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Museum Month
February is Museum Month in San Diego. Founded in 1989, the event has proven to be very popular with the public, and for good reason. The San Diego Museum Council and Macy’s provide a pass for the month that offers half-price admission to more than 30 institutions. It’s a chance to mix it up, with samples of natural history, painting and sculpture, transportation, science, air and space, and photography, and that’s just to start. Simply pick up your museum pass and the accompanying brochure at any Macy’s store in San Diego County. (www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org) — Darlene G. Davies
The Rebirth Of The Balboa
After years of decay, inattention, and general disrespect, the historic Balboa Theatre, next to Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego, has been given new life by Center City Development Corps (CCDC). Opened in 1924 as a showcase for silent films and vaudeville, the Balboa changed its mission in 1930, when it became a venue for Spanish language films and stage productions. The Navy used its offices for housing during World War II, after which the building reverted to a second and third run movie house. It closed in 1986 and was acquired by CCDC through eminent domain. There had been several visionary ideas for developing the Balboa over the years, but none materialized. So, there it sat, from 1986 until 2002, in deteriorating despair. CCDC then decided to undertake the enormous preservation project itself. Research, design, planning, and retrofitting proved to be an arduous task, and funds needed to complete the project escalated. But, it was worth every bit of angst because the result is acoustically outstanding, visually remarkable, and the perfect size for the many arts groups that will perform there. It even has twin waterfalls in full working condition. (619/235-2222, www.sdbalboa.org) — Darlene G. Davies
Stone Faces
In Chelsea, England in 1963, a little known band called The Rolling Stones had their first photo shoot — before they even had a record contract. Taken by Philip Townsend, these images were used by Andrew Loog Oldham when he went to Decca Records to secure that contract. At the time, popular music groups usually wore matching outfits, but for this first shoot, the Stones had forgotten their recently acquired apparel and had to wear their own clothes. That look was the beginning of the image that would define the Stones. For over 35 years, the negatives from this historic shoot sat in Townsend’s cupboard. Now, The Morrison Hotel Gallery in La Jolla is hosting the first San Diego exhibit of Philip Townsend’s music photography called Sorry, You Missed The Rolling Stones. Townsend himself will be present for the opening on February 9, and the photographs will be available for purchase. The show will run through March 2. (858/551-0835, www.morrisonhotelgallery.com) — Ryan Thomas
Forces Of Fiber
Though originally intended to serve only as blankets, quilts are exhibited throughout the United States, given as gifts, and commissioned by institutions and corporations. Visions Art Quilt Gallery, located at the newly created Naval Training Center Promenade in Point Loma, has scheduled a series of juried and traveling exhibitions and activities in 2008. The first one opened February 1, and will continue through March 23. Titled California Fibers: Natural Forces, the show focuses on topics of nature and earth, and is juried by noted artist Sandra Sider, who is also an author and frequent juror of quilt exhibitions. Since this exhibition expands beyond quilts, the represented artists work in a wide variety of fiber art. Each scrap of fabric, every visual motif, choice of fiber, and each single stitch expresses the total being of the artist, who works patiently alone or with others. (619/546-4872, www.quiltvisions.org) — Darlene G. Davies
The First 90 Years
Dorothea Patricia Smith, a lifelong resident of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, recently celebrated her 90th birthday. What better way to commemorate such an occasion than a book devoted to Smith’s history, which just so happens to intertwine memorably with the history of the region. Smith and her husband Milton were among San Dieguito’s first residents. Together they ran a successful construction company that built many early structures in burgeoning North County. In Cardiff, Smith raised four children in a mid-century-modern home she co-designed with an architect in 1950. Always active in her community, she is also a founding member of the San Dieguito Little Theatre and the San Dieguito League of Women Voters. Dorothea Patricia Smith — The First 90 Years includes photos, interviews with Smith, and examples of Smith’s watercolor artwork. It’s available at the Encinitas Historical Society and local libraries.
— AnnaMaria Stephens
Culture Calendar
February
Thru 2/10: In This Corner
By Steven Drukman, directed by Ethan McSweeny, and playing in the Old Globe’s Cassius Carter Centre Stage. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)
Thru 2/10: Sea Of Tranquility
Written by Howard Korder and directed by Michael Bloom at the Old Globe Theatre. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)
Thru 2/10: String Of Pearls
Four actresses, 27 characters, and one strand of pearls. Written by Michele Lowe and directed by Karen Carpenter. At the North Coast Repertory Theatre. (858/481-1055, www.northcoastrep.org)
Thru 2/22: Jewish/Polish Posters: Communist Era To Present,
A Collection Of Contemporary Posters, New York
Jewish-themed posters produced during the post-war Communist era and since 1989 are on display at the Gotthelf Art Gallery, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus. (http://sdcjc.lfjcc.org/)
Thru 2/24: The Art Of Motion And Images Of Nature
The Ordover Gallery presents a show of fine art photography by Blake Shaw and Lew Abulafia at the gallery’s Solana Beach location. (858/720-1121, www.ordoverproject.com)
Thru 2/29: Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s newest IMAX offering brings viewers into the up close and personal world of marine reptiles that ruled the seas during the dinosaur age. (619/238-1233, www.rhfleet.org)
Thru 2/29: Continuum
Madison Gallery in La Jolla presents new work by James Verbicky about the spontaneity and process inherent in creativity and in daily life. (858/459-0836, www.madisongalleries.com)
Thru 3/16: In Focus: National Geographic Greatest Portraits
The William D. Cannon Art Gallery in Carlsbad presents an exhibition of 51 striking color and black-and-white photographs that highlights the work of some of National Geographic’s most celebrated photographers. (760/602-2021, www.carlsbadca.gov/arts)
Thru 4/13: Robert Irwin: Primaries And Secondaries
MCASD presents an exhibition featuring five new installation pieces by Robert Irwin, four of which premiere in San Diego. At the Jacobs Building through February 22, and then moves to 1001 Kettner through April 13. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)
Thru 4/20: The Photographer’s Eye: A Way Of Seeing
Drawn from MoPA’s permanent collection, this exhibition interprets the groundbreaking book, The Photographer’s Eye (1966) by John Szarkowski, now available at MoPA’s bookstore. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)
Thru 5/4: Matrix II
Austrian-born artist Erwin Redl’s room-size installation, Matrix II, is on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s La Jolla location. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)
Thru 5/5: Photography At The Poles
Intriguing images of the Arctic and Antarctic by leading National Geographic photographers will be on view at The Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum. (858/720-1121, www.ordovergallery.com)
Thru 5/31: The Beauty Of Use — Mingei International Museum At 30
In commemoration of the museum’s 30th anniversary year, this exhibition features significant objects from many cultures shown in relationships that highlight similarities and differences among them. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org)
Thru 5/31: Dressing A City: Selected Styles From Marston’s Department Store, 1878-1961
San Diego Historical Society’s Museum of San Diego History will honor Marston’s by showcasing numerous costume pieces from its costume and textile collection. (619/232-6203, www.sandiegohistory.org)
2/1-2: Poncho Sanchez
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)
2/1-3/23: California Fibers: Natural Forces
Visions Art Quilt Gallery, NTC Promenade presents an exhibition by members of the prestigious juried group of artists working in a variety of fiber art at Quilt San Diego/Quilt Visions. (619/546-4872, www.quiltvisions.org)
2/2: Al Stewart
Musical novelist Al Stewart is best known for two overwhelmingly successful international hits, "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages." This is a wine and song performance — patrons are invited to enjoy a complimentary wine tasting starting at 7pm prior to the performance at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
2/2-3: Christopher M. Exhibition
Exclusive Collections Fine Art Gallery in Fashion Valley presents the work of emerging artist Christopher M., who uses food as the subject of the canvas. (800/599-7111, www.ecgallery.com)
2/2-4/27: Kindred Spirits: Asher B. Durand And The American Landscape And Plein Air Past and Present: A Collaboration Between SDMA And The Lux Art Institute
SDMA is the final and only West Coast venue for a major exhibition of works by the great 19th-century American landscape painter Asher B. Durand. (619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org)
2/3-4: Raul Malo — Special Engagement
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)
2/7-17: 18th Annual San Diego Jewish Film Festival
The San Diego Jewish Film Festival takes place at the AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres, UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center, Poway Creekside Plaza 10, and at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla. (858/362-1348, www.lfjcc.org/sdjff)
2/8-3/16: Hello, Dolly!
Lamb’s Players Theatre presents the irrepressible Dolly Levi, who is set on opening hearts and wallets in her quest to nurture Yonkers, NY with love and money. Based on Thornton Wilder’s American classic, The Matchmaker, and winner of ten Tony Awards. (619/437-6050, www.lambsplayers.org)
2/9: Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo
An all-male ballet company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo hilariously brings ballet alive in an all new way. "Trocks," as the company is affectionately known, has established itself as a major dance phenomenon throughout the world. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
2/9-3/1: An Incomplete Theoretical History Of A Dying Doppleganger Multiverse
Distinction Gallery and Artist Studios presents a showing by painter/illustrator Josh Taylor. The event will be celebrated with art, wine, and the musical rhythms of Live Jungle Boogie Drum Collaboration. Taylor will be present for the opening on February 9, and all 14 of the artist studios will be filled with additional works from artists from around the county. (760/781-5779, www.distinctionart.com)
2/10: The Wallflowers
Grand Cabaret at Pala Casino. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)
2/10: The Ten Tenors
Leaping to international attention at Germany’s Eurovision Grand Prix de la Chanson, the Australian Ten Tenors have captured fans worldwide with their clever and humorous lyrics and musicianship. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
2/11, 12, 15: A Russian Romance
San Diego Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of artistic director and conductor Jung-Ho Pak, performs on February 11 at Sherwood Auditorium, February 12 at Del Mar Country Club, and February 15 at St. Paul’s Cathedral downtown. (858/350-0290, ext. 5, www.sdco.org)
2/12-3/16: The Seven
Greek tragedy meets hip-hop in writer/composer Will Power’s modern adaptation of Aeschylus’ story of a cursed family and a society unsure of how to free itself from war. (Contains adult language.) La Jolla Playhouse’s Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. (858/550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.org)
2/15-6/15: A Day In Pompeii
The San Diego Natural History Museum will transport visitors back 2,000 years in time to experience life and death in the ancient Roman Empire. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)
2/16: The Magic Of Motown
Nancy Soule and her fabulous Funk Family, a dynamic live band, will recreate the songs of the era and present guests with a multimedia video and audio exploration of the giants that made the music happen. The Museum of Making Music. (760/438-5996, ext. 212, www.museumofmakingmusic.org)
2/16: Gypsy
A big, brassy, heart-touching and funny musical giant, based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous burlesque stripper. Performances at 2pm and 8pm. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
2/16-3/22: Doris Bittar Finds Art At The Bottom Of A Coffee Cup
The Athenaeum presents an exhibition of photographs, paintings, video installations, and performances by Iraqi artist Doris Bittar, which is inspired by readings from coffee cups. In the Arabic tradition known as tasseomancy, the sediment left at the bottom of a person’s coffee cup is "read" to determine one’s fortune. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)
2/17: Moiseyev Dance Company
The Moiseyev Dance Company performs the most spectacular, theatrical, and athletic folk-dances from around the world. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
2/23: Violin in America Opening Reception
The special exhibition The Violin in America: Old World Tradition, New World Sound will explore the transplanting of European violin making traditions to American soil. An opening reception will feature the talented Anne Akiko Meyers and The Hutchins Consort. (760/438-5996, ext. 212, www.museumofmakingmusic.org)
2/23-3/30: The American Plan
Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg’s latest offering takes a funny and intriguing look at deeply rooted double standards of America in the early 1960s. The Old Globe’s Cassius Carter Centre Stage. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)
2/23-5/18: Rhythms Of India: The Art Of Nandalal Bose (1882-1966)
The San Diego Museum of Art has organized the first comprehensive traveling exhibition outside of Asia to survey the expansive repertoire of Nandalal Bose, the father of modern art in India. (619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org)
2/26-27: Pat Metheny
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)
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