Balboa Parks Crown Jewels

The Spreckels Organ Society opened the 2009 Summer Organ Festival last month, with concerts continuing through August. The upcoming July 6 performance features Fourth of July holiday favorites, and is followed on July 13 by organist Felix Hell, who has toured since he was nine years old. Two more concerts are scheduled in July: Kevin Bowyer, organist at the University of Glasgow, on July 20; and Tom Trenney, the winner of many American Guild of Organists awards, on July 27. The Spreckels Organ and Pavilion are San Diego treasures —  magnificent gifts from John D. Spreckels and Adolph Spreckels that have become permanent jewels in the crown of Balboa Park. The dedication and inaugural performance took place on New Year’s Eve in 1914, and there have been countless memorable concerts since that time. Many concertgoers arrive in the park early to picnic before the music begins at 7:30pm. Family-friendly, these evenings are pretty special. (619/702-8138, www.sosorgan.com)   DARLENE G. DAVIES