LATEST IN ARTS & CULTURE
Beth Accomando
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KPBS
Athenaeum Arts Center just opened a sound installation called "Ess Whiteley: listening materials," and it might change how you perceive the world.
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Book clubs can start with a book, but they often become about the people those stories bring together. Three San Diego book club organizers share what keeps their groups going, from lasting friendships and shared traditions to unexpected connections that happen when people read together. -
In this episode of Port of Entry, poet and journalist Adolfo Guzman-Lopez reflects on growing up between Tijuana and San Diego and turning those experiences and memories into his book “California Southern: Writing from the Road, 1994–2025.”
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Art as an "anti-tribute" to a children's book; the power and burden of heirlooms; Asian American Dance Festival; Carnaval of New Latinx Musicals; Ess Whiteley's immersive sound art; soul music; Jesus Gonzalez in Jacumba; SummerFest finale and more. -
Curry will be most remembered for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the tyrannical gender-bending alien scientist in both stage and screen versions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He was 80.
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Dolly Parton's songs traveled far beyond Nashville. Across Africa, musicians embraced her stories of hardship, heartbreak and humble beginnings — and made them their own. -
The great Dolly Parton died earlier this week and tributes have poured in from across the country. Fans are mourning the loss of a country music icon who not only changed the musical landscape but gave back to communities with her Imagination Library program and donations to develop the Moderna COVID vaccine.
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NPR critics remember some of their favorite Dolly performances — including a duet with Kermit the Frog and the twinkle in Dolly's eye singing with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. -
San Diego filmmaker Fernando Jay Huerto is about to enter the filmmaking competition for the 20th time. Here’s why he keeps coming back.
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Annie Lowrey explores the administrative burdens people face applying for government benefits. It's not just about wasted time: "When the government treats us like this, we don't trust it," she says. -
Parton, who died at 80 on Tuesday, had charm, depth, beauty, wit and radiant goodness. She was also a songwriter whose work told the story not just of country music but of the country itself.
MORE ARTS & CULTURE
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The soccer star is ending 21 years of Argentine national-team duty but will continue to play at club level with Inter Miami in U.S. Major League Soccer. -
Argentina has produced some of the world's greatest soccer players. Could its youth system offer lessons for the United States? -
The WNBA's popularity has risen in recent years, but so have threats and abuse directed at its players. One team is taking a novel approach to this, by partnering with national security specialists. -
From trees to breasts and fluffy sea creatures, there's a ton of great visual art to see around San Diego through the end of summer. -
“It kind of makes us feel that we are not doing enough, even though we’re busting our butts every day,” one rancher said.
Latest Arts Events
'The Shadow Friends': A Spies and Secrets Adventure Featuring NYT Bestselling Author and San Diego Native Tess Gerritsen
Monday, August 31, 2026 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM
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Coronado Public Library
Free
Spreckels 38th Annual Summer Organ Festival Presents Not-So-Silent Night
Monday, August 31, 2026 from 7:30 PM to 9 PM
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Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free
American Literary Heroes
Monday, August 31, 2026 at 8 AM
Ongoing until September 30, 2026
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Various Locations in San Diego County
Free
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet Registration Now Open!
Monday, August 31, 2026 at 8 AM
Balboa Park - Casa Del Prado
La Jolla GPS-guided Walking Tour: Must-see Sights with a La Jolla Local
Monday, August 31, 2026 at 8 AM
Ongoing until December 31, 2027
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Various Locations in La Jolla
$14.99-$19.99
Carlsbad GPS-guided Walking Tour: The Village by the Sea
Monday, August 31, 2026 at 8 AM
Ongoing until December 31, 2027
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Various Locations in Carlsbad
$14.99 -19.99
Discover UC San Diego: A GPS-Guided Walking Tour for Prospective Students, Parents, New Staff and You!
Monday, August 31, 2026 at 8 AM
Ongoing until December 31, 2027
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UCSD Town Square
$14.99
Bring the Children's Museum of Discovery to You!
Monday, August 31, 2026 at 8 AM
Children's Museum of Discovery
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Together with the KPBS/Arts Calendar, you'll find news, reviews, events, profiles and other arts and culture stories.
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San Diego's creative scene is thriving in unexpected ways. Musicians are crowdfunding their careers. Tea culture is evolving. A painter's lost dreams spark a bold new vision. The city's last alt-weekly falls, but its rebellious spirit fights on. And in a rare conversation, the city's outgoing and incoming poets laureate dig into the power of words. The Finest brings you the artists, advocates and disruptors redefining culture in San Diego.