Vanguard Culture

Cameron Carpenter: Metropolis
2025-05-17 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Immerse yourself in the dystopian universe of Metropolis—Fritz Lang’s 1927 science fiction classic. Pioneering organist and composer Cameron Carpenter performs his original score for solo organ as the film is projected on a big screen.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
7:30 PM
St. James by the Sea

LOUIS: A Silent Film with Live Musical Performance by WYNTON MARSALIS and CECILE LICAD
2025-05-18 19:00 - 21:00
Superstar jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis will be joined by renowned classical pianist Cecile Licad and an 11-piece jazz ensemble conducted by Andy Faber for a unique live musical performance to accompany the presentation of LOUIS – A Silent Film. LOUIS was written and directed by Dan Pritzker and shot by Oscar®-winning cinematographer the late Vilmos Zsigmond and pays homage to Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, and the birth of jazz. The film, set in 1907 New Orleans, tells the story of a young boy (Louis) born into poverty, who dreams of playing the trumpet. Marsalis was brought on board to oversee the music for the film and immediately became an integral part of Pritzker’s vision. This live touring show will treat audiences to a modern version of an original immersive-style experience, blending a live musical performance with the captivating story-telling and classic visuals captured in Dan Pritzker’s LOUIS to provide a (not so) silent film experience.
WYNTON MARSALIS: THE LOUIS PROJECT
Sunday, May 18, 2025 • 7 PM
Balboa Theatre
Jazz Series

Latin History for Morons
2025-05-23 - 2025-06-08
Latin History for Morons is a hilarious and insightful exploration inspired by the glaring absence of Latinos in American history textbooks. In this uproarious show, Rick Najera embarks on a frenetic quest to uncover a Latin hero for his son’s school project. With his comedic flair, he delivers a whirlwind recap of the Aztec Empire and shines a light on the unsung Latin patriots of the Revolutionary War and beyond, distilling 3,000 years of history—from the Mayans to Pitbull—into 110 irreverent and uncensored minutes that are both entertaining and enlightening.
May 23- June 8, 2025
Oceanside Theatre Company
217 North Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054

VIP Arts & Culture Baja Tour - VISUAL ARTS
2025-05-23 09:00 - 17:00
Discover Baja’s Vibrant Art and Culture: A VIP Experience
Immerse yourself in the rich creative landscape of Baja California with an expertly curated cultural tour of Tijuana’s Visual Arts scene by Art Scene Baja. The VIP experience includes round-trip transportation from the border, a gourmet lunch, and wine tasting featuring Baja’s finest vintages.
–

The Vanguard Culture team will meet you on the U.S. side of the border and we will walk across together. The Art Scene Baja bus will pick us up immediately on the other side. Guests will be returned to the San Ysidro border and will walk across with the Vanguard Culture team.
Friday, May 23rd, 9am-5pm: Visual Arts Tour

Explore the latest exhibitions at renowned cultural institutions.
Meet talented local artists in their studios and witness their creative process.
Enjoy a private wine-tasting experience showcasing premium Baja wines.
Indulge in a gourmet lunch featuring Mexican or fusion cuisine.
Discover exquisite ceramic art and contemporary designs.
Return transportation to the Tijuana border crossing.

Price per person: $300 USD

What to Bring:

Comfortable shoes and a light jacket (evening return).
Personal or business cards for networking opportunities.
Cash or cards for small purchases (Pesos, Dollars, and credit cards are accepted).
Passport and/or SENTRI card

Embark on a journey of inspiration and creativity. Reserve your spot today!

Sliding Glass Doors
2025-05-25 16:00 - 18:00
SACRA/PROFANA is super pleased to present Sliding Glass Doors, an immersive choral concert exploring the depth and legacy of Black American music through the personal lens of composer, arranger, and gospel scholar Dr. Brandon Waddles. The program features a compelling blend of gospel, spirituals, and musical theater, including works composed or arranged by Waddles, who currently serves as the Associate Music Director for the National Broadway Tour of The Wiz.
Artistic Director Juan Carlos Acosta calls Waddles “an artist, professional, and scholar of the highest caliber,” and this concert marks a major moment in the ensemble’s evolution.
Sunday, May 25, 2025
4:00 p.m.
Christ United Presbyterian Church San Diego
3025 Fir St, San Diego, CA 92102
(Christ United is the third-oldest Black Presbyterian Church in the nation)
Tickets run $15-$40

Unified Harmonies
2025-05-28 19:30 - 21:30
Art of Elan is thrilled to partner with San Diego’s premier contemporary ballet company, The Rosin Box Project, for two special performances of “Unified Harmonies,” a multidisciplinary production that features new choreography alongside the stunning string quartet works of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw and Kian Ravaei, exploring the crucial role of artists as changemakers and emphasizing the importance of collaboration in today’s world.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
7:30 PM & 8:50 PM
The Baker-Baum Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
7600 Fay Avenue San Diego, CA, 9203

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
2025-05-30 - 2025-06-12
Experience the charming French rom-com Jane Austen Wrecked My Life at San Diego’s Digital Gym Cinema. Follow Agathe’s journey from Paris to a Jane Austen Residency in England, where romance and self-discovery await. Agathe (Camille Rutherford) is a hopelessly clumsy yet charming young woman who works in the legendary Shakespeare & Co. bookshop in Paris, while she dreams of being a successful writer, and of experiencing love akin to a Jane Austen novel, she finds herself desperately single and plagued by writers block. When Agathe’s best friend (Pablo Pauly) gets her invited to the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England, she finally has her Jane Austen moment…and is caught in a very unexpected romantic triangle. Agathe must let go of her insecurities to decide what she really wants for herself, and to achieve her romantic and professional dreams.

Showtimes:
Friday, May 30, 2025 – Thursday, June 12, 2025
Ticket Prices: $13 Regular / $11 Students & Seniors / $9 Members
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inLm4GvLQuk&ab_channel=SonyPicturesClassics

Behind the Music: Voices of our City
2025-05-31 16:30 - 21:00
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join us for creativity as self-care. Voices of Our City Choir invites you to experience how music and art become lifelines—tools for mental wellness, community building, and hope. Through live performance, storytelling, and visual art, witness how our choir members reclaim joy, voice, and healing.
Come be moved. Come be inspired. Come and play!
You will get to experience Voices’ programming like:
• participating in a songwriting activity with Voices’ facilitators • meeting the producers of our podcast Sounds of the Sidewalk and share your own voice for a future episode • exploring a showcase of art created by members of Voices • individual and in-community art-making opportunities • participating in an improv workshop
Behind The Music culminates on a high note with a soul-stirring sing-along concert inside St. Paul’s Cathedral. This is more than a music event — it’s a celebration of resilience, community, and the healing power of song and art.
Tickets are $35 each. Children welcome — kids under 10 are free.100% of ticket sales go directly to the transformational programming of Voices of Our City.

May 31, 2025, 4:30 PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
2728 Sixth Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

Queer Mvmnt Fest
2025-06-04 - 2025-06-08
Queer Mvmnt Fest is coming up in the beginning of June! QMF showcases artists who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ dance community from San Diego and beyond. The festival features queer-focused spaces as well as events open to the general public, including performances, workshops, panel discussions, and movement-based short films. Queer Mvmnt Fest addresses inequity through an intersectional lens by centering the work of queer BIPOC and disabled artists.
The festival is curated and directed by DISCO RIOT Producing Artists: Desiree Cuizon, Trystan Merrick, Martin Anthony Dorado, and Alyssa Rose

Art/Elements: a world of our own making
2025-06-04 - 2025-06-16
“Art/Elements” is a collection of art, conceived, born and raised using the building blocks of all that makes our planet exist in a perfect and orderly fashion. From clay/earth transformed by %re, to glass, shaped and polished by sand and sea, to hand-carved paintings, reflecting a strong connection to all things natural. All of this work is tremendously individual and diverse, but brought together in a beautiful, cohesive collection; a perfect world of Art/Elements.
Alan Potter; ceramic sculptor, Rex Allen & Gene Nockengust; beach glass jewelers and Brit Hansen; painter/carver, will come together in San Diego’s beautiful Spanish Village (Balboa Park) to showcase their unique expressions through their art.
Opening Reception, June 7th
3-7pm or during our
Regular gallery hours
June 4th-16th
11am-4pm
Village Arts Outreach Gallery

La Llorona on the Blue Line
2025-06-05 - 2025-06-21
La Llorona on the Blue Line by Mabelle Reynoso is an immersive play that interweaves multiple historical timelines aboard San Diego’s Blue Line trolley, haunted by La Llorona—a spectral embodiment of maternal grief, injustice, and memory. Set in light rail train cars from 1920, 1946, and 1982, each era unfolds as a chilling vignette, revealing hidden truths and long-buried pain as La Llorona traverses time and space. Through ghostly encounters and eerie reckonings, this immersive play invites audiences to board different train cars, experiencing how the past lingers in unexpected ways. Here, the Blue Line becomes a liminal space where truth surfaces and spirits seek justice to wonder if La Llorona is not a monster but a mirror—asking who the real monsters are, and reminding us that memory cannot be shackled.
June 5-21
National City Depot
922 W 23rd St
National City, CA 91950

East Village Blues Fest
2025-06-07 16:00 - 21:00
Get ready for an unforgettable night of live music at the 4th Annual East Village Blues Fest! This year’s lineup includes the Queen of Boogie Woogie, Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra, Len Rainey & The Midnight Players, The Stoney B. Blues Band, and Zavala Sol & The Tighten Ups—all on the same stage! Join us on Saturday, June 7th, from 4-9 PM for incredible performances, a full bar, and delicious food from El Comal. 21+ event. Don’t miss out on this electric evening of blues and great vibes!
Quartyard
1301 Market Street
San Diego, CA 92101

Roy Jenuine: Modern Folk Art
2025-06-09 - 2025-07-06
Roy Jenuine, Camping with Dogs Near a Blue Sky, 2010
Roy Jenuine is a mixed media artist hailing from the north coastal beach community of Leucadia, Calif. He has spent his life’s work blending wood, photography and found materials to create artful masterpieces spanning functional furniture, to mixed media assemblage. Jenuine’s work explores materials, finishes, and craftsmanship, as well as observations about his surroundings. He finds humor in the everyday, captures nostalgia, pushes the boundaries of function and form. He aligns himself with folk art and architecture, addressing both complex modernist aesthetics and found elements from the salvage yard. Drawing from his childhood in Los Angeles, early 1970s residency at the radical architectural project Arcosanti, and formal training at San Diego State University, Jenuine has developed a distinctive visual vocabulary that is rigorous, fun, meditative and truly original.
Modern Folk Art 1978-now
312 S Cedros Ave Ste 180
Solana Beach, CA 92075
June 9-July 6 Thursday-Sunday 11a-6p

Orlando
2025-06-12 19:00 - 21:00
Orlando is an aged musician from a small town in central Italy who lost his wife years ago and now lives alone, playing the accordion at weddings and working the land. Valerio, his only child, left for Brussels soon after his mother’s death, which led Orlando to cut all ties with him. However, when he reaches out to his father to ask for help, Orlando feels he must oblige. For the first time in his life, he leaves the town and travels to Brussels to see Valerio, only to arrive when it is too late. His son is dead, leaving behind a nine-year-old daughter, Lyse. Now, a new life for Orlando awaits…
Film Screening in Italian with English subtitles.
La Paloma Theatre
471 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
June 12, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00 PM PDT

The Kumeyaay Visual Storytelling Project
2025-06-13 - 2025-10-19
“Visual storytelling has been apart of Kumeyaay tradition since time immemorial.”
The Kumeyaay Visual Storytelling Project is an immersive exhibition that brings the two-part comic Our, Past, Present, and Future and Beyond Gaming, written by Kumeyaay Tribal Historians Ethan Banegas, Michael Connolly Miskwish, Lorraine Orosco, and Stanley Rodriguez, to life in three dimensions.
“Each of these two ways [comics] tells the same story, but slightly differently. Sometimes, having the same story told twice is the best way to learn about something that’s complicated. We want these two stories to help everyone learn more about our people, our story and how we view the world.”
Authored by Tribal Historians Ethan Banegas, Michael Connolly Miskwish, Lorraine Orosco, and Stanley Rodriguez, the exhibition presents history from the perspective of Kumeyaay culture bearers and celebrates the power of visual storytelling through graphic novels.
On view through October 19, 2025
Wisteria Cottage
780 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037

Resilient Skies
2025-06-13 - 2025-06-14
Resilient Skies I launches San Diego Dance Theater’s newest annual repertory concert with an electrifying program of movement, emotion, and artistry. Featuring iconic works by Jean Isaacs and SDDT’s Executive Artistic Director Terry Wilson, this thrilling evening also unveils world premieres by the bold and visionary choreographers Sol de la Rosa and Matthew Armstrong. Resilient Skies I celebrates the power of dance to inspire, transform, and uplift—soaring beyond boundaries with passion and resilience.

Resilient Skies I | June 13th & 14th, 2025
7pm at the Saville Theatre

Embracing the Mystery
2025-06-14 - 2025-08-17
Embracing the Mystery is a juried exhibition curated by students in the Professional Practices class at Palomar College. The exhibition delves into the unsettling and unknown aspects of life, exploring existential questions such as: What is the past? What is the future? What is consciousness? What are dreams? As Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us, “The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.” Life is a mystery; the only tangible reality is the ever-changing present.
The exhibition presents a collection of two-dimensional works — including photography, video, painting, and drawing — by forty-two artists. The artists explore both internal and external landscapes, reflecting on themes such as isolation, exploration, entrapment, love, and the human body. Works like Lina Al’s Self Love and Jim Eighmey’s Rio Frio Caves, Belize exemplify the diverse subject matter.
June 14 – August 17, 2025
CA Center for the Arts Escondido
340 N. Escondido Blvd.
Escondido, CA 92025

Pointeworks
2025-06-14 20:00 - 22:00
Pointeworks returns to San Diego for its highly anticipated second season, showcasing a breathtaking evening of ballet that blends tradition with innovation. Under Artistic Director Sophie Williams, the Summer 2025 Season presents three world premieres by visionary choreographers Reka Gyulai, Laine Habony, and DaYoung Jung. The program features the enchanting “Carousel” duet by Christopher Wheeldon, performed with live piano accompaniment. With a dynamic international cast of 12 dancers, this performance promises a rich tapestry of classical and contemporary styles, highlighting creative collaborations in choreography, music, and visual art for an unforgettable experience.
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
7600 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, California 92037
Saturday, June 14, 2025
8:00 PM

16th Annual San Diego Spirits Festival
2025-06-15 08:00 - 17:00
Get ready to shake things up at the 16th Annual San Diego Spirits Festival! The ultimate destination for those who live and breathe exceptional cocktails and fine spirits.
exciting updates- here’s a little sneak peek of what’s in store:
🎤 George Pajon from the Black Eyed Peas will be performing live, joined by acclaimed singer-songwriter Andrew Cole, bringing amazing music and energy to the festival.
Prepare for a sensory explosion! Join us for two days of pure indulgence, where you can:

Savor Unlimited Delicious Drinks: Explore a vast universe of flavors with unlimited access to incredible cocktails.

Meet the Masters: Mingle with over 65 of your favorite spirit brands and discover exciting new craft distilleries and innovative creations.

Dive into a World of Flavor: From smooth whiskeys and complex bourbons to vibrant tequilas, smoky mezcals, crisp gins, and refreshing RTDs, your perfect pour awaits.

Experience Luxury by the Sea: Immerse yourself in a spectacular venue with breathtaking La Jolla ocean views.

Dress to Impress: This is San Diego’s biggest and most stylish happy hour!

“We’re crafting an unforgettable, experience-driven event, where every guest is inspired by the artistry of exquisite cocktails and spirits in a truly stunning setting.”
Mark your calendars! Don’t miss this unparalleled cocktail experience on September 27-28, 2025. Join us for two days of top-tier spirits, unlimited cocktails, and a deep dive into the heart of the luxury cocktail industry.
Get ready to raise a glass and celebrate the art of the perfect drink!
September 27-28, 2025
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla
700 Prospect Street La Jolla, CA 92037

Story Concert: The Tie That Binds
2025-06-16 19:00 - 21:00
As our 18th Story Concert Season comes to a close we are excited to explore the meaning of family. Some families we are born with and some families we choose ourselves – Join us as we share the joy, the laughter and the unexpected as we explore the complexity of family.
June 16, 7:00 p.m.
The Tie That Binds – All in the family

OLD TOWN THEATRE
4040 Twiggs Avenue
San Diego, CA 92110

Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra
2025-06-18 - 2025-06-28
The largest gathering of concertmasters and principal players in North America, featuring top players from the world’s greatest orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic and dozens more.
Music Director Michael Francis
June 18-28, 2025

2025 Black Arts Festival
2025-06-19 - 2025-06-21
The San Diego Black Artist Collective presents the 2025 Black Arts Festival, June 19–22 at Diversionary Theatre. This four-day celebration of Black creativity features theatre, music, dance, visual art, and poetry, centering historically excluded voices. Highlights include a reading of Crack Baby, a performance of Black Creek Risin’, the Lift EVERY Voice showcase, and a joyful Gospel Brunch to close the weekend.
Thursday, June 19, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 22, 2025 2:00 PM

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Tennessee Williams
2025-06-19 - 2025-07-12
The Big Easy is anything but for Blanche DuBois, the quintessential creation in Tennessee Williams’ classic tale of lustful deceit and the longing for redemption. On the run from her mysterious past, the destitute Blanche arrives on the doorstep of her younger sister Stella who is pregnant with her first child. Desperate for attention and demanding the devotion that has forever eluded her, Blanche inserts herself between the mother-to-be and her hot-blooded husband Stanley and sparks a flame of passion and possession that cannot be contained and can only consume everything in its path.
June 19 – July 12, 2025
Tenth Avenue Arts Center
930 Tenth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

Moments Without Proper Names
2025-06-19 19:00 - 21:00
In his final film as director, Gordon Parks (The Learning Tree, Shaft) turned the camera upon himself and created a deeply personal and remarkably poetic self-portrait. Moments Without Proper Names blends Parks’s striking photographs (spanning four decades) with newly-shot footage of the artist, his own musical compositions, and personal reminiscences performed by a trio of esteemed actors: Avery Brooks, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Joe Seneca. Restored from the original camera negatives, presented in cooperation with the Gordon Parks Foundation and the Library of Congress, Moments Without Proper Names offers a penetrating gaze into the life and mind of one of the 20th Century’s most celebrated artists.
Director: Gordon Parks
Medium Photo members pay just $10 admission ($14 general), with underground parking available.
Thursday, June 19 at 7:00pm
Digital Gym Cinema
1100 Market St,
San Diego, CA 92101

XICANA! San Diego
2025-06-21 - 2025-11-02
XICANA! San Diego explores the powerful intersections of art, activism, and cultural identity through the lens of over one hundred Chicana artists from across Southern California. Curated by Dulce Stein and organized by ESMoA in collaboration with the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, this exhibition will celebrate resilience, identity, and vision through work in all media, including painting, textiles, photography, sculpture, performance, film, and poetry.
See the preview HERE.
June 21 – November 2, 2025
CA Center for the Arts Escondido
340 N. Escondido Blvd.
Escondido, CA 92025

Jewish Short Play Festival
2025-06-23 19:00 - 21:00
After a successful debut, the Jewish Short Play Festival returns with more laughter, drama, and thought-provoking themes! Celebrating local and beyond, this year’s festival features short plays performed by San Diego’s brightest actors. Directed by Debra Wanger, the event explores themes of identity and tradition in contemporary Jewish life. Don’t miss this community-driven celebration of talent and storytelling.
Monday, June 23, 2025 | 7:00 pm
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

Ran
2025-06-26 - 2025-07-03
Experience Ran, Akira Kurosawa’s stunning adaptation of King Lear, hailed as one of the greatest films ever made. This 1985 epic explores the tragic downfall of warlord Hidetora Ichimonji after dividing his kingdom among his sons. Featuring powerful performances and breathtaking visuals, Ran is a masterwork of Japanese cinema.
Director: Akira Kurosawa Run Time: 160 min. Release Year: 1985 Language: Japanese
Starring: Akira Terao, Daisuke Ryū, Jinpachi Nezu, Mieko Harada, Tatsuya Nakadai
June 26 – July 3, 2025
1100 Market Street
San Diego, CA 92101

SD VAMP: Challenge Accepted
2025-06-26 20:00 - 22:00
Join the June edition of SD VAMP: Challenge Accepted on Thursday, June 26, 8–10 PM at Whistle Stop Bar. Hear bold, funny, and inspiring true stories from local storytellers who faced down life’s biggest challenges—whether heroically or hilariously. Featuring Amanda Qassar, Lisane Basquiat, Katerina Vee, Kristen Nash, Sidra Montgomery, Stephanie Hansen, and Tina Huong. Tickets are $10. Ages 21+.
June 26, 2025
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

VIP Arts & Culture Baja Tour – PERFORMING ARTS
2025-06-27 09:00 - 17:00
Discover Baja’s Vibrant Art and Culture: A VIP Experience
Immerse yourself in the rich creative landscape of Baja California with an expertly curated cultural tour of Tijuana’s performing arts scene by Art Scene Baja. The VIP experience includes round-trip transportation from the border, a gourmet lunch, and wine tasting featuring Baja’s finest vintages.
–

The Vanguard Culture team will meet you on the U.S. side of the border and we will walk across together. The Art Scene Baja bus will pick us up immediately on the other side. Guests will be returned to the San Ysidro border and will walk across with the Vanguard Cult
Friday, June 27, 9am-5pm: Performing Arts Tour

Experience an exclusive tour of a private theater.
Enjoy a contemporary dance performance at the Conservatorio de Danza México.
Savor Baja’s finest wines during a private tasting.
Delight in a gourmet lunch blending Mexican and fusion flavors.
Enjoy live jazz in an iconic Baja venue.
Return transportation to the Tijuana border crossing.

Price per person: $300 USD
What to Bring:

Comfortable shoes and a light jacket (evening return).
Personal or business cards for networking opportunities.
Cash or cards for small purchases (Pesos, Dollars, and credit cards are accepted).
Passport and/or SENTRI card

Embark on a journey of inspiration and creativity. Reserve your spot today!

San Diego Black Arts & Culture District Music Festival
2025-06-28 12:00 - 20:00
Celebrate Black creativity and culture at the Annual San Diego Black Arts & Culture District Music Festival on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 12–8 PM at MLK Park. Enjoy live performances by Miki Vale, C.C. Carter, Daneen Wilburn, Lenny “Fuzzy” Rankin, and Ben Williams, plus community activities all day. Explore art exhibits, a STEAM tent, local vendors, and more in this family-friendly celebration of music, history, and innovation.
Saturday, June 28, 2025
12:00 PM 8:00 PM
Martin L. King Jr. Park
6401 Skyline Drive
San Diego, CA, 92114
