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Julian Tan: End Trances January 18 – April 19, 2025 Opening Reception: Friday, January 17, 5:30 p.m. –7:30 p.m. Gallery Walk-through: Saturday, January 18, 11 a.m., free Artist Talk: Thursday, February 27, 6 p.m. reception; 6:30 p.m. lecture, $15/ 20/ 5 “The gaze is ours to give, and the journey is ours to take.”—Chat GPT analyzing End Trances For his exhibition End Trances, Los Angeles–based painter Julian Tan has created a body of work centered on a blinding, mysterious light in the sky and humans’ moments of wonder, panic, and solace as they witness it. In creating these paintings, Tan was thinking about recent trends including the use of AI in art making, the vastness of knowledge at our fingertips in a world dominated by instant information, public fascination with unidentified aerial phenomena, and a pervasive sense of being at the precipice of something—whether the end of the world or a cultural shift we have yet to understand as a society. The unknown light offers us all a glimpse of our own humanity, a sublime focal point in each work that remains open to interpretation. Julian’s work reflects his personal experiences and his fascination with the intersection of history, politics, and cultural change. As a second-generation Chinese American, the tension of not fully belonging has given him a unique perspective, one that informs his exploration of identity, culture, and the way people navigate a rapidly changing world. His paintings aim to capture the present while reflecting on the past and imagining the future, offering a lens through which viewers can connect with shared experiences and universal questions. In his BFA studies at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tan immersed himself in foundational principles of design, art history, and critical theory, setting the stage for a serious pursuit of painting and a life as an artist. While the program introduced him to conceptual thinking and problem-solving, it was the painters in the program and the drawing classes that left the biggest impression on him. He went on to earn an MFA at the University of California, Davis, dedicating himself to refining his techniques and developing an original visual language. Tan spent most of his time at UC Davis deeply immersed in understanding and creating abstract painting and sculpture. While he loved earnestly creating and looking at abstraction, he began questioning whether it could express the ideas he wanted to communicate. This challenge led him to rethink his approach and focus on work that carried more personal and cultural meaning. Painting became a way for him to say things he felt couldn’t be said with words. Now, working from his own studio, Tan is propelled by questions of the future, universal truths, and a desire to create works that capture a “mirror’s gaze of the near future.” Alongside his wife and dogs, Oso and Sumi, he continues his search for expression that resonates with universal truths about the human experience. Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/upcoming-exhibitions

America’s largest interactive comedy murder dinner theatre show is now playing! Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it! Join us for an event that is very different from a traditional mystery dinner show. Our actors are not dressed in costume and are hidden in the audience! This results in a fun, social and interactive evening suitable for all adults. Each ticket includes our signature award-winning mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of surprises during the show. Visit: The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show - San Diego, CA

I Never Sang for My Father is the story of Gene, a widower, with an elderly mother whom he loves and an 80-year-old father whom he has never loved, hard as he tried. Suddenly his mother dies and Gene is faced with the responsibility of having his father on his hands just at a time when he wants to remarry and move to California. This moving and perceptive work, by one of our most distinguished playwrights, probes the disquieting alienation that can exist between father and son despite the best intentions of both. Mild Adult Themes. Additional Saturday matinees on January 11 and 25 at 2 p.m. This is a Weekly Recurring Event Runs from Jan 3, 2025 to Jan 26, 2025 and happens every: Fridays: 8 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Timezone: PST Saturdays: 8 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Timezone: PST Sundays 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Timezone: PST Visit: https://powpac.org/misc_pages/play.php?id=311 PowPac, Poway's Community Theater on Facebook

Join us at the Villa Musica Recital Hall for a group art show, presented by Sew Loka, in collaboration with Villa Musica and Intersection Arts. For many of us, music is an essential part of our creative process. It fills our minds with so many beautiful thoughts, ideas, visions, and insights. Now it is our turn to give back, and create art pieces dedicated to the music we love; the music that inspires us. Bring the whole family to the Villa Musica Recital Hall on Saturday January 18th from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. There will be plenty of art, music, and embroidery for everyone to enjoy! See you there! Location: 10373 Roselle St, Unit 170, San Diego, CA 92121 Date: Saturday, January 18th, 2025 Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Participating Artists: Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski @sewloka Emily McMullan @practices_in_art Juan Pacheko @_jpacheko Selena Idioma @selenaidiomaart Maritza Garcia @maritzaisawesomedesigns Earl Dove @earldove Shirish Villasenor @shirishtheartist Wendy Gracia @wendystudioart Funk Saves @funksaves Michael Woodward @michaelwoodwardart Ainara Calhorra @muxu.creations Isabel Garcia @artbyisbl Rose B *no social media Isabel Aragon @_mad_mindzz_ Jorge Pina @pinaart73 L @strawberrielarry Movie Manny @moviemannysd + a few surprises More about Sew Loka: Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski, better known as Sew Loka, is a San Diego-based textile artist and fashion designer who has made a significant impact in the intersection of streetwear, sustainability, Chicana culture, and DIY fashion. She gained prominence for her distinctive style of customizing and upcycling clothing, while mainly using recycled, reclaimed and repurposed fabrics to create all of her one of one fashion designs and textile art pieces. More about Villa Musica: Founded as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in November 2005, Villa Musica is a vibrant gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to take music lessons, play in an ensemble, or participate in a workshop. Villa Musica’s goal is to create a focal point for community music education in San Diego, where students and teachers can meet to exchange ideas and experience the joy of making music. By creating a supportive and creative environment for the study of music, we aim to inspire many San Diegans to make music making part of their lives. Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-2-my-ears-an-art-show-dedicated-to-the-music-that-inspires-us-tickets-1134158270919?aff=oddtdtcreator Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski on Instagram and Facebook

Wednesdays, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. January 8–March 5 (9 weeks, 27 total hours of instruction) AAC Art Studio In this class we will sculpt a full figure from the life model. Students will have eight weeks to build an armature, learn basic figure proportions and structure, and sculpt an entire figure from head to toe. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the skeleton and basic anatomy, and how to depict the illusion of weight. Regular instructor demonstrations and discussions of technique will be given. This class is for all skill levels. Materials: Materials will be discussed at the first class. Please note: this course runs for nine sessions total. Max students: 12 Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/classes/55 Athenaeum Music and Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

The National Labor Relations Board told employees Wednesday that DOGE staffers would be assigned to the agency, one day after a whistleblower alleged DOGE may have removed sensitive NLRB data.

Breast cancer survivor and local musician, Nena Anderson presents a Dolly Parton tribute concert, look-alike contest, and breast cast exhibit/auction on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2025) at Belly Up in Solana Beach. A portion of ticket sales, a donation drive, and an online auction will benefit the Keep A Breast Foundation's (KAB) 25th Anniversary. Celebrating her “cancerversary,” Anderson created this event to bring awareness about breast cancer through art while showcasing local artists, especially (but not solely) women. The concert features Dolly’s hits from the 60s to today, performed by Nena Anderson, Brawley, and the Sure Thing Band, with special guest vocalists and musicians. Dolly Parton, known just as widely for her figure as for her music, inspires this event with her decades of longevity as a performer, songwriter, entrepreneur, fashion icon, and philanthropist. A Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers look-alike contest involves the audience and performers, with prizes for the best Dolly, Kenny, couple, and honorable mention. Anderson’s curated group of guest vocalists and musicians span various music genres and experience, including Rap, Country, R&B, World, and Pop. All are established recording artists, songwriters, and touring musicians. Featured guest vocalists are (alphabetically, photos above L-R): Emily Afton, Matt Axton, Beebs, Faith Belle, Kimmi Bitter, Adrian Demain, Rheanna Downey, Molly Jenson, Laura Levenhagen, Natal1e, Tim Petersen, Jess Roberts, Whitney Shay, and Laura Jane Willcock, and featured instrumentalists Kateland Raftery and Gayle Skidmore. Anderson sings during the show and leads the two bands backing the guest vocalists. Local honky-tonk heroes and multiple San Diego Award nominee, Brawley, starts the night off with Parton’s earlier career hits, including Porter Wagoner and Parton songs. They are followed by the Sure Thing band, a group of all-star session/tour musicians who will set the groove for Parton’s pop and r&b hits. The exhibit and auction consist of seven painted plaster breast casts, a signature of Keep A Breast. The casts feature busts of women involved in the production of the 2025 event and will be displayed at the concert. They will be auctioned online beginning February 14, with the closing date and reception to be announced. For the donation drive, individuals can make a tax-deductible donation towards VIP ticket packages. Local businesses and national brands contribute in-kind or cash in exchange for global recognition through KAB’s extensive social media and online presence. Visit: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/nena-anderson-dolly-belly-up-tickets/13524554?pl=bellyup&edpPlParam=%3Fpl%3Dbellyup Nena Anderson on Instagram

President Trump has signed an executive order decrying the "irrational campaign against plastic straws" and directing federal agencies to stop buying paper straws.

Why This Workshop? Traditional couples retreats often fail to address the unique challenges men face in relationships. With dropout rates as high as 50% and years of delay before couples seek support, the odds are stacked against success. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead, at the Center for Men’s Excellence, we’re turning the tide with a new approach tailored specifically to men and their partners. Led by Drs. Maxwell Maris and Daniel Singley, this two-day couples retreat offers a proven, no-nonsense path to stronger, healthier, and happier relationships. Visit: https://www.menexcel.com/couples-retreat-relationship-training-for-men/ Center for Men's Excellence on Instagram and Facebook

Fasten your seatbelts, the students are driving this motion-themed concert! Our annual student showcase will feature student instrumental and vocal soloists with orchestra along with an original student composition! Then we feature Concertmaster Ondrej Lewit playing Kurt Weill’s highly original Violin Concerto! Visit: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/palomar-performing-arts/66db84e238b0881a114aca84 Palomar Performing Arts on Instagram and Facebook