🥑 Plus, a new farmers market and speakeasy shoutouts.
6AM City In-house

Hear comes the future 🎻

Inside the $125 million renovation of Copley Symphony Hall
SD Copley Symphony Hall
A rendering of the renovated Copley Symphony Hall. | Courtesy of HGA and San Diego Symphony
It’s been one year since the San Diego Symphony announced its $125 million project to restore and renovate its historic indoor home — Copley Symphony Hall at Jacobs Music Center — in downtown San Diego.

Its reopening is set for Saturday, Nov. 4, and we got to peek inside the construction and hear all about what’s planned for the revitalized 94-year-old venue. Raise the curtain, it’s showtime. 🎼

SD Symphony renovated Copley Hall

A look inside the construction site at Jacobs Music Center as of Monday, Feb. 6.

Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday


“It is a real moment to have this new indoor home for the symphony,” said Martha A. Gilmer, CEO of the San Diego Symphony, at a press conference this week. “We believe in this city, being stewards of this city, and being part of its fabric.”

“It’s going to be phenomenal,” added San Diego Symphony Music Director Rafael Payare, grinning from ear-to-ear.

The hall’s dramatic revitalization includes:
  • A reconfigured stage and reshaped main seating level with 1,700 seats
  • 85 seats in a new area called the “choral terrace” — behind the orchestra
  • Improved acoustics, with state-of-the art digital sound, video, and lighting equipment
  • 15,000-sqft of new backstage space, enhancing the environment for performers
  • A custom-designed permanent orchestral enclosure
  • Restored architectural details
  • Heating and cooling upgrades to make the hall feel more comfortable
SD Symphony Copley Hall Construction

Seating will be installed soon at the site.

Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday


HGA principal architect John Frane — the project’s developer — said the space will feel “familiar, but also fresh.” He said the project’s priority is to respect the building’s bones and history, while upgrading the venue for future generations of San Diegans.

The symphony announced its 2023-2024 inaugural season at the renovated Jacobs Music Center this week, too. Shows include the symphony’s Masterworks Series, jazz tributes, kid-friendly family concerts, and “Currents” — a new, interdisciplinary chamber music series that explores identity. Season subscriptions are available now.

Keep up with all things San Diego Symphony via its website and Instagram.
TUNE UP ON MORE DETAILS

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Wednesday, Feb. 8
  • California Gold | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 6-9 p.m. | The Roxy, 517 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas | Free | The local band plays pop and rock hits from the 1970s to today — plus, it’s Wine Wednesday.
  • The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci | Through Sunday, Feb. 26 | Times vary | The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego | $39-$116 | A genre-busting play shaped entirely from the legendary artist’s old notebooks, which touch on everything from engineering to love.
  • The Black Iris Project | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $16.50-$40 | Broadway veteran and San Diego native Jeremy McQueen brings his NYC-based ballet collaborative to the downtown venue.
  • GoodJokes Comedy Shows: Kyle Anderson | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 8-10 p.m. | GoodBar, 1872 Rosecrans St., San Diego | $10-$15 | The comedian and documentarian takes the stage.
Thursday, Feb. 9
  • Lemon Grove Farmers Market | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 3-6:30 p.m. | VFW Parking Lot, 2885 Lemon Grove Ave., San Diego | Free | An East County gathering highlighting locally-grown produce.
Friday, Feb. 10
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.
LOCAL FUN IS INSTRUMENTAL

Weather
  • 72º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 6:38 a.m.
  • Set: 5:28 p.m.
Tide
  • Low: 4:13 a.m. + 4:56 p.m.
  • High: 10:13 a.m. + 11:18 p.m.
  • Water Temperature: 57°
Civic
  • Want to chime in on Midway Rising’s plan to redevelop the Sports Arena site? The project development team — selected by San Diego City Council — will host its first quarterly public meeting today, 5:30-8 p.m., at the EF International Language Campuses at 3455 Kenyon St. RSVP. 🗣️
  • Through a $503,000 expansion, the city and county have added 20 beds for homeless youth to the Urban Street Angels shelter in downtown San Diego, bringing the tally to 70. The nonprofit says the average person stays at the shelter for 60-90 days. 🛏️ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Coming Soon
  • We love a farmers market, and a new one is sprouting in North County. Starting March 4, the Cardiff Farmers Market will take over the parking lot at Mira Costa College every Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shoppers can expect local fresh produce, cheese, meat, fish, and more. 🥬
Traffic
  • City crews have started the second phase of a street resurfacing project impacting southbound lanes along Park Boulevard, between Upas Street and Presidents Way, near Balboa Park. Street paving will take place all month, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., so plan your route accordingly. 🦺
Health
  • UC San Diego will train and certify 200 local community health workers over the next three years as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s nationwide outreach plan. The local efforts to train “trusted messengers” to help underserved communities understand health issues will be similar to the successful Promotores program. 🗒️ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Ranked
  • We’ve got a secret: Yelp has ranked San Diego’s Convoy Music Bar (No. 18) and False Idol (No. 30) among the top 50 speakeasies in the US. The rankings factored volume of reviews and ratings, among other things. Still hankering for a drink? Check out these local speakeasies. 🍸 (Yelp)
Active
  • Nova Easy Kombucha will host free self-defense workshops today at its Ocean Beach taproom, 3-6:30 p.m. Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Nivia “Nina” Moura will teach basic techniques on how to escape the most likely attacks. Reserve your spot. 🥋
Family
  • LEGOLAND California Resort is a Certified Autism Center, meaning all employees have been trained in sensory, environmental, and emotional awareness to make the theme park accessible to all. Visitors can find sensory guides at every ride and low-sensory areas throughout the park. 👂 (Travel Pulse)
Drink
  • Pizza Port Brewing Co.’s gold medal-winning Dieguito Pilsner has a new look. The brewery is known for its San Diego-themed craft beers, and the blue and yellow can — available in stores this week — riffs on San Dieguito Lagoon’s natural beauty. 🍺
Wellness
  • Not feeling like yourself lately? Talkspace makes getting help easy and convenient. With live chat, video, and audio sessions, starting at $69/week, it’s affordable for everyone to fit therapy into their lifestyle, with or without insurance. Start feeling better today with Talkspace.*
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Yo SD, let’s kick it ⚽

San Diego Wave FC announces 2023 preseason roster, schedule
San Diego Wave FC Alex Morgan Abby Dahlkemper
The Wave FC roster for 2023 has many MVPs. | Photo via San Diego Wave FC
Alex Morgan. Abby Dahlkemper. Naomi Girma. Kailen Sheridan. 💫

Those are some of the soccer superstars returning to the San Diego Wave FC’s roster this year.

After a historic inaugural season led by World Cup champion Morgan, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team has mapped its game plan for the upcoming season.

The team had their first training session this week and the preseason roster includes these powerhouse players — plus three recent draft picks:
  • Goalkeepers: Kailen Sheridan, Carly Telford, Lauren Brzykcy
  • Forwards: Amirah Ali, Makenzy Doniak, Sofia Jakobsson, Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Rachel Hill, Melanie Barcenas
  • Midfielders: Belle Briede, Taylor Kornieck, Kristen McNabb, Kelsey Turnbow, Emily Van Egmond, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Danielle Colaprico, Sierra Enge, Giovanna DeMarco, Maise Whitsett
  • Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Mia Gyau, Naomi Girma, Madison Pogarch, Kaleigh Riehl, Christen Westphal, Trinity Watson
The Wave will play at Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley. Season tickets are now available, and single-game tickets are coming soon.
SCORE MORE DEETS
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Monica.

Editor’s pick: I have a confession to make. I can’t stop thinking about the pregnant Weedy Seadragon dad at Birch Aquarium, who is carrying 140+ eggs after a rare successful egg transfer last month.

I got a quick peek at him during the aquarium’s recent Oceans at Night event. One Birch expert told me the Weedy Seadragon has changed his behavior a bit, retreating to the back of the tank — perhaps a move to protect his eggs. Though there’s no guarantee the eggs will hatch, if they do, they’ll be the first Weedy Seadragon babies born at the aquarium since February 2020. Rooting for you, dad. 💜

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Score: Where to watch Super Bowl LVII — while rooting for the Eagles or Chiefs — in San Diego. 🏈
Connect with us.

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.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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