Media Contact: Toni Robin, (858) 483-3918, tr@trprsandiego.com
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18, 2015 – SAN DIEGO – As part of the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovations (JCNI) commitment to building an Arts and Culture district at the center of the Diamond Neighborhoods, Jacobs Presents Cultural Celebrations and Performances Grants (CCPG) were provided to area non-profits to showcase their creativity and culture. Six upcoming events are just a sample of the wide variety of diverse cultural activities and festivals that are offered throughout the year.
The Jacobs Family Foundation established the CCPG Fund to support arts activities that promote the sharing and learning of cultures and diverse art forms. The fund is administered by the Foundation’s operating arm, JCNI. The next round of grant recipient will be announced in April.
Upcoming Jacobs Presents: Cultural Celebrations & Performances Series
On Saturday, March 21, the San Diego Art Institute will program a component of the video and performance art, FLEX IT! My Body My Temple, the largest exhibition of social practice artwork to ever be presented in the southern United States. The event is at Market Creek Amphitheater and will consist of a day-long series of performances from 4-10pm, and a screening of videos 6-10 pm, created specifically for the program. FLEX IT! will engage audiences in healthy lifestyle choices. San Diego-Art.org. FREE
Lao Community Cultural Center will host the Lao New Year Festival on Saturday April 4 and Sunday, April 5, 9 am – 6 pm at Market Creek Amphitheater & Festival Park. The festival will showcase Lao classical and folk dances and costumes, modern music and singing, traditional alms offerings to Buddhist monks, and the ceremonial procession for the seven daughters of the legendary king whose tragic death gives rise to the celebration of Lao New Year. The two-day event features authentic foods and displays of Lao handcrafts and art works. LaoCommunity.org. $2 per person, Children under 10 FREE.
As a part of their 30th anniversary celebration, San Diego Gay Mens Chorus will present Tyler’s Suite on Thursday, April 7, 6 pm at the Jacobs Center. This inspiring music, composed in memory of Tyler Clementi, the gay Rutgers College student who committed suicide after being bullied by his roommate, was co-commissioned with six brother choruses and Oscar and Grammy winner Stephen Schwarz, (Wicked and Pippin.) SDGMC.org. FREE
The Center for World Music will produce the Multicultural World Music and Dance Festival on Saturday, May 9 at the Market Creek Amphitheater and Festival Park, 11 am – 4 pm. Traditional music and dance performances of Africa, Asia, and Latin America and workshops with artists will be offered. CenterForWorldMusic.org. FREE
San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Community Health Network will present Culinary Fusion Festival on Saturday, May 16, 10am-3 pm at Market Creek Amphitheater. Healthy dishes and demonstrations by 13 local Asian Pacific Islander restaurants and live music and dance showcasing artists that reflect the diverse, cultural backgrounds represented in the Asian and Pacific Islander culture will be featured. OperationSamahan.org. FREE
Culture Shock Dance Troupe will present Shock’N the Park at the Market Creek Amphitheater on Sunday, June 7, 1:30 – 4:30 pm. Hip-Hop, break and street dance performances by Culture Shock San Diego, an international non-profit founded in San Diego in 1993. CultureShockDance.org/SanDiego. FREE
For more information on the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation’s Arts and Community Development initiatives, visit http://www.jacobscenter.org/artsculture.htm
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The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation (JCNI) is partnering with resident teams in southeastern San Diego to transform nearly sixty acres into The Village at Market Creek, a LEED-certified neighborhood and vibrant cultural destination. Through a network of nonprofit and for-profit partners, locally-owned businesses and national tenants, a community and conference center, and a portfolio of social enterprise projects, JCNI is creating assets that will become economic engines for the community when the foundation sunsets in 2030. Under the banner of “Resident Ownership of Neighborhood Change,” the people who live and work in the community create the vision, lead the implementation, and own the change in their community. Learn more at www.jacobscenter.org.