The new season promises a cornucopia of artistic and cultural offerings, from classical music and dance to stage and visual art. Meet six San Diegans who are making a difference in their own corners of the arts world — and are not afraid to venture into uncharted territories. Plus, our top picks for the season.
Meet the artists we’re watching this fall
Books: Elizabeth DeLozier
A casual glance at Elizabeth DeLozier’s biography and one gets the sense that her trajectory wasn’t exactly headed toward a career as a novelist. It actually speaks more to DeLozier’s ion and desire to master a variety of disciplines. What’s more, one could argue it helped prepare her to write “Eleanore of Avignon,” her debut novel and one in which all of DeLozier’s specialties came in handy.
Read more: Medical background was Elizabeth DeLozier’s guide for debut novel
Classical Music: Fiona Chatwin
In 2005, Fiona Chatwin founded the community-access organization Villa Musica. It’s now a thriving nonprofit music school that, in 2023-24, served 8,408 people. The beneficiaries of its programs range from seniors and dementia patients to adults and kids from ages 2 to 17. The locations include senior living facilities, schools, libraries and community centers.
Read more: San Diego’s Villa Musica founder Fiona Chatwin champions artistic access
Dance: Larisa Hall
“Everyone can dance, if given the chance.” That’s what Larisa Hall, founder and director of Tap Fever Studios, envisions for the future at her dance school. “Everyone” includes the general population, along with those many would consider to be unsuited for a dance class: senior citizens, the blind and individuals with Down syndrome, on the autism spectrum and those with the neurological disorder known as Rett syndrome.
Read more: Tap Fever’s Larisa Hall aims to teach dancers of all abilities
Music: Ivan Trujillo
Multitasking is an art form for Ivan Trujillo whether he is in San Diego, his hometown of Ensenada, performing at England’s famed Glastonbury festival or some point in between. A tireless trumpeter, composer and music educator, Trujillo leads multiple bands and performs around the world with the Tijuana-based electronic music group Nortec Collective.
Read more: Ivan Trujillo trumpets jazz and music education in Ensenada, San Diego and beyond
Stage: Kevin ‘Blax’ Burroughs
Born and raised in San Diego, Kevin ‘Blax’ Burroughs has amassed many years of experience at theaters all over town as an actor, director, choreographer, dancer and lighting director. Burroughs was named associate artistic director at OTC a year ago and was promoted to artistic director last December.
Read more: Oceanside Theatre Company’s new leader Kevin ‘Blax’ Burroughs aims to represent
Visual art: Carlos Castro Arias
Carlos Castro Arias’ need to create something fantastical and instinctive has extended into his present-day practice. He has worked as an artist for more than two decades, and since moving to the San Diego/Tijuana region in 2019 (with months-long sojourns back to Colombia every now and again), he’s expanded his artistic practice in ways that are both impressive and seemingly bizarre.
Read more: Artist Carlos Castro Arias uses provocative ideas and materials to make people think
Our top picks for the fall season
Books
Fall is the season for new books. Many publishing houses release what they consider to be the most buzzy and acclaimed new releases in autumn, in hopes that one will take off during the holiday gift-buying season. What’s more, there are plenty of local authors who are releasing new titles over the next few months. And whether it’s a nonfiction title, a thriller novel, or simply a photo book with some cute cats, readers will have plenty to choose from this fall.
Read more: Our top book picks for the season
Classical music
The classical music calendar has a lot to offer San Diegans this fall, including a bounty of vocal performances, a couple of landmark anniversaries and concerts that blend the aural and visual arts. Here are some of the standouts in what promises to be an outstanding season.
Read more: Our top classical music picks for the season
Dance
The fall dance season runs hot and cold, but in a good way. “The Firebird” and flamenco dancers are sure to heat up audiences. There’s also a chilling visit from the Snow Queen and a blood-thirsty ballerina. Additional options include the return of the popular Trolley Dances and the Ghost Light Masquerade, along with exciting premieres and Latin-themed dance.
Read more: Our top dance picks for the season
Music
While it may still feel like summer outside, the fall concert season will soon be upon us, albeit without the recently canceled or postponed tours by San Diego-bred singer Andra Day, Black Keys, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, the Lauryn Hill-led Fugees and Heart (primarily because of low-ticket sales.) Happily, there are still plenty of enticing options.
Read more: Our top concert picks for the season
Stage
There’s something for everyone at local theaters this fall, from opera to Arthur Miller, Stephen Sondheim musicals to “Jersey Boys,” and a new Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
Read more: Our top theater and opera picks for the season
Visual art
When summer ends, it’s time for local museums and galleries to unveil new exhibitions. Whether it’s locals unveiling their first solo show, or large-scale exhibitions from international names, this season appears to have something for everyone. And even with programming for PST ART taking over most of the major institutions, there’s still plenty of other shows and exhibitions to see this fall; a testament to just how much locals want to see and experience new art.
Read more: Our top visual arts picks for the season
