Top Ten San Diego Events in September

Fine art. Culture. Fundraising. Some say the laid-back beach culture in San Diego shows no appreciation for such things. But, as relaxed as San Diego beach culture is, locals and visitors can rest easy knowing there is universal affection for the arts in San Diego.

Want to get involved? Discover the top ten San Diego cultural events in September, 2007.

1. CHICAGO Live!

September 4-9, 2007
Venue: San Diego Civic Theatre
1100 Third Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Time: Varies by date
Ages: All ages (recommended for mature audiences)
Cover: $70-75
More info: sdcivic.org, 619.570.1100

San Diego transforms into the new windy city when CHICAGO comes to the Civic Theater. George Hamilton plays the role of lawyer Billy Flynn in this popular Broadway musicalthat isthe recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, one Grammy, and a long history of standing ovations.

2. An American in Paris

September 6, 2007
Venue: San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
Time: 7:00PM
Ages: All ages
Cover: $7-10
More info: sdmart.org, 619.232.7931

September marks the San Diego Museum of Art as the single American venue to present the special art exhibition "Impressionist Giverny: A Colony of Artists, 1885-1915." More than 100 works from international artists will be displayed. SDMA will also host a screening of the classic Gene Kelly film, An American in Paris.

3. Taste at the Cove

September 6, 2007
Venue: 1100 Coast Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92031
Time: 5:30PM - 9:00PM
Ages: All Ages
Cover: Tables for parties of ten
• VIP: $2,500
• VIP Runway: $4,000
More info: tasteatthecove.com, 858.492.1116

The San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation (SDSMF) will hold its signature fundraiser early this month. The event features food from San Diego's best restaurants, a New York style runway fashion show, two local honorees, Supercross star Jeremy McGrath and Dr. Robert Pace, as well as silent and live auctions. SDSMF was founded to provide a medical safety net for injured youth with limited financial means, to revive them back to health, sports, and life.

4. Green Scene, Re: Seen 2007

September 8, 2007
Venue: ZTA Gallery
3956 30th Street
Time: 6:00-10:00PM
Ages: All ages
Cover: Free
More info: ztarc.com/green, 619.528.1199

In association with North Park's Ray at Night art walk and the USGBC San Diego Green annual event, Zagrodnik + Thomas Architects hosts an interactive eco gallery showcasing several local artists. The gallery will feature artwork, project displays, and products with recycled material sustainable design. New to Green Scene this year is an eco-couture fashion show. Models will work the runway in daring and imaginative designs made from recycled materials.

 

5. Spa Week

September 17-23, 2007
Venue: Various San Diego spas
Time: All day
Ages: All ages
Cover: $50
More info: spaweek.org, 212.352.8098

Spa Week is a nationwide event held in select cities across the nation. During this week, experience San Diego's spas and beauty treatments for a fraction of the normal price.

6. La Jolla Gallery Wine Walk

September 27, 2007
Venue: La Jolla 1150 Silverado Street, #221
La Jolla, CA 92037
Time: 5:00-9:00PM
Ages: All ages
Cover: $30
More info: lajollabythesea.com, 858.454.5718

La Jolla restaurants and art galleries open their doors for a local community benefit. Sample dishes from 12 La Jolla restaurants, taste global wines, and view famed art from local galleries. This is a self-guided tour that encourages locals to take in all the elegant coastal charms of downtown La Jolla. Proceeds benefit Promote La Jolla.

7. The Globe Gala

September 29, 2007
Venue: The Old Globe
1363 Old Globe Way
San Diego, CA 92101
Time: 5:00PM
Ages: All ages
More info: oldglobe.org, 619-231-234-5623

In recent years, The Old Globe Gala featured the world premieres of Broadway bound productions. This year, Harvey Fierstein stars in the new musical, A Catered Affair. Apropos to the name of the featured performance, the gala will be coupled with a cocktail reception and post-performance dinner and dancing.

8. Adams Avenue Street Fair

September 29-30, 2007
Venue: Adams Avenue Business Association
4649 Hawley Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92116
Time: All day
Ages: All ages
Cover: Free
More info: adamsaveonline.com, 619.282.7329

Southern California's largest free two-day music festival returns to Normal Heights. Indulge in a vast variety of music ranging from blues to alternative, reggae, and acoustic. The event offers more than 70 musical acts with six stages, three beer gardens, and over 300 vendor booths.

9. Oshibana Exhibit

September 2007-November 2007
Venue: Balboa Park
2125 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
Time: All day (Meeting with Yoko Nishijima is on Sept. 1)
Ages: All ages
Cover: Free for members
More info: niwa.org, 619.232.2721

From September to November, the Oshibana works of Yoko Nishijima will be on display at the Japanese Friendship Garden. This artist works closely with preserved flowers and plants. On September 1, Ms. Nishijima will be at the gardens in person to speak about her flower arrangements. The initial showing will also feature a performance by the Joyful Singers, an adult chorus that signs in English and Japanese.

10. Dead Sea Scrolls

September 2007-December 2007
Venue: 1788 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
Time: Varies by date
Ages: All ages
Cover: $10-28
More info: sdnhm.org, 619.232.3821

Although it is not necessarily a September event, no time is better than now to take in a rare viewing of the ancient and infamous Dead Sea Scrolls. The San Diego Natural History Museum's exhibition is the largest, longest, and most comprehensive public assemblage of the scrolls in any country. The Dead Sea Scrolls are of extreme religious and historical significance, as they include practically the only known surviving copies of Biblical documents made before AD 100.