A rendering of the main stage at The Joan. | Rendering via The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center
Spotlight, on. A new, $43.5 million performing arts venue dubbed “The Joan” will debut at Liberty Station on Wednesday, Sept. 10. We’ve rounded up the latest renderings + details — let’s pull back the curtain.
The Joan — nicknamed for late philanthropist Joan Jacobs — is being built at Liberty Station’s renovated + restored Naval Building 178.
It’ll serve as the new home of Cygnet Theatre. The company recently released its 2025-2026 schedule at the space, which kicks off with the musical “Follies” running from Wednesday, Sept. 10 to Sunday, Oct. 5. Subscription packages go on sale in March.
The project is a collaboration between the NTC Foundation and Cygnet, but other local organizations will be welcome to use the space.
The venue will feature two performance spaces — a theater that seats 280+ and “The Dottie,” a 150-seat flexible studio space named after philanthropist Dorothea Laub.
As of January 2025, the project is at 86% of its fundraising goal — donations will help get it across the finish line.
To better visualize The Joan, check out this cool flythrough video.
Events
Events
Thursday, Jan. 30
San Diego Restaurant Week | Through Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | Locations vary | $30+ | Catch the final stretch of the foodie celebration featuring more than 100 participating restaurants across 30+ neighborhoods offering prix fixe SDRW menus.
Oceans at Night | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Birch Aquarium | $40+ | Discover the wonders of the ocean after dark at the aquarium’s 21+ event with games, drinks, and special shark and ray feeding presentations.
Friday, Jan. 31
Tom Arnold | Friday, Jan. 31, Saturday, Feb. 1 | 8:30-10 p.m. | National Lampoon: The Yellow Door | $18 | The comic and actor known for his roles in “Roseanne” and “Big Bully” takes the mic at the Gaslamp Quarter comedy club.
Saturday, Feb. 1
San Diego Museum Month | Saturday, Feb. 1-Friday, Feb. 28 | Times vary | Locations vary | Prices vary by museum | SD’s annual event returns with half-price admission at 70+ local museums and attractions.
San Diego Home Improvement Expo | Saturday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | Del Mar Fairgrounds | Free | Get inspiration for your latest home improvement projects — from backyard to bathroom — by browsing hundreds of vendors, chatting with experts, and checking out demos.
Festival de Danza “Mosaicos Mexico” | 4-5:40 p.m. | Joan Kroc Theatre | $24 | The locally founded, award-winning group performs Mexican ballet folklore dances.
Saskatchewan Rush vs. San Diego Seals | 7 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego |$22+ | It’s Mexican Heritage Night at the arena — expect a tailgate party.
Sunday, Feb. 2
Setsubun | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum | $16 | Banish the evil and welcome spring with good fortune by making oni masks while enjoying performances, demos, crafts, and food vendors.
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Twisted Trivia: Cartoons — ‘90s to Now | 6-9 p.m. | Quartyard | This trivia night is going to get real animated — drop knowledge on your favorite cartoons over the last four decades.
“Wicked” | Wednesday, Feb. 5-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | San Diego Civic Theatre | $130+ | So much happened before Dorothy dropped in — let the Broadway sensation explain the story of OZ from a different angle, one that defies gravity.
County leaders approved a plan to boost SD’s wildfire preparedness. The proposal includes pursuing funding for four new water tenders and a second, ~$18 million, twin-engine firefighting helicopter equipped for nighttime water drops. The items will be considered for the next fiscal year budget that starts July 1. (The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Traffic
Local parking meters just got pricier. City Council voted to double hourly parking meter rates across San Diego — mostly from $1.25 to $2.50 per hour — starting Saturday, Feb. 1. Officials said the spike could generate $9.6 million in annual revenue and help with the city’s $252 million budget deficit. (CBS 8)
La Mesa favorite Public Square Coffee House opened a new location on C Street in downtown San Diego. The kitchen is still being built so there’s no full menu just yet and hours are limited, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. We’ll wait foreverfor those warm sugar scones.
Announced
YouTube powerhouse Sam “The Cooking Guy” Zien is exiting San Diego’s celebrity restaurants scene. Zien partnered with Grain & Grit Collective in 2018 to launch Not Not Tacos at the Little Italy Food Hall, followed by Samburgers and Graze-turned-Basta. The restaurants will remain open, sans Sam.
Trending
The PGA Tour’s 2025 Genesis Invitational will tee off at Torrey Pines Golf Course Thursday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 16. The tournament hosted by Tiger Woods is typically played in Los Angeles, but LA is recovering from the wildfires. Torrey is primed — it hosted the Farmers Insurance Open just last week.
Development
City Council is negotiating with a developer that could transform downtown’s blighted 101 Ash Street office building into a low-income housing redevelopment with 253 units and ground-floor retail space. Mayor Todd Gloria said negotiations will take several months. (Times of San Diego)
Theater
Don’t throw away your shot.“Hamilton” will return to San Diego Civic Theatre for 16 performances Tuesday, May 6-Sunday, May 18. Grab your tickets now so you can be in “The Room Where It Happens.”
Shop
Amid construction of the Normal Street Promenade, the Hillcrest Farmers Market has moved to University Avenue between Herbert Street + Park Boulevard. The weekly market is still on Sundays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Once construction wraps, the market will move to its new, permanent home on Normal Street. (NBC 7)
Sports
Between Jurickson Profar’s $42 million signing with the Braves and Michael King reportedly being made available for trade, it’s been a rough week for the Friar Faithful. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the San Diego Padreswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Job
Don’t let your job posting get lost on over-saturated job sites. Get premium visibility when you post on our local job board. Your first listing is free.
Travel
Pro tip: Hawaiian Airlines has special one-way fares between SAN and Hawaiʻi. See the fare sales (like $119) and start dreaming of this year’s vacation.*
Wellness
Simplify healthy living for your whole family. Thrive Market brings groceries free from 1,000+ harmful ingredients right to your doorstep. Sign up to get 30% off your first order, plus a free gift valued at $60.*
Health
Ready to feel better about your weight-loss goals? Through Hims & Hers, you’ll get the cheapest 12-month GLP-1 plan†, plus expert care and personalized support. From custom medications to snack ideas in the app, it’s all designed just for you. Start your free assessment.*
†Please note: Comparison based on 12-month plan prices for compounded semaglutide from 12 leading competitors as of December 2024.
City Guide
City Guide
🍕 Local pizza you knead to try
We’ll take Bronx pizza but keep the San Diego weather. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
Whenever we’re feeling saucy, we like to dig into a slice of local pizza. San Diego’s pizza scene is bubbling with options — here’s our list of 40 places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.
Local legend
Pizzeria Luigi Owner Luigi Agostini opened the first Pizzeria Luigi in Golden Hill because the community reminded him of his hometown in Italy, and San Diegans fell in love with the food. In fact, Guy Fieri liked the shop so much he featured it on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Fancier fare
Tribute Pizza Try a Neo-Neapolitan pizza — a fusion of New York and Neapolitan styles — a rectangular Grandma-style pie, or a classic NY-style pizza. The names of the pies are so much fun: we spy a lovely cheese pizza dubbed the Kevin McCallister.
Cross-country crust
Bronx Pizza If you’re looking for thin, New York-style crust, this shop is your go-to. In 2022, Yelp named it the No. 7 best pizza shop in the US, and a slice still costs $4. This place is cash only — if you forget your bills, there’s an ATM inside.
Speaking of great places for pizza in San Diego, two San Diego eateries recently landed on Yelp Elites’ list of the top 100 pizza spots in the US. Drumroll, please — CUCINA Urbana came in at No. 10 and Bronx Pizza (I love you, never change) ranked No. 13.
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