Deep Seaing Is Believing
Now playing through the end of the year, an underwater adventure awaits at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's IMAX Dome Theater. Deep Sea, directed and produced by husband and wife team and Del Mar residents Howard and Michele Hall (who brought us the first-ever IMAX underwater film, Into The Deep, in 1994), transports audiences below the ocean surface to swim with some of the most exotic creatures on the planet, including the rainbow nudibranch, giant Pacific octopi, tiger sharks, and numerous others. Narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, with an original score by Danny Elfman, the film showcases the importance of symbiosis in the animal kingdom to the health of the environment. For instance, the mantis shrimp engages in a head-to-head, matador-like challenge with a menacing octopus, and a green sea turtle allows schools of fish aestheticians to clean its shell of unwanted algae. "The film is about biodiversity, and the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystems," explains Howard. "We try to make our point by showing lots of animals, animals relating to other animals, and a lot of animal behavior. Biodiversity is important because ecosystems are communities of animals, of different species, all working together to make the community what it is. If you take a species out of the community, other species are affected. If you take too many species out of a community, the whole community breaks down, which is what we're beginning to see in the ocean today." Filming locations included the Sea of Cortez, various spots off the coast of California near Catalina Island, near the Breakwater at Monterey, and La Jolla Shores. (619/238-1233, www.rhfleet.org)
- Mia Stefanko

Have Fun With The Arts
The bold title of California Center for the Arts, Escondido's upcoming season aptly reads "For the Fun Of It." The 2006-07 season offers lots of fun, to be sure, and much more. The wide array of attractions is eye-poppingly engaging, much as it was years ago when the complex first opened. Arts lovers will want to attend nearly everything, and that is clearly not practical, but it will be very hard to make final choices. Here is a tiny sample of booked presentations: trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight, Bobby Mcferrin with Voicestra, Bob Newhart, LeAnn Rimes, classical violinist Itzhak Perlman, Vince Gill, Ravi Shankar, and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. See what we mean? In addition, the center's museum has scheduled exciting exhibitions during the season to complement a rich mix of arts and culture. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
- Darlene G. Davies

Summer Cinema Nights
This summer, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) will be hosting two film screenings a month. The films will range from documentaries to features. Bring your own lawn chair and enjoy a free outdoor flick with an ocean view. On August 10, Parking Lot Pictures will present the 1980s comic classic Airplane and on August 24, enjoy the San Diego premiere of Songbirds, a documentary with a message of perseverance and hope that combines non-fiction storytelling with music. On September 14, a screening of Ramona Diaz's documentary Imelda will take place, which offers a probing look at Imelda Marcos, the controversial widow of the late Ferdinand Marcos; and on September 28, MCASD presents its first annual showcase of edgy, contemporary animated short films, 'Toon Town Troublemakers, which is filled with bold experimentation. Please note that these animated short films have adult content and have not been rated. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org) - Kaila Lee

McAnuff Says Farewell
There is always theater buzz in San Diego, but the volume has increased lately. Following the excitement of Jersey Boys winning a 2006 Best Musical Tony Award (the show was originally directed by Des McAnuff and produced at La Jolla Playhouse), there was hardly a break before La Jolla Playhouse made the stunning announcement that the gifted McAnuff will leave his position there in spring of 2007 to assume a post in 2008 as one of three artistic directors at the widely acclaimed Stratford Festival in Canada, and to work on myriad artistic projects elsewhere. The great news for La Jolla Playhouse is that McAnuff will don the newly-created title of director emeritus when he leaves, thus allowing him to return to develop new artistic productions in the future and to maintain his ties with the Playhouse. - Darlene G. Davis

MoPA's New Direction
The Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) welcomes in their new director, Deborah Klochko, this summer, who will take over for founding director Arthur Ollman. Klochko is no stranger to the photographic arts, having served as director for Visual Literacy, Inc., a private consulting business promoting understanding of photography, for the last five years. While there, she consulted on the Smithsonian Photography Initiative Project and published three books, including Create and Be Recognized: Photography on the Edge and Picturing Eden. Before that she was director for The Friends of Photography at the Ansel Adams Center in San Francisco. "It's an exciting time," says Klochko. "I'm looking forward to meeting the staff, the community, and the audiences of the museum, so I can best guide it into it's future. San Diego has a jewel of a museum. It's a spectacular space, has one of the best photo libraries in this part of the country, and offers very important educational programs." MoPA's 25th anniversary is coming up in 2008. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)
- Ryan Thomas

Olivenhain Film Series
Olivenhain Town Hall's Outdoor Cinema will host its third annual, four-night season film series beginning on August 25. For four Fridays, these festival-style events will be kicked off by local bands, while vendors from local restaurants dish up picnic-style dinners. (A beer and wine garden will be on site for adults.) Hosted by the Olivenhain Town Council, the event raises funds for the restoration of the Germania Hotel on the Meeting Hall property. Entertainment will begin at 6pm; the films begin at sunset. This summer's lineup features Billy Watson and the International Silver String Submarine Band followed by Shrek 2 on August 25; Pound Dog and Beethoven's 2nd on September 8; Michelle Lundeen and the BITS Blues Allstars with Back to the Future on September 22; and The Fijis and E.T. on September 29. (www.olivenhain.org) - Kaila Lee

Expressions Of Mexico
Expressions of Mexico Gallery in the heart of Barrio Logan is the realization of a dream that started many years ago in Carmen E. Velazquez C., founder and director. "Since I was young I always felt admiration and love for fine art, folk art, traditions and culture, in general, of my native country, Mexico. Over the years the dream was given shape and after living here in San Diego, California for many years and meeting many great artists, I felt that authentic fine art and folk art from Mexico was exactly what I wanted to promote and sell". Currently on view through the end of the month is Origenes de mi tierra, an exhibit featuring 20 works by featured artist Lourdes Leon (who already has avid collectors in the Rancho Santa Fe community) including pieces from her Banana Tree Series, as well as detailed images reflecting Mexican living. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 12-6pm, and Sunday by appointment. (619/232-1699, www.expressionsofmexico.com) - Mia Stefanko

Culture Calendar

August

Ongoing: Ocean Oasis
This giant-screen film takes viewers on a fascinating journey into Mexico's Sea of Cortes and the Baja California desert. Winner of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and the International Wildscreen Film Festival. San Diego Natural History Museum. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)

Thru 8/5: Exhibition Featuring The Paintings Of Hugo Salinas, Christopher Blaikie,
And Victoria Estacio Huckins
At Distinction Artist Studios and Gallery. Born in Mexico City, Salinas studied architecture at the Tecnologico de Monterray after which he had the opportunity to design various buildings, factories, and residential homes. Christopher Blaikie works in mostly acrylic, painting abstractworks, but also experiments with figures and has recently been incorporating Venetian plaster into his works. Victoria Estacio Huckins is a local mixed media artist whose work has been included in many significant exhibitions and collections including the Museum of Contemporary Art and Nine-Ten in La Jolla.
(760/781-5779, www.distinctionart.com)

Thru 8/6: Wicked
Broadway/San Diego presents Wicked, a new musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz that depicts the remarkable odyssey of two girls in Oz long before Dorothy drops in, and how these unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. San Diego Civic Theatre. (619/570-1100, www.broadwaysd.com)

Thru 8/9: Hip Hop Is Everywhere
Eveoke Dance Theatre introduces a performance created and choreographed by Anthony Rodriquez with artistic director Gina Angelique and company dancer Yvonne Hernandez. (619/238-1153, www.eveoke.org)

Thru 8/13: Habitats: Photographic Artwork By Peter Fay And Donna Cosentino
The Ordover Project will feature the fine art photography of local photographers Peter Fay and Donna Cosentino. Fay will be exhibiting images taken around the world of various habitats utilized by mankind (both ancient and modern). Cosentino will be exhibiting black and white hand-printed silver gelatin photographs of San Diego County and areas such as Death Valley and Owens Valley. (858/720-1121, www.ordoverproject.com)

Thru 8/13: American Rhythm
Lamb's Players Theatre presents American Rhythm, an amazing journey from ragtime to swing, jazz to pop, and gospel to rock. Written and arranged by Kerry Meads and Vanda Eggington; choreography by Pamela Turner; musical direction by G. Scott Lacy. (619/437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org)

Thru 8/20: The Sisters Rosenweig
Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein's hilarious Broadway comedy is an insightful look at three unique sisters. The Old Globe Theatre. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 8/27: Galaxy Of Glass - 9th Annual Glass Show
The Art Center at Fallbrook presents the 9th Annual Glass Show, which showcases a broad spectrum of handmade glass from artists and artisans across the region. A live glassblowing demonstration will take place in front of the Art Center on Friday, August 11 from 5-7pm (during the Summer Street Fair series "Hot Summer Nights.") Suggested donation is $5 for non-members. The Janice Griffiths Gallery at the Center. (760/728-1414, www.fallbrookart.org)

Thru 9/10: Water: Impressions And Abstractions
The Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum will feature new works by photographer Abe Ordover, including abstract, impressionistic, and realistic water imagery. Ordover will also be showing images from Big Sur. Fine art photographs by Elizabeth Carmel, Lisa Jordan, and Frans Lanting, as well glass by Dick Ditore and sculpture by Jeffery Laudenslager, will also be shown. (858/720-1121, www.ordovergallery.com)

Thru 9/29: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Directed by Darko Tresnjak at the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies evokes a world of wonder, magic, chaos, and romance. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 9/30: Titus Andronicus
The Old Globe presents the single most popular play in Shakespeare's theatre during his lifetime - today considered one of his bloodiest. Outdoors at the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 10/1: Othello
Written at the height of Shakespeare's creativity, Othello explores the tragedy of a love destroyed by jealousy. Outdoors at the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 11/30: Vikings: Journey To New Worlds
This cinematic portrait of the Vikings explores their historical and cultural impact, as well as their technological and scientific achievements. San Diego Natural History Museum. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)

Thru 1/1/07: Dinosaurs: Reel & Robotic
This exhibit showcases the world's largest collection of original movie posters, models, and memorabilia, an interactive animation studio, a dino dig box, and giant robotic dinosaurs. San Diego Natural History Museum. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)

8/1-31: Artwork Reflecting Coastal Community Living At Off Track Gallery
The lobby of Off Track Gallery will feature art that reflects coastal community living - classic cars, surfing, and coastal life in general. (760/942-3636, www.offtrackgallery.com)

8/3-20: La Jolla Music Society's SummerFest 20th Anniversary
This year's anniversary season of SummerFest will feature 15 performances in three different venues located throughout San Diego and will include some of the festival's favorite artists from the past as well as some up-and-coming young performers. The festival will also feature four newly-commissioned works, three world premieres, and two West Coast premieres. (858/459-3728, www.lajollamusicsociety.org)

8/3-9/17: 5 Cups Of Coffee
Lamb's Players Theatre presents the world premiere of Gillette Elvgren's comedy, where Hal Bjornson runs out on his own wedding and into Milo's Gourmet Coffee Shop. A man obsessed with time, he does not drink coffee, but at crucial moments in his life, he consumes a total of five cups, all at Milo's. Directed by Robert Smyth. (619/437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org)

8/5-9/10: Lincolnesque
A touching and funny new play about the bond of family and the ruthlessness of American politics. The Old Globe's Cassius Carter Center Stage. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

8/6: Ken Schoppmeyer And The King Biscuit Revue
The King Biscuit Revue combines talent from some of Southern California's finest musicians, who have opened for such legends as Ray Charles, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters. Upbeat, contagious, and very danceable, their music is a synthesis of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, blues, and funk. Quail Botanical Gardens summer concert series on the lawn. (760/436-3036, ext. 206, www.qbgardens.org)

8/6, 20: Encinitas Concerts By The Sea
At Moonlight Beach from 3-5pm. These concerts are free to the public, so bring your beach chair or blanket and come ready to listen to some of the best music San Diego North has to offer. August 6 features rock act Custard Pie, and August 20 features reggae act Resination. (760/633-2740, www.cityofencinitas.org)

8/9: Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra
Nearly two years after their sold out debut at New York City's Knitting Factory, Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra is pleased to announce their first-ever performances on the West Coast. The Belly Up Tavern.
(858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

8/10-10/7: Christopher Polentz Exhibit At Distinction Artist Studios And Gallery
An opening reception for the artist will take place on Saturday, August 12 from 5-8 pm. The event also celebrates Distinction's two-year anniversary. Polentz has been commissioned to create commercial illustrations for a number of companies including Atlantic Records, Cobra Golf, MGM/UA, Mattel Toys, Las Vegas Flamingo Hilton, and many others. (760/781-5779, www.distinctionart.com)

8/11-13, 18-20: Hamlet
New Village Arts Theatre presents Hamlet in the 5th annual Shakespeare in the Park on the lawn of the Performing Arts Center at La Costa Canyon High School. Admission is free, and blankets and low-to-the-ground chairs, food, and drinks are recommended. (760/433-3245, www.newvillagearts.org)

8/11-9/17: Rehearsal For Murder
By D.D. Brookes from the teleplay by Richard Levinson and William Link; directed by Robert Smyth. Lambs Players Theatre. (619/437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org)

8/12: Festival In The Desert
The Museum of Making Music presents Festival in the Desert, a documentary that examines the Saharan Music Festival in Northern Mali and features Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and an array of North African music from the world's most remote music festival. 2pm, suggested donation is $5. (760/438-5996, www.museumofmakingmusic.org)

8/16, 9/20: Green Flash Concerts
Birch Aquarium at Scripps presents a new, cultural program featuring live music on Preuss Tidepool Plaza. Enjoy stunning views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and keep an eye out for a green flash. August 16 features Eve Selis, and September 20 features The Boogiemen. Ages 21 and up, $15 for non-members and $12 for members. (858/534-4109, www.aquarium.ucsd.edu)

8/17: A-List At The Athenaeum
Enjoy a variety of work on view during the 15th Annual Juried Exhibition, and mingle with the artists. Rock pianist Randi Driscoll will entertain. Complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres available. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. A-List and upper-category Athenaeum Members are free, non-members pay $10. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

8/17-9/17: Southern Latitudes:
Photographic Artwork By Jim Cline, Nancy Keating, And Bob Barry The fine art photography of Jim Cline, Nancy Keating, and Bob Barry will be on view at the Ordover Project. An opening reception will take place on Thursday, August 17 from 6-8:30pm and will coincide with the Cedros Design District's Third Thursdays. (858/720-1121, www.ordoverproject.com)

8/20: Jazz Guitarist Peter Sprague
Sprague's unique blend of inspired melodies and brilliant technical execution consistently enthuse and challenge listeners. One of San Diego's premier jazz talents, Sprague was most recently honored at the 2004 San Diego Music Awards. Quail Botanical Gardens summer concert series on the lawn. (760/436-3036, ext. 206, www.qbgardens.org)

8/25: American Idols Live 2006
IpayOne Center at the Sports Arena. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

8/25-27: Celebrate Dance Festival Eveoke Dance Theatre presents the
11th annual Celebrate Dance Festival in Balboa Park, which brings together the region's dance companies, groups, collectives, and solo artists to perform together. Free to the public. (619/238-1153, www.eveoke.org)

8/30: Little River Band
Australian classic rock act Little River Band bring their music to the Belly Up Tavern. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

8/30-9/16: Harvest Moon
San Diego Watercolor Society presents a juried awards show of approximately 90 watermedia paintings. A First Friday opening reception is free to the public and takes place on September 1 from 5-8pm.
(619/338-0502, www.sdws.org)