Vanguard Culture

The Poetry Brothel: Devotion
2026-02-12 19:00 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Step into The Poetry Brothel: Devotion, an immersive, cabaret-style experience where poetry, burlesque, live jazz, and theatrical variety intertwine in a sultry world of enchantment and allure. Set in an evocative, bordello-inspired atmosphere, this performance invites you to explore desire, intimacy, and connection through provocative spoken word, stunning dance, and spellbinding music. Attendees are encouraged to dress in mystical, theatrical attire and become part of the night’s seductive story. A bewitching evening for adventurous spirits craving art, performance, and connection.

Park & Rec4612 Park BoulevardSan Diego, CA 92116

7:00 p.m. – Midnight

Perspective
2026-02-13 00:00 - 2026-02-15 23:59
San Diego Ballet presents Perspective, a dynamic program that showcases bold, contemporary choreography alongside striking classical influences. Featuring world premieres and expressive works by acclaimed choreographers, this performance highlights the depth and versatility of the company’s dancers. From athletic movement to emotionally resonant storytelling, Perspective offers an inspiring glimpse into the evolving landscape of ballet. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience San Diego’s rich dance scene live on stage.

February 13 @ 7pmFebruary 14 @ 8pmFebruary 15 @ 2pm

San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa ParkJames S. Copley Auditorium1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

The Secret Society of Adultologists: Love Bites
2026-02-13 19:00 - 23:00
Love hurts. Love heals. Love bites. Join the Secret Society of Adultologists for a wickedly fun night as we sink our teeth into the wild side of romance, attraction, and survival. This after-hours, 21+ event will take you through the seductive science of mating rituals, venomous lovers, and heartbreak in the animal kingdom. Whether you’re lovestruck, love-shy, or love-scorned, this cheeky pre-Valentine’s bash has something for you. Dress to impress—or to distress—and toast (or roast) the season of affection with your fellow curious creatures.

Food and drink will be available for additional purchase.

San Diego Natural History Museum1788 El Prado, Balboa ParkSan Diego, CA 92101

Cyanotype
2026-02-14 00:00 - 2026-06-20 23:59
Explore the luminous world of cyanotype at the Visions Museum of Textile Art, where four artists—bailey macabre, Shane Booth, Morgan Ford Willingham, and Patricia Gaddis—demonstrate diverse approaches to this historic photographic printing technique. The exhibition highlights how artists transform the deep-blue process into contemporary textile and mixed-media works that blend craft, photography, and storytelling. On view February 14–June 20 in the Arts District Liberty Station, the show offers a striking look at how traditional methods continue to inspire innovative artistic expression.

Visions Museum of Textile Art2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100San Diego, CA 92106

Vitamin String Quartet
2026-02-17 19:30 - 21:30
Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) is one of the most popular string ensembles in the world. Erasing the boundaries between classical, dance, hip-hop and pop, VSQ performs spellbinding renditions of everything from Billie Eilish to BTS, Taylor Swift to The Weeknd, and Danny Elfman to Daft Punk. Praised by the likes of Buzzfeed, the New York Times, Consequence of Sound, Nerdist and more, VSQ has garnered over 2 billion streams and numerous Billboard chartings since its inception. VSQ can also be heard in numerous hit shows, including Netflix’s Bridgerton, HBO’s Westworld, and ABC’s Modern Family.

The Jacobs Music Center1245 Seventh AveSan Diego, CA 92101

February 17, 20267:30 p.m.

A Conversation With Edith Head
2026-02-19 00:00 - 2026-03-01 23:59
Susan Claassen stars as Edith Head in this behind-the-scenes feast of great movie lore. Dresser of classical stars like Mae West, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor, she received 35 academy award nominations and won 8 Oscars. Hear her tell HER story, one filled with humor, ambition, and above all glamour.

MOXIE Theatre6663 El Cajon Blvd Suite NSan Diego CA 92115

Pecha Kucha: Edges, Margins, Frontiers
2026-02-19 18:00 - 20:00
Join the San Diego Archaeological Foundation for a special PechaKucha-style evening exploring the boundaries of design—where conventions are challenged, new territories emerge, and innovation takes shape. Speakers will consider how architecture, landscape, and urban design are pushing the limits today. Enjoy a fast-paced lineup of engaging presentations. A fun, community-centered event for curious minds, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys learning through storytelling.

February 19, 20266:00 PM – 8:30 PMCarrier Johnson185 F St #500San Diego, CA 92101

Poetry+Sound In 2 Acts
2026-02-20 19:00 - 2026-02-21 21:00
Part of Project BLANK’s The Salty Series, Poetry+Sound In 2 Acts brings an intimate evening of music, poetry, and theater to Bread & Salt Gallery. Act One features a first-time live collaboration between experimental musician Wilfrido Terrazas and poet Ronnie Yates, exploring the space where language dissolves into sound. Act Two presents The Mexican Husband, Fabiola Carranza’s powerful bilingual reimagining of a Brecht play, confronting immigration, love, and systemic injustice through performance and live score. Expect a night of close listening, bold storytelling, and urgent, boundary-crossing art.

Feb 20, 2026 Fri • 7:30 PM – Poetry + Sound in Two Acts

Feb 21, 2026Sat • 2:00 PM – The Mexican Husband: Encore Performance

BREAD & SALT1955 Julian AveSan Diego, CAUSA 92113

Space Maker
2026-02-21 00:00 - 2026-06-07 23:59
Space Maker examines where art and architecture meet, tracing how creative practices rooted in design influence the shaping of spaces, objects, and communities. Featuring a blend of historic pieces with contemporary works by local artists – including Russell Forester, Robert Irwin, Miki Iwasaki, Irma Sofía Poeter, and others – the exhibition highlights wide-ranging interpretations of form, geometry, and place. Through these varied perspectives, the exhibition uncovers the reciprocal relationship between artistic expression and architectural thinking – revealing how each discipline informs, echoes, and transforms the other.

February 21 – June 7, 2026Opening Reception: Friday, February 205:00PM Members Preview6:00PM Public Opening

La Jolla Historical Society780 Prospect St.La Jolla, CA 92037

Celebration of New Writers
2026-02-23 00:00 - 2026-02-24 23:59
Directed by Matthew Salazar–Thompson & Carla Navarro

Celebration of New Writers is an opportunity to showcase the works of a diverse and underrepresented pool of talented playwrights. This evening includes short new pieces YOU get to hear first, with a discussion afterward. Our team brings together local talents in the best light to introduce you to the next artistic wave.

This year’s Celebration will be co-directed by Matt Thompson and Carla Navarro, who return to guide this festival of new voices with their signature blend of insight, heart, and bold theatrical vision.

We invite audiences to experience these fresh works brought and to join us for an evening that celebrates creativity, and Cultural Culinary Connections.

February 23, 2026 | 7:30 PMWestminster Presbyterian Church(Point Loma, San Diego)3598 Talbot St.San Diego, CA 92106

February 24, 2026 | 7:30 PMMOXIE Theatre6663 El Cajon Blvd.San Diego, CA 92115

Cirque Flip Fabrique: Blizzard
2026-02-27 19:30 - 21:30
Experience the magic of winter through breathtaking acrobatics, live music, and stunning visual poetry in Blizzard, the internationally acclaimed contemporary circus by Québec-based company Cirque FLIP Fabrique. This imaginative production transports audiences into a snow-covered world filled with wonder, mystery, and high-flying artistry, blending humor, emotion, and extraordinary physical skill. With performers at the peak of their craft, Blizzard promises a mesmerizing journey that captures both the beauty and power of the season.

Friday February 27th, 2026 – 7:30pmPoway Center for the Performing Arts15498 Espola RdPoway, 92064

Faith Ringgold: Full Circle – The Teachings and Her Legacy
2026-02-28 00:00 - 2026-05-01 23:59
Explore the powerful legacy of groundbreaking artist Faith Ringgold in this compelling exhibition at UC San Diego’s Mandeville Art Gallery. Featuring works from across her career, the show traces her evolution through painting, textiles, and narrative storytelling while honoring her impact as an artist, educator, and activist. Free and open to the public, with an opening celebration Feb. 28.

Free public opening celebration from 6–8 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2026On view through May 1, 2026

Mandeville Art Gallery9390 Mandeville LaneSan Diego, CA 92093

SDMA Centennial
2026-02-28 10:00 - 19:30
Since opening its doors in 1926, The San Diego Museum of Art has served as a cultural cornerstone of Southern California. Located in the heart of Balboa Park, the Museum is the region’s largest and most-visited art museum, welcoming more than half a million visitors annually. The Museum has established itself as a vital institution for world-class exhibitions, arts education, and cultural dialogue. Its collection spans centuries and continents, from Spanish Old Masters to South Asian miniature paintings to Contemporary works that reflect the evolving global landscape. For generations, SDMA has inspired curiosity, fostered creativity, and brought the transformative power of art to the San Diego community.

In 2026, The San Diego Museum of Art celebrates 100 years of serving the community through art and bringing the world’s greatest art to San Diego. In recognition of this remarkable milestone and looking ahead to the next century with plans for a transformative west wing expansion, SDMA presents a Centennial Celebration that not only honors the past but offers a bold vision for the future of art, community, and cultural engagement in San Diego. The year will feature groundbreaking exhibitions, dynamic public programs, and unforgettable events that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of our region.

SDMA Centennial ProgrammingSaturday, February 28, 2026Birthday Fest 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.On the Steps at SDMA: Centennial Celebration 4:30–7:30 p.m.

Live Arts Fest: Common Ground
2026-02-28 19:30 - 21:00
Presented by San Diego Dance Theater, Live Arts Fest: Common Ground is a vibrant celebration of contemporary dance and creative collaboration. This dynamic performance brings together innovative choreographers and artists exploring connection, community, and shared humanity through movement. Experience an inspiring evening of original works in the intimate Light Box Theater at Liberty Station. Don’t miss this immersive showcase of bold voices and cutting-edge performance.

Saturday Feb. 28th at 7:30pmSan Diego Dance Theater’s Light Box Theater2590 Truxtun Road, Second Floor Suite 205San Diego, CA 92106

The Art of Tango II
2026-02-28 19:30 - 21:30
Experience tango reimagined through the bold, genre-bending style of The Camarada Tango Quartet, joined by guest bandoneon virtuoso Pablo Jaurena and world-class dancers Carolina Jaurena and Anton Domansky. This electrifying program travels through tango legends like Piazzolla, Troilo, Pugliese, Matos, d’Arienzo, and de Caro, while also premiering a dynamic new commission by composer Andrés Martín. Expect a powerful blend of tradition and innovation—raw, refined, and unforgettable.

Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 7:30 PMThe Baker-Baum Concert Hall7600 Fay Ave L to, La Jolla, CA 92037

Singing Colors
2026-03-01 00:00 - 2026-03-28 23:59
Shapes and Shadows by Edward Abrams

The San Diego Watercolor Society presents Singing Colors, a juried exhibition featuring dynamic works in water-based media selected by award-winning artist Shuang Li. Showcasing more than 95 original paintings, the exhibition highlights the surprising versatility of watercolor through bold, contemporary approaches that push the medium beyond tradition. Join the free opening reception on March 6 (5–8 PM) in Liberty Station’s Arts District, where guests can meet artists, enjoy refreshments, and experience this vibrant celebration of watercolor.

San Diego Watercolor Society2825 Dewey Rd, Suite 105Building 202San Diego, CA 92106

Gallery Hours11 AM to 3 PM Wednesday – SundayClosed Monday & Tuesday

San Diego Theatre Month
2026-03-01 00:00 - 2026-03-31 23:59
Celebrate the best of live performance during San Diego Theatre Month, a city-wide showcase highlighting professional and community theatre across the region. Throughout March, audiences can enjoy a dynamic lineup of plays, musicals, dance, and performance art from venues big and small, spotlighting local talent and artistic diversity. From classics to new works, the month celebrates the power of live storytelling and invites theatre lovers to experience the breadth of San Diego’s vibrant performing arts scene.

See our top picks for San Diego Theatre Month HERE.

Rhapsody in Blue
2026-03-07 - 2026-03-11
City Ballet of San Diego presents Rhapsody in Blue, an exhilarating evening of contemporary ballet showcasing innovative choreography and dynamic storytelling. Featuring Geoffrey Gonzalez’s vibrant interpretation of George Gershwin’s iconic score, the program also includes Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s hypnotic Ecliptic and the San Diego premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s romantic neoclassical work The American. Together, these works highlight the creativity and technical brilliance driving today’s ballet forward.
March 7th @ 8pmMarch 8th @ 2pmMarch 11th @ 8pm

Aaron Kramer: Sense of Wonder
2026-03-07 00:00 - 2026-08-23 23:59
Aaron Kramer, Bird Box 2020

Oceanside Museum of Art presents Sense of Wonder, a playful and inventive exhibition by artist and maker Aaron Kramer. Featuring kinetic sculptures, automata, and drawing machines built from salvaged materials, the show invites audiences to engage with art as motion, mechanism, and discovery. Rooted in curiosity and hands-on experimentation, Kramer’s work blurs the line between art, engineering, and imagination—offering an experience that delights both kids and adults alike. On view March 7–August 23, 2026.

Sofar Sounds: International Women's Day
2026-03-07 19:30 - 22:30
Discover live music in a whole new way with Sofar Sounds—an intimate concert experience featuring emerging artists in unique, secret locations across San Diego. Known for its cozy, up-close performances and curated lineups, Sofar brings music lovers together in unexpected spaces for unforgettable evenings of connection, creativity, and discovery. Artist and venue details are revealed only to ticket holders, adding an element of surprise to every show. In honor of International Women’s Day this event will celebrate women in music.

Saturday, March 7Doors open 7:30 PMShow starts 8:00 PM

North ParkAddress revealed 36 hours beforeLate arrivals may be held at door until set break

Vignettes: Stories from the Latina Experience
2026-03-08 00:00 - 2026-03-15 23:59
Vignettes: Stories from the Latina Experience is an evening of original short plays that center the voices of Latina women, including U.S.-born Latinx artists, as they navigate life, identity, and belonging in the United States. Through intimate, deeply personal stories, these vignettes explore family relocation, cultural adjustment, generational ties, and the resilience it takes to carve out a sense of home.

Rooted in lived experience yet resonating far beyond it, Vignettes illuminates universal themes of identity, community, and hope. Each performance is brought to life through a rich blend of live music, song, and dance, with musicians collaborating alongside playwrights from the very beginning. The result is a moving, multidisciplinary theatrical experience that invites audiences to listen, reflect, and connect.

March 8th & 15th3:00pm Ray Charles Stage in the Conrad Prebys Theatre

Cherry Blossom Festival
2026-03-12 00:00 - 2026-03-15 23:59
Celebrate the beauty of spring at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum. Inspired by the tradition of hanami, the festival features cultural performances, family activities, local vendors, and a lively beer and sake garden. Guests can explore new attractions like a lantern wall and community art, enjoy delicious Japanese-inspired cuisine, and stroll through the garden’s blooming cherry blossoms. A vibrant, family-friendly celebration of culture, community, and the arrival of spring.

Japanese Friendship Garden2215 Pan American Rd ESan Diego, CA 92101

Parallel Universe of Humanity
2026-03-13 00:00 - 2026-03-29 23:59
Step into the unexpected with Parallel Universe of Humanity, a genre-bending collection of short plays blending sci-fi, fantasy, and psychological thriller. Written by Jason Pizzarello and Thomas J. Misuraca and directed by John Conan Palmer, this Twilight Zone–meets–Black Mirror experience delivers dark humor, sharp social commentary, and twist endings that linger. On stage March 13–29 at Trinity Theatre, this provocative series invites audiences to question reality—and everything in it.

March 13-29, 2026

Trinity Theatre Company1640 Camino Del Rio N SUITE 129San Diego, CA 92108

Human Body
2026-03-13 00:00 - 2026-04-24 23:59
LOS/NR Gallery in La Jolla presents Human Body, the 2026 Artist Award Show exploring bold artistic interpretations of the human form. Featuring works by a diverse group of selected artists, the exhibition examines identity, emotion, and the many ways the body reflects the human experience. The Artist Award winner will be announced during the opening reception on March 13 from 6–8 PM. The exhibition remains on view through April 24.

LOS/NR Gallery7910 Ivanhoe AveLa Jolla, CA 92037

Resilient Skies II: Bridging Waters
2026-03-13 19:30 - 2026-03-14 09:30
Join us for Resilient Skies II: Bridging Waters, an immersive evening-length dance work that explores humanity’s complex relationship with water—its beauty, power, and fragility. Through powerful choreography, evocative visual projections, and the dynamic presence of our professional dancers, the work invites audiences to reflect on the ways we depend on and impact the natural world.

Co-choreographed by Executive Artistic Director Terry Wilson & Operations and Development Director Matthew Armstrong in collaboration with members of the SDDT professional company and featuring video projection art by Ariana Durazo, this production weaves movement and visual storytelling into a compelling call for awareness and connection.

Date: Friday & Saturday, March 13 & 14Time: 7:30 PM

Price: $35 General; $25 DiscountLocation: Light Box Theater | San Diego

Ripple Effect - A Dance for Clean Water
2026-03-14 00:00 - 2026-03-21 23:59
Join this inspiring movement for clean water with Ripple Effect, a workshop and performance that blends dance, community action, and environmental awareness. Participants will engage in a hands-on dance workshop before experiencing a live performance that highlights the importance of clean water access and conservation. All ages and abilities are welcome to move, learn, and connect through creative expression and community collaboration. Be part of an event where art meets advocacy in motion.

El Salon Theater114 West Hall AvenueSan Diego, CA 9217311:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Movement Workshop – March 14th, 2026 @ 7:00 PMDance Performances – March 20th and 21st, 2026

Maryam Bayat: Unrolling Paradise
2026-03-14 00:00 - 2026-08-16 23:59
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido presents Unrolling Paradise, an exhibition by interdisciplinary artist Maryam Bayat that examines the Persian garden as a living design tradition carried through textiles, memory, and everyday objects. Working at the intersection of craft and design, Bayat transforms traditional Persian rugs into sculptural forms, including furniture, abstract trees, and domestic structures that reflect on place and belonging.

Raised in Tehran in a family of rug producers and now based in North County San Diego, Bayat draws from inherited craft knowledge to reinterpret a visual language shaped by symmetry, geometry, and floral pattern. In Persian culture, gardens are often understood as earthly representations of paradise; their ordered layouts are reflected in the design of carpets, which have historically functioned as portable sanctuaries that brought the idea of paradise into the home. Bayat extends this lineage, connecting the symbolism of the garden to personal and collective memory.

This exhibition builds on the Museum’s growing partnership with Persian Place, a Carlsbad-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating Persian art and culture through inclusive, multicultural programs that foster cross-cultural understanding and community connection.

The public opening will coincide with Nowruz – Persian New Year, co-presented with Persian Place on March 14, 2026, from 12–3 PM at the Museum.

While many Persian organizations across the United States have chosen to cancel programs in response to the current situation in Iran, the Museum and Persian Place remain committed to honoring Nowruz, a tradition that has endured for thousands of years and continues to hold deep cultural meaning for the community.

Opening March 14, 2026, 12pm – 3pmOn view March 14, 2026 – August 16, 2026

CA Center for the Arts, Escondido340 N. Escondido BlvdEscondido, CA 92025

San Diego Latino Film Festival
2026-03-18 00:00 - 2026-03-22 23:59
‘The San Diego Latino Film Festival returns for its annual celebration of Latinx cinema, showcasing powerful narratives, compelling voices, and diverse stories from across the U.S. and Latin America. Expect screenings of feature films, shorts, and documentaries alongside filmmaker Q&As, cultural conversations, and events designed to spark connection and celebrate community. Whether you’re a cinephile or curious about global storytelling, this festival offers rich experiences that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Blue Water Film Festival
2026-03-19 00:00 - 2026-03-22 23:59
Film still from Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story

The Blue Water Film Festival is an international celebration of environmental storytelling that brings together filmmakers, scientists, activists, and ocean advocates in San Diego. Held in conjunction with UN World Water Day, the festival showcases independent films—documentary, narrative, and animated—focused on climate change, ocean conservation, and the future of our planet. Alongside screenings, the event features educational panels, networking events, and the Blue Water Awards, encouraging global dialogue and inspiring action through the power of film.

March 19-22, 2026

Empower : A Prism of New Work
2026-03-20 00:00 - 2026-03-22 23:59
The Rosin Box Project presents Empower, a bold contemporary ballet program celebrating innovative choreography and powerful artistic voices. Performed at Liberty Station, this intimate production showcases dynamic new works that push the boundaries of classical technique while highlighting emotional storytelling and modern movement. With limited performances March 20–22, the evening offers a rare opportunity to experience San Diego’s premier contemporary ballet company up close.

March 20 / 21 / 22Liberty Station2590 Truxtun Rd #205San Diego, CA 92106
