things to do in escondido

San Marcos Youth Strings fills musical gaps

San Marcos Youth Strings is making merry for the holiday season with two performances in December. A good thing, too, considering the state of the San Marcos Youth Orchestra from whose ashes this new string effort sprung like a phoenix. The 20-member community service group has a public concert scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at the California Center for the Arts,…


‘A Christmas Carol’ at Welk Resort Theater

(Carol Davis is the reviewer d-jour, proprietress of Carol’s Theater Reviews — it’s fun to go out. Visit her blog for more reviews.) Dates: Through Dec. 31st Organization: Welk Village Theatre Phone: 888.8027469 Production Type: Musical Where: 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido, CA 92026 Ticket Prices: $59.00 Web: welkresorts.com/sandiegotheatre Photo: Ken Jacques Welk Resort Theatre at Escondido is mounting an eye popping singing dancing, beautifully…


Welk Theater: ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

This is the 2006 winner of five Tonys… “Oh dear God, please let it be a good show. I just want a story and a few good songs,” says Man in Chair at the top of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and I was silently saying “amen” to that right up front. The Man (Vincent Pasquill), a shy depressive in a shapeless brown cardigan, plays an LP…


‘The Music Man’ at Welk through July 30

Deets What: “The Music Man” plays through July 30; Where: Welk Resort Theatre San Diego, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; When: Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm; Thursday and Saturday at 8 pm; How: Tickets: (888) 802-7469 or welkresorts.com. Classic musical at Welk Resort, Escondido through July 30. I’ll grant that “Oklahoma!” is a pretty good opening song for a musical, but for my…


Welk Theater Review: ‘My Fair Lady’

Welk Resorts brings a classic to the stage, and it’s just as fun as ever. Oh, that Henry Higgins. What a prig. What a jerk. What a genius! (Just ask him.) Yep, George Bernard Shaw’s favorite linguist is back to amuse and annoy us with his smart-alecky and soulless use of poor Eliza Doolittle as a guinea pig to showcase his great ability to transform…


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…


Got a beef? Hit the street.

Escondido Street Fair(e) goers who didn’t get their fill of arts, crafts and music Sunday, May 15 at the semi-annual fair definitely got their fill of politics, local and otherwise. Everybody was there from Peta and green energy to Bernie, Sam and strange causes that seemed head-scratchers at best. People not only could register to vote, they also could find out about just about any…


Kennedy & Associates back at it again with 2016 Grand Avenue Festival this Sunday

Escondido’s Grand Avenue Festival, aka Escondido Street Faire, that returns Sunday, May 15 might be only the second-largest single-day festival in California, but as they used to say in the old Avis rent-a-car commercials, they try harder. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people will flock to Grand Avenue and block after block of 500 vendors, food and music from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Escondido’s…


Patio Playhouse presents Obie Award winning Circle Mirror Transformation

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….


Escondido’s Grand Avenue Festival attracted thousands for fun and frolic

Escondido’s Grand Avenue Festival, aka Escondido Street Faire, held Sunday, Oct. 18 might be the second-largest single-day festival in California, but as they used to say in the old Avis rent-a-car commercials, they try harder. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people flocked to Grand Avenue and block after block of 500 vendors, food and music from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Escondido’s first street…