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Season passes are now available for the 2026 season of Songwriter Sanctuary, San Diego’s premier original music showcase hosted by SD Music Hall of Famer Jeff Berkley in partnership with Normal Heights United. Available in limited quantities through January 29, season passes offer patrons full access to every concert in the 2026 season, along with complimentary drink tickets and guest passes, while directly supporting fair pay for local artists and increased accessibility across the series. A San Diego Mainstay Opening with a 3rd anniversary celebration on Friday, January 30 featuring Eve Selis, Omo Cloud, and Lisa Sanders with Brown Sugar, the monthly series - known for its intimate listening room atmosphere and in-the-round format - continues to schedule an exciting and eclectic mix of homegrown talent. This includes three SD Music Hall of Fame inductees (Selis, Sanders, and Robin Henkel), Grammy winner Kevin Cooper, The Voice semifinalist Cedrice, multiple San Diego Music Award nominees and winners (including Whitney Shay, Riston Diggs, and Marie Haddad), and a strong lineup of rising San Diego artists such as Sumn Trop, The Dimes, and Jay Freed. It all takes place at Normal Heights United’s gorgeous and historic 125+ year old sanctuary – a space designed for sound and story to resonate. New in 2026 The 2026 season marks Songwriter Sanctuary’s first year operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since late 2023, the series has been curated and promoted by two-time San Diego Music Award winner Lindsay White, who views the transition as a critical step toward long-term sustainability for both artists and audiences. “Becoming a nonprofit allows us to build the infrastructure needed to fairly compensate musicians and remove barriers for our community,” said White. “Season pass support is one of the most direct ways people can help make that possible.” The impact of the transition is already visible. Since receiving its IRS determination letter, Songwriter Sanctuary has secured funding to provide ASL interpretation for multiple concerts throughout the 2026 season, including the January opener. Previously, ASL services were limited to a single Disability Pride showcase in 2025. “Our goal is to make accessibility and living wages the rule, not the exception,” White added. “Season passes and community partnerships help turn that goal into something tangible.” Collaboration is Key This year, collaboration will be a defining feature of the series. The 2026 season includes partner showcases with Raspberry Management for June’s LGBTQ+ Pride celebration, Listen Local Radio for an August Ramona road show, and Board Member and San Diego Music Award nominee Julia Sage for September’s Hispanic Heritage Month showcase. The season will conclude with a holiday extravaganza in collaboration with Writers Round San Diego, Songwriter Sanctuary’s sister organization. “One of the things that sets San Diego’s music scene apart is how deeply connected it is,” said White. “This season is all about co-creating meaningful live music experiences with people who are genuinely invested in lifting up local artists in tangible ways.” Season Passes and Single Day Tickets A limited number of season passes are available through January 29. Pass holders receive entry to all 2026 concerts, complimentary drink tickets, guest passes, and the opportunity to directly support local musicians and expanded accessibility efforts. For season passes, tickets, and the full 2026 schedule, visit songwritersanctuary-sd.com 2026 Lineup (Subject to Change) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JrvS1pYykOA additional ASL offerings will be added - please continue to check schedule as interpreters are secured Jan 30 - ASL provided! Third anniversary show! - Eve Selis - Lisa Sanders w/ Brown Sugar - Omo Cloud Feb 27 Celebrating Black History Month! - Kevin Cooper - Riston Diggs - Cedrice Mar 27 Celebrating Women’s History Month! - Baby Bushka Takeover - Original Songs from BB Members! - Nancy Ross - Marie Haddad - Heather Nation April 24 - Whitney Shay & Aaron Lind - Jay Freed - Robin Henkel May 29 - Tim Flannery - Jackson Wagner - Gayle Skidmore June 26 Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride! Presented by Raspberry Management - The Dimes - Saint Misty - Daddy July 31 - ASL provided! Celebrating Disability Pride! - Sumn Trop - Jay Walkr - Claire King Aug 28 - Ramona Edition! Songwriter Sanctuary Collab with Listen Local Radio, venue to be announced! (No Show at Normal Heights!) Season pass holder passes will be honored at this show - Nate Donnis - The Beard and The Bird - Haywire September 25 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! Presented by Julia Sage - Stanton Street Duo - Nathan & Jessie - Juan Carlos Castellon Oct 30 - Samantha Franz - Ms. Connie - Deidre Dec 4 - Holiday Extravaganza Writers Round SD Collab! - Isaac Cheong - Lilia Rose - KISUI - Calabio Twins - John and Eileen Schnarr - Ryan Sheker - Danielle Angeloni - Omar Musisko For inquiries, media comps, or further information, please contact Lindsay White at lindsaywhite.music@gmail.com. To learn more about partnering with Songwriter Sanctuary, please visit songwritersanctuary-sd.com/about. Songwriter Sanctuary San Diego on Instagram

Join KPBS and America's Test Kitchen hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster for an insider's look into how the Test Kitchen works. An Evening with America's Test Kitchen This fun-filled, live experience reveals how America’s Test Kitchen develops recipes, tests products and ingredients. And who does all that grocery shopping and dish washing? Hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster will share the science behind cooking and what they’ve learned after 25 years on set including techniques and tips, favorite recipes and what they can’t live without in their own kitchens. It’s a night for food lovers filled with ideas and inspiration with two of the culinary world’s best. Highlights include: Learn what it takes to be a test cook Discover what goes into a winning recipe Trivia and prizes Q & A with Julia and Bridget All guests will receive a copy of the TV series companion cookbook, The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook, 2001-2026. Event timeline: 5:30 p.m. Pre-Show Meet & Greet, available only to $120 ticket holders 6:30 p.m. Theater doors open for seating 7:00 p.m. Show begins 8:00 p.m. Audience Q&A 8:30 p.m. Good night

Where Native Plants Thrive, We Thrive When native plants flourish, they create gardens full of life where everything is connected. Songbirds return, butterflies flutter by, and the landscape feels alive in a way that ordinary gardens do not. The 2026 San Diego Native Garden Tour invites visitors to explore this living connection across private gardens throughout the San Diego City region south of I-8 and west of SR-125 — all within San Diego’s coastal zone. This self-guided, two-day tour features gardens in southern San Diego on Saturday and in northern San Diego on Sunday, highlighting how native plants bring beauty, biodiversity, and resilience to urban landscapes. Visitors will see a variety of gardens — from small urban retreats to expansive landscapes — each with at least 60 percent native plants. Many feature plant signage linked to Calscape, the California Native Plant Society’s online database for California native plants, connecting guests with detailed plant information and design ideas through the tour booklet and website. Behind the scenes, a vibrant community of garden owners, artists, designers, volunteers, sponsors, and partners brings the tour to life, sharing creativity, expertise, and passion for native plants. For the first time, select gardens will offer Garden Tour T-shirts — beautiful, wearable art designed to share the tour’s spirit beyond the weekend. Tickets are now on sale, with EARLY-BIRDPRICING THROUGH THE END OF JANUARY. Artist applications are open through January 31, 2026, and sponsor applications are open through February 21, 2026. Proceeds support CNPS San Diego’s outreach and restoration programs, including the Bird Park Teaching Garden in Balboa Park. The California Native Plant Society - San Diego Chapter on Facebook / Instagram

Step into a world of color, movement, and imagination with "El Alebrije," A Step Beyond’s vibrant reimagining of "The Nutcracker" through dance, theater, music, and puppetry — taking place November 7 & 8 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. This original production features over 150 youth performers (ages 8–18), a student-run technical crew, guest parent performers, and breathtaking storytelling and puppetry in collaboration with the San Diego Guild of Puppetry and Bocón Youth Arts. The story follows María, a young girl celebrating her Quinceañera, who receives a mystical Alebrije and is whisked into a magical dream journey across Mexico. Along the way, she encounters imagery inspired by Día de los Muertos, Frida Kahlo, and mariachi traditions—discovering the power of connection, heritage, and love. "El Alebrije" is more than a performance; it’s a community celebration. Last year’s production drew over 1,000 attendees across three shows, uniting families, volunteers, and artists in a dazzling display of creativity and collaboration. Join us for this one-of-a-kind cultural experience that uplifts youth, honors Mexican heritage, and brings the magic of imagination to life for audiences of all ages. November 7 & 8 | California Center for the Arts, Escondido A Step Beyond on Facebook / Instagram

As the year comes to a close, we reflect on some of the biggest KPBS stories of the year with the reporters who covered them.

As federal food assistance benefits dry up, these food banks are offering assistance to people in need in San Diego County.

Volunteers will gather where Rose Creek flows into Mission Bay to measure tide levels and consider the environmental effect of rising sea levels.

As immigration enforcement actions have ramped up in Minnesota, people of faith have been at the forefront of the response to ICE detentions and the killing of Renee Macklin Good by a federal agent.

Ten years, five chefs, one legendary table—where Burgundy’s finest meets the art of friendship. An evening a decade in the making—join Les Amis de Bernard for an extraordinary 10th anniversary celebration, featuring the rare elegance of Louis Latour Signature wines. Five acclaimed chefs—Suzette Gresham, Bernard Guillas, Katsuya Fukushima, Aron Schwartz, and Rafa Corniel—unite to craft a once-in-a-lifetime culinary journey where friendship, artistry, and Burgundy’s finest meet in perfect harmony. The 21st annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival, Nov 2–9, 2025. San Diego Food + Wine Festival | San Diego on Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

Celebrate a vibrant and culturally rich Day of the Dead 2025, themed Barrio Magico. A free, family-friendly celebration of culture, tradition, art, and community — featuring live music, altars, food, dance, kids’ activities, vendors, art installations by local artists, and much more! For more information, visit allforlogan.com. Take MTS to the event! Use one of our Park & Ride lots and then take the UC San Diego Blue Line to Barrio Logan. Kids ride free! Take advantage of the MTS Youth Opportunity Pass or Family Weekends (two kids 12 and under ride free with an adult, no PRONTO card needed) promotions.