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Arts & Entertainment

East County Nightlife: Despite the Heat, Summer is Over

Your Patch guide to East County nightlife, Sept. 9-11.

Remember back in your elementary school days, when the bulletin board in the classroom was framed with a whimsical autumn leaves-themed border in September? 

East County kids (well, SoCal kids in general) likely wondered what was up with all those red and golden leaves, as well as snowflakes on the winter border and rain on the spring border.  “What are these ‘seasons’?” you would ask, while sweltering in the autumn heat.  For in our world, there are only two seasons: hot and not hot.

And boy, has this September heat started out with a bang. For most of us, this means summer is dragging along as usual, and before long, the Santa Anas will add a windy icing (so to speak) to our heat wave cake.  Aside from temperature, however, summer seems to have ended definitively after Labor Day, with the variety of events and weekend happenings getting noticeably slim. 

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Nevertheless, your loyal East County Nightlife column will persevere, wiping the sweat from its brow and endeavoring to dig up whatever fun the region has to offer.  And after that, it needs to go sit in front of a fan in its underwear.

FRIDAY

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When/Where: Encore! Theater, 9620 Campo Road, Spring Valley, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Why Go: Whether your knowledge of the eminent 1970s TV program “School House Rock” comes from actually watching the show or references made on ironic novelty T-shirts, you’re certain to enjoy the Young Actors’ Theatre’s musical rendition of this fun, education-minded series.

Price: $12/$15.

METALPHOR

Where/when: Main Street 5 Gallery, 124 E. Main St., El Cajon, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Why Go: Paint, clay, wood, fabric—artistic media that require talent to manipulate, but not an extraneous amount of elbow grease.  Metal art, on the other hand, takes immense strength and patience, and if you’ve never had the pleasure to view such art in person or meet the artists that create it, this Friday is your chance—Main Street 5 Gallery is hosting an opening reception and meet-and-greet for its MetaLphor exhibit this Friday.

Price: Free.

AKAYAA & BOLGA ZOHDOOMAH

Where/when: Prescott Promenade, Downtown El Cajon, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Why Go: Although this is the last month of El Cajon’s wildly successful Concerts on the Green series, this week marks the first time African/world music has been featured.  You might recognize Akayaa Atule and Bolga Zohdoomah from their frequent performances at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park (like those who steadfastly stick to the Del Mar Fair, there are some of us who are a bit resistant to the renaming of beloved places/events).

Price: Free.

SATURDAY

THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM

Where/when: Lions, Tigers & Bears Big Cat Rescue, 24402 Martin Way, Alpine, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Why Go: While some are content to experience wildlife via lushly photographed film or somewhat closer in zoos, there is a burgeoning underground industry revolving around the distribution of wild animals as house pets.  Meet Tim Harrison, featured in the wildlife pet documentary “The Elephant in the Living Room,” during a catered screening complete with a Q&A session afterward (here’s a suggestion: WTF?).

Price: $15-$25.

LEA SALONGA

Where/when: Sycuan Showcase Theatre, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Why Go: Disclaimer: Lea Salonga, who voiced Disney’s Princess Jasmine, will most likely not be wearing a midriff-baring Arabian getup and singing a one-sided version of “A Whole New World” during her performance at Sycuan this Saturday, but you might hear her perform just-as-notable songs from her Tony Award-winning performance in “Miss Saigon” among others.

Price: $35/$45. 

Where/when: Barnes & Noble, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa, 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Why Go: If there ever was a time to recognize the importance of mediation in international conflict resolution, it’s now.  Douglas Noll, a nationally-recognized mediator, speaker, teacher and attorney will talk about and sign his new book, “Elusive Peace” at Barnes & Noble this Saturday.

Price: Free.

SUNDAY

Where/when: Spacebar Internet Café, 7454 University Ave., La Mesa, 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Why Go: Um, “free” and “movie.”  This week’s offering is “Goya’s Ghosts,” starring the smoldering Javier Bardem as a Spanish Inquisitor trying to clear the name of one of painter Francisco Goya’s models.  His mission might seem noble, but his actions are not.

Price: Free.

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