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This weekend in the arts: "Jaja's African Hair Braiding," "The Counter," "Nighttime Julianne" and more theater openings; plein air art meets San Diego farms; Lucha Fest; anti-fascist art; San Diego Ballet; plus Wonderfront Festival and more live music picks

An Australian native, Sammy Johnson embraces his Maori and Polynesian roots to create positive and uplifting music. Blending together island reggae, soul and jazz vibes with heartfelt lyrics, Sammy's sound is exhilarating and intoxicating. A Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter and the Season 21 champion of American Idol, the 20-year-old Tongi first picked up a ukulele in the fifth grade, immersed in a deeply musical world filled with the traditional singing and dance of Pacific Island cultures. Living in the small town of Kahuku on the northern tip of Ohau, Tongi learned to sing from his father, who in turned had learned from his father before him. His mother secretly signed him up for American Idol, and after Tongi’s viral audition performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters” became one of Idol’s all time emotional highlights, he went on to win Season 21, making history as the first Pacific Islander to ever win the show. With a thriving fanbase which supports millions of global on-demand streams and social media followers and nationwide concert tours, Tongi now begins a new chapter of life and music. Teaming up with acclaimed songwriter/producer Johnny Reid, his 2024 single “Road to Hana” marks a creative transition leaning into his cultural heritage and musical roots – but also the man he’s become. Fusing breezy beach balladry and sunshine country with laid-back soul, gospel, and more, new music is in the works, as Tongi looks to spread a feel-good message of positivity to the horizon, and beyond. Born and raised in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica to singer Lorna Bennett and former calypso king Mike Ollivierre, Protoje blends hip hop, soul and jazz into his native sounds of reggae and dancehall. The musical prodigy, along with a collective of artists, began getting mainstream attention for their addictive melodies and conscious lyrical messages in a movement dubbed the “reggae revival.” Publications such as VOGUE, Rolling Stone and The FADER have declared him one of the brightest talents out of Jamaica. Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2025/reggae-festival View the full schedule Sammy Johnson on Instagram and Facebook Iam Tongi on Instagram and Facebook Protoje on Instagram and Facebook

Considered one of the finest pianists of today, Jean-Yves Thibaudet takes the Jacobs Music Center stage to perform his acclaimed interpretation of Camille Saint-Saëns' final piano concerto, written while he was vacationing in Cairo, Egypt. Then Rafael Payare and the Symphony tackle Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7, "Leningrad." The first performance of the Leningrad took place in August 1942, a year into the 30-month blockade of the city by Axis powers, and was broadcast throughout the city as a show of defiance against German forces. Since then, the symphony has become a powerful international symbol of human resistance to brutality, barbarism and injustice. Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/elegant-to-epic-saint-sa%C3%ABns-and-shostakovich/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook

Body Rock Dance Competition, the Iconic International Dance Event, is celebrating its 25th year of production. Beginning in the year 2000, BODY ROCK has grown to a huge platform for aspiring dancers in the Global Dance Community. With its humble beginnings on a gym floor in San Diego, our passion for dance and hip hop came from the spread of dance teams up and down California. We presented one of the first dance competitions to showcase street dance crews and professional choreography teams and the rest was history! With the creation of Youtube in the mid 2000’s, our show went viral and transformed the accessibility of dance crew videos and changed how dancers were viewed in the mainstream media. We continue to influence the atmosphere of local dance creating outlets for youth, maintaining a safe and inclusive staff, and promoting authentic community relationships. We not only helped to move our dance community forward, but created a path for the next generation of dancers. Our legacy includes groups and choreographers such as the Jabbawockeez, Keone & Mari Madrid, Kyle Hanagami, The Kinjaz and Tessandra Chavez. Some crews like Korea’s “Just Jerk” have also become Viral on Youtube and TikTok with over millions of views. Annually, our show draws a crowd of +2000 people and our participants now include groups from Mexico, Germany, New Zealand, China, Australia, Korea, Russia, the Philippines and Japan! We have also expanded and have qualifier shows in Asia and Latin America. Witness the culmination of the cultures, stories, and dances of crews from all over the world! 25+ teams will perform June 29, 2025. The event starts @ 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. *Due to the adult language and loud volume of some music, we do not recommend this show for small children/ infants. - All tickets are assigned seating - All tickets are non-refundable This event will sell out!! Hurry and get your Presale Tickets now!! Visit: https://artcenter.org/event/bodyrock2025/ Body Rock Dance Competition on Instagram and Facebook

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, about the shooting deaths of two Israeli embassy staffers in D.C.

Seattle, along with other cities, is struggling to balance the need for more housing with the preservation and growth of trees that help address the impacts of climate change.

Celebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras with a night of hot New Orleans jazz! The good times roll with music made famous by Fats Domino, Mahalia Jackson, Bessie Smith & Louis Armstrong. From street parades in the French Quarter to late night jams in the city’s famed clubs, this party transforms into an unforgettable Mardi Gras celebration with Byron Stripling, Sydney McSweeney and Bobby Floyd leading the parade with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra! Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/when-the-saints-go-marching-in/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook

San Diego Italian Film Festival Presents: Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams 2020 Thursday May 8, 7 p.m. La Paloma Salvatore Ferragamo began his career as a shoemaker before he was barely a teenager. In America, his work would soon help invent the glamour of Hollywood’s silent era as he created shoes for iconic films and for stars like Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and with incisive commentary by Martin Scorsese, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Wanda Ferragamo, this is a portrait of a man whose vision, passion, and craftsmanship made him “shoemaker to the stars,” and an enduring cultural, fashion, and artistic influence. - This film is in English and Italian (with subtitles) - Tickets available online and at the box office (cash only) Visit: https://www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com/monthly-series-north-county San Diego Italian Film Festival on Facebook / Instagram

Maestro Ted Sperling’s new "4th of July: America in Song" with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra brings audiences together to share what is unique and wonderful about the American spirit, through our country’s wide and storied musical heritage. Featured songs include the Gershwin's’ "Summertime," Bob Dylan’s "The Times They Are a-Changin’", Dolly Parton’s "Coat of Many Colors," the Louis Armstrong classic "Basin Street Blues," Paul Simon’s "American Tune" and many more singularly American songs. Blending the music that has enchanted generations of Americans from the early gems of Stephen Foster to spirituals and jazz standards to classics of Tin Pan Alley, contemporary Broadway and Americana anthems we all love, this 4th of July event is not to be missed. Experience this celebratory concert and enjoy the rich musical history that makes our country special and beloved at home and around the world. Ted Sperling, conductor Morgan James, vocalist Bryonha Marie, vocalist Nicholas Christopher, vocalist San Diego Symphony Orchestra This concert was commissioned by the San Diego Symphony. San Diego Symphony on Facebook / Instagram

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