Modern society meets barbershop quartets in the new Patio Playhouse Community theater presentation of The Fabulous Lipitones playing through March 13. The rollicking musical has generated great reviews since its 2013 premiere. “This a cappella musical works just fine without much glitter or glamour,” New York Times theater reviewer Ken Jaworski said. “It’s greatest pleasures spring from the simplest of intentions.” The barbershop quartet of…
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…
Chinese culture wars came to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (CCAE) last week. Shen Yun, the New York-based performing arts company affiliated with the Falun Gong spiritual movementm was at the Center for a series of performances from Jan. 26-28. Falun Gong was founded in Northeast China in 1992, emphasizing Buddhist and Taoist tradition. While the Chinese Communist Party initially supported the movement,…
Lights, camera. Action? What the heck was going on Saturday in the alley behind the 100 block of E Grand Avenue? A white mini-van was there. People were milling around. Sometimes the mini-van was moving, and people were running around. Weird. While word on the street is “alley-way-cul-ture” is a secret Escondido happening, this was unusual even for that. Turns out this was the master…
Opening this weekend at The Museum at California Center for the Arts, Escondido is “The History and the Hair Story: 400 Years Without A Comb” exhibition running from Jan. 16 to March 6, 2016. Curated by Starla Lewis (Professor of Black History at San Diego Mesa College), “The History and the Hair Story: 400 Years Without A Comb” follows hair trends from Africa, into the…
Genuine encounters between people as they learn, grow, and challenge themselves are at the core of Circle Mirror Transformation. Running at Patio Playhouse through Jan. 31, this comic drama takes an intimate look at the attendees of a Vermont Drama Class as they interact with – and learn about – one another through theatrical exercises. Performances are at 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees….
Either this was a great year for theater or I’m getting soft in my old age: I gave my highest rating to a full 25 of the 120 plays I saw this year. Could it be that theater is just that good? Ten of the best shows are musicals — and that’s not counting the musical solo and near-solo shows. Musicals Excellent productions of old…
Vista’s ArtBeat on Main Street isn’t Escondido, but it’s close. It’s an art gallery, boutique, wine lounge and creative space that has become an important player in downtown Vista’s re-emergence, a happening that many Escondido boosters have tried to emulate. Unfortunately, it’s also run into trouble of the financing kind. ArtBeat on Main Street is in the midst of a do-or-die fundraising campaign to keep…