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Ahead of next month's San Diego Comic-Con, the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park unveiled two new exhibits Monday, featuring 20 years of a fashion brand and 40 years of a home-grown comic.

Join us for Studio Arts, when OMA transforms into an artist’s studio, offering skill-building workshops led by distinguished professor and arts educator Robin Douglas. “Flora and Floral” Inspired by Contemporary British artist Flora Yukhonovich and her Rococo creative impulse paintings, this studio will have a joyful, colorful abstract emphasis with hints of subject matter. There is an intersection between representation and abstraction. Choose your favorite painting to abstract, enhance, and transform. All materials included. Drinks and light snacks provided. A break for lunch and a relaxed discussion will occur at midday. Please bring your own bagged lunch or feel free to visit one of the restaurants close by on our provided list. Space is limited. Register today! Oceanside Museum of Art on Facebook / Instagram

We first ran this story in 2023, but with Comic-Con coming up, it's a perfect time to revisit this guide full of practical advice and geeky insights.

A Very Special San Diego Backgammon Club Event — Open to All Saturday, June 7 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Embassy Suites, La Jolla Admission: Free and open to the public Parking: Free with $10 food/drink purchase from the hotel Whether you’re a seasoned player or haven’t rolled the dice in years, we’d love to see you at this fun and welcoming backgammon celebration. This event is for everyone — longtime enthusiasts, newer players, and anyone curious to reconnect with the game. Enjoy talks with: - Phil Simborg (legendary teacher/commentator) - Art Benjamin (“Human Calculator”) - Masayuki “Mochy” Mochizuki (super grandmaster) - Other top players from around the world - Friendly competition, free tutorials & a chance to challenge the pros - Casual games, socializing & a fun DMP tournament - A welcoming, relaxed vibe — no pressure, just fun Proceeds benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to get back into the game — this is it! San Diego Backgammon Club on Instagram

Our after-school art classes nurture artistic growth through more advanced exploration of color theory, composition, and techniques. Young artists will enhance their skills in painting, drawing, and mixed media, focusing on developing their unique style and creative problem-solving. Parents are welcome to drop off their child for class or stay in the room during the hour while students create. Feel free to choose what works best for you! Ages 4-11 Refunds are not available for no-shows, but a credit will be provided for a future class at Studio HQ if you cancel at least 24 hours before the class. ArtReach San Diego on Facebook / Instagram

Fast cars? Superheroes? Laugh-out-loud comedies? Here's what to watch at the cinemas this summer.

San Diego Comic-Con is just around the corner and the energy is already rising in East Village. Streets are buzzing with anticipation, local businesses are gearing up with themed specials, and the neighborhood is transforming into a vibrant hub of creativity, cosplay, and celebration. With its unbeatable location just steps from the San Diego Convention Center, East Village is ready to be your Comic-Con home base. Whether you’re planning an epic after-party, a casual meetup, or a themed celebration, East Village has the perfect venue to match your vibe. From rooftop bars to creative urban spaces, everything you need for an unforgettable Comic-Con experience is just around the corner. THE VENUES: Hotel Indigo, an upscale hotel located in the heart of downtown San Diego, offers an elegant setting to host meetings and events in style. From ninth floor meeting rooms for smaller groups to their Borrego Rooftop, overlooking the San Diego skyline, Hotel Indigo has a wide range of spaces perfect for your next Comic-Con event. Plus, Hotel Indigo offers printing services, catering, creative concept consultations and even event planning services to simplify your experience. Book your next event at one of San Diego’s top venues just steps away from Petco Park! Another great option if friends are coming from out of town for Comic-Con is Sentral Hotel. Just steps away from the San Diego Convention Center, this upscale, designer-furnished hotel places you right in the heart of the action, eliminating the stress of transportation and giving you more time to immerse yourself in all things pop culture. Sentral Hotel is more than just a place to sleep; it is a high-end retreat at the heart of San Diego’s most exciting week. For those in search of a space for larger parties, you might want to consider the Upstairs Loft at the Mission Brewery Tasting Room. With a beautiful floor-to-ceiling window that slides open to reveal the breathtaking view of Downtown San Diego, this venue captures the whole San Diego experience. Fitting up to 300 people, it is also perfect for larger events like graduations, rehearsal dinners, corporate happy hours and so much more. Enjoy the best views of San Diego’s nightlife at Bay City Brewing’s rooftop located in the heart of East Village. Their rooftop bar is the best place to enjoy city views or keep up with the game on giant TVs. No matter the vibe, Bay City Brewing is ready to meet your needs. Plus, speaking of breweries, stay tuned because Villains Brewing Company will be replacing Half Door Brewing in July. Stay tuned for more updates! Specializing in that quintessential San Diego feel, Quartyard combines the outdoors, beer, food and music for a good time. This urban space built of repurposed shipping containers offers you an event space with a beer garden, art space and coffee shop. The sustainable venue makes for a unique and innovative experience that will amaze guests like no other. UC San Diego Park & Market provides a dynamic blend of urban culture and community engagement, offering a versatile venue ideal for hosting a wide range of events. With thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor spaces, it serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can experience cultural programming, attend performances in the Guggenheim Theater, or simply unwind in a welcoming professional atmosphere. Do you want a traditional space that feels historic? Luce Events’ 13-year-old Luce Loft is located in a warehouse in the heart of East Village. With a high arching barrel ceiling, poured concrete walls, and two furnished loft spaces, you won’t regret hosting an event in this space. The mix of location and the unique features promise to provide all the rustic-urban charm you could dream of. To top it off, Luce Events work with Coastal Cuisine to make your catering process that much easier. Venue 808, another venue from Luce Events, creates a fairytale backdrop for large events. The space is full of woodsy elements and antique-looking trees to create the modern fairytale experience. Host your event in a space that makes you feel like you’re the main character as the lights twinkle above and the rustic comfort envelopes your guests. Looking for a space with a contemporary and sophisticated design? Look at what the San Diego Central Library has to offer. Spaces like the Neil Morgan Auditorium and the Shiley Special Events Suite offers views of San Diego Bay, East Village, and Petco Park. These rooms hold up to 300 guests each, making them the perfect place to host all your large upcoming events.

On Friday, July 25, Songwriter Sanctuary will host a special edition performance of its monthly series in celebration of Disability Pride Month featuring artists with lived experiences and/or deep ties to the disability community, including Espi Love, The Bella Lunas, and Miranda Ramos with Dylan Razwick. The event is hosted by the legendary Jeff Berkley in partnership with Normal Heights United. (4650 Mansfield St. Suggested Donation $10. All ages. Doors 6:30 p.m., Music 7 p.m.) Disabled people are one of the largest, most diverse, and most excluded groups in our society. But the problem isn’t disability itself; it’s the ableism (both overt and unintentional) baked into our spaces and systems. Through story and song, we’ll explore how access, care, and inclusion can create a better world for all of us - because anyone can become disabled at any time, and increased access is a lifelong practice! Come celebrate the power and pride of this vibrant community! ASL Interpreters and reserve seating area for Deaf/Hard of Hearing folks will be provided. Please visit the accessibility section below for additional access needs and/or email mollyrose@nhunited.org by July 18. About the Artists Miranda Ramos: (accompanied by Dylan Razwick): Two-time 2024 Best of San Diego Winner in the categories of Best Country Musician & Singer/Songwriter and 2025 San Diego Music Award Nominee Miranda Ramos is a one of a kind artist who believes that a song isn't just sung, it must be performed. Drawing inspiration from her County and Rock roots, Miranda's songwriting is honest and relatable. She performs with her full band, as an acoustic duo or trio covering top 40 music and originals in the county genre with some pop, rock, and alternative hits thrown in (because why not?), and is the lead female vocalist in ALT2K San Diego's Premier Alt Rock Cover Band. The Bella Lunas: Kismet brought The Bella Lunas together in San Diego, California in 2022 and the vibrant trio immediately bonded over their love of music, creativity and American Sign Language. Rhea, a versatile singer-songwriter and ASL Interpreter, showcases her powerful, raw musical talent and exceptional vocals. Sheena, a CODA (Child of a Deaf Adult), brings her velvety vocals and passion for perfectly blended harmonies. Lily, a Deaf artist, wowed the other ladies with her unique ASL rhythmic renditions of visual music. Rhea and Sheena's voices and instruments blend together in angelic harmonies, weaving intricate patterns of sound that captivate audiences. Yet it is Lily, a Deaf artist and performer, who introduces a completely new dimension with American Sign Language. They are graceful together with the music as it creates a mesmerizing experience you can see, hear, and feel. Espi Love: Espi Love is a local poet who residing on traditional Kumeyaay land (San Diego, CA). They're also a vocalist, actress, model, and competitive dancer, and crochet artist. Espi believes in art as a form of not only creative expression but protest, resistance, whimsy in a world that tells us to leave our playfulness behind. Event Details Location: Normal Heights United Church - 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego, CA 92116. Thank you to our generous venue partner for sharing this beautiful space with the local music community! Time: Doors 6:30 p.m., Show 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. ish. Suggested Donation: $10, but please be generous in your support of these top tier talents whose creative work is their livelihood. 100% donations go to artists. No one turned away for lack of funds. All Ages: Bear in mind we do not censor our artists so please make sure to check out the lineup and make the best decision for your family. Parking: Street parking Food/Drink: Beverages for small purchase, thanks to our sponsors! Duck Foot Brewing Company. Guests are welcome to bring food into the venue (please eat and dispose of waste respectfully) Accessibility: ASL interpreters and reserved seating for Deaf/Hard of Hearing folks provided. Sensory station in foyer includes single use masks, ear plugs, and hand sanitizer. Venue runs two Corsi-Rosenthal box fan filters during the event. Please direct any additional venue accessibility requests to Molly mollyrose(at)nhunited(dot)org at least (5) business days prior to the event. Remaining 2025 Season Schedule *subject to change Aug. 29 - Claire King - Hailey Wetzel - Lexi Pulido Sept. 26 - Joe Summers - Grainne Hunt - Helena Holleran Oct. 24 - Shea Givens - Kevin Cooper - Anthony Cullins Dec 5. - Holiday Edition! - JT Moring - Cara Cormier - David Beldock and Peggy Watson For inquiries, media comps, or further information, please contact: Lindsay White lindsaywhite.music@gmail.com Songwriter Sanctuary on Instagram

Celebrate Black Culture at Kuumba Fest Join San Diego Urban Warriors for the 33rd Annual Kuumba Fest, a two-day celebration of Black art, culture, and empowerment hosted in the heart of the newly emerging Black Art & Culture District in Southeastern San Diego. From film to fitness, music to mentorship – this year’s Kuumba Fest has something for everyone. Explore the African Market Place, enjoy a youth theater performance, get active with a community obstacle course, and witness incredible Black talent at our dance showcase and finale concert. Kuumba Fest on Facebook / Instagram

Join us poolside on our 4th floor rooftop and shop for apparel, permanent jewelry, unique resin and alcohol ink art and display pieces, and more from local LGBTQ-friendly and owned businesses! This year’s vendors include: - Earthue Lifestyle Boutique - Lovepray Jewelry - Art Magic Studio San Diego - TORCH Warriorwear - Painting & Vino Plus, join instructor Heather Rushton for a special Pride-themed Paint & Sip on our sunny rooftop from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.! Visit: https://www.stayalma.com/offers/pride-artisan-market/ Alma San Diego on Instagram and Facebook