Community service, meetups and poetry showcase: Here’s what’s happening July 10-16
Support unhoused neighbors by building medical kits with the Panther Party of San Diego, or make new buds during a speed friending event.
Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Kate Morrissey
It’s time for another Weekend Energy — our weekly roundup of upcoming events!
This week, we’ve got coffee with a local Kumeyaay historian, an opening reception at the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center in Barrio Logan, and a workshop on knowing your rights regardless of your immigration status.
Plus, if you want to extend some of the weekend energy, we’ve got some other events to help you get through your work week.
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.
July 10
Back Alley Poetry: The Back Alley Poetry Club Season 2 members will showcase their work at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park as a part of the "Conversations in Art: Dignity” exhibition. Featured poets include Alissa Tu, Melanie Taing, Crystal Sherriff, Jose Jasso, Amara Sengamphan and Adriana Nolasco, along with MAATAA NAAKEE and Johnnierenee Nelson as featured artists. Tickets can be reserved for free online. 6-9 p.m., Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
July 11
Coffee and Conversations: Kumeyaay historian Ethan Banegas from the Barona Reservation shares about the community-developed comic book project telling the history of the Kumeyaay Nation. Tickets are $12 for members, $20 for non-members, and can be purchased online. 10:30-11:30 a.m., 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
CPMCC Opening Reception for William “Chilly Willy” Aldana: The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center welcomes its newest community artist — William “Chilly Willy” Aldana — during an opening reception this Friday. Having grown up in the Southern California lowriding car culture, Aldana specializes in pinup art and customizing classic cars or “bombs” from the 1950s. 4-7 p.m., Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, 1960 National Ave, San Diego, CA. 92113
Speed Friending: Let’s Go Girls hosts its third speed friending event to help women and femme-aligned folks find friends and build community. Held at New Motion Beverages, evening will include one-on-one conversations with prompts to jumpstart the chats. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online. 6:30-9 p.m., New Motion Beverages, 8655 Production Ave., Ste A, San Diego, California 92121
July 12
Community Canvass Day: Viet Voices, San Diego API Coalition and LAOSD lead outreach to Vietnamese and Southeast Asian small businesses to share resources about protecting immigrant workers. Training will be given before teams start canvassing for the day. Sign up online to attend. 8:30-11:30 a.m., City Heights, Location TBD.
Park Takeover Community Appreciation Brunch: Park Takeover, a nonprofit that brings children and their families to local parks, will host its community appreciation brunch this weekend at the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. Guests will enjoy a plant-based buffet from Sibee The Kitchen and view an educational film in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. RSVP online. 12-3 p.m., Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Nuestras Voces: Know Your Rights Workshop: The Chicano Park Museum hosts a workshop on knowing your rights regardless of your immigration status. Moderated by community leader Juan “Wicho” Flores, guests will also hear from Isabel Enriquez Sanchez and can connect with local organizations during the event. 2-5 p.m., Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, 1960 National Ave, San Diego, CA. 92113
Soulcraft Saturday: The Block Club is hosting an arts and craft night in its space on Imperial Avenue. The event is free to attend if you have your own craft project and supplies you’ll be bringing with you or $12 to participate in the group session with provided materials. Tickets can be reserved online. 12-2 p.m., 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
July 13
WorldBeat Center Community Market: A new community market is launching this weekend at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park. Held on the second Sunday of each month, the market will include local vendors, food and music. 12-5 p.m., WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Medical Kit Building Day: The Panther Party San Diego — the multiracial wing of the San Diego Black Panthers — invites the community to help prepare medical supply kits in City Heights this Sunday. The organization will give the kits to unhoused neighbors to help provide relief to some of their medical needs. 1-2:30 p.m., Teralta Park, 4100 Central Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105
July 14-16
‘Iipay Language Workshop: ‘lipay Aa Preservation Project invites the ‘Iipay (Kumeyaay) community to a three-day evening workshop series to learn the fundamentals of the ‘Iipay language. The course will cover everyday phrases and basic verbs, and guests are invited to bring a potluck dish to share. Reserve a spot by emailing nicholascalsmith@gmail.com. 4:30-7 p.m., San Pasqual Education Department, 16152 Kumeyaay Way, Valley Center, CA 92082
July 14
Swing Dance Under the Dome: Take a free swing dance lesson under the dome on the rooftop of the San Diego Central Library at 6 p.m. The class will be followed by dancing to live music from The Garners, a vintage duo inspired by jazz, blues and folk music. 6-7:45 p.m., Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
July 16
Light Up the Cathedral: Event founder Dean Penny Bridges, LGBTQ+ Faith Leaders and Allied Faith Leaders are holding a free interfaith celebration at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Bankers Hill. After the service, the cathedral will be lit in rainbow colors as part of its 10-year tradition. 7 p.m., 2728 6th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103, enter on the 5th Avenue side.
