Stage Cues

‘These Shining Lives’
Thursday, Dec. 1–Saturday, Dec. 3 and Thursday, Dec. 8–Saturday, Dec. 10

Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre (8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon) presents this play, directed by Beth Duugan, about the true story of the women who formed a bond of kinship as they fought the Radium Dial Company in their search for justice and how their sacrifice forged a legacy of better working conditions for future generations. Visit bit.ly/2efnnou for tickets and showtimes.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Thursday, Dec. 1–Sunday, Dec. 4

A concert collaboration between the SDSU Schools of Theatre, Television, and Film; and Music and Dance will be staged in the school’s Don Powell Theatre (5500 Campanile Drive). The popular rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice is known for its unique storytelling from the perspective of Judas Iscariot. Visit artsalive.sdsu.edu for showtimes and tickets.

‘Rented Christmas: The Musical’
Friday, Dec. 2 – Sunday, Dec. 18

This holiday play at Lamplighters Community Theatre (5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa) tells the story of a middle-aged bachelor and businessman who asks a local rent shop for an unusual rental. He wants to rent a Christmas – not just a tree and carols but one with a wife and family and the happiness he is longing for. Visit lamplighterslamesa.com for tickets and showtimes.

‘The Gate: A Christmas Pageant’
Sunday, Dec. 18

The youth of the United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM) will perform a special Christmas pageant during Sunday worship at 10 a.m. UCCLM is an open and affirming congregation. All are welcome. 5940 Kelton Ave., La Mesa. Visit tableucc.com for more information.

Music Notes

Live music: California Note Catchers
Saturday, Dec. 3

This women’s four-part harmony chorus will perform a free show at the La Mesa Library (8074 Allison Ave., La Mesa) at noon. The chorus will perform classic, traditional and international holiday music. Visit californianotecatchers.com for more information.

Carolers on Mt. Helix
Sunday, Dec. 11

The Full Measure carolers will lead participants in the annual free, family-friendly sing-along at Helix Park from 4 to 7 p.m. The caroling portion of the event will begin at 5:15 p.m., but the pre-caroling entertainment will be provided by Da Capa Al Fine, a quintet composed of members from the Mainly Mozart Youth Advanced Orchestra. The evening also features a visit from Santa, complimentary cocoa, hot apple cider, coffee and cookies. Free parking and shuttles begin at 3 p.m. in the lots next to the San Miguel Fire Station at the corner of Mt. Helix Drive and Vivera Drive. For more information visit mthelixpark.org.

3rd annual ‘An Evening of Readings & Carols’
Sunday, Dec. 18

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church (7710 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa) will host this event featuring San Diego Pro Arte Voices at 7 p.m. Musical selections will be paired with readings by guest speakers. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students and free for children 5 and under. Visit SDproartevoices.org and stmartinoftoursparish.org for more information.

Gallery Views

‘Four of a Kind’
Through Friday, Dec. 2

Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation is presenting this exhibition featuring four award-winning photographers: Janine Free, Jill Rowe, Kirk Sullivan and Jennifer Wolf. The exhibit will be on display in Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery (1 Father Junipero Serra Trail) through Dec. 2. Visit mtrp.org for more details.

‘Natural Views’
Dec. 3-Jan. 6; reception Saturday, Dec. 10

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation (MTRP) presents an art exhibit featuring works from student artists in the Grossmont Union High School District. The exhibit will be displayed in the MTRP Visitor Center Art Gallery Dec. 3-Jan. 6. The public is invited to attend a reception for the artists on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. Schools with students participating in the exhibit include Grossmont, Idea, Monte Vista, Mount Miguel, Steele Canyon, Valhalla and West Hills. The MTRP Visitor and Interpretive Center is located at 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit mtrp.org.

La Mesa artist honored by Watercolor Society
Sunday, Dec. 11; showing Dec. 11-30

The San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) will honor La Mesa artist Jay Andrews as Plein Air Painter Extraordinaire with a showing of his work Dec. 11–30 at the SDWS Gallery in the Arts District in Liberty Station. An opening reception will be held Dec. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. Andrews, now in his 90s, has painted scenes outdoors in San Diego for numerous years. Andrews practiced architecture from his one-man office in La Mesa for 50 years before retiring. For more information, visit sdws.org.

Beatles Cartoon Pop Art Show
Friday, Dec. 9–Sunday, Dec. 11

Ron Campbell, the animator of The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” and the director of The Beatles’ Saturday morning TV cartoon series, will be painting, exhibiting and discussing cartoons at Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts (363 Fifth Ave., Suite 102, Downtown). Campbell’s artwork features beloved cartoon characters including Scooby Doo, the Smurfs, the Jetsons and more. Visit mjwfinearts.com and beatlescartoonartshow.com for more information.

On Film 

Movies at the city of La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center
Thursdays

Each Thursday, the Adult Enrichment Center (8450 La Mesa Blvd.) hosts a movie screening in its main hall. The movies start at 1 p.m. and cost $1 to attend. Upcoming films include:

• Dec. 1: “My Fair Lady”
• Dec. 8: “Christmas Story”
• Dec. 15: “Love Actually”
• Dec. 22: “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Visit cityoflamesa.com for more information.