Museum Fun Guide | August 2022

San Diego Movie Awards
Museum of Photographic Arts

Through Aug. 5

Celebrating the spirit and achievements of independent filmmakers, the San Diego Movie Awards holds its inaugural festival August 2-5, 2022. The festival highlights films with budgets under $1 million, and seeks to promote the work of independent film makers, not only in San Diego, but across the globe. The three days of screenings will take place in-person at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park. Tickets and info here.

Nya’waap Illyuw Uuchyuwp
(Our Way of Knowing, Our Creation Story)
Barona Cultural Center & Museum

Opens August 4 at Noon

An artist puts the finishing touches on Nya’waap Illyuw Uuchyuwp – Our Way of Knowing, Our Creation Story. The film-based project, which was years in the making, opens this Thursday, Aug. 4 at noon at the Barona Cultural Center & Museum according to Director/Curator Laurie Egan-Hedley. The museum is dedicated to preserving the Native American culture and history of San Diego County. With more than 3,000 artifacts, listening alcoves, photographic displays, and archives, it shares the stories of the Kumeyaay/Diegueño experience.

A 20-minute film of our Creation Story is now playing! We welcome all to come, learn about our origin, and come to understand our ancient wisdom and philosophy. Group tours available outside regular business hours. Call for details: 619-443-7003 x 219.

Walk in ART
Hillcrest in Mural Alley

First Thursday Every Month / 5 – 10 p.m.

Walk in ART is a monthly event (including tonight Aug. 4) hosted in Hillcrest in Mural Alley (South of University between 4th and 5th St). Expect a night filled with lively entertainment, art, food, and music in and around Mural Alley. Mural Alley is a classic urban alley that has been fully transformed and adopted by muralists. Walk in ART features unique vendors, creative food offerings with a range of delicious dishes, music, and surprise performances.

Tonight the performer like-up is stacked! Jenny & the Tramps brings together elements of Soul and Funk. Thonie Lee and KoGee Soul Reprise will bring their unique and award winning R&B style. Rich & the Money bring a powerful voice, energetic live performances, and a genre-bending set list. And, of course, Phoenix Philosophy who creates and curates music that moves the body, mind, and spirit. Find out more at www.firstthursdayartnight.com.

A Soulful Summer Day Party
San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts

August 5

Get ready for “A Soulful Summer Day Party” on Friday, Aug. 5 from 4 – 8 p.m. featuring music and dance with some of San Diego’s finest: Brian Matthews Music Architect, Dj Kool T., DJ Kandu and DJ Artistic. This FREE event hosted by the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts will be held at the Quartyard alongside the “The Buses are Coming” photographic exhibit. Register here.

“The Buses Are Coming” is a multi-media exploration of the 1961 Freedom Riders who took a stand during the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit includes historical photographs, videos, interactive audio interviews and, making a statement all their own, arrest “mug shots” of the Freedom Riders from more than 60 years ago. Read more about the exhibit in David Coddon’s story in the The San Diego Union-Tribune here.

Toro Nagashi Festival
Japanese Friendship Garden

August 5 and 6 / 10 a.m – 6 p.m.

Enjoy the Japanese custom Toro Nagashi, the floating lantern celebration on Friday and Saturday. Japanese Friendship Garden will have various performances in addition to 9+ merchant booths for guests to enjoy. Food vendors will be serving in the lower garden and a beer & sake garden will be available in the upper garden exhibit hall on Saturday! Tickets and Info here.

Farm to Bay
Living Coast Discovery Center

August 6 / 4 – 7:30 p.m.

The Living Coast Discovery Center on San Diego Bay in Chula Vista will host Farm to Bay this Saturday. The unique tasting event brings together restaurants, breweries, wineries and more to support the Living Coast’s wildlife, education and sustainability programs in its largest fundraiser of the year. Enjoy food, drinks, fun, animal encounters with your favorite Living Coast ambassadors, live entertainment from local artists, a silent and live auction, and more!

3rd Annual Oceanography Merit Badge Days
Maritime Museum of San Diego

August 6 and 13

Maritime Museum of San Diego, home to one of the world’s largest collections of historic vessels, fascinating exhibits, and on-the-water adventure guest experiences, will host the 3rd Annual Oceanography Merit Badge Days Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. August 6, and 13. Scouts BSA youth are invited to enroll to earn their Oceanography Merit Badge through attendance at one of three classes held on three consecutive Saturdays at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Scouts must complete at least one class to earn their Oceanography Merit Badge.

And don’t miss the Sea Monsters: Delving into the Deep Myth exhibit, complete with dramatic Kraken-inspired tentacles climbing across the yards and rigging of the legendary Star of India. This fresh, fun, eye-catching exhibit will take visitors on an imaginary journey at the end of the 19th Century, when a fictional, dynamic, daring, and somewhat eccentric world-exploring naturalist chartered the Star of India for an expedition with the task of investigating the existence of Sea Monsters in various parts of the globe. Get your tickets here.

ArtWalk San Diego
Arts District Liberty Station

August 6 at 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. / August 7 at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m

ArtWalk at Liberty Station celebrates 17 years of bringing fine art to to San Diego at beautiful Liberty Station. The free event celebrates the creativity from both sides of the border, with more than 150 artists showing and selling their artwork, including paintings, photography, glass and ceramic, jewelry and sculpture. Arts District Liberty Station in Point Loma is a premier venue for the arts, dining, entertainment and museums including New Americans Museum and Visions Museum of Textile Arts. The fabulous outdoor setting includes an abundance of free parking.

The Veranda Sale is Back!
Visions Museum of Textile Art

August 6 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. / August 7 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Find cool buttons, beads, textiles and more at the Annual Veranda Sale at Visions Museum of Textile Art on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be unique jewelry, fashion and fashion accessories, embellishments, thread, lace, working sewing machines/tools, trims, yarns, and arts and craft supplies. Step inside for a look at the three new exhibitions in the galleries (no admission charge) before exploring ArtWalk San Diego on the lawns of Liberty Station.

Dick Lareau Memorial Charity Golf Tournament
San Diego Air & Space Museum

August 10

Only days left to sign up for this year’s San Diego Air & Space Museum Dick Lareau Memorial Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament is Sunday, Aug. 10 at the Admiral Baker Golf Course. Have fun and help raise funds for the Museum’s vital STEM education programs. Sign up here!

Entry fees include Green Fees and cart, Hole-In-One prizes, gift gag, continental breakfast and boxed lunch, drink tickets, Cocktail Hour, team and individual prizes and more.

Twilight In The Park Concert Series
Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion

August Tue./Wed./Thur. from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

There’s nothing better than a concert in the park! Catch one at Twilight in the Park before the summer ends including Big Band classics from The Moonlightlight Sernade Orchestra (shown) on Aug. 11 at Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Bring a picnic, your pups and a friend! Bonus: Aug. 11 is Ice Cream Social Night sponsored by Forever Balboa Park.

40th Anniversary E.T. in IMAX
Fleet Science Center

August 12, 13 & 14 at 5:30 and 8 p.m.

Get your tickets now and journey back to the magic and adventure of one of the most loved American films with E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, from Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg. See the unforgettable story of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy who helps him find his way home. The magic feeling is found on the 76-foot dome theater screen with Next-Generation IMAX with laser system and digitally remastered surround sound. Get your tickets here. Coming in September…JAWS!

Malcolm X Library

August 13 at 10 a.m – 2 p.m.

Stop by the San Diego Natural History Museum booth at the Southeast San Diego Science and Art Expo! Come get inspired by the local animals who make nature a never-ending construction zone and create something fascinating yourself. Take part in a free, family-friendly science and art event. 

The 2022 Southeast San Diego Science & Art Expo will incorporate interactive science shows live musical performances, art stations, a student symposium, and more. More info here.

Crafting Feminism
Women’s Museum of California

August 18 at 5 – 7 p.m

Women’s Museum of California members are invited to attend a special VIP evening reception that celebrates the museum’s Crafting Feminism exhibit and upcoming Women’s Equality Day Festival on August 18.
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Members will enjoy refreshments in the space while getting to know the women artists showcased in the exhibit. WMC members can register for the special event by clicking this link.⁠ Not a member of the Women’s Museum yet? Become a member before you register for the event here

Culture & Cocktails
San Diego Museum of Art

August 18 at 6 – 10 p.m.

Culture & Cocktails is back this summer at the San Diego Museum of Art with the same vibrant vibes and a refreshed feel! Enjoy a dynamic night with a full suite of interactive fun, performances, cocktails, and other delights themed on two amazing on-view exhibitions. Get tickets for Culture & Cocktails on Thursday, August 18 at 6 p.m. here. 

Marc Ford
Museum of Making Music

August 20 / 8 – 10 p.m.

Head out to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad for an evening of music with songwriter and guitarist Marc Ford on August 20 at 7 p.m. Get tickets here.

Marc is one of the world’s preeminent guitarists, and his songcraft commands the utmost respect. He has performed and recorded with The Black Crowes, Izzy Stradlin, Gov’t Mule, The Jayhawks, The Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers, Federale, Widespread Panic, Blue Floyd, Booker T. Jones, Ivan Neville, and Mike Campbell.

LGBTQ Film Festival
San Diego Natural History Museum
Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA

September 8 -11

FilmOut San Diego‘s 2022 LGBTQ film festival opens Sept. 8 at San Diego Natural History Museum and continues at Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. Opening Night tickets for “In from the Side” include the After-Party and are available here. See the full lineup here.

Globe & Anchor Salute at the
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Command Museum

September 17

The MCRD Museum Foundation is proud to announce the 2022 Globe and Anchor Salute will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Enjoy a night of food, drink, camaraderie, and fundraising in support of the MCRD Museum and Foundation. This evening of events will also celebrate the centennial of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Register for this event here.

MASH UP
A Creative Industry Symposium
Vanguard Culture

September 22-23 at 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Join leaders from film, theatre, fashion, music, dance, opera, spoken word, and more for a two-day experiential conference that challenges creative professionals to consider their collective power to change the future of their sector. Produced by Vanguard Culture, in partnership with CoPlace, HOME: World Design Capital 2024, and San Diego Design Week. Learn more here.

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