The 14th San Diego Arab Film Festival opens Friday at the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art, with screenings also on Saturday and then the following weekend of April 11-13. Over the course of those two weekends, 17 films will be screened, both features and shorts, all created by Arab world filmmakers.
Festival coordinator Larry Christian stressed the decision to this year “make the festival focus on countries in the Arab world that are in crisis or under attack, such as Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen.” That’s reflected in the festival’s opening- and closing-night films: the Oscar-winning (for Best Documentary Feature) “No Other Land” on Friday and the documentary “A State of ion” on April 13. The former was made by a collective of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, the latter a Palestinian and Lebanese production.
In 14 years, the festival has grown from three screenings at the outset to this year’s 17.
“Also over that time I’ve found that the creatives, the cinema makers from the Arab world, have evolved,” said Christian, who’s been with the event since its very first year. “We’re seeing things thematically and otherwise that are continuing to develop.
“For example, we’re showing this film from Tunisia (‘Take My Breath’) about an intersex person living as a woman trying to navigate her town in Tunisia. That is not a topic area that we would have seen back at the beginning. We are seeing films about gender roles and empowering women and, particularly in the shorts, a large influx of women filmmakers.”
Ticket for individual screenings are $12-$18. All but one includes both a short film and a feature. The schedule is available at sandiegoaff.org.
Comedy
The Second City improv comedy troupe, named for its home base of Chicago, has produced over the decades a who’s-who of standup, film and television stars. Some of the most famous alumni are John Belushi, Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler, Alan Alda, Mike Myers and Catherine O’Hara. There are far too many more to name.
This year, Second City is celebrating its 65th anniversary with a touring show, one that comes to UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater next Thursday night. These Second City performers may be names unknown to you – right now. But keep Rich Alfonso, Kennedy Baldwin, Kari Bradley, Anna Bortnick, Claire Favret and Ross Taylor on your radar. With Second City on their resumes, their show-business futures have to be bright. Visit artpower.ucsd.edu/event/the-second-city-65th-anniversary-show.
Rock music
Fans of the Melvins like to brag that the band was grunge before there was grunge, that they were part of the state-of-Washington music scene before there was a state-of-Washington music scene. Perhaps that can be argued, but the longevity of this group named for a wholesale grocery co-op certainly can’t be questioned. The Melvins came together in 1983.
Two of the band’s original , Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover, are still in place. (The third co-founder, Matt Lukin, is now retired, though he did have a Pearl Jam song — “Lukin” from their “No Code” album — named for him.) The current Melvins will perform Friday at the Music Box in Little Italy on a bill that also includes Napalm Death, Weedeater and Dark Sky Burial. For tickets, visit musicboxsd.com.
Virtual
What’s your favorite San Diego Padres uniform? What’s your favorite MLB uniform of all time? If “unis” are part of your love for baseball, visit the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Online Exhibits section. Once there, you’re just a click away from the exhibit “Dressed to the Nines: A History of the Baseball Uniform.”
With a few more clicks you’ll have access to the Hall’s database of professional baseball uniforms, dating all the way back to the year 1900. “Dressed to the Nines” is just one online offering for fans who, now that baseball season is under way, have something fun to do in between games.
Film
Unless you’re an ace at “Jeopardy” you probably don’t know what mycology is. I’m not, so let me tell you: Mycology is the study of fungi. You know, mushrooms and the like.
So what’s mycology doing in this arts and culture column? Well, the San Diego Mycological Society is hosting its fifth annual Fungi Film Fest on Sunday at La Paloma Theater in Encinitas. Some 20 films from 17 countries, all of them focusing on and/or dedicated to the beauty of lichens, micro fungi and mushrooms, will be screened over two-plus hours.
I can’t wait to tell people I’m going to this mushroomy night at the movies. Then I’ll tell them what mycology is. For details, visit sdmyco.org.
U-T arts and dining stories you may have missed this week
- Lilo restaurant founders aim to serve ‘one of the best meals’ you’ve ever had
- Queen of boogie woogie Sue Palmer celebrates 25 years with her Motel Swing Orchestra
- Tara Monsod a James Beard finalist once again for top chef in California
- JFest kicks off 2025 programming with Whole Megillah play festival
- Review: ‘La Havana Madrid’ a touching look at the immigrant experience
- Review: Roustabouts’ fiery, funny ‘True West’ a timely tale of the toxic male
- These San Diego County brunch spots are offering something special for Easter
- New theater company launches with politically themed ‘Hillary and Clinton’
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“Panic!: Discussion of the Film ‘Memoria’”
“Memoria (2021),” directed by Palme d’Or-winning filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, follows Scottish orchid farmer Jessica Holland (Tilda Swinton) during a visit to her sister in Bogotá, Colombia. After being startled awake by a mysterious sound that only she can hear, Jessica is drawn into an otherworldly journey that explores perception, memory, and the unknown. The film is Weerasethakul’s first set outside Thailand and is noted for its meditative pacing and immersive sound design. In this program, “Memoria: sound editor Javier Umpierrez s UCSB Film and Media Studies professor Greg Siegel to discuss the creative process behind the film’s unique auditory landscape and the role of sound in shaping Jessica’s unsettling yet transcendent experience.
“How Ancient Viruses Shape Aging”
What if the key to longevity is already within you? In this fascinating talk, Michael J. Corley, Ph.D., explores cutting-edge research on aging and the role of ancient viruses in our DNA. He reveals how the gut microbiome — shaped by diet, stress, and exercise — can trigger inflammation that may awaken dormant retroviruses, influencing how we age. Yet, it’s not all complex science: Corley emphasizes practical steps, including exercise, meditation, and a balanced diet, as powerful tools to slow aging and boost well-being. With UC San Diego at the forefront of microbiome research, you’ll gain insight into the future of personalized health strategies and discover how simple lifestyle changes could unlock your longevity.
This heartfelt discussion explores the experiences of parents raising neurodivergent children, with a focus on finding joy, fostering inclusion, and nurturing sibling relationships. Parents share personal stories of resilience—guiding neurotypical siblings to grow with empathy and advocating for more inclusive school settings. They reflect on the unexpected lessons their children teach them about patience, strength, and perspective. The conversation also highlights the importance of building a strong sense of community among families, educators, and peers, offering hope and encouragement to others navigating similar journeys. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or ally, this program offers valuable insights into the power of connection and understanding.
And finally, top weekend events
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: April 4-6
