Local Cross-Cultural Events
September 2026
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7:00 PM -
Stage: Topdog/Underdog
7:00 PM -
Film: Ristretto Shorts Night
7:30 PM -
Book Talk: Fallen for France
* Upcoming Events *
Monday, September 21
| 7:00 PM | Music: An Evening of Lieder This Cinballera Salon presents German lieder, or art songs, including music associated with composers such as Schubert and Schumann.
Villa Montezuma Museum |
Tuesday, September 22
| 6:00 PM | Huichol Yarn Painting Adult Crafters, join us at Logan Heights Library on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6pm when Back From Tomboctou hosts their Huichol Yarn Painting craft. Seats are limited to the first 15 crafters. This event requires registration
Logan Heights Library |
Wednesday, September 23
| 7:00 PM | Film: Seven Samurai One of the most thrilling movie epics of all time, SEVEN SAMURAI tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire the eponymous warriors to protect them from invading bandits. This three-hour ride from Akira Kurosawa—featuring legendary actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura—seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions and relentless action, into a rich, evocative, and unforgettable tale of courage and hope.
Angelika Carmel Mountain |
Thursday, September 24
| 6:30 PM | Yiddishland Movie Night Join us in San Diego for another evening of our monthly Yiddishland Movie Night, where we celebrate Yiddish culture through film, conversation, and community. This time we will once again enjoy a surprise film selection and are delighted to welcome Amelia Glaser as our special guest. After the screening, Amelia will lead a thought-provoking discussion inspired by the film, exploring its historical, literary, and cultural themes. Gather with fellow lovers of Yiddish language, culture, and cinema for an intimate evening of storytelling, shared history, and meaningful conversation.
Sherman Heights |
| 7:00 PM | Music: Vieux Farka Touré Often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara”, Vieux Farka Touré was born in Niafunké, Mali in 1981. He is the son of legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Touré, who died in 2006. Ali Farka Touré came from a historical tribe of soldiers, and defied his parents in becoming a musician. When Vieux was in his teens, he declared that he also wanted to be a musician. His father disapproved due to the pressures he had experienced being a musician. Rather, he wanted Vieux to become a soldier. But with help from family friend the kora maestro Toumani Diabaté, Vieux eventually convinced his father to give him his blessing to become a musician shortly before Ali passed. As a passionate champion for the people of Mali and The Sahel, Vieux founded the charity Amahrec Sahel in 2012. As part of Amahrec Sahel’s mission to support humanitarian reconstruction and culture, the charity has provided school supplies for children, supported an orphanage in Bamako and provided musical instruments for young musicians in Mali. Vieux is also the director of The Ali Farka Touré Foundation, an international organization dedicated to the preservation of Ali’s legacy and the cultural growth of Mali.
UCSD Epstein Family Amphitheater |
| 8:00 PM | Music: Carin León Carin León is a regional Mexican music artist from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. He began releasing music with a series of live albums starting in 2018 and released his debut studio album independently in 2019. León gained wider recognition in 2022 with a hit collaboration and has since performed at major venues and festivals, including the Grand Ole Opry and Coachella.
Pechanga Arena San Diego |
Friday, September 25
| 4:00 PM | Oktoberfest in El Cajon Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors, water and soft drinks, quench your thirst while you watch and participate in traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio for additional all-ages fun.
El Cajon |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Music: Manny Cepeda Orchestra Manny Cepeda Orchestra was selected as one of the artists on “#Pandora Radio and as a Spotify Artist in 2018!” In 2020, Apple Music and YouTube Music added the Manny Cepeda Orchestra to their catalog. One of the most popular Salsa groups of the Manny Cepeda Orchestra conglomerate is the MCO 11- piece band. Their professional demeanor and stellar performance rank them as the # 1 Salsa Band in San Diego. Since 2010 Manny began a series of public concerts called “Salsa Under the Stars,” and today he currently hosts 5 Salsa Under the Stars in downtown San Diego. Manny Cepeda, a Puerto Rican composer, and arranger, leader of the Manny Cepeda Orchestra has been inducted as a recording artist of his new CD productions “Roots/Raices” and “Padre Querido” featuring his original lyrics and musical arrangements. Manny drew back from his early childhood teaching of his famous uncle Rafael Cepeda and dedicated this CD on his honor. On his latest CD, Manny paid tribute to his father, Barber/Musician “Don Leonides Rivera.” The Manny Cepeda Orchestra Quartet continues to delight the audiences here in San Diego with his series “Salsa Under the Stars” held at The Headquarters District at Seaport Village every third Friday of the month from 6-9 pm and Little Italy’s Piazza Della Famiglia on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Manny’s core of the group is Aico Simon (Japan), Andy Fraguela (Panama), and Henry (Kiko), Jimenez (Puerto Rico).
California Center for the Arts |
| Film: In The Heights Join us for a special screening of In the Heights in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month as part of OTC at the Brooks' Arts Unite series. Created by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes, this acclaimed musical is set in New York's vibrant Washington Heights neighborhood, where a close-knit community dreams of a brighter future while celebrating family, culture, identity, and belonging through unforgettable music and dance. Through film and community gathering, Arts Unite celebrates underrepresented voices and the transformative power of the arts to foster connection, reflection, and unity
Oceanside Theatre Company At The Brooks |
| 7:30 PM | Music: Teada Celebrating 25 years as one of Ireland’s leading traditional bands A traditional band with a truly worldwide reach, Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Rainforest World Music Festival & Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe and World Music Festival Taiwan. In 2014 the band performed to 40,000 people during an extensive 7-week tour of Japan / Taiwan. Joining Téada on stage will be San Diego’s own Rose Academy of Irish Dance, whose champion instructors have been sharing the tradition of Irish dance throughout the region for more than three decades. Experience the excitement of stunning costumes, lightning-fast footwork, and infectious rhythms as these talented dancers bring the spirit of Ireland to life in a vibrant collaboration with one of the world’s premier traditional Irish bands.
California Center for the Arts |
| 8:00 PM | Music: CODICIADO Born Erick de Jesús Aragón Alcantar in Tijuana, Baja California, Codiciado is a regional Mexican music artist who achieved recognition with Banda La Fantástica in Los Angeles and as the co-founder of Grupo Codiciado in 2015. Since launching his solo career in 2021, Codiciado has released popular songs such as 2022’s “Bélico El Asunto,” a collaboration with Grupo Arriesgado, and “Vamos Aclarando Muchas Cosas,” which has garnered over 201 million YouTube views. Known for music that transcends borders and reflects the realities of immigrant life through lyrics, Codiciado’s unique blend of traditional and contemporary regional Mexican sounds has earned him a loyal following and critical acclaim. In 2024, Codiciado hit the road on his highly-anticipated Ando Enfocado U.S. tour.
Cal Coast Credit Union Theatre |
| Music: Sin Bandera This Mexican-American duo has been taking the Latin music world by storm with their passion-filled lyrics and delightful instrumentals. With hits like "Sirena," "Suelta mi Mano," and "Mientes tan Bien," Sin Bandera will mesmerize you with their captivating harmonies and heartbreaking melodies.
The Rady Shell |
Saturday, September 26
| 7:30 AM | San Diego Pacific Islander Festival The Pacific Islander Festival in San Diego is the largest and longest-running celebration of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture in the U.S. This vibrant, community-driven event brings together participants from across the country to honor the traditions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia through music, dance, food, and art. Organized by the Pacific Islander Festival Association, it also supports scholarships and cultural education initiatives. The festival draws thousands of visitors and has become a global showcase of Pacific Islander pride and heritage.
Ski Beach |
| 10:00 AM | Kintsugi Workshop In this hands-on workshop, guests are invited to bring a broken plate and learn the traditional Japanese art of kintsugi, the practice of repairing ceramics with gold. Guided by Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum staff, participants will carefully reassemble their piece while learning the philosophy behind this centuries-old technique. Kintsugi teaches us to see beauty in imperfection and to honor an object’s history rather than hide its flaws. By repairing what is broken, we celebrate resilience, transformation, and mindful making. No prior experience is necessary. This workshop is open to beginners and curious makers alike. The guest can practice on the small sauce dish that we provide before working on their own precious piece.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum |
| 11:00 AM | House of Korea Lawn Program House of Korea hosts its 2026 Balboa Park lawn program Saturday, September 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the International Cottages outdoor stage, with stage time typically around 2 p.m.
International Cottages |
| NOON | Oktoberfest in El Cajon Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors, water and soft drinks, quench your thirst while you watch and participate in traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio for additional all-ages fun.
El Cajon |
| 1:00 PM | Film: War and Peace Rimas Tuminas’ final Moscow production, the epic “War and Peace”, focuses on its three families – the open-hearted Rostovs, the honorable and uncompromising Bolkonskys, and the arrogant and ravishing Kuragins. Tuminas creates, explores and comprehends destinies, paradoxes, madness, love, joy and despair. The world he presents to the audience is a beautiful, aesthetic, theatrical and fragile one, but one at constant risk of being destroyed by the ominous comet that is already in the sky above
Digital Gym Cinema |
| Dance: Fiestas de México Academia de Danza Ti-Pai, and Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai will be dancing traditional dances of Mexico. Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai was founded in December 2014 by its general director Eduardo Romero Murillo in the San Diego County. The main objective of the group is to promote Mexican Ballet Folklore dance arts locally, and internationally. With just 10 years of the group being founded, it has showcased traditional Dances of Mexico throughout San Diego, Tijuana and Rosarito, Las Vegas, Salinas CA. as well as winning first place and second place here at the Fiesta de Reyes competition in 2017, second place in 2018, First Place in 2019 and 1st place at Las Vegas Dance Competition. Under the general direction of Eduardo Romero & artistic director Mariana Perezchica we present to you “Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai”.
Joan B. Kroc Theatre |
| 2:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| 4:00 PM | Dance: Fiestas de México Academia de Danza Ti-Pai, and Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai will be dancing traditional dances of Mexico. Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai was founded in December 2014 by its general director Eduardo Romero Murillo in the San Diego County. The main objective of the group is to promote Mexican Ballet Folklore dance arts locally, and internationally. With just 10 years of the group being founded, it has showcased traditional Dances of Mexico throughout San Diego, Tijuana and Rosarito, Las Vegas, Salinas CA. as well as winning first place and second place here at the Fiesta de Reyes competition in 2017, second place in 2018, First Place in 2019 and 1st place at Las Vegas Dance Competition. Under the general direction of Eduardo Romero & artistic director Mariana Perezchica we present to you “Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai”.
Joan B. Kroc Theatre |
| 5:30 PM | Italian Film Festival Launch Event Join us as we launch the 20th edition of the San Diego Italian Film Festival with a special evening dedicated to our founder, Victor Laruccia, and to the legacy he helped create. This celebration will honor the history of the Ristretto Awards, our short film competition and a program especially close to Victor’s heart. We will begin the evening with a selection of some of the most memorable shorts from past editions, followed by food generously offered by Forchettina, Italian wine, and a silent auction. Come celebrate SDIFF’s past, present, and future as we begin this milestone feStivale together.
The Brain Observatory |
| 6:00 PM | Stage: SUGAR SKULL! SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual musical for audiences of all ages. Convinced her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones, twelve-year-old Vita Flores embarks on a magical journey when a spirited candy skeleton springs to life and becomes her guide. Along the way, she encounters colorful characters inspired by folklore and discovers a deeper connection to her heritage. Bursting with music, dance, humor, and heart, SUGAR SKULL! captures the spirit of Día de Muertos in a joyful theatrical experience that celebrates memory and connection across generations.
UCSD Epstein Family Amphitheater |
| Dance: Celebracion Mexicana Ballet Folklorico San Diego Dance Company brings its 5th annual showcase to the Shiley Theatre at the University of San Diego, where dancers of all ages perform traditional dances representing various regions of Mexico. Live music from Mariachi Fuente accompanies the colorful performances, with the mariachi continuing to play in the garden afterward. You can browse Mexican snacks, pan dulce, candy, and artesanías while soaking in the atmosphere.
Shiley Theatre |
| Music: Mariachi USA Experience the phenom of MARIACHI USA as it returns to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park for its 2nd year! Celebrate the World’s Premier Mariachi Festival at San Diego’s stunning Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Returning to the Rady for its 2nd year, MARIACHI USA promises to once again deliver standing ovation performances and pyro finale on the Bay of San Diego Founded in 1990 by Rodri Entertainment, MARIACHI USA was born from a visionary mission to elevate mariachi music to its rightful grandeur. MARIACHI USA has reigned for almost four decades as the longest-running and most revered mariachi event globally, and gracefully wears the crown for longest running annual event at the iconic Hollywood Bowl Join us for an electrifying evening beginning at 6 p.m., featuring legendary mariachi ensembles. Four non-stop thrilling hours of puro mariachi, folklorico ballet and sing a long sky-lit fireworks finale!
The Rady Shell |
| 6:30 PM | Music: Evening of Sarode & Tabla Alam Khan performs Indian classical music on sarode with tabla master Pandit Anindo Chatterji, representing the Maihar and Farrukhabad musical traditions.
Carmel Valley |
| 7:00 PM | Dance: Fiestas de México Academia de Danza Ti-Pai, and Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai will be dancing traditional dances of Mexico. Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai was founded in December 2014 by its general director Eduardo Romero Murillo in the San Diego County. The main objective of the group is to promote Mexican Ballet Folklore dance arts locally, and internationally. With just 10 years of the group being founded, it has showcased traditional Dances of Mexico throughout San Diego, Tijuana and Rosarito, Las Vegas, Salinas CA. as well as winning first place and second place here at the Fiesta de Reyes competition in 2017, second place in 2018, First Place in 2019 and 1st place at Las Vegas Dance Competition. Under the general direction of Eduardo Romero & artistic director Mariana Perezchica we present to you “Ballet Folklorico Ti-Pai”.
Joan B. Kroc Theatre |
| 8:00 PM | Music: The Panturas The Panturas is an Indonesian surf rock band. The group consists of Abyan Nabilio, Surya Fikri, Bagus Patria, and Rizal Taufikurrohman. They released two studio albums, Mabuk Laut and Ombak Banyu Asmara, and an extended play Galura Tropikalia.
House of Blues San Diego |
Sunday, September 27
| 7:30 AM | San Diego Pacific Islander Festival The Pacific Islander Festival in San Diego is the largest and longest-running celebration of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture in the U.S. This vibrant, community-driven event brings together participants from across the country to honor the traditions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia through music, dance, food, and art. Organized by the Pacific Islander Festival Association, it also supports scholarships and cultural education initiatives. The festival draws thousands of visitors and has become a global showcase of Pacific Islander pride and heritage.
Ski Beach |
| 10:00 AM | Encinitas Oktoberfest Encinitas Oktoberfest in San Diego, California, is a lively celebration of German heritage that brings the community together with authentic Bavarian music, dance performances, and a traditional beer garden. The event features a bustling artisan faire, showcasing local crafts and businesses, alongside an international food court and a dedicated craft beer garden highlighting regional brews. Family-friendly carnival attractions add to the festive atmosphere, making it a popular destination for attendees from across San Diego County. Spanning nearly a mile on Mountain Vista Drive, this annual festival offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Encinitas |
| 11:00 AM | House of Puerto Rico Lawn Program Every year in June the House of Puerto Rico San Diego holds their Lawn Program, for Día de San Juan. The entertainment is provided by different groups, sometimes by Folkloric dance groups, Salsa bands, and musicians. The beautiful dances and costumes of the Puerto Rican Culture as well as the authentic music are displayed in a colorful program.
International Cottages |
| NOON | Oktoberfest in El Cajon Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors, water and soft drinks, quench your thirst while you watch and participate in traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio for additional all-ages fun.
El Cajon |
| Food: Taste of Shogun Our largest cultural event of the year- Taste of Shogun features a curated selection of Japanese food, vendors, performance, and craft beer! Taste of Shogun — A Full Day of Japanese Food, Culture & Craft Beer Taste of Shogun returns as our biggest cultural celebration of the year — a full‑scale festival highlighting Japanese food, artistry, performance, and community. This event is designed for everyone, and General Admission is completely free, giving guests access to the full marketplace experience.
Embolden Beer Co. |
| 2:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| 2:30 PM | San Diego Sake Festival Get ready to sip, savor, and celebrate at the 10th Annual San Diego Sake Festival, proudly presented by San Diego Sake Club in collaboration with JETRO LA. Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon featuring a curated selection of premium sake from Japan and the U.S.
JULEP Venue |
| 6:00 PM | Film Discussion: A Hairy Tale Danesh dreams of becoming an actor and Manfered may have an opportunity in store if Danesh can collect enough hair to use as wigs.
Iranian American Center |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
Monday, September 28
| 6:00 PM | Talk: Who Is an American? This University of San Diego panel examines historical and contemporary ideas of American identity, with presentations addressing religious identity, immigration, ancestry, and belonging.
USD |
Tuesday, September 29
| 5:30 PM | Talk: Immigration, Belonging, and the Constitution It’s convenient but misleading to talk about a constitution as if it governed a closed group of citizens. In this age of migration, the arrival of newcomers and their becoming residents complicate the essential question of “who belongs?” And what is the Constitution’s role in this inquiry? Drawing on the conceptual framework in his recent book, "Borders and Belonging," Professor Motomura will offer answers to these questions.
University of San Diego |
| 6:00 PM | Book Talk: The Serviceberry This three-week community book club discusses Robin Wall Kimmerer's The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, exploring relationships with the natural world, extraction, reciprocity, and Indigenous perspectives on giving and receiving.
WorldBeat Cultural Center |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Film: The Taste of Tea The pristine image of the Japanese family is turned on its uber-polite head with surreal aplomb in this far out collection of hilarious vignettes. Set in the languid countryside, mom is an eccentric artist who eschews household chores for an animation project with occasional help from crazy grandpa. Meanwhile dad is just your everyday hypnotherapist. Their teenaged son suffers from hangups about the opposite sex while his little sister must contend with a doppelganger. Uncle is a groovy music producer on a respite whose ghostly past experiences still haunt him. Maverick director Katsuhito Ishii (who created the animated sequence in Kill Bill: Volume 1) pulled out all the stops for this endearing outré take on the Japanese psyche. Replete with non-stop irreverent gags, anime digressions, musical numbers and candy-coated lysergic passages, The Taste of Tea is, “a true delight that elevates feel-good cinema to a whole new level and charms from start to finish.” Presented in a new HD master supervised by the director.
Digital Gym Cinema |
Wednesday, September 30
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Film: Ristretto Shorts Night Join us for a captivating night with an exciting selection of shorts. We are thrilled to present a special showcase of shorts finalists for the prestigious Ristretto Shorts Awards. Immerse yourself in the magic of Italian storytelling as we screen a carefully curated lineup of captivating short films. These finalists for the Ristretto Shorts Awards have been selected for their exceptional quality, creativity, and ability to convey profound narratives in a limited timeframe.
Digital Gym Cinema |
| 7:30 PM | Book Talk: Fallen for France An exquisite Arabian mare. A small boy leaving home. A young woman in France fighting to survive. The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Ride of Her Life braids a sweeping novel of love, war, empire, and the power of kindness in a world descending into darkness. Beddou is six years old when he is sent off to apprentice far from his High Atlas village in Morocco. His mother gives him six amber beads to help him find his way home. That same month, a magnificent filly is born in Fes, in the splendor of the Sultan's palace. For a brief, golden time, the mare belongs to the boy. But Beddou's heart is broken when a soldier steals his horse and disappears into France just as the Great War roars to a start. Finding her seems impossible, but he vows to try. Estelle, a young woman in France, finds a distressed Arabian mare wandering alone in the meadow behind her house. She is determined to look after this radiant creature just as tenderly as she cares for her vulnerable younger brother. But soon her world is torn apart, and she loses both the horse and her brother. She will spend the rest of the war searching for both. Thomas is an Englishman hardened by his experience as a wartime veterinarian in France. He finds the mare and promises to protect her—and the woman who once loved her—but he doubts his own ability to keep anyone safe. As the pathways of the unforgettable mare and the boy's desperate search intertwine, the separate strands of these strangers' journeys converge, propelling them to make momentous choices that will change the course of their lives. Spanning Morocco and France in the shadow of World War I, Fallen for France follows unforgettable characters whose lives are bound by a magnificent horse and a string of amber beads.
Warwick's |
Thursday, October 1
| 11:00 AM | Book Talk: Mint Tea at the Kasbah “Stories are the communal currency of humanity.” — Tahir Shah Step into Morocco without leaving Southern California for a one-of-a-kind literary gathering that celebrates the rich culture, history, landscapes, and stories that inspire great books. Over a cup of iced Moroccan mint tea and a delectable pastry, join New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Letts, whose captivating new historical novel "Fallen for France" transports readers from the elegance of Europe to the rugged beauty of Morocco, and Moroccan-born author and chef Kitty Morse, whose memoir "Mint Tea & Minarets" offers a deeply personal portrait of life, family, and tradition in Morocco and France. Hosted at Kitty’s charming Vista home—a private residence inspired by a traditional Moroccan riad—this intimate salon invites guests to immerse themselves in the sights, stories, and flavors of Morocco. Over Moroccan mint tea and cookies, Kitty will share memories of her upbringing in Morocco and discuss the cultural and historical connections that resonate throughout Elizabeth’s novel. Elizabeth will then discuss the inspiration behind Fallen for France, the remarkable true stories that informed her research, and the enduring relationship between horses, history, and human resilience. Whether you are drawn to historical fiction, memoir, horses, world cultures, culinary traditions, or simply the joy of discovering remarkable stories, this intimate literary salon offers a rare opportunity to experience Morocco through the eyes of two extraordinary authors. Through conversation, storytelling, and audience Q&A, guests will explore the people, history, landscapes, and traditions that inspire both books while enjoying the warmth and hospitality for which Morocco is renowned. Space is limited for this exclusive literary salon, creating a rare opportunity to engage with both authors in a uniquely atmospheric setting that feels worlds away from everyday life.
Vista |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Italian Film Festival: Napoli New York 1949. Naples lies in ruins after the devastation of WWII. Young Carmine and Celestina try to survive as best they can. One night, the pair find themselves caught on a ship as it is departing, leaving them to New York, and needing to dodge the attention of the vessel’s captain. Eventually reaching the unknown metropolis, Carmine and Celestina must quickly find a way to adapt to their new surroundings, and set out to find Celestina’s older sister who emigrated years earlier... Based on a rediscovered screenplay by maestro Federico Fellini and Tullio Pinelli, written together 80 years ago as young aspiring filmmakers long before the two collaborated on La Strada and La dolce vita, this is a compelling and hopeful coming-of-age story about the duality of dreams and disillusionment, the search for identity and the pursuit of a better life.
In Italian with English subtitles.
A special introduction and post-screening Q&A with Professor Emeritus Pasquale Verdicchio (UC San Diego).
Museum of Photographic Arts |
Friday, October 2
| 4:00 PM | Oktoberfest in El Cajon Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors, water and soft drinks, quench your thirst while you watch and participate in traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio for additional all-ages fun.
El Cajon |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Italian Film Festival: Per Te Based on a true story. Eleven-year-old Mattia daily experiences the illness of his father, who, in his early forties, is slowly beginning to lose pieces of his memory. But just as the world begins to fade, he chooses to stay close to what truly matters, strengthened also by the love of his wife Michela. Together with his son, they embark on a journey of shared daily life, sudden laughter, and silences that speak. A story that celebrates the power of love beyond time and memory.
In Italian with English subtitles.
A special post-screening Q&A with Lena Huang of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Museum of Photographic Arts |
Saturday, October 3
| 9:00 AM | Kinusaiga Workshop Discover the Japanese art of Kinusaiga, a beautiful fabric technique that transforms colorful scraps of cloth into a stunning work of art—all without a needle or thread. In this 3‑hour, beginner‑friendly workshop, you’ll explore color and texture as you design your own decorative fabric mosaic. You’ll be guided step‑by‑step through sketching your picture and then using a simple method of tucking fabric into grooves to bring your design to life, one vibrant piece at a time.
Kinusaiga is wonderfully relaxing and surprisingly addictive—a chance to slow down, get creative, and enjoy the deeply satisfying process of making something by hand. All materials are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own fabric scraps (even tiny ones)—including cherished pieces of clothing or meaningful textiles you’d like to repurpose into your artwork. Each student will create an 8×8” project to take home.
San Diego Craft Collective |
| 11:00 AM | Mid Autumn Moon Festival Join us for a free, full-day Mid-Autumn Moon Festival celebrating culture, community, family, and the traditions that bring us together! Presented in collaboration with the Asian American Dance Festival, this year's celebration brings an exciting mix of traditional and contemporary cultural experiences to Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. Spend the day enjoying live performances, hands-on activities, family games, cultural traditions, environmental activities, and plenty of opportunities to participate—not just watch!
Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park |
| Chanoyu Tea Ceremony Demonstrations Urasenke will serve tea and Japanese sweets.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum |
| NOON | Oktoberfest in El Cajon Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors, water and soft drinks, quench your thirst while you watch and participate in traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio for additional all-ages fun.
El Cajon |
| 2:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Dance: Balik Tanaw PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company presents live dance, music, and song drawing on Philippine traditions and paying tribute to the Indigenous cultures of the Philippines through traditional and contemporary interpretation.
Joan B. Kroc Theatre |
| 3:00 PM | San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival The San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival, which debuted in 2024 with nearly $400,000 in seed money from Qualcomm co-founder Irwin M. Jacobs, will return in expanded form this fall for its third year at multiple venues on both sides of the border. The event will grow from three days in 2024 and 2025 to four days this year. Free concerts will take place in downtown Tijuana and downtown San Diego, along with a paid concert at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, for which tickets go on sale May 30 at sdtjjazz.org. This year’s roster includes drum dynamo and five-time Grammy Award-winner Brian Blade with his genre-blurring group, The Fellowship Band, and Panamanian-bred piano great Danilo Pérez, who is a three-time Grammy-winner. Blade and Pérez were both longtime members of the late saxophone legend Wayne Shorter’s quartet. Pérez, who heads the Global Jazz Institute at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, will perform here with the SDSU Jazz Ensembles and the Ensenada-based La Covacha Big Band. Also set to appear is 2022 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition-winner Lucia, a native of Veracruz. Lucia performed here at the 2025 festival with her jazz band. She is returning with a four-man son jarocho group that features her father, Ramón Gutiérrez, a keen musical improviser and master of the four-stringed requinto. In addition, the festival will present San Diego and Tijuana performances by the seven-piece Mingus Dynasty, which features tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, pianist Helen Sung and Russian-born bassist Boris Kozlov. The band pays tribute to the music of modern jazz pioneer Charles Mingus and will perform some pieces from his classic 1957 album, “Tijuana Moods.” Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and UC San Diego music professor Anthony Davis is a lifelong Mingus fan. He has agreed to write a new piece for Mingus Dynasty to play at the festival, which is now seeking underwriting for what will be a world premiere if funding is found.
California Center for the Arts |
| Diwali Celebration Celebrate Diwali - The Festival of Lights! Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Join us for a fun-filled celebration with cultural and musical performances, Henna tattoos, and arts & crafts, including a lotus flower and wall hanging activity! Let’s light up the celebration with joy, culture, music, creativity, and togetherness!
North University Community Library |
| 4:00 PM | Music: Fête with Rana Mansour Persian Cultural Center, in collaboration with the San Diego Museum of Art, presents: Mehregan Fall Fête Featuring Rana Mansour. Meet & Greet session with artists and access to the SDMA, including the Iran Art Gallery, at 4 PM. The concert starts at 5 PM
Museum Of Art San Diego |
| 7:00 PM | Italian Film Festival: La vita da grandi (Siblings) Irene is living her life in Rome when her mother asks her to return for a few days to Rimini—the city where she was born and from where she once ran away—to take care of her older autistic brother, Omar. Once they are together, Irene discovers that Omar has very clear ideas about his future: he has no intention of living with her once their parents are gone and is determined to make his dreams come true. He wants to get married, have three children—because three is the perfect number—and become a famous rap singer. But for any of that to happen, Omar must first learn to live independently.
In Italian with English subtitles.
Museum of Photographic Arts |
| Dance: Balik Tanaw PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company presents live dance, music, and song drawing on Philippine traditions and paying tribute to the Indigenous cultures of the Philippines through traditional and contemporary interpretation.
Joan B. Kroc Theatre |
| 8:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Music: Julieta Venegas Julieta Venegas Percevault is a Mexican singer-songwriter. She specializes in Spanish indie pop rock and embarked on her musical journey by joining several bands, including the Mexican ska band Tijuana No!.
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre |
Sunday, October 4
| 10:00 AM | Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest Spend the afternoon tasting your way through the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum at the Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest! From savory street food and handcrafted sweets to refreshing beverages and premium sake, every stop offers something new to enjoy. Your Oishii Festival Passport unlocks tastings from participating food and beverage vendors, making it easy to explore a variety of authentic Japanese flavors while strolling through the garden’s peaceful paths and scenic landscapes. Whether you’re a devoted foodie, a sake enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique day out with friends and family, Oishii is a celebration of Japan’s rich culinary traditions in the heart of Balboa Park.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum |
| 11:30 AM | Italian Film Festival: Gioia Mia (Sweetheart) Nico, a lively and impertinent child raised in a secular family in a modern and technological world, is forced to spend the summer in Sicily, hosted by an elderly aunt, a religious and grumpy woman who lives alone in an ancient building steeped in legends, without Wi-Fi. The clash between modernity and the past, between reason and religion, between speed and slowness, marks the beginning of their stormy relationship. Yet, little by little, a deep bond develops that neither of them knew they needed.
In Italian with English subtitles.
A special post-screening panel with Little Fish Comic Book Studio.
Museum of Photographic Arts |
| NOON | Oktoberfest in El Cajon Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors, water and soft drinks, quench your thirst while you watch and participate in traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio for additional all-ages fun.
El Cajon |
| 1:00 PM | Food: Okonomiyaki Workshop Escape to the enchanting streets of Japan as you learn how easy it is to make this iconic street food. The word "okonomiyaki" is derived from "okonomi" meaning "as you like" and "yaki" meaning "grilled. It's commonly referred to as being a Japanese pancake. Accurate to its name, okonomiyaki can be served with a variety of toppings. This class is perfect for anyone who enjoys Asian flavors and wants to learn more about how to recreate these flavors and techniques at home! In this entertaining, hands-on class, you will be guided step-by-step in creating the perfect batter that holds everything together. As you create your vegetarian base consisting of cabbage and scallions you will also have the option of topping your artfully crafted Okonomiyaki with shrimp or bacon.
Duck Foot Brewing |
| 2:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| 4:00 PM | Food: Mexico in a Bottle Mexico in a Bottle Returns to San Diego! Mezcal. Cultura. Herencia. Join us Sunday, October 4th at Bread & Salt Gallery for an afternoon devoted to the great spirits of Mexico. Sip your way through agave spirits while hearing the stories behind them — the producers, the process, the land. You'll also find Mexican whiskey, rum, gin, liqueurs, and more waiting to be discovered. Local restaurants bring the flavor to match, serving up bites paired with cocktails, while art and live music fill the room around you. Because this isn't just about what's in the glass. Every bottle holds a piece of Mexican culture — a living link to history, tradition, food, art, and music. Life and death, distilled. That's what we're here to honor at Mexico in a Bottle.
Bread & Salt Gallery |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
Tuesday, October 6
| 6:00 PM | Book Talk: The Serviceberry This three-week community book club discusses Robin Wall Kimmerer's The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, exploring relationships with the natural world, extraction, reciprocity, and Indigenous perspectives on giving and receiving.
WorldBeat Cultural Center |
| 6:30 PM | Talk: Love, Murder and Taxi Dancers in the Stingaree District Taxi Dancer reveals the hidden world of Depression-era Filipino taxi dance halls, weaving a forbidden interracial romance with a high-stakes murder mystery to explore race, desire, survival, and the Filipino American experience in 1930s California. In response to Depression-era California laws that criminalized interracial marriage, Filipinos established taxi dance halls where they could mingle with American women. Men buy 10-cent tickets for one song, hence taxi, since the women are rented like cabs. When Filipino farmworker Eli and white taxi dancer Lucinda fall in love, they hope to move to Washington State, where they can legally wed. Their plans are derailed when Eli is arrested for murder. As Lucinda fights to exonerate Eli, she uncovers a murder conspiracy orchestrated by a rival dance hall owner. What abhorrent secrets concealed by the conspirators will be revealed at the capital punishment trial?
Central Library |
| Book Talk: Beyond the Verdict “Family life is too intimate to be preserved by the spirit of justice. It can be sustained by a spirit of love which goes beyond justice.” —Reinhold Niebuhr And speaking of justice, Adventures by the Book® invites you to meet two former attorneys turned bestselling writers, Jacqueline Friedland and Rosa Kwon Easton, for an intimate evening inspired by their respective novels Breathing Under Water and Red Seal.
Jacqueline and Rosa will share the complexities of family dynamics and human connection as they immerse us in powerful stories about sacrifice, displacement, and endurance. The evening also marks the official publication day of Rosa’s Red Seal, giving us the special opportunity to celebrate its release together!
Your Adventure includes an engaging author conversation, audience Q&A, book signing, and the opportunity to purchase copies of Breathing Under Water and Red Seal for personalized signatures. Join us as we talk about the complexities of family, friendship, and the power of unity in times of hardship.
Coronado Public Library |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| 8:00 PM | Music: Salin Drummer, producer, and composer Salin describes her music as “Afro Isan Soul,” a style inspired by the folk traditions of Northeast Thailand, the psychedelia of 1970s West Africa, along with jazz, funk, and soul. An inventive bandleader with a magnetic presence behind the drums, she brings these influences together with confidence, creativity, and an unmistakably fresh point of view. Her breakthrough album Rammana has earned praise from KEXP and audiences at Winter Jazzfest, with TIDAL calling it “an unforgettable meeting of musical worlds.” Joining us at The Loft with her eclectic ensemble, Salin invites audiences to experience a joyful performance as an emerging artist expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz.
The Loft |
Wednesday, October 7
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Film: Memorex + Rexsexex y Más This Spanish-language concert documentary chronicles Mexican rock band Zoé's six performances at Mexico City's GNP Stadium, attended by more than 380,000 fans.
Digital Gym Cinema |
Thursday, October 8
| 5:00 PM | Music: Shabaka Shabaka brings his groundbreaking new album, Of The Earth, to San Diego for one unforgettable night. On October 8, FUTURE IS COLOR® Studio Sessions welcomes Shabaka for a special live performance centered on his latest album, Of The Earth. Shabaka is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who came to prominence within the London scene playing bands Sons of Kemet, the Comet is Coming and Shabaka and the Ancestors. At the start of 2024, he announced a hiatus from the saxophone, and since then has been composing material for the various flutes he is engaged in studying. Collaboration and the idea of developmental change being central to artistic practice is the driving force behind Shabaka’s live sets, which are constantly evolving and striving to reflect an up-to-date account of a creative mind in flow. Join us for an evening of with one of the most vital and ever-evolving artists of our time.
Quartyard |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Italian Film Festival: Fuori Fuori is a moving drama about friendship in adversity, female solidarity, and anti-conformism, inspired by the life of one of Italy’s most iconic authors, Goliarda Sapienza. Rome, 1980. After the magnum opus The Art of Joy she has been working on for a decade is rejected by the Italian publishing world, writer Goliarda Sapienza ends up in prison for stealing jewelry, but the encounter with some young inmates turns out to be a life-changing experience. After their release and over the course of a scorching summer, the women continue to meet, and Goliarda forms a deep bond with Roberta, a repeat offender and political activist. A connection no one on the outside can truly understand, but through which Goliarda rediscovers the joy of living and the drive to write again.
In Italian with English subtitles.
A special introduction and post-screening Q&A with Professor Clarissa Clò (San Diego State University).
Museum of Photographic Arts |
Friday, October 9
| NOON | Brazilian Children's Day Celebrate Brazilian Children’s Day with Do Re Tree! Join us for a joyful celebration filled with Brazilian music, movement, Capoeira, storytelling, and Portuguese! Bring the whole family and experience the joy of Brazilian culture together! Free community program — everyone is welcome! Let's play and have fun!
Mira Mesa Library |
| 2:00 PM | Filipino American History Month Festival October is Filipino American History Month, a celebration and recognition of the achievements, contributions, history, culture, and resilience of the Filipino community. This free event will feature Philippine folk dancers, singers, food, and fun for the whole family!
La Jolla/Riford Library |
| 6:00 PM | Fundraiser: La Convivencia Join us for CPMCC's inaugural annual fundraiser and 4 year anniversary celebration! Guests will enjoy a curated artisanal culinary experience, live music, cultural performances, exciting opportunity drawings—including free rental packages by some of San Diego’s most sought-after favorite local DJs. This year, we are celebrating our 4th anniversary with an inaugural annual fundraiser—The Convening: of the Four Directions. Across many traditions, the four directions remind us that all is connected—people, land, history, and future generations. Inspired by Mexihcah teachings, this year's theme reflects the energies of the four sacred directions: the (black) North symbolizing reflection & our ancestors; the (white) West embodying transformation & growth; the (blue) South representing community, creativity & action; and the (red) East fostering new beginnings & understandings. Together, they complete a circle, to remind us that no single path exists in isolation and that our strength comes from gathering in relationship with one another. CPMCC will also host an exhibition and silent auction featuring diverse creations generously donated by our artist community and inspired by this year’s theme of the Four Directions. Artworks will be available for purchase via an online auction.
Barrio Station |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Italian Film Festival: La Grazia As his tenure as President of Italy nears its end, Mariano De Santis faces wrenching decisions-both political and deeply personal. Amid these moral quandaries, he must confront his own conscience and seek guidance from those closest to him, including his confidante and daughter, Dorotea.
In Italian with English subtitles.
A special post-screening Q&A with Beth Accomando of KPBS and Film Geeks San Diego.
Museum of Photographic Arts |
| Film: Persona Ingmar Bergman's 1966 Swedish film follows a stage actor who has stopped speaking and the nurse caring for her at an isolated seaside cottage, where the boundaries between their identities begin to blur.
Digital Gym Cinema |
Saturday, October 10
| 11:00 AM | Día de los Muertos Marigolds Help the History Center prepare for Día de los Muertos by contributing to our community ofrenda. Families are invited to create vibrant paper marigolds that will become part of the altar later in the month while learning about the traditions, symbolism, and meaning of this important celebration. Through hands-on art and historical exploration, visitors of all ages can connect with local history and the people who have helped shape our region.
San Diego History Center |
| House of Spain Lawn Program Join us for paella, dancing, and more!
International Cottages |
| 1:00 PM | BlacktoberFest Mark it in ink — Blacktoberfest is back Saturday, October 10 at S&S Friendly Ranch, San Diego's oldest Black-owned farm. Live DJ sets, spades, dominoes, line dancing, and a straight-up Black-owned vendor market — your people, all in one field. From the creators of Kinfolk Fest: black like we never left.
S&S Friendly Ranch |
| 2:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| 2:30 PM | Gyotaku Workshop Dive into the world of creativity by learning the basics of Japanese fish printing, a rich art form that involves inked fish pressed against paper. This Japanese tradition is typically printed on rice paper. as accurately as possible, Fisherman exhibited their prized catches. Practice is put into the art of gyotaku as some prints come out sleeker than others. Whether you are fishing or not, participate in the art of gyotaku and print your own fish with simple ink and paper.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum |
| 5:30 PM | Italian Film Festival: 2026 feSta Join us at our feSta for an exquisite night at the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art and celebrate as we gather to announce the 2026 Ristretto Award winners!
The evening will begin with the screenings and awards, followed by a lively celebration featuring music from the S.T. Cats, food by Zafferano Catering, and a silent auction.
Museum of Photographic Arts |
| Fundraiser: NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner Freedom Fund Dinner! We are excited to announce our National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) San Diego Branch will host its annual Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, October 10, 2026, 5:30 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego – Mission Valley, located at 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92108. Our theme is “Celebrating 107 Years of Excellence: Honoring the Past & Shaping the Future.” We would greatly appreciate your support of this important event to help us carry out the mission of the NAACP to “ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.” Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most effective civil rights organization. Don't miss out on this special event - mark your calendars now!
DoubleTree Mission Valley |
| 7:00 PM | Music: Nathan Aweau Nathan was born into a musical family, his grandparents could play various instruments as well as performing with a band, his mom a piano player and his father for many years taught music and was a choir director as well as a Polynesian music teacher at various high schools. Nathan’s early years consisted of piano lessons, learning the guitar and ukulele and having the natural ability to sing. From grades seven through twelve his main instrument was the saxophone. In college he performed in the jazz ensemble as a bass player and the wind symphony as a percussionist. By this time his passion for the electric bass made him decide that this would be his main instrument. In 1983, during his college years, he started his professional career accompanying performers such as Gabe Baltazar, Henry Kapono, Loyal Garner and Nohelani Cypriano to name a few. He was a member of the Hoku award winning group, Ka’eo, as well as with the award winning group The Ali’i’s. He also did a 16 year stint with the legendary Don Ho. He’s done various high school and college level seminars, covering subjects from writing, arranging and sequencing to computer music. For a few short years, Nathan was a music teacher at various schools in Hawai’i. He’s even done a project with students from Campbell High School. The students had a chance to see the workings of what goes on in producing a song and recording it. Other than being a stage musician, Nathan has performed on commercials for Windward Mall, Meadow Gold, JCB credit card co., etc. He’s done background music for various T.V. shows for the Travel Channel, and has done music beds and liners for various radio stations.
California Center for the Arts |
| Music: Maná Maná is a Mexican pop rock band formed in 1981. Originally called Sombrero Verde, the current lineup of members is vocalist-guitarist Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Calleros.
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre |
| 8:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Music: Edgardo Nuñez and Kane Rodriguez Edgardo Nuñez is a leading figure in Regional Mexican music, known for blending traditional sounds with urban styles. Kane Rodriguez brings a fresh voice from Houston, mixing cumbia, banda, and norteño with modern influences. Together, they offer a dynamic concert experience that highlights the evolving landscape of Mexican regional music.
Civic Theatre |
Sunday, October 11
| 10:00 AM | Hello Japan! Class: Japanese Autumn Tradition A perfect starting point for new learners who want both language skills and cultural understanding. Students will learn simple grammar, paired with cultural lessons about food, festivals, manners, and modern life in Japan. By the end of the course, students will feel confident using basic Japanese and more connected to the heart of Japanese culture. October 11th Theme: Japanese Autumn Tradition & “There is / There are” Expressions In this lesson, students will explore Otsukimi (Moon Viewing Festival), a traditional Japanese autumn celebration that honors the beauty of the full moon. Students will read a short story about Otsukimi and learn about cultural traditions such as tsukimi dango (moon-viewing rice dumplings), seasonal decorations, and festival customs. A perfect starting point for new learners who want both language skills and cultural understanding. Students will learn simple grammar, paired with cultural lessons about food, festivals, manners, and modern life in Japan. By the end of the course, students will feel confident using basic Japanese and more connected to the heart of Japanese culture.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum |
| 11:00 AM | Día de Muertos Vista Día de Muertos Vista is the inaugural city-scale cultural street festival honoring one of Mexico’s most meaningful traditions through remembrance, art, heritage, and community connection. Set to take place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, this landmark event will transform South Santa Fe Avenue in Vista into a vibrant cultural corridor spanning from The Commons Venue and Ascend Coffee Roasters through approximately two city blocks of small businesses, creating the first official Día de Muertos street closure and celebration of its kind in the city.
Ascend Coffee Roasters |
| House of Norway Lawn Program Leif Erikson Day (second weekend in October) Viking music, food, crafts and activities at the lawn by the House of Norway.
International Cottages |
| 11:15 AM | Hello Japan! Class: Moon Viewing Festival Building on the basics, this course takes students deeper into Japanese grammar and sentence structure while developing real conversational fluency. Through dialogue, role-play, and cultural context, learners will move beyond textbook phrases to express ideas and navigate everyday situations with confidence. By the end, students will hold conversations more naturally and connect with Japanese culture on a more meaningful level. October 11 — Otsukimi (Moon Viewing Festival) Theme: Japanese Autumn Traditions Learn about Otsukimi (Moon Viewing Festival) through a short reading and cultural discussion. Students will explore the history and customs of moon viewing, seasonal foods such as tsukimi dango, and the importance of autumn in Japanese culture.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum |
| 1:00 PM | Exhibit: The Gathering Punjabi-American artist Rupinder Kaloti leads a walkthrough of The Gathering, her exhibition exploring the Punjabi-American immigrant experience, ancestry, family traditions, and connections between Punjab and California.
Oceanside Museum of Art |
| 2:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| 3:00 PM | Masu Workshop Join us for a special evening exploring masu, the traditional Japanese wooden measuring box with a history spanning more than 1,300 years. Masashige Kodama, President & CEO of Kodama Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and founder of Masu Kukan, will join us live via Zoom from Japan to share the story behind this iconic craft — from its ancient origins to his own journey reviving and modernizing the tradition, including his innovative Harinuri glass-coating technique that made masu dishwasher-safe for the first time in the industry's history. After Kodama-san's presentation, participants will roll up their sleeves and make their own hinoki (Japanese cypress) masu cup to take home — a hands-on way to connect with a piece of Japanese heritage and craftsmanship. Whether you're drawn to Japanese culture, woodworking, or simply want to try something new, this program offers a rare chance to learn directly from a master craftsman carrying forward centuries of tradition while shaping its future.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum |
| 7:00 PM | Stage: Topdog/Underdog Broadway director Steve H. Broadnax III returns to the Globe after last season’s thrilling Appropriate to direct an intimate new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize–winning modern classic, which The New York Times hailed as the greatest American play of the past 25 years. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. By turns funny, provocative, and charged, Topdog/Underdog charts the razor-thin line between ambition and self-destruction.
The Old Globe |
| Film: 964 Pinocchio Shozin Fukui's 1991 Japanese cyberpunk film follows a discarded cybernetic android and an amnesiac homeless woman as they attempt to recover their pasts while fleeing the android's creators.
Digital Gym Cinema |
| 9:15 PM | Film: House Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1977 Japanese cult film House follows a schoolgirl and six classmates whose visit to an aunt's country home becomes a surreal encounter with supernatural forces.
Digital Gym Cinema |
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Book of the Month
The Summer My Mother Had Green Eyes
Recipe of the Month
Music of the Month
Nacarile
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