San Diego Likes It Hot
As it often is with superstars whose lives are cut short, their presence lives on in iconic imagery. Elvis, James Dean, Bogart, and Buddy Holly all went down in history as men who still had more to offer the world. But perhaps no female celebrity's death has resonated as much as Marilyn Monroe's. She remains, still today, the ideal of the bombshell: witty, flirty, curvy, feigning a naiveté that turns men into putty. Madonna copied Monroe's look from the Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend musical number when she recorded her Material Girl video in '84, and recently, Christina Aguilera stole her look in an attempt to class up her act. But neither has captured the glow that was Marilyn. In the days before Monroe's untimely passing on August 5, 1962, she was in the middle of taking photos for a book about her life. These photos, snapped by George Barris in Santa Barbara, are some of the rarest and least seen pictures of her. Beginning on October 8, these and other lesser-known photos — all part of the Edward Weston Collection — will be exhibited at the Coronado Museum of History and Art, not far from the Hotel del Coronado where Monroe filmed Some Like It Hot. The exhibit, Marilyn At 80: Some Still Like It Hot, will commence with both online and live auctions of these authentic photographs with proceeds benefiting the San Diego Balboa Theater. The event will last through November with a final party and viewing of Monroe's films at the Del, and an auction of Monroe's raciest nude photos at Stingaree downtown. Monroe's 80th birthday was in June, but celebrations abound all year (check www.marilynmonroe.com for a list of events). It's nice to think that after 80 years, she's still giving. There's a song to be sung here, but no one could ever do it as memorably as she already did that night at Madison Square Garden so long ago. So we'll just humbly say happy birthday, Marilyn. (619/435-7242, www.coronadohistory.org) — Ryan Thomas

A Binational Celebration
The San Diego Natural History Museum's sixth annual Dos Aguilas Binational Fiesta will take place on October 14, honoring Christy Walton of National City, CA and Jackson Hole, WY and Rodolfo Ogarrio of Mexico City. Both have been instrumental in raising funds and awareness of environmental issues in the binational region. This annual fundraiser benefits the San Diego Natural History Museum's binational research and education programs, while furthering the museum's mission to express commitment to binational understanding, education, and partnership within the Southern California and Baja California peninsula region. Guests will experience gourmet food provided by restaurants from both sides of the border, as well as live music and entertainment and a silent auction. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)
— Alicia Garcia

Mexican Art At Mingei
A handsome banner gracing an outside wall of Mingei International Museum in Escondido announces the current exhibition, Artes de Mexico. Upon entering the museum, the visitor discovers a beautifully curated show that is actually comprised of two separate, but related, exhibitions, both highly engaging. One, Pre-Columbian Art of Mexico, highlights numerous pieces, among them a number of Zapotec rugs. The second show is Folk Art of Mexico, a fascinating and varied collection of more than several hundred objects, all of which were made for daily use and formed of natural materials. There are baskets, dolls, puppets, and flags, and each is visually intriguing. Particularly outstanding are clay works of Teodora Blanco of Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca. Artes de Mexico will continue through January 15.
(760/735-3355, www.mingei.org) — Darlene G. Davies

San Diego Sculpture Show
On October 14-15, the Port of San Diego will launch a two-day waterfront festival featuring four San Diego-based talents as honorary artists: Wendy Maruyama, Therman Statom, Christopher Lee, and Marcos Ramirez. In addition, mixed-media sculptures from 50 other fine artists, approximately 700 pieces, will be showcased. ArtWalk on the Bay occurs in conjunction with the Sculpture Show. The events include live music, a wine garden, children's areas, and food. ArtWalk on the Bay is free; tickets to the Port of San Diego Sculpture Show are $12. (www.sandiegosculptureshow.com) — Jane Shiomi

San Diego Authors' Guide To Halloween Reading
When most people think of horror novelists, they think of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. "But there are so many more, and most of them twice as talented," says Paul Stuart, co-publisher of Punk Horror, a local small press whose first anthology will be out this year featuring such horror writers as John Shirley (The Crow) and Christa Faust (Snakes On A Plane). If you're curious what unknown books would provide a fun scare this Halloween season, join Stuart and other local San Diego horror authors due to be featured in the anthology on Oct 26 from 7-9pm at the Borders bookstore in Mission Valley as they discuss the modern day horror classics that have inspired them and read from their own works. Stuart and partners David Agranoff and Gabriel Llanas have designed their press to solely benefit charities — the first proceeds will benefit domestic abuse shelters. (www.punkhorror.com) — Alicia Garcia

Culture Calendar

October

Thru 10/7: Christopher Polentz Exhibit
At Distinction Artist Studios And Gallery Polentz has been teaching painting at the Art Center for 20 years, and has created commercial illustrations for companies including Atlantic Records, Cobra Golf, MGM/UA, Mattel Toys, Las Vegas Flamingo Hilton, and many others. (760/781-5779, www.distinctionart.com)

Thru 10/14: La Jolla Historical Society's Secret Gardens
Several artists worked in plein air in local gardens during the Secret Garden Tour in May. The resulting
oils and watercolors will be on exhibit in the Athenaeum's rotunda for the sixth consecutive year.
(858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

Thru 10/15: The Image Projected: Single Panels, Stacks, and Grids
Susan Street Fine Art Gallery presents an exhibition of new paintings by Sheldon Greenberg.
(858/793-4442, www.susanstreetfineart.com)

Thru 10/22: George Gershwin Alone
This one-man show incorporates Gershwin's best-known songs, as it tells the story of the gifted composer's brief life. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 10/29: Pig Farm
For mature audiences, Greg Kotis' new comedy about a family fighting foreverything they have — namely,
a herd of 15,000 restless pigs. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 10/29: Culture Clash's Zorro In Hell
Is El Zorro alive and well or lost in the Hollywood Hills? La Jolla Playhouse presents Latino comedy troupe Culture Clash, who unmasks the legend of Zorro with an irreverent, incisive, and zany brand of mayhem and humor. (858/550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.com)

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 12/21: Abstraction And Essence: The Art Of Victor Angelo
Modern & Contemporary Fine Art Gallery presents kaleidoscopic paintings on canvas by internationally-recognized San Diego artist Victor Angelo. His unique vision and technical mastery speak wonders through harmonious merging of lush color. (619/846-1921, www.victorangelo.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)

10/1-30: 26th International Exhibition
Showcase Gallery of San Diego Watercolor Society's juried show of watermedia paintings.
(619/338-0502, www.sdws.org)

10/1-1/14: The Roads Most Traveled: Photographs Of Migration By Don Bartletti
The Museum of Photographic Arts presents more than 90 images by the Pulizter Prize-winning photojournalist from the Los Angeles Times. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)

10/5-8, 12-15: Four Queens — No Trump
Common Ground Theatre presents a production written by Ted Lange and directed by Floyd Gaffney. New World Stage. (619/263-7911)

10/5-11/19: Life X 3
By Lamb's Players Theatre, Life X 3 features Glynn Bedington, Jeffrey Jones, Colleen Kollar, and Robert Smyth. (619/437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org)

10/6-22: The Merry Widow
Chris Thompson returns as Count Danilo in a new production designed by artistic director J. Sherwood Montgomery. (619/231-5714, www.lyricoperasandiego.com)

10/6-29: Miss Witherspoon
San Diego Repertory presents a hilarious new comedy by Christopher Durang. Delicia Turner Sonnenburg directs. (619/544-1000, www.sandiegorep.com)

10/7-11/19: Remembered Threads
Santa Ysabel Art Gallery presents a one-person show featuring the work of San Diego County artist James Hubbell. (760/765-1676)

10/10-15: Movin' Out
Broadway/San Diego presents the spectacular musical by legendary director/ choreographer Twyla Tharp and 5-time Grammy-winner Billy Joel at San Diego Civic Theatre. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

10/11: Citizen Cope With Guests
The Belly Up. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

10/11-12/2: Distinction Artist Studios
And Gallery Group Exhibition An exhibition featuring the works of artists working today in the Urban Surrealism movement. (760/781-5779, www.distinctionart.com)

10/17-22: Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy
Broadway/San Diego presents this colorful dream in an enchanted forest performed on stage and in the air. San Diego Civic Theatre. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

10/19-11/30: Philip Buller Exhibition
Susan Street Fine Art Gallery presents the work of painter Philip Buller. (858/793-4442, www.susanstreetfineart.com)

10/21: English Beat With Guests
The Belly Up. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

10/22: Madama Buterfly
Puccini's enchanting opera is performed in the original Italian, fully staged with an orchestra and English super titles. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

10/27: New Zealand String Quartet
The New Zealand String Quartet makes a rare Southern California appearance, performing works from Mendelssohn and Beethoven. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

10/28: Wynton Marsalis
Arguably one of the best trumpet players in the world, Marsalis earned nine Grammy Awards for jazz and classical recordings. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

10/28-11/25: Yolanda Romero And Carolina Alvarado Exhibition
Expressions of Mexico Gallery, a proud pioneer in promoting Latin American fine art, presents an exhibition of two great water color and mixed media artists. The exhibition celebrates Day of the Dead. (619/232-1699, www.expressionsofmexico.com)

10/30: Stefon Harris Presents African Tarantella...Dances With Duke
Athenaeum Music & Arts Library's 10th anniversary season of Athenaeum Jazz at The Neurosciences Institute with Stefon Harris, who makes his San Diego debut as a leader with this special tribute to Duke Ellington. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

10/31: The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms
The San Diego Natural History Museum presents the classic film The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms in its
giant-screen theater. (619/255-0203, www.sdnhm.org)