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As George’s memoir "All Boys Aren’t Blue" has reached massive success as a New York Times bestseller, it has become the American Library Association’s third most challenged book of 2021. But with each shove, George continues to persevere and advocate for Black and queer voices. “Black storytelling has often been banned,” George says, “My book is a tool so that Black queer kids and LGBTQ teens can see themselves, and read about themselves, and learn about themselves.” In this talk, George speaks on the importance of sharing diverse stories: why we should remain resilient, how representation in media can support young adults’ mental and physical health and what we can do to support these voices. By listening to one another and understanding the history, language and actions necessary to change the world, we can form a community where we are all free to be our true, authentic selves. The author will be signing books shortly after the event.

La Jolla Playhouse hosts the world premiere of Japanese-American playwright Lisa Sanaye Dring's play about the ancient Japanese sport, sumo.

Join San Francisco-based artist Joshua Moreno as we investigate ideas of cultivation and familial histories by making terrariums. Like the Japanese-Californian citrus that appears in the work of artist Kelly Akashi, some plants are hybridized and carefully cultivated, while others, like weeds, sprout resiliently on their own. Akashi explores these ideas through her sculpture, investigating plant life as a metaphor for family. Schedule | • Tour of "Kelly Akashi: Formations" • Create a terrarium and leave with new memories About Joshua Moreno | Moreno examines the overlapping relationship between the natural and human-made environment, highlighting patterns and systems of efficiency. He re-evaluates everyday spaces and objects through installation, drawing, and film, with attention to elemental phenomena. Moreno was born and raised in Watsonville, California. He received his BFA from the University of California, San Diego and an MFA from Stanford University in 2022. Since 2012, Moreno has been working in education, teaching art history, filmmaking, and art courses. Presently, he teaches drawing at Stanford University. What is a terrarium? | A terrarium is a miniature, self-contained ecosystem enclosed within a transparent container, typically made of glass or plastic. It houses small plants, moss, or succulents, creating a visually appealing and low-maintenance indoor garden. The enclosed environment allows for a natural water cycle, with moisture evaporating from the plants and then condensing on the container walls, sustaining the plants within the sealed space.

Vocalist, guitarist and jazz icon George Benson joins Christian McBride for a conversation about his early years on the jazz scene, fame and his new “lost” album.

Mind Reader premiered at last year’s Orlando Fringe Festival. After the first performance the Orlando Weekly wrote that it was “consistently astounding” and “a thrilling hour of mystifying mentalism.” The show continued to develop over the course of a seven festival tour, going on to win the “Best Solo Show” award at this year’s Tucson Fringe Festival. If the thought of being part of the show sounds like an intimidating proposition, would-be audience members should know they have nothing to fear. While some interactive and comedic shows invite audience members on stage and make them look foolish, Mind Reader does the complete opposite. One of the defining features of Steven’s work is making the audience the stars of the show and sometimes helping them to discover abilities they never would have imagined they might possess. Every audience member participates in at least some capacity, and those who take a more prominent role are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience. As the show name would suggest, Steven will read the minds of many audience members in unexpected and surprising ways. Mind Reader will also feature demonstrations of lighting fast mnemonics, a brief but shocking hallucination, and a finale that defies any rational explanation. For more information visit: sdfringe.org Stay Connected on Facebook and Instagram

Celebrate the strange, the inexplicable, the other-worldly with the Master of the Macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. Hear stories of terror, mystery, and suspense in the opulent Music Room of the Palace of the Arts. Presented by Write Out Loud in Partnership with Friends of Villa Montezuma. Visit: writeoutloudsd.com/poefest/ Write Out Loud San Diego on Facebook

Exploring versatile running stitches The technique of decorating a fabric surface with running stitches can be found in many cultures. In this class students will learn 2 types of stitching: Sashiko, which means “little stabs” in Japanese, and Kantha, which translates to “rags” in Sanskrit. The primary function of the stitching was to mend and reuse old but treasured fabric; to gather layers of fabric which then provided warmth and insulation; and/or strengthen the fabric for heavy usage. However, the decorative aspect of this timeless practice became just as important and valued, and its rich “vocabulary” translates into endless pattern variations. Learn traditional Sashiko patterns using simple grid-based stitches such as “zigzag,” “field of flowers,” and traditional patterns using curves such as “ocean waves,” and “rising steam.” We will also cover the organic and flowing art of Kantha stitching. You will create an embroidered piece of hand-dyed wool felt fabric that will be assembled into a beautiful eyeglass case or small pouch. Students are recommended to bring a thimble if they have one. $10 material fee payable to the instructor at the start of class. This class is appropriate for ages 12 years and older. • Scholarships available • Homeschoolers welcome • Military and sibling discounts For more information visit: sandiegocraft.org Stay Connected on Facebook

SDSU School of Art & Design welcomes you to “Conjunto,” the MFA Graduate Review Show running October 10 to November 2 in the Flor y Canto and Everett Gee Jackson Galleries at SDSU. Opening reception will be Thursday, October 19 from 4-7 p.m. The show includes 18 artists working in a range of media including woodworking, ceramics, photography, painting, textile art, collage and mixed media. Related links: SDSU Art Galleries website | Instagram

Write Out Loud is thrilled to share the launch event to kick off the National Endowment for the Arts BIG READ in San Diego for 2023/24! Through this program, San Diego will Read and Celebrate the novel "CIRCE" by Madeleine Miller. The FREE launch event will take place at the San Diego Public Library in the Neil Morgan Auditorium on October 17th at 6:00 pm. Attendees will enjoy readings of excerpts from "CIRCE", a satirical performance of "Pyramus and Thisbe", the announcement of a “myth” writing contest and free books for the first 20 registered attendees. Focusing on the novel "CIRCE" by Madeleine Miller, this program will impact 4,500+ San Diegans. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience. NEA Big Read activities with San Diego students have begun and community wide events will take place through the month of April 2024, including a student awards presentation of THE NEA BIG READ - Read Imagine Create. This awards presentation will feature student projects inspired by CIRCE by Madeleine Miller and Edith Hamilton’s MYTHOLOGY - the middle school selection. There is still time to participate. Additional NEA Big Read activities taking place across San Diego in April 2024 include book discussions, a writing contest, presentations of Myths and Legends, visual art displays and discussions about the power of women. Stay Connected on Social Media | Instagram + Twitter

Sophie's Gallery & Gift Shop, operated by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, will host its 12th Annual Alley Cat Art Walk, a free family-friendly art event in the Historic El Cajon Downtown Arts District, on Friday, September 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local art galleries, art studios, a museum, and other local small businesses invite the public to discover the arts in Downtown El Cajon while enjoying fine art, crafts, live music, and refreshments. There will be several fine art shows during the event, including The Music in Me at Sophie’s Gallery - a collection of hand-painted musical instruments, musical-inspired prints, and mosaic art; Color at Silver Creek Fine Art & Gallery; Beyond Impressionism at The East County Art Association; and a display of contemporary Native American themed art at the Wieghorst Museum. This year, Sophie’s Gallery is excited to feature artwork from artbrutkorea, a collective of South Korean artists on the autism spectrum who are participating in the group show, The Music in Me. Along with the collection of hand-painted instruments, the show also includes unique instrument prints, up-cycled CD weavings, hand-embroidered iron-on patches, kumihimo braided guitar & bag straps, and more. The Historic Downtown El Cajon hosts many events, small businesses, restaurants, galleries, museums, and murals all within walking distance, making for a memorable visit. Alongside many food and drink options, the festival will also feature beer tasting hosted by the El Cajon German American Societies Inc. Sophie’s Gallery & Gift Shop is a program of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, which serves more than 400 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through nationally recognized, innovative programs. Its mission is to educate and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their full potential. Intellectual and developmental disabilities include autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other cognitive disorders.