Holidays in San Diego

 It is the Holiday season and everyone is looking for activities to do with their families throughout the month.  Here are some great events that are happening all around San Diego this Holiday Season.   There are Christmas Lights, Ice Skating, and even Nutcracker Performances.

 December Nights in Balboa Park

Traditionally, the holiday season kicks off with a grand celebration in Balboa Park. Balboa Park December Nights is a two-day gift to the community that brings out the holiday spirit in all, this year taking place December 7 and 8, 2012. The beloved San Diego event features sparkling lights, theatrical and musical entertainment, and exotic Food/Spirits throughout the Park.

North Park Toyland Parade

Unwrap some magic this holiday season and take in the festive fun at the Annual North Park Toyland Parade & Holiday Fair, Saturday, November 29, 2012, starting at 11 a.m. Following the parade is the North ark Holiday Festival from noon to 3 p.m.

See Neighborhood Christmas Lights

Who doesn't love to see Christmas lights? Several neighborhoods around town put on annual displays (competitions?), but none more venerable than Christmas Circle in Chula Vista, a tradition for over 46 years. People come from all over San Diego to see the wonderful displays. You'll find Christmas Circle between First and Second Avenues, just south of H. Street and I 

 

Take in Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo

For a wild twist to holiday festivities, take in the Zoo's annual Jungle Bells celebration. Starting Saturday, Dec. 15 through January 6 2013, families can put a wild-animal twist on familiar holiday traditions during the Zoo's 2012 Jungle Bells celebration. The Zoo will stay open until 8 p.m. each night except Dec. 24 - when it will close at 5 p.m. What kind of exotic animal gets its wings every time a jungle bell rings? Find out for yourself this month at the Jungle Bells celebration, when the San Diego Zoo is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. You'll find a nightly tree-lighting ceremony, bell ringers filling the air with music, and lighted animal figures dotting the grounds. Dr. Zoolittle has an interactive "Night before Christmas" show, and you can make some new friends during "Animal Magic for the Holidays" critter presentations. Munch holiday specialties, take a "Candy Cane Lane Magical Journey," and experience even more seasonal cheer—Zoo style!

Drive-Thru Christmas Lights

We San Diegans are notorious for using the drive-thru lanes, so why not to see Christmas lights at the Del Mar Fairgrounds' Holiday of Lights display? With more than 400 lighted and animated scenes, this 1.5-mile drive around the world-famous Del Mar Racetrack is sure to get everyone from ages 1 to 100 into the holiday spirit. With returning holiday favorites such as Toyland, Candy Cane Lane, Treasures by the Lake and Elves at Play, the 2012 holiday tradition continues with opening night on November 22 (Thanksgiving) and running through Tuesday, January 1, 2013 (closed on Mondays, November 26, December 3, and December 10).

Ice Skate Outdoors

It's our own version of the Rockefeller Center ice rink - the downtown ice rink at Horton Square is a perfect holiday setting, nestled between Horton Plaza and the NBC 7/39 TV studios (can you see the Rockefeller Center parallels?). Beginning Nov. 15 through Jan. 6, 2013, bring the family downtown, in the evening, so you can bundle up in stocking caps and mittens, pretend you're in Rockefeller Center and skate away. It's only $14/$12 and proceeds benefit Children's Hospital. In addition, the Hotel del Coronado offers ice skating by-the-sea with an outdoor ice rink overlooking the ocean through Jan. 5. And Viejas Outlet Center boasts San Diego's largest outdoor ice skating rink.

See Floating Christmas Lights on Parade

Now this is quintessential San Diego: the 2012 annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. On Dec. 9 and 16, 2012, 5:30 - 9 p.m., see over 80 boats, all decked out in lighted glory, cruise a 7.5 mile route on San Diego Bay. This year's theme is a "Our 41st Anniversary, USS Santa Claus" and it promises to be better than ever. Best vantage points from the shore are along the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Harbor Island and Coronado.

Take in the Holiday Bowl Big Balloon Parade

Speaking of parades...the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl Parade at 10 a.m. on Dec. 27, 2012 is known for one thing: balloons. Dubbed "America's Largest Balloon Parade," more than 30 giant balloons will float down the one-mile route along the Embarcadero, along with bands, drill teams and more. It's the precursor to the evening's main event: the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium, one of college footballs most exciting and successful bowl games. After the parade, hit the Family Festival at the Broadway Pier.

Take in the Grinch

The Old Globe Theater production of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" has established itself as an annual holiday classic. The musical, directed by acclaimed director Jack O'Brien, brings to life the classic Dr. Seuss book with incredible sets and memorable performances. The 2012 production runs through Nov. 17 through Dec. 29.

See Sugar Plum Fairies

Of course, what's Christmas without the Nutcracker? And there is no shortage of performances of this venerable classic. This year, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet is proud to present the premiere of a totally revised Nutcracker. Performances will be held at the Casa del Prado Theater in Balboa Park on December 9-22, 2012.

For more events check out About.com

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Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you are thankful for.

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San Diego Wine and Food Festival

Starting tomorrow is the San Diego Wine and Food Festival.  Make sure to check out San Diego's top chef's, restaurants, and winemakers at this great festival.  

 

Date: November 14 - 18, 2012

Price: $45 - $200

 Indulge your senses, please your palate, and tantalize your taste buds this November at the 9th 

Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. Join over 9,000 fellow wine and food enthusiasts, along with winemakers, brewmasters, 70 of San Diego’s top chefs, gourmet food producers, authors, media personalities and celebrity chefs during this celebration of all things gourmet.
 
Held November 14-18, 2012, this week-long culinary celebration includes a series of wine tasting seminars, cooking classes, wine pairing dinners featuring the city’s top trendsetting chefs and restaurants, the Grand Tasting and $50,000 “Chef of the Fest” Competition, and Wine Spectator Celebrity Chef Luncheon and Big Bottle Auction.

This year's wine tasting seminars and cooking classes include “8 Decades of Barolo & Italian Luncheon,” a tasting experience of Barolo wines from eight decades of the 20th century expertly paired with Italian dishes by Chef Suzette Gresham and "Celebrating Julia: Past & Present," a tribute class for Julia Child, where celebrity chefs Katsuya Fukushima and RJ Cooper showcase a “then and now” comparative French tasting menu.  In addition, The Food Network’s Hearty Boys return to the Festival with their class "Classic Cocktails & Salty Snacks" featuring recipes from their new book  

The New Old Bar of finger friendly foods, salty snacks, and cocktails perfect for entertaining.
Don’t miss the action-packed week of festivities sure to please your inner foodie and wine lover!

For more information check out San Diego.

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Broadway Legend Comes to San Diego

The La Jolla Playhouse announces a special engagement of Broadway superstar Ben Vereen as part of it’s Cabaret season.  The performances will be in March 2013.  The artist will present his performing show “Steppin’ Out”.

 

La Jolla Playhouse announces a special engagement of Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen as part of its cabaret series, running on Friday, March 29, 2013 at 8:00 pm, Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 31 at 2:00 pm. The four performances will take place in The Playhouse’s specially-designed performance space in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, created by The Playhouse’s scene shop artisans for the theatre’s 2011, 2012 and 2013 Galas.

Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen has been dazzling audiences around the world. The show highlights Mr. Vereen’s unique artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. Featuring hit songs such as “Defying Gravity,” “Mr. Bojangles” and “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries,” Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen is a contemporary yet timeless journey. The New York Times dubbed him “an old-school song and dance man who never lets up. He wins you over with his sheer energy,

good will and showbiz know-how.”

 

“If you’ve had the good fortune to see Ben Vereen on stage – whether in Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar, in concert or elsewhere – you know what an electrifying performer he is,” said Playhouse Artistic Director http://broadwayworld.com/people/Christopher-Ashley/Christopher Ashley. “Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen offers San Diegans the opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind entertainer in a uniquely personal way, as he takes the stage in our specially-designed cabaret setting.”

The 2013 cabaret series will also feature the previously-announced engagement of Chicago’s legendary sketch comedy theatre, The Second City’s Laughing Matters Tour running March 20 – 23, 2013. Tickets for Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen and The Second City are currently only available in a subscription package. Seating map for the cabaret and additional ticketing details are available by calling (858) 550-1010 or online at www.LaJollaPlayhouse.org.

The nationally-acclaimed, Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse is known for its tradition of creating the most exciting and adventurous new work in regional theatre. The Playhouse was founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer, and is considered one of the most well-respected not-for-profit theatres in the country. Numerous Playhouse productions have moved to Broadway, including the currently running hits Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher and Chaplin: The Musical, as well as Memphis, Big River, The Who’s Tommy, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Walk in the Woods, Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays, the Pulitzer Prize-winning I Am My Own Wife, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Farnsworth Invention, 33 Variations and Bonnie & Clyde. Located on the UC San Diego campus, La Jolla Playhouse is made up of three primary performance spaces: the Mandell Weiss Theatre, the Mandell Weiss Forum Theatre and the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for La Jolla Playhouse, a state-of-the-Art Theatre complex which features the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. La Jolla Playhouse is led by Artistic Director http://broadwayworld.com/people/Christopher-Ashley/Christopher Ashley and Managing Director Michael S. Rosenberg.

Ben Vereen is currently touring his one man show, Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen, dazzling audiences throughout the United States, Europe, Australia and Abu Dhabi. Ben’s show is a unique blend of artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. Featuring hit songs such as “Defying Gravity,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “My Way” and “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries,” Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen is a contemporary and timeless journey. Ben headlines performing arts centers and symphonies, with either a quartet or as many as 60 musicians accompanying him. Each performance is filled with song and dance, stories of his life, a great deal of humor and always, multiple standing ovations.

A Tony Award winner for his renowned performance in Bob Fosse’s Pippin, Ben has gone on to solidify his place among Broadway royalty, with starring roles in such Broadway productions as Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Jelly’s Last Jam, Grind, A Christmas Carol and I’m Not Rappaport. He starred in the new play Fetch Clay, Make Man, directed by Jersey Boys director Des McAnuff.

A legend of the stage and screen, Ben is best known for his iconic role as Chicken George in the groundbreaking television miniseries Roots. Ben guest starred on the television shows How I Met Your Mother, Grey’s Anatomy (Prism Award), Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and co-starred in the Emmy-nominated made-for-TV-movie, An Accidental Friendship, for which he earned a NAACP nomination. Ben is also a well known speaker, lecturing across the country on topics as diverse as Overcoming Adversity, African-American History, Physical and Occupational Therapy and Ben’s Broadway Lecture with Song. In addition, Ben continues to be the spokesman for the leading pharmaceutical company Sanofi U.S., spearheading a proactive and preventive campaign for those living with diabetes. Ben’s new CD Steppin’ Out Live with Ben Vereen is available on iTunes, Amazon.com, and wherever and whenever Ben is performing his concerts and personal appearances.

On January 30th, 2012, Ben was inducted in to The Theatre Hall of Fame. Ben performed for 100,000 people at the Washington Monument on July 4th, 2012 and on August 11, Ben was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame. In March of 2013, Ben will receive his honorary degree from the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts.

For more information see Broadway.com

Cortez and Mayfair

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