It can be safe to attribute a huge part of North Park's resurgence to the thriving arts community that has taken the neighborhood to its heart. And North Park has responded by becoming one of San Diego's most exciting and thriving neighborhoods. What better place to celebrate a multicultural arts and entertainment extravaganza than the very neighborhood that encompasses it all. The 16th Annual North Park Festival of the Arts, takes place on Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on University Avenue between 30th and 32nd Street. Best of all, it's a free event that has something for everyone.
The North Park Festival of the Arts is an all day extravaganza for the senses, with a whopping eight hours of unlimited entertainment including the six stages of live music, spoken word, dance and poetry, over 100 vendor booths, the Artists Village with its thousands of paintings, sculptures and crafts, the International Food Court and the Kids Art Beat Area.
The Artists' Village is where artisans display and sell their creations from every imaginable medium. Painters from the worlds of oils and acrylics along with impressionists and ethereal watercolorists will exhibit alongside sculptors of clay, metal and ceramics.
Returning this year is the Craft Beer Block. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Ohio Street, beer and foodie lovers will experience a taste of the senses by sampling a wide assortment of rich local and international brews, robust and refreshing wines and bites from local North Park restaurants. Limited tickets are available now for $30 in advance or $35 on the day of the event and get you the amazing deal of 10 vendors to sample beer or wine.
For music lovers, the festival festival will get you on your feet with six stages of live entertainment offering something for everyone. Get into the groove at the Main Stage on 30th Street and University Avenue with some of America's Finest City's rising bands straight out of North Park's nightlife. The Beats & Eats Stage at Illinois Street & University Avenue features an electric array of local San Diego talent, featuring Beat box, Jazz and Acoustic Folk located by the Food Court will have you dancing in the streets.
If you are more into the arts then The Dance Stage at 32nd Street and University Avenue is the stage for you as it will entertain all ages with 26 different dance ensembles. The World Music Stage at Grim and University Avenue has music and dancing from the best local ensembles from Japan, South Africa, Greece, Finland and more. And the beat goes on at the Bar Pink Stage located within the Craft Beer Block at Ohio Street, North of University Avenue.
Parking for the North Park Festival of Arts is free at the North Park parking garage at 29th street and North Park Way.
For more details about the 2012 North Park Festival of Arts, read about it here.
Read my article about North Park here.
San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood has become one of the city's most vibrant communities, and with its roots in Italian Sicilian immigrants, when events are held, they are especially festive. The annual Sicilian Festival is a perfect example of cultural celebration as the music, dance, culture and cuisine of Sicily come to the streets of San Diego's Little Italy on Sunday, May 20, 2012, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to the Sicilian Festival is free.
The family event features authentic Sicilian food and entertainment, amid the ambiance of San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood centering on India Street, located within walking distance of San Diego's vibrant downtown district and the waterfront.
It wouldn't be a Sicilian festival without Italian food and booths will line the streets with vendors serving up authentic Sicilian cuisine. Tarantino's Sausages, the Festival's presenting sponsor, will be on hand to offer their renowned gourmet sausage sandwiches. Two Peroni wine and beer gardens and the many booths and shops offering Italian-themed artifacts and services are among the other popular diversions.
Four stages will feature non-stop Italian and Sicilian entertainment. Direct from New York City, soprano Cristina Fontanelli returns to San Diego by popular demand with her operatic and Broadway repertoire. The festival will also feature the nationally acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble which will be on hand with their costumed musicians and dancers to provide a lively show of Sicilian and Italian music. The Screamin' Primas will get the crowds moving with their lively salute to Sicilian-American trumpeter and bandleader Louis Prima.
The Grape Street stage will feature culinary demonstrations from San Diego's leading chefs, highlighted by a pasta-eating contest. New this year will be a stage located at Date and India Streets, featuring local opera singers with a repertoire of Italian opera and classic Neapolitan selections.
Visit the Little Italy Sicilian Festival website for more details, including parking info.
Read my article about the Little Italy neighborhood right here.
The San Diego Chargers will host a Celebration of Life in honor of Chargers linebacker and San Diego community icon Junior Seau on Friday, May 11 at 6:30 pm at Qualcomm Stadium. The ceremony is open to the public and parking and admission are free. The Celebration of Life will allow San Diegans to join in a community-wide tribute to their native son who passed away on Wednesday, May 2. Special guest speakers will share stories and memories of the positive impact Seau made on them and countless others.
The parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium will open at 2 pm and the stadium gates will open at 4:30 pm. There is no reserve seating and a large crowd is expected, so fans are urged to arrive early and carpool or take the Trolley.
Details:
- When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Qualcomm Stadium
- Gates open: 4:30
- Parking lot opens: 2 p.m.
- Food: Gourmet food trucks on plaza level
- Seating and parking: first-come, first-serve
- Drink: Water and soft drinks at concession stands, no alcohol
- Speakers: Former Chargers Dan Fouts, Rodney Harrison, LaDainian Tomlinson and coach Bobby Ross. Former Torrey Pines High and Denver Broncos safety John Lynch. Mayor Jerry Sanders. Pastors Miles McPherson and Shawn Mitchell.
- Duration: Event could last until around 8 p.m.
- Cameras: allowed for personal use.
- Trains: Extra train service will be available for riders. The Coaster will be available to transport fans from Oceanside and North County for $12 round-trip, including the cost of taking the trolley to the stadium.
