Art, Food & Entertainment at La Jolla Festival of the Arts

Artists, paintings, food, entertainment & plenty of cultural activities!

All this and much more constitutes the upcoming La Jolla Festival of the Arts that is set to take place on 22^nd and 23^rd June, 2013 from 9am to 5pm at the UC San Diego Warren Field East Campus, La Jolla.

Imagine more than 200 celebrated, award-winning, nationally recognized as well as local artists all under one roof! Come, see and admire paintings ranging from watercolor to oil paintings.

Meet the artists as they reveal their techniques. Discuss with them their inspirations! Also have a look at live chalk-art creations, photography, serigraph (or prints made by the silk-screen process), fine jewelry and sculptures made of glass, wood, ceramic, and metal.

Entertainment

LIVE contemporary music will be played out to entertain the crowds. Some of the performers set to enthrall the audience include Jazz88 All-Stars, Fred Benedetti and Peter Sprague, Dave Scott and Monsoon Jazz and more.

Food

La Jolla Festival of the Arts is not just about art but great food as well. Satisfy your taste buds with delicious gourmet cuisine. Complement the food with fine wine and craft beer. Now wouldn’t that make a wonderful day with rich cultural ambience, paintings, food and wine?

Kids section

There will be a children’ area where kids can get busy with fun activities and interactive games.

Produced by a non-profit organization -Torrey Pines Kiwanis, proceeds from the La Jolla Festival of the Arts will benefit the San Diegans’ with disabilities and raise funds to support adaptive sports and recreation programs for such people.

Attending La Jolla Festival of the Arts is like spending a fun, entertaining day with like-minded people! If you are on a San Diego vacation in June, do visit this event. For convenience, stay in a San Diego lodging which is close to la Jolla, beaches and other main attractions in the city.

The venue of La Jolla Festival of the Arts is close to the beautiful galleries, restaurants and shops of La Jolla, so you get to explore the place after the event.

Entertaining & Learning at the San Diego Earth Fair

Get ready for the largest environmental fair in the world. The San Diego Earth Fair is going to take place on 21^st April, 2013 at the Balboa Park.

The FREE annual fair is expected to attract 70,000 visitors this year. Organized by 400 volunteers, the 2013 San Diego Earth Fair will feature theme areas, food pavilion, over 350 exhibitors, earth gallery art show, Cleaner Car Concourse, Kid's activity area and LIVE entertainment.

Exhibitors from wildlife preservation groups will showcase organic crops and products made from naturally grown crops. At the earth gallery, you can check out works by artists which have been created with recycled materials. Buy energy saving products at the eHome area to make your home environment friendly.

Are children not letting you enjoy the fair in peace? Take them to the Kid's area where they can learn how to make paper and gift cards from recycled material, face painting and participate in hands-on activities.

Besides children can enjoy storytelling, and music at the children’ stage. Kids can also enjoy various fun games and crafts that are designed to educate children about the environment. The Children's Earth Parade will feature kids dressed up as endangered species to convey environment friendly messages. The parade will commence at 10:30am.

Don't forget to check out the Cleaner Car Concourse where you will see various that run on alternative fuels. Isn't that fantastic?

Feeling hungry? Treat yourself to the mouth-watering and out of the ordinary vegetarian fare at the food pavilion. And enjoy contemporary as well as folk music by some of the finest artists at various entertainment stages.

From 10am to 5pm, the San Diego Earth Fair promises an entertaining and a learning experience. Do include this event in your itinerary, if you are coming on a SanDiego vacation in April.

As the month of April attracts a large number of visitors, stay in a San Diego lodging which offers attractive vacation packages and is centrally located that makes commuting to various attractions easier for you.

Unwind, Socialize & Enjoy Music at Outdoor Concerts in San Diego

San Diego is known for its pleasant weather. Imagine sitting in the lovely surroundings, enjoying the cool breeze and listening to some great music in summers. Concerts in the open have become a tradition during summers in the city of San Diego. Such outdoor concerts are a great opportunity for locals and visitors to socialize with people, make new friends, and enjoy some great music. In the coming weeks, many such outdoor concerts are scheduled and  we will discuss two such events here:

Pacific Beach Concerts on the Green

Pacific Beach, with its endless boardwalk
(three miles from here to the Mission Bay Harbor Channel) and funky beach bars

Scenic views and great music make Pacific Beach Concerts on the Green a wonderful event to chill out with your friends or family. Set to take place at the Kate Sessions Park on Sundays i.e. on 22nd and 29th July and 5th and 12th August, 2012 from 4 to 6.30pm; Pacific Beach Concerts on the Green lets you enjoy great music in the beautiful surroundings.

Kate Session Park is situated above Pacific Beach. Thus you can enjoy magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, downtown San Diego, stunning Mission Bay and Fiesta Island. On 29th July, you can enjoy the music of Agua Dulce and catch Rockola on 5th August. Other bands include US Navy Big Band and The Palominos.

Enjoy a picnic with friends or family here or meet up with locals and get to know about local culture and most importantly, chill out on some amazing music in the lap of nature. Best part is it is a FREE event.

Oceanside Concerts in the Park
Join other music lovers at the Rancho Del Oro Park to enjoy the Oceanside Concert in the Park. This outdoor musical event began in June and will continue till 17th August between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m at the Rancho Del Oro Park on the corner of College and Avenida Empresa in Oceanside. 

Oceanside Concert in the Park features three summer concerts mostly local bands. Bring your blankets (as it gets chilly in the evening) and lawn chairs and get set to enjoy a great evening with your dear ones. Sing along, dance and have fun at this family friendly event.

You can listen to the music of Todo Mundo on 20th July and and Not Fade Away on 17th  August. While Todo Mundo music has influences of Reggae, Caribbean style, Samba, and Rumba; Not Fade Away music is about 50s and 60s Rock n Roll music.

Since parking is limited, it is best to come in a carpool or take a cab. Try to come early to find a good spot to enjoy the entire evening and listen to good music. Again this event too is FREE.

Balboa Park is a great place for a family outing in San Diego

Having a good time during the summers in San Diego doesn't require loads of money. Within limited budget, you can enjoy lots of things for free. To enjoy your vacation to the fullest, you must have a good San Diego lodging which is not far from various attractions, so that you get to see as much as possible. California Suites Hotel is one such hotel in San Diego which offers fine services and is close to lots of attractions that includes beaches, Oceanside, Balboa Park, Old Town, Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla and more.

Approved by the AAA and being a proud member of the San Diego's Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel provides impeccable services and facilities which include continental breakfast, heated large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more at affordable prices.

So take a break from your daily routine and head for a San Diego vacation to unwind at the beach concerts.

Go Crazy at the San Diego Night Time Zoo

Let the wonders of China enchant and amaze you at the San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo.
This year, the San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo’ theme is a China celebration.
The festivities will begin from 23rd June and continue till 3rd September, 2012.
You can check out various shows at the Nighttime Zoo, such as:

Dr. Zoolittle Explores Asia
Dr. Zoolittle brings his own special take on science when he “transports” audiences to Asia to study the giant panda. Come get the scoop on these black-and-white wonders, such as the fact that pandas poop an average of 48 times a day!

The Legend of Dragon Mountain-Heibei Chinese Acrobats
Let the Heibei Chinese acrobats dazzle you with “The Legend of Dragon Mountain”, featuring gravity-defying acrobatic feats, enchanting traditional dances, and stunning martial art performances.

Golden Lion Acrobats & Dragon Dance
Join the Golden Lions as they entertain and delight the crowd at Canyon Cafe with their astounding talents and acrobatic skills. Five times a day they will invade the food court with their performances along with the Dragon from Dragon Mountain, a colorful, 20-foot-long serpent brought to life by puppeteers. Marvel as it sinuously winds through the Zoo’s Panda Canyon, mesmerizing visitors along the way in honor of the Year of the Dragon.

Power and Air – Strength and Aerial Acrobats
Five times a day, this dedicated team of professionals will be displaying amazing athletic prowess as precision balancing will be matched with the beauty and skill of the aerial lyre. These cool cats will be on display in front of the Skyeast Pool.
Surfin’ Safari Bush Band
Many regular guests have come to know and enjoy this zany, interactive minstrel-style band. Their antics will be inspired as they bring limbo sticks, hula hoops, and fun interactives to get kids and adults alike involved in the organized mayhem.

Animal Activities
San Diego Zoo is home to more than 4,500 rare and endangered animals at the Zoo. Here you can indulge in various interesting animal activities.

Check out Panda Trek where you get to enter into the world of giant pandas, red pandas, takins, and the Mangshan pit viper at the San Diego Zoo’s Panda Trek! Or you can go for Giraffe Feedings and help feed the giraffes at the Urban Jungle.

After you are done with watching wonderful shows, you can enjoy dining at the Albert’s Restaurant. Here you can dine and unwind at your leisure.

If you are planning a San Diego beach vacation between June and September, do visit San Diego Nighttime Zoo. It is totally crazy and lots of fun. Plenty of San Diego budget hotels offer great discounts on room rates during this time. Do your research and choose the San Diego lodging which is closer to various San Diego attractions.

California Suites Hotel is one of the best amongst budget hotels in San Diego and is in close vicinity to the San Diego Zoo and other top tourist hot-spots of the city.

Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel provides high quality facilities at budget prices. Services include continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Sources include: sandiegozoo.org
Photo Courtesy: 101thingstodosw.com

Time for Shakespearean Plays at the Old Globe in San Diego

Are you fond of watching plays? How about watching Shakespearean plays? The Old Globe’s 2012 Shakespeare Festival is set to take place from 3rd June to 30th September, 2012. The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

The Old Globe’s 2012 Shakespeare Festival will be performed in repertory at the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theater. Adrian Noble returns as the artistic director of the festival and will direct plays – “As You Like It” and “Inherit the Wind”.

British director Lindsay Posner will make his debut at the Old Globe with his production of Richard III, which will kick off the festival on 3rd June. Jay Whittaker will star in the title role.

Here is a look at the 2012 Old Globe’s Shakespeare Festival:

Richard III
June 3-Sept 29
Directed by Lindsay Posner

“Richard III is one of the most diabolical and outrageous villains in all of literature. A ruthless Machiavellian, the brilliant and power-hungry lord embarks on a bloody campaign to seize and keep the English crown. Shakespeare paints an unforgettable portrait of obsession, seduction, betrayal and a man who would be king.”

As You Like It
June 10-Sept. 30 (Opening night is June 29)
Directed by Noble

“Flirtation, friendship and mistaken identity make for one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Rosalind escapes into the forest and adopts the persona of a man to get close to her beloved Orlando. But when he falls for another woman, she must untangle the web of deceptions she has woven to win her true love. As You Like It explores the giddy excitement and dizzying foibles of love and is a perfect summer night under the stars.”

Inherit the Wind
By Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
June 17-Sept. 25 (Opening night is July 3)
Directed by Noble

“Two powerhouse lawyers face off in a small town with the eyes of an entire nation upon them when a schoolteacher is arrested for teaching Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution. When the issue goes to trial, the two attorneys must passionately confront questions of faith and science in a heated courtroom. This fictional re-creation of the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial tackles issues that are every bit as relevant today as they were in 1925.”

Apart from the plays, you can catch various other special events too at the Old Globe such as “Shakespeare in the Garden” seminars, post-show forums and more.

Want to watch something other than Shakespearean? Some other plays will also be showcased at the Old Globe such as Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage, Divine Rivalry by Michael Kramer and more.
If you are coming on a San Diego beach vacation during June and September, do spare some time to watch one of these historic Shakespearean plays at the Old Globe.

As far as San Diego lodging is concerned, we are a favorite accommodation in San Diego for tourists wanting to visit the beautiful city. California Suites Hotel is located close to Balboa Park, so it will be easy for you to commute to the Old Globe in the urban park to watch the plays. Besides California Suites Hotel is also in close proximity to several beaches, Old Town, La Jolla, Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter and various other tourists hotspots.

Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel provides high quality facilities at budget prices. Our services include continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Make your reservations with us now and enjoy these various attractions of San Diego and good services to their fullest.

Sources include: playbill.com
Photo Courtesy: kpbs.org

Summer time means Sea World Fireworks Show

Spend Memorial Day weekend at Sea World San Diego,
and enjoy an evening of fireworks at Mission Bay.

Sea World is one of the prime attractions of San Diego. No matter what time of the year you visit San Diego, a trip to Sea World is a must.

In summer, Sea World enthralls its visitors with spectacular fireworks. The Sea World Fireworks Show will take place on Memorial Day weekend 26^th and 27^th May, 2012 tentatively around 9:50 pm, and on 28^th May, 2012 tentatively at 8:50 pm.

Spend Memorial Day weekend at Sea World San Diego, and enjoy an evening of fireworks at Mission Bay.
Summer time in Sea World means good times as the park transforms after dark with extended hours and seasonal nighttime only shows. Feel the amazing energy of Shamu Rocks, the SeaWorld’s killer nighttime show. Shamu- the famous killer whale is a major attraction and is a huge draw.

Or share a laugh with the hilarious Sea Lions Tonite show. It features sea lions- Clyde and Seamore who enthrall the audience with their mischievous acts. And finally let your spirit soar during the “Into the Blue” fireworks finale.

Sea World Fireworks Show is a complete family-friendly event. If you are planning a vacation to San Diego in May, do attend this event. It would be fun spending a day with your family at the mesmerizing Sea World.

Public Transportation:  

SeaWorld is easily accessible by public transportation.

As far as San Diego lodging is concerned, choose a San Diego hotel which is centrally located. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which offers easy and convenient access to all the top attractions of San Diego.

Sea World, Balboa Park, Old Town, La Jolla, Little Italy, shopping centers and all the popular beaches are nearby. Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large heated outdoor swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Source includes: Yelp.com Events
Photo Courtesy: examiner.com

Get set for heritage cars and “flying museums” in San Diego

Automobile aficionados and aviation enthusiasts can
tighten their seatbelts for Annual American Heritage Car Show

Automobile aficionados and aviation enthusiasts can tighten their seatbelts for two exciting events lined up in San Diego in late May and early June.

The 15^th Annual American Heritage Car Show is set to take place Saturday, May 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and will provide a visual treat of out fabulous vehicles in a beautiful setting, Grape Day Park, Escondido, CA. With close to 250 vehicles parked on grass, this is one of the nicest car shows anywhere.

Start the day off at 9am with a delicious pancake breakfast. Then, walk the park to find your favorite car, while listening to a DJ spinning classic rock ‘n roll tunes. Buy some raffle tickets and you might win a fabulous prize. Local car dealers sponsor this show, which benefits the non-profit Escondido History Center. They’ll be on site with some new cars for you to see, too. Vendors offer a variety of merchandise, but you don’t need to spend any money to enjoy the American Heritage Car Show. Spectators are free, and so are tours of the Escondido History Center.

This year’s show honors local builder Randy Clark of Hot Rods & Custom Stuff. Entry for spectators is free and vehicle entry is $25. No dogs or alcohol allowed.

For aviation enthusiasts, the 17^th Annual Wings Over Gillespie air show is set to provide a great time for the whole family on the weekend of June 2-3, 2012. As “A Salute to 100 Years of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation”, the 17^th Annual Wings Over Gillespie air show is again planning to feature the awesome howl of airplane engines such as WWII bombers, F4F Wildcat, the TBF Avenger, the A6M Zero, the SBD Dauntless, and many more “Flying Museums” including the only remaining of their type, the Northrop N9M Flying Wing and the F3F Flying Barrel.

Also on hand will be USN/USMC helicopters and other static displays, Navy SEALs, special military and law enforcement vehicles and equipment, and much more. The gates open for the air show performance from to 9 am to 4 pm, at Gillespie Field in El Cajon on the show days.

The Air Show is a unique family, vacation day event with a special KidsZone area. Amusements, rides, entertainers, games and prizes, face painters, education displays, a great variety of food and beverages, and SHADE, will be abundant for the entire weekend. We will also feature a Beer Festival to add to the festivities of a great summer weekend for all. With the new SR-52 extension that now connects to SR-67, Gillespie Field is now more accessible than ever.

The air show is a glorious commemoration of American History:
- 70th Anniversary of WWII
- 70th Anniversary of Doolittle Raid
- 70th Anniversary of Battle of Midway
- 100th Anniversary of Marine Corps Aviation
- 100th Anniversary of El Cajon
- 70th Anniversary of Gillespie Field

If you are planning a San Diego vacation in late May and early June, do not miss out on the heritage car show and the air show. Make your room reservations in a San Diego hotel which is centrally located. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which offers easy and convenient access to all the top attractions of San Diego. All the popular beaches including Harbor Beach, La Jolla Cove, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach are nearby. Even shopping centers, Balboa Park and other major attractions are a few minutes away.

Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Main source for content: Yelp.com/Events
Main source for content: Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force

Photo Courtesy: new-car-automotive.blogspot.com

19th Annual Sicilian Festival set to rock Little Italy

The Sicilian Festival, famed for its procession featuring costumed musicians and dancers, will bring alive San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 20 as part of the 19^th Annual Sicilian Festival celebration.

The family event is free and features authentic Sicilian music, dance, culture and cuisine, surrounded by the ambiance of the Little Italy  neighborhood, located within walking distance of the beautiful San Diego harbor and within minutes of San Diego’s downtown district. If you are planning a vacation in San Diego during this time, book your rooms in a San Diego hotel that is located near Little Italy. You will love the ambiance.

Along Beech Street from Kettner to State Streets, car lovers will encounter Bellissimo! A Celebration of Italian Automotive Artistry. Offering an intimate look at a broad spectrum of Italian car designs – including Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Fiat, Lancia, and Alpha Romeo – visitors can mingle with proud car owners and cast their votes for a “Peoples Choice Award” for the car that captures their heart. Participating car clubs include the Ferrari, Alpha Romeo and Fiat/Lancia clubs, as well as support from FIAT Kearny Mesa.

Food booths will represent the many restaurants in Little Italy, serving up Sicilian specialties of all varieties.  Tarantino’s Sausages will also be on hand to serve up some of the best Italian sausages in the nation. Peroni, the official beer sponsor of the Sicilian Festival, will feature a Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the #1 Premium brand in Italy imported from Rome, in the beer and wine pavilion.

Guests will dance in the streets throughout the day.

At 11:30 am, a procession of dozens of costumed dancers, musicians, and representatives of the City and County of San Diego and the House of Italy, Sons of Italy, Italian-American Association, and other San Diego Italian organizations, will parade through the streets carrying flags from the different regions of Sicily and Italy. A very special guest in this years costume parade will be newborn Amelia Tripoli, born March 4, 2012 to Tony and Diana Tripoli who were married at the 2010 Sicilian Festival.

Four stages will feature non-stop Italian and Sicilian entertainment. The event is highlighted by the nationally acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble which will be on hand with their costumed musicians and dancers to provide a lively show of Sicilian and Italian music. The Screamin’ Primas will also be featured in a salute to Sicilian-American trumpeter and bandleader Louie Prima. Sicilian Swing’s New Orleans Italian jazz ensemble and renowned soprano Cristina Fontanelli will be among notable Italian-themed acts to be enjoyed at the Festival. The Grape Street stage will feature culinary demonstrations from San Diego’s leading chefs, highlighted by a pasta-eating contest.

All children’s activities are free, and include a large inflatable slide, puppet theatre shows, face painting, and many other activities to keep the bambini entertained throughout day.
A Sicilian cultural zone will feature photo and cultural displays by local and national authors and artisans that reflect the Sicilian American heritage in San Diego. The area will feature chalk art and displays of the rich history of San Diego’s tuna fishing industry, which flourished from the beginning of the 20th century until the 1970s. Among the exhibitors will be the San Diego History Center, Maritime Museum, and the Women’s Museum of California.

Free street parking is available throughout the Little Italy neighborhood. Free parking is available in the north lot of the County Administration Building, with a free shuttle to the Festival. The AMTRAK station is less than a mile from the Sicilian Festival area and can be reached either by foot or by using the San Diego Trolley. The Coaster also runs on Sunday. Take the MTS Trolley’s Blue Line to the County Center/Little Italy Station.

And there’s free parking at many of the Trolley’s park-and-ride lots (especially Qualcomm Stadium).  Also, on weekends, two children (12 and under) ride free with a paid adult (18 and over).

Little Italy is the first stop on the blue line north. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which is centrally located. All the popular beaches including Harbor Beach, La Jolla Cove, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach are nearby. Even shopping centers, Balboa Park and other major attractions are a few minutes away.

Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Courtesy: Southwest Riverside News Network