(View as a Webpage)Friday December 6, 2024
Participant Observer

Hello San Diego!

Welcome to our latest edition! This month, our Book of the Month is A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao, a captivating mystery and the featured read for the WVP Book Club. Our Recipe of the Month is Fijian Kokoda, a mouthwatering, coconut-infused, ceviche-like dish, best enjoyed with a steaming bowl of Jasmine rice. For our International Music pick, we spotlight Blue Maqams, a jazz-fusion album by oud virtuoso Anouar Brahem, who collaborates with renowned jazz artists drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Dave Holland, and pianist/composer Django Bates. Plus, don’t miss this edition’s bumper crop of Cultural Tidings  articles to stay informed about fascinating cultural events worldwide!

The holiday season is in full swing, with lots of festive events this weekend and in the weeks ahead! Balboa Park's December Nights begins tonight and continues through Saturday, featuring continuous performances and a variety of holiday foods at the International Cottages and throughout the park. Parking can be challenging, so consider using remote lots and shuttles to get to the festivities. While you're there, don’t miss the Traditions from Around the World exhibit at the History Museum. Additionally, there are a plethora of music and dance concerts, comedy shows, theatrical performances, talks, films, and more to enjoy!

As always, if you love our newsletter and the work the nonprofit Worldview Project brings to San Diego, please consider supporting us by clicking Donate. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Everyone here at the San Diego Participant Observer and the Worldview Project wish you fulfilling, illuminating, and culturally-rich experiences in the days ahead. See you next week!

On to the events!

Festivals, celebrations, and community events: Balboa Park December NightsPASACAT 28th Annual Parol Lantern FestivalWinter Holiday Traditions from Around the WorldOld Town Las PosadasNavidad al Estilo JaliscoYalda CelebrationFiesta NavidadLas Posadas Mexican Christmas CelebrationHmong New Year CelebrationYalda at Vineyard Hacienda.

Music and/or dance performances:  Omar Torrez Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico Anuhea B-Side Players A French Twist The ToastersEric Rigler's Celtic HollywoodWest Coast Dance Complex: The Nutcracker Jake ShimabukuroA Merry-achi ChristmasGolden Light: Christmas Music of the German Baroque Lea Salonga Leyla McCalla with Yasmin WilliamsGolden State Ballet The Nutcracker Frankie J & Amanda Perez A Night of Balinese Gamelan El As de la SierraA Victorian ChristmasEncinitas Ballet: The Nutcracker The NutcrackerNavidad Latina Holiday Concert Spanish Harlem Orchestra Mariachi El Bronx Connie Han Trio Rata Blanca and El Haragán Y CompañíaThe NutcrackerBi-lingual Holiday Sing-a-LongSan Diego Ballet: The NutcrackerWinter Schminter Solstice Concert.

Interesting talks around town Germany’s Turbulent Transition Reparations Town Hall.

Film festivals and special movie screenings:  A Traveler’s NeedsFilm & Discussion: Lantouri When Will It Be Again Like It Never Was BeforeDGC Video: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg The 39 Steps.

Book and literature lovers are sure to enjoy: Book Chat: Migrantes ValientesAuthors Talk: Aimie K. Runyan, J'Nell Ciesielski & Rachel McMillan • Author Talk: Juan Medina.

Local theatrical productions:  Just Like UsShakespeare Unfolded Actor Showcase Romeo and Juliet A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson MaysCity Ballet: The NutcrackerAcademy of Ballet: The Nutcracker.

Visual Arts events: Ice Age Pigments WorkshopKumiko Woodworking Workshop.

Comedy performances:  Jerry Garcia Ube World.

Upcoming Events:
Image Denotes multi-day (3+) event. Only first instance from today is displayed.

Friday, December 6

3:00 PMBalboa Park December Nights
Balboa Park
7:30 PMStage: Just Like Us Image
Grossmont College

Saturday, December 7

11:00 AMBalboa Park December Nights
Balboa Park
2:00 PMBook Chat: Migrantes Valientes
The FRONT Arte Cultura
"PASACAT 28th Annual Parol Lantern Festival
Eastlake High School
2:15 PMFilm: A Traveler’s Needs Image
Digital Gym
6:30 PMMusic: Omar Torrez
Private Residence
7:00 PMMusic: Anuhea
The Magnolia
"Music: B-Side Players
UC San Diego Park and Market
"Music: A French Twist
St. James by-the-Sea
"Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
Epstein Family Amphitheater
7:30 PMShakespeare Unfolded Actor Showcase
Point Loma Playhouse

Sunday, December 8

10:00 AMWinter Holiday Traditions from Around the World Image
San Diego History Center
1:30 PMMusic: The Toasters
The Holding Company
4:00 PMEric Rigler's Celtic Hollywood
Museum of Making Music
6:00 PMWest Coast Dance Complex: The Nutcracker
California Center for the Arts
"Film & Discussion: Lantouri
Persian Cultural Center
7:00 PMMusic: Jake Shimabukuro
Balboa Theatre

Tuesday, December 10

4:00 PMAuthors Talk: Aimie K. Runyan, J'Nell Ciesielski & Rachel McMillan
Online Streaming Event
7:30 PMA Merry-achi Christmas
Balboa Theatre

Wednesday, December 11

NOONTalk: Germany’s Turbulent Transition
Online Streaming Event
12:30 PMGolden Light: Christmas Music of the German Baroque
St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
7:30 PMMusic: Lea Salonga
Balboa Theatre
"Music: Leyla McCalla with Yasmin Williams
UCSD

Thursday, December 12

7:00 PMStage: Romeo and Juliet
High Tech High Mesa
"Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson Mays Image
Old Globe
7:30 PMA Night of Balinese Gamelan Music
USD

Friday, December 13

NOONTalk: Reparations Town Hall
WorldBeat Center
7:00 PMFilm: When Will It Be Again Like It Never Was Before
Digital Gym Cinema
"Stage: Romeo and Juliet
High Tech High Mesa
"Old Town Las Posadas
Old Town
7:30 PMMusic: Frankie J & Amanda Perez
Music Box
"Golden State Ballet The Nutcracker Image
San Diego Civic Theatre
9:00 PMMusic: El As de la Sierra
Blue Agave Nightclub

Saturday, December 14

10:00 AMIce Age Pigments Workshop
San Diego Archaeological Center
1:00 PMA Victorian Christmas
Villa Montezuma Museum
2:00 PMEncinitas Ballet: The Nutcracker
San Dieguito Academy
"Stage: The Nutcracker
California Center for the Arts
5:00 PMNavidad al Estilo Jalisco
San Ysidro Civic Center
7:00 PMYalda Celebration
Iranian American Center
"Navidad Latina Holiday Concert
First Unitarian Universalist Church
7:30 PMMusic: Spanish Harlem Orchestra
8:00 PMComedy: Jerry Garcia
El After Social Club
9:00 PMMusic: Mariachi El Bronx
Belly Up

Sunday, December 15

2:00 PMStage: The Nutcracker
California Center for the Arts
"Kumiko Woodworking Workshop
San Diego Craft Collective
3:00 PMFilm: When Will It Be Again Like It Never Was Before
Digital Gym Cinema
5:00 PMMusic: Connie Han Trio
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
"Fiesta Navidad
The Rady Shell
7:30 PMMusic: Rata Blanca and El Haragán Y Compañía
House of Blues
"Music: Connie Han Trio
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8:30 PMComedy: Ube World
Mic Drop Comedy

Monday, December 16

7:00 PMThe Nutcracker
Jacobs Music Center

Tuesday, December 17

7:00 PMDGC Video: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Digital Gym Cinema

Wednesday, December 18

6:00 PMFilm: The 39 Steps
Coronado Public Library

Friday, December 20

7:30 PMLas Posadas Mexican Christmas Celebration
Balboa Theatre
"City Ballet: The Nutcracker Image
California Center for the Arts

Saturday, December 21

8:00 AMHmong New Year Celebration
Kearny Mesa Park
9:45 AMBi-lingual Holiday Sing-a-Long
First UU, Chula Vista
1:00 PMAcademy of Ballet: The Nutcracker
California Center for the Arts
"San Diego Ballet: The Nutcracker
The Magnolia
3:30 PMAuthor Talk: Juan Medina
San Ysidro Library
6:00 PMYalda at Vineyard Hacienda
Vineyard Hacienda
"Academy of Ballet: The Nutcracker
California Center for the Arts
7:30 PMWinter Schminter Solstice Concert
First UU, San Diego

Sunday, December 22

8:00 PMAbbey Road Christmas Show
Belly Up

Cultural Tidings

Cultural Tidings
Cultural Tidings articles copyrighted by Guardian News and New York Times Inc
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Tidings Archive
Recipe of the Month

Kokoda
Fijian Kokoda

This month’s recipe is Fijian Kokoda (pronounced "ko-konda"), a simple yet flavorful dish made with fresh fish, crisp vegetables, lime juice, and creamy coconut milk. As the weather here turns a bit colder and wetter, we can take a bite of Kokoda, close our eyes, and daydream about relaxing on a sun-soaked beach in tropical Fiji! Kokoda can be eaten as a snack, appetizer, or main course. Kokoda is a popular dish for celebratory events and special occasions.


CD of the Month

Our International Music of the Month suggestion is Blue Maqams by Anouar Brahem. A virtuoso oud player from Tunisia, Brahem is known for blending Arabic and folk music with jazz. At a very young age, he studied at the Tunis National Conservatory of Music and was later mentored daily by the renowned oud master Ali Sriti. Brahem became a pioneer of the Ethno-Jazz movement, incorporating elements from various world music traditions into his compositions.


Book of the Month

Our International Book of the Month is A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao.

The story follows young Indian police sergeant Akal Singh who, after being deceived by a charming woman into divulging sensitive information that facilitated a series of robberies, finds himself exiled to colonial Fiji, a land and post he despises. When the Fiji Times reports the mysterious disappearance of a young female coolie, rumored to have been kidnapped, Singh's scornful superior assigns him to investigate. Was the woman abducted, or did she elope with the plantation's predatory overseer?


International Films

Final Notes

Important Disclaimer: While as a public service we list political, religious, spiritual, consciousness-raising and commercial events in our calendar, this does not mean that The Participant Observer necessarily endorses or otherwise supports any of the views, sentiments, beliefs or products presented or promoted in such events. We endeavor mightily to ensure that our calendar listings are accurate, but please confirm dates and times of events.


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San Diego, CA 92110

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