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When: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Where: Blue Beach Celebrate Earth Day at Birch Aquarium! Join us at Birch Aquarium for an Earth Day Celebration featuring a fun nature craft and an ocean-inspired dance party! Sun Printing Craft: Join us at the aquarium for a special sun print craft, available while supplies last. Don't miss this opportunity to create your own cyanotype art — nature’s original "blueprint" — by arranging materials on special paper and letting the sun work its magic. Our sun printing craft is located on Blue Beach. Dance Party for the Planet: Join SoCal actor, singer and dancer Nate B Smith for the ultimate ocean dance party! Get ready to ride the wave of rhythm as Nate leads you through some fun, ocean-inspired dance lessons and more! Visit: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/earth-day-celebration Birch Aquarium on Facebook / Instagram

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is pleased to present the 2025 spring season of the Acoustic Evenings concert series, beginning May 16. The Acoustic Evenings series at the Athenaeum showcases some of the finest acoustic musicians in San Diego. Multiple acts fill each program, and attentive audiences delight in the intimacy of the unplugged storytelling format. San Diego Music Hall of Fame founder Jefferson Jay organizes and hosts the series. The project advances the Athenaeum’s commitment to support diverse San Diego talent. Acoustic Evenings is an unforgettable and personal experience for San Diego music lovers. The series, continuing through June 6, is set in the Athenaeum’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room. The series opens on Friday, May 16, with Wax, Cindy Lee Berryhill, and Gayle Skidmore. On Friday, May 23, the series continues with Jimmy and Enrique, Sue Palmer and Liz Ajuzie, and Walt Richards. The series continues Friday, May 30, with Tim Flannery, Jeff Berkley and Brown Sugar, and Ashley Norton. The series concludes Friday, June 6; Enjoy Acoustic Evenings exemplified, featuring Lee Coulter, Julia Sage, Dave Booda, Monette Marino, Santiago Orozco, Jesus Gonzalez, Jefferson Jay, Bri Schillings, and Michelle Lerach. Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/acoustics Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

Special Event in honor of Juneteenth on June 19 from 6-9 p.m., more info forthcoming! Oolong Presents “Sun Goin' Down” A Debut Solo Exhibition by 2025 UCSD MFA Graduate John Singletary June 6 to 25, 2025 This powerful body of work, four years in the making, introduces Singletary’s haunting, symbolic, and deeply personal paintings to the public for the first time. Singletary’s painting practice delves into memory and myth. Drawing from Biblical and Classical tales, Southern folklore, his family’s spiritual lineage, and the subconscious, the artist channels a visual language steeped in longing, pain, and transformation. His work explores themes of death, love, and fear, and reanimates the sacred and the subconscious through ritualized technique and iconographic reference. “My aim is to make paintings that create a separation from the self and its fears or desires, creating space for thinking.” In “Sun Goin' Down,” Singletary’s technique and process becomes part of the meaning. Through methods such as sgraffito, sfumato, sanding, and scraping, the surface of each canvas evokes a kind of resurrection—a cycle of death and rebirth in oil and pigment. “In moments where I render carefully, there is longing. In moments where I have sanded the canvas bare, a subconscious death has occurred.” Singletary explores Christianity as both salvation and trauma, magic and evil. His paintings pulse with the ghost-like presence of those who came before, and the spiritual residue of Southern Black life. “Painting is alive—a deity that brings the dead back to life and allows what is absent to appear present.” “Sun Goin’ Down” refuses easy categorization. The works are both confession and apparition, echo and invocation. Rich in symbolism yet elusive in narrative, these paintings ask to be felt more than explained. They speak in the language of dreams—where trauma is transfigured into image, and gesture becomes truth. Join us at Oolong Gallery for this artist whose work is already pulsating with the intensity of a masterful voice. Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | appointments recommended w/ wider availability Instagram

Artful Afternoon in Del Mar Connects Students to Free Art Lessons Throughout San Diego County Paused since the onset of the pandemic, Party ARTy is back by popular demand. This beloved fundraising event hosted by ArtReach brings together art lovers, community members, and ArtReach Artists for an unforgettable afternoon of celebration. Mark your calendars for June 8th, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. as this highly anticipated event promises an inspiring mix of art, entertainment, and philanthropy to support ArtReach’s mission of making visual arts education accessible to all. Party With a Purpose ArtReach has designed an afternoon that, though a fundraiser, will feel like a celebration of inspiration and creativity with friends. Attendees will enjoy a stunning Del Mar home, dine on a selection of three different paellas, see student artwork, and have the opportunity to create art with the ArtReach Artists that lead in-school programs, mural collaborations, and community art-making. Guests may try the always-popular Ring Toss, where the toss of a ring may become a bottle of fine wine to take home, or bid on stellar experiences and signature items through live and silent auctions. All proceeds translate into free programs that connect youth with artists and art-making. “The past few years put this event on pause, but our community has been asking for its return,” says Sarah Holbach, ArtReach Executive Director. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring "Party ARTy" back! It’s an afternoon where guests can immerse themselves in creativity, make art alongside our team, and most importantly, directly support our mission - providing youth in under-resourced neighborhoods with free opportunities to create, express themselves, and connect with professional Teaching Artists who help bring their stories to life through art.” Since 2007, ArtReach has connected over 86,000 youth to visual arts education. The support of individuals, foundations, businesses, and events like this one help make these life-changing connections possible. Visit: https://event.auctria.com/f0055555-b60d-4efa-8cf4-b75d8f8838b0/ ArtReach San Diego on Instagram

Inspired by a childhood memory of Peter Pan, Kathleen Kane-Murrell’s "Chasing Shadows" explores the ephemeral nature of light and form. Using suspended plexiglass, she creates layered, shifting compositions where shadows become an integral part of the artwork—always present yet often overlooked. In a fast-paced world that demands quick judgments, Kane-Murrell invites viewers to slow down, engage in deep looking, and discover the quiet beauty in the fleeting. Her work is a meditation on time, transformation, and renewal, offering a space for contemplation and discovery. Join us at Sparks Gallery for the reception on Sunday, May 25, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in conjunction with the Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance Reception. "Chasing Shadows" will run from May 10 – July 6, 2025

Experience the vibrant energy of Endea Owens and the Cookout, a dynamic ensemble led by the exceptionally talented bassist Endea Owens. Their performances are a joyful fusion of jazz, soul, and global influences, creating a feel-good atmosphere that captivates audiences. Owens, known for her commanding stage presence and masterful playing, often takes center stage with riveting bass solos, while the band members shine with compelling instrumental riffs and uplifting vocal harmonies. The Cookout’s performances are more than just a concert; they are an experience that leaves audiences feeling inspired and connected. Endea Owens’ exceptional talent and impact have garnered significant recognition. She is a recipient of an Emmy, a GRAMMY Award, and a George Foster Peabody Award. In 2019, she was hailed as an Emerging Artist by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Owens has also been commissioned to compose for prestigious ensembles such as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where she served as the 2023 MAC Music Innovator. Her debut album, "Feel Good Music," released in 2023, has further solidified her position as a rising star in the jazz world. Endea Owens on Instagram / Youtube

Premieres Monday, April 21, 2025 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / PBS app. Discover the career of cartoonist Art Spiegelman and the ground-breaking impact of his Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel "Maus," about the story of his parents' survival of the Holocaust.

Directed by Todd Salovey This exhilarating new musical, featuring vibrant visuals inspired by the master painter himself, celebrates the life and art of Marc and Bella Chagall, chronicling their journey from their beloved Vitebsk and Gordes to America as refugees. With 15 original klezmer-inspired songs composed by Yale Strom, Chagall weaves a tale of love, creativity, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. This production celebrates the transformative power of art and the refugee experience, featuring an all-star cast and a live klezmer band. Don't miss this extraordinary fusion of music, art, and storytelling. Visit: https://www.theoldglobe.org/pdp/arts-engagement/2025/the-360-project/jfest-chagall/#?startDate=2025-04-01&%3FendDate=2025-04-30 The Old Globe on Instagram and Facebook

Join us for a Gallery Reception featuring The Surreal Spectacle & Sports Fan Art exhibition! Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of fantastical creations and vibrant sports-inspired pieces. The event will take place at 803 W Harbor Dr, where you can mingle with fellow art enthusiasts and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a unique blend of surrealism and sports fandom! Visit: https://www.artscenewest.com/events/gallery-reception-april-5 Art Scene West on Instagram and Facebook

The Old Globe is thrilled to announce its 90th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, an unforgettable evening under the stars on the Globe’s Copley Plaza and on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Sheryl White and Jennifer Greenfield will serve as the Celebration Co-Chairs for this one-night-only fundraising event, which honors 90 years of theatre that lives beyond the stage, with Darlene Marcos Shiley as the Honorary Chair. Guests will experience an incredible evening, complete with exquisite dining, craft cocktails, and live entertainment, featuring an electrifying performance by Tony Award-nominated actor and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning songwriter/composer Christopher Jackson. Best known for his portrayal of George Washington in the critically acclaimed Broadway sensation "Hamilton." This black-tie event begins at 5:30 p.m. with signature cocktails by Snake Oil Cocktail Company and hors d’oeuvres on the Globe’s Copley Plaza. At 6:30 p.m. inside the Old Globe Theatre, Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein will lead a special 90th Anniversary Celebration presentation highlighting the Globe’s mission and its impact on the community, followed by a special and exclusive performance by Christopher Jackson. The evening continues with a sumptuous three-course alfresco dinner catered by Urban Kitchen Catering at 8 p.m. and concludes with live music, dancing, and surprises under the stars. LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Complimentary valet parking for the event will be located in the Alcazar Garden parking lot adjacent to The Old Globe. The Old Globe is dedicated to ensuring that theatre remains accessible and impactful for all. Funds raised from the 90th Anniversary Celebration will support the Globe’s renowned artistic productions and transformative arts engagement programs, which serve more than 250,000 people annually—including children, families, and individuals across diverse communities, students in Title I schools, veterans, military service members, and people who are incarcerated. The Old Globe on Facebook / Instagram / X