Herbert Siguenza Returns as the Iconic Artist
By Brent E. Beltrán
Some may have thought that Pablo Picasso died at the gravely old age of 91 while entertaining friends at his home in France. That was not the case because the famous artist lives on here in San Diego.
This month you can see him live and in the flesh as Salvadoran actor Herbert Siguenza, of Culture Clash fame, captures the pure essence of the master himself in A Weekend with Picasso. From his mannerisms and speech to painting live Siguenza channels his inner Picasso and transforms into one of the most influential artists in modern history.
“If I paint a wild horse. You might not see the horse but surely you will see the wildness.”
– Picasso
Siguenza has been on a theatrical roll as artist in residence at the SD Rep. He’s performed in Zoot Suit, The Exit Interview and debuted a staged reading of Steal Heaven, his play about Yippie provocateur Abbie Hoffman. He also performed at The Old Globe in a recent run of The Rainmaker.
In addition to this month’s A Weekend with Picasso he’ll also be performing a staged reading of El Henry, his modern day re-adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV. And he’s also going to co-direct the Rep’s production of the Julia Alvarez novel In The Time of the Butterflies in January! I also hear he volunteers as an usher, sweeps the stage after performances and makes sets and costumes in his spare time.
A Weekend with Picasso is written and performed by Herbert Siguenza.
A Weekend with Picasso runs September 7 through October 6 at the San Diego Rep. Contact them for ticket prices. The Amigos del Rep staged reading of El Henry takes place on September 23 at 7pm. It is free.
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Here is my Las Monthly Ondas list of San Diego’s September ondas. By no means is it a complete list (for more click the Calendar tab at the top). These are events that I’ve chosen because they take place in Barrio Logan and surrounding communities or have some significance to me. My selections are totally biased and I’m cool with that.
Sept 1-5 – $10.50/$8.50
Una Noche
Media Arts Center San Diego and producer Spike Lee presents the Cuban film Una Noche.
Digital Gym
2921 El Cajon Blvd.
Sept 4-8 & 11-15 – $25, $15 student/military, $10 seniors
Detained in the Desert
Teatro Máscara Mágica in association with La Jolla Playhouse presents this new play written by Josefina Lopez and directed by William Virchis.
Shank Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse
2910 La Jolla Village Dr.
Sept 6 – 7pm – FREE
Person, Place & Thing–Nounphotography
Opening reception for José A. Jimenez, Jr.’s photo exhibit honoring persons, places and things.
Voz Alta Project
1754 National Ave.
Sept 7 – 12-8pm – $10 General Admission
Annual Grape Stomp
Join the Barrio Logan Winery as they organize this annual benefit. Sign up to compete on a three person grape stomping team for $150 or be in the audience to cheer them on.
Barrio Logan Winery
3030 Main St.
Sept 7 – Oct 6
A Weekend with Picasso
Join Culture Clash’s Herbert Siguenza as he channels famed artist Pablo Picasso in this one-man tour de force.
San Diego Rep
79 Horton Plaza
Sept 10 – 6-9pm – $5 donation
All Ages Show!
The firme folks at the Roots Factory are putting together an all ages rock show featuring three bands from Spain: Las Otras, Accidente and Dirty Reason plus locals Eskera and Sculpins.
The Roots Factory
1878 Main St. (in the alley behind the coffee shop)
Sept 12 – 7-11pm – $5 donation
IV Exposición Internacional de Arte “Matices de las Americas” 2013
The Mexican Consulate, the Centro Cultural de la Raza, Talento Hispano and Cultura Global present the opening reception for the 4th Shades of the Americas International Art Exhibit featuring over 60 artists from throughout the Americas. Exhibit runs from September 12 through October 13.
Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Park Blvd.
Sept 13 – 7-10pm
Queer in Aztlán
A reading to commemorate the release of the anthology Queer in Aztlán featuring book contributors.
Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Park Blvd.
Sept 13 – $15/$10
Fresh Sounds: Eric Byers
Fresh Sounds kicks off its Fall Season 2013 with a new venue in my ‘hood. The first concert features the cello and electronica music of Eric Byers who samples himself as he plays and masterfully weaves multiple parts into a virtual ensemble of sound.
Bread & Salt
1955 Julian Ave.
Sept 13 – 9pm – $10
Roots Party from LA to SD
Check out the Los Angeles reggae sounds of my homey Rudy’s band Arise Roots as well as locals Revival and Roots Covenant.
Winstons
1921 Bacon St.
Sept 13-15, 19-22, 26-29
Logan Heights
Logan Heights is a play by written by Josephina Lopez and directed by Bryant Hernandez that explores immigration, Latina identity and San Diego’s Logan Heights.
On Stage Playhouse
291 Third Ave., Chula Vista
Sept 14 – 1-5pm
Grito de Poetas: A Plática and Floricanto in Response to Xenophobic Laws
A panel discussion and readings by poets from Alta y Baja California including Francisco X. Alarcón, Abel Salas, Sonia Gutierrez, Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, Brandon Cesmat, John Martinez, Iris De Anda and many others.
Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Park Blvd.
Sept 14 – 8-10:30pm – $12
Re-VAMP’d: Best of 2013 – Part 1
VAMP makes a Barrio Logan appearance. If you missed any of the year’s VAMP Showcases they’re bringing back their favorites for another round. Relive the agony and the glory from the first half of 2013, as voted by their performers.
Bread & Salt
1955 Julian Ave.
Sept 15 – 4-9pm
El Grito Mexicano
Unión del Barrio presents their annual El Grito Celebration honoring Father Miguel Hidalgo and his cry for Mexican Independence.
Chicano Park
Sept 17 – 2pm
City Council Meeting on the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update
Join residents of Barrio Logan and other concerned citizens as we push to get the community’s plan, Alternative #1, through the city council.
SD City Council Chambers, 12th Floor
City Administration Building
202 C St.
Sept 20 – 8pm-1am
Barrio Art Jam 2013
I don’t have much info on this other than the name, time, venue and that musician Bill Caballero is involved.
Bread & Salt
1955 Julian Ave.
Sept 20-22
Second Annual Barrio Film Fest
The Roots Factory folks have teamed up with the Museum of Photographic Arts to bring you the 2nd annual Barrio Film Fest. Check out the link above for more info on screening and special events.
Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado
Sept 21 – 9am-1pm
¡Vive Tú Vida! Health Fair
Family Health Centers of San Diego present this health fair featuring free health screenings, education and fun physical activities.
Chicano Park
Sept 23 – 7pm – FREE
El Henry
Amigos del Rep present a free staged reading of El Henry, a futuristic post-gringo adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part One written by Herbert Siguenza.
San Diego Rep
79 Horton Plaza
Sept 28 & 29
32nd Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair
The best, free street fair in San Diego returns with 8 stages, 90 bands, carnival rides, beer gardens, food and vendors galore.
Adams Avenue in Normal Heights
Regular Barrio Logan area happenings:
LATIN JAZZ JAM – Donations Welcome
Check out one of San Diego’s finest musical treasures, Bill Caballero, as he hosts his weekly Latin jazz jam every Thursday from 7-10pm at Voz Alta Project, 1754 National Ave., Barrio Logan
SAN DIEGO PUBLIC MARKET
Buy organic fruits, vegetables and other goodies every Sunday from 9am-2pm at the San Diego Public Market, 1735 National Ave., Barrio Logan.
SOBRERUEDAS EN EL BARRIO: Neighborhood Market
Sobreruedas en el Barrio is a neighborhood market featuring local vendors from the Greater Logan Heights community.
The market is located on 30th Street between Imperial Avenue and L Street, and is open every other Sunday from 10am-2pm. Next markets: September 8 features free HIV testing and September 22 will have a workshop on food justice.
BLA MEETING
Get involved in Barrio Logan! The Barrio Logan Association community benefit maintenance assessment district meets monthly. Next meeting is Thursday, September 19 at 6pm at San Diego Public Market.
CPSC MEETING
The Chicano Park Steering Committee meets monthly at 3pm in the Kiosco in Chicano Park. The next meeting is Sunday, September 29.
If you want your event to be considered for a future Desde la Logan listing send an email with event info to desdelalogan@gmail.com.
Brent E. Beltrán
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Wow! Thanks for this calendar, and right off, want to go to the Digital Gym to see
UNA NOCHE, which plays through 9/5. Call the theatre at 619-230-1938 for times. Seniors pay 8.50 vs. the 10.50 general admission.
Saw previews of this movie today as went to see another movie, CAPTIVE BEAUTY,
which was a wonderful documentary.
This was our first time going to this recently opened venue with only 46 seats.
UNA NOCHE is about Raul, a Cuban, who wants to come to Miami, but accused of
assault, he has to appeal to Elio to help him come over; one night, full of hope, they
face the biggest challenge of their lives.
We were impressed with CAPTIVE BEAUTY also, and highly recommend this documentary about women prisoners in Medelin, Columbia, who have a chance to participate in a weeklong beauty contest in the prison. Very touching.
Very happy to know of this new venue for movies that are not the standard Hollywood type movies.