Finally Sunshine (although, it is still a wee bit chilly)! Hope it lasts. Time to get out and explore!

Last week our team was able to attend the annual San Diego Latino Film Festival Kickoff Party, and here's a bit about what we learned about the festival which starts on March 9. The San Diego Latino Film Festival Celebrates Its 30th Year!

Today (Friday), the 5-day (across 2 weekends) San Diego Arab Film Festival will launch at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. Next Friday and Saturday, The Banshees of Inisherin will be shown at the fun Cinema Under the Stars. The play Lucky Stiff will open at the Sunshine Brooks Theatre in Oceanside. There will be a virtual symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Anthropogeny hosted by the UC San Diego/Salk Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny.

Saturday, the San Diego Museum of Art will offer an Art & Religion docent-led tour focusing on how religious figures and people of God are depicted in art. Kim Phillips-Pea will lead a tour of the Murals of Southeast San Diego. The 6th Annual Taste the World event will raise funds for Peace Corps projects. At the Mission Hills Library, Devesh Vashishtha will give a talk on Indian Classical Music. The Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts will host a screening of Transborder Film Fellowship. At the Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, the Guitar Prasanna Experience will meld Indian classical music and electric guitar. Kevin Ortiz and Banda 619 will perform at La Sinaloense Bar & Grill. No doubt to celebrate Mardi Gras, there will be a Brazilian Carnaval Party at Break Point in PB. And there will also be a Mardi Gras Salsa & Bachata Party at Tango del Rey.

Sunday, Holy Fest '23 will take place at Carmel Mountain Ranch Recreation Center. Holi is otherwise known as the Indian "Festival of Color" where people throw handfuls of colored powder at each other. The House of India will hold their annual Lawn Program at the International Cottages in Balboa Park. Also at the International Cottages, the House of Italy will host a talk on The Work and Life of Artemisia Gentileschi. Mexican singer-songwriter Kevin Kaarl will perform at Balboa Theatre.

Tuesday, at the Institute of the Americas the US Ambassador to the Organization of American States Francisco Mora will give a talk on The U.S. and the Inter-American System-Challenges and Opportunities.

Wednesday, performance artist, ritualist, and educator Dohee Lee will give a talk at CSU San Marcos. Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard opens at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Tropa Magica will play at the Soda Bar.

Next Thursday, the 2023 San Diego Latino Film Festival opens with film screenings and special events through to the 19th. The festival will launch with an Opening Night Celebration & Concert. The ABBA Tribute group Mania will perform at the Balboa Theatre. The DakhaBrakha music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine will perform at the Belly Up. Leilehua Lanzilotti and Argus Quartet will hold a concert at UCSD's Mandeville Auditorium.

Next Friday, the 3-day annual Cherry Blossom Festival will begin at the Japanese Friendship Garden. The San Diego Latino Professionals (SDLP) and the Latino Film Festival will hold a film screening and a mixer. Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries (Smultronstället) will be shown at MiraCosta College. Flamenco and classical guitarist Adam del Monte will perform at UC San Diego Park & Market.

Next Saturday, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival will take place at Balboa Park. The Sewa Holi Festival will take place in University City. The CRY San Diego Holi Festival will take place at Miramar College. There will be a Fundraiser for Ukrainian Refugees at the Congregational Church of La Jolla. The SDLFF Sabor Latino Food, Beer & Tequila Fest will take place at the Westfield Mission Valley Mall. The French musical duo Ibeyi will perform at the Music Box. And Queen Bee's will host an Afro Night.

Next Sunday, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the House of Ireland will hold their annual Lawn Program. Top selling tropical salsa artist of all time Marc Anthony will perform at Pechanga Arena.

Local theatrical offerings (not mentioned above) include The Ferryman at New Village Arts Theater in Carlsbad ends this Sunday, The High Table at Diversionary also wraps up on Sunday, and Under a Baseball Sky continues at the Old Globe. Lucky Stiff opens at the Sunshine Brooks opens March 3rd. The Cherry Orchard at North Coast Rep opens on March 8th.

Please note that after two weeks in the main calendar section, ongoing events (such as exhibitions and plays) can be found in Ongoing and Extended Events.

And if you are an avid and adventuresome reader, visit our www.multiculturalbooks.org site to browse our compendious collection.

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!

Your Window to the World

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Japanese Agedashi Tofu

The Participant Observer Recipe of the Month is for Japanese Agedashi Tofu, an easy-to-make, nutritious snack which can also be enjoyed as a side-dish or even a main course. It is light and delicious!