The largest showcase of Asian American and Asian films in the West opened on Thursday. This year, the 18th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, hosted by Pacific Arts Movement, exhibits more than 150 films from 20 countries through Nov. 18.
The screenings take place at six venues throughout San Diego. Tickets for each individual screenings are $12 or a six-pack of tickets are $60, which may be used for any screenings except for the opening and closing night films. Tickets may be bought at festival.sdaff.org/2017/ticket-info/.
Liberty Station Band Review
The Parade Band Foundation is hosting the inaugural Liberty Station Band Review on Saturday. The review features performances by more than a dozen high school marching bands in Southern California, complete with a military salute.
The bands will march around Liberty Station for the public to enjoy and perform for a panel of professional judges in front of the Dick Laub NTC Command Center.
A festival featuring food, live music and other entertainment will follow the competition and awards ceremony.
This is the first year the Parade Band Foundation hosted the event at Liberty Station. Previous band reviews were held in Chula Vista. The free event goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Liberty Station.
Military Free Weekend at New Children’s Museum
This Veterans Day weekend, military families can access the New Children’s Museum for free. The museum offers a safe and welcoming place for families to play, think and create together.
Spending time and bonding with children and family is especially healing for military families, the museum said. Non-military families can make a $26 donation so that a military family of four can enjoy the museum for free in the future.
The free access for military families goes from Friday through Sunday. The museum is located at 200 W Island Ave. in downtown San Diego.
Old Globe Grinch Christmas Tree Lighting
Kick off the holiday season with the 12th Annual Old Globe Grinch Christmas Tree Lighting, which is held in conjunction with the Globe’s holiday musical “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
The event features a special live performance by members of the Grinch cast and a delightful holiday snowfall on the Globe’s Copley Plaza. The unique tree, which was designed by Grinch scenic designer John Lee Beatty, will remain lit through the run of the show, Dec. 24.
The Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who will flip the switch to light the tree at 6 p.m. The event is free but reservations are required and may be made by calling the box office at (619) 23-GLOBE. People with reservations will be admitted to the plaza at 4:45 p.m. The tree lighting ticket does not include admission the Grinch musical.
Escondido Tamale Festival
Next to the Taco, the tamale is another Latin American food that has become a part of San Diego’s culture. The Escondido Tamale Festival celebrates the rich history and culture that the Spanish and Mexican settlers had on the region.
The festival features a tamale contest — including taste testing — stage performances, history exhibits and a craft area.
The free event goes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Grape Day Park in Escondido.
