Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

San Diego Wine and Food Festival 2022 Line Up: Nov. 9-13, 2022 - Get Tickets Now!

events, Food FestivalsLocal WallyComment

The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival invites you to Arrive at Awesome this November 9-13 with its 18th annual bi-national festival and culinary celebration. The award-winning San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is one of the country's most talked about events in wine and food and tickets are now available for the five-day celebration. This year the festival will return to pre-pandemic activities including the action-packed Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 12 located at San Diego's Port and stunning Embarcadero, and new events including various wine dinners, interactive expeditions, and a Latin American inspired Grand Fiesta.

"The 18th annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival brings locals and visitors alike to sunny San Diego to experience Southern California's diverse culinary landscape and the flavors inspired by San Diego's multinational influences," says Festival Co-Producer, Michelle Metter. "Surrounded by beach towns, laid-back coastal cities, and bustling urban centers, the festival takes attendees across the city to experience San Diego's cultural diversity, buzzing culinary scene, and signature flavor: Awesome."

Anchored in San Diego, California, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival welcomes over 11,000 attendees and highlights over 60 nationally recognized and locally celebrated chefs, legendary winemakers, guest mixologists, award-winning authors, distillers, sommeliers, brewmasters, artisans and taste makers, and more. Additionally, the festival includes hundreds of domestic and international wine, beer, and spirit producers to taste from throughout the festival's multi-day experience. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival also features an immersive cross border experience to Valle de Guadalupe, producing the only bi-national food and wine festival in the country.

As the 2019 winner of USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice travel award contest for Best General Food Festival in North America, this festival is one of the country's most anticipated events in wine and food. Attendees can expect to experience memorable wine dinners, immersive expeditions, a walk around wine tasting at the Grand Decant, and taste extraordinary dishes made by worldwide chefs and unique wine, beer, and spirit tastings at the famous Grand Tasting.

The two newest additions to the festival this year are the Grand Fiesta, highlighting Latin inspired cuisine, wine, beer, and spirits along with the signature Taco TKO competition. and the Grand Decadent LUX experience.

Taking place on the final day of the festival, the Grand Fiesta features live performances, immersive brand experiences including a spirits of Mexico pavilion, unique wine and spirit samplings, and crafted culinary stations curated by award- winning chefs from San Diego, Baja and beyond.

The Grand Decant LUX experience is an exclusive and VIP tasting that will only be open to 50 ticket holders, allowing you to experience highly sought after cult wines and rare vintages. This VIP experience will include music, private chefs, exclusive lounge seating, caviar, dessert, and a fortified wine station.

To purchase tickets and preview the schedule of events and featured celebrities, visit the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival at https://www.sandiegowineclassic.com/tickets.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL®

Travel to San Diego and Arrive at Awesome®. The 18th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival® is an international showcase of the world's premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 9-13, 2022, the award-winning festival raises funds for culinary, oenology and hospitality scholarships and grants, and has awarded over $595,000 to individuals or nonprofits through previous events. For more information visit www.sandiegowineclassic.com. This festival is produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Events & PR.

Media Contact:

Kristen Slizgi kristen.slizgi@fastforwardevents.com

Is the San Diego Wine and Food Festival 2022 Worth It?

Food Festivals, eventsLocal WallyComment

The San Diego Wine + Food Festival, aka San Diego Wine Classic , is an annual multi-day event held every November. This year it takes place November 9th-13th, 2022, with the Grand Tasting Event on November 12th. Let me cut to the chase - The Grand Tasting is the key event, the giant wine and food festival held on the giant grassy area behind Seaport Village sometimes called The Embarcadero. If you googlemap Malibu Farms (previously The Harbor House restaurant) you will be at the right place.

The Grand Tasting event features hundreds of booths (OK, I never counted them, but a lot!) all handing out samples of gourmet bites, glasses of wine, or sips of spirits. It lasts from noon until 3, though you can get in an hour early if you want to beat the crowds, and there’s an extra cost VIP tent that kicks it all up a notch.

For serious foodies there are events in the week prior to the Grand Tasting but when people talk about the San Diego Wine and Food Fest they usually mean this event.

Is The San Diego Wine + Food Fest Worth It?

The standard 4 hour ticket is $150. The early entry ticket is $200. The VIP ticket is $300. And a special four-pack of standard tickets is discounted to $550. The event always sells out. Look, that’s a lot of money, right, and my job isn’t to convince you to part with your cash but $150 doesn’t seem nearly as outrageous as it once did. I mean, I just went to to the movies and spent $26 for a ticket, $20 for a lousy glass of wine, and $17 for a chicken sandwich. Oh yeah, and the popcorn was another $10. So after tip I spent $90 to see Tom Cruise fly a jet while smiling. OK, this was at Cineopolis but that’s the movie theater near my house so don’t judge.

To compare, I could have gone to the San Diego Wine + Food Fest and done this:

Let’s compare again - Top Gun was about $90 for two hours of mind numbing distraction and average food. If my math is correct that’s $45 an hour. The San Diego Wine + Food Festival is $150 for three hours of non-stop foodie adventure with unlimited bites and sips from dozens and dozens of booths, hanging out in the San Diego sunshine surrounded by tons of fun people, dancing to the live music (too much wine, OK), and having one of those “best times of my life” experiences. More math - that’s $50 an hour. Compared with $45 for a movie that’s going to be on HBO by next month??? Is this even a debate?

So I guess I’m saying, YES, it’s worth it and YES, you should get tickets and go. I’ve gone every year for over 10 years in a row and it’s become one of my favorite things to do in San Diego. Oh sure, there are other “food fests” though out the year but none come close to the San Diego Food and Wine Festival. You have to trust me on this, get tickets and you won’t regret it. This is the ultimate San Diego experience.

San Diego Symphony Announces 2022 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING at THE RADY SHELL! Kick Off the Holidays San Diego Style!

concerts san diego, events, Christmas San Diego, San Diego holiday seasonLocal WallyComment

San Diego Symphony Announces
2022 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING at
THE RADY SHELL AT JACOBS PARK

 The San Diego Symphony will perform another year of its Noel, Noel holiday concerts at its bayfront home, and feature two holiday movies in concert
for audiences to enjoy 

  SAN DIEGO (September 12, 2022) – Today, the San Diego Symphony announced programming for its beloved holiday series, which begins November 19, 2022. The Symphony will return to its bayfront home, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, for the majority of its holiday programming. This year's spectacular lineup includes the return of the Symphony's signature and adored Noel, Noel concerts, as well as performances of How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Movie in Concert and Love Actually: Movie in Concert, and the Symphony will present the Vienna Boys Choir in Concert at the Balboa Theatre.

 To kick off this year’s season of festive musical favorites, the Vienna Boys Choir make their return to San Diego in a San Diego Symphony presentation of Christmas in Vienna at the Balboa Theatre on November 19th at 7:30 PM. The illustrious group of young musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and popular repertoire. Christmas in Vienna showcases these gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty in an extraordinary program featuring Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular songs and, of course, holiday favorites. Tickets range from $20 to $75 at www.TheShell.org. 

 Additionally, this December the San Diego Symphony is thrilled to present three performances of its annual Noel, Noel concerts on the San Diego bay, following last year’s successful sold-out run at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park for the first time ever. The Symphony invites friends and families to Jacobs Park for three show-stopping performances, December 9-11, 2022 (December 9 & 10 begin at 7:30 PM and December 11 begins at 5:00 PM.) Conducted by Christopher Dragon, directed by Jonathan Gilmer, featuring the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Master Chorale, and the San Diego Children’s Choir, audiences will experience an all-new story and script, full of cozy holiday moments, popular tunes, and jolly spirit.  All are invited to come early for holiday activations throughout the park, including themed food and beverage delights. Tickets range from $20 to $95 and are on sale today at www.TheShell.org. 

 

And to round out the December offerings this year, Holiday Movies in Concert are back for another year at The Rady Shell, conducted by Thiago Tiberio and with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. On December 17th at 6:00 PM in a presentation of How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Movie in Concert, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra brings you on a wild ride back to Whoville where Cindy Lou Who takes matters into her own hands and turns the Grinch’s world upside down, inside out and funny side up in her search for the true meaning of Christmas.  Later in the month, on December 21st at 7:00 PM the beloved holiday classic, Love Actually: Movie in Concert comes to The Rady Shell stage for a one-night-only performance. Spend the evening with your favorite holiday “rom-com” characters and get swept up in the magic of one of the most iconic Christmas Movie soundtracks of all time, as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra performs Craig Armstrong's evocative score, with the film being projected onto the large screens at The Rady Shell. Tickets for both Movies in Concert range from $20 to $95 and are on sale today at www.TheShell.org. 

On a budget? Sit outside the venue at a free seat, but come early - super duper early as these areas are highly sought after.

Local Wally’s Pro Tips for Seeing a Show at The Rady Shell

  1. While all the seats are pretty great, the tables in front allow you to pre-order food which will be delivered straight to your table.

  2. If you do a table pay attention to which direction your seats face if you want to have the table in front of you, versus behind you. Tables seat four.

  3. Come early and forget about trying to find cheap parking. Just park in the Convention Center parking lot - and park as close as you can to the exits as it can really back up when everyone tries to leave at the same time.

  4. I’ve eaten there twice and both times the food was really good. The pizzas are single size even though the box looks like it’s sharable. The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich was delicious but a bit of a messy eat so perhaps not the best choice for first date night.

  5. No outside food allowed but you can bring in a blanket, highly recommended even if you think it’s going to be a warm night. You are on the bay, remember. You can bring in folding beach chairs if you opt for the lawn seats in the back. I saw both beach and camping height chairs, but I’d go with the lower chairs if you have then so you don’t block the view of people behind you.

  6. If you go super cheap and sit outside the venue for a free seat you’ll still get great sound and the screens are large enough to enjoy the show - but get there super early as there are only a handful of really good viewing areas. Of course, the lawn area inside is pretty affordable so think twice about trying to nab a free seat. But even if you just come out on a show night to walk around and hear the music outside the venue it’s a fun vibe and that hot dog cart sure smelled great!

Plenty of food options at the Rady Shell - Come early to avoid parking hassles and relax with some great San Diego style bites like gourmet pizza or aKorean Fried Chicken sandwich by Top Chef Richard Blais.

 About the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1910, the San Diego Symphony is the oldest orchestra in California and one of the largest and most significant cultural organizations in San Diego. The Orchestra performs for more than 250,000 people each season, offering a wide variety of programming at its two much-loved venues, Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego (now under renovation) and The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on San Diego Bay. In early 2018, the San Diego Symphony announced the appointment of Rafael Payare as music director. Payare leads the orchestra’s 82 full-time musicians, graduates of the finest and most celebrated music schools in the United States and abroad. The San Diego Symphony also serves as the orchestra for the San Diego Opera each season, as well as performing at several regional performing arts and community centers. For more than 30 years, the San Diego Symphony has provided comprehensive learning and community engagement programs reaching more than 65,000 students annually and bringing innovative programming to San Diego’s diverse neighborhoods and schools. For more information, visit www.sandiegosymphony.org.

 About The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

The centerpiece of the 3.7-acre public Jacobs Park developed and managed by the San Diego Symphony on the city’s scenic Embarcadero, The Rady Shell is the first permanent outdoor venue in the San Diego Symphony’s century-long history, designed to host more than 100 concerts and events year-round. The venue has been developed in partnership with the Unified Port of San Diego with 96% of the $85 million cost raised privately by the Symphony.

As innovative in design as it is spectacular in setting, offering 360 degrees of year-round music, sky and sea, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is an unprecedented resource for the Symphony’s expanded schedule of diverse outdoor concerts, including classical concerts and an exciting roster of commissioned works and premieres programmed by San Diego Symphony Music Director Rafael Payare as well as performances by international touring artists and free programs.  The venue will be available year-round for non-profit community groups, schools and individuals. Jacobs Park, owned and managed by the Symphony, surrounds the performance space with walkways, dining pavilions and recreational facilities in the heart of the Embarcadero and is accessible to the public for free on most days of the year.

California Wine Festival in Carlsbad's Park Hyatt Resort Aviara - Get Tickets for 2023!

Food Festivals, Things to Do in San DiegoLocal WallyComment

California Wine Festival in Carlsbad, CA - San Diego’s Annual Wine and Food Festival by the Coast

What a fancy way to spend an afternoon, sipping wine and snacking on tasty bites at a 5 star resort on the San Diego coastline. That’s exactly what the California Wine Festival in Carlsbad is all about, an annual event held at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad every May.

Before I go further here’s the link to get more info on the 2023 California Wine Festival in Carlsbad (North San Diego): Official Site for the Wine and Food Event

OK, so what is this? And is it WORTH IT?

HALL WINES at the California Wine Festival in Carlsbad, CA

Wine, Food, Music, and Plenty of Space!

With dozens of tents you can spend hours just sampling the various wines - yes, unlimited wine! And if you know me you know that I love good wine and there was plenty there to sip, including Hall Wines from Napa with their incredible cabs

Ketel One at the Carlsbad Wine Festival at Aviara

And yes, just to spice things up a bit you can sip some vodka, get a perfect gin and tonic, sip some Belching Beaver beer. Look, if you can’t find something you love to drink then you’re not looking very hard. And unlike some food events where the lines are so outrageously long that your wine buzz is long gone by the time you get to the front the lines here were refreshingly short - find a favorite and just keep going back!

Food Trucks - Yes, it’s Included!

There were great food options scattered around, like big bites of cheese (and butter) from Kerrygold and delicious poki bites from Senor Grubby.

Tasty bites to be sure - but then I found the food trucks! I expected to pull out my credit card but whoa, it was included! Red Oven Pizza was there - incredible wood fired pizzas - along with Belinda’s Taco Truck and The Groovy Greek Food Truck. Belinda’s was handing out street tacos with various fillings (the spicy pork, wow) and cheesy quesadillas that were perfect for one hand snacking. The Groovy Greek Food Truck was handing out full sized greek bowls which were insanely good - I mean, GREAT! I’ve been to plenty of "Tastes of ____” or food festivals where you frankly leave a bit underwhelmed, but these three food options left me plenty satisfied. OK, yes, a bit stuffed but can you blame me?

Is the California Wine Festival Worth it?

With ticket prices (in 2022) starting at $70 per person, yes, absolutely worth it. Look I went to McDonald’s for the first time in over a year and the crappy two cheeseburger combo was nearly $10! A tiny house wine pour at an “order at the counter” restaurant just set me back $12. So for $70 you get all the wine you want, unlimited delicious food, a live band, a great setting, it’s so worth it. Gather up your friends and have an afternoon to remember.

Need more convincing? How about FREE parking (that never happens)?

For those of you wanting to really go all out there’s also a VIP tent with early entry for $45 more, and a Sunset tasting event with rare and reserve wines to go with the main event for $175.

Gator by the Bay - San Diego's "Hidden" Music Fest - Planning for 2023 with Tips and Tickets!

Food Festivals, concerts san diego, Things to Do in San Diego, Things to Eat San DiegoLocal WallyComment

Gator by the Bay is San Diego’s Most Fun Event (that no one knows about!)

I must admit - I didn’t know anything about Gator by the Bay until last year. It was like I fell into a Alice in Wonderland world with people dressed in crazy costumes, New Orleans parades (complete with beads), dancing and music. It was so much fun (and so delicious) I’m still smiling. So what is it? It’s hard to explain but it’s unlike anything you might imagine happening in San Diego, an authentic four day Mardi Gras celebration from May 11-14, 2023.

I learned a lot last year from my day at the Gator by the Bay event and I’ll share some tips with you so you can get the most out of this super fun event. And spoiler alert - you should go!

WHAT EXACTLY IS “GATOR BY THE BAY” IN SAN DIEGO?

It’s sort of like a four day Mardi Gras party down in the Spanish Landing, the grassy area across from the airport with views of they bay. OK, but what is it??? At first glance it looks like a street fair with vendors and food carts but it’s much more than that. With seven music stages, authentic foods like boiled crawfish, beignets and po’boys, this isn’t like anything you’ve ever experienced in San Diego. There’s plenty of people watching to be had (verrry interesting) and parades with beads tossed to the crowds, just like New Orleans.

If you like people watching, Gator by the Bay is in a class by itself.

MUSIC, DANCING, AND GOOD EATS IS WHAT GATOR BY THE BAY IS ALL ABOUT

Now remember, I had never been and had absolutely NO IDEA what to expect so let me lay it out for you. First and foremost, this is a music festival with people bringing in their beach or camp chairs and staking out spots by the various stages. There’s a listing of people playing but it won’t necessarily matter if you don’t know the artists because the acts come and go throughout the day. It’s a bit like the old San Diego Street Scene, New Orleans Style.

No need to dress up though if you have tails it would not be wrong to wear them.

Most people just put their chairs out and roamed the area, searching for food and beer, then returning to check out the music and hit the dance floors. It’s blues, zydeco, rock, and even a marching band playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” (pro tip: Follow that parade!).

CRAYFISH AND OTHER DELICIOUS DELIGHTS

New Orleans is famous for their foods, from Jambalaya and Po’Boys to my favorite, boiled crawfish. Wait, you’ve never had these? The first time I had them was on a business trip to New Orleans where I was slightly (more than slightly) tipsy and they poured a pile of these in front of me. Like little lobsters, you twist off the tails and pinch out the tail meat, then suck down the juices in the head, all while trying not to get the red spicy seasonings all over your clothes.

These are hard to find in San Diego but they had a seemingly never ending vat of crawfish boiling away. I was expecting rip off prices for these (and willing to pay, why not?) but for $15 I got enough to satisfy my craving. There’s a larger $25 platter and if you want to add boiled potatoes and corn you can. I’ll say it - these were better than the ones I had in New Orleans on Bourbon Street.

DON’T MISS THE BEIGNETS!

Like a cross between a cream puff and a doughnut, beignets are another “must get” food at both New Orleans and Gator by the Bay. Crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside, with enough powdered sugar to fly though the air as soon as you take a bite. Tip: Don’t wear black unless you want to wear white specks for the rest of the day.

PLAN AHEAD TIPS

Like I said, this was my first time so while I had a GREAT time let me share some wisdom with you so you can have an even better time than I did.

  1. Bring a folding chair - I was jealous of the people who were relaxing in their chairs with a beer and enjoying the music while I stood up in the back. People brought beach chairs, tall camping chairs, blankets, everything goes here.

  2. Check out the music schedule so you know if there’s an act you might want to see.

  3. Plan to stay all day - this isn’t like a street fair where you come and go in a couple of hours. You’ll want to dance (or take their free dance lessons), you’ll want to sample all the food, you might even want to check out the cooking demos.

  4. While there are plenty of food stalls selling things you can find at any street fair (turkey legs, nachos, etc) be selective and make sure you try all of the New Orleans specialties first. You can have a bratwurst later, right?

  5. Parking can be a bit of a hassle so we just parked at Liberty Station and took an Uber in - about $10 each way. No big deal, and no problems.

Go! Just Go!

If Covid has taught me anything it’s that life is short so when out of the ordinary things like this come around don’t waste a lot of time wondering if it’s going to be fun or if it’s worth it, just buy that ticket and go. If you like music, food, and just getting out of the house to do something cool in San Diego then make sure you go to the next Gator by the Bay Festival in San Diego.

San Diego Gator by the Bay

Bring your beach chairs and stake out your spot at Gator by the Bay.

SAN DIEGO'S BEST CONCERT VENUE Summer 2022 schedule - the shell - THE BEACH BOYS, SHERYL CROW, ELVIS COSTELLO, GEORGE BENSON, AND MANY MORE!

Local WallyComment

 SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES
THE 2022 CONRAD PREBYS SUMMER SEASON AT THE RADY SHELL AT JACOBS PARK

THE SAN DIEGO SHELL BY SEAPORT VILLAGE - PHOTO BY LOCAL WALLY

The San Diego Symphony just announced the 2022 Conrad Prebys Summer Season lineup for The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. On the heels of launching the landmark venue last year, the Symphony’s outdoor season will kick off June 24 and will run through September with additional programming (including holiday!) October-December. The season will have more concerts than any previous year, and the lineup features performances by the Symphony alongside acclaimed artists + beloved movies, as well as can’t-miss standalone performances across a variety of genres.

Highlights include: 

Performances featuring the San Diego Symphony:

  • June 24: Opening Night - Orchestra Technicolor with Rafael Payare

  • June 25: Boyz II Men

  • July 1: Black Panther In Concert 

  • July 3: Common

  • July 29 + 30: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows(™) - Part 1 In Concert 

  • Aug 6: The Beach Boys 

  • Aug 23: Flying Lotus and Hiatus Kaiyote 

  • Aug 26: 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular 

  • Aug 28: Jennifer Hudson

Standalone Performances:

  • July 4: Kool & the Gang

  • July 17: Joss Stone with special guest KT Tunstall

  • Aug 2: Sheryl Crow featuring very special guest Keb' Mo' 

  • Aug. 27: George Benson, WAR and The Commodores

  • Aug 30: Elvis Costello & The Imposters with special guest Nick Lowe

  • Sept. 27: Bonnie Raitt: Just LIke That…Tour 2022

 
COMPLETE SCHEDULE FOR CONCERTS AT THE SAN DIEGO SHELL, SUMMER 2022

FRI, JUNE 24: Opening Night – Orchestral Technicolor

  1. SAT, JUNE 25: Boyz II Men

  2. SUN, JUNE 26: Straight, No Chaser: The Music of Thelonious Monk*

  3. FRI, JULY 1: Black Panther In Concert†

  4. SAT, JULY 2: Toy Story In Concert

  5. SUN, JULY 3: Common

  6. MON, JULY 4: Kool & the Gang: 4th of July*†

  7. THUR, JULY 7: Tower of Power & Lettuce

  8. FRI, JULY 8: The Best of Times: Megan Hilty Sings Jerry Herman

  9. SAT, JULY 9: Uptown Nights with Byron Stripling, Carmen Bradford, Leo Manzari

  10. SUN, JULY 10: The Midtown Men – Stars from the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys*

  11. FRI, JULY 15: Beethoven by the Bay

  12. SAT, JULY 16: Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial (Orchestral Premiere)SUN, JULY 17: Joss Stone*

  13. FRI, JULY 29: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows™ – Part 1 In Concert†

  14. SAT, JULY 30: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows™ – Part 1 In Concert†

  15. TUES, AUG 2: Sheryl Crow featuring very special guest Keb’ Mo’*

  16. FRI, AUG 5: Philharmonia Fantastique

  17. SAT, AUG 6: The Beach Boys: Sixty Years of the Sounds of Summer

  18. SUN, AUG 7: Bernadette Peters

  19. FRI, AUG 12: The Princess Bride In Concert

  20. SAT, AUG 13: The Music of John Williams: 90th Birthday Celebration

  21. SUN, AUG 14: Trombone Shorty's Voodoo Threauxdown*

  22. THUR, AUG 18: Pink Martini

  23. FRI, AUG 19: Disco Inferno – A ‘70s Celebration

  24. SUN, AUG 21: Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes*

  25. TUES, AUG 23: Flying Lotus and Hiatus Kaiyote

  26. FRI, AUG 26: 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular

  27. SAT, AUG 27: George Benson, WAR and The Commodores*

  28. SUN, AUG 28: Jennifer Hudson†

  29. WED, AUG 31: Elvis Costello & The Imposters with special guest Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets*

  30. SAT, SEPT 10: Classic Albums Live Performs Pink Floyd - The Wall*

  31. SUN, SEPT 11: Classic Albums Live Performs The Beatles - Let it Be*

  32. FRI, SEPT 16: Broadway Sings... and Swings! Conducted by Rob Fisher with Bryonha Marie*

  33. SAT, SEPT 17: Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: Fandango at the Wall*

  34. SUN, SEPT 18: CeeLo Green as Soul Brotha #100: A Tribute to James Brown with special guest Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe*

  35. TUES, SEPT 27: Bonnie Raitt: Just Like That…Tour 2022*

  36. MON, OCT 3: Aida Cuevas with Mariachi Juvenil Tecalitlán and special guest Mariachi Los Camperos*

Subscription packages are currently available at TheShell.org. Single tickets for special events go on sale April 12, while single tickets for all other concerts go on sale May 3.

San Diego Symphony Announces New Spring Season - Get Tickets Now!

Local WallyComment

The San Diego Symphony’s Winter-Spring 2022 season continues sharing music with communities all over the county and beyond, making this season extra special. In February and March, the Symphony will perform in La Jolla, Escondido and more. 

Single tickets are available at each venue's website – and subscription packages are also available. For all concerts, the San Diego Symphony requires attendees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and present proof of full vaccination. Please let me know if you have any questions!

  • Payare Leads Tchaikovsky | Feb. 25 + 26, venues vary 

Music Director, Rafael Payare will lead the Symphony through Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, the U.S. premiere of Venezuelan composer Paquito D'Rivera's new concerto with guest performance by trumpeter Pacho Flores and selections by California-based composer Andrew Norman. This will be performed at the Reneé & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa (Feb. 25) and San Diego Civic Theatre (Feb. 26). Single tickets start at $28.00. 

Guest trumpeter Pacho Flores will perform a lively array of genres alongside San Diego Symphony musicians. Highlights include Paquito D'Rivera's Aires tropicales and Martinu's Suite from La revue de cuisine. Single tickets start at $30. 

Celebrating the depth and playfulness of classical music, Rafael Payare will lead guest violinist + the orchestra's string + wind sections through selections by Chevalier de Saint-George, Alfred Schnittke and Mozart. Single tickets start at $75. 

  • Beethoven, Mozart and Shostokovich | March 16 + 18, venues vary 

Up-and-coming conductor, Jonathan Heyward, will lead the orchestra through Shostakovich's historical

Symphony No. 9. Guest pianist, Yeol Eum Son, will make her San Diego debut with one of her unique Mozart interpretations. Performances take place at California Center for the Arts, Escondido (March 16) and The Village Church, Rancho Santa Fe (March 18). Tickets start at $25. 

Guest artist and Carlsbad local Wu Man will perform five folk songs on the Chinese lute. Other works include quintet Four Inscapes and more. Tickets start at $30. 

Celebrating 100 Years! Happy Birthday Lucille Brauckmuller!

Local Wally2 Comments

It’s not everyday someone turns 100 years old so join me in wishing one of our San Diego citizens a HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY! The honoree is Lucille Brauckmuller…she is in perfect health and living at Villa Novia Country Estates in EL Cajon.

Come Join the Parade on Feb 24th, 2022

Join the celebration at the Park Parade on Monday, Feb 24th, at 1:00. You can meet in front of the park’s laundromat - come decked out and if you have a golf cart please decorate it for the occasion with lots of streamers and balloons. Let’s make this a blow out celebration that will put a amile on all of our faces and make Lucille’s day extra special. For more info on the event call the office at (619) 444-1030. 1440 S. Orange Avenue, Space 22, El Cajon, California.

LUCILLE’S STORY… How a World War Turned into a Love Story

Born Mabel Lucille Ross on the 24th of February, 1922 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Her parents, Evan and Mabel, had three girls, Elizabeth, Pauline and Lucille, who was the middle daughter.

Lucille’s romantic story is one shared by many young women whose men fought for our country during the turmoil of a world war.  She and the love of her life, Herb, wanted to marry.  However, Herb was still active and they were afraid that he would get into trouble.  Lucille was only eighteen and anxious that her parents would think she was too young and not permit the marriage.

They decided to elope to a neighboring town.  Upon arrival, a kind lady informed the couple that it was a holiday and the local justice of the peace was not available until the next day.  Not to be deterred, the young romantics found another way.  The kind lady found a gentleman with the authority to marry the couple.  He came to the lady’s house and with Louise’s best friend and Herb’s best friend as witnesses, Louise and Herb married September 1st, 1940. 

Still there was a huge problem; neither set of parents had knowledge of the marriage.  So for the first week the couple lived apart.  Herb courageously informed Lucille’s parents (she remembers that he was beautifully eloquent) of the marriage which continued for nearly 73 years.  Herb passed just three weeks before their anniversary.

Lucille’s father, Evan, worked on a dairy farm which he later purchased.  Lucille, her husband Herb, her sister Elizabeth and her husband, Thurman all worked on the dairy farm.  They made their deliveries with the girls riding along in laundry baskets!

In 1957 the couple relocated to El Cajon.  Lucille worked in Whitney’s (it later became Walker Scott), a local department store, for twenty-seven years.  Her nickname was “Brauckie.”

Lucille and Herb have two daughters.  Shirley and her husband, Tony, and Marilyn and her husband, John, have provided Lucille with seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. 

For seventeen years she has lived in Villa Novia treasuring the friendships she’s made enjoying the camaraderie of senior living.

SPECIAL THANKS FOR THIS STORY TO MERRY POTTER - AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LUCILLE FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

Gator by the Bay is BACK on May 11-14, 2023

Food Festivals, events, press releases, Things to Do in San Diego, Things to Eat San DiegoLocal WallyComment

Gator by the Bay in San Diego is coming May 11-14, 2023

My very first trip to New Orleans was actually my very first big business trip. Someone had the great idea to hold a convention over Mardi Gras week and somehow I was selected to run the booth. That night I walked Bourbon Street with a red cup of tequila in my hand and a hurricane in the other and had the most fun I’ve ever had. Well, at least until the next morning when I had to get up to run the booth and then later get on a plane to come home, all with a massive hangover.

Still, that didn’t dissuade me from visiting again though perhaps a bit more restraint as I got older. And now we fast forward to 2023 and damn do I want to travel but dammit that travel is so expensive these days. That’s why I am so happy that San Diego is once again hosting GATOR BY THE BAY FESTIVAL, the largest celebration of everything that makes a trip to New Orleans so great - meaning food, music, dancing, and just plain fun for the entire family. You deserve it. We all deserve it! It’s like the best of Mardi Gras without having to jump on a plane.

"Gator By The Bay is a one-of-a-kind event that brings joy and lasting memories to people of all ages," says Festival Producer Peter Oliver. "Each year over 15,000 passionate enthusiasts attend this event to get a taste of Louisiana's rich culture on the West Coast. After two years of dormancy we are happy to be back with all the fan-favorite Mardi Gras experiences including samples of the history, food, music, dancing, and more."

WHAT TO EXPECT AT GATOR BY THE BAY?

Hosting everything from A to Zydeco, this four-day, family-friendly event features more than 100 live musical acts and special performances. Here’s the complete music line up. The event includes over 10,000 pounds of crawfish from Louisiana, a chef-led gumbo cook-off, flowing libations, seven stages – five with wooden dance floors, a Mardi Gras costume parade, and a full weekend of fun to coincide with Mother’s Day weekend. Each day during Gator By The Bay brings new experiences, live entertainment, and unforgettable moments at every corner with activities designed for music lovers, food enthusiasts, dancers, and more.

Gator By The Bay kicks is like a four day weekend, kicking off Thursday, May 11, 2023 with an evening concert, followed by three full days of nonstop crawfish sucking and New Orleans celebration. You’ll want to plan out which day or days you want to attend, or heck, just get the multi-day pass and enjoy it all. You can also go deluxe and get a VIP pass for reserved seating at the main stages, catered lunch, even upgraded restrooms(!). Look, just click the button below to get all of the info. Trust me, this is one of San Diego’s most fun events of the year!

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS TO GATOR BY THE BAY? Wait, Early Bird Discounts???

There are several ways to experience Gator By The Bay, including single day, multi-day and hotel ticket packages. Early bird pricing is available if you get your tickets NOW!

  • Thursday Evening Concert: $45 early bird ticket, $55 gate. Deluxe dinner tickets also available.

  • Single Day Friday: $50 early bird ticket, $65 gate

  • Single Day Saturday: $60 early bird ticket, $75 gate

  • Single Day Sunday: $55 early bird ticket, $70 gate

  • Three-Day Pass: $165 early bird ticket, $205 standard

  • Four-Day Pass: $210 early bird ticket, $250 standard

  • Patron Single Day VIP Experience: $220 Sat early bird, $210 Sun early bird, $420 both days early bird. After that it’s $240 Sat, $230 Sun, $459 both days. What’s included in the Patron Pass? Click here for more details.

Seahorse Tours are Back at Birch Aquarium 2021

Things to Do in San DiegoLocal WallyComment

Back when I was a kid I fell for the advertisement for Sea Monkeys. A Bowl Full of Happiness! Instant Pets! Trainable! Well crap, what a disappointment for a 8 year old kid who saved up his money only to get a bunch of crummy brine shrimp eggs.. Suffice it to say they were impossible to train, they didn’t do tricks, they weren’t even cute.

Today’s kids are luckier now that Birch Aquarium has reopened their Seahorse Tours for 2021. Seahorses are so cute they look fake and right now you can do a Behind the Scenes Sea Horse tour at Birch Aquarium, one of San Diego’s best attractions. Birch Aquarium is spot on in their quest to protect sea wildlife and educate in a way that’s accessible to all ages. And does it get any cuter than a baby seahorse? That’s not really even a question. Of course there’s nothing cuter. Not even a Sea Monkey.

The Perfect family adventure!

So just in time for winter break, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is relaunching its popular Behind-the-Scenes Seahorse Tours on Dec. 21. 

The one-hour-long private tour, led by an expert ocean educator, takes groups of up to six people behind the scenes to explore the fascinating world of seahorses. Guests will get a glimpse of seahorse babies, learn about Birch Aquarium’s renowned breeding program, and experience what it takes to care for these unique fish — including an opportunity to feed them.  Whoa, feed the seahorses? Do they eat, you know, brine shrimp? Take that, Sea Monkeys!

“We are thrilled to be bringing behind-the-scenes tours back for our guests to enjoy,” said Director of Education Megan Malaska Medley. “We have revamped the tours of the past to make them a fun, safe and educational experience for guests.” 

Behind-the-Scenes Seahorse Tours take place daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to one group of six people from the same family group or pod. The cost includes up to six people and is $250 for the general public/$225 members. Aquarium admission is separate and is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 3-17 and free for aquarium members. 

Space is limited and it is anticipated that tours will sell out. Guests can check availability and book online in advance through Birch Aquarium’s webstore.  Photography is not permitted in the seahorse breeding areas but that just means you get to live in the NOW, and take home incredible memories of an incredible experrience.

As with all Birch Aquarium programs and events, safety is a top priority. Participants must be 8 years old or older, and minors must be accompanied by a paid adult. Closed-toed shoes are required on the tour and face coverings must be worn indoors and out regardless of vaccination status.

As if that wasn’t enough. behind the scenes penguin tours will also be available when Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins open. Penguins and Seahorses, the only thing that could make this better would be actual sea monkeys that lived up to the comic book claims of my youth.

Don’t be disappointed! Sea Monkeys won’t live up to the hype, but Birch Aquarium Seahorses will!