San Diego, CA
San Diego arts roundup: Think X to explore Pink Floyd’s music in a heavier way
Fact: Think X is not a Pink Floyd tribute band.
“We’re not trying to be,” said the group’s sax player and driving force, Scott Page. “We want to do an exploration of Pink Floyd. We try to mash things up, create some entertaining ways of presenting the music.”
The title of the band’s show, which comes to San Diego for the first time on Sunday at the Music Box in Little Italy, is “An Exploration of the Music of Pink Floyd with Original Electronica Transitions.”
Speaking about Think X’s approach to the familiar canon of Pink Floyd, Page said “We play it heavier and we let our people solo and blow over it.”
Besides Page, who has backed up the David Gilmour-led Pink Floyd in concert, the group includes guitarist Kenny Olson, best known for working with Kid Rock (“He’s got this Hendrix-y, crazy vibe” touts Page); bassist Norwood Fisher (co-founder of Fishbone); drummer Stephen Perkins, whose resume includes Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros; young guitarist Derek Day (“One of our secret weapons”); keyboardist Will Champlin; and vocalist Roberta Freeman, who Page says knocks the Floyd’s “The Great Gig in the Sky” out of the park.
Page says he learned much about music and his craft from working with Floyd guitarist David Gilmour.
“He is the master of melody,” said Page. “He can kill you with one note. He changed my way of thinking. Sax players play all this crazy stuff, and he made me realize melody, how I can sing with my instrument.”
If you want to hear what Page is talking about, revisit for example Gilmour’s bluesy guitar solos on Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” from the “Wish You Were Here” album. Timeless. For tickets, visit musicboxsd.com.
Comedy
Like me, comedian Kathleen Madigan went to college and earned a B.A. in journalism. Unlike me, she must have decided that standup comedy was more rewarding.
It’s certainly been rewarding for Madigan. She’s been doing it since the ‘90s and has starred in comedy specials on both Netflix (“Kathleen Madigan: Bothering Jesus”) and Amazon Prime Video (“Kathleen Madigan: Hunting Bigfoot”). Both are still streamable.
But you can catch her act in person Friday when she comes to the Magnolia Theater in El Cajon. Her show’s titled “The Potluck Party.” Does that mean somebody’s supposed to bring the potato salad?
Theater
Here come the holiday shows. Previews are under way at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad of its production of “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play.” Adapted by Lance Arthur Smith and with original songs and arrangements by Jon Lorenz, this festive show was previously produced at San Diego Musical Theatre in its former Gaslamp Quarter location.
I remember enjoying it there and finding the nod to the days of Lux Radio Theater much preferable to a straight retelling of the “Miracle on 34th Street” story that’s been filmed a couple of times.
Opening night, incidentally, is Nov. 30, so here’s something to do over the Thanksgiving weekend.
More music
For many years, music fans have mused about a “club” of artists that nobody wants to belong to.
It’s the 27 Club, named for the famous musicians who died at the peak of their fame at age 27, for reasons that include drug and alcohol overdoses, suicide or other causes. They include 1930s blues artist Robert Johnson; ‘60s rockers Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison; ‘90s grunge-rocker Kurt Cobain; and British singer Amy Winehouse, who died in 2011.
San Diego’s own Six String Society is paying tribute to all six of those gone-too-soon artists next week in Escondido with the return of their thematic concert “27 Club.” The concert imagines all six of these artists gathered together in a mythic Greenwich Village apartment circa 1969, and each takes their turn performing. The performers will include Whitney Shay (as Winehouse), Lauren Leigh Martin (as Joplin), Trevor James (as Hendrix), Tony Suraci (as Morrison), Austin David (as Cobain) and Robin Henkel (as the spirit of Johnson).
Since Six String debuted “27 Club” at the Belly Up concert hall in Solana Beach in 2016, it has sold out virtually everywhere it goes. At this point, the 7 p.m. show on Nov. 29 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, is sold out, but there are still tickets available for the 2 p.m. show that afternoon. Visit artcenter.org/event/six-string-society-presents-27-club.
Jazz concert
If there was a Mount Rushmore of jazz singers, three of the four spaces should be taken by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan. Each unique. Each unforgettable.
On Saturday, the San Diego Symphony presents at the new Jacobs Music Center “A Tribute to Ella, Billie and Sarah.” The concert features vocal performances by one of jazz’s best contemporary vocalists, Jane Monheit, along with Sherry Williams and keyboardist/vocalist Champian Fulton. The band behind then includes the great Rickey Woodard on tenor sax.
Local jazz icon Gilbert Castellanos’ Young Lions Jazz Conservatory All Stars open Saturday’s show. For tickets, visit purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org
Rock music
A couple of veteran San Diego bands, Switchfoot and P.O.D., are on the bill Saturday at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square when Long Beach’s ska kings Sublime with Rome (formerly just Sublime) headlines what they’re billing as their “last California show ever.”
The farewell has to do with singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez, who will embark on a solo career once this tour is over.
This concert is scheduled to begin at 7:35 p.m., which sounds like one of those odd Padres start times at Petco. For tickets, visit petcoparkevents.com.
U-T arts and dining stories you may have missed
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“A Conversation with Artist Jeff Koons”
Renowned artist Jeff Koons joins Kathryn Kanjo, director and CEO of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, for a conversation about his provocative and influential work. Known for his glossy, oversized sculptures of everyday objects like balloon animals and household items, Koons blends pop culture, consumerism, and art history to challenge traditional notions of art. In this discussion, he reflects on his artistic evolution — from early inflatable rabbits to iconic large-scale metal sculptures — and explores how his creations raise questions about cultural value, mass production and the line between high and low art. This program offers a unique glimpse into the mind of one of the most celebrated and controversial artists of our time.
“Greatest Anime Pioneer in Japan: The Osamu Tezuka Story”
Discover the legacy of Osamu Tezuka, often called the “God of Manga and “Father of Anime,” whose groundbreaking work set the stage for modern manga and anime. Tezuka was a visionary Japanese manga artist, animator, and founder of Mushi Production, one of Japan’s first anime studios. In 1963, he produced “Astro Boy,” the first Japanese TV anime series, which introduced limited animation techniques still widely used today. Rachel Costello, an anime enthusiast from UC San Diego’s Innovating for National Security Academic Program, presents a retrospective on Tezuka’s life and influence. Her dedication to anime and storytelling also inspired her role as executive producer of the U.S. Navy’s “Sea Strike 2041” comic project, merging her passions for art and national security.
“Movement and Strength Training to Improve Metabolic Health”
Learn how to build a strong foundation for lifelong health with Dr. Natalie Marshall, as she explores the crucial link between muscle mass, metabolic fitness, and chronic disease prevention. Aging often brings metabolic changes and muscle loss, raising the risk for many chronic conditions. Marshall emphasizes the importance of movement, strength training, and balanced body composition in maintaining metabolic health. With practical tips on how to get started, she shares strategies to help you ‘build muscle for life’ and boost overall well-being. This program offers valuable insights for anyone looking to take proactive steps toward healthier aging.
And finally, top weekend events
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Nov. 22-24
Originally Published:
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – For many families, libraries are a safe space for kids after school and a place to study.
After community outcry, the city is scaling down some of its proposed budget cuts, bringing the original $6.3 million in cuts to libraries down to $4.8 million.
Patrick Stewart, CEO of Library Foundation SD, said the change is a step in the right direction.
“We are very pleased. I think this moves the needle in the right direction.”
Mayor Gloria’s revised budget proposal restores funding focused on youth-centered programs, which includes bringing back library hours in Council Districts 4, 8, and 9 — those in underserved communities.
“This is City Heights and San Isidro, Barrio Logan, and Oak Park, and traditionally, those are smaller branches. And the kids and the families in those communities frankly, they use their library very differently than in a lot of other communities, and it’s a lifeline to them,” said Stewart.
The City Heights library is among those included in the mayor’s revised budget to restore funding. While library officials say this is a good first step, there is still concern about long-term financial challenges.
In order to voice concerns about how deep the cuts go, the Library Foundation has created a way for supporters to express that through postcards. Thousands of cards have been mailed directly to Mayor Gloria and councilmembers.
Stewart said the effort is making an impact.
“They’re seeing that this is hundreds and hundreds of people that are taking this very seriously, so it helps them to know immediately what their community feels like when it comes to these proposed cuts,” he added.
The restored funding would also keep Monday hours at Carmel Valley Library and protect the North Clairemont Library branch from closure.
Library officials remain optimistic as the revised budget heads back to the City Council.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
A man suspected of a fatal shooting in Barrio Logan was arrested Tuesday.
Benito Garcia Jr., 31, was arrested in the 3600 block of Grand Avenue in San Marcos at about 1 p.m. Tuesday for allegedly gunning down 64-year-old Raul Torres near the east end of the Coronado Bridge, according to the San Diego Police Department.
Patrol officers responding to an anonymous report of a shooting found the mortally wounded victim on a sidewalk in the 2000 block of National Avenue, near Chicano Park, shortly after 10 p.m. last Tuesday. Torres died at the scene, SDPD Lt. Lou Maggi said.
Police have not disclosed a suspected motive for the slaying.
Garcia was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of first- degree murder. He was being held without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Sightsee, savor and catch a wide range of live entertainment this weekend in San Diego. Take advantage of the La Jolla Half Marathon and the La Jolla Historical Society’s Secret Garden Tour, each offering a scenic trip through the coastal community. Wine and dine with bottomless portions at the Cheese & Libation Expo, the 35th annual Mama’s Day and the return of the Over the Line Craft BeerFest. Plus, whether your heart lies in the theater (Purpose, Kim’s Convenience), the concert crowd (P!nk, MGK) or the unpredictable stage of the San Diego International Fringe Festival, there are numerous ways to be wowed.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Cheese & Libation Expo
May 15-17
Treat yourself to a curated assortment of cheese, trinkets and bubbly beverages throughout the three-day Cheese & Libation Expo at BRICK Liberty Station. The expo will kick off Friday from 5-8 p.m. with an industry preview night and continue Saturday from 1-5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with boutique shopping, an all-you-can-eat (and drink) menu and goodie bags for attendees. Ticket options include individual session tickets ($82-$109), single-day kid’s tickets ($13) weekend passes ($162) and preview night entry ($135).
2863 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma
Over the Line Craft BeerFest & OTL Tournament
May 16
Spend your Saturday on the beach with a local beer in hand during Old Mission Beach Athletic Club’s yearly Over the Line Craft BeerFest & OTL Tournament. Newbies, regulars and seasoned aficionados will go to bat this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mariner’s Point Park, with the BeerFest featuring live music, food trucks and unlimited pours from twenty craft breweries from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ticket options include all-ages general admission ($6), 21+ BeerFest admission ($45) and tournament entry ($162), which comes with three festival wristbands.
1215 Mariners Way, Mission Bay
Mama’s Day
May 16
Mama’s Kitchen knows the importance of home cooking, which is why the nonprofit’s signature event serves a dual purpose: celebrating the city’s gastronomy and ensuring San Diegans experiencing chronic illness continue to receive home-delivered meals. This Saturday from 5:30-9:30 p.m., Mama’s Kitchen will hold its 35th annual Mama’s Day, a 21+ fundraiser with live entertainment, opportunity drawings and unlimited tastings from local chefs and eateries at Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Ticket options include general admission ($200) and VIP admission ($300), which includes entry to an exclusive drinks and hors d’oeuvres reception from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
1 Park Boulevard, Embarcadero
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Curebound Concert for Cures: P!nk at Petco Park
May 15
“Raise a Glass” to cutting-edge adult and pediatric cancer research this Friday (8 p.m.) during Curebound’s annual Concert for Cures. After Sir Elton John rocked Petco Park last May, this year’s headlining superstar will be P!nk, whose shows combine powerful vocals, nostalgic crowd pleasers and Cirque du Soleil-style theatrics for a scintillating experience. Tickets start at $56 for this concert; proceeds from this performance will go towards Curebound.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Free Music Festivals
May 16 & 17
See a plethora of live music across a trio of free festivals this weekend. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Goldenpalooza returns to Golden Hill Recreation Center with live dance and musical performances, local food vendors and an array of free and paid activities; paid activity tickets ($5-$20) are available online. Then, several community bands will hit the Old Poway Park stage for the Community Band Festival this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Finally, on Sunday from noon to midnight, see student-run performances ranging from acoustic sets to after-hours DJ sets during The Arcades at UC San Diego’s Conrad Prebys Music Center.
The Arcades: 9410 Russell Lane, La Jolla | Goldenpalooza: 2600 Golf Course Drive, Golden Hill | Community Band Festival: 14132 Midland Road, Poway
MGK at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
May 17
Despite the two-middle-fingers-up approach that powers his bad boy persona, the artist MGK, formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly, longs for understanding. His decade-plus journey from hip-hop phenom to punk convert to revelatory pop rocker has led to Lost Americana, the latest chapter in MGK’s rebellious undertaking and a search for the freedom he’s always desired. This Sunday at 7 p.m., MGK will perform at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre with special guests Wiz Khalifa and Beauty School Dropout. Tickets start at $35 for this concert.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego International Fringe Festival
May 12-24
Home to the weird, the wonderful, and the extravagantly odd, the San Diego International Fringe Festival returns for year 14 with a lineup of 63 new shows to explore. Cabarets, magic shows, interactive adventures and much more can be found across 17 San Diego venues, beginning with free sneak previews this Tuesday (7 p.m.) at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater. In addition to hosting this year’s World Fringe Congress, the festival will venture to 3 international sites as part of its new Baja California Pilot Program. Fringe tags ($7), which can be purchased online or at any participating venue, are required for all ticketed shows. All ticket sales will go to the artists.
Citywide
Purpose at La Jolla Playhouse
May 12 – June 7
Just one year after making his Broadway debut with a revival of his 2014 Off-Broadway play Appropriate, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins returned to the pinnacle of American theater with Purpose. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2025, Purpose focuses on the Jaspers—stewards of a Black political dynasty in Chicago—and the family tensions that begin to crack their seemingly perfect façade. West Coast theatergoers will get to see Purpose for the first time during its upcoming production at La Jolla Playhouse. Tickets range from $30 to $79 for preview performances this Tuesday-Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.
2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Occupy Thirdspace III: The Park at San Diego Central Library
May 12 – July 25
What once was a binational gathering space nowadays reflects the deteriorated relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. Though American access to Friendship Park has been restricted since 2020, Occupy Thirdspace III: The Park posits that the landmark’s unifying spirit can survive. Thus, Friends of International Friendship Park, Las Comadres and Art Made Between Opposite Sides (AMBOS) have visually illustrated the site’s importance and enduring legacy. Occupy Thirdspace III: The Park will have an opening reception this Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at San Diego Central Library with bites and a live vinyl set by DJ Betty Bangs.
330 Park Boulevard, Downtown
The Cost of Silence at Shift Gallery
May 15
The validity and visibility of our innermost feelings is the centerpiece of Isabelle Atkinson’s one-night-only installation at Shift Gallery. Tying in with Mental Health Awareness Month, The Cost of Silence underlines the importance of the hidden battles being fought and draws from Atkinson’s own challenging moments. The evening will feature an emotive range of music and activities, to go along with a photography installation, poetry readings and a short film screening. Admission is $45 for the general public and $34 for artists, creatives and entrepreneurs.
4847 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach
Kim’s Convenience at The Old Globe
May 15 – June 14
Though many Americans fell in love with Kim’s Convenience via its successful sitcom adaptation, the story originated in 2011 as a stage play. Written by Ins Choi, who portrays the Kims’ stubborn but endearing patriarch Appa, Kim’s Convenience follows a Korean-Canadian family who live in Toronto and own a neighborhood convenience store. The Kims are easy to root for, and they represent the complexity of immigrant families balancing assimilation and maintaining their heritage. Tickets start at $40 for the production’s local premiere at The Old Globe, with performances this Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m.
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Soccer Weekend Doubleheader at Snapdragon Stadium
May 15 & 16
San Diego’s soccer die-hards can support their hometown and receive festive giveaways this weekend at Snapdragon Stadium. On Friday (7 p.m.), the San Diego Wave will face Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit and celebrate AANHPI Night with performances and a Wave-themed aloha shirt giveaway while supplies last; tickets start at $27 for this match. The following night at 6:30 p.m., the first 20K fans through the gates for San Diego FC vs. FC Cincinnati will receive an “El Paletero” bobblehead depicting forward Anders Dreyer, an elite distributor of goals and assists. Tickets start at $30 for this match.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
La Jolla Half Marathon
May 16
Run point-to-point beside the Pacific Ocean this Saturday during the La Jolla Half Marathon. Racers can choose from the La Jolla Shores 5K, a speedy 10K starting at Torrey Pines Mesa or a hilly 13.1 miles from Del Mar Fairgrounds to La Jolla Cove, all of which offer a morning of majestic coastal exercise. All races will start at 6:30 a.m. and finish with a festival featuring recovery activities like cold plunges, massage chairs, and red light therapy, plus a complimentary beer for 21+ racers at Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Registration is $85 for the 5K, $131 for the 10K and $191 for the half marathon; all finishers will receive a medal and a dry tech T-shirt.
5K: La Jolla Shores Drive and Horizon Way, La Jolla; 10K: North Torrey Pines Road & National University System Driveway, La Jolla; Half Marathon: 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
La Jolla Secret Garden Tour
May 16
Admire the greenery behind the gates of 6 private homes during the La Jolla Historical Society’s Secret Garden Tour fundraiser this Saturday. For one day a year, several residents open up their yards for visitors, with docents, musicians and plein air artists on hand to accentuate the tranquil spaces. Plus, the public can shop the free Secret Garden Tour Boutique at Wisteria Cottage, where ticketholders will receive the secret list of tour locations. Registration for the self-driving tour (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is $55 for LJHS members and $65 for non-members.
780 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Ocean Beach Kite Festival
May 16
Kids can create their own kites and learn how to fly them this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at one of the city’s oldest community traditions. During Ocean Beach Kiwanis’ 79th annual Kite Festival at Robb Field, young kitemakers will receive free materials and tips from experts before getting to test their kite-flying skills at a handful of aerial games. This free, family-friendly event will also include prizes for the best kites, carnival rides, food trucks and a craft vendor fair.
2525 Bacon Street, Ocean Beach
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Asian Pacific Cultural Festival of San Diego
May 16
Asian Culture & Media Alliance and the House of Pacific Relations invite all to the free 13th annual Asian Pacific Cultural Festival of San Diego this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Balboa Park’s International Cottages. Attendees can check out food and merchandise vendors, plus live performances from local performing arts troupes and musical acts, including San Diego Taiko, Anandha Nritya and Imahen Taotao Tano, intended to highlight the cultural traditions of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
2191 Pan American West Road, Balboa Park
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