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The 37th Annual Balboa Park Pow Wow returns on May 10 and May 11 in Balboa Park (the corner of Park Blvd. and President’s Way). This free, family-friendly event is open for all to experience a weekend full of tradition, vibrant performances, and cultural pride. The community is invited to experience the richness of Native American heritage through music, dance, art, and community connection. Native singers, drummers, and dancers from throughout the Southwest will gather to practice their traditions in their beautiful regalia. Pow Wows are a spiritual experience for American Indians and an opportunity to preserve and pass on the customs and traditions which keep Native heritage alive. Each day, the Pow Wow will showcase traditional activities such as Kumeyaay Bird Singing, Gourd Dancing, Inter-Tribal Dancing, and Honoring of community leaders. There will also be dozens of local vendors and food booths serving delicious fry bread and other Native American dishes. Native artists will have beautiful hand-crafted items for purchase, such as jewelry, clothes, blankets, art, and more. Saturday’s honoring will be dedicated to the United States Military for their service, and Sunday’s honoring will be dedicated to all the mothers and grandmothers in celebration of Mother's Day. Congressman Scott Peters will be speaking at the event on Saturday to speak on SDAIHC’s impactful service to the community. The Pow Wow is hosted by San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC). As a community clinic, SDAIHC serves all San Diegans regardless of ethnicity, age, or background. The center promotes excellence in healthcare and welcomes new patients to join its diverse community. SDAIHC aims to reduce the significant health disparities in San Diego’s under-served populations, and brings hope, resilience, and healing to the thousands that are served yearly. To learn more about volunteering, vendor information, donations, or other general information, visit www.sdaihc.org/powwow/ or contact Paula Brim at paula.brim@sdaihc.org San Diego American Indian Health Center on Facebook / Instagram

The series concludes on June 21 with the return of the Melissa Aldana Quartet, with Aldana on tenor sax, Fabian Almazan on piano, Pablo Menares on bass, and Kush Abadey on drums. Aldana’s last Athenaeum performance was in March 2020, when she played music from her album "Visions" for Frida Kahlo, which earned her a first-ever GRAMMY nomination for Best Improvised Jazz Solo. Her program this June will feature music from her 2024 release on Blue Note Records, Echoes of the Inner Prophet. A native of Chile, Aldana moved to the United States to attend Berklee College of Music. In 2013, at age 24, she became the first female instrumentalist and the first South American musician to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Her latest album explores a fascinating paradox. As Aldana explains, it reflects her “personal journey, with an especially introspective point of view. The inner prophet is my own self, now older, who has the knowledge and the intuition and the truth about what my path should be. So, it’s this idea of connecting with that inner prophet,” she continues, “which reveals things about myself, including those things I don’t like.” At the same time, this deeply intimate, searching project is a celebration of collaboration and community. It documents the evolution of her quartet, capturing the collective insight they’ve garnered after extensive touring and travel, and arguing for their place among the most incisive working groups in jazz today. Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/events/jazz-25-0621 Melissa Aldana on Instagram and Facebook

Join artist Fredric Hope for a brief tour of his "Silent Storytellers" exhibit, followed by a hands on exploratory exercise allowing you to experiment with some of the thinking and creating processes Fredric utilizes to create unique paths to visual storytelling. Growing up by the sea and observing Southern California’s shores and seasonal cycles for decades, regional artist Fredric Hope’s work brilliantly celebrates the beauty of nature’s artistry, refracted through memory, in a unique form of visual and emotional archaeology. Hope’s distinct approach expands Southern California painting traditions that invite us to interpret silent stories, and contemplate the visual whispers of time, place, and the increasing vulnerability of coastal regions. Visit: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/cultural-arts/gallery-exhibitions

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is more than simply putting flowers in a container. It is a disciplined art form that breathes life into each composition, harmonizing the elements of nature and humanity. Learn to create these stunning pieces of art that intertwine Japanese culture and the changing of the seasons. By end of the semester, you will have learned to design beautiful and professional looking arrangements for both everyday and special occasions. Contact Prof. Takeya for more information at mtakeya@sdccd.edu. This class is free and open to the public. You may register when you attend the class. Audience: Adults, Seniors Location: Community Room Visit: Mission Valley Branch Library

Four new exhibitions at Mingei International Museum celebrate multicultural folk art, craft, and design. "Fashioning an Icon" explores the Virgin of Guadalupe’s endurance as an iconic cultural symbol fashioned through creative expression. On View: April 5 - Sept. 7, 2025 "Student Craft 2025" highlights local high school student work on the theme: What makes an icon? On View: April 5 - Aug. 17, 2025 "Historic Footprints" recontextualizes Native American ledger drawings, presenting both historic works as well as contemporary ledger drawings by numerous artists. On View: April 12 - Aug. 17, 2025 "Across the Spooniverse" presents over 100 spoons from across the globe. On View: April 12 - Aug. 17, 2025 Visit: https://mingei.org/exhibitions Museum Hours: Closed Monday. Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. + Friday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Mingei International Museum on Facebook / Instagram

A new children's book uses plants to promote messages of self love and body positivity.

Monday–Saturday (no class Friday), 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. June 30–July 5 (no class July 4) (5 days, 15 total hours of instruction) La Jolla Studio Come shape your imagination into reality! This exciting camp is designed for teen artists eager to explore the world of sculpture, from conceptual design to hands-on construction. Over the course of the camp, teens will experiment with various materials and techniques, developing their skills while creating unique 3D artwork. Whether you're new to sculpture or looking to refine your abilities, this camp offers a fun and inspiring environment to learn, grow, and bring your artistic visions to life! Max students: 12 Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/class/summer-6 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

Rom-coms, heist flicks, a sports/horror mashup, a pair of Broadway musicals, a biopic of The Boss, festival award winners and lots of showbiz sagas — here's what NPR critics are watching this fall.

Come celebrate community, culture & connection at “Together We Dance!“ – a free dance showcase brought to you by L5 Productions Join us on Saturday, May 18 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the City Heights Performance Annex for an inspiring afternoon of rhythm, movement, and unity. Dancers of all backgrounds come together to share the joy of dance and the power of solidarity through art. Experience performances showcasing Middle Eastern dance, Fusion and more including a special live Middle Eastern music segment! Admission is free (suggested donation: $10 — but no one is turned away). All are welcome! Bring your friends, your family, and your love for dance. City Heights Performance Annex 3795 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92105 May 18 | 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Doors 1:30 p.m.) Together we dance. Together we rise. Cast: - Arabina Dance Company - Ale Faryat - Claudia Peña - Desert Mirage Dancers (Linda Medea Marshall) - Glitter Dance Company (Zahra Bryant) - Hypzotiq - Matisse - Natasha Lee - Rachel Rene George - w/Master Oudist Fouad Sawa - Salimpour Collective San Diego - San Diego Ballet - San Diego Belly Dance Ensemble - Troupe Royale; Bellydance San Diego, CA. - Vilia Bouilly Visit: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/salimpourarabina-dance-performance-431519

This poetry workshop explores how writing can serve as a powerful tool for self-reflection, growth, expression, and comfort. Through examples of original work, participants will see how poetry can help navigate challenges, capture emotions, gain clarity, and express joy. The first 45 minutes will focus on understanding the impact of poetry and its connection to personal experiences. Participants will then have 45 minutes to write, using prompts designed to inspire creativity and self-expression. The session will conclude with an opportunity to share work, offer constructive feedback, and engage in a collaborative critique to support growth as poets and individuals. Join us for a chance to explore, create, and connect through the art of poetry! Visit: https://writeyourstorynow.org/classes-workshops/2025-05-03-exploring-themes-in-our-lives-through-poetry/ SD Writers Ink on Instagram and Facebook