At the height of the roaring Twenties Ray Henderson’s “The Best Things in Life are Free” was a popular song. The sentiment applies to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido’s (CCAE) presentation of Highland Way, highlighting Celtic music from Scotland and Ireland, and the occasional cover. Highland Way is highly free at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 shows at CCAE. Tickets,…
Welcome to “underground” Escondido. The future starts now. Rapper Self Provoked was in the HypeFright house. His teenaged admirers snaked around the long building, spilling across the 239 E Valley Parkway parking lot into a well-mannered, yet energetic, line for a very special meet and greet opportunity. They were maybe 30 yards away from a staid Second Saturday Art Walk crowd trudging around the Escondido…
Iconic, entertaining and legendary, The Chieftains traditional Irish band roars into California Center for the Arts, Escondido Concert Hall on Thursday, Feb. 25. Considered one of the world’s most memorable musical ensembles, The Chieftains transcend musical boundaries by blending tradition with modern music. They’ve been at it for half-a-century, believe it or not, yet always sound fresh and relevant. You can thank Paddy Moloney for…
You don’t have to ask Ukulele Ray where the hot ukulele action is this season. Simply head over to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (CCAE). World-renowned, The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra takes center stage at the 1,523-seat main concert hall on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The New Zealand entertainment powerhouse’s repertoire consists of “ukulelefied” versions of many contemporary pop classics by Justin Timberlake, Dolly…
Hidden Valley Community Concert Association (HVCCA) emerges from the shadows in two weeks with a special performance by Vida Guitar Quartet at at the intimate 404-seat Center Theater California Center for the Arts, Escondido. While it may be cliche to say something or someone is a best kept secret, facts on the musical grounds suggest Hidden Valley’s hidden community concert group, while venerable, also is…
Seven, eight nine, but 10, count ’em, The Ten Tenors at the California Center for the Arts (CCAE) , 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3? Sure, why not. The more the merrier the holiday season. What’s a better way to celebrate the holiday season than with international singing sensation The TEN Tenors? “I’m excited about the TEN Tenors,” enthused CCAE executive director Jerry Van Leeuwen said when…
For its 2014-15 season, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido featured 26 shows with 10 sellouts and a total of 285,000 visits to Escondido’s cultural hub. Revenue was up about $35,000 as a result. “We re-established our performing arts season,” — California Center for the Arts, Escondido executive director Jerry Van Leeuwen Melissa Etheridge came to town on Nov. 6, playing the only North County…
‘The goal is to be the Balboa Park of North County.’ — Jerry Van Leeuween, Executive Director, California Center for the Arts Melissa Etheridge comes to town on Nov. 6, playing the only North County venue large enough for such a major act, the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. The center has had a troubled financial past. However, nobody can deny it…
“All to often, we tend to always feature prominent and well-known artists, over not-so-well-known artists, when they pass away. So, many of these unknown talents go, long before the world is able to catch-up, and recognize them for their true artistry and the contributions they left behind. Danny “BLACK ANGUS” Hulbert is one of those incredible souls, who became a well-known blues guitarist in the…
A lot of restaurants and businesses have come and gone along Grand Avenue, Escondido’s iconic main street. Vinnie and Michelle Griffin have seen them all while starting and growing a vibrant dining and arts hub at the corner of Grand and Kalmia Street. It all started and continues in earnest for the husband and wife team with Vinz Craft Bar & Restaurant, otherwise known as…