Hello San Diego!

Tons of events to let you know about this week, really something (or many things) for everyone to check out, participate in and enjoy.

This weekend festivals abound including the Pacific Islander Festival, the Vista Viking Festival, a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, the 43rd Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair, the San Gennaro Festa, the Latino Houses Heritage Month Celebration, the 43rd Annual Carlsbad Oktoberfest, a Lao Boat Racing Festival Evening Gala, the House of Germany Lawn Program, and the Kids for Peace Peacefest. On Monday, there will be a Kumeyaay New Year Celebration, and next weekend, the massive two-weekends-long El Cajon Oktoberfest will take place.

As usual, there are lots of concerts and music (and dance) events happening around town. Whether you fancy regional Mexican music, flamenco, Hawaiian, Indian classical, French chanson, world music guitar wizardry, Brazilian, South Korean rock, Jamaican reggae and roots, the San Diego music scene has got it! Heck, there is even a Sound of Music Sing-A-Long!

Film buffs will also be pleased to know there are a generous number of special screenings (and don't forget to check out our Films Section for longer-run movies) around town including Branded to Kill, High and Low, The Lovers on the Bridge and Ikiru (all screening at the lovely Digital Gym), as well as the Italian Film Festival screening of Lasciati Andare (Let Yourself Go!) at La Paloma. All next weekend, the Hidden City Film Festival will happen at the CCA screening “groundbreaking short films and diverse voices from across the region and beyond.”

Next Thursday at Warwick’s, Hendrika de Vries will talk about her new book Open Turns: From Dutch Girl to New Australian.

For foodies (perhaps "drinkies"), the San Diego Sake Festival will take place tomorrow. Also on Saturday, the Olivewood Gardens are giving a Cooking with Cocineras Tradicionales class where you can learn to make regional Mexican dishes.

Art-centered exhibitions include the Here, Now 여기, 지금 exhibit at UCSD, the Reencuentros exhibit at SDSU, and a Piñata Workshop at Community ARTS in National City.

Theater productions include Thorn and Petal at Trinity Theater Company, and Les Misérables continues at the SD Civic Theatre.

Talks and lectures include Saturday's Chinese Historical Society’s online talk Three Generations of Leadership in San Diego’s Early Chinatown, ¡Guerra! People & Places of the US-Mexico War at the Coronado Library (Tuesday), and a talk on America’s Immigration Challenges at the Mission Hills-Hillcrest Library (Wednesday).

If cheering on your team or sports is your thing—or Laotian food (yum!)—you will surely have lots of fun at the Lao Boat Racing Festival at Tecolote Shores on Saturday.

Other events include the FilAm Creator Con in Chula Vista, a Latin Fiesta Fundraiser for the Bonita Family Resource Center, a Malcolm X Gift Day Fundraiser at the Malcolm X Library, a Hispanic Heritage Mixer at the Pendry Hotel, and a Black Biz Flea Market at WorldBeat Center.

Whew! So much to see, do and experience in San Diego!

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. 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!

All the cross-cultural events for the next 2 weeks:

Festivals, celebrations, and community events:  Pacific Islander Festival • San Gennaro Festa • Hispanic Heritage Month • 43rd annual Adams Avenue Street Fair • Vista Viking Festival • Latino Houses Heritage Month Celebration • 43rd Annual Carlsbad Oktoberfest • Lao Boat Racing Festival Evening Gala • House of Germany Lawn Program • Kids for Peace Peacefest • Kumeyaay New Year Celebration • El Cajon Oktoberfest • XICANA! Block Party • 7th Bulgarian Folk Festival • CRY San Diego Dandiya • House of Lebanon Lawn Program • Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Festival • USD Filipino American History Month • La Mesa Oktoberfest • 2nd Annual Hispanic Cultural Heritage Celebration.

Music and/or dance performances: Los Montaño • Mestizaje • Indian Classical Music • Kolohe Kai • Music and Dance: Grupo Folklorico Herencia Mexicana • Los Emperadores • Sacha Boutros • Alejandro Fernandez • Al Di Meola • Bia Ferreira • Se So Neon • Don Carlos • The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long • Chicano Music Festival • ic: Samaita Botsa Duo • Bandalos Chinos • Los Fabulocos and The Sleepwalkers • Music and Dance: Sharqui Showcase • Camarada Ensemble • Baia Toca Raul.

Interesting talks around town: Three Generations of Leadership in San Diego’s Early Chinatown • ¡Guerra! People & Places of the US-Mexico War • America's Immigration Challenges • First-Gen Success Beyond Imposter Syndrome.

Film festivals and special movie screenings:  Branded to Kill • High and Low • The Lovers on the Bridge • Ikuru • Lasciati andare (Let Yourself Go!) • Hidden City Film Festival • Linda Linda Linda.

Books and literature lovers are sure to enjoy: Book Talk: Hendrika de Vries • French Literary and Arts Festival • UCSD French Literature and Arts Festival.

Food and Drink events: Sake Festival • Cooking with Cocineras Tradicionales • San Diego Sustainable Food Festival • Taste of Japan.

Fundraisers: Fundraiser: Latin Fiesta • Fundraiser: Malcom X Gift Day.

Local theatrical productions: Thorn and Petal • Les Miserables • Stupeur et Tremblements.

Visual Arts events: Exhibit: Here, Now 여기, 지금 • Piñata Workshop • Exhibit: Reencuentros.

Sports events: Lao Boat Racing Festival • 14th Annual San Diego International Dragon Boat Race.

Other notable events: FilAm Creator Con  •  Hispanic Heritage Mixer • Black Biz Flea Market.

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!