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Theater for Young Professionals’ 5th Annual All Hallows’ Eve Musical Review runs October 17-26. The goblins are haunting, the monsters will mash, it’s time to get ready for our Halloween bash. Join the best young performers in San Diego as they perform some the best known spooky songs for you from "Beetlejuice," "Wicked," "The Addams Family," and much more! It is a spectacular event of music, light, drama, and dance! We hope you will join us for a concert you won’t want to miss! Find out more information on our website at www.typsandiego.org. Friday, Oct. 17, 2025: 7 PM Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025: 7 PM Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025: 3 PM Friday, Oct. 24, 2025: 7 PM Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025: 7 PM Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025: 3 PM Theater for Young Professionals on Facebook / Instagram

Sunny Xia, conductor San Diego Symphony Orchestra JOHN WILLIAMS: “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone ANNA CLYNE: Masquerade SAINT-SAËNS: Danse macabre, Op. 40 STRAVINSKY: The Firebird Suite, 1919 version From the iconic "Hedwig’s Theme" that transports you to the wizarding world, to the haunting Danse macabre and the dazzling finale of Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite, this concert is full of excitement and wonder. Anna Clyne’s lively Masquerade adds a festive twist to the spooky season fun. Designed with kids and families in mind, it’s the perfect way to spark imagination and get you in the Halloween spirit. Don’t forget your costumes for this morning of music and magic! Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/spooky-sounds-and-magical-melodies-fam/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook

About the speaker: Alex Villafuerte (he/him) is the Executive Director of Pacific Arts Movement, home of the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF), now in its 26th year as one of the largest showcases of Asian and Asian American cinema in North America. A Filipino American executive with nearly a decade of nonprofit and community leadership, Alex has advanced cultural equity through film, coalition-building, and advocacy for underrepresented communities. Since becoming Executive Director in 2023, Alex has overseen the organization’s 25th anniversary celebrations, launched new community access programs such as free tickets for high school-aged youth and younger, and deepened partnerships across Southern California’s arts and cultural sectors. Under his leadership, Pac Arts continues to present hundreds of films annually, nurture the next generation of filmmakers through Reel Voices, and bring global stories to local audiences. Beyond Pac Arts, Alex is co-chair and a founding member of the San Diego API Coalition, convening more than 50 AA & NHPI-serving organizations to foster collaboration and capacity-building across the region. His career has included leadership roles with San Diego Pride, the Asian Business Association San Diego, and NQAPIA, where he has championed intersectional communities and amplified underrepresented voices. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Diversionary Theatre and on the Trustee Advisory Council for the San Diego Community College District. Born in Oʻahu and raised in San Diego, Alex is a proud graduate of Morse High School and San Diego State University, where he earned a B.A. in Economics. CreativeMornings | San Diego on Facebook / Instagram

Scott Terrell, conductor San Diego Symphony Orchestra The San Diego Symphony Orchestra will present Disney's "Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas" Live-to-Film featuring a screening of Disney’s timeless holiday classic with GRAMMY®-winning composer Danny Elfman’s musical score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor Scott Terrell. Based on an original poem and characters created by Tim Burton, the film was first released in 1993 as "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Directed by Henry Selick (James and the Giant Peach), the film follows the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town's beloved Pumpkin King. Bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine of Halloween, Jack longs to try something new. Convinced that he can spread the joy of Christmas and against the advice of Sally, a caring and clever ragdoll, Jack enlists three mischievous trick-or-treaters – Lock, Shock, and Barrel – to kidnap Santa Claus. But Jack’s merry mission puts Santa in jeopardy and creates a nightmare for good little boys and girls everywhere. The film is rated “PG.” ©Disney Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. All rights reserved. Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/nightmare-before-christmas/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook

We published hundreds of stories on global health and development each year. Some are ... alas ... a bit underappreciated by readers. We've asked our staff for their favorite overlooked posts of 2025.

Gemma New, conductor Geneva Lewis, violin San Diego Symphony Orchestra MENDELSSOHN: Overture and Nocturne from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21 & 61 KORNGOLD: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90, "Italian" People have long been fascinated with exceptional talent and what prodigies represent about human potential. This program celebrates the brilliance of two extraordinary prodigies—Felix Mendelssohn and Erich Korngold—whose talents shaped the course of classical and film music. Mendelssohn dazzled the world at just 17 with the magical sparkle of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and his vibrant “Italian” Symphony—met with thunderous applause at its London premiere—bursts with color, joy and rhythmic energy. Korngold, declared a genius by Mahler at age 9, brought his gift to Hollywood, where he revolutionized film scoring. His sweeping, operatic style won two Oscars and later shaped his Violin Concerto, blending classical depth with Hollywood drama. It's a program of vivid storytelling brought to life through rich orchestration and expressive musical detail. Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/mendelssohn-korngold/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook

The Native American Heritage Festival is a free, vibrant community event full of family-friendly entertainment and activities for all ages to enjoy. Music, movement, food, storytelling and art are on full display through a packed lineup of shows, hands-on cultural and art booths, food vendors and more. Hosted by the Native Youth Foundation, the inaugural Native American Heritage Festival is bringing together tribes across Southern California to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day and celebrate Native voices that are bolstering creativity and connection in the community. RUN OF SHOW: 10–10:15 a.m. – Opening prayer with Raymond Belardes III 10:15–10:30 a.m. – Escondido Mayor Dane White 10:30–10:50 a.m. – San Pasqual Bird Singers 10:50–11:10 a.m. – Kumeyaay Boogie 11:10–11:30 a.m. – Campo Bird Singers 11:30–11:50 a.m. – Hip-hop artist: Blue Eagle Music (Viejas) 11:50 a.m.–12 p.m. – Hip Hop Youth 12–12:20 p.m. – Rez Runner 12:20–12:35 p.m. – ITS Dreamcatcher Cheerleaders 12:35–12:50 p.m. – Awards with Mayor Jim Desmond & City of Escondido 12:50–1 p.m. – Laurie Gonzalez Rincon Tribal Council 1–1:15 p.m. – La Jolla Generations 1:15–1:30 p.m. – Bud with Cupa Culture Center 1:30–2 p.m. – STAR Powwow Dancers 2–2:15 p.m. – Siyowin speaking on MMIP 2:15–2:35 p.m. – Kupa Song & Dance 2:35–3:15 p.m. – Wyley & Wynter Clay 3:15–4 p.m. – Tracy Lee Nelson & The Native Blues Band 4–5 p.m. – Native youth fashion show with Native Nexus Future Leaders, House of Birds, Worn and Reborn, Native Fits, Paipa, Tiffany Wolfe & Rebekah Jarvey Native Youth Foundation on Facebook / Instagram

Rafael Payare, conductor Javier Perianes, piano San Diego Symphony Orchestra CHABRIER: España, Rhapsody for Orchestra JIMMY LÓPEZ: Ephemerae, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61 Spain as evoked by the French composer Chabrier is followed by a lush new piano concerto, written by San Diego Symphony Composer-in-Residence Jimmy López for soloist Javier Perianes and filled with echoes of Latin melodies and dance rhythms. The program ends with Schumann’s magnificent Symphony No. 2, composed at dizzying speed after the composer’s recovery from an illness, and shot through with an exuberant love of life and energetic overflowing melodies. Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/romantic-visions/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook

Rafael Payare, conductor Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano Liv Redpath, soprano Lindsay Ammann, mezzo-soprano Meridian Prall, mezzo-soprano Tasha Hokuao Koontz, soprano Angel Raii Gomez, tenor Elliot Madore, baritone Christian Simmons, bass-baritone San Diego Symphony Chorus Maurice Boyer, Chorus Master San Diego Children’s Choir Ruthie Millgard, Artistic Director San Diego Symphony Orchestra Directed by Gerard McBurney Projection Design by Mike Tutaj Lighting Design by Paul Miller Joe Fournier, artist Creative Producer is Jonathan Gilmer Mariam Bombrun, repetiteur DEBUSSY: The Joyful Isle (L'isle joyeuse), L. 106 DEBUSSY (orch. Caplet): The Box of Toys (La boîte à joujoux) RAVEL: The Child and the Magical Spells: a lyric fantasy in two scenes (L'enfant et les sortilèges: Fantaisie lyrique en deux parties) A glorious and theatrical celebration of the light and enchantment of France and French music, beginning with Debussy’s evocation of a journey to a mysterious island of love, and his witty and charming ballet score for children about the adventures of a box of toys. The program ends with a brilliantly colorful and delightful semi-staging of Ravel’s immortal and much-loved comic fantasy about a naughty child whose toys come to life to punish him. In this performance, specially created for San Diego, the many characters portrayed by the singers in this story will be reflected in animated illustrations projected on to the beautiful new walls of Jacobs Music Center. Music, words and images work in harmony to tell the story. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ravel, and our production of "L’enfant et les sortilèges" is this orchestra’s homage to the man who created one of the most beautiful depictions of childhood in all of music. Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/french-fairytales/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook

Rafael Payare, conductor Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano Liv Redpath, soprano Lindsay Ammann, mezzo-soprano Meridian Prall, mezzo-soprano Tasha Hokuao Koontz, soprano Angel Raii Gomez, tenor Elliot Madore, baritone Christian Simmons, bass-baritone San Diego Symphony Chorus Maurice Boyer, Chorus Master San Diego Children’s Choir Ruthie Millgard, Artistic Director San Diego Symphony Orchestra Directed by Gerard McBurney Projection Design by Mike Tutaj Lighting Design by Paul Miller Joe Fournier, artist Creative Producer is Jonathan Gilmer Mariam Bombrun, repetiteur DEBUSSY: The Joyful Isle (L'isle joyeuse), L. 106 DEBUSSY (orch. Caplet): The Box of Toys (La boîte à joujoux) RAVEL: The Child and the Magical Spells: a lyric fantasy in two scenes (L'enfant et les sortilèges: Fantaisie lyrique en deux parties) A glorious and theatrical celebration of the light and enchantment of France and French music, beginning with Debussy’s evocation of a journey to a mysterious island of love, and his witty and charming ballet score for children about the adventures of a box of toys. The program ends with a brilliantly colorful and delightful semi-staging of Ravel’s immortal and much-loved comic fantasy about a naughty child whose toys come to life to punish him. In this performance, specially created for San Diego, the many characters portrayed by the singers in this story will be reflected in animated illustrations projected on to the beautiful new walls of Jacobs Music Center. Music, words and images work in harmony to tell the story. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ravel, and our production of "L’enfant et les sortilèges" is this orchestra’s homage to the man who created one of the most beautiful depictions of childhood in all of music. Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/french-fairytales/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook