Newsletter: 🎨 How do we protect our art in San Diego? We want to hear from you.
Plus, San Diego became a national stage for a breaking battle.
This year, we've seen a lot of difficult headlines about funding in our arts community, from the mayor's attempted cuts to layoffs at multiple institutions.
The latest round of layoffs at the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego prompted one former artist-in-residence, Cat Gunn, to speak out on Instagram about their experiences with the museum. This week, I interviewed Gunn, as well as artist Ava Aviva Avnisa, whose work was scheduled to appear in the museum's gallery this fall, about the impact the museum's financial instability had on their art.
But, the issue of funding arts in our region seems bigger than any one institution, so we'd like to hear from you. How can San Diego as a community that loves its art better protect, support and nurture its artists?
Send us videos with your thoughts (filmed vertically please!) using our Google form for us to use in future reporting to further this community dialogue.
— Kate Morrissey
Artists Cat Gunn and Ava Aviva Avnisan said that the Institute of Contemporary Art's recent layoffs affected their ability to share their work with the public. Both artists called for greater transparency from the museum and said they were most concerned about the staff who recently lost their jobs.
— Kate Morrissey
Championship breaking battle in San Diego
San Diego’s breaking scene had a moment to shine as some of the nation’s best bboys and bgirls competed in Red Bull’s BC One Cypher USA National Final on Broadway Pier, with local dancers highlighting the city’s close-knit Hip Hop community.
— Rami Alarian
A Russian woman sought asylum in the United States more than a decade ago. She has remade her life in San Diego, but she is still waiting to find out if she can stay.
— Kate Morrissey
An ICE officer pointed a gun at a Virginia counselor who was observing an enforcement operation, and the Department of Homeland Security conducted an extensive surveillance operation into labor unions, nonprofits and Signal chats of people supporting immigrants in the Twin Cities. Here's what happened last week in immigration news.
— Rami Alarian
Weekend Energy: Aug. 27-Sept. 2
This week San Diegans can watch dance films from across the globe, participate in a healing sound bath and make new friends at a Thursday run club.
— Rami Alarian
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Other news
An Emerald Hills resident has sued the city of San Diego over a planned housing development that would add 123 homes to an area the city labels as very high fire risk, KPBS reported.
Amazon used a San Diego park in Crown Point as a distribution center without a permit or compensating the city in any way, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Journalist Adrian Childress reported on Instagram that a Jewish group protested outside the San Diego Pride office. Childress shared with me a list of the protesters' demands, which included mandatory antisemitism training, a public apology and an investigation into incidents that occurred at the past two Pride festivals. The list appears to come from the San Diego LGBTQ Historic Task Force, a group run by Nicole Murray Ramirez, who penned an op-ed for San Diego Jewish World earlier this month sharing her concerns. Some of the incidents that Murray Ramirez cites involve clear hate speech while others appear to involve criticism of the country of Israel.
The former acting attorney general for the Southern District of California was found dead in an office in the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building late last week, Times of San Diego reported. Andrew Haden’s official cause of death has not yet been determined, but San Diego police said officers don't suspect foul play.
The Padres new owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones are embracing San Diego and their new role in its sports scene, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Dolly Parton died after a brief battle with cancer, The New York Times reported. The country singer's Imagination Library is still giving books to children in Southeast San Diego in a program that will continue after her death, ABC 10 News reported. Donations to directly benefit the local program can be made through the Imagination Library by selecting “CA - Zip Code 92114” under the local program partner tab.
Actor Tim Curry also died this week after more than a decade of health issues related to a 2012 stroke, USA Today reported. The actor played a variety of notable characters including Pennywise in “It,” Wadsworth in “Clue” and Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show” stage musical and subsequent film. San Diego shadowcast Crazed Imaginations is honoring Curry during its Aug. 28 performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas. Tickets are available online through the theater.
Upcoming Events
Aug 28
BBB Industrious Women's Summit: Powering the Next Era: The Better Business Bureau is hosting its eighth annual summit empowering women in the trades and beyond, featuring insights from industry leaders, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities. Tickets are available online. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Better Business Bureau, 4747 Viewridge Ave., San Diego, CA 92123
El Cajon Courthouse Rally: Care Not Cages: Activist San Diego and a coalition of local groups are hosting this month's Fourth Friday Care Not Cages rally at the El Cajon courthouse, lifting up those who could and should get mental health diversion instead of a punitive process. Attendees are asked to bring signs and stories of loved ones who have been incarcerated while struggling with mental health conditions. Noon, El Cajon Courthouse, 250 E. Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020
Community Social: The Block Club is bringing neighbors together for an afternoon of family-friendly games. 4 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
MAKE After Hours: MAKE Projects is hosting an evening pop-up series celebrating art, music and culture from around the world, with bites and drinks from MAKE Cafe led by executive chef Crystal Rhino. The evening includes live music from Afrobeat San Diego and Supper Club String Band, plus a live art installation in the garden with Eva Struble and a Global Art Village marketplace. Reserve tickets online. 5 - 8:30 p.m., MAKE Cafe, 4712 Felton St., San Diego, CA 92116
Queer Salsa Social: ¡Noche de Coco!: Queer Latin Dance SD is presenting a beginner-friendly salsa, bachata and Latin social, including a workshop, snacks, drinks and social dancing. Tickets are available online. 6:30 - 10:30 p.m., RSVP for location
Hustle Cafe: New Style Hustle San Diego is hosting its first Hustle Cafe social at Subterranean Coffee Boutique, with dancing classes from Daybreak Breaks and Rosy Batch followed by social dancing. 7 p.m., Subterranean Coffee Boutique, 3764 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Aug 29
Fun Walk & Beach Clean Up: The Renaissance Lions Club, powered by the Buy Filipino Network, is hosting a free morning walk and coastal clean-up at La Jolla Cove. Free, 7:30 - 9 a.m., La Jolla Cove, 1100 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, CA 92037
Afghan Community Legal & Resource Clinic: The Council on American-Islamic Relations California and Afghan-American Community Organization are hosting a regional clinic featuring free immigration legal consultations with an immigration attorney or Department of Justice Accredited Representative. The event includes a resource fair, lunch will be provided and free backpacks and school supplies for kids. Register for legal consultation online. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Town and Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle N., San Diego, CA 92108
August Pug Meetup: The Grumble Bunch is hosting a pug meetup with a group photo at 9:45 a.m. 9 - 11 a.m., Poway Dog Park, 12988 Bowron Road, Poway, CA 92064
Growing & Glowing: Foodshed Cooperative is hosting a free hands-on cooking class series for pregnant and new parents with babies welcome. Each family that attends will receive a $15 voucher to the Saturday farmers market at City Heights Food FARMacy. RSVP online., Held every other Saturday through Dec. 19., 9 - 10 a.m., Teaching Kitchen, 4061 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
KooBrew Vinyl Market: KooBrew is hosting its first vinyl market with DJ I.R. Giant, featuring record spinning, drinks, a food pop-up and music by Existence76, Soul Side Vinyl, DJ Hippo, Novodiscos, Unearthed Wax and Koo Krew. Noon - 6 p.m., Koobrew, 9030 Kenamar Drive, San Diego, CA 92121
Community Resource Fair: PANA San Diego and the San Diego Housing Commission are hosting a resource fair for households whose family contribution amounts are being updated. Community organizations will offer job training and career resources, food bank assistance, utility help and MTS transportation resources. Reservations are available online. 1 - 4 p.m., 5555 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Brazilian Festival: The annual Brazilian Festival is bringing a celebration of the country’s culture with food, music, vendors and art. The event will feature samba dancers, a capoeira show, a supersonic samba parade and musical performances by Paula Lima and Negritude Junior. 2 - 11 p.m., Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
The Studio Table: Pottery & Basque Pintxos: Taoofclay is hosting a Barrio Logan pop-up dinner, turning its ceramic studio over to Mabel's Gone Fishing for a night combining pottery and Basque pintxos, where the bowl guests eat from is the same bowl they take home. All-you-can-drink cider, oysters, fire and clay for three hours. 6 - 9 p.m., Tao of Clay Ceramic Studio, 1012 Sicard St., San Diego, CA 92113
Our Kings: OUR KINGS is hosting a bonfire community gathering to honor all young Black boys, including those who are lost or incarcerated. The evening includes community building, music, a candlelight tribute and encouraging words. 6 - 8:30 p.m., Paradise Point, 1401 Vacation Road, San Diego, CA 92109
Aug 30
Kumeyaay Beach Day: Jamul Indian Village is hosting a family-friendly beach day for all tribes and descendants, with swimming, activities, food and refreshments. Lifeguards will be on-site. Guests are encouraged to bring a towel, chair and beach equipment. Registration is available online. Call 619-928-8689 for more details. This is an alcohol- and drug-free event. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Torrey Pines State Beach, North Lot, 1800 McGonigle Road, Del Mar, CA 92104
Occupy Otay Demonstration: Demonstrators gather every Sunday on the sidewalk outside Otay Mesa Detention Center to protest the Trump administration's increase in arrests and detentions related to immigration enforcement. 2 - 4 p.m., 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA, 92154
Dance Film Screening: TILTshift Dance and bkSOUL are screening dance films from India, Indonesia and the United States. 5 - 8:30 p.m., Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037
Tap Dance Jam: San Diego Tap & Jazz is hosting a tap dance jam at Panama 66. The jam will be hosted by Caludia Gomez on tap dance and percussion with special guest tap artist Michela Marino Lerman and musicians Evona Wascinski, Jon Garner and Jeremy Eikam. 5 - 7 p.m., Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Mockingbird Ultimate SmackDown Tournament: Eight improv teams — including Five Guys, Stache, Sundae Sauce, Noise Boiz, The Joey Summers Show, Bang the Doldrums and Project Jericah — are competing in a tournament, with audiences deciding who advances. One team will be selected as the 2026 champion. Tickets are available online. 7 p.m., Mockingbird Improv, 2590 Truxtun Road, Studio 200, San Diego, CA 92106
