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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

Gyedu Blay Ambolley is a musical luminary hailing from Ghana, West Africa, with a staggering 29 albums under his belt. Known affectionately as the "Simigwa Do Man,” Ambolley’s musical journey began in the vibrant port city of Sekondi-Takoradi, in the Western Region of Ghana. His early fascination with music blossomed into a lifelong passion. From mastering his father’s flute at the tender age of eight, to honing his guitar skills under the mentorship of “Uncle Bonku," Sammy Lartey and Ebo Taylor, Ambolley’s musical odyssey has been nothing short of extraordinary. This all led to Ambolley becoming a musical life force and exploding on the scene in 1973 with a jazzy highlife sound called "SIMIGWA-DO." His name has become synonymous with Simigwa music and dance. Coming of age amidst the zenith of Ghana’s highlife era, Ambolley emerged as a pivotal figure in its evolution, lending his talents to esteemed bands such as Houghas Extraordinaires, Meridians Of Tema and Ghana Broadcasting Band. It was during this time that he caught the attention of his compatriot and friend, Ebo Taylor, who recruited Ambolley to be a member of the Uhuru Dance Band. This all lead to a transformative journey to Nigeria in 1973, where they shared the stage with the legendary Fela Kuti at his renowned Shrine venue. 1975 Debut Album "Simigwa": Gyedu Blay Ambolley’s groundbreaking debut solo album, released in 1975, stands as a cornerstone of Ghanaian music history - with one of the most iconic album covers! "Simigwa" stands as Ambolley’s magnum opus, a masterpiece fusing together the rich tapestry of highlife, afrobeat, folk and funk. The album is a true testament to Ambolley’s unparalleled artistry written and produced in collaboration with the legend Ebo Taylor. Ambolley not only embraces his musical roots but also pioneers the fusion of Ghanaian highlife with soul and funk influences from across the Atlantic. With "Simigwa," Ambolley seized the opportunity to showcase his own musical prowess and embark on a journey of experimentation. A main inspiration for this album was the work of the mighty Mr. James Brown, something that is evident from the rhythm section, horns, vocal stabs and percussion breaks throughout the record. Performance: For the first time in the US, Gyedu Blay Ambolley will be performing his 1975 debut album in its entirety! Bringing his 8 piece band from Ghana, they will perform the pioneering masterpiece "Simigwa." Gyedu Blay Ambolley on Instagram

Smooth Operator Live: The Ultimate Tribute to Sade’s Seductive Sound Experience the sultry, sophisticated sounds of Sade like never before with Smooth Operator, the premier tribute band celebrating her timeless music. Led by dynamic percussionist Tony Young and fronted by the soulful vocals of Jessica “Jaye Nicole” Phillips, this ensemble of world-class musicians delivers a smooth, immersive performance that honors the elegance and emotional depth of Sade’s iconic sound. With members who have shared the stage with legends like Slave, Christina Aguilera, Ike Turner, and George Benson, Smooth Operator fuses technical brilliance with heartfelt tribute. Their polished arrangements, lush saxophone lines, and deep grooves will transport you from San Marcos to the velvet lounges of London. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of Sade’s greatest hits—live in the intimate, acoustically rich setting of The Bornemann Theatre. The Bornemann Theatre on Facebook / Instagram

In the first feature film co-directed by an Israeli and an Iranian, Tatami, an Iranian judoka must choose between her country and a run for the gold at the World Judo Championships.

Join SDMRM for a day of fun to kick off the Summer. There will be crafts, activities, and of course, watching model trains, all included in museum admission. Kids 12 and under get in Free. Visit: San Diego Railroad Museum SD Model Railroad Museum on Instagram and Facebook

Open auditions will be held on April 27 from noon - 4 p.m. at the Junior Seau Community Center meeting room to cast actors and crew for a musical, theatrical performance at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, in June. The play is about a future Solarpunk fantasy world where love, friendship, and betrayal rock the peaceful utopian lifestyle. All ages are welcome, and theatre majors are encouraged to audition. This performance is part of a research project into the benefits of theatrical arts for community health and well-being. The study's results will be published and may provide empirical support for the importance of expenditures in community resources like public broadcasting. Bring a one-minute dialogue and one minute of a song. Dancers bring dancing shoes. Visit: www.dscearcemiles.org/believe

Delight in traditional Polynesian dance from Tahiti, Hawaii, Samoa and other South Pacific cultures. Visit: https://www.kahulaoilima.com/ Kūhai Hālau O ʻIlima Pā ʻŌlapa Kahiko Dance Troupe on Facebook / Instagram

Cinema Under The Stars presents "How to Steal a Million" Thursday, July 10 at 8 p.m. Friday, July 11 at 8 p.m. Cinema Under The Stars 4040 Goldfinch Street San Diego, CA 92103 Phone: 619-295-4221 Website: www.topspresents.com "How to Steal a Million" 1966 - William Wyler's frothy exercise in suspense comedy features Audrey Hepburn as the devoted daughter of an art forger. To keep him from jail, she persuades a dashing detective (Peter O'Toole) to help her steal back one of her father's bogus artworks. Cinema Under the Stars is an intimate outdoor movie theater in Mission Hills with single and double zero-gravity reclining lounge chairs, sky-boxes and love seat cabanas. Heaters, pillows and blankets are provided. A vintage cartoon is shown before most films. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Members may make phone reservations up to one week in advance. Online reservations for Members begin on Mondays at 9 a.m. Online reservations for Non-Members begin on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The box office opens at 6 p.m, Fridays - Sundays. Admission Prices: Members - $17. Non-members (at the box office) - $18. Non-members (with online reservations) - $20. Annual Memberships - $125 (for two people). Pay with Cash, Checks, or Venmo. All concessions are $3.00 each Free popcorn for Members. Reservations must be cancelled by 5 p.m. online, or call the Cinema before 6 p.m. Come early to avoid a line. For more information, call (619) 295-4221, or visit the website (www.topspresents.com)

This spring, a striking new art installation will transform the arrival court lawn of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (CCAE). * (pronounced “Star”) is a 30-foot geometric sculpture, an awe-inspiring piece that blends mathematical precision with artistic vision. By day, the structure’s aluminum spikes and fabric sails interact with the shifting light, creating an elegant yet imposing presence. By night, 30 individually programmable LED floodlights illuminate the sails, transforming the sculpture into a glowing beacon visible from afar. "*(Star)" is the latest work from Glass House Arts, an Escondido-based artist collective known for large-scale, immersive sculptures that invite curiosity and connection. Originally designed for Burning Man, this installation celebrates its roots by returning to the city where it was built—Escondido. The public will have the opportunity to engage with the work, not just as spectators, but as part of a growing community of makers and artists. Join us for an inspiring Artist Talk Back on Friday, April 11, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., right before the Hidden City Sounds performance! This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artists, dive into the creative process, and gain a deeper understanding of the artwork that brings our community to life. Don’t miss this chance to connect, ask questions, and experience art in a whole new way—then stay to enjoy an evening of incredible live music! About Glass House Arts Glass House Arts, founded by MJ Brovold and Colin Jemmott, is a collective that specializes in playful, large-scale public art. Their motto: “Almost jokes, fully realized.” Based in Escondido, the duo has spent over a decade creating works that blend engineering, interactivity, and bold design. Their workshop is more than just a fabrication space—it’s a community hub where artists, builders, and first-time creators collaborate on ambitious projects. Glass House Arts has exhibited at Burning Man, Youtopia, and regional arts festivals and continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in public art. Visit: Glass House Arts on Instagram and Facebook

Art Produce Gallery in North Park will host a special artist talk featuring the four San Diego-based African American visual artists currently showcased in the exhibition "Lineage + Inheritance." Curated by Kamaal Martin of Art, Power, Equity in partnership with UCSD’s Black Studies Project and Art Produce, "Lineage + Inheritance" presents a trans-generational dialogue between established artists Andrea Rushing and Jean Cornwell alongside emerging talents Mensah Bey and Domonique King. The exhibition, which opened March 13 and runs through April 19, 2025, features new works that frame particular generational perspectives on contemporary issues and the life and liberation of Black people. The artists work across diverse media: Rushing primarily with oil on canvas, Cornwell presenting hand-embellished acrylic prints on paper, Bey creating acrylic paintings oncanvas, and King exploring wood, metal, yarn and textiles. "This exhibition reflects a Black aesthetic grounded in community participation, artistic innovation, and liberation," says curator Kamaal Martin. "These concepts have been explored by artists, scholars, and activists throughout the long history of Black art practices in the Americas." The artist talk offers a rare opportunity to hear these four distinctive creative voices in live conversation, discussing their artistic processes, influences, and the themes that connect their work across generations. Visit: https://www.artproduce.org/lineage-and-inheritance.html Art Produce on Facebook / Instagram