Pacific Arts Movement’s sixth annual Spring Showcase Festival is officially underway.
The nonprofit, best known for hosting the San Diego Asian Film Festival, will run 14 film programs from 10 different countries through May 5 at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center.
Kicking off the Spring Showcase is a musical documentary, “The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble,” featuring Yo-Yo Ma and other virtuosos from Spain to Japan. This year’s programming also includes the San Diego premiere of “China Now,” a daring selection of films blocked by the Chinese government from exhibition at the Beijing Independent Film Festival.
“This year’s Spring Showcase, much like ‘The Music of Strangers,’ is dedicated to all of the different melodies and vibrations in Asian cinema, coming together and forming harmonies unlike any we’ve heard before,” Brian Hu, Pacific Arts artistic director, said. “Some of the sounds are brash and some are soft, but collectively capture the many voices that have made Asian cinema so vibrant for so long.”
For more information, go to festival.sdaff.org/spring2016/.
Here are some other events happening around the region this weekend:
Cars for a Cause
The Ferrari Owners Club of San Diego is hosting its 16th annual Bella Italia at the Bay event to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. Exotic cars, including Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, will line up at the Spanish Landing Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The free event will also feature live music, a silent auction and vendors. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the charity that provides a “home away from home” to families with children being treated for serious, often life-threatening conditions at local hospitals.
Art in Little Italy
The Mission Federal Artwalk returns this weekend for its 32nd year. The event, which runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, celebrates both visual and performing arts. Attendees can expect to see the work of more than 350 artists across 17 blocks in Little Italy. Live performances and a KidsWalk will also be available at the free event.
Fiesta in Imperial Beach
The city of Imperial Beach is hosting its first Fiesta del Mar on Saturday. The event aims to celebrate the cross-border relationship between the cities of Imperial Beach and Rosarito. Attendees can expect to experience art, music, dance and plenty of food. Festivities kick off at noon at the Imperial Beach Pier Plaza.
Kids’ Heaven
Bring the little ones to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the annual San Diego Kids Expo and Fair. More than 150 companies from across the country will feature their kid-friendly products, which include plenty of games and activities for all age levels. Exotic animals and characters from your children’s favorite movies will also make appearances. The event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $8.
