The Art of Photography Show 2007
The Art of Photography Show 2007, an international exhibition of photographic art, takes place April 14-May 28 at the Lyceum Theatre Gallery in Horton Plaza. The opening reception gala will be on Saturday, April 14, from 6-9 pm, and is free to the public. Approximately 20,000 people are expected to view the show during the six-week run. From more than 9800 entries submitted by artists representing 37 countries, 103 pieces will be exhibited -- the largest number of entries for any juried competition in San Diego history. The show was judged by Tim Wride, curator and head of the department of photographs at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. An estimated 1,000 people from around the world are expected to attend the opening reception gala and awards ceremony, including most of the exhibiting artists. Cash awards will be presented to the top 15 artists chosen by Wride. A free 76-page show catalog will be available to those in attendance at the opening reception gala. The Lyceum Theatre Gallery is open and free to the public seven days a week. Gallery hours are 10am-5pm Monday through Friday, and noon to 5pm on the weekends. (www.artofphotographyshow.com)

When The Camera Shoots
When Stylus Magazine rated the top 50 bass lines of all time, The Rolling Stones came in at number 20 with their song "It’s All Over Now." The man responsible for that particular bass riff, Bill Wyman, was originally asked to replace founding bassist Dick Taylor, who quit the band to attend art school. Wyman went on to help write and record the brunt of the band’s most popular songs for the next 30 years. When the band wasn’t playing, Wyman was snapping candid pictures. Starting on April 28, he brings his own photo exhibition, Wyman Shoots, to Morrison Hotel Gallery in La Jolla. The images chronicle the exploits of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood, and Wyman himself in various locations around the world. Wyman will hold a Q&A session on April 29, discussing his love of photography. "I’m very pleased that I saved all my photographs from when I started taking them in the 1960s. I have frequently said, when asked by interviewers about my interests, that I love photography," says Wyman. (858/551-0835, www.morrisonhotelgallery.com) — Ryan Thomas

Art Alive
Art Alive is a highlight of the cultural scene in San Diego, and will be on view from April 12-15 at the San Diego Museum of Art. A springtime event, this floral wonderland, now in its 26th year, is highly anticipated by all. Professional and amateur designers interpret works of art through flower arrangements, and the final creations, which fill the museum, are breathtaking. For the first time, museum members will be able to vote for their favorite floral arrangement, making the event participatory. A highlight of this year’s Art Alive will be a floral demonstration by Belgian-born designer Nico De Swert, whose floral sculptures have been featured in major magazines such as In Style and Martha Stewart Living. His demonstration will be followed by a book signing and intimate luncheon. He will also offer a master class. (619/696-1999, www.sdmart.org) — Darlene G. Davies

Dirks’ Works
The sculptures of artist John Dirks have graced many individual collections, and are included in public ones as well. He has exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York, the Pomona Invitational National Arts and Crafts exhibition, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the San Diego Historical Society, as well as other prestigious venues. However, to really savor the craftsmanship of Dirks, visit Mingei International Museum, where more than 40 of his sculptures are currently being showcased. The forms and materials are perfection, the harmony of the pieces providing a sense of wholeness. The now 92-year-old Dirks uses exotic wood and acrylic in such satisfying ways, there is a tendency for a viewer to say, "of course." Since this exhibition is scheduled to close April 22, don’t dawdle. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org) — Darlene G. Davies

Art By The Ocean
The Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) is presenting the 15th annual Oceanside Days of Art on the weekend of April 21 and 22, around the Oceanside Civic Center. Over 100 artists turned out to display their works last year, showcasing everything from painting, graphics, and sculpture to ceramics and blown glass. Like last year, many artists will create works live at the festival. Local students participate in several categories as well, and children are encouraged to produce their own art in the hands-on activities area. "The original Oceanside Days of Art gave impetus to the establishment of Oceanside Museum of Art, studios in downtown buildings, Art Alley, and cemented the belief that this community and North County wanted and would support a museum, galleries and the theater." says chair Diane Adams. "It continues to bring new visitors to the heart of Oceanside. (760/433-3632,
www.oceanside-days-of-art.org) — Ryan Thomas

Mindful Music
Local singer/songwriter Michael Tiernan presents a CD release concert at The Belly Up on Sunday, April 15. The event will also feature Tiernan’s producer, Sven-Erik Seaholm, who is also releasing an album, Sotto Voce. Tiernan states, "It’s going to be a completely amazing afternoon of music — we’re going to do this show differently than most shows. It will be very relaxed, positive, fun, and we’re going to trade off sets back and forth to really mix it up." Tiernan survived cancer as a teenager, an experience that led to a spiritual awakening he brought to his music. He later spent a year traveling in a van putting on retreats for high school kids, studied world religions, philosophy, and languages, and was one year away from being ordained a priest at the Vatican in Rome. Soon after, he left the seminary, and has been active in the San Diego music community since. Tiernan is using the concert to raise money for Steps For Living, a charitable organization that uses the arts to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. The organization’s recently-released compilation disc, I’m Too Young For This, will be available for purchase with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the charity. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com) — Jane Shiomi

Culture Calendar

April

Thru 4/7: A Distraction From Flowers
Distinction Artist Studios and Gallery presents and exhibition featuring four artists currently working in the Urban Surrealism movement. (760/781-5779, www.distinctionart.com)

Thru 4/8: Restoration Comedy
The Old Globe presents Restoration Comedy by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Amy Freed, directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 4/15: Of Gold And Grass — Nomads Of Kazakhstan
Mingei International Museum presents objects of adornment in elegant, animal forms from gold, bronze, and wood that were fashioned by warriors and merchant caravans more than 2000 years ago, along the Silk Road through what is now Kazakhstan. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org)

Thru 4/15: The La Jolla Art Association’s Annual All County Art Show
At The Village Gallery will showcase an exciting and colorful regional art event, juried this year by well-known and respected artist and teacher Reed Cardwell. (858/459-1196)

Thru 4/22: Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990-2005
Some of Leibovitz’s most personal images, such as the birth of her daughters and the death of her father, will be shown in a new exhibit that makes its West Coast debut at the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA). (619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org)

Thru 4/22: Sailor’s Song
New Village Arts presents an extravagant, romantic seaside story decorated with dance by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner Jon Patrick Shanley. (760/433-3245, www.newvillagearts.org)

Thru 4/28: J. John Priola
Joseph Bellows Gallery presents an exhibition of photographs by J. John Priola’s Paradise, Saved, Residual, and Windows series. (858/456-5620, www.josephbellows.com)

Thru 4/29: Philipp Scholz Rittermann: A Personal Vision Of Landscape
This exhibition is the eighth show in the series Visions of the Natural World through the Lens of the Masters at The Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum. (858/720-1121, www.ordovergallery.com)

Thru 5/5: CODES
San Diego-based artist Jim Machacek will present, in the Athenaeum’s Main Gallery, an exhibition of new work including etchings, collages, and artist’s books that tell their own stories — reflecting his recurring interest in symbols, secrets, and codes. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

Thru 5/6: Fine Art Photographs By Peter Fay And Art Myers
The Ordover Gallery in Solana Beach presents color nature photographs from Fay’s Solitude series, and Myer’s imagery encompassing years of photographing children afflicted with HIV. This series is part of a large body of work by Myers involving people who have, or are, overcoming great personal difficulties. (858/720-1121, www.ordoverproject.com)

Thru 5/6: Morris Louis Now: An American Master Revisited
Organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, this exhibit is the first consideration of Louis’ work in the United States since 1986 At Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. downtown, at both its 1001 Kettner galleries and the new Jacobs Building. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)

Thru 5/6: Hold Please
The Old Globe presents Hold Please, by San Diego native Annie Weisman and directed by Globe favorite Kirsten Brandt, in the Cassius Carter Centre Stage. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 5/13: Brian Ulrich: Copia
Works by Brian Ulrich on view at MCASD’s La Jolla location. The exhibition features the Chicago-based artist’s large-scale photographs documenting the shopping habits of Americans. The photographs were taken in big-box retail stores such as Target or Wal-Mart using a medium-format film camera with a waist-level viewfinder. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)

Thru 5/13: Enchanted April
Lamb’s Players Theatre presents the San Diego premiere of Enchanted April by Matthew Barber, adapted from the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim. (619/437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org)

Thru 5/13: Tell Me A Story: Narrative Photography Now
The Museum of Photography Arts presents an exhibition of more than 50 images that includes work by contemporary artists who address issues of narrative, including Tracey Moffat, Gavin Hipkins, Melanie Pullen, Pipo Nguyen-Duy, Anna Gaskell, Polixeni Papapetrou, Tina Barney, Nikki S. Lee, Mureil Hasbun, Barbara Probst, and Jem Southam. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)

Thru 7/31: The Alps
Producer Greg MacGillivray and director Stephen Judson present a film that celebrates the majestic Alpine locale and the culture and lifestyle of the people living among its craggy slopes. At the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. (619/238-1233, www.rhfleet.org)

4/6-28: April Showers
San Diego Watercolor Society presents a juried show of approximately 90 watermedia paintings by Southern California’s talented, award-winning artists, all members of the San Diego Watercolor Society. An opening reception takes place on Friday, April 6 from 5-8pm. (619/876-4550, www.sdws.org)

4/9, 10, 13: Felix Fan
San Diego Chamber Orchestra presents cellist and La Jolla local Felix Fan, who joins the orchestra for the finale of Maestro Jung Ho-Pak’s inaugural season with SDCO. (858/350-0290, www.sdco.org)

4/10: The Killers
Rimac Arena. (619/229-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

4/11: Transfer, Buckfast Superbee, Bill, And Goodbye Eliot
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Benefit at The Belly Up. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

4/14: Montgomery Gentry With Neal McCoy
Viejas Concerts in the Park. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

4/14: Augustana
House of Blues San Diego. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

4/14-29: Living Hawaii Art Exhibition And Live Your Dream Book Tour
Author Layne A.L. Pecoff and artist Grant Pecoff of Pecoff Studios present a book tour for their second book, Live Your Dream. During their two-week tour and art exhibition, the husband and wife team will make appearances from Oceanside to Little Italy, kicking off with National Library Week, hosting an exhibition at their new gallery, Pecoff Studios, and ending with ArtWalk. (619/964-1990, www.pecoff.com)

4/14-5/27: Young Art 2007: Exploring Color
The San Diego Museum of Art will once again showcase nearly 150 artworks in a variety of media by kindergarten through 12th grade students at the museum, as well as at city and county libraries.
(619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org)

4/14-5/28: The Art Of Photography Show
An international exhibition of photographic art at the Lyceum Theatre Galley in Horton Plaza. An opening reception will take place on April 14 from 6-9pm. (858/793-0900, www.artofphotographyshow.com)

4/14-6/2: FUSE: Artwork By Tim McCormick, Josh Clay, Josh Taylor, Aaron McKinney, Neil Simon Poyuzina, Joey Remmers, Isaac Pierro, Zoso, BigToe & James Naccarato
An opening reception with the artists, live music, and wine will take place Saturday, April 14,f rom 5:30-9pm. A second reception will be held on May 12 from 5-8pm. Distinction Artist Studios and Gallery. (760/781-5779, www.distinctionart.com)

4/18: Matt Wilson Arts & Crafts Quartet
Athenaeum Jazz at The Neurosciences Institute presents the San Diego debut of the Matt Wilson Arts & Crafts Quartet. This stellar, mainstream jazz quartet takes a swinging, high-spirited, and often humorous perspective on the standards. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

4/18-8/5: Eighth Annual San Diego Jewish Music Festival
Headlining this year’s music festival are Israeli bassist/composer Avishai Cohen, Michael Philip Davis, the Israel Contemporary String Quartet, Jeffrey Siegel, and the Israeli ensemble SheshBesh, along with a variety of other musicians, concerts, films, and lectures. At the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. (858/362-1348, www.lfjcc.org/sdjmf)

4/20: Neil Berg’s 100 Years Of Broadway
Direct from New York, five of the finest Broadway stars perform songs from the greatest Broadway musicals. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

4/21: Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates Of Penzance
A swashbuckling tale of a merry band of pirates, misguided loyalty, and true love. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

4/21-22: Steven Quartly At Exclusive Collections Gallery
Exclusive Collections Gallery presents Quartly’s exquisite collection of oil on canvas depicting travel in romantic places. Meet the artist April 21 from 6-9pm and April 22 from 12-5pm. (800/599-7111, www.ecgallery.com)

4/22: Gwen Stefani With Akon
Coors Amphitheatre. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

4/25: Trio Con Brio Copenhagen
The Athenaeum’s Barbara and William Karatz Chamber Concert Series presents Trio con Brio Copenhagen, ensemble-in-residence at the Round Tower in Copenhagen, Denmark. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

4/27: Ravi Shankar
The legendary virtuoso sitarist, composer, and teacher performs at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

4/28: Rufus Wainwright
The Belly Up. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

4/28-29: Glass Ranch 8th Semi-Annual Pre-Mother’s Day Glass Sale
& Garry Cohen Studio Glass Blowing Demonstration
Glass Ranch in Escondido presents glass blowing demonstrations, new art glass, and dichroic glass jewelry for Mother’s Day gifts, and refreshments, and music in a beautiful and unusual sculpture garden. (760/745-7020, www.garrycohenstudio.com)

4/30-5/6, 5/7-13 & 14-20: La Bakair
Common Ground Theatre presents a musical that tells the rags-to-riches story of the legendary Josephine Baker who overcame racism and poverty to become the highest paid entertainer in Europe and one of the greatest influences of the 1920s jazz age. Lyceum Theatre. (619/263-7911)

5/2: Brad Mehldau
Athenaeum Jazz at The Neurosciences Institute presents a rare solo appearance by pianist Brad Mehldau, known principally for his work in his trio. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

5/4: Richard Marx
DreamCatcher at Viejas. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

5/4: Rosina Grieco
Athenaeum Jazz at The Neurosciences Institute presents Rosina Grieco, an exciting young prodigy from San Diego, who has delighted audiences of the Athenaeum’s Mini-Concerts, the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, and PBS. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

5/4-6/9: Alex Webb: Istanbul: City Of A Hundred Names
Joseph Bellows Gallery presents the gallery’s second exhibition of photographs by Alex Webb, featuring photographs from Webb’s new book, Istanbul: City of a Hundred Names. An opening reception with the artist will take place on May 4 from 6-8pm. (858/456-5620, www.josephbellows.com)

5/25-7/8: Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Lamb’s Players Theatre’s first major musical hit comes to the resident stage in Coronado and will be directed by Robert Smyth. (619/437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org)