Cultural Arts eNews

January Cultural Arts eNews

Saturdays in the Courtyard

Ethan Kalberg

Saturday, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.

Ann Kulchin Courtyard

1775 Dove Lane

Ethan Kalberg, a self-taught musical prodigy, brings his soulful blend of original compositions and classic cover tunes.

Performances take place outdoors, weather permitting. Seating is limited, so please feel free to bring your own chair. Cannon Art Gallery and Chapters Cafe will also be open so you can enjoy an early evening full of culture with friends.

Front Row Saturday

Alejandro Godoy Enrich

Saturday, Jan. 24, 5 p.m.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium

1775 Dove Lane

A Buenos Aires born jazz vocalist and saxophonist, Alejandro brings a sophisticated yet wildly engaging solo show that blends instrumental mastery with charismatic stage presence.

Experience the magic of Front Row Saturday, a free live performance series held in the cozy and intimate 215-seat Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium. This series celebrates the vibrant talent of emerging and established artists from San Diego and North County, offering an exciting mix of music, theater, dance and more.

Reel Wednesday

Wednesdays, 4 & 7 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library

1775 Dove Lane

Our beloved Wednesday Cinema series is back with a fresh new name—Reel Wednesday!

Cinema Club Friday

Fridays, 4 & 7 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library

1775 Dove Lane

Join us for our Cinema Club Friday series.

*Doors will open 30 minutes before showtime. All films are free to the public and are subject to change. All films will be shown in original language with English subtitles excluding the Wednesday at 7 p.m. screening. No food or drinks allowed.

2025 Year in Numbers

Thank you to our valued community, for the opportunity to provide programming to you over the past year.

Performances & Film Attendance:

Cinema Club: 5,265
Front Row Saturday: 451
Saturdays in the Courtyard: 1,489
TGIF: 24,209
Guest Artist Residencies: two artists, five workshops, 367 attendees

William D. Cannon Art Gallery:

Gallery Exhibits: 3
Visual Artists represented: 89
Gallery Visitors: 17,327
Pop Up Exhibits: 5
Artist Talks: 3
Open Studios: 329 art-makers

Community Arts:

Total grants awarded: $117,128 for 26 projects
Summer camps attendees: 1,594
Explore More second grade field trips: 1,104 students from 46 classrooms
Cultural Festivals: 1,140 attendees

Grantee Spotlight

This November, North Coast Repertory Theatre brought the magic of the Hundred Acre Wood to the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium at the Carlsbad City Library.

In partnership with seven local elementary schools, the theatre company, currently supported by a City of Carlsbad Community Arts Grant, delighted young audiences with a whimsical performance of Winnie the Pooh.

Looking ahead to Spring 2026, North Coast Rep will return to engage middle and high school students with a powerful performance of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, continuing their mission to make live theatre accessible and enriching for Carlsbad youth.

Carlsbad Village Association Call for Artists:

Applications Now Open for Carlsbad’s Art in the Village 2026

Carlsbad’s signature summer art festival is now accepting artist applications for the 2026 show. Each year, this juried, fine-art event fills the streets with original works from talented artists across various mediums - painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass, wood, mixed media and more. Thousands of attendees stroll through Carlsbad Village to experience and purchase art in this lively, coastal setting.

Important Dates:

Event Date: Sunday, June 28
Application Deadline: Jan. 16
Late Application Period Begins: Jan. 17

Volunteer Expo

Saturday, Jan. 24

10 to 11:30 a.m.

Georgina Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Just in time for New Year’s goal setting, come to the Volunteer Expo to find the right organization to partner with and serve your community. From 10 to 10:30 a.m., local nonprofit organizations will give brief presentations on their mission, activities and volunteer needs.

Afterward, representatives from each organization will be available to provide information, answer questions and assist attendees in signing up to volunteer. This program is open to teens and adults.

Arts Commission Updates

The next Arts Commission meeting is Thursday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m., in City Council Chambers, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. See what’s on the agenda, attend in person or watch online. The Arts Commission typically meets on the first Thursday of the month.