Arts & Culture Newsletter: Stagecoach fest is sold out, but you can still attend online
This week, Tim Allen, Mojalet Dance, Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair, “Challengers” movie and more
Good morning, and welcome to the U-T Arts & Culture Newsletter.
I’m David L. Coddon, and here’s your guide to all things essential in San Diego’s arts and culture this week.
If the popularity of its YouTube livestream is any indication, Coachella should change its name to Couchella. I don’t have the viewing numbers at my disposal, but anecdotally I know of a lot of folks who skipped the hassle of driving to and navigating either weekend of the recently held Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and instead watched their favorites from home.
This weekend, the country-music-oriented Stagecoach Festival comes to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, and you know what? You don’t have to drive to or navigate that either. The festival, which runs Friday through Sunday, can be streamed via either Amazon Prime or Twitch, if you’re a member.
The Stagecoach headliners this weekend are Eric Church (Friday), Miranda Lambert (Saturday) and Morgan Wallen (Sunday), but you know who’s on the bill Saturday? The legendary Willie Nelson, who was just in town last week at the Rady Shell downtown.
If you can believe it, Willie’s turning 91 on Monday, yet he’s on the road again and hanging out this weekend with all those comparative youngsters at Stagecoach. They should be bowing down to this man, whose eight-decade career (that’s right, he started performing in a band at the age of 9) has brought country music to millions, even to those who didn’t think they had a taste for it.
Whether you’ll be at Stagecoach or watching from home, his set begins at 6:35 p.m. Saturday.
Standup comedy
“Frasier’s” been rebooted (yawn). “Night Court’s” been rebooted (meh). There’s talk of the ‘90s ABC sitcom “Home Improvement” being rebooted, but nothing’s official yet.
In the meantime, “Home Improvement” star Tim Allen has made a pilot for another show, this one called “Shifting Gears,” and he’s out on the road doing his standup thing.
That thing comes to Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center (aka Funner, Calif.) on Saturday night. Personally I’ve never understood Allen’s appeal — I didn’t even like the “Santa Clause” movies — but I must be in the minority because the guy’s got a lot of fans. Whoever you are, enjoy.
Dance
Back in August of 2022, the Rancho Bernardo-based Mojalet Dance Collective marked its 30th anniversary with a concert titled “Stronger Together” at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
Now the company led by Faith Jensen-Ismay will perform “Stronger Together” on Saturday at the theater at Scripps Ranch High School. As someone who appreciates the athleticism as well as the beauty of contemporary dance, I offer a much-belated happy anniversary to Mojalet. Stay strong.
Festival
San Diego is a city of diverse and culturally rich neighborhoods. Linda Vista is one of them. It gets to celebrate on Saturday and you can be part of it at the 2024 Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair & Parade.
The festival, which goes on from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., takes place along Linda Vista Road between Comstock and Ulric streets. Its attractions include live music, a carnival, a World Arts Village and more.
This is the 39th edition of the event. If you’re interested in particular in the parade, that begins at 11 a.m., and yes, there will be marching bands.
The movies
Just a few months after the release of “Dune: Part Two,” Zendaya is back in movie theaters Friday with the opening of “Challengers,” a quasi-sports/rom-com directed by Luca Guadagnino. I’ve already seen the trailer multiple times which brings me to a pet peeve — not about this movie, but about going to the movies.
As film writer Sara Stewart articulated on cnn.com so eloquently a few weeks ago, the slew of “coming attractions” previews that we’re forced to sit through in movie theaters before the film we paid to see begins is both annoying and infuriating. It’s worse when you factor in product commercials and the movie theater chain’s self-promotional segments.
Is it any wonder that folks, myself included, prefer to watch a new film from the non-promotional serenity of their homes?
U-T arts stories you may have missed this week
- San Diego Book Crawl returning with new shuttle for tour of local independent bookstores
- San Diego Opera’s ‘Madama Butterfly’ star digs the emotional depths of her tragic characters
- The Dish: Three new restaurants, a chef’s podcast, Food & Wine’s Dana Cowin comes to town and more
- Spring and summer are busy for baroque and contemporary operas in San Diego
- A love of reading, fixation with San Diego Chicano history, leads to debut children’s book
- Del Mar Fairgrounds decides themes for 2025, 2026 San Diego County Fairs
- Mama’s Day tasting event returns with new leader, new location and new date
- Review: North Coast Rep’s ‘Sense of Decency’ a dark, well-acted psycho-thriller
- Twelfth Night ensemble giving fresh spin to centuries-old baroque music
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
Watch an unforgettable performance by Lisa Sanders at Intersections at Park and Market, where her electrifying harmonies and heartfelt songs, brimming with deep meaning and conviction, captivated everyone present. Her music conveys a style that can only be described as soulful country blues, enriched with touches of folk-pop, gospel, rock and jazz. For over three decades, Sanders has been crafting, singing, and producing music that speaks directly from her heart, leaving a lasting mark on the musical world. Accompanying her are Kenny Feinstein and Tommy Drinkard from the Los Angeles band Water Tower: Feinstein on guitars, mandolin, bass and violin, and Drinkard on bass, percussion, guitars and banjo.
“Discussion of Documentary Film ‘Cane Fire’”
Join filmmaker Anthony Banua-Simon and moderator Patrice Petro for a compelling conversation at UC Santa Barbara’s Pollock Theater, where they discuss Banua-Simon’s documentary “Cane Fire.” The film examines the complex relationship between Hawai’i’s plantation economy, the film industry, and tourism, highlighting how these forces have historically shaped the island. Banua-Simon’s unique approach challenges the traditional Hollywood portrayals of Hawai’i as an exotic paradise, using archival footage, oral histories, and a critical perspective to explore issues of racism and colonization. This insightful discussion not only uncovers the layers of Hollywood’s impact but also connects cinematic depictions with real socio-political dynamics in Hawai’i.
Dr. Benjamin Smarr explores the transformative role of wearable technology in health research. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement in data sharing and the benefits of continuous monitoring with sensors that track vital signs like temperature and heart rate. Discussing the “silver tsunami,” he investigates how technology can address the healthcare demands of an aging population. Smarr highlights the need to understand daily and seasonal biological rhythms to boost health outcomes, especially for the elderly. He addresses challenges such as data reliability and accessibility, and discusses how wearable tech can diagnose conditions like dementia. These devices offer valuable insights into personal health trends and support proactive healthcare strategies.
And finally, top weekend events
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: April 26-28
Coddon is a freelance writer.
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