Category Archives: California

Jazz So Smooth!

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2nd Annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival Happening This Weekend

by Wendy Lemlin

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Last year, a new music-based festival rolled into town and immediately became a success. Filling the downtown waterfront Embarcadero Marina Park North, the three day San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival drew a capacity crowd of not only local smooth jazz enthusiasts, but also participants from all over California and beyond. Not a mean accomplishment for a first-time event during a busy time of year!!

Eric Darius

Eric Darius

Drawing on that success, the 2nd annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival is back again this weekend, June 29-July 1, with a stellar lineup of some of the best known names of the genre. Hosted by saxophonist, composer, producer, and vocalist Eric Darius, the festival opens with an intimate evening featuring performances by Continue reading →

Art Alive: A Rite of Spring in San Diego

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By Wendy Lemlin

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A 2017 floral arrangement interpreting the painting seen in the background

In my long list of “things I love about spring”, Art Alive is always among the top entries. During this annual four day event at the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA), artworks in the museum’s collection are interpreted in wonderfully creative floral arrangements by over 100 designers. That, in itself, is fascinating to anyone who loves art, flowers and design. For me, however, this “rite of spring” is more than a just fragrant, colorful exhibit; it evokes in my psyche a healthy dose of nostalgia triggered by the floral scents wafting through the museum’s galleries.

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Another arrangement in the 2017 exhibit interpreting the painting in the top right.

My birthday is in the first week of April, and as a child growing up in Massachusetts where winter and spring often played hide and seek in early April, my dad would always present me with a bouquet of spring flowers for my birthday. Tulips, crocuses, irises, sweet peas—I loved their fresh, not-too-sweet scents and the splashes of color they brought to a world just starting to green from winter’s dull, monotonous gray. In my mind, the flowers engendered hope for the longer, sunny days to come and the promise of new beginnings.

And so, I find Art Alive to be an ideal amalgamation of things that I love—art, creativity, flowers, and springtime. The floral arrangements in the show that I personally find most successful are those that, rather than striving for a literal interpretation of the painting or sculpture with which they are paired, are more abstract in suggesting a dominant shape, or color scheme, and use mostly un-dyed plant and floral materials without a lot of other props.

a portion of the rotunda display in 2017

a portion of the rotunda display in 2017

The entry rotunda is where all the magic begins, with a (usually) magnificent, grand-scale installation that wows attendees with thousands of blossoms as soon as they enter the museum. This year, Natasha Lisitsa and Daniel Schultz, the wife-and-husband team behind Waterlily Pond Studio in San Francisco, have been selected as the Rotunda Designers. The duo will transform the Museum’s famed Rotunda into a blaze of color, bright blossoms, and lush foliage in honor of Nancy Lorenz: Moon Gold, the Museum’s spring exhibition opening on Friday, April 27. Lisitsa and Schultz are known for their larger-than-life floral installations, architectural design style and innovative use of materials.

 

 

A 2017 floral interpretation of a sculpture of an acient Indian deity

A 2017 floral interpretation of a sculpture of an acient Indian deity

In its 37th year, and taking place April 26-29, Art Alive is SDMA’s primary fundraiser to support the Museum’s education and outreach programs as well as special exhibitions. In addition to the exhibit itself, the celebration will also include a number of separately-ticketed auxiliary events, such as the black tie Premier Dinner exclusively for Honorary Committee Premiere Patrons on April 26, the very popular (despite its $200-$250 pp ticket price) Bloom Bash kick-off event, and a floral crown making workshop.

Tickets for Art Alive are free for SDMA members, $25 for nonmembers, $5 for youth (ages 7 to 17), and free for children age 6 and under.

For more information or to make a donation in support of this San Diego tradition, call the Art Alive Hotline at (619) 696-1999, or contact the Museum at artalive@sdmart.org. Tickets are also available online at sdmart.org/artalive

Taste of Point Loma Celebrates Local Portuguese Heritage

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taste of PL

I grew up in New Bedford, MA, a fishing port with a large Portuguese population.  In school, many of my classmates had last names like Gomes, Souza, Viveiros, Perry, and Silva. Their great-grandparents, or grandparents, or sometimes their parents, were immigrants from Portugal, or the Portuguese outposts of the Azores or Cape Verde Islands, who came to New Bedford to work on the whaling ships of the 1800s or the fishing fleet that has continued to motor out of the docks of New Bedford and the surrounding communities to this day. So, I was quite surprised when I moved to San Diego in 2004 to find a large community of Portuguese heritage, which grew in the early 1900s around the tuna industry, centered around Point Loma. Once again, my neighbors had last names similar to those of my childhood neighbors, 3000 miles away!

A celebration of this community will be included in this evening’s annual Taste of Point Loma, taking place 5:30-9 PM, hosted by the Point Loma Chamber of Commerce. Participating will be the United Portuguese S.E.S. Inc. (U.P.S.E.S. Inc.), who will be providing samples of traditional Portuguese dishes and entertainment.

“We are excited to celebrate and bring awareness to the rich Portuguese cultural heritage in Point Loma,” said Matt Kalla, president of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. “United Portuguese S.E.S. Inc. does a great job at giving the community a glimpse into their traditional cuisine, customs and activities.”

Other participating restaurants in this evening’s event will include Blue Wave Bar & Grill, Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar, Charles & Dinorah at The Pearl, Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, Miguel’s Cocina, Mitch’s Seafood, Old Venice Restaurant, Point Break Café, Point Loma Fish Shop, Pomodoro Ristorante Italiano, Pummaro, Shanghai Bun Restaurant, Sushi Lounge, The Elegant Truffle and The Wine Pub.

Attendees have the option of strolling between restaurants, or enjoying free shuttle service, available throughout the evening. All food samples are included in the ticket price, and drinks are available for purchase. Even Rover is invited! Dog-friendly patios will be identified with a paw print next to a restaurant’s logo on the ticket.

Ticket prices are $25 ($20 for students, military and cyclists) and can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-taste-of-point-loma-tickets-43132987928?aff=erelexpmlt, at The Wine Pub, or Matt Kalla’s State Farm office located at 4148 Voltaire Street. Event check in for online ticket purchasers will be at United Portuguese S.E.S. Inc., located at 2818 Avenida de Portugal. Attendees who purchase tickets at The Wine Pub or Matt Kalla’s office can start at any of the participating restaurants identified on the ticket.

Cannabis Pairing Dinner by Lego Optimo

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Gives new meaning to “Haute Cuisine”

by Wendy Lemlin

   As anyone who has ever enjoyed partaking in cannabis knows, effects include not only increased appetite, but also a heightened sensory experience of taste. Subtleties of flavor come alive and food becomes deliciously, even sensually, satisfying.

Like fine wine, every cannabis strain has its own terroir, flavor, aroma, and characteristics. And like wine, cannabis can enhance the appreciation of the foods with which it is paired. Now that adult use, i.e. recreational, marijuana consumption is legal in California, the pairing of different strains with particular foods is destined to become a culinary trend in our foodie-obsessed culture.

With this in mind, Lego Optimo, a cannabis-centric fine dining and entertainment event company, will present the first-of-its-kind, fully legal, four course cannabis pairing dinner on January 25, from 6-9 pm. Created in collaboration with renowned chefs Benito Molina and Flor Franco, and Urbn Leaf Golden Hill—a state licensed cannabis retail dispensary— the event is envisioned as an intimate, sophisticated fine dining experience for the cannabis connoisseur and epicurean food lover.

The evening’s schedule is as follows:

  • After arriving at Urbn Leaf Golden Hill (Lego Optimo is providing a 50% discount on Uber rides to Urbn Leaf and then home from the dinner), guests will begin the evening with a private tour of one of San Diego’s most premier recreational cannabis retail shops.
  • At Urbn Leaf, each guest will receive a cannabis goody bag, valued at $75, containing generous samples of the four strains to be paired at the dinner, as well as various other products and accoutrements.
  • Guests will then be transported by limo to an undisclosed location for a four course, locally sourced gourmet dinner created by Flor Franco of Franco on Fifth, and Benito Molina, Mexican celebrity chef and one of the three judges for MasterChef Latino on the Telemundo network.
  • The 4 courses will be paired with 4 strains of cannabis, chosen by a cannabis sommelier in collaboration with the chefs. This is NOT an infused dinner and cannabis consumption is optional.
  • The unforgettable evening will also include cannabis education from local cannabis growers and vendors, and music and entertainment from local artists.

Tickets for the prix fixe 4 Course/4 Cannabis Strain dinner are $125 for the vegetarian/vegan menu and $150 for a menu featuring meat and seafood. This INCLUDES the cannabis goody bag valued at $75 and the 50% Uber discount, and so, it is a great value!

Notes Carolyn Kates, Lego Optimo co-creator, “We’re doing everything by the book. Everything is completely legal. It is an upscale, refined—yet fun, of course—event, NOT a “stoner” party— with an educational learning experience, as well. Think of it as ‘Everything You Want to Know About Cannabis, But Were Afraid To Ask’. It will also be a great introduction in an intimate, friendly setting for someone who has not previously used cannabis, but is curious. Guests can opt-out of the cannabis for any course, and just enjoy the sublime food that will be served.”

This will be the first of a series of six monthly dinners, with each providing a completely unique experience with cuisine created by Flor Franco and six different well-known chefs. They include Javier Plascencia, Hanis Cavin, Steve Brown and others TBD. The cannabis strains paired with each dinner will reflect a broad range of growing styles, locales, flavors and effects. All dinners will include a private dispensary tour, local music and education on a wide range of cannabis topics.

   With a mission to educate San Diegans about cannabis and how to responsibly incorporate it into their lives, Lego Optima offers spirited cannabis culinary experiences and access to educational information.

   Urbn Leaf, Golden Hill is California’s must-see retail cannabis boutique featuring a high-end, comfortable atmosphere and professional attitude that invites inquiry, discovery and conversation.

   Culinary director Flor Franco is known for her passion in connecting farmers, chefs and artisans from both sides of the border. Her intimate familiarity with her local products and her vast knowledge of international cuisine will take your palate on a multi-level journey of discovery.

   Benito Molina’s world famous Ensenada restaurant, Manzanilla, was named one of Latin America’s 50 Best. The celebrity chef is currently a judge on Master Chef Latino. His collaboration with Flor Franco will be a culinary event to remember and one you will not want to miss.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit the event website at https://legooptimacannbisdinners.bpt.me or contact the organizers at 619-846-9886. Tickets are extremely limited—no more than 20 will be sold!

*Lego Optima does not sell or distribute cannabis during any of their events. A licensed distributor sells all cannabis consumed during each dinner.

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Feasting on San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

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by Wendy Lemlin

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In recent years, San Diego has done a lot of growing up, gastronomically speaking.  What was once a culinary backwater, defined mostly by gringo-ized pseudo-Mexican  surfer grub, has blossomed with growing sophistication and appreciation for inventive cuisine, fine wines, craft beers —and direct collaboration between chefs and the farmers, ranchers, fishermen, winemakers and brewers whose labors provide the raw ingredients for the new excitement in local cuisine. And, in the last 14 years, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has been showcasing and giving impetus to this delicious maturation process in a multi-day event unlike anything else in the San Diego gastronomisphere. Because of its multi-faceted scope of events, San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is my favorite local gourmet experience.

This year, San Diego Wine & Food Festival Festival, which runs November 12-19, is more eclectic than ever and has something for everyone who loves to eat or drink. From fermentation to fish tacos, from wine to wagyu, guests and participants can partake of events celebrating both the latest trends and the time honored favorites.

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The Grand Tasting

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Chefs Throw Down Cystic Fibrosis

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by Wendy Lemlin

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20840687_1495117913888106_4989385886410659871_n (2)The fight to cure and control cystic fibrosis will become more palatable on Friday, September 22, when over 25 of San Diego’s and Baja California’s top chefs will engage in a culinary competition at the historic Hotel del Coronado, to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Guests at the 2nd Annual Chef Throwdown are sure to enjoy what is being billed as “an unforgettable evening of epicurean splendor”, begining with appetizers on the oceanfront Windsor Lawn and the Throwdown itself . Once the competition has ended, the festivities move to the oceanfront ballroom for a four-course seated dinner from followed by a brief CFF program, live auction and award presentation, including the Industry Leader Award to be presented to Roger Harrington of Specialty Produce.

Chef Flor Franco

Chef Flor Franco

Chefs will compete for a “People’s Choice Award” voted on by the guests themselves, and the Chef Flor Franco Awards for Culinary Excellence, named for the local chef who contributes so much of her time and resources to supporting non-profits and culinary events in both Southern California and Baja California. This year’s judges include The Marine Room’s executive chef Bernard Guillas, Fishmonger Tommy Gomes of Catalina Offshore Products, and Armando Rodiel, creator of San Diego Paella and Wine Festival. Emcees for the evening will be Troy Johnson of San Diego Magazine and Guy’s Grocery Games, and The Food Network’s Melissa D’Arabian.

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Melissa D’Arabian

Chef competitors include:
Mario Cassineri -Officine Buona Forchetta
Tommy Fraioli -10 Barrel Brewing Company
Ami Cisneros -Pacific Standard
Nick Villamil -Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Jeff Bonilla -Evolve Cuisine Forward
Marco Marin – Latitude 32 at El Cielo Valle de Guadalupe
Felipe Raul -Vinedos Malagon
Jeff Roberto -Sushi On A Roll
Alex Emery -La Valencia Hotel
Keoni Simmons -Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego
Mario Medina -The Main Course Restaurant
Luis Moreno Gil – Andares de la Baja
Colin MacLaggan -Ballast Point Brewing Company
Geordie Moulios -Big City Chefs
Jorge Gonzalez – Calypso Cafe
Jose Plascencia -Casa Plasencia
Jose Sparza -Cien Años de Soledad
Ingrid Shelton -Cusp Dining and Drinks
Andrew Reyes – Tidal at Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Alberto Cansino Gomez – Hotel Calafia
David Meade -Nobu San Diego
Marcus Twilegar -Parq
Indo Reyes -Posh Nosh
AG Warfield -Common Theory Public House
Marcel Childress -Rustic Root
Christine Rivera -Galaxy Taco
Spencer Hunter -Lola’s Lumpia
Lori Sauer – Blue Bridge Hospitality
Gerlyn Usi – Sweet Truck SD
Joe Pastry – Woo Bar
Jessica Scott -Puesto
Kabir Gambhir – Sonic Tonic
Dalil – Opera Café and Patisserie

Guests will also enjoy award winning wines from Adobe Guadalupe, Monte Xanic, Lomita, and Paolini Wines, all in Baja’s celebrated Valle de Guadalupe.

But wait, there’s more! The evening will continue with NightCap, the after-party hosted by San Diego Young Professionals. Dancing, desserts, craft cocktails and savory hors d’oeuvres will add to the merriment, and The People’s Choice winner of NightCap will be crowned (and given a spot in the 2018 Chef Throwdown competition). Awards for best mixologist and dessert categories will also be given out.

Tickets for the entire evening, inclusive of food and libations are $250 (Tax-deductible $45). NightCap only tickets are also available separately for $75 (not tax-deductible). Click here to get yours.  To learn more about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, visit 

Mavis Staples Headlines San Diego Blues Festival

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by Wendy Lemlin

Blues Fest

So, what are you doing on Saturday? If your answer isn’t “attending the 7th annual AimLoan.com San Diego Blues Festival”, you’ll be missing out on a great day of music and fun, not to mention the opportunity to support the very worthy Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank in their fight against chronic hunger.  With a lineup that includes the inimitable Mavis Staples, Joe Louis Walker, California Honeydrops for headliners, and local favorites like Rick Estrin and the Nightcaps, Missy, Mercedes, & Sharifa, Big Jon & the Nationals, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, & Aki Kumar, Blue Largo, and TJ & the Suitcase, Saturday promises to be a stellar day. Continue reading →

The Art of the Grand Tour

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By Wendy Lemlin

Laguna Beach’s Pageant of The Masters and Festival of the Arts is a summertime tradition

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On a breezy summer evening in Laguna Beach, stars twinkle above 2,600 attentive guests seated in the outdoor Irvine Bowl amphitheater. The live orchestra begins to play while the baritone-voiced narrator introduces the next work of art. The rapt audience breaks into applause as the stage curtain opens on a life sized replica Of Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Annunciation. But wait—did Mary move slightly? Did the angel just blink?

At the Pageant of the Masters, art will come alive to a packed audience every night from July 7-August 31

At the Pageant of the Masters, art will come alive to a packed audience every night from July 7-August 31

 

An actor in makeup and costume for the depiction of Annie Oakley

An actor in makeup and costume for the depiction of Annie Oakley

Call it tableaux vivant, living pictures, or just plain magic, the Pageant of the Masters, brings art to life as actors are transformed into re-creations of well-known paintings, sculptures, and figurines. The original art pieces are painstakingly copied on intricate sets with well-hidden stands, footholds, and handles supporting the cast members, who, after meticulous make-up and costume sessions, are placed in the artwork. Then, as the curtain rises, each actor holds a pose, motionless, unbreathing, for at least 90 seconds. With a patented lighting system that reduces the three dimensional down to the appearance of two dimensions, the effect is spellbinding, and has made the Pageant of the Masters, running July 7-August 31, 2017, a favorite component of the venerable Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts for the past 84 years. Continue reading →