Dear Readers,

This week's calendar is chock-full of opportunities to engage with and celebrate our city’s rich diversity! Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant energy of Lunar New Year festivities, the artistry of global music and dance, or thought-provoking discussions on history and social change, there is much to explore!

Immerse yourself in San Diego’s vibrant cultural scene through live music and dance performances, compelling theater productions, a wide array of film festivals and screenings, literary events, insightful talks, and dynamic art exhibitions. These events not only showcase traditions from around the world but also reflect the global influences that make our city such a fun, interesting and engaging place to call home.

Festivals, celebrations, and community events: Lunar New Year Festival • Lion Dance: Lunar New Year Celebration • Lunar New Year Lion Dance Performance • Lunar New Year Lion Dance • Lunar New Year AXIS Event • House of India Lawn Program • San Diego Midnight Lion Dance Show • San Diego Tet Festival • Setsuban Celebration • 42nd Annual San Diego Chinese Fair • Nigeria Showcase.

Music and/or dance performances: ZueZue • Bob Marley Tribute Festival • AfroSocaLove Celebration • Tashan Competition • Mariachi Garibaldi • Jóvenes Flamencos Tablao Series • EYM Trio • Azucar! A Tribute to the Queen of Salsa • Music & Dance: Mosaicos Mexico • Grand Victorian Ball • María José • Uplifting Jewish Music Concert • Global Resonance • Indian Music Concert • Pedro Fernández • Samahan's Stories of Us • Kodo Taiko • Alejandra Guzmán • Ozomatli • Whisper/Najva.

Interesting talks around town: Albert Lin • New Perspectives Into Ancient Greek Culture • Sexual Violence During the Holocaust.

Film festivals and special movie screenings: Our Man in Havana • Giallos • Get Carter • Nezouh • International Jewish Film Festival • San Diego Black Film Festival • Ieri, Oggi e Domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) • I Limoni d'Inverno (Winter Lemons) • San Diego Underground Film Festival.

Books and literature lovers are sure to enjoy: Shakespeare's Peers • Chinese New Year Storytime • Maggie Su • Book Talk: What Just Happened? Shaking the Tree.

Food and Drink events: Lunar New Year Dumpling Party • Lunar New Year Outdoor Dumpling Making Class.

Local theatrical productions: The Heart Sellers • Macbeth • The Half-Life Of Marie Curie • The Green Snake • James Weldon Johnson: God's Trombones • Empty Ride.

Visual Arts events: Ancient Greek Art • Persian Art Exhibition by 5 Women Artists Opening • Lunar New Year Craft Workshop • Art Exhibition: Ruth Asawa & the Garden of Remembrance.

Social Justice related events: Racial Justice Talk with Prof. Ralph Banks • Symposium: Displacement and Reparation: Climate, Labor and Migration Justice.

Other notable events: Canadian Trivia Night.

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!

Greek Salantourmasi

Our recipe of the month is for Greek Stuffed Onions (Salantourmasi), a delicious concoction made of easy-to-procure ingredients. Preparation is straightforward, but these delights require slow cooking in your oven. But this recipe is worthy of the time spent; Salantourmasi are flavor bombs! A bonus recipe for Tzatziki is included!

Buy the Music (Paid Link)

Our International Music of the Month suggestion is Alefa Madagascar, the first compilation to document the unique culture of salegy, soukous and soul on the island of Madagascar during the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Our International Book of the Month is If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga.

In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, an Egyptian American woman and a man from the village of Shobrakheit meet at a café in Cairo. He was a photographer of the revolution, but now finds himself unemployed and addicted to cocaine, living in a rooftop shack. She is a nostalgic daughter of immigrants “returning” to a country she’s never been to before, teaching English and living in a light-filled flat with balconies on all sides. They fall in love and he moves in.