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The entrancing story of an innocent Japanese girl who gives her heart to a fickle American naval officer, there's a reason why this opera is one of the most performed around the world. It's a moving tale of love, loss, and longing, captured by operatic beauty at its most melodramatic. Giacomo Puccini's sweeping score features some of the most beautiful melodies ever written, with soaring vocal lines expressing every human emotion. This unique production brings the story to life in a new, magical way by incorporating ballet into this classic Italian opera. The title character gets her wings as a butterfly by dancing on her toes. Leading lady Cio-cio-san (Japanese for "butterfly") is represented by a ballerina butterfly in a dream ballet, fluttering and soaring as she tries to escape her fate of being pinned in a box. This production is presented by Cinballera Entertainment, a non-profit performing arts company based in San Diego County which is now entering its third season. This company was founded by prodigious artist sisters Tiffany and Rebekah Brannan, who both specialize in opera and ballet. Cinballera (pronounced cheen-ball-er-a) specializes in performances which blend classical opera and original ballet with retro Hollywood inspiration. In their first two seasons, they have produced over a dozen original productions throughout Southern California, bringing fresh yet tasteful creativity to timeless tales. This production will be performed in Italian with silent film-style title cards projected for translation. Cinballera Entertainment on Facebook / Instagram

New City Sinfonia, directed by Alyze Dreiling, opens their 2025-26 concert season with a program including a multi-media orchestral work by Mark Donnelly, "Moai- Tales of the Rapa-Nui." Stewart Simon, pianist, is the featured soloists in MacDowell's Piano Concerto No. 2, Larghetto Calmo. New City Sinfonia on Facebook

The Nook After Dark: A Halloween Healing Journey through Breath, Sound & Spirit Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Location: The Meditation Nook — 4710 Ruffner St, Suite C, San Diego, CA 92111 Tickets: $40 per person Step into the magic as the viel between worlds thins... Join us for an unforgettable evening of mystical healing and intuitive awakening at The Nook After Dark — a Halloween-inspired experience designed to nourish your body, calm your mind, and connect you with spirit. This sacred gathering weaves together mindful movement, sound, and ritual in an intimate setting perfect for reflection, release, and renewal. Your evening includes: - Guided Breathwork to open your energy - Immersive Sound Bath with crystal singing bowls - Restorative Yoga Nidra Meditation for deep rest and reset - Oracle & Tarot Card Pulls for intuitive guidance - Light Refreshments & Tea - Optional Fortune Envelopes for extra magic ($10 each) What to Expect: Expect a cozy, candlelit environment infused with grounding scents, soft frequencies, and mystical ambiance. Whether you come to release what no longer serves you or call in new intentions, this night will leave you feeling centered, restored, and enchanted. Reserve Your Spot Space is limited for this one-night-only experience. Secure your ticket early and step into the veil of transformation this Halloween season. Savvy Staci on Instagram / TikTok

San Diego Black Pride is kicking off its annual festival, which centers Black queerness and joy in San Diego. Then, hear from our Midday Movies critics about their favorite Shakespearean film adaptations.

Known to the world as superheroes Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, Bob Parr and his wife Helen were among the world’s greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live “normal” lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. ArtPower at UC San Diego on Facebook / Instagram

Medium Photo is proud to present the first exhibition of the Medium Photo Collective, a group formed in 2024 to support photographers at every stage of their creative journey. The exhibition, a diverse showcase of contemporary photography, will be on view from November 7 through 9 at Studio On Banks in San Diego. The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday, November 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., where they can meet the artists and engage with the work. Medium Photo on Facebook / Instagram

The San Diego Italian Film Festival opens Oct. 1, offering a blend of Italian and Italian American films that explore the theme of courage through shorts, features and conversation.

Expect something raw, electric, and utterly alive. "Little Shop of Horrors "comes to life with stunning Audrey II puppets, inventive sets, bold lighting, live vocals, a fire-driven band, and the lush musical arrangements shaped by Leigh Scarritt. Visit: https://plplh.com/ Point Loma Playhouse on Facebook / Instagram

Amanda Kramer’s "So Unreal" is a cinephile’s visual essay examining a canon of films that dared dream beyond the threshold of the real. Across a 30-year span – 1981 to 2001 – depictions of ‘future shock’ technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and virtual reality grew in both frequency and complexity. Cinema in these years provided an outlet for humanity’s intertwined anxieties, fears, and fantasies about the brave new frontiers looming ahead. Narrated by Blondie icon Debbie Harry, "So Unreal" mines the substance and subtext of cyber-minded landmarks like "Tron," "Videodrome," "Brainstorm," "Terminator 2," "Tetsuo," "Lawnmower Man," "Hackers," "The Matrix," and dozens more. Soundtracked with deep cuts from the electronic underground, and styled with CGI-glitch FX, "So Unreal" maps the subcurrents of euphoria and dystopia simmering in the cinematic subconscious of the end of the 20th century. Digital Gym Cinema on Facebook / Instagram

Join the Library for an afternoon of opera as soprano Gabriella Rodmac takes the stage for "The Girl from the West." She'll be accompanied by Michele Scanlon in a performance featuring Spanish boleros, "West Side Story" highlights and some Italian favorites. Doors open at 12:45 p.m. About Gabriella Rodmac Born in San Diego, California and raised also in Tijuana, Mexico. Gabriella began her musical journey at a very young age performing at school concerts and as a member of the local church choir. She studied classical singing at the Conservatorio de la OBC in Tijuana after which she enrolled as a Dramatic Arts major and music minor at Mesa College in San Diego. Gabriella continued her theatrical studies in Madrid, Spain at the Escuela Superior de Artes y Espectaculos. In 2010 Gabriella performed the role of Carmen in a production of Bizet's opera at Festival De Opera en la Calle with Opera de Tijuana. She continued her collaboration with them until 2012 including the role of Lola in "Cavalleria Rusticana." After obtaining her Bachelor’s in Classical Singing at Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado in Milan she went on to debut her first operatic role in a production of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" at Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Busseto, Italy, where she went back to perform the role of Kate Pinkerton in "Puccini's Madama Butterfly." She was Tosca in a concert form production of "Puccini's Opera" at Teatro Gatto in Switzerland and reprised the role of Donna Elvira in a production of "Don Giovanni" in Varese, Italy. She was Maria in a Scuola Civica Claudio Abbado's production of "West Side Story" and reprised the role in two other occasions in the city of Milan. She recently performed the roles of La Fata Turchina and La Volpe in a production of Natalia Valli's "Pinocchio" and Serafina in Opera Italia’s production of "Donizetti’s Il Campanello" in Los Angeles. She currently trains and performs in Italy where she also resides. Gabriella is currently on her second consecutive season on the 2024-2025 Singer Roster at Teatro Lirico Sperimentale di Spoleto, one of Italy’s most important opera companies and an official member of the historical choir Corale Monzese in Italy. Gabriella is known for the warmth and roundness of her voice as well as for the extended range and versatility. Her recent collaboration with the city of Coronado brought about the sold out concert: "Le Stagioni dell'Amore (The Season's of Love)." Gabriella has sung at numerous prestigious venues including but not limited to Vigorelli Stadium in Milan, Italy where she was invited to sing the US National Anthem in collaboration with the U.S Consulate of Milan, at the XXV Italian Super Bowl. Gabriella Rodmac on Facebook / Instagram