Dear Readers Welcome to the latest edition of the San Diego Participant Observer newsletter. Both our book and music suggestion for the month take a trip to the far North of Scandinavia to the homelands of the indigenous Sami. Stolen is a book by Ann-Helén Laestadius, an indigenous writer who is half-Sami herself. Set in northern Sweden, the book revolves around the killing of a young Sami girl's reindeer and her heroic efforts to obtain justice. The books is the Worldview Project Book Club's selection for June. It was also made into a Netflix movie, and the dialog is in the Sami language. Our international music selection for this month is Uvjamuohta (Powder Snow) by Solju,. The Sami mother-daughter duo of Ulla Pirttijärvi-Länsman and her daughter Hildá Länsman wrote and sing original songs Northern Sami language. Due to a time crunch, and inspired by a recent trip to northern Portugal, this month we are plunging into our archive of recipes to bring you a slightly revised version on our recipe for Caldo Verde and Broa de Milho (Green soup and corn/rye bread) which hails from the same Minho region we visited (and enjoyed this soup at a local taberna in Braga!).
On to this week's events! The 14th Annual San Diego International Fringe Festival got underway yesterday and there will be Fringe performances and events in multiple venues until the 24th. Several events are happening in SD county tomorrow (Saturday): The AniPop Kawaii Anime Convention will take place at the Escondido CCA. The House of USA will once again host an Asian Pacific Cultural Festival at the International Cottages. The Port of San Diego will present A Day at the Park in Barrio Logan. The German American Society in El Cajon will host their Maifest 2026: A Celebration of Spring. On Sunday, the House of Norway will present their annual Lawn Program at the International Cottages. On Tuesday, there will be a Black Family Liberation Day and Malcolm X Day celebration held at the Black Contractors Association. Next Thursday, the Carmel Valley Library will host a Asian American Pan-Pacific Heritage Celebration. And a 3-day Lebanese Festival (the 22nd!) will take place at St. Ephrem Maronite Catholic Church in El Cajon. Lots of music and dance to enjoy in the coming days! Tonight qanun-master Ali Paris will perform at the Conrad. Son Rompe Pera will be at the Quartyard. Carnatic vocalist Vidya Kalyanaraman will sing at the Seaside Center for Spiritual Life. The Indonesian gamelan and wayang puppet performance at the Mingei is unfortunately sold out. Saturday there will be a celebration of Ukrainian Dance and Music at the Mershops North County Mall. At the San Diego Oasis Wellness Center, there will be a "Greek Night" featuring Greek dancing and live music. Sunday, at the Balboa Park Club Dénes & Szabolcs Hrúz of the Dűvő band will perform for an afternoon Táncház (Dance Party). The House of Ukraine will host another Bandura in the Park with Ukrainian music and story-telling. The Odissi School that specializes in Indian Odissi dance will hold their annual recital. Feria del Caballo is a Spanish celebration of equestrian traditions, and it will be the theme for a evening of Spanish music and dance at the Charade Speakeasy. Tuesday, the San Diego Jewish Men's Choir will perform at Chabad of Pacific Beach. Wednesday, Ukrainian music group Kommuna Lux will perform at the Intercontinental Hotel. Next Friday will begin a 3-day celebration of French arts at the SD Museum of Art featuring, the San Diego Ballet.
Performances of Kim's Convenience commence today at the Old Globe and continue through mid-June. Other theatrical offerings including Breaking Legs at CaInnovation Family Community Theatre (ends Sunday), Purpose at La Jolla Playhouse, A Room at the Castle (Moxie Theatre), Beau Jest at North Coast Rep, and Zarzuela at the Villa Montezuma on Sunday and Monday. Other notable events happening around San Diego include Saturday's Warwick's hosted online talk with Essie Fox who will discuss her new book Catherine, the opening of the Looks Like Home exhibition at the Mingei (also Saturday), Lucha Libre wrestling at Mason Ale Works (Saturday), A Midsummer Night’s Dream open reading (part 1) at the Coronado Library, a screening of François Truffaut’s captivating film The 400 Blows at the Digital Gym (also Tuesday), and next Thursday's talk at UCSD on the Grassroots Environmental Histories of China's Mao Era.
Lastly, the Worldview Project, which produces this newsletter every week (and does lots of other stuff too!), is a non-profit organization. Supporting cross-cultural awareness, understanding, and engagement has never been more critical than it is now. As you may have noticed, we don't annoy you with advertisements or constant fundraising appeals. But we need your support to continue to do what we do. In particular, we are seeking our readers' help in funding the further development of our Cultures in the Classroom™ curriculum project to inspire children to connect with and appreciate the wonder of cultures around the world. You can show your support by clicking on the "Donate to the WVP" button above and making a tax-deductible donation to the WVP. No donation is too small— even a dollar would be appreciated!
Cross-Cultural Events in the Next Two Weeks:
Festivals, celebrations, and community events: The 14th Annual San Diego International Fringe Festival • AniPop Kawaii Anime Convention • House of USA: Asian Pacific Cultural Festival • A Day at the Park: Barrio Logan • Maifest 2026: A Celebration of Spring • House of Norway Lawn Program • Black Family Liberation Day and Malcolm X Day • Asian American Pan-Pacific Heritage Celebration • 22nd Annual Lebanese Festival • Cultura Fest • Buddha's Birthday and Family Festival. Music and/or dance performances: Ali Paris • Son Rompe Pera • Vidya Kalyanaraman • Indonesian Shadow Puppetry with Woro Mustiko Siwi • Ukraine Unveiled! – Escondido Celebration of Dance and Music • San Diego Folk Dance Center - Greek Night • DŰVŐ Táncház • Bandura in the Park • Odissi Dance School Annual Performance • Feria del Caballo • The San Diego Jewish Men's Choir • Kommuna Lux • I Love Paris • Los Fabulosos Cadillacs • The Sergio Mendes Band • Los Mirlos, Tropa Magica & Reza • Sonido De La Frontera • Metalachi • Zade Dirani. Interesting talks around town: Grassroots Environmental Histories of China's Mao Era • The Qiang and Multiethnic Imagination in Modern China. Film festivals and special movie screenings: The 400 Blows • Vermiglio • Film & Discussion: Brazil. Books and literature lovers are sure to enjoy: Essie Fox • Open Reading: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Part One) • Alessandra Ranelli • Around the World Book Exchange. Food and Drink events: Workshop: Adeena Sussman. Local theatrical productions: Kim’s Convenience • Breaking Legs • A Room In The Castle • Purpose • Beau Jest • Opera: Zarzuela at the Villa • Samuel, His Widow and the Whispering Flowers • The Sound of Music (Touring). Visual Arts events: Exhibit: Looks Like Home • Anime Workshop. Special Exhibitions: Exhibiton: Americans and the Holocaust. Sports events: Lucha Libre/Wrestling.
Everyone here at the
San Diego Participant Observer and the
Worldview Project wish you fulfilling, illuminating, and culturally-rich experiences in the days ahead. See you next week!
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