On the Go: August Calendar

By Jane Clifford at July 30, 2011 | 10:46 pm | Print

Share

Why Do Zebras Have Stripes? — Bay Area artist Julio Morales takes this simple question as the basis of an interactive sound and video installation at The New Children’s Museum that explores issues of global adaptation, cultural assimilation and the strategy of camouflage. He accomplishes this by comparing zebras in the wild to the “zonkeys” or “Tijuana Zebras” — donkeys painted to resemble zebras that serve as tourist photo-ops on the streets of Tijuana, Mexico. Recommended for ages 5 and older, visitors are invited to participate in Morales’ installation by answering a series of questions related to issues of identity, blending in, and standing out in contemporary society. Answers trigger a unique playback sequence that the visitor can then manipulate with a DJ/VJ mixer setup. The result is a customized graphic-based movie and audio soundtrack mix. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The museum is closed Wednesday. The Museum is located at 200 West Island Avenue in downtown San Diego. Admission is $10 for adults and children, $5 for seniors 65 and older and military with ID and free to museum members and children under age 1. There is no charge to visit on Target Free Sunday, the second Sunday of every month.

Besides the galleries and exhibits and classes that always await you, there are many things going on around the county. Check out this list to find a few we think are especially cool.

Hairspray-The Musical — It’s 1962 inside the Casa del Prado Theatre at Balboa Park, where the San Diego Junior Theatre introduces you to pleasantly plump Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad, who has only one desire — to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star, but she must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network — all without denting her ’doo! Recommended for ages 10 and older, this production, which was the winner of eight Tony Awards in 2003, including Best Musical, is directed by Desha Crownover and choreographed by Steve Anthony. Showtimes are Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Aug. 14. Tickets are $11-$14 for adults and $8-$11 for seniors 60 and older and youth ages 2 to 14. For more information or to buy tickets, call the box office at (619) 239-8355.

Healthy Chats for Girls – Dr. Chrystal de Freitas is a pediatrician, author and mother of three, who created Healthy Chats to provide parents with accurate, age-appropriate information to help them teach their children about puberty. The seminars are open to mothers, aunts, grandmothers, stepmothers, mentors and the young girls in their lives, who are experiencing the physical changes of puberty. The next one is Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Scripps Mende Well Being Center at University Towne Centre. Part one is an approximately 30-minute slide presentation on the stages of puberty. The concepts are addressed in a fun, sensitive manner that stresses the normal process of growth and development. There is a brief, age-appropriate review about the facts of life. Prior to a snack break, mothers and daughters have the opportunity to anonymously write questions on cards, which are collected and reviewed during the second half of the workshop. Each girl receives a “Growing Up Bag,” containing sample products, a brochure, a journal and other items. Fee: $60 per mother-daughter pair; $30 per extra person/sibling. For more information, contact Dr. de Freitas at info@healthychats.com. Register for the seminar on their website.

Boundless Energy – This new interactive exhibit at Birch Aquarium provides an opportunity to learn about the future of energy. Designed “to celebrate the innovative ways we can use natural forces to power our lives,” you can discover how to harness the renewable energy of the wind, sun and waves to make a better world with clear skies, clean water and healthy oceans. You can “fuel your thinking” with hands-on activities: Power a mechanical fish with solar energy. Compare the latest wind turbine innovations. Create green energy out of the blue at the wave tank and water tables. Expend your own “boundless energy” within a dynamic play area for children, filled with stations that encourage active minds and energetic play.

Just Between Friends Back-to-School Consignment Sale – Just Between Friends is a twice yearly consignment sales event. Anyone can sign up to sell gently used baby and children’s items, furniture and equipment, maternity clothing and children’s wear from newborn to teen at the Back-to-School sale Aug. 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westfield Mall Plaza Camino Real, 2525 El Camino Real in Carlsbad. You can participate as a consignor to earn extra cash, as a shopper to find bargains or as a volunteer and be allowed to shop before the public. The event is held only twice a year and there is no booth rent or hidden fees. Consignors pay a flat $10 from their total sales. Set up and drop off is Aug. 3 and 4. Find everything you need to know on their website or call (760) 889-8955.

Point Loma Summer Concerts — An annual tradition, these free concerts are held Friday evenings on the grounds of Optimist Field at Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Boulevard, near the intersection with Varona St., from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The next show is Aug. 5, starring The Mighty Untouchables, who offer everything from Motown to classic rock, along with Latin, country, current pop hits, and much more. Their repertoire includes songs from The Temptations, Carrie Underwood, Journey, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Guns N’ Roses, Celia Cruz and Tito Puente, just to name a few! Food and beverages will be sold to benefit local organizations.

Surf’s Up — It will be busy in the water the weekend of Aug. 12-14, as the Oceanside Longboard Surfing Club hosts its 27^th annual contest and beach festival. Just head to the Pier Amphitheater and South Pier Beach to watch world-class surfing — including the Supergirl Pro Junior event — listen to amazing local bands, eat local foods, shop local vendors and sample some of the finest local beers in town. For information, please call (760) 500-0745.

When Life Gives You Lemons – Celebrate! – It’s everything lemon at the 15th Annual Lemon Festival on Sunday, Aug. 7 in Chula Vista. Third Avenue from E Street to Roosevelt will be transformed into a fun-filled free festival with activities and attractions for children and adults alike. Lemon Festival celebrates Chula Vista’s heritage as the “Lemon capital of the world” and features live entertainment on three stages, hand crafters, international foods, contests and lemons galore. Don’t miss new features like the Fantasy Hair Competition and a Centennial Spotlight at Memorial Park.

Fairy Tales in the Park – Enjoy dancers from the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and walk through a dreamlike maze to a magical wishing well and gingerbread house, with storybook characters. The performance includes narrated excerpts from “Sleeping Beauty,” “Peter and the Wolf,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and more. Showtimes are 1, 3 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, in the Casa del Prado Theatre in Balboa Park. Tickets are $10. For more information, please call (619) 233-3060.

The Platt Brothers — What? You say you’ve never heard of them. Well, they made their mark on the national scene with their successful appearances on “America’s Got Talent” and now they have brought their full-length theatrical production, complete with acrobatics, dance, music and side-splitting comedy to the Welk Resort Theatre at Lawrence Welk Resorts in Escondido. Showtimes are 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 24. Tickets are $10 for children and $30 for adults.

If you have events you’d like us to consider for the calendar, please e-mail them to jclifford@thinkplaycreate.org by the 20th of the month for us to include in the following month’s calendar. Also, please send any artwork that we can use with your listing.

Featured, Whats Happenin' Birch Aquarium, Concerts, Festivals, Julio Morales, Musicals