May 26, 2012 – Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in the Gaslamp
The Gaslamp goes BIG this Memorial Day Weekend with nearly 40 Bands, 25 Stages and great Art and Dining and no cover charge during the Gaslamp Music & Art Festival.
This event will be held within the fine venues of the Gaslamp, on real stages. The bands will be performing live at varied times throughout the day and all 25 stages will offer free cover charge until at least 9:00 pm (some restrictions apply; see website for details). And it doesn’t end there…many participating locations will have additional performances throughout the night! Art and Fashion shows will be mixed in for fun, and the Gaslamp’s world-class dining locations will all be open and ready to help make the day a celebration!
Participating locations will offer an opportunity to enjoy an eclectic collection of national, regional and local bands – offering everything from Latin Jazz to Irish Rock, rockabilly to flamenco, reggae to acoustic music – and interactive art demonstrations.
The Festivities officially kick off at 1:00 pm on Saturday May 26, 2012. Visit the website for more information about the Gaslamp Music & Art Festival 2012, including a full listing of bands and venues.
Free Family Membership Card Available for Check Out from San Diego Public Libraries
Enjoy the benefits of membership to the Fleet Science Center, including free admission, IMAX discounts and food and merchandise discounts, all for FREE!
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is proud to launch a new program, called Check It Out – The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Presented in partnership with San Diego Public Library and sponsored by ScholarShare College Savings Plan, this innovative program provides area families unlimited access to the Fleet, with circulating membership cards available for check out at each of the 36 San Diego City libraries.
When library patrons check out a Fleet membership card at a branch library, they receive full membership benefits for two full weeks. This includes free admission to the hands-on science galleries for two adults and up to six children under the age of 18, discounts on IMAX films and digital shows, as well as discounts at Galileo’s Café and the North Star Science Store.
“As a San Diegan whose granddaughter makes good use of the community resources the San Diego Public Library has to offer, I am delighted with the unprecedented opportunity Check It Out – The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center offers,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch, Executive Director of the Fleet. “By eliminating price as a barrier, our partnership with ScholarShare and the Library provides the widest possible audience of children and families easy access to the science education and hands-on fun that the Fleet offers year-round. We’re thrilled to partner on this unique effort, which makes a Fleet membership as simple for a family to check out as a book or DVD, and furthers our mutual commitment to education.”
The Central Library and each of the 35 branch libraries in the City of San Diego will have two circulating Fleet memberships available for checkout, beginning Thursday, May 24, 2012. This program will be offered for 24 months. The launch of the program allows San Diegans to check out the new traveling exhibition Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body opening May 26, 2012, along with popular permanent exhibitions like the Tinkering Studio for inventive minds, Cellular Journey where human cell biology comes to life, and Kid City where those age five and under learn about the everyday working world in a safe environment.
“Creative partnerships like this are such a great opportunity for families, who turn to their libraries for free resources, cultural connections and recreational opportunities,” said Deborah Barrow, San Diego Public Library Director. “We expect that this easy to check out membership will be extremely popular. The chance to Check It Out – The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will open a whole new world of creative exploration for the young and those who are young at heart.”
The free family membership cards will be available for check out starting Thursday, May 24, 2012 through your local San Diego library. Library members may check out the membership in person or using the libraries’ online catalog to search for availability.
About the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
With over 100 hands-on science exhibits, IMAX films to experience and planetarium shows to watch, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center offers an interactive, educational, entertaining experience for visitors of all ages. Located at 1875 El Prado, two blocks south of the San Diego Zoo on Park Boulevard, the Fleet Science Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology.
June 3, 2012 – Enjoy Live Entertainment As You Cheer On the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon Runners
The 2012 Rock ‘n Roll Marathon will take place in San Diego, California on Sunday, June 3, 2012. The marathon route consists of 26.2 miles of non-stop rock and roll fun and entertainment. In addition to spectacular bands, thousands of cheerleaders and themed refreshment stops along the marathon route, the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon features a pre-race Health Expo and a free post-race rock concert featuring headliner Donavon Frankenreiter which are not to be missed.
Hang out near your favorite band during the marathon and enjoy the music as you cheer the runners on! Here’s the entertainment line-up for the 2012 Rock ‘n Roll Marathon in San Diego:
Loss of Control – 6th & University (Rite Aid Entrance) – 6:10 am to 7:40 am
Neverwonder – University & Normal – 6:12 am to 7:50 am
Zen Boogie – Park & Indiana – 6:15 am to 8:00 am
Shout House Pianos – Park & Morley Field – 6:15 am to 8:05 am
San Diego Civic Organist – Spreckles Amphitheater – 6:20 am to 8:10 am
Good Mojo – Park & Presidents Way – 6:20 am to 8:35 am
Bayou Brothers – Petco Park in the Park – 6:25 am to 8:45 am
Ryan Hiller – 5th Avenue & Market – 6:30 am to 8:55 am
Come Back Buddy – Harbor at Pacific Highway – 6:32 am to 9:00 am
Euphoria Drumz – Broadway & 1st Avenue – 6:35 am to 9:20 am
Rory Seldon with InnerSession – 10th Avenue & Ash – 6:38 am to 9:35 am
Screamin’ Javelinas – Hwy 163 on old Richmond Overpass – 6:35 am to 9:55 am
A+ Dropouts – Bally’s Total Fitness – 6:40 am to 10:20 am
Froghead – Bally’s Total Fitness – 6:40 am to 10:20 am
Naruwan Taiko – Hwy 163 at I-8 Westbound Ramp – 6:45 to 10:30 am
Awesome Sauce – On Friars Road at PF Chang’s – 6:50 am to 10:45 am
Silent Evolution – On Friars Road at PF Chang’s – 6:50 am to 10:45 am
Danny and the Tramp – Friars Road near Golf Course/Gaines – 6:55 am to 11:05 am
Divided by Design – Friars Road near Golf Course/Gaines – 6:55 am to 11:05 am
Jack City Blues Band – Morena north of Sherman (at Pacific Sales) – 7:00 am to 11:15 am
The Jackal – Morena north of Sherman (at Pacific Sales) – 7:00 am to 11:15 am
Karaoke – Moreana & West Morena – 7:00 am to 11:35 am
The Earthmovers featuring Lady J – SeaWorld Drive before road to Fiesta Island – 7:05 am to 11:35 am
Todo Mundo – SeaWorld Drive before road to Fiesta Island – 7:05 am to 11:35 am
Clapton Hook – Morena at Kane (Old Trieste) – 7:05 am to 12:40 pm
Temple of the Dad – Morena at Kane (Old Trieste) – 7:05 am to 12:40 pm
Disappointing Joseph – Morena at Jones – 7:10 am to 12:50 pm
OverTime – Morena at Jones – 7:10 am to 12:50 pm
The FABulous Rudies – Mission Bay Drive across from 1st Driveway – 7:15 am to 1:00 pm
The Riders – Mission Bay Drive across from 1st Driveway – 7:15 am to 1:00 pm
Misc. Ailments – Mission Bay Bicycle Path – 7:20 am to 1:15 pm
The Borrower’s Debt – Mission Bay Bicycle Path – 7:20 am to 1:15 pm
Craig Paddock Band – Mission Bay Bicycle Path south of Visitor’s Center – 7:25 am to 1:25 pm
Cidona – Mission Bay Bicycle Path south of Visitor’s Center – 7:25 am to 1:25 pm
Different Drum – Mission Bay Bicycle Path south of Hilton – 7:30 am to 1:45 pm
The Carbon Copy Band – Mission Bay Bicycle Path south of Hilton – 7:30 am to 1:45 pm
Top B.A.S.E. – Fiesta Island after entry road, east side – 7:35 am to 2:00 pm
Mad Traffic – Fiesta Island after entry road, east side – 7:35 am to 2:00 pm
Konu – Fiesta Island split, just before Scout Camp – 7:35 am to 2:15 pm
The Trunks Quartet – Fiesta Island split, just before Scout Camp – 7:35 am to 2:15 pm
Melly Frances & The Distilled Spirit – Fiesta Island west side by Dog Park – 7:40 am to 2:20 pm
Tomcat and the Blues Dusters – Fiesta Island west side by Dog Park – 7:40 am to 2:20 pm
Jet West – Fiesta Island, south side – 7:40 am to 2:45 pm
Project Out of Bounds – Fiesta Island, south side – 7:40 am to 2:45 pm
Diamond Lane – Bike Path along Mission Bay Promenade at Gazebo – 7:45 am to 2:50 pm
Rockchild – Bike Path along Mission Bay Promenade at Gazebo – 7:45 am to 2:50 pm
Doug Phillips & The Good News Blues Band – location and time to be announced
Loss of Control – location and time to be announced
May 28, 2012 – September 3, 2012: Free San Diego (and USA) Museum Admission for Active Military and their Families
The Blue Star Museums program is back for another summer of free museum admission. From Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 to Labor Day, September 3, 2012, active duty military personnel and their immediate families are invited to enjoy free admission to over 1,500 museums across the USA, including over 20 museums in the San Diego area.
“Through Blue Star Museums, the arts community is extending a special invitation to military families to enjoy over 1,500 museums this summer,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “This is both an opportunity to thank military families for their service and sacrifice, as well as a chance to create connections between museums and these families that will continue throughout the year. Especially for families with limited time together, those on a limited budget, and ones that have to relocate frequently, Blue Star Museums offers an opportunity to enjoy one another and become more fully integrated into a community.”
More than 300 new museums were added to the 2012 Blue Star Museums program for a grand total of more than 1,500 museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa taking part in the initiative. Once again this year, Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and 70 children’s museums.
Here is a list of San Diego area museums offering free admission under the Blue Star Museums program:
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista, CA
California Surf Museum, Oceanside, CA
Escondido History Center, Escondido, CA
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, San Diego, CA
Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, San Diego, CA
Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego, CA
Lux Art Institute, Encinitas, CA
Mingei International Museum, San Diego, CA
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (Downtown), San Diego, CA
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (La Jolla), La Jolla, CA
Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, CA
New Children’s Museum, San Diego, CA
Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA
San Diego Archaeological Center, Escondido, CA
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, Escondido, CA
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, San Diego, CA
San Diego History Center, San Diego, CA
The San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, CA
Timken Museum of Art, San Diego, CA
Veteran’s Museum and Memorial Center, San Diego, CA
Visions Art Museum: Contemporary Quilts + Textiles, San Diego, CA
(list of museums is subject to change; consult website for up to date information)
The Blue Star Museums free museum admission program runs from Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 through to Labor Day, September 3, 2012. The free admission program is available to active duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members). Active duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active duty National Guard and active duty Reserve members. Feel free to visit as many musuems as you want; there is no limit on the number of participating museums that eligible parties can visit. Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly.
Sunday, May 27, 2012 – Vista Hosts Annual Strawberry Festival
Looking for something to do this Memorial Day Weekend? Take the family to the Vista Strawberry Festival!
The Vista Strawberry Festival is the only festival in San Diego County that celebrates all the joys and pleasure of the Strawberry. Vista was once the “Strawberry Capital of the World” and still boasts many strawberry fields. This annual Festival & Street Fair draws thousands of visitors each year to delectable events which features vendors selling arts & crafts, jewelry, clothing and business services. Downtown Vista will be filled with over 200 booths offering shopping experiences as well as many strawberry delights, live entertainment, and a kid’s fun zone. This year’s Strawberry Festival will also include athletic competitions, carnival rides, a strawberry pie eating contest, a beauty contest and a “Best Strawberry Dress” costume contest.
Free Ride on the Sprinter, Coaster and Breeze – Buy one ticket and bring a friend for free to any destination served by the Sprinter, Coaster and Breeze on May 26 and May 27, 2012. Why not take transit to the Vista Strawberry Festival and avoid the hassle of parking at the area’s most popular, family-friendly spring events?
The Vista Strawberry Festival 2012 takes place on Sunday, May 27, 2012 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm in Downtown Vista. This is a free, family friendly event.
May 19, 2012 – Experience the Wild West at Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad
The City of Carlsbad celebrates Native American culture on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Wild West Fest 2012. Guests at this free, family friendly event will enjoy war, eagle and hoop dancing demonstrations, crafts, pony rides, a salsa tasting contest and an adventure activity card which will take you through Native American themed activities and projects.
Salsa Making Contest - Think you’ve got the best homemade salsa this side of the border? Enter the salsa making contest and find out! Fill out an entry form (available by phone or email, see website for details) and bring 1 gallon of your best homemade salsa and whatever you need to spruce up your table – bowls, ladles, chips, tasting cups and napkins will be provided. Entry in the contest is free, and winners will be awarded in the following categories: Best Salsa, Best Presentation, Funniest Presentation, Best Fruit Salsa, Hottest Salsa and Most Unique.
Free Parking - Free Parking to the Wild West Fest is available at the Carrillo Elementary School. Park you car for free and enter the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park through the school field. Special Event Parking will also be available from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on the north side of Carrillo Way starting at Flying L.C. Lane to Rancho Caballo; the south side of Carrillo Way will remain a “no parking” zone.
The Wild West Fest 2012 takes place on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park in Carlsbad, CA. Admission to this family friendly event is free; some activities require purchase of an activity card.
May 20, 2012 – Free, Family Friendly Street Festival in North Park
The North Park Festival of the Arts returns on Sunday, May 20, 2012 with another year of family friendly fun! Now in its 16th year, this free outdoor street festival has grown into a local tradition embracing a diverse line-up of bands, dancers and artists into one marathon day of performances spread across five stages.
Being on forefront of the art scene, the North Park Festival of the Arts celebrates all types of art forms in its Juried Arts Area with over 40 artists showcasing everything from elaborate paintings to metal sculptures. Over 35,000 friends and families will come together in North Park to explore the historic and energetic neighborhood and take in the sights and sound of artisans from over 150 specialty booths, who will be showcasing amazing arts from every possible medium. Participants to this free interactive and educational festival will also be able to peruse the local merchants, creative crafters and hundreds of vendors.
In addition, the streets along University Avenue will be filled with the intoxicating aromas of international cuisines and the Craft Beer Block featuring a wide variety of rich and robust local and international brews (tickets must be purchased for Craft Beer Block; must be 21 years of age or older to enter). While festival goers satisfy their visual and taste palates, the exciting sounds coming from one of the five live music stages with San Diego’s hottest live bands, World Music groups, beat-boxers and even exciting and colorful dance troupes will keep their hips shaking all day long! There’s even a Kids Art Beat area where children can engage in numerous free, interactive arts activities designed to stimulate and inspire their imaginations to create their own masterpieces.
Free Parking and Free Bike Valet Service
Free Parking – In addition to street parking in and around North Park, free parking will be available all day on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at the large parking garage located at the intersection of 29th Street and North Park Way (3829 29th St San Diego, CA 92104-3670).
Free Bike Valet – To help decrease parking congestion during the Festival, free bicycle valet will be available to Festival goers. The free Bike Valet will be available from 30th Street & University Avenue, in front of Home Mercantile.
The North Park Festival of the Arts takes place on Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm in the North Park area of San Diego (near University Avenue and 30th Street). The Festival is a free, family friendly event; the Craft Beer Block is offered at an additional fee and is open to guests 21 years of age and older only. Click on the above link for more information about the entertainment line up, to order tickets to the Craft Beer Block and for general information about the North Park Festival of the Arts.
Family Open Studios are free, hands-on art making workshops designed for the whole family. Presented in conjunction with exhibitions at the William D. Cannon Art Gallery, each Family Open Studio event allows guests to view the current exhibition in the Gallery, create works of art in the courtyard based on the Gallery exhibition and then take the finished project home to enjoy.
Here is a list of upcoming Family Open Studio events for 2012. Each event takes place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm:
Saturday, May 19, 2012 – Joe Brubaker: The Exquisite Garden
Saturday, August 18, 2012 – Public Artists, Private Works
Saturday, November 17, 2012* – Full Deck: A Short History of Skate Art (*PLUS program, which will include a free performing arts event at the Schulman Auditorium at 11:45 am and 1:15 pm)
Family Open Studios take place in the Carlsbad Dove Library Complex located at 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, CA. All workshop materials are provided free of charge and each family friendly event is free and open to the public.
May 20, 2012 – New Children’s Museum Hosts A Musical, Trash-Filled Birthday Celebration
The San Diego New Children’s Museum (“NCM”) is turning four! To celebrate the event, the Museum has planned a fun day full of music, trash and more! Taking place on Sunday, May 20, 2012, the NCM’s birthday bash festivities is free with general admission.
Birthday bash party-goers will experience a day of listening, building, and performing with sound projects based on trash and recycling, and work alongside artists, scientists, musicians and engineers to create original musical compositions. Kids of all ages can perform in a music ensemble made from obsolete computers, build contact microphones and turn trash cans into electric drums.
Visitors to NCM have been both delighted and surprised by the Cash Machine, a creative engineering feat designed and installed by Los Angeles-based artist collective, Machine Project. This fundraising device, some say a cross between a drive up bank teller and a vacuum cleaner, literally comes to life when a visitor makes a contribution. Now, the amazing minds that brought NCM the Cash Machine return to take over the galleries, studios, and park for a celebration of trash, music and NCM’s 4th birthday!
Machine Project will transform the entire Museum into a percussion device! Highlights include:
Waste Wind Chimes: This instrument building workshop lets guests create beautiful sounding wind chimes from trash materials that can be played individually or in chorus with others. NCM’s outdoor patio will resound with the clinking and clanging of this collective wind chime sculpture.
Tin Can Phone Tap: Talk, sing, or laugh with a friend in this giant game of telephone that sends your voice across the Museum’s galleries! You can even record your voice over the line, and hear it played back on the Cricket Wireless Lower Level.
Computer Stethoscope: Discover the strange sounds hidden inside discarded electronics. Visitors will use stethoscopes to perform a sound analysis and explore outdated technology.
Parental Den of Child Catharsis: Relax in the parental den and listen to the remixed sound-scapes of trash music played by children in the galleries.
In addition to Machine Project’s performances and workshops, guests of the NCM birthday bash can play NCM-style birthday party games in the Museum’s park! Participate in a free fun-filled lineup of games to win special prizes. Party Games include:
Museum Musical Chairs: Dance around to live music and play NCM’s super-sized musical chairs!
Break the CakePiñata Party: Take a swing at NCM’s artist-made piñata!
Chalk Mural: Can you draw with your eyes closed? Collaborate on a massive birthday-party chalk mural, and draw birthday candles to “pin the candle on the cake!”
The San Diego New Children’s Museum Birthday Bash featuring Musical Trash and Machine Project takes place on Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This family friendly event is free with general admission to the museum.
Happy 4th Birthday, NCM!
Editor’s Note: Want a sneak peak of what Machine Project’s incredible events are all about? This collaborative group of innovative artists and performers have staged one-of-a-kind events for all ages at other prestigious institutions such as the Getty, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Hammer Museum. Check out the videos below for a sneak peak of what these incredible events are all about:
Pirates and Lifeguards Take Aim at Each Other as Water Cannons Arrive to Pirate Reef at Legoland California!
A battle took place at Legoland California yesterday as Lifeguards from Legoland Water Park and Pirates from Pirate Shores tested water cannons for the first time for the family theme park’s new ride, Pirate Reef, opening May 25, 2012.
Guests of Legoland California and Legoland Water Park are invited to board boats and plunge 25 feet down a chute between two pirate ships and make a giant splash! The fun doesn’t stop there…equipped with 12 water cannons, guests can choose which ship to board and choose who they’d like to battle: Captain Blue Brick or Captain Red Brick.
“Experiencing great success with both our PirateShores attraction and LegolandWaterPark, we felt creating a pirate-themed splash down ride would be a great addition to our Park,” said Legoland California General Manager Peter Ronchetti. “Of course our Model Citizens (employees) take pride in each of their areas so it’s only natural for our Lifeguards and Pirates to want to take ownership of this new ride, but there is plenty of room for all to play.”
Situated in between the Legoland Water Park and Pirate Shores (and accessible from both areas), Pirate Reef features two massive pirate ships that stand 20 feet high and 40 feet long, a splash bridge that is sure to leave guests soaked and a pirate inspired brick building play area. Throughout Pirate Reef more than 30 pirate-themed Lego models, made up more than 223,000 Lego bricks, are featured including both Captain Red Brick and Captain Blue Brick, pirates, monkeys, parrots and more.
Stay tuned, the countdown has begun…Pirate Reef at Legoland California Resort is scheduled to open on May 25, 2012!
This event will be held within the fine venues of the Gaslamp, on real stages. The bands will be performing live at varied times throughout the day and all 25 stages will offer free cover charge until at least 9:00 pm (some restrictions apply; see website for details). And it doesn’t end there…many participating locations will have additional performances throughout the night! Art and Fashion shows will be mixed in for fun, and the Gaslamp’s world-class dining locations will all be open and ready to help make the day a celebration!
The 2012 Rock ‘n Roll Marathon will take place in San Diego, California on Sunday, June 3, 2012. The marathon route consists of 26.2 miles of non-stop rock and roll fun and entertainment. In addition to spectacular bands, thousands of cheerleaders and themed refreshment stops along the marathon route, the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon features a pre-race Health Expo and a free post-race rock concert featuring headliner Donavon Frankenreiter which are not to be missed.
Salsa Making Contest - Think you’ve got the best homemade salsa this side of the border? Enter the salsa making contest and find out! Fill out an entry form (available by phone or email, see website for details) and bring 1 gallon of your best homemade salsa and whatever you need to spruce up your table – bowls, ladles, chips, tasting cups and napkins will be provided. Entry in the contest is free, and winners will be awarded in the following categories: Best Salsa, Best Presentation, Funniest Presentation, Best Fruit Salsa, Hottest Salsa and Most Unique.
Being on forefront of the art scene, the North Park Festival of the Arts celebrates all types of art forms in its Juried Arts Area with over 40 artists showcasing everything from elaborate paintings to metal sculptures. Over 35,000 friends and families will come together in North Park to explore the historic and energetic neighborhood and take in the sights and sound of artisans from over 150 specialty booths, who will be showcasing amazing arts from every possible medium. Participants to this free interactive and educational festival will also be able to peruse the local merchants, creative crafters and hundreds of vendors.
Here is a list of upcoming Family Open Studio events for 2012. Each event takes place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm:
Waste Wind Chimes: This instrument building workshop lets guests create beautiful sounding wind chimes from trash materials that can be played individually or in chorus with others. NCM’s outdoor patio will resound with the clinking and clanging of this collective wind chime sculpture.
