Good morning, and welcome to the U-T Arts & Culture Newsletter.
I’m David L. Coddon, and here’s your guide to all things essential in San Diego’s arts and culture this week.
A few weeks ago I wrote about the Oscar-winning short documentary “The Last Repair Shop,” which tells the story of an L.A. warehouse space where dedicated technicians fix musical instrument for thousands of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Closer to home, the staff of La Jolla Music Society’s Community Music Center has been providing free instruments and teaching lessons to students in grades 4 to 12 for a quarter-century.
Those 25 years will be celebrated on Wednesday at 6 p.m. with a recital and reception at the CMC’s Logan Heights-based Logan Memorial Educational Campus at 2875 Ocean View Blvd. in San Diego. Co-hosting the event will be Chicano Federation CEO Liz Ramirez.
All are welcome and admission is free.
Allison Boles, director of learning and engagement for LJMS, credits both the commitment from students’ families and the dedication of the CMC’s teaching staff for the longtime success of the program.
“We’re trying to create a safe space for students after school,” she said. “Many come from homes where both parents are working and they may not have that safe environment. It’s one of our most impactful programs because of the way we get to work with the students and the instruction they’re receiving.”
The CMC’s director is music educator Serafin Paredes. The teaching staff, said Boles, “comes from all over. Some are district employees, some are in other districts. Many are professional musicians or full-time music instructors.”
Wednesday’s event will feature a performance by the CMC’s student mariachi ensemble Mariachi Aguila.
Country music
Fresh off the opening of her new Tequila Cantina at Nashville’s Nudie’s Honky Tonk, country singer/songwriter Tanya Tucker brings her “Sweet Western Sound Tour” to El Cajon’s Magnolia Theater at 7 p.m. Sunday night.
Amid all the attention paid to contemporary country stars, it may be easy to forget the enduring contribution Tucker has made to the genre. She was only a teenager when she had her first hit, “Delta Dawn,” and that was back in ’72. But she’s won Grammys as recently as 2020 and was on the bill at the Stagecoach Festival in 2022. To many she’s still the Queen of Outlaw Country.
Music festival
Music across multiple genres and of the all-day variety is on tap this weekend with the free beachside Fiesta del Sol festival Saturday and Sunday at Fletcher Cove Park in Solana Beach.
The 43rd renewal of this popular festival features headliners Ozomatli, the Wailers and Mustache Harbor, among others well-known to San Diegans such as Belly Up Tavern faves Whitney Shay, Sabrosas Latin Orchestra and Atomic Groove. (The Belly Up is a festival partner and presenter.)
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Television
The numbers are pretty staggering: 49 years and 968 episodes. That’s how long and how many times “Saturday Night Live” will have aired by the end of its season-closing show this Saturday. You can argue that quality-wise the series jumped the shark a long time ago, but the fact is it has endured, through many multiple writers and cast members.
Jake Gyllenhaal, probably still trying to pump up interest in his “Road House” remake on Amazon Prime, is hosting on Saturday, with Sabrina Carpenter as musical guest.
Looking to the future, “SNL” will mark its 50th anniversary next February with a three-hour prime-time special. Is 50 years a good time stop? Don’t count on it.
Movies
Ask me what my favorite Alfred Hitchcock film is and the answer might depend on day and mood. But pressed to name one, I’d choose “North by Northwest,” the 1959 espionage caper that starred Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason. Exciting, funny and romantic (and of course suspenseful), it’s just about the perfect movie-watching experience.
“North by Northwest” turns 65 this year and to celebrate it’s being shown on the big screen across the country both Sunday and Wednesday. The San Diego theaters screening the film are all over the place, from Mission Valley to Mira Mesa, to Escondido and San Marcos. Look online for the theater closest to you, but don’t miss seeing “North by Northwest” on a movie screen. The chase up and down the faces of Mount Rushmore alone is worth the price of admission.
U-T arts stories you may have missed this week
- Can’t get to 70 shows? Here are 15 picks for what to see at this month’s San Diego’s Fringe festival
- Drew Deckman and 3 other chefs with San Diego ties among Michelin Guide first awardees in Mexico
- Wonderfront festival concludes with a bang, thanks to The Roots, Beck and Steel Pulse
- Appreciation: Sax great David Sanborn dead at 78. ‘I think people relate to a lyrical humanness in my playing,’ he said
- San Diego’s Fringe Festival roaring back with 300 performances at 11 venues around San Diego
- Review: Oceanside Theatre’s risk pays off with ‘Next to Normal’ musical
- Local novelist, 76, turns her experience as a Latin American and Spanish art dealer into thrillers
- Review: Strong singing, dazzling visuals honor Sondheim’s memory in Moonlight’s ‘Into the Woods’
- Wonderfront festival concludes with a bang, thanks to The Roots, Beck and Steel Pulse
- Review: Old Globe’s cooking-themed play ‘Stir’ is warm and touching, but needs more time
- Brunch-centric Madi aims for San Diego’s burger crown with new Oklahoma onion option
- Brewery Rowe: With Ballast Point brewery shutdown, is San Diego’s beer mug half-full?
- New musical inspired by ‘Thelma & Louise’ will give famous film duo their ‘queer happy ending’
- San Diego theater designer celebrates his first Tony nomination
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“Intersections Presents Quetzal and Martha Gonzalez”
Quetzal, a Grammy award-winning ensemble, features a collective of highly talented musicians unified by their passion for creating music that resonates with the social, cultural, political, and musical narratives of communities in struggle. Described by Martha Gonzalez (lead singer, percussionist and songwriter) as an “East LA Chican@ rock group,” Quetzal epitomizes the rich cultural dynamics of barrio life, embodying social activism, a strong feminist ethos, and rock and roll roots. Beyond performing as a rock band, Quetzal and its members are deeply embedded in a broader network of musical, cultural and political activism. Following their performance, Damian DeRobbio hosts a Q&A session with the group, offering further insights into their artistic journey.
“A Conversation with Congressman Jamie Raskin”
Congressman Jamie Raskin has represented Maryland’s 8th Congressional District since 2016, leveraging his extensive experience as a constitutional law professor at American University for over 25 years. A key figure during President Trump’s administration, Raskin authored the articles of impeachment for both of Trump’s impeachments, notably charging him with inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In a recent interview with Talking San Diego host Harry Litman, Raskin discussed these pivotal moments, his legal background, and his perspectives on the future of American democracy, offering invaluable insights into his contributions and the ongoing challenges facing the nation.
“’I Love This Film: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar’”
The “I Love This Film” series brings together film industry experts to discuss movies that have significantly influenced their careers. In this session, Gabe Liedman, a talented writer, director, and producer known for his work on popular shows like “Broad City” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” discussed “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” with moderator Tyler Morgenstern. Liedman highlighted the film’s collaborative comedic style and its vibrant, Hanna-Barbera-like production design. He shared his favorite jokes and moments, emphasized the dynamic comedic synergy between the writers and stars, and reflected on how the film has impacted his work as a comedian and screenwriter.
And finally, top weekend events
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: May 17-19.
Coddon is a freelance writer.
