Getting Personal
We all like to peek behind the scenes, so the current exhibition at the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA), Personal Views Regarding Private Collections in San Diego, satisfies with its current offering, which gives art lovers an inside view of private art collections in San Diego. The quality is high and the range of interests is startling. What do people collect? Well, John and Toni Bloomberg have lent to SDMA four oil paintings, including one by Pierre Bonnard. Avid art collectors Bram and Sandy Dijkstra have temporarily parted with five American paintings, one being Capital Reef, Zion National Park, Utah by Conrad Buff. J. Todd Figi's interest in Latin American paintings is represented by works of Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, and Frido Kahlo. Bill Foxley shares five American paintings, including a watercolor by Winslow Homer, and Chris and Eloisa Haudenschild pull engaging pieces from their extensive collection of Chinese art. Many more San Diegans have generously shared art from their collections, too many to mention them all. But, we quickly note that the Ulevitchs contributed African masks, Ken Widder and Jackie Johnson show early 20th century Czech paintings, and Sheri Jamieson reveals her interest in Greek and Roman antiquities. Ted and Joyce Strauss balance the show with five contemporary photographs; the Thornton Foundation adds four European paintings, with examples of Monet, Pissaro, and Tissot; and Mathew and Iris Strauss have loaned contemporary works, including a mixed-media piece by Willem de Kooning. The periods, styles, and origins of all the art exhibited are widely varied, reflecting the artistic tastes of the collectors. Museum visitors will see works not usually available for viewing and will connect exhibited works with specific San Diegans. Personal Views remains open to the public through January 7, 2007.
(619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org) — Darlene G. Davies

Geisel Library Happenings
For infusions of delight and additional brainpower, turn to the University of California San Diego Geisel Library, where you'll find curatorial joy flourishing. Through November 28, visit Mixing The Deck: Artists' Tarot Cards, which features sets of tarot cards designed or inspired by artists of many eras. On Wednesday, November 22, there will be a live radio drama show, Tarot Readings on Turkey Farm Road, and it will feature the Teeny-Tiny Pit Orchestra for Radio Drama. This presentation is part of the library's Short Attention Span Chamber Music Series. A Paper Theater exhibit will be on view from November 28 through January 30, 2007, with a live performance on December 3. We learn that during the Victorian era, families purchased theater posters, then cut and pasted together model replicas of those theaters. Scripts were included with the poster kits, and families, utilizing the assembled replicas, mounted their own theatrical productions on tabletops in their drawing rooms. San Diego Collects, through December 15, draws from a variety of private San Diego-based collections. Visitors will see selections from collections that have as subject matter everything from beekeeping to 19th-century women explorers. Other collections focus upon topics such as William Burroughs, Virginia Woolf, Dr. Seuss, and artists' books
(858/534-8074) — Darlene G. Davies

Martian Trailblazers
The cinematic story of NASA's Mars rovers, Roving Mars, comes to the Imax theater at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. NASA sent two rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, to the red planet nearly three years ago. Each one was only supposed to last for three months, but have amazed researchers as they continue to explore Mars even today. Narrated by Paul Newman, the touching and inspirational film (you may just find yourself crying over a robot) includes actual footage of Mars taken by the rovers. (619/238-1233, www.rhfleet.org) — Alicia Garcia

A Musical Menu
San Diego Chamber Orchestra's (SDCO) 2006-2007 season has as its theme "inspire your senses," offering a series of musical programs that offer plenty of inspiration. Six distinct musical experiences have been designed to be heard in three unique venues situated in downtown (St. Paul's Cathedral), La Jolla (Sherwood Auditorium), and Rancho Santa Fe (Del Mar Country Club), respectively. To the delight of many, conductor Jung-Ho Pak is the new artistic director of SDCO, and he has selected music that is grouped according to six themes: We missed "New Beginnings," but "A Party for Wolfgang" will be performed November 10, 13, and 14. "Poetic pairs" plays in January, and the remaining three programs, "Love is in the Air," "French Connections," and "Fan-tastic Finale" run February through April. Whether there is preference for Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Barber, Copland, or Mendelssohn, these performances will definitely inspire your senses. (858/350-0290, ext, 7, www.sdco.org) — Darlene G. Davies

Bravo Bocelli
Next month, in his only West Coast performance, the international superstar Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, teams up with Vision of Children (VOC), the San Diego-based charity dedicated to finding a cure for hereditary childhood blindness. Rancho Santa Fe residents Vivian and Sam Hardage founded the organization after their own son, now 17, was born with a genetic vision disorder. Bocelli, who has sold nearly 50 million albums worldwide, performs on Sunday, December 10 at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. VOC patrons are guaranteed exclusive seating along with a pre-concert cocktail reception at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, featuring gourmet Italian fare created by chef Bruce Logue of the resort's Vivace restaurant. Luxury limousines will transport guests to Anaheim for the concert and a private Champagne reception with Bocelli after the performance. The singer was born visually impaired with congenital glaucoma and lost his sight completely in a childhood accident. His partnership with VOC has helped to raise more than $1.5 million for the organization's goals of advancing research, education, public awareness, and treatments for blindness and vision disorders. Tickets are priced at $1,500 and $2,000. (858/799-0810, www.visionofchildren.org) — Andrea Naversen

Golden Nuggets
One of the most famous and recognizable collections of golden nuggets in the United States will soon be up for grabs to the highest bidder at Bonhams & Butterfields' sale of natural history. Alaskan businessman and entrepreneur Arthur J. Sexauer's extensive gem and mineral background allowed him to obtain a variety of unique specimens, many of which he has provided for display at various institutions. His 32-piece collection of rare golden nuggets, dubbed the Golden Nugget Collection, has been on display as a tourist attraction at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas in a high security, bulletproof case for the last 27 years. Auction previews are open to the public on December 1 and 2 from 10am-5pm, and the auction is on December 3. (800/223-2854, www.bonhams.com/us) — Kaila Lee

Culture Calendar

November

Thru 11/12: The Wiz
Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff tricks out Oz and sends Dorothy down the road in this rock and R&B-infused multi-cultural spectacular. La Jolla Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre. (858/550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.com)

Thru 11/12: Miragenous Zones
An exhibition of fine art at The Village Gallery in La Jolla featuring works by Nell Bartlett, Jessica Kim, Sherry Krulle-Beaton, Kate McCavitt, Judi Sim, John Valois, and Jackie Zucker. A reception will be held on November 12 from 1-4pm. (858/459-1196)

Thru 11/19: Life X 3
Directed by Lamb's Players Theatre associate artistic director Deborah Gilmour Smyth. (619/437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org)

Thru 11/19: The Art Of Digital Show
An international exhibition of digital art takes place at Lyceum Theatre Gallery downtown. (www.artofdigitalshow.com)

Thru 11/25: Reinvented Memories
Art Expressions Gallery presents an exhibition of recent works by California painters Francine Matarazzo and Barbara Rainforth. (858/270-7577, www.artexpressionsgallery.com)

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 11/30: Seeing
Susan Street Fine Art Gallery presents the work of painter Philip Buller. (858/793-4442, www.susanstreetfineart.com)

Thru 12/31: Deep Sea
This film transports audiences below the ocean surface to swim with some of the most exotic creatures on the planet. Narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. (619/238-1233, www.rhfleet.org)

Thru 1/1/07: Dinosaurs: Reel & Robotic
This exhibit showcases the world's largest collection of original movie posters, models, and memorabilia. San Diego Natural History Museum. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)

Thru 1/14: The Roads Most Traveled: Photographs Of Migration By Don Bartletti
The Museum of Photographic Arts presents an exhibition of more than 90 images by the Pulizter Prize-winning photojournalist from the Los Angeles Times. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)

Thru 3/31: Guatemala! Celebrations Of Weaving
On view in Evernham Hall at the San Diego Museum of Man, this exhibit showcases textiles made by women of the Mayan villages in Guatemala. (619/239-2001, www.museumofman.org)

11/1-25: Pilgrimage
San Diego Watercolor Society presents a juried cash awards show of approximately 90 watermedia paintings by Southern California artists. (619/338-0502, www.sdws.org)

11/1-30: Death Comes To Everyone: A Participatory Offering
California Center for the Arts, Escondido presents the 12th annual Dia de los Muertos installation, conceptualized by artist Eloy Tarcisio, which will fill the outdoor Sculpture Court. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

11/2: Five For Fighting With Gary Jules
The Belly Up. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

11/2: Lindsey Buckingham
The legendary musician from Fleetwood Mac will perform a small, intimate show at the DreamCatcher at Viejas. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

11/2-4: Wrestling Dostoievsky
Sushi Performance and Visual Art presents Slovene theatre-dance sensation Betontanc, which focuses on the physicality of the human body. (619/235-8466, www.sushiart.org)

11/2-8, 20: 12th Annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair
Headlining this year's book fair are Joseph Kanon, best-selling author of The Good German (which premieres this fall as a film starring George Clooney), California Senator Barbara Boxer, Harold S. Kushner, and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz. Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus. (858/362-1348, www.lfjcc.org/bookfair)

11/3: Trio Arion
The Athenaeum presents a special chamber concert in its intimate Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room with Trio Arion, visiting from France and founded around the grand dame of the harp, Elizabeth Fontan-Binoche. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

11/3-5: Works By Wistrich & More
City Ballet of San Diego celebrates the versatility of Elizabeth Rowe Wistrich's choreography with three of her signature pieces. Kroc Performing Arts Center. (858/272-8663, www.cityballet.org)

11/3-12: Don Pasquale
Lyric Opera San Diego presents Gaetano Donizetti's Don Pasquale, about two lovers who must outwit old Pasquale in order to get married. (619/231-5714, www.lyricoperasandiego.com)

11/3-12: Sweet 15 - Quinceanera
Rick Najera's new comedy has been commissioned by San Diego Repertory Theatre and will be presented as a workshop run. Sweet 15 - Quinceanera was created and written by Najera and will be directed by Sam Woodhouse. (619/544-1000, www.sandiegorep.com)

11/4: Salzburg Marionette Theatre Performs The Magic Flute
Mainly Mozart concludes its year-long celebration of Mozart's 250th birthday with the San Diego debut of the world-renowned Salzburg Marionette Theatre at the Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre. (619/239-0100, www.mainlymozart.org)

11/4-26: The Photography Of Lynn Goldsmith
Morrison Hotel Gallery presents the premiere of the photography of Lynn Goldsmith, a multi-awarded portrait photographer whose work has appeared on and between the covers of Life, Newsweek, Time, Rolling Stone, among others. (858/551-0835, www.morrisonhotelgallery.com)

11/8: Lisa Marie Presley With Antigone Rising
The Belly Up. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

11/9: Aerosmith With Motley Crue
Coors Amphitheatre. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

11/11-19: Much Ado About Nothing
The Old Globe/University of San Diego Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Arts Program presents Much Ado About Nothing. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

11/11-12/7: Theoretical Realism
Sharp Gallery presents the work of Colorado native Joseph Metcalf. An opening reception with the artist takes place on Saturday, November 11 from 6-10pm. (619/546-9546, www.sharpgallery.net)

11/11-12/17: Hank Williams: Lost Highway
San Diego Repertory Theatre presents a musical by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik. (619/544-1000, www.sandiegorep.com)

11/11-12/24: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
America's favorite holiday fable returns for its ninth incredible year at the Old Globe. Directed by Jack O'Brien. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

11/14-19: Riverdance
Now in its 11th year, Riverdance, the internationally-acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song, and dance, triumphantly returns for the fifth time to San Diego Civic Theatre. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

11/17-12/3: Plaid Tidings
This yuletide version of Forever Plaid makes its local debut at Spreckels Theatre. Featuring three of the original San Diego Plaids and David Humphey rounding out the quartet. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

11/16-18: Tapestry Art By Sergio Martinez
Expressions of Mexico Gallery in Barrio Logan presents Sergio Martinez, a master weaver, designer, and colorist from Oaxaca, Mexico. Martinez will be present, working with him loom and showcasing his new selection of dazzling rugs and tapestries. (619/232-1699, www.expressionsofmexico.com)

11/18: Wet, Or Isabella The Pirate Queen Enters The Horse Latitudes
Moxie Theatre presents a theatrical romantic adventure on the high seas by Liz Duffy Adams that features female pirates, sailors, and a drag queen.The Lyceum Theatre. (760/634-3965, www.moxietheatre.com)

11/25-26, 12/16-24: The Nutcracker
California Ballet presents a holiday favorite. November performances take place at East County Performing Arts Center; December performances take place at San Diego Civic Theatre. (858/560-6741, www.californiaballet.org)