CCAE

Kathy Griffin in the house tromping Trump

LGBT Weekly writer Tom Andrew landed a very special interview with the Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian who is ready to tromp on Trump as she brings her tour to California Center for the Arts, Escondido for one night only on Saturday Sept. 10! Printed by permission at The Grapevine. For more, and other interesting stories, visit LGBT Weekly. It is probably safe to say…


Art in ‘Wonderland’

A dual exhibition preview party May 20 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido — officially titled, “My Hero & Unlocking Wonderland Preview Party Fundraiser,” was a sensational, unique and magical night of art and artists. It was a tremendous party with a huge turnout. Gallery shows making their debut that evening included: “My Hero: Contemporary Art & Superhero Action” (art celebrating superheroes) and…


Leading new wave folk singers take over California Center for the Arts on April 1

No April’s Fools joke here, bluegrass is in the house on Friday, April 1 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Fans of the folksy country genre have the opportunity to see some of the leading ladies in the bluegrass world providing a singer-songwriter experience. Patty Griffin, Sara Watkins and Anaïs Mitchell performs a rare singers-in-the-round type show with each artist sharing their own…


California Center for the Arts, Escondido: ‘Dancing With Our Stars’ Gala Fundraiser

An all-star lineup of prominent community and business leaders will slip on their dancing shoes and compete as part of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido’s “Dancing With Our Stars” Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, April 2. Gala proceeds will benefit the Center’s education and community outreach programs, which serve over 75,000 people each year. Community stars will include former Escondido Mayor Lori Holt-Pfeiler and…


Do you know the way to Highland Way at California Center for the Arts, Escondido?

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,…


Dance a jig, Chieftains coming to town

 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…


Tales of Shen Yun at Escondido

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,…


Hidden Valley Community Concert Association presents Vida Guitar Quartet

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…


TEN Tenors come home for the holidays at California Center for the Arts, Escondido

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…


Escondido schools get smART with collaborative approach to arts programs

With school arts funding slashed to the bare bone, Escondido artists and the Escondido Union School District have teamed together to bring innovative solutions to the arts education dilemma. Not only is the concept smart, but its called smART as in smART Fridays leading up to next spring’s grand smART Festival at the California Center for the Arts. “The smART collaborative, developed in the fall…