Vanguard Culture

Blue Water Film Festival
2026-03-19 00:00 - 2026-03-22 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
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

An Artist @ the Table: Ben Guerrette & Chef Flor Franco
2026-03-20 18:00 - 2026-03-22 21:00
3 Evenings of Culinary + Artistic Alchemy

Step inside CHAPEL in Liberty Station, transformed into an immersive light, sound, and video art environment by visionary artist Ben Guerrette.

Experience the next chapter of An Artist @ the Table, Vanguard Culture’s signature dinner series pairing visionary chefs with boundary-pushing artists. For three exclusive evenings, Chef Flor Franco will craft a 4-course culinary journey inspired by the immersive artwork of Ben Guerrette, who will transform CHAPEL into a multi-sensory exploration of the four elements—Water, Fire, Earth, and Air.

Guests will dine within a living artwork of light, sound, and video, where each dish reflects the elemental themes through flavor, presentation, and story. With expertly curated wine pairings from Baja Wine + Food, this unforgettable experience blurs the line between cuisine and art, inviting you to taste creativity in its most elemental form.

Fri. March 20, 2026Sat. March 21, 2026Sun. March 22, 2026

5:45pm Doors open6pm-7pm Cocktail hour7pm-8pm Dinner service + immersive experience8pm-9pm Open Lounge

CHAPEL2881 Roosevelt RdSan Diego, CA 92106

Medium Festival of Photography
2026-03-27 00:00 - 2026-03-28 23:59
The Medium Festival of Photography returns for its 14th annual edition with two days of community-centered programming celebrating the art of photography. Taking place March 27–28, the festival brings together photographers, artists, and enthusiasts for artist talks, exhibitions, workshops, and networking opportunities across the San Diego–Tijuana region. Organized by Medium Photo, the event highlights emerging and established voices while fostering dialogue, collaboration, and creative exchange within the photography community.

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego700 Prospect StreetSan Diego, CA 92037

Carmen
2026-03-27 00:00 - 2026-03-29 23:59
The most fearless and indomitable heroine in all opera is back! When Carmen tosses a flower to the soldier Don José, he becomes obsessed, leaving his post to join her band of smugglers. But when she loses interest and sets her sights on a bullfighter, Don José may not be able to handle the rejection. With a score packed with opera classics, including the “Habanera,” the “Toreador Song,” and one of the greatest overtures ever written, you’ll be joining Don José as you fall under the spell of Carmen.

Civic Theatre1100 Third AvenueSan Diego, CA 92101

The Seed Keeper / El Guardián de las Semillas
2026-03-27 00:00 - 2026-06-21 23:59
Inspired by Diane Wilson’s novel The Seed Keeper, this exhibition explores the concept of seeds as both a material presence and a powerful metaphor—an archive of memory, resilience, and future. Presented in collaboration with the Oceanside Public Library as part of the community-wide program The Big Read, the exhibition extends the novel’s themes into a visual and spatial experience. In Indigenous worldviews, seeds carry more than sustenance; they hold stories, languages, ancestral knowledge, and responsibilities passed orally from generation to generation.

Through diverse materials and practices, these Native American female artists act as contemporary seed keepers by preserving stories, traditions, and ways of knowing that have survived displacement, erasure, and transformation. Their works speak to continuity rather than nostalgia, emphasizing living cultures rooted in care, reciprocity, and resistance.

Exhibition Celebration: Tuesday, April 7, 5:30-7:00pm.On view March 27 – June 21Oceanside Museum of Art704 Pier View WayOceanside, CA 92054

Mix It Up
2026-03-28 00:00 - 2026-04-24 23:59
Experience fresh perspectives from across the region at Mix It Up, a juried exhibition showcasing diverse artistic voices and mediums at Ashton Gallery at Art on 30th. The opening reception on March 28 (4–7 PM) features a solo show, a featured artist exhibition, and live painting, creating a lively, immersive gallery experience. Enjoy wine and light refreshments while connecting with artists and the local creative community.

Opening receptionMarch 28, 4pm-7pmOn view March 28-April 24, 2026Art on 30th4434 30th StreetSan Diego, CA 92116

San Diego Sings! Festival 2026
2026-03-28 11:00 - 21:00
Experience the power of choral music at San Diego Sings! Festival 2026, presented by the Choral Consortium of San Diego at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. Fifteen choirs from across San Diego County perform in three concert sessions, each featuring five ensembles singing both individually and together in the acoustically stunning Baker-Baum Concert Hall. Audiences can attend one, two, or all three performances for a full day immersed in soaring harmonies and community spirit.

Saturday, March 28, 202611 AM, 3 PM & 7 PM

DroneArt Show: Four Seasons
2026-04-03 00:00 - 2026-04-04 23:59
Experience classical music like never before at DroneArt Show: Four Seasons, an open-air spectacle where live musicians and cutting-edge drone technology collide. As a string quartet performs Vivaldi’s iconic score (and more), hundreds of illuminated drones transform the night sky into a moving canvas of light, color, and choreography. Held April 3–4 at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, this 65-minute immersive experience blends art, music, and innovation into a breathtaking evening under the stars.

April 3rd & 4thTime: Show starts at 8:00 PM. Doors open two hours prior to the start time, and we encourage you to arrive early as late entry is not permitted.Duration: 65 minutes approx.Location: Chula Vista Elita Athlete Training Center, 2800 Olympic Pkwy, Chula Vista, CA 91915

Acoustic Evenings at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
2026-04-03 08:00 - 2026-04-24 17:00
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is pleased to present the 2026 spring season of the Acoustic Evenings concert series, beginning April 3. The Acoustic Evenings series at the Athenaeum showcases some of the finest acoustic musicians in San Diego. Multiple acts fill each program, and attentive audiences delight in the intimacy of the unplugged storytelling format. San Diego Music Hall of Fame founder Jefferson Jay organizes and hosts the series. The project advances the Athenaeum’s commitment to support diverse San Diego talent. Acoustic Evenings is an unforgettable and personal experience for San Diego music lovers.

Fridays, April 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music RoomAthenaeum Music & Arts Library1008 Wall StreetLa Jolla, CA 92037

Cafés and Cabarets: The Spectacular Art of Toulouse-Lautrec
2026-04-04 08:00 - 2026-09-20 17:00
Known for his beguiling portraits of Paris nightlife and the unvarnished local characters of Montmartre, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was born into an aristocratic family in the South of France in 1864. Growing up as a child with a disability that caused his legs to stop developing, Toulouse-Lautrec turned to drawing rather than the sports his family pursued. His short but celebrated career immortalized the cabaret culture of Belle Époque Paris and revolutionized the art of the poster. Working in the popular and modern art form of the color lithograph, Toulouse-Lautrec reached unprecedented audiences with spellbinding visuals and eye-catching colors. Inspired and encouraged by Impressionists such as Edgar Degas and his close friend Vincent van Gogh, and taking influence from the flattened color patterns of Japanese graphic arts, Toulouse-Lautrec left an unforgettable image of the spectacle, people, and performers of turn-of-the-century Paris.

The San Diego Museum of Art1450 El Prado Balboa ParkSan Diego, CA 92101

Jazz Mini Festival
2026-04-06 00:00 - 2026-04-11 23:59
The Jazz Mini Festival at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center celebrates the centennial of jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane with a week of concerts, conversations, and special events. The lineup features acclaimed artists including Emmet Cohen, Terence Blanchard, Ravi Coltrane, and an all-star ensemble led by Joe Lovano performing modern interpretations of classic repertoire. Alongside the concerts, audiences can enjoy artist talks, panel discussions, and a free outdoor performance exploring the lasting influence of these two jazz icons.

Beatrice Wood: Mama of Dada & Curator-Led Tour
2026-04-10 10:30 - 14:00
Join the Mingei International Museum for a special program inspired by Boundless with a screening of Beatrice Wood: Mama of Dada. Up until the end of her life, Wood continued to inspire younger artists with her free-spirited approach and irrepressible creativity. Central to the American Dada movement and the last surviving member of this groundbreaking group, Wood reflects in this film on her friendships with Man Ray, Francis Picabia, and her former husband Marcel Duchamp.

Following the screening, at 1pm, enjoy a tour of Boundless: Reflections of Southern California Landscapes in Midcentury Studio Ceramics with Curator Guusje Sanders, where Wood’s influence and enduring spirit offer a rich context for understanding the exhibition’s themes of experimentation, beauty, and discovery.

Apr 10, 2026 10:30 – 2:00pmMingei International Museum, Balboa Park1439 El PradoSan Diego CA 92101

LUX
2026-04-11 00:00 - 2026-04-12 23:59
Light. Peace. Transcendence.

San Diego Master Chorale returns to St. James by-the-Sea in La Jolla and St. Paul’s Cathedral with LUX — a powerful choral program anchored by Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein and Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen. Featuring organist Martin Green, this program moves from urgency to stillness, tracing a journey from conflict to transcendence. Bernstein’s electrifying psalm settings pulse with rhythm and raw questions of unity, while Lauridsen’s luminous meditation on eternal light offers moments of deep calm and reflection. Surrounding these masterworks are vivid and contrasting voices: Dorchester Canticles by Tarik O’Regan, alive with rhythmic vitality and radiant energy, and a Shaker song of simple, grounded peace. Performed in the resonant acoustics of two of San Diego’s most beautiful sacred spaces, LUX is more than a concert — it is an immersive experience of sound, stillness, and light.

SATURDAY, April 11, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral2728 Sixth Ave.San Diego, CA 92101

SUNDAY, April 12, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PMSt. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church743 Prospect StLa Jolla, CA 92037

Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence
2026-04-15 19:00 - 21:00
Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence is a feature documentary chronicling the life and work of Elvira Notari (1875-1946), Italy’s first woman film director. Despite directing hundreds of silent films that captivated from Naples to New York, Elvira was relegated to the margins of film history for half a century. Her films, poised between realism and staged drama, were deeply rooted in Neapolitan folklore. A woman in a man’s world, her works were targeted by Fascist censorship yet found the embrace of audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The documentary interweaves voices of those who celebrate her legacy today – from the experts who rediscovered her films to contemporary artists reimagining her vision through new works – to resurrect Elvira’s singular vision. More than a biography, Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence is a portrait of an artist who continues to inspire new creative pathways.

Digital Gym CINEMA1100 Market StSan Diego, CA 92101April 15, 20267:00 – 9:00 PM PDT

German Currents Kino: Mirrors No. 3
2026-04-17 00:00 - 2026-04-23 23:59
Synopsis: In the haunting new film from esteemed German director Christian Petzold (Transit, NYFF56), his regular star Paula Beer plays Laura, a pianist from Berlin who finds herself in a transitory state. After surviving a violent car crash that kills her boyfriend, Laura is immediately taken in by Betty (Barbara Auer), a mysterious middle-aged woman who lives alone in an isolated house in the countryside. Strangers to one another, the two women build a quiet, respectful life together, though the reemergence of Betty’s estranged husband and son sheds light on the tragic past that explains the murky present. The pleasurable enigma of Miroirs No. 3, named for a Ravel piano suite, returns Petzold to the metaphysical ambiguity of earlier films like Yella (2007) and the themes of doubling in his cherished Phoenix (2014), yet with a distinctive ethereality all its own: It’s an economical and beautifully crafted work about the mystery of human interaction.

Showtimes:Friday, April 17, 2026: 7:00 (GC Screening)Saturday, April 18, 2026:Sunday, April 19 2026: 3:00 (GC Screening)Monday, April 20 2026:Tuesday, April 21, 2026:Wednesday, April 22 , 2026:Thursday, April 23, 2026:

Ticket Prices: $13 Regular / $11 Students & Seniors / $9 MembersTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqNG8EWydW0

Digital Gym Cinema1100 Market StSan Diego, CA 92101

Celestial Bodies: Moons+Marguerite Brown
2026-04-17 19:30 - 21:30
Sound artist Marguerite Brown opens the evening with an exploration of the electric guitar as a celestial body, using planetary tuning forks, custom hardware, and extended performance techniques to reveal new resonances and cosmic frequencies. Her work invites listeners to consider sound as both vibration and matter, connecting the earthly and the astronomical. Following Brown, the bi-coastal quartet MOONS —Judith Berkson, Laura Cetilia, Katie Porter, and Christine Tavolacci — presents a set of new compositions born from years of collaboration in experimental music. Their performances traverse chamber textures, electroacoustic landscapes, and subtle improvisations, creating music that is intimate, exploratory, and richly detailed. Together, Brown and MOONS offer an evening that bridges the cosmic and the deeply intimate.

APR 17, 2026, 7:30 PMBREAD & SALT GALLERY1955 Julian AveSan Diego, CA 92113

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys
2026-04-18 00:00 - 2026-08-09 23:59
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego hosts the West Coast debut of Giants, a landmark exhibition featuring more than 130 works by nearly 40 Black diasporic artists from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States. Drawn from the personal collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, the show explores themes of Black joy, resistance, and cultural identity through powerful large-scale works and intimate storytelling. Set to the music of Marvin Gaye, the exhibition also premieres a monumental new piece by Mickalene Thomas created especially for MCASD. On view April 18–August 9, this must-see exhibition invites audiences into bold conversations about art, legacy, and community.

Giants at MCASD will kick off with a Preview Party open to the public on Friday, April 17 from 6pm-9pm followed by an After Party at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room at The Lafayette Hotel starting at 10pm. On Saturday, April 18, MCASD will host a Free Public Opening of the exhibition.

MCASD700 Prospect St.La Jolla, CA 92037

THE NOTEBOOK
2026-04-18 14:00 - 16:00
Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, THE NOTEBOOK tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune says THE NOTEBOOK is “absolutely gorgeous, not to be missed,” and The New York Daily News calls it “a love story for the ages.” THE NOTEBOOK is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (The Wiz, Aida), and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC’s “This Is Us”), and choreography by Katie Spelman.

Harlem of the West: Jazz Night
2026-04-18 18:00 - 20:00
Experience the vibrant spirit of San Diego’s historic Jazz Era! Join us on April 18 from 6:00 pm–8:00 pm at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park for an evening of music, history, and celebration.

In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month, the San Diego History Center and the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art (SDAAMFA) invite you to celebrate the legacy of Harlem of the West, a once‑thriving neighborhood now known as the Gaslamp Quarter.

Immerse yourself in live jazz performances, spoken‑word poetry, and the stories that shaped this historic community. Then, step into San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods, an immersive exhibition from SDHC and SDAAMFA that highlights communities that were displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.

Live Music by New VisionFor more than a decade, New Vision Band has captivated audiences with a dynamic sound that blends jazz, gospel, blues, soul, and funk. Each member brings a wealth of musical experience, creating performances that are both deeply rooted in tradition and refreshingly contemporary.

Known for their uplifting and energetic shows, New Vision transforms every performance into a powerful musical experience—celebrating the spirit, resilience, and creativity that define these musical traditions.

Spoken-word Poetry by Dr. Yolanda Marie FranklinThe evening will be hosted by Yolanda Marie Franklin, Executive Artistic Director of Common Ground Theatre, one of San Diego’s longest-running African American theatre companies.

Dr. Franklin will perform spoken-word selections inspired by writers of the Harlem Renaissance, connecting their literary legacy to the vibrant cultural life of San Diego’s historic Harlem of the West.

SDHC and SDAAMFA Members $30Non-members $40

34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival
2026-04-19 11:00 - 19:00
Celebrate sustainability, culture, and community at the 34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park. This free, all-ages event features live music—including Grammy Award-winner Kabaka Pyramid—alongside global dance performances, eco-workshops, and a vibrant marketplace of conscious vendors. Explore the Ethnobotany Garden, enjoy plant-based cuisine, and engage in hands-on activities for all ages. A joyful, high-energy celebration of our planet and shared humanity on April 19.

Sunday, April 19th, 2026 11:00AM – 7:00PMWorldBeat Cultural Center 2100 Park Blvd. Balboa ParkSan Diego CA 92101

Choir! Choir! Choir!
2026-04-23 00:00 - 2026-04-25 23:59
Sing your heart out with the wildly popular Choir! Choir! Choir! as they transform audiences into performers in this joyful, interactive musical experience. Guided by the dynamic duo behind the global phenomenon, participants learn harmonies together and create a powerful, one-of-a-kind performance in real time. No experience needed—just bring your voice, your energy, and get ready to be part of something unforgettable at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater.

April 23-25, 2026Epstein Family Amphitheater 9480 Innovation LnLa Jolla, CA 92093

WOW Festival
2026-04-23 00:00 - 2026-04-26 23:59
La Jolla Playhouse’s celebrated WOW Festival returns April 23–26, transforming the UC San Diego campus into a four-day playground of immersive and interactive art. Known as “theatre without walls,” the festival features 20+ site-specific performances—from dance and music to puppetry and large-scale spectacle—created by local, national, and international artists. Many events are free, inviting audiences of all ages to explore surprising performances in unexpected spaces across campus.

Art Alive
2026-04-23 00:00 - 2026-04-26 23:59
Celebrate spring in full bloom at Art Alive, The San Diego Museum of Art’s signature floral extravaganza and fundraiser, returning April 23–26, 2026. The museum’s galleries transform with nearly 80 stunning floral interpretations inspired by works in the collection, alongside immersive installations, hands-on art activities, and special events like the Bloom Bash and Premiere Dinner. Part of the museum’s centennial celebration, this year’s theme draws inspiration from Toulouse-Lautrec and the vibrant spirit of 19th-century Paris.

The San Diego Museum of Art1450 El Prado Balboa ParkSan Diego, CA 92101

San Diego Asian Film Fest Spring Showcase
2026-04-24 00:00 - 2026-04-26 23:59
A focused and high-energy weekend of bold, independent storytelling from Asia and the Asian diaspora, the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) Spring Showcase is one of Pacific Arts Movement’s (Pac Arts) signature year-round programs.

While SDAFF in the fall highlights cutting-edge and emerging voices, Spring Showcase offers a tightly curated selection of festival favorites, cinematic standouts, and some of the most celebrated and popular films from Asia. This streamlined format brings audiences together for a more concentrated and dynamic shared experience.

April 24-26, 2026 – A three-day presentation of Asian cinema

UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley7510 Hazard Center DriveSan Diego, CA 92108

42nd Annual Mission Fed ArtWalk
2026-04-25 00:00 - 2026-04-26 23:59
Samson Low

Mission Fed ArtWalk is San Diego’s original fine art festival, filling the streets of San Diego’s Little Italy district with more than 250 visual artists, four music stages, interactive art for families, food and fun. We believe that art is not a luxury. Owning original art, and having an opportunity to meet the creators, adds meaning and inspiration to life. Artists travel from across the US and Mexico to show and sell their work. ArtWalk is a grand celebration you won’t want to miss!

April 25 & 26, 202611am-6pm Saturday • 10am-5pm SundayLittle Italy along India StreetDowntown, San Diego

Adams Avenue Unplugged
2026-04-25 12:00 - 23:30
GAYLE SKIDMORE

Adams Avenue Unplugged features 90 live musical performances inside restaurants, bars, and coffee houses along a two-mile stretch of Adams Avenue from University Heights on the West, through Normal Heights, and into parts of Kensington to the East. It also has performances outdoors at various patio locations, including the Smitty’s Food Court and Lestat’s Coffeehouse. The AABA hopes to treat musical aficionados and foodies to the rich neighborhood culture.

Adams Avenue Unplugged is free and open to the general public, with the exception of Alejandro Escovedo’s ticketed performance at the Main Stage (Headliner link/bottom of page). The historic Normal Heights United Church hosts the Main Stage and the Community Beer Garden where you can take advantage of the VIP Food & Drink Deal for $25 (link at bottom of page).

Fashion Week San Diego - SPRING SHOWCASE
2026-04-25 16:00 - 18:00
As the official fashion authority of the region since 2007, we are honored to announce our Spring Showcase in San Diego’s “Jeweled City

The Fashion Week San Diego®(FWSD) Spring Showcase serves as the official launch of the fashion season, acting as a curated preview and networking hub before the main runway events in the fall. Held at intimate, upscale venues, the showcase allows designers to debut signature looks and share their brand stories directly with the press and the public. The event is characterized by its commitment to sustainability, often featuring eco-conscious labels, its focus on educational growth through partnerships with local institutions, signature programs and celebrity deisgners that show their brands in. By bridging the gap between international couture and emerging local talent, the Spring Showcase establishes the year’s aesthetic trajectory and provides a critical business platform for designers to build momentum within the industry.

Saturday, April 25, 2026Official Spring Showcase | 4 PM – 6 PM(Must be 18+ to attend)

Art Garden
2026-04-30 18:00 - 21:00
Join Vanguard Culture and UC San Diego Craft Center for Art Garden, an inspiring evening of visual art, storytelling, dance, and community care. The event also marks the national launch of the Jimi Appleseed Initiative, a cultural storytelling movement connecting communities across the country through creativity and shared humanity. Guests can experience live performances, interactive art activities, and Neil Shigley’s Invisible Nation portrait exhibition while supporting the San Diego Rescue Mission through a handcrafted ceramic bowl fundraiser.

Film Noir
2026-04-30 19:00 - 21:00
The National Comedy Theatre cast takes on a classic film genre as it presents an improvised Film Noir. Expect to see detectives, femme fatales, guns, murder, misogyny, and mystery as our cast sends up a 1940’s film style. For over two decades, the National Comedy Theatre has been entertaining audiences of all sizes and types across the nation with our unique brand of interactive, improv comedy. The National Comedy Theatre San Diego presents improv comedy featuring professional comedians who create a series of scenes – all based on audience suggestions.

National Comedy Theatre3717 India St.San Diego, CA 92103
