the basics and tools of "The Artist’s Way" (by Julia Cameron) - Work on activities meant to break through some of our creative blocks and give us better insight into creative work we might consider pursuing - And more! Week 1 will be an intro to the program. The next six weeks will be devoted to the chapters (and creative practices), and the last week is a final creative presentation by each student. If you’re able, bring a copy of "The Artist’s Way" (many available at the local libraries) and a journal or sketchbook. No previous arts experience required. San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

Will 2026 be the year you finally write that novel you’ve been dreaming about? This eight-week online novel writing course will walk you through the process step by step. Each week, the focus will be on some technical aspect of novel writing — from premise to point of view, plot & structure to methods of characterization. In addition to the weekly lesson, there will be curated readings and assignments which you may post for instructor feedback. Additionally, in the last two weeks, you will be allowed to post up to 2000 words of your work-in-progress for critique. This is a flexible course, which you can “do” at your own pace, though ideally you will follow along week by week. There are no live sessions and no Zoom, so if you have to miss a week or two, the lesson will still be there waiting for you when you come back! NOTE: While participants are encouraged to interact (offering feedback to each other’s work and engaging in online discussions about the material), engagement and interaction amongst participants varies from session to session and is not mandatory. Required texts: "Hooked" by Les Edgerton and "Plot & Structure" by James Scott Bell San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

Turn Your Words into a Powerful Performance Your story isn’t meant to sit quietly on the page. It’s meant to breathe. To move. To make people lean in and forget to blink. In this 6-week creative “play shop,” you’ll bring your writing, your wild ideas, your lived experiences, and your talent—and together we’ll transform them into a performance that grabs an audience by the heart. Through my proven actor-writer storytelling exercises, and my direction you’ll: - Discover how to make every moment on stage alive and unforgettable - Tighten your story so it lands with power - Add depth, humor, and nuance using acting techniques you never thought you could pull off - Create dynamic characters and give them voices, mannerisms, and irresistible energy - Step into strong objectives that drive your scenes forward Every week, you’ll share your works-in-progress, get real-time feedback, and watch your material rise to a whole new level. And because this is me, we’ll do it with laughter, play, and a whole lot of “Wow, I didn’t know I could do that.” By the end? You won’t just have a piece you’re proud of but a performance ready for our virtual showcase on July 14 @ 6-7 p.m. that will leave your audience talking about you long after the curtain falls. Tickets will be available for $7 two weeks before the showcase for audience members (participants already enrolled in the course do not need to buy a ticket). All levels welcome. Whether you’re new to performing or a seasoned pro ready to stretch yourself, you’ll be seen, supported, and challenged to shine. Let’s bring your story to life in a way no one will forget. San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

So much of what we carry lives in the body, before language, beneath explanation. In this generative class, we’ll write through sensation: touch, sound, movement, and memory as it’s felt rather than explained. Through guided prompts, we’ll explore how the body can lead us into story; how image and sensory detail can hold emotional weight without needing to spell everything out. The focus will be on writing that stays close to experience, rather than summary. There will be time to write, reflect, and (optionally) share. San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

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

2nd Annual Youth Exhibit "Sueños del Futuro: Youth-Led Land Stewardship" Join us on May 16 for the opening reception of our second annual youth led art exhibition. This exhibition is developed in collaboration with the 2026 Community Learning Partnership, CA Youth Leadership Corps Fellowship students from Southwestern College, and the High Tech High School’s students. This youth-centered exhibition invited students to imagine the future through art, storytelling, and design. Come enjoy art workshops, music, and a special performance by Teatro Izcalli! Saturday, May 16 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. CPMCC (1960 National Ave) Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center on Facebook / Instagram

Explore mindfulness-based writing using fun prompts to collectively inspire and deepen your intuitive expression. Participants in this one-session creative writing workshop will be inspired by a series of short, in-class prompts with a poem and pictures. The aim is to boost creativity and deepen each participant’s intuitive expression through contemplative practices. We will start this workshop with a brief mindfulness settling-in exercise—and a poem to accompany the session’s theme. And after each writing prompt, participants will be encouraged to discuss their work in small groups. This intuitive creation process is highly motivating; it enhances self-awareness and the flow of ideas and connection with others. As a creative writing teacher and published author since 2007, and a trained mindfulness teacher since 2017, I enjoy fostering unique and brave spaces for participants to gather from all backgrounds and walks of life. This course is designed for every type of writer: novelists, poets, screenwriters, playwrights, journalists, essayists, etc., with all levels of experience: from novice writers to seasoned authors. We will focus on the collective inspiration derived from a fresh series of fun and original writing prompts. Just bring a pen and notebook to our online class… And come as you are! San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

Do you have an idea for a story but aren’t sure how to start it? Or stop it? Or what to put in the middle? Maybe you’re partway through a draft, but aren’t sure which way to turn next. Or, perhaps, you’ve plowed through a draft but aren’t sure how to revise it to look like you knew what you were doing all along. Maybe you’re afraid of using a story map out of fear of your fiction becoming too “predictable”. This class will go over the benefits of using a story structure to map your fiction and explore the many options we have beyond the beloved hero’s journey. San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram