music

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…


Living with dogs; Why I like monasteries

LIVING WITH DOGS Yes, yes, I’ve moved again. The last place didn’t work out even though it was incredibly beautiful. The tribe that lived there was, well, not my cup of tea (to the say the least.) Well-meaning, maybe but from another universe I think. Anyway, I’ve relocated and am living with two, and sometimes more, of the cutest dogs, both personality-wise and physically, the…


Keeping ArtBeat on Main Street beating

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…


Ultimate coffee experience: CULTURE Craft Coffee & Espresso comes to The Centre

They always do it up right at The Centre, Escondido with top quality shops, a luxury Lexus of Escondido dealership, Vintana fine dining and now this, CULTURE Craft Coffee & Espresso. CULTURE held its grand opening celebration last week during which coffee and company took over the ground floor of The Centre and a good time was had by all. “This is a very good…


Theater Review: ‘Meet me in St. Louis’ at Welk Resorts through January 31

“Meet Me In St. Louis” is remembered mostly for Judy Garland’s star turn in the 1944 blockbuster MGM film. The show, (with a book by Hugh Wheeler and music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane) moved to the Broadway stage in 1989, where it was nominated for four Tonys. Welk Resorts Theatre presents “Meet Me In St. Louis” through Jan. 2016 at their Escondido location….


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…


Community In the Know — Something to do? Somewhere to go?

Water saving irrigation systems, anyone? The Dos Valles Garden Club will present a talk by Matthew Noreen of Grangetto’s in Valley Center on water-efficient technologies for landscape, vegetable and orchard irrigation. The presentation begins at 10 a.m., Tuesday Nov. 10 followed by the general club meeting. Included in this timely presentation, according to Sharon Grant, will be a discussion on MP Rotators, drip irrigation, Netafim…


Thinking pink, Grand Avenue ‘street fair(e)’ and Day of the Dead

 The Grand Tea Room Thinks Pink Care for a little sympathy with some tea? Grand Tea Room is hosting “Think Pink” to raise money for breast cancer research. It’s part of this weekend’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Awareness walk, and at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Afternoon Grand Tea is $35, all included. It features tea sandwiches, “savories,” fresh fruit, desserts, scones and,…


Valley Center Symphony performs for fun and cultural profit

Somewhere between surprising and unique, the small-town, all-volunteer Valley Center symphony orchestra seems to strike the right note. A culturally uplifting — shhh… — community secret, the local concoction of musicians ranging from first-time practitioners to seasoned professionals seems as dedicated as it is diverse. “Few communities can say that they have their own orchestra,” said Ed Labrado, a master of understatement as well as…


The View from Here: Music Fest

The view from here is rhythmic. This Saturday my family and I enjoyed the Music Fest at Bates Nut Farm, which was co-produced by the Valley Center/Pauma Music Boosters and Cattle Call, LLC. Last year was the first time we attended and it was so fantastic that we were excited to see the announcement pop up on social media a couple of months ago. Music…