Thursday (May 6)
Head downtown to the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego to listen to experimental and electronic music at the third annual Spring Reverb festival. Hosted by the Trummerflora Collective, a San Diego-based electronic/experimental group, the festival will feature artists from all over the world. A sample of the lineup includes Money Mark (Detroit), John Butcher (England), DJ Ejival (Tijuana), DJ Jon Calzo (San Diego) and Takeshi Kojima (Japan). Aside from music, the event will also feature visual art displays as well as live video art. The festival begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. For more information, call (619) 234-1001 or visit http://www.springreverb.com.
Friday (May 7)
Movie buffs can dig a little deeper into movie history with the Museum of Photographic Arts Balboa Park’s exhibit, “Paper Dreams: The Art of Hollywood Promotion.” The exhibition showcases movie posters and promotional material from the 1920s to the 1970s. The exhibition runs through May 23. For more information, call (619) 238-7559.
While you’re at MoPA, check out their current film series “Epic MoPA.” Forget the 20-inch TV — some films are just so epic and grand in nature that they need to be shown on a big screen in order to get the full effect. This weekend, watch “Once Upon a Time in the West,” the story of a mysterious stranger who joins forces with a desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin. Directed by Sergio Leone and starring Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson, this film has been recognized for its stunning cinematography. The film starts at 7 p.m. For more information and for a schedule of upcoming films, call (619) 238-7559.
Stay close to campus and watch student talent with the Spring Dance Cabaret, directed by Leigh Schanfein. The show features an eclectic mix of dance, with everything from hip hop to classical ballet to ethnic dance. Spring Dance Cabaret is almost entirely choreographed by students and runs through May 8. The show begins at 7 p.m. and is free. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Saturday (May 8)
Celebrate Asian Heritage Month at Balboa Park with the third annual Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Festival. This year’s theme is “Rainbows Across the Pacific.”” Featuring exotic Asian and Pacific Islander food and arts and crafts, the event will also feature the works of local artists, instrumental and vocal performances, dance, martial arts and more. The event is free and runs through May 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (858) 565-6698.
Monday (May 10)
With a mix of pop and classical styles, Josh Groban has become one of the most talented voices in the music world. After attending the prestigious Interlochen Arts Program, he began working for David Foster as a rehearsal singer for several high profile events (including the inauguration of our very own former Gov. Gray Davis). Eventually, he was accepted into the theatre department at Carnegie Mellon College, but put college life on hold after getting a record deal with Warner Bros. Records. Since his debut, he has rocked into high profile status, performing at the Vatican and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, as well as appearing on “Ally McBeal.” Groban is currently on tour promoting his latest album Closer and will play at San Diego Sports Arena. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 to $75.
Tuesday (May 11)
Orange County pop-rockers Sugar Ray are heading south to San Diego to perform at Canes Bar & Grill. Formed in 1992, the band first gained a record deal with Atlantic Records in 1994 and released their first album, Lemonade and Brownies, in 1995. Sugar Ray’s sound back then was a lot different — they featured an edgier, aggressive style of rock. However, it was 1997’s Floored that catapulted them to fame with the song “Fly.” It was at this point in their career that Sugar Ray’s sound changed, becoming more pop than rock. Most recently, the band released 2003’s In the Pursuit of Leisure. show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17.
Wednesday (May 12)
Legendary writer Maya Angelou will be appearing at San Diego Civic Theatre. Born in rural Arkansas in the 1920s, Angelou has experienced many of the struggles of U.S. history and uses these experiences in her poems, stories, songs and plays. Her best known work is her autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” an account of her childhood. Critics have noted that Angelou is mesmerizing as a public speaker, captivating audiences with her stories. Angelou speaks at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $85. For more information, call (619) 570-1100.
