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Go Big or Go Home

LUXURY TAKES TO THE HIGH SEAS (okay, the San Diego Bay) for YachtFest 2008, the West Coast’s premier boutique yacht show, September 11-14 on Shelter Island. The event showcases the world’s most luxurious floating vessels——the Bentleys of boats, the Maseratis of megayachts——and invites guests aboard for a taste of the ultra-lux life.

According to YachtFest board chair Doug Sharp, YachtFest San Diego is the foremost place in the western United States to buy, sell or charter a premium yacht. “The quality of product on display at YachtFest rivals that of the shows of Fort Lauderdale and Monaco, but the setting is more intimate and relaxed,” he says.

More than $60 million in boats, yachts, super-yachts, luxury cars and accessories are on display and for sale at Shelter Island Marina and the Island Palms Hotel. Ticket prices range from $34 (one-day pass) to $78 (two-day, preferred-access badge). Kids 14 and younger get in for free with a paying adult. Tickets are discounted if purchased before September 1. Hours are 11 a.m.–6 p.m. all four days. More information: 858-836-0133 or yachtfest.com. ——JULIA BEESON POLLORENO

Not Your Mama’s Jazz

AS STATION MANAGER at KSDS Jazz 88.3 FM, Mark DeBoskey works to bring jazz to the masses. But, he says, “It’s not about the highfalutin jazz. We try to make jazz accessible to a broad audience.”

Each September, the station partners with the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association to produce the Jazz 88 Ocean Beach Jazz Festival, an oceanfront music extravaganza featuring five acts on one stage in seven hours (gates open at 11 a.m.). The fourth edition, bringing the Grammy-nominated Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra to town, is September 7 on Newport Avenue, near the Ocean Beach pier.

If the rapid growth of the festival is any indication, jazz is alive and well in San Diego. At last year’s event, Mayor Jerry Sanders declared the first week in September San Diego Jazz Week. DeBoskey anticipates a crowd of 1,400 at this year’s festival, which will be aired live on Jazz 88.3 (broadcast from San Diego City College) and streamed on the Web. Highlights of this year’s lineup include The Bad Plus (“for the youth appeal”) and Kevin Mahogany & the Kansas City Revue (“for folks who like the blues”).

“It’s not a cerebral event——we try to create an energetic atmosphere,” says DeBoskey. “We have a dance floor, and it’s usually full.” There’s also plenty of food and drink for the 21-and-over crowd. Ticket prices start at $35 for general admission; VIP ($70) and patron ($500 per pair) packages are also available. For the full lineup and tickets, visit objazz.org. ——J.B.P.

Movie Maven

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, Andy Friedenberg set out to create a community for movie lovers by founding the Cinema Society of San Diego (CSSD). Fast-forward to September 2008: Friedenberg’s film society——the longest-running cinema organization in San Diego history——annually sells out its 800 membership slots.

“Andy has made an invaluable and enduring contribution to our community through his undying and unabashed love for film,” says Bruce Klowden, a 22-season member. “I have learned to appreciate more genres, and I credit the Cinema Society of San Diego.”

On select Tuesday evenings during its eight-month season, Klowden and company head to the AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres for a special advance screening followed by a Q&A session (moderated by Friedenberg, shown here) with someone associated with the film. The society has hosted actors, writers, directors, producers, studio executives and others who bring a behind-the-scenes perspective. Actors Karl Malden, Sir Ian McKellan and Alan Alda, director Norman Jewison and Academy Award recipients Henry Mancini and James Horner have been featured guests.

CSSD also coordinates trips to film festivals——from Palm Springs to London——and other movie-theme travel programs. September 12-24, Friendenberg hosts “Cinema at Sea,” a cruise from Venice to Monte Carlo. More information: 619-280-1600; cinemasociety.com. ——J.B.P.

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