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Guides MAY 23, 2013

Review: “Little Widow” has a lot of life

The Old Globe pulls off a powerful play

Review: “Little Widow” has a lot of life

Tired of musicals? Go see an intimate, 80-minute play called Be a Good Little Widow, now showing at the Old Globe in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre. It’s a theater in the round, with just four actors, all of whom have performed on Broadway and/or in television. Most notable is Christine Estabrook, whom you might recognize from Desperate Housewives, American Horror Story, and Mad Men.

Despite the title, the play is quite funny. I would call it a dramedy, though, because of the plot. And I would caution that, because of some strong language and clips of hip hop music, Gen-X/Y audiences might relate better.

The play follows 26-year-old Melody (Zoe Winters) whose newlywed hubby travels often for work. [SPOILER ALERT]: He dies suddenly in a plane crash, and she is left without friends or occupation in their new home in Connecticut. Having never even been to a funeral, Melody learns to cope with the help of her widowed mother-in-law, Hope (Estabrook).

The play, written by Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Hal Brooks, makes you think about your present and past relationships. Set in the modern day, it’s very relatable, and it compels you consider what it means to love a person, to lose him/her, and also how we mourn—and move on.

I attended the show with fellow editor Kimberly Cunningham. She cried the entire time. She said, “I almost went into the ugly cry.” Ha!

There was an usher standing at the door with a Kleenex box. Kim took two tissues. It was a good night at the theater.

The Old Globe
Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre
Balboa Park
Through June 9, 2013

Review: “Little Widow” has a lot of life

Photo by Ed Krieger

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Guides JULY 18, 2014

A Spoonful of Sugar

Meet the young talents now starring in ‘Disney's Mary Poppins' at Moonlight Amphitheater

A Spoonful of Sugar
A Spoonful of Sugar

A Spoonful of Sugar

Name: Abby DeSpain

Age: 10

Role: Jane Banks

Favorite snack? Probably… pretzels and M & M’s.

Must-have gadget? My iPod so I can listen to music.

What’s kind of music do you listen to? I just like just the Broadway soundtracks. I listen to those a lot.

Favorite Broadway musical? That is a hard one. I really like Wicked.

Do you have a favorite scene in Mary Poppins? I really like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” because that is the funnest number I get to do. It’s fast, and it’s just a lot of fun.

Do you do anything special to get ready before each show? Well… I like to be really early for the show. I like to have everything on, my wig on, my makeup on, so 10 minutes before the show, I am totally ready, so I have lots of time to chill.

How do you unwind afterward? After I get all my costumes off, and my wig off, and go say hi to my mom and everyone else that is there… it’s usually a pretty late night, and by the time I’m home, I’m usually half asleep. So I just get in bed, and after a few minutes, I’m out.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s a tricky question. There’s a lot of things I want to be when I grow up. An actress is definitely one of them. But I also really love to write, and want to be an author. And another thing I want to be is a marine biologist. I really love animals. And I love the water.

Secret to success? I would say to start at the beginning and follow your instincts. Always work hard. Do your best. And you’ll get there if you work hard. And it has to be fun!

A Spoonful of Sugar

A Spoonful of Sugar

Nate Carman and Abby DeSpain in Mary Poppins (photos by Ken Jacques) 

Name: Nate Carman

Age: 10

Role: Michael Banks

Favorite snack? I’d have to say I love nachos.

Must-have gadget? I’d have to say my iPad because I can read books on it and play games on it. I like Floppy Bird. (laughs)

What’s the coolest part about being in the show? It’s so cool hanging out with all the other people, and I think it’s really fun to go up the chimney. That’s kind of a new experience. I’ve never done that before. It’s a really cool thing, they have this elevator inside, but it’s not really an elevator. It’s a weight system, like a seesaw with pulleys.

Were you scared the first time you tried it? I was pretty scared, because if you’re standing in the wrong place, you could hit your head on one of the bars. But afterwards it got pretty fun.

Do you have a favorite moment in the show? My favorite moments is when Mr. Banks produces the kite, and then I run over to him and hug him. I just like it cause it’s kind of a heartwarming scene.

Do you do anything special to get ready before each show? Um. Not really. Sometimes I just play with friends or sit at home and rest.

How do you unwind afterward? I go home, sit on the couch, and sometimes my mom makes me popcorn.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Um… I think want to be an electrical engineer.

Do you know what an electrical engineer does? Yeah, they help fix problems in circuitry, like if a wire is out of place, they go and fix it on the circuit board and make sure everything’s running smoothly.

Secret to success?  I don’t really know. I mean, what I like to do in rehearsal is I don’t just work on the things I’m doing right, I work on the things I’m doing wrong, and then, I like to look back at the things I’m doing right and put it all together.

Disney’s Mary Poppins runs through August 2 at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista. For tickets, visit moonlightstage.com.

Guides JULY 18, 2014

A Spoonful of Sugar

Meet the young talents now starring in ‘Disney's Mary Poppins' at Moonlight Amphitheater

A Spoonful of Sugar

A Spoonful of Sugar

Name: Abby DeSpain

Age: 10

Role: Jane Banks

Favorite snack? Probably… pretzels and M & M’s.

Must-have gadget? My iPod so I can listen to music.

What’s kind of music do you listen to? I just like just the Broadway soundtracks. I listen to those a lot.

Favorite Broadway musical? That is a hard one. I really like Wicked.

Do you have a favorite scene in Mary Poppins? I really like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” because that is the funnest number I get to do. It’s fast, and it’s just a lot of fun.

Do you do anything special to get ready before each show? Well… I like to be really early for the show. I like to have everything on, my wig on, my makeup on, so 10 minutes before the show, I am totally ready, so I have lots of time to chill.

How do you unwind afterward? After I get all my costumes off, and my wig off, and go say hi to my mom and everyone else that is there… it’s usually a pretty late night, and by the time I’m home, I’m usually half asleep. So I just get in bed, and after a few minutes, I’m out.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s a tricky question. There’s a lot of things I want to be when I grow up. An actress is definitely one of them. But I also really love to write, and want to be an author. And another thing I want to be is a marine biologist. I really love animals. And I love the water.

Secret to success? I would say to start at the beginning and follow your instincts. Always work hard. Do your best. And you’ll get there if you work hard. And it has to be fun!

A Spoonful of Sugar

A Spoonful of Sugar

Nate Carman and Abby DeSpain in Mary Poppins (photos by Ken Jacques) 

Name: Nate Carman

Age: 10

Role: Michael Banks

Favorite snack? I’d have to say I love nachos.

Must-have gadget? I’d have to say my iPad because I can read books on it and play games on it. I like Floppy Bird. (laughs)

What’s the coolest part about being in the show? It’s so cool hanging out with all the other people, and I think it’s really fun to go up the chimney. That’s kind of a new experience. I’ve never done that before. It’s a really cool thing, they have this elevator inside, but it’s not really an elevator. It’s a weight system, like a seesaw with pulleys.

Were you scared the first time you tried it? I was pretty scared, because if you’re standing in the wrong place, you could hit your head on one of the bars. But afterwards it got pretty fun.

Do you have a favorite moment in the show? My favorite moments is when Mr. Banks produces the kite, and then I run over to him and hug him. I just like it cause it’s kind of a heartwarming scene.

Do you do anything special to get ready before each show? Um. Not really. Sometimes I just play with friends or sit at home and rest.

How do you unwind afterward? I go home, sit on the couch, and sometimes my mom makes me popcorn.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Um… I think want to be an electrical engineer.

Do you know what an electrical engineer does? Yeah, they help fix problems in circuitry, like if a wire is out of place, they go and fix it on the circuit board and make sure everything’s running smoothly.

Secret to success?  I don’t really know. I mean, what I like to do in rehearsal is I don’t just work on the things I’m doing right, I work on the things I’m doing wrong, and then, I like to look back at the things I’m doing right and put it all together.

Disney’s Mary Poppins runs through August 2 at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista. For tickets, visit moonlightstage.com.

Guides JULY 10, 2014

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

The Old Globe's Shakespeare in the Park summer series kicks off with a traditional production of ‘Othello'

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe
‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

Jim Cox

From the first puff of smoke from Iago’s cigarette, which opens the play, to the entrance of the valiant Othello, the audience is swept away to the world of a classic Shakespearian tragedy. The play is performed in The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, an open-air space in the likes of which Othello would have first been seen by audiences in the early 17th century.

Blair Underwood stars as Othello, a Christian Moor and Venetian general, who has just won the heart of the young, fair Desdemona, played by Kristen Connolly. Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas intrigues as Iago, who narrates the audience through his plot to unhinge Othello.

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

Jim Cox

Honest Iago, to which he is referred, is truly honest with the audience members as he elaborates his scheme to them each step of the way. Though the words are by Shakespeare, the play just as much belongs to Iago, who uses the characters as pawns to do his own will as he “pours pestilence” into the Moor’s ear.

Othello is directed by The Old Globe’s Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, who is recognized as a Shakespeare scholar and has directed almost half the plays from Shakespeare’s 37-play repertoire.

This traditional production of Othello can be seen at The Old Globe through July 27. For more information and tickets, visit theoldglobe.com.

Studio S JUNE 8, 2026

Seven Restaurants, One Rising Star

Yes, Chef! winner Emily Brubaker leads the robust culinary program at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

Seven Restaurants, One Rising Star

For Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa feels like home. She grew up just a mile-and-a-half away from the 400-acre property and fondly recalls walking the golf course perimeter as a kid. Though her ambitions led her away from San Diego for nearly two decades in which she honed her craft in some of the highest of high-profile Las Vegas restaurants—including triple Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—they ultimately brought her back to North County.

Courtesy of Omni La Costa

Today, the classically French-trained chef, who’s fresh off a victory on NBC’s Yes, Chef!, judged by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, oversees Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s seven distinct dining concepts. Her goal is to elevate the resort’s culinary program with her creative, hyperlocal ingredient-driven approach while maintaining the Spanish- inspired flavors and fresh California coastal cuisine that are the bedrock of its culinary identity.

“The San Diego food scene is really growing, and in North County alone, it’s really exploded in the last five years,” Brubaker says. “There are Michelin stars, beautiful tasting menus, craft bakers, and all this food—when I was growing up in La Costa, it was fish tacos. Now there are really cool things popping up, and I’m so happy to be here to see where it’s going to go.”

Brubaker gives chefs de cuisine at each individual restaurant autonomy, however, her influence is evident across the resort.

For example, lobby restaurant Bar Traza serves as Omni La Costa’s culinary centerpiece and features bold Spanish flavors in a lively, social atmosphere. Brubaker overhauled the menu to be more consistent and centered on casual bites with that signature vibe. Think smoky paprika, vibrant citrus, and Spanish meats and cheeses.

At VUE, the focus is on seasonal offerings, California coastal cuisine, and Baja-inspired dishes. She and Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon change the menu biannually, which heading into summer, will highlight farm-fresh produce and hyperlocal ingredients—the resort even has its own herb garden and honeybee hives.

Courtesy of Omni La Costa

Poolside dining options are leaning into the country’s 250th this summer with a selection of classic American dishes with an Omni La Costa twist. And Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Brubaker is a trained butcher) offers a classic steakhouse experience with elevated service.

The chef and company also plan menus for special events at the resort where her creativity can really shine. For an upcoming National Ski Association dinner, the banquet hall will be transformed into an Alpine-themed winter wonderland complete with a snow machine, savory sausages, and melty, decadent raclette. A recent dinner was built around the Carlsbad Flower Fields and each course was matched to a color of ranunculus (Did you know pink dragonfruit are grown in North County? You do now.).

“It’s my zen to be in the kitchen playing with food,” Brubaker says.

Omni La Costa’s culinary program is a key part of the resort experience. And with Brubaker’s leadership, it’s becoming a draw for visitors and locals alike.

“These aren’t just hotel restaurants, these are restaurants that you should go to. They’re destinations, and I’m really hoping for the future that’s where we’re going,” Brubaker says.

Courtesy of Omni La Costa

Brubaker is also channeling her experience on Yes, Chef! into the culture at Omni La Costa—more emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, empowering her staff to share constructive critiques, and embracing different perspectives. Alongside her leadership role, Brubaker has become an advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry, serving as chief ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Apex Culinary Program, where she mentors and develops future talent.

For more on Omni La Costa Resort & Spa and its dining program, please visit omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa.

Partner Content
Guides JULY 10, 2014

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

The Old Globe's Shakespeare in the Park summer series kicks off with a traditional production of ‘Othello'

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

Jim Cox

From the first puff of smoke from Iago’s cigarette, which opens the play, to the entrance of the valiant Othello, the audience is swept away to the world of a classic Shakespearian tragedy. The play is performed in The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, an open-air space in the likes of which Othello would have first been seen by audiences in the early 17th century.

Blair Underwood stars as Othello, a Christian Moor and Venetian general, who has just won the heart of the young, fair Desdemona, played by Kristen Connolly. Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas intrigues as Iago, who narrates the audience through his plot to unhinge Othello.

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

‘Othello’ Enchants at The Old Globe

Jim Cox

Honest Iago, to which he is referred, is truly honest with the audience members as he elaborates his scheme to them each step of the way. Though the words are by Shakespeare, the play just as much belongs to Iago, who uses the characters as pawns to do his own will as he “pours pestilence” into the Moor’s ear.

Othello is directed by The Old Globe’s Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, who is recognized as a Shakespeare scholar and has directed almost half the plays from Shakespeare’s 37-play repertoire.

This traditional production of Othello can be seen at The Old Globe through July 27. For more information and tickets, visit theoldglobe.com.

Guides JUNE 25, 2014

How Many Different Ways Can You Say Pink?

Find out at Broadway San Diego's production of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,' now playing at the Civic Theatre

How Many Different Ways Can You Say Pink?

In one of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’s most energetic moments, the cast sings a song about the many colors in this very special coat and the show’s namesake.

There are 29 colors to be exact. As the lyrics go, “It was red and yellow and green and brown and scarlett and black and ochre and peach and ruby and olive and violet and fawn and lilac and gold and choc’late and mauve and cream and crimson and silver and rose and azure and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and blue!”

This is just one of many great numbers in this beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, with lyrics by Tim Rice—a score that many theater lovers, including San Diego Magazine staffers, know by heart. (Note: These songs are so catchy; we guarantee you’ll be singing them all the way home.)

The story of Joseph and his magical coat is based on a Biblical fable. It’s great for families with children, offering life lessons about honesty and honor and faith.

The current production, now playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre, stars former American Idol contestants (and married couple) Ace Young as Joseph and Diana DeGarmo as the narrator. We can’t wait to “Go, Go, Go” and see their real-life chemistry on stage.

Here’s to life in Technicolor—and all the dreamers out there!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs through June 29. For tickets visit, broadwaysd.com.

How Many Different Ways Can You Say Pink?

Courtesy of Broadway San Diego

Partner Content JUNE 5, 2026

Beautiful Balboa Park: Nine Ways to See the City’s Crown Jewel in a New Light

San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.

Beautiful Balboa Park: Nine Ways to See the City’s Crown Jewel in a New Light

Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.

The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.

Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago. 

Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.  

Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14. 

There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.

If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities. 

If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.

16 Museums, One Pass

Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).

Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.

BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer 

Fleet Science Center

Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.

Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233

Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.

Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721

The Old Globe

A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. 

This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.

Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623

San Diego Air & Space Museum

Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.

Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291

San Diego History Center

History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.

By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.

Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203

San Diego Junior Theatre

Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre. 

Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.

Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311

San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)

This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.

But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.

Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821

WorldBeat Cultural Center

The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.

Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190


Event Calendar

Throughout 2026: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.

San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101

Throughout 2026: San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods

Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.

San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101

June –Aug: The 2026 Shakespeare Festival

Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.

The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101

June 8–Aug. 7: Theatre Summer Camps

Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.

San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101  

June 14, July 12, Aug 9: Brunch at The Nat


A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12). 

San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

June 21: Harriet Tubman Freedom Bird Walk

Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.

WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Aug 7-8: Toro Nagashi Festival

Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.

Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101


Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.

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