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World-Renowned Belly Dance Pioneer Suhaila Salimpour Returns to San Diego for a Weekend of Dance, Culture, and Celebration San Diego, CA — Suhaila Salimpour, visionary artist and one of the most influential figures in the world of belly dance, will headline a weekend of dance and performance in San Diego, featuring a 6-hour belly dance intensive and the dazzling Suhaila Super Star Gala. A trailblazer in Middle Eastern dance, Suhaila brings her signature fusion of deep cultural knowledge, precise technique, and dynamic performance to this unique event designed to inspire dancers of all levels and uplift the local arts community. ________________________________________ Featuring: Live performance by Fadi Islambouli and Suhaila Salimpour With special guest performers from across Southern California! ________________________________________ About Suhaila Salimpour Suhaila Salimpour is a first-generation Kurdish-American of Sicilian-Greek descent and a second-generation belly dancer, continuing the legacy of her mother, Jamila Salimpour. She is the creator of the first structured certification program and pedagogical system in belly dance, transforming how the dance is studied, taught, and preserved globally. Suhaila has toured internationally, performed in top venues across the Middle East and beyond, choreographed three full-length theatrical productions, and recorded over 23 albums with renowned Arabic musicians. Her contributions have earned prestigious accolades, including the 2024 Gerbode Foundation Special Award for Dance and Movement, and the 2023/24 Isadora Duncan Special Award for Outstanding Production. She currently serves on the boards of Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, World Arts West, and the Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance, while co-producing the YALLAH Arts Festival in the Bay Area. She is also pursuing her MFA in Dance at Saint Mary’s College of California. ________________________________________ A Celebration of Culture and Community Rooted in the traditions of the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) region, this weekend of programming is more than just dance—it's a powerful gathering of community, heritage, and cultural expression. In support of children and families in the Middle East, $1 from every Gala ticket will be donated to the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). Attendees are also encouraged to make additional contributions online: Click here to donate directly Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suhaila-super-star-gala-tickets-1415940719809?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl Suhaila Salimpour on Instagram and Facebook

Food, music and traditional dancing will be featured at “Oaxaca de Mis Amores” on Sunday at the Junior Seau Amphitheatre.

The Spreckels Organ Society presents "The Phantom of the Opera in Concert," with soprano Laynee Dell and tenor Cole Tornberg, on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. The 45-minute concert version of "Phantom of the Opera" will include spectacular organ solos by San Diego Civic Organist Raul Prieto Ramirez. The program – free and open to the public – includes state-of-the-art spooky projections on the front of the Pavilion by SonderEyes, providing a unique Halloween visual experience that complements the music. Guests are also encouraged to come dressed in costume and take a photo on stage with the artists after the concert. Spreckels Organ Society on Facebook / Instagram

Jax Atelier Celebrates Grand Opening of First Brick-and-Mortar Shop in Normal Heights San Diego, CA — October 26, 2025 — After years of dreaming, planning, and creating, local artist Jacki Geary is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Jax Atelier, her first-ever brick-and-mortar retail space. The grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3180 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116, in the heart of the Normal Heights neighborhood. Founded in 2018, Jax Atelier began as a creative brand centered on handcrafted art and design. With over 25 years of experience as a professional artist, Jacki has brought her distinctive vision to life through unique collections of one-of-a-kind earrings, block-printed textiles, journals, greeting cards, prints, original paintings, and photography. In addition to her own creations, the new shop will also feature a thoughtfully curated selection of handmade goods from other talented makers — including artisan soaps, candles, and cards — along with treasures from Jax’s beloved vintage collection of pottery, glassware, artwork, and home décor. “This announcement is something I’ve been dreaming about for so many years — and it’s finally here,” says Jacki Geary. “I hope that the shop brings a little joy to people’s day — that it feels like a warm hug, filled with creativity and inspiration. It may be a small space, but the intention is big.” The grand opening event on November 15 will welcome the community to explore the space, meet the artist, and shop an inspiring selection of locally made and vintage goods. “I truly couldn’t have made it here without the love and encouragement of my amazing family, friends, and customers,” Jacki adds. “You are the reason I get to do what I love.” Jax Atelier on Facebook / Instagram

Members' Open Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Facebook / Instagram

"Disrupted Pathology" Joshua Almond Aug. 27 – Oct. 10, 2025 Through his wooden sculptures, studio furniture, and drawings, Joshua Almond examines cellular processes where normal patterns break down, exploring the visual poetry found in these moments of biological disruption. These profound transformations reveal tensions between order and chaos, growth and decay. Each piece investigates how dysfunction possesses its own beauty and logic, transforming microscopic phenomena into human-scaled encounters. The inclusion of functional furniture alongside sculptural works creates a further dialogue between utility and organic inspiration. Rather than clinical illustration, the works in this exhibition provoke a re-examination of the multitude of cells collectively responsible for our own unique shape, and the moments of crisis when life’s programming encounters beautiful errors and necessary failures. Joshua Almond on Bluesky

Guided by trained grief counselors from The Elizabeth Hospice, participants of all ages will create sock puppets as a gentle, imaginative way to navigate grief in a safe and supportive space. This event is free of charge, and all ages are welcome. All materials will be provided. No art experience is necessary. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required at community@ehospice.org. Visit: www.expressiveartssandiego.com/ The Elizabeth Hospice on Facebook / Instagram

Join Storytellers of San Diego in a season for "Compassion Tales," including a few ghosts, haunts and spooky places. Ganesha's origin story, a Buddhist tale and more--all told in a comfy and art-filled atmosphere. Expand your evening with the original social media--storytelling! Curated tellers for the evening are Linda Brown, Phoenix Coverley, David Walsh, Mindy Donner and Jim Dieckmann. Enjoy wicked java, and other barista drinks.

Mexico in a Bottle Returns to San Diego! Join us Sunday, October 5th at Bread & Salt Gallery as we celebrate the great spirits of Mexico. Enjoy sipping agave spirits and learning producer stories, processes and more. There are also selections of Mexican whiskey, rum, gin, liqueurs and more. Restaurants will be serving up delicious bites paired with cocktail sips as art and music surround you. The story of mezcal and these other elixirs is about more than alcohol. Each bottle contains a piece and flavor of Mexican culture, and is a living link to history, tradition, food, art, and music – life and death all in a bottle. This is what we celebrate at Mexico in a Bottle! Mezcalistas: Website / Facebook / Instagram

Join us for an in-studio art making experience. Come explore art making in the SDMA Museum Art Studio! Join us and create work using mediums such as drawing, painting, and mixed media and explore your creativity. Materials will be provided, or you can bring your own. No oil paints or solvents please! This is a pay-what-you-wish event. Please RSVP here to save your spot. Registration is limited to 20 people per session. Meet at the House of Hospitality, near the Prado restaurant entrance, at 12:50 p.m. and look for the OPEN STUDIO sign. Visit: https://sdma.ticketapp.org/portal/product/118/events?_ga=2.167214142.103320529.1758648426-327079952.1744827842 The San Diego Museum of Art on Instagram and Facebook