December 2019 Culture Calendar
A comprehensive guide filled with cultural, artistic, and family-friendly events taking place around San Diego this December.
December 2019 Culture Calendar
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
Thru Dec. 14
Santa’s reindeer tell all! With each confession, the truth behind the shocking allegations becomes clearer and clearer, implicating everyone from the littlest elf to the tainted Saint himself. Intended for a mature audience. pointlomaplayhouse.com
Masterpieces of Italian Drawings from The British Museum
Thru Dec. 15
The Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods have come to life at the Timken Museum of Art. The goal of the exhibition featuring the themes of birth, death, and resurrection is to share some of the greatest drawings of these famed art historical periods, many seen for the first time in San Diego. timkenmuseum.org
Cambodian Rock Band
Thru Dec. 15
This epic play/rock concert thrusts us into the life of a young woman trying to piece together her family history 30 years after her father fled Cambodia. Featuring a cast that performs a mix of contemporary Dengue Fever hits and classic Cambodian oldies, playwright and UC San Diego alum Lauren Yee brings to vivid life the Cambodian rock scene of the ’60s and ’70s. lajollaplayhouse.org
8 Points To View
Thru Dec. 21
R.B. Stevenson Gallery in La Jolla presents 8 Points To View, featuring paintings by eight artists from San Diego, Los Angeles, and New York. rbstevensongallery.com
Around the World in 80 Days
Thru Dec. 22
The majestically mysterious, fabulously wealthy, heartbreakingly lonely Victorian Phileas Fogg has determined, with mathematical precision, that the world can be circumnavigated in 80 days. On this belief, he has wagered his entire fortune. Will bandits, a herd of buffalo, an act of chivalry, an unreliable but ever faithful valet, and an unrelenting inspector from Scotland Yard keep him from his impossible task? newvillagearts.org
Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show
Thru Dec. 24
San Diego has a new show for its Christmas stocking with this fast, funny, and highly theatrical reimagining of one of the most beloved holiday stories ever told. All the traditional elements of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol are intact, but with a comic local twist! theoldglobe.org
Echoes
Thru Dec. 28
A retrospective collection of works by world-renowned artist Jean Kazandjian will be on exhibition and available for acquisition. The exhibition will feature 80 pieces of Kazandjian’s work created between 1991 and 2019. Kazandjian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, where he lived until his early 20s. Two not-to-be-missed in-gallery receptions with the artist will take place on November 9 from 5-8pm and November 10 from 12-4pm. meyerfineartinc.com
A Christmas Carol
Thru Dec. 29
A Christmas Carol returns to Cygnet Theatre for its sixth season of cheer. Written by Charles Dickens and adapted by Sean Murray, with original score by Billy Thompson, this production is a re-imagined take on the original holiday classic featuring lively music, unique puppets, and live sound effects. cygnettheatre.com
A Christmas Story
Thru Dec. 29
In this San Diego Musical Theatre production at the Horton Grand Theatre, the central character, nine-year-old Ralphie Parker, has his heart set on a new BB gun as a Christmas present. But he encounters great pushback from justifiably concerned grown-ups, including his mother, his teacher, and maybe even Santa Claus, so he sets about convincing others of his need for cowboy glory in a protection mode. Naturally, the adults don’t want him to harm himself or others. But that isn’t the way Ralphie sees matters. His runaway imagination conjures images of himself as a hero coming to the rescue of those he loves against all sorts of villainous robbers and bullies, thus making way for the spotlight musical number “Ralphie to the Rescue” and a show-stopping tap routine performed by a gun moll caricature. 833.428.0956, sdmt.org
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Thru Dec. 29
Back for its 22nd year, this beloved holiday tradition is a wonderful, whimsical production that will once again jump off the pages of the classic Dr. Seuss book and onto the Old Globe’s stage. This family favorite features the songs “This Time of Year,” “Santa for a Day,” and “Fah Who Doraze.” Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash. theoldglobe.org
Bouguereau & America
Thru Mar. 15
The San Diego Museum of Art presents an exhibition featuring nearly 40 paintings by the popular French academic artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905). Bouguereau & America showcases the master’s traditional use of composition, form, and subject matter, bringing to life paintings of goddesses, heroes, shepherdesses, and nymphs, including the beloved work The Young Shepherdess (1885), drawn from the museum’s permanent collection. sdmart.org
The Nutcracker
Dec. 6-22
City Ballet presents The Nutcracker, the classic Victorian-era story of the adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer, and the Sugar Plum Fairy told through a magical theatrical experience to Peter Tchaikovsky’s famous score. Young and old alike will be captivated by Elizabeth Wistrich’s choreography, the exquisite costumes, and grand sets. Performances feature The City Ballet Orchestra, John Nettles conducting. cityballet.org
Queen Bee Market
Dec. 7-8
Queen Bee Market has partnered with The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to host a food and fundraising drive during the winter market at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The San Diego Food Bank will have a booth, where representatives from the nonprofit will collect monetary donations and non-perishable goods. Described as “Etsy comes to life,” the urban-style handmade market hosts more than 100 vendors sell their products from booths that are designed with flair. Co-owners of Queen Bee Market, sisters and San Diego natives Kellie Dooley and Allison Gharst, carefully select the artisans who will be showcasing and selling an array of handcrafted home décor, accessories, clothing, jewelry, vintage items, furniture, and more. Attendees can also expect live demonstrations, make-and-take stations, and more. thequeenbeemarket.com
Voctave: The Spirit of the Season
Dec.13
Love a cappella singers? You are in great company. The upcoming La Jolla Music Society performance, Voctave: The Spirit of the Season, taking place at The Conrad’s Baker-Baum Concert Hall, promises an a cappella concert brimming with holiday spirit. The 11-member singing group has drawn 100 million views of its videos on YouTube and Facebook. Smashingly popular, they perform it all — gospel, barbershop, pop, choral, and musical theatre — having registered multiple No. 1 songs and albums on Amazon, Spotify, and iTunes. ljms.org
Anna Danes
Dec. 14
Solana Beach-based Anna Danes’ next performance will take place at Martinis Above Fourth. Danes is a top Billboard jazz recording artist. Her current critically acclaimed album, Find Your Wings, was recorded at the iconic Capitol Studios in Hollywood. It debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes jazz charts, Top 25 in all of Billboard Jazz, and Top 13 in Billboard Traditional Jazz. annadanes.com
Impro Theatre’s Dickens Unscripted
Dec. 16-17
Starting with an audience suggestion, the troupe creates completely improvised, full-length plays in the styles of the world’s greatest writers. Celebrate the holiday season with a hilarious comedy inspired by the works of Charles Dickens. Comic portrayals, cruel melodrama, and heartbreaking tenderness explode onto the teeming streets of Victorian London. northcoastrep.org
Bloomsday
Jan. 8-Feb. 2
If you’ve ever wished you could go back and have a second chance at a decision you made back in your 20s, this emotional story captures the intensity of experiences, as an older couple retraces their steps to discover their younger selves. northcoastrep.org
Boomshaka 2020
Jan. 18
California reggae-rock band Iration and hip-hop legends Cypress Hill will ring in the return of Boomshaka 2020 at Pechanga Arena. Presented by the Belly Up and Ineffable Live, the festival will also feature performances by the incomparable Don Carlos, The Green, The Movement, KBong, and Sensi Trails, and will be hosted by Hawaiian reggae vocalist Hirie. boomshakafest.com
The Nutcracker: Photo by Carly Topazio Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Photo by Jim Cox
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