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The Annual Afghan Tea Party is the House of Afghanistan's signature lawn celebration — a public, family-friendly festival of Afghan culture, hospitality, food, music, poetry, art, and community. Bring a blanket, settle in, and expect a warm Afghan welcome. The name is a tribute to something deeply familiar in Afghan life: the way tea brings people together. Across Afghan homes and gatherings, tea is more than a drink. It is a gesture of welcome, a reason to sit, a pause before a story, and often the beginning of a long conversation. That spirit of hospitality is what inspired the name. But this is not a formal tea service. It is a full afternoon of live programming on the Prado lawn, created for Afghan families, neighbors, friends, and visitors of all backgrounds. From the stage, guests will experience live Afghan music and poetry — read aloud, then unpacked, so every guest leaves understanding why these verses have endured for centuries. There will be storytelling for children and a live demonstration of ta'arof — the intricate, affectionate ritual of Afghan courtesy that no visitor forgets. Guests will also go deeper into the culture itself: an introduction to Afghan food — what's on the table, how it's made, and what each dish means. Between programs, the lawn opens up: tea is poured, food is served, and vendor booths offer Afghan food, clothing, books, and artisan goods. The afternoon also carries a ceremonial heart. The house will present its inaugural Afghan Spirit Award, honoring an Afghan American whose life embodies the values of our people — resilience, bravery, leadership, and hospitality — along with a Community Service Award recognizing extraordinary service to the diaspora. For non-Afghan guests, it is an open invitation to experience Afghan culture in a warm, accessible, and joyful setting. For Afghan families, it is a day to see our heritage shared with pride — not only remembered, but brought to life in the heart of San Diego. Visit: https://www.afghanhouse.org/events/annual-lawn-program House of Afghanistan on Instagram

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Slava "Sal" Veder died on Saturday, Aug. 22, just 8 days shy of his 100th birthday.

A beautifully rendered autobiographical tale, "Romería" is celebrated Spanish director Carla Simón’s touching portrait of family origins. In a bravura performance, Llúcia Garcia stars as 18 year-old Marina, who travels to the glittering seaside town of Vigo determined to uncover information on her father. Gradually tracking down his siblings, she slowly learns uncomfortable secrets about her parents’ unconventional life and turbulent past. Beyond a tour de force coming of age story, "Romería" offers a moving, trenchant investigation on how family connections form new identities. Digital Gym Cinema on Facebook / Instagram

Plus: donkeys, maps, art, iPhones and more!

Join us for Summer Movies in the Park, with June 12th's showing of "Smurfs". Smurfs is an animated family adventure about the tiny blue Smurfs, who leave their magical village and face new challenges while working together to protect their friends and home. Visit: 'Smurfs' at Carmel Valley Recreation Center Summer Movies in the Park on Facebook

Dozens of immigrants at the Otay Mesa Detention Center have described deteriorating health or inadequate medical care in court records.

A federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to update him on programming and operational plans. But with most of the staff gone and many artists booked elsewhere, what shows would they present?

Please join us for a special introduction & post-screening Q+A with Los Angeles-based writer/director/star of "Situations," Greg Vrotsos, on Thursday, September 3 at 6:15 p.m., moderated by DGC Exhibitions & Marketing Coordinator Laurie Piña. This is an excellent opportunity for aspiring filmmakers and independent film supporters to gain firsthand insight into producing a feature film without big studio funding and taking a non-traditional, "punk rock" approach to film releasing and exhibition. Harboring the spirit of indie maverick John Cassavetes and shot fully on location in LA, "Situations" stars Greg Vrotsos ("Orange is the New Black," "Twin Peaks: The Return") as an LA based photographer drifting through Silverlake’s creative chaos three months after a painful breakup—dodging well-meaning friends, career pressures, and fleeting flings—until an unexpected connection forces him to confront what he truly wants from love, art, and himself. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER Greg Vrotsos is a Boston-born, bi-coastal filmmaker known for his dynamic storytelling and keen eye for character-driven narratives. With over a decade of experience in this film and television industry, Greg has built a reputation for collaborating with some of the most respected talents in Hollywood. His work spans acclaimed television series such as Netflix’s "Orange Is The New Black," HBO’s "Vinyl," and David Lynch’s "Twin Peaks: The Return," as well as major studio films including "Empire State" and "The Boston Strangler." Greg’s creative vision extends to behind the camera, where his short films have been recognized on the festival circuit for their authenticity and emotional depth. With "Situations," Greg makes his feature debut as a writer and director, bringing a fresh, insightful perspective to stories of love, ambition, and self-discovery in Los Angeles. Digital Gym Cinema on Facebook / Instagram

First, we’ll tell you why the USS Fort Worth had its lifespan cut short. Then, the local impact of Hurricane Genevieve means dangerously high surf levels. Next, we look into the future of the Downtown La Mesa Trolley Station. And we hear from students from tribal bands and nations who attended arts and culture workshops last week. Plus, we speak to researchers who found a glitch in an anti-theft system on some cars.

Explore a new way to look at and build the art of collage with an eye towards using color, shape, pattern and composition as a means to construct an image that is out of the ordinary mindset of this time-honored medium. Anna Carll on Instagram Woodward Contemporary on Facebook / Instagram