March 21 issue: Local and regional events

‘The Spirit of Harriet Tubman’to be featured at North Coast Rep

North Coast Rep Variety Nights will present “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman” March 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and March 26 at 2 p.m.

There are many plays about Harriet Tubman, but none share her entire life story like a visit with “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman.” Leslie McCurdy invokes the “spirit” of Harriet Tubman as she portrays the life of the famous Underground Railroad conductor, recreating stories familiar and some rarely told, using words said to have been Harriet Tubman’s own. Through it all, the audience learns of the faith and conviction that drove Harriet Tubman to follow her dreams as the spirit of the past connects with the present, to inspire her charges to have the courage to do the same in envisioning their future. Called “a powerful, must see performance – the whole family can enjoy.”

North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, 92075. Tickets are $40 with discounts for students, military, and educators. Call 858-481-1055, or visit www.northcoastrep.org to purchase tickets.

Spring Tails Family Festival Days at Woodward Animal Center

Hands-on animal encounters, crafts and games from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 23-24 and March 30-31 at Helen Woodward Animal Center, 6461 El Apajo Road. Recommended for families with toddlers and children in grade school. Visit animalcenter.org.

Village Church to hold 2024 Eggstravaganza

Eggstravaganza, the ever-popular Easter celebration for children ages 12 and younger returns to the Village Church on Saturday, March 23 at 9 a.m. The gathering will feature a petting zoo, egg hunt and crafts. The highlight of the morning is a special interactive Easter story with Village Church senior pastor Rev. Dr. Jack Baca. His annual telling of the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection regularly attracts hundreds of children and adults. Breakfast will be served. RSVPs are required and the cost is $5 per person with children ages 2 and younger admitted for free.

Parents can reserve spots online at villagechurch.org/eggstravaganza For more information, contact michelley@villagechurch.org

Chabad Jewish Center of RSF to present RSF Purim celebration

Chabad Jewish Center of Rancho Santa Fe will hold the RSF Purim celebration at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 24 at the Fairbanks Ranch Clubhouse. All are invited to attend. “Purim with Israel ” is Chabad Jewish Center of RSF’s creative theme for this year’s community celebration of Purim. The holiday commemorates the Jewish people’s salvation in Persia of old.

The event is a community-wide program, and all are welcome to join, regardless of Jewish affiliation or background. There will be fun for the entire family, Israeli style kosher buffet dinner, Israeli music, hamantashen and more.

In the spirit of Purim, participants are encouraged to come in an Israel-themed costume. Reservation is required at JewishRSF.com/fairbanks

For more information email info@jewishrsf.com or call 858-756-7571.

Easter services at Horizon Church

All are invited to join with friends and family at Horizon Church for Easter this year. If you’re looking for hope, or are looking for a church to call home, attend Horizon Church for the special Easter weekend service times, and at any of the regular church services throughout the month as well.

Horizon Church will hold a Good Friday Communion Service March 29 at 6 p.m. and a Combined Outdoor Service on Easter Sunday, March 31, at 10 a.m. Regular weekend services are on Saturdays at 6 p.m. or Sundays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Horizon Church is located at 6365 El Apajo, Rancho Santa Fe, 92067.

The Country Friends Spring Luncheon benefit to be held in April

The Country Friends nonprofit will hold its Annual Spring Luncheon benefit on Wednesday, April 24, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. Maggie Bobileff and Sage Billick will co-chair the event.

The event features boutique shopping, a guest speaker, a delicious luncheon, and more. For tickets and additional information, visit Visit thecountryfriends.org.

Proceeds from the event will support The Country Friends’ mission which is to support human care agencies with emphasis on those providing services to benefit women, children, the elderly, military families, and the disabled. Visit thecountryfriends.org for more information.

San Diego talent takes center stage at Belly Up’s ‘Locals Only’ night

Experience some of the best of San Diego’s songwriter scene as Belly Up brings together Brianna Grace, Lindsay White, and Justin Froese for the venue’s first Locals Only concert of 2024 on Wednesday, March 27.

This will be a Belly Up debut for opener Brianna Grace, a rising star in the scene, while two-time San Diego Music Award winning songwriter Lindsay White returns for her first band billing since her 2013 performance with her former duo, The Lovebirds. Headliner Justin Froese, whose infectious energy and undeniable talent captivates audiences, returns fresh off his grand prize win at the 2023 SongDoor International Songwriting Competition.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $9 advanced, $12 day of show, $16 reserved loft seating (available by phone 858-481-8140 or in person at box office). For tickets online go to bellyup.com/shows/

Belly Up is located at 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, 92075.

Brandeis San Dieguito Chapter sponsors Book and Author luncheon

The San Dieguito Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee will host a Book and Author luncheon on Thursday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club in Solano Beach. Two local authors will be presented. Matt Coyle is the author of the best-selling Rich Cahill PI crime series and mystery writer of the year in 2021. His newest mystery “Odyssey’s End” will be presented. Irving Tragen spent 55 years with the foreign service in Latin America. His new novel “Manana Is Yesterday” will be the topic of his discussion.

The Lomas Santa Fe Country Club is located at 1505 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Solana Beach, 92075. The cost is $55 to benefit the BNC Sustaining the Mind Fund, supporting research in neurodegenerative diseases (partly tax deductible). For information, menu choices, or reservations, contact 858-597-8071 or 619-997-3578.

Coastal Roots Farm to host first ‘Express Freely, Art-Making Day’

Coastal Roots Farm, a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center in Encinitas is teaming up with the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center and Limmud North America for a special “Express Freely, Art-Making Day” on the Farm, Sunday, March 31, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All are invited for a day of community artmaking and creative exploration around the central theme of rebirth. Each participant will get to participate in two art tracks, choosing between creative writing, photography, theater/movement, choral singing, and visual art.

To make this day extra special, the Farm has commissioned five teaching artists from across the U.S. to guide the sessions. No prior experience with the arts is necessary; all that is needed is the desire to try something new and the inner OK to let yourself play.

This program is geared towards adults; kids ages 14 and up are also welcome. Two of the tracks will be particularly family friendly..

Tickets are $50 per adult, $25 per student, and $18 per child. Due to limited capacity, pre-registration is required. To register or to find more information about the event, visit www.coastalrootsfarm.org.

Speaker to discuss ‘The Fragrance of Roses’

Del Mar Rose Society hosts Master Rosarian and American Rose Society Judge Ruth Tiffany, discussing why roses have fragrances and why some do not. She grows more than 800 roses and is a true joy to listen to her experiences with the beauty and healing power of roses.
Thursday, March 28,, 6:30 p.m. at the Del Mar Powerhouse Community Center, 1658 Coast Blvd. Reception followed by lecture at 7 p.m. Call 760-809-6860 or http://delmarrosesociety.org.

Rooftop Cinema Club expands to seven days a week

Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero has expanded its lineup to show films seven days a week at its iconic location atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

This year marked the first time that San Diego’s most popular outdoor cinema stayed open year-round, but up until now, the venue had just been screening films on weekends, holidays and for select special events.

The expanded seven-day lineup began with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and it was the first of nearly 100 films set to screen at Rooftop Cinema Club in the coming weeks. Other popular titles set to shine on the RCC big screen include Academy Award-winning films Oppenheimer and The Holdovers, and Academy Award-nominated films such as The Color Purple, Elemental, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Barbie.

The complete Rooftop Cinema Club lineup can be found at rooftopcinemaclub.com/embarcadero/

14th Annual Taste of Cardiff

Cardiff 101 Main Street presents the 14th Annual Taste of Cardiff on Thursday, May 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join the event to savor the distinctive culinary delights and handcrafted beverages that define Cardiff-by-the-Sea’s vibrant community. This year, the event will offer an expanded array of restaurants and libations. Plus, returning will be the beloved Rooftop Libation Lounge at the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge, promising an evening of delectable food, refreshing drinks, and live music under the stars.

Local Sip Stops will offer samples of North County’s finest beer, wine, hard kombucha, and cocktails in a can and more.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 22. Be prepared to buy your tickets early. The Taste of Cardiff sold out last year.

For tickets, event details and more, visit: www.cardiff101.com

Reggae concert to support families with special needs

The SHINE Project Foundation will host its 4th annual Good Vibes Reggaefest, on March 23 at the Helia Brewery in Vista from 3 p.m.-10 p.m. This event is a groovy, family-friendly fundraiser where participants of all ages can enjoy live music from several local reggae bands and musicians. Not only will there be music, but the Reggaefest includes San Diego food vendors, chair massages, retail vendors, a raffle, and a silent auction. All funds raised will go directly towards providing free enrichment and inclusive community events for children, teens, and young adults with special needs, according to a news release.

The Shine Project Foundation was created to help fill a gap between children with special needs and the accessibility and inclusivity currently lacking within communities. The foundation works to bridge this gap by partnering with businesses and organizations that welcome and foster accessibility and inclusivity. Nearly one out of five children in the United States have a special healthcare need, yet those with special needs, especially those from low-income families, are incredibly limited to experiences that develop vocational skills. The foundation’s mission is to create a more accessible community that allows all children, teens, and young adults to shine regardless of their special needs.

Tickets can be pre-purchased online by visiting: shorturl.at/eyCL9 or bought at the door for $45 per person.

Online donations can be made at: theshineprojectfoundation.org/donation/

For more information on the event, contact Janine Watts at janine@theshineprojectfoundation.org