Honoring San Diego’s diversity through trainings, classes and festivals: Things to do in San Diego Feb. 19-25
This week, there are opportunities to celebrate Black History Month, Ramadan and Lunar New Year in addition to the immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities.
Written by Sam Barney-Gibbs, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp
This week features events honoring San Diego’s cultural, ethnic and overall diversity while advocating for more welcoming and equitable communities with multi-day festivals to connection-building activities and educational events.
San Diegans can celebrate Black History Month with musical tributes, Ramadan with a bilingual storytime for kids and Lunar New Year with muti-day festivities. There is also a webinar focused on navigating immigration resources in Southern California and an event for queer community members to participate in platonic and romantic speed dating.
Do you know an event we missed? To submit an event for consideration to be added to this list and our community calendar, send us the details in our online form.
Feb. 19
Ramadan Storytime: City Heights/Weingart Library is hosting a bilingual Arabic and English storytime with stories about Ramadan for preschool-age children and younger. A Ramadan-inspired craft will follow the storytime. 10:30 - 11 a.m., City Heights/Weingart Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Pitch-a-Friend — Queer Night: San Diegans over 21 are invited to present a 3-5 minute presentation of a LGBTQ+ friend as a “pitch” for new friends and partners. The event is free to attend and all are welcome, even if not participating. Sign up to pitch a friend online. 7 p.m., 4601 Park Blvd., Suite A, San Diego, CA 92116
Feb. 20
Tattoo Flash Fundraiser: Tattoo artist Mari is offering various arm, leg and back flash tattoos with proceeds benefiting Familias Reunidas Immigration Bond Fund. Only walk-ins are available. 9 a.m., 4475 Gresham St., San Diego, CA 92109
‘The Princess and the Frog’ Screening: The Pacific Beach/Taylor Library is screening “The Princess and the Frog,” a 2009 film featuring the only Black Disney princess, Tiana, played by Anika Noni Rose. 1 - 2:45 p.m., 4275 Cass St., San Diego, CA 92109
Freedom Quilt Fabric Mosaic: Toshwerks is guiding community members to make a Freedom Quilt at three San Diego Public Libraries locations inspired by those associated with slavery and the Underground Railroad. Materials are provided. 4 - 5 p.m., City Heights/Weingart Branch Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
San Diego Tết Festival: The Vietnamese American Youth Alliance is hosting its 21st annual festival to celebrate Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year). The three-day festival includes live performances by headliners by Thái Tài and Bảo Hân, taiko drumming, a freestyle dance battle, petting zoo, cultural village, carnival rides and a Miss Vietnam San Diego pageant. See the full schedule online. Feb. 20-22, Naval Training Center Park, 2455 Cushing Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Prop Swap: Honest Thrift Studio, a queer-owned thrifting and plant space, is holding an event for San Diegans to bring and swap plant propagations. Every $10 spent gets shoppers one raffle ticket for a variety of prizes. RSVP online. 5 p.m., 2609 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110
Community Yoga: Alchemystic Studio hosts a gentle community yoga session at The Brown Building every Friday. Reserve space online on a pay-what-you-can basis. 6 - 7 p.m., The Brown Building, 4133 Poplar St., San Diego, CA 92105
Faith & Freedom Fridays: St. Stephen's Cathedral Church of God in Christ is hosting a community and faith leader speaker series for teenagers on Fridays throughout February. The speakers will share stories of liberation throughout the month. The weekly event includes free food. 6 p.m., Reel Teens Center at St. Stephen’s Church, 5825 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Tribute to Reggae Legends: The WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park is hosting the 45th annual tribute to reggae legends. The lineup for the two-day music festival includes Johnny Osborne and Fully Fullwood Band, King Yellowman, Quinto Sol, Pinnacle Roots and Julian Marley and the Uprising, led by Bob Marley’s son. Reserve tickets online starting at $45 for Friday, $60 for Saturday or $90 for a two-day pass. Feb. 20: 7 - 11 p.m., Feb. 21: 8:30 - 10 p.m., WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 21
Free Yoga by the Bay: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park hosts monthly, all levels yoga lessons led by Viktoria Talbot from Fit Athletic. Attendees need to bring their own mats, water and sunscreen. Register online. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Balboa Park San Diego Chinese New Year Fair: The House of China is hosting a Chinese New Year fair in Balboa Park at the International Cottages with lion dances, cultural food, crafts and Chinese calligraphy. The two-day celebration includes performances by Naruwan Taiko, Xingjian Dance Studios and Youth of We Chinese in America, as well as a variety of food and small business vendors. Feb. 21-22, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., 2191 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Libros y Sonido: This book festival is offered by The Movement to celebrate reading, storytelling, education and community-building. Books, vinyl and stationery will be provided through used book resellers, local bookstores, small vendors and specialized artisans. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Barrio Logan, San Diego, CA
Balboa Park Women’s Tour: Forever Balboa Park hosts a tour highlighting influential women like Kate Sessions — who is considered the mother of Balboa Park — on the third Saturday of each month starting at Bea Evenson Fountain. 10 a.m., Bea Evenson Fountain, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Mob the Business, Mob the Block: Women of Southeast is hosting an event to uplift Black-owned businesses to celebrate Black History Month. The group is leading an outing to Royal Creations Hair Beauty Supply in La Mesa, asking that each attendee spend at least $25 in the store. Attendees can snack on bagels and coffee. Register online. 10:30 a.m. - noon, Royal Creations Hair Beauty Supply, 6788 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 92115
City Heights Multicultural Festival of Love: A group of local nonprofits is hosting a festival celebrating the cultural and linguistic diversity of City Heights. The day will feature live performances, crafts and a designated space for kids. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., 4455 Wightman St., San Diego, CA 92105
Blacktronika: UCSD professor and music producer King Britt is discussing Afrofuturism through electronic music every Saturday in February at the San Diego Central Library. Online registration is encouraged. Every Saturday in February, 3 - 5 p.m., Central Library Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 22
Hot Valentine Hike: Hot Queer Hikes is leading a LGBTQ+ friendly Valentine hike at Scripps Meander Coastal Trail in La Jolla. 10 a.m., Scripps Coastal Meander Trailhead, La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
North San Diego County Black Festival: The Cultural Festivals Student Committee at El Camino High School is hosting its fifth annual festival to celebrate Black History Month in Oceanside. The event features an artist showcase, talent show, musical performances, games, food court and fashion show. Register to attend online. 2 - 7 p.m., El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057
Sapphic Spaces Series 222: The Collective San Diego is hosting an event in its quarterly Sapphic Spaces Series focused on platonic love, alignment, balance and harmony, which are all related to angel numbers 222. This is an accessible space with an open mic, crafts, speed friending and outside seating for sensory overload breaks. Register online as space is limited. 3-6 p.m., 6325 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Queer Grief Club Pet Loss: Participate in an online drop-in group for queer grievers to come together in community to share their grief around pet loss. Groups are offered at a sliding scale for costs ranging from $0 to $10. Sign up online. 4-6 p.m., Zoom provided upon registration
HEAL Palestine: HEAL Palestine — a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Palestinian children and families — is hosting a community Ramadan Iftar at Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine. Tickets are available online and cost $50 for adults or $30 for children. 5 p.m., 5915 Balboa Ave., San Diego, CA 92111
DSA Education Series: Black History Month: The Democratic Socialists of America is hosting its third and final event in an educational series on the Black Panther Party to honor Black History Month. The event is focused on disagreements between American writer and activist Eldridge Cleaver , an early leader of the Black Panther Party, and co-founder Huey P. Newton. Register online. 6 p.m., 4359 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Feb. 23
Candle Workshop: Commonplace San Diego and Soul Scent are hosting a workshop for creating candles. The cost is $35 for all materials included or $30 if people bring their own 10 oz. glass container. 6 - 7:30 p.m., 8920 Kenamar Drive, #210, San Diego, CA 92121
Democracy 101 Training: SanDiego350 is leading an online training to educate people on authoritarian resistance abroad in addition to ways to get involved locally to fight against fascism and for democratic principles. Register for the free event online. 6 - 7:30 p.m., Zoom provided upon registration
Feb. 24
'We Are Each Other's Harvest': The San Diego Public Library is hosting an author spotlight with Natalie Baszile to honor Black History Month. The evening includes a resource fair, book signing and a talk with Baszile, who wrote the novel “Queen Sugar” and nonfiction book “We Are Each Other's Harvest,” a collection of essays, poems, quotes and photographs centered on the experiences of Black farmers. Online registration is encouraged and the first 50 attendees will receive a copy of “We Are Each Other’s Harvest.” 5 - 8 p.m., Central Library Shiley Special Events Suite (Ninth Floor), 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
ElevateHer: Village Up is hosting a professional mixer for women founders and leaders, which includes coworking, panels, a vibe coding workshop and general networking with peers. Register online for $12. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m,., 17190 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92128
‘Summer of Soul’: The La Jolla/Riford Library is screening “Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” a 2021 documentary about a six-week Harlem Cultural Festival in the summer of 1969. Light refreshments will be provided. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037
Freedom Quilt Fabric Mosaic: Toshwerks is guiding community members to make a Freedom Quilt at three San Diego Public Libraries locations inspired by those associated with slavery and the Underground Railroad. Materials are provided. 6 - 7 p.m., San Diego Public Library - San Ysidro, 4235 Beyer Blvd., San Diego, CA 92173
Feb. 25
It's a Girls Gallery Art Show: Submissions are open for an all-women artist group show with no particular theme at Shift, a new gallery in Ocean Beach. The organizers are hoping to display about 50 pieces, and new work is highly encouraged. 6 - 10 p.m., 4847 Newport Ave., San Diego, CA 92107
Immigration Workshop: Immigrant Defenders Law Center and RepresentLA are hosting a webinar on constitutional rights, how to deal with encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and immigration-specific resources in Southern California. Register online for free. 6:30 p.m., Zoom provided upon registration
