Welcome to the latest edition of the San Diego Participant Observer Newsletter! Our Book of the Month suggestion is for the award-winning novel The Event by the acclaimed Argentinian writer Juan José Saer.

This month's International Music is a collection of songs by Cesaria Evora, the late, great, legendary "Barefoot Diva" from Cape Verde, who specialized in the musical tradition of Morna.

For our recipe of the month, we reached back into our recipe archives for an encore presentation of our recipe for Cuban Picadillo Habanero. We noted in that recipe that this savory concoction was an excellent filling for empanadas. And since then, we have used the recipe time and time again to make the most exquisite empanadas using filo dough wrappers. They are also enormously easy to prepare using an air fryer. Enjoyed with homemade chimichurri sauce (also good for grilled meats), these empanadas are to die for!

On to the Events…

Fall is festival season in San Diego, and the calendar is packed with opportunities to celebrate. Highlights include the OB Oktoberfest; a series of cultural lawn programs at the International Cottages — including those presented by the Houses of Poland, Spain, and Norway; the annual Serbian Festival; the Chicano Park Festival; a Multicultural Festival; the House of Ukraine’s 65th Anniversary Celebration; and a Diwali celebration.

Music and dance lovers will find plenty to enjoy as well, from A Taste of Ireland (tonight at CCA and again Sunday at the Balboa Theatre) to the Caminos Flamencos concert at Paper Moon Event Hall. Other highlights include Noche de Cumbia 8 at Quartyard, a Rancho-style Oktoberfest at Rancho La Laguna, Bollywood Dhamaka at CCA, a Middle Eastern Music Festival at Cuyamaca College, and a performance by Mariachi Rodriguez at the Del Mar Library. Japanese all-female pop-rock icons Shonen Knife will take the stage at the Casbah, and SDSU’s Rhapsody Hall will host a special A Song of Belarus concert featuring Yale Strom’s Hot Pstromi and accordion virtuoso Aliaksandr Yasinski.

Talks and lectures around town offer a chance to deepen your cultural understanding. At the Mingei, there’s a fascinating presentation on fashion, history, and quilting. The California Western School of Law will host a discussion on the intersection of federal Indian law, tribal law, and state law. And at the Coronado Museum of History and Art, a wine-and-lecture event will explore the Zaragoza Tijuana project.

Film lovers are sure to enjoy the Festa party at MOPA by the Italian Film Festial,  the San Diego Filipino Film Festival at Plaza Bonita (now underway) and the San Diego Short Film Festival at the Digital Gym. Starting next Wednesday, the San Diego International Film Festival kicks off, with special screenings including the Zona Mutante Double Feature and The Wicker Man, both at the Digital Gym.

Family-friendly events include a Día de los Muertos Storytime with Ms. Jackie at the Otay Mesa-Nestor Library and a Filipino Folktales program at Kensington Park.

Art lovers will also find plenty to explore. Don’t miss the Corazones de Milagritos Workshop at ArtReach, a Día de los Muertos Paint & Sip at Lemon Grove Coffee, or the Me Voy Pa’l Pueblo exhibit at The Front Arte & Cultura. Martin Lawrence Galleries opens its Spanish Masters exhibition, while the San Ysidro Library hosts a Día de los Muertos Art Celebrating Nuestra Cultura craft workshop. The San Diego Museum of Art presents a talk on visionary Mexican artist Alfredo Castañeda, and the Mingei hosts Telling Stories in Stitch, a presentation by visual storyteller Dawn Williams Boyd.

Finally, other noteworthy happenings include UPAC's Taste of Culture at the Marina Village Conference Center and the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner at the DoubleTree Hotel.

All the multicultural Events in San Diego in the next 2 weeks:

Festivals, celebrations, and community events: OB Oktoberfest • House of Poland - Polish Echoes • House of Spain Lawn Program • 52nd Annual San Diego Serbian Festival • Chicano Park Festival • House of Ukraine 65th Anniversary Celebration • House of Norway Lawn Program • Multicultural Festival • Diwali Celebration • Native American Heritage Festival • Bella Vita Fest • 3rd Anniversary of the Filipinos of South Bay • SDIAA’s Diwali Gala • Día de Los Muertos Festival.

Music and/or dance performances: A Taste of Ireland • Music and Dance: Caminos Flamencos • Noche de Cumbia 8 • Octoberfest Rancho Edition • A Taste of Ireland • Bollywood Dhamaka • Middle Eastern Music Festival • Mariachi Rodriguez • Shonen Knife • Hot Pstromi and Aliaksandr Yasinski • Celtic Thunder • Ghostly Labor.

Interesting talks around town: Fashion, History, and Quilting • The Intersection Between Federal Indian Law, Tribal Law and State Law • Wine & Lecture: Zaragoza Tijuana • Castañeda Sobremesa Session • Suraj Israni Center Fellowship Forum • Roy L. Brooks.

Film festivals and special movie screenings: SDIFF Festa • San Diego Filipino Film Festival • San Diego Short Film Festival • Zona Mutante Double Feature • The Wicker Man • SD International Film Festival (Opening Night) • SD International Film Festival • Coco • Peacock • Otherwise Film Festival.

Books and literature lovers are sure to enjoy: Día de los Muertos Storytime with Ms. Jackie • Filipino Folktales • Chinese Ghost Stories.

Food and Drink events: UPAC's Taste of Culture.

Fundraisers: Fundraiser: NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner.

Visual Arts events: Corazones de Milagritos Workshop • Día de Los Muertos Paint & Sip • Me Voy Pa’L Pueblo Exhibit • Spanish Masters Exhibit Opening • Dia de los Muertos Art Celebrating Nuestra Cultura • The Universe of Alfredo Castañeda • Storytelling: Telling Stories in Stitch.

Comedy performances: Joe Wong.

Social Justice related events:  Peace and Justice Concert.

Other notable events: Discovery Walk: Kumeyaay Kids.

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!

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 reader's help in funding the further development of our Cultures in the Classroom™ curriculum project to inspire children to connect with and appreaciate 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:

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!