Dance
Live Arts Fest
The San Diego Dance Theater’s yearly Live Arts Fest showcases a collection of choreographers and artists presenting new works. Trenton Birch, known as Otari Cloud, will provide live musical accompaniment for the event. The participants and creators involved are Nick McGhee, Odessa Uno, Jacqueleen Schweighardt, Miguel Galvan, Micah Parra, and Aisha Reddick. The show centers on the themes of trust and connection.
7:30 PM on February 28 | Light Box Theater, 2590 Truxton Road, Suite 205, Liberty Station | Tickets priced from $26.50 to $31.60 |MORE INFO
Visual arts
Faith Ringgold: Full Circle – The Teachings and Her Influence
The Mandeville Art Gallery at UC San Diego will showcase a comprehensive look at the career, teaching, and life of trailblazing Black craft and textile artist Faith Ringgold. She served as a professor at UCSD from 1984 until 2002. Renowned for her story quilts and sculptures, Ringgold’s artistic output includes painting, textiles, and mixed-media works. There will be an opening reception this weekend.
6-8 p.m. on Saturday, February 28. Running until May | Mandeville Art Gallery, 9390 Mandeville Lane, UC San Diego | Admission is free |MORE INFO
“The Politics of Representation: Three Generations of Chicana Portraiture” artist discussion panel
Expanded from a recent display at Avenue 50 Studio in Los Angeles, artists from Los Angeles and San Diego unite in an exhibition highlighting Chicana portraiture, exploring how portraiture merges magical realism, identity, political activism, and other themes. Artists from San Diego are Katie Ruiz, Marianela de la Hoz, and Ale Ruiz Tostado. An event this Saturday will include the artists in conversation. The Mesa College Art Gallery rarely offers weekend hours, making this an excellent opportunity to view the exhibit.
Session: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, February 28 | Mesa College Art Gallery, 7250 Mesa College Drive, Room FA-103 | Admission is free |MORE INFO
Books
Writers’ Symposium by the Sea
The 31st annual Writers Symposium by the Sea is taking place at Point Loma Nazarene University. Additional schedule features include evening author events withJamaica Kincaid on Thursday and George Saunders on Friday. If you are unable to attend the event, view our latest interviews withKincaid, author of “A Small Place,” “The Autobiography of My Mother,” and other works; andSaunders, author of “Lincoln in the Bardo,” “Tenth of December,” and, most recently, “Vigil.”
Until February 27 | Crill Performance Hall, 3900 Lomaland Drive, PLNU | $21.99 |MORE INFO
Music
Nathaniel Stewart, Aly Rowell, and Ghosts You Know
Nathaniel Stewart and Aly Rowell, independent musicians from San Diego, join the duo Ghosts You Know for a performance at Coffee & Tea Collective’s “Collective Sounds” series.
These informal, personal performances are suitable for all ages and provide an opportunity to try some C&T drinks outside of regular hours.
6:00 PM on Thursday, February 26 | Coffee & Tea Collective, located at 2911 El Cajon Blvd., North Park | Suggested donation of $5 to $15 |MORE INFO
Mao Fujita
A pianist from Tokyo, Mao Fujita, will present a concert featuring six piano compositions, including the beautiful “Isoldes Liebestod” from “Tristan and Isolde” by Wagner, arranged by Liszt, along with pieces by Brahms, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Berg.
7:30 PM on Friday, February 27 | Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla | Tickets priced from $95 to $130 |MORE INFO
Sacred/Profane: ‘The Infinite and the Divine’
A local choral group called SACRA/PROFANA will be led by Aaron Burgett in a performance featuring vocal pieces that delve into the universe and spiritual dimensions.
7:00 PM on Saturday, February 28 | San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas | Admission: $15 to $40 |MORE INFO
Theater
San Diego Junior Theatre: ‘Where the Mountain Meets the Moon’
Based on Grace Lin’s children’s book with the same title, this musical inspired by folklore, written by Min Kahng, tells the story of Minli, a courageous girl who embarks on an adventurous journey to rescue her family with the assistance of mystical beings. The writer will be part of a conversation following the matinee performance this Saturday.
February 27 – March 15 | Casa del Prado Theatre, 1650 El Prado, #208, Balboa Park | $22.50 to $24.50 |MORE INFO
‘The Recipe’
A play adapted by Tony-nominated writer Claudia Shear, based on the book “Dearie,” is making its debut at La Jolla Playhouse. It explores the early years of renowned chef Julia Child as she discovers her true passion. I recently had the opportunity to watch this production, and it’s charming.
Christina Kirk’s portrayal of Julia Child is outstanding: humorous, kind-hearted, somewhat bold, and completely truthful. One of the key factors that both shaped and drove Child toward success was her capacity to acknowledge her weaknesses without allowing them to hinder her progress—whether it was a lack of direction or her early kitchen mishaps. The lively and talented supporting cast shines under Kirk’s influence, and the outstanding (and well-coordinated) props and set design are also worth noting.
The trip has been recently extended until March 29.
February 10 – March 29 | La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego | $61-$114 |MORE INFO
Film
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The 15th edition of the Oceanside International Film Festival (OIFF) concludes this year at the Star Theatre, as its regular venue is undergoing renovations. The final weekend features an event with director Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight” and “Lords of Dogtown”), a science fiction short films showcase, and other activities.
Up to February 28 | Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Hwy., Oceanside | $18-$30 |MORE INFO
Festivals and more
On the Staircase at SDMA: Centennial Edition
Celebrate the museum’s centennial anniversary with free outdoor performances in the evening — and enjoy free entry to the museum throughout the day. Peach Cooler (featured in ourepisode of The Finest about pop punk and Blink-182), Gregory Page, Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, MC Maru, and Flashpoint Skate will provide entertainment in the evening, starting at 4:45 p.m.
10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (with shows running from 4:45 PM to 7:00 PM) on Saturday, February 28 | San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park | Admission is free |MORE INFO
Carlsbad Flower Fields opening
The 2026 season at Carlsbad’s Flower Fields begins this weekend, operating from March 1 to May 10. Explore the 55 acres of ranunculus fields in person, or immerse yourself in butterflies and various other attractions.
March 1 to May 10 | The Flower Fields, located at 5704 Paseo del Norte in Carlsbad | Admission prices range from $17 to $40 |MORE INFO
