9 cool art exhibitions to explore in San Diego in 2023
These shoes made of sauce packets are part of “Ethan Chan: Selections from the Closets of the People That I Love...” | Courtesy of Oceanside Museum of Art
San Diego’s arts and culture scene is strong — and in 2023, more colorful, creative works will be on display locally. We’ve curated a sampling of nine local exhibitions we can’t wait to explore this year.
🍟 “Ethan Chan: Selections from the Closets of the People That I Love…”
On display at the Oceanside Museum of Art from Saturday, Jan. 14-Sunday, April 30, this saucy show features wearable art made from condiment packets like ketchup and soy sauce. Through quirky “sauce suits,” artist Ethan Chan examines the connection between consumerist culture, materialism, and individuality.
🪞 “INSIDEOUT”
The multimedia piece by Germany-based artist Leigh Sachwitz and flora&faunavisions is a 360° immersive light and sound simulation aimed at “shattering the illusion of walls and ceilings.” See it now at the WNDR Museum that debuted this week at 422 Market St. in downtown San Diego.
National Geographic’s traveling, multi-sensory exhibition heads to the Wyland Center at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Friday, Jan. 27-Sunday, March 26. The one-hour experience takes visitors on a gold-drenched adventure to ancient Egypt, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
🐰 New exhibit at the Comic-Con Museum
Eh…what’s up, doc? The Comic-Con Museum is temporarily closed while a new exhibit is installed — and the museum dangled a carrot on social media as to which looney icon may be the subject of the display set to open Saturday, Feb. 4. A formal announcement is expected soon, and if it’s as cool as last year’s “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing,” we are so in.
Lalla Essaydi, Harem #14C, 2009. Chromogenic print on Mounted to aluminum and protected with Mactac luster laminat. Museum purchase with Art Acquisitions Fund, 2015, 2015.5.
On view through Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the San Diego Museum of Art, this exhibition celebrates the arrival of 20 works on indefinite loan to the museum. The pieces showcase the contributions of women artists to the development of modern and contemporary art — many created by artists whose careers were overshadowed by the successes of their husbands.
Winter Festival | Friday, Jan. 13 + Saturday, Jan. 14 | 5-9 p.m. + 3:30-8:30 p.m. | Poway Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Dr., Poway | Free | A family-friendly weekend of seasonal activities like sledding + ice skating, plus specialty and food vendors — rain or shine.
Edgar Allan Poe’s Gruesome Gallery of Grotesquerie | Friday, Jan. 13-Sunday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Casa del Prado, 1600 Village Place, San Diego | $18 | San Diego Junior Theatre performers fuse together stories, poetry, music, movement, and puppetry to explore the works of the iconic poet.
Moxie | Friday, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $16.50 | The indie rock band takes the stage.
Saturday, Jan. 14
Davina And The Vagabonds | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 6:30-8 p.m. | The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla | $60-$80 | A retro-inspired jazz and rock performance.
Monster Jam | Saturday, Jan. 14 + Sunday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego | $25-$110 | Twists, turns, and stunts galore.
Edwards Twins Presents the Ultimate Variety Show Vegas Top Impersonators | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido | $40-$60 | These Vegas acts bring Elton John, Gaga, Sonny & Cher, and Billy Joel under one roof — kind of.
Sunday, Jan. 15
Marston House Garden Tour | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 1:30-2:15 p.m. | Marston House, 3525 7th Ave., San Diego | $15 | Tour a California interpretation of English Romantic landscaping on this 2.5-acre estate.
41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 2-5 p.m. | Embarcadero, 1355 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego | Free | Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade featuring floats, bands, and community organizations.
Zoso - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 8 p.m. | The Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego | $20-$80 | An atmospheric, immersive show that honors the rock legends.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
66º | A mix of clouds and sun | 10% chance of rain
Grab that umbrella, friends — rain is on the way again. The National Weather Service is forecasting a wet weekend, with the heaviest rainfall expected tomorrow night. Snow is likely in our local mountains, too, between 5,000 ft and 7,000 ft in elevation. ☔ (National Weather Service)
The National Weather Service has extended its High Surf Advisory for San Diego County beaches through 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Surf of 8-10 ft is expected, with possible 12-ft waves along our southern coastline. It’s best to stay out of the water. 🌊 (National Weather Service)
Sunrise + Sunset
Rise: 6:51 a.m.
Set: 5:04 p.m.
Tide
Low: 7:12 a.m. + 7:15 p.m.
High: 1:36 a.m. + 12:32 p.m.
Water Temperature: 58°
Civic
County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargaspenned an Instagram post describing how it feels to be the first Latina Chair in the 200-year history of the board. “Today, I stand on the shoulders of giants,” she said — reflecting on her influences. “The folks that just knew that representation mattered.” ✏️
Development
Local leaders have approved a plan to revitalize the 60-acre commercial strip along Campo Road in Casa de Oro. The Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Plan aims to give the area a “Main Street” vibe with better access for public transit, pedestrians, and cyclists, and allow for more mixed-use housing developments. 🚧
Open
Beep, beep. One Paseo in Carmel Valley has debuted the Farm Truck, a shop parked next to Tocaya Organica offering local and organic seasonal produce and fresh flowers. The truck is open Fridays 1-6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through Saturday, March 25. 🥑
Announced
Disneyland announced big changes — starting Saturday, Feb. 4, park-hoppers can cross between parks two hours earlier, at 11 a.m. And you know those photos snapped on rides? The park will give all guests freedigital Disney PhotoPass downloads of those pics on the Disneyland app throughout the Disney100 celebration. 🏰 (Disney Parks)
Pets
The San Diego Humane Society recently hit an all-time highfor dogs under its care — 606 pooches across local shelters. Mayor Todd Gloria is sponsoring #Gloria100, an adoption promotion running today through Sunday, Jan. 15, where fees are waived for the first 100 adopted adult dogs. Find your new buddy. 🐕🦺
Sports
The Padres dropped details for FanFest 2023. The free Friar Faithful event is Saturday, Feb. 4, at Petco Park, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Expect appearances by Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Joe Musgrove, Jake Cronenworth, Fernando Tatís Jr., and more — and some alumni (is that “Hell’s Bells” we hear?). Snag your tickets by 10 a.m. today. 🤎
Veteran slugger Nelson Cruz has agreed to a one year, $1 million deal with the San Diego Padres (pending a physical). Come Opening Day, Cruz will be 42 years and 272 days old — and as the 2023 season gets underway, he’s poised to become the oldest non-pitcher in Padres history. ⚾
Eat
Eating cleaner this year? Urban Plates — with locations in La Jolla and Del Mar — is sharing tips to make healthier choices. Culinary director Chef Joe Noonan suggests adding nutrient-dense beets to your diet, substituting sweet potatoes or squash for higher-calorie starches like rice, and eating more plants and protein. 🥗
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DYK
Free tolls for veterans 🛣️
SANDAG rolls out FasTrak Veterans Toll Exemption Program
If you’re a qualifying military veteran in San Diego, pay attention. | Photo via SANDAG
California State Assembly Bill 2949 took effect on Jan. 1, 2023 —calling for toll exemptions for US military veterans — and, in turn, SANDAG rolled out its local FasTrak Veterans Toll Exemption Program.
The new program allows veterans to use California toll roads, bridges, highways, or toll facilities for free. In San Diego, the benefit covers 100% of fares for vets using the SR-125 Toll Road.
Know someone who may want to enroll? Qualifying veterans must be the registered owner of a vehicle that displays an eligible, designated license plate including:
Disabled Veteran
Congressional Medal of Honor
Legion of Valor
Pearl Harbor Survivor
Ex-Prisoner of War
Purple Heart
The plate must be registered to a SANDAG FasTrak account, and customers will need to verify their vehicle ownership by sending a copy of their registration to the SANDAG Customer Service website or via email. Vets must open a FasTrak account to partake in the program.
Editor’s pick: Happy Friday. My daughters love climbing the La Mesa Rainbow Stairs, so after a recent trip to La Mesa Village, we drove over to Stanford and Yale avenues to do just that. 🌈
The flights were painted by artist Magdalena Noriega in 2018. Today, locals still drop in to trek the steps and snap a colorful photo. The stairs are nestled between homes, so be sure to be quiet and kind while visiting.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter?Let’s talk trash — for real, here’s the scoop on the green bins being rolled out to San Diegans. ♻️
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Editorial:Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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