The Arc of San Diego hosted the Winter Wonderland Fashion Show and Luncheon on Dec. 6 at the US Grant Hotel. This year’s theme was “Marching Into the Holidays; A Nutcracker Extravaganza,” which set the perfect tone for the festive occasion. The event began with a holiday shopping boutique and silent auction, offering guests an opportunity to browse and bid on unique treasures.The emcee for the afternoon was the choreographer and dance personality Mary Murphy. You may remember her as a former judge and choreographer on the FOX reality dance competition show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” Her warm welcome energized the crowd for this festive occasion. The renowned auctioneer, Clint Bell, lead the live auction with many cool items such as a signature cocktail for your table at the event.The main highlight was an amazing fashion show produced by Leonard Simpson. First to grace the runway was Satori Designs with their eclectic collection from around the world, beautifully accessorized with Hammitt handbags. Designer Lena Trotsko followed with a stunning collection of gowns and corsets. A standout moment was the segment by Zeglio Custom Clothiers, where models elegantly sashayed down the runway alongside majestic wolfhounds, creating a memorable scene. Designer Debbie Nghiem delighted the audience with her Fame Of Love Collection for GG Connects. The grand finale featured Mario’s Boutique with breathtaking ballgowns in holiday colors, perfectly paired with their inspiring motto “Because you are a Queen!” Additional designers included Extreme and Fashion Forward by Leonard Simpson.All hair and makeup for the show were styled by the Paul Mitchell School. The wonderful props and headpieces were created by the talented Gloria Parker. Proceeds from the event directly support The Arc of San Diego’s life-changing programs for individuals with disabilities. As the largest nonprofit in San Diego serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, The Arc of San Diego positively impacts over 2,000 children and adults annually. For more information or to learn how you can support The Arc of San Diego, visit arc-sd.com.UPCOMING EVENTSWednesday, Jan. 22 – Fashion and Business Networking/Elevating Your Potential-San Diego at the Garage Kitchen + Bar from 6-8 p.m. in the Gaslamp at 655 Fourth Ave. The event is 21-plus. For tickets, https://bit.ly/3DioUXY.Sunday, Feb. 23 — Bridal Bazaar with fashion shows presented by Gretchen Productions at the San Diego Convention Center. Two shows are presented during the day. For more info, call 760-334-5500.Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner in Southern California. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher, and podcaster at dianacavagnaro.com.

Lauren Samuels as Elphaba and Austen Danielle Bohmer as Glinda in the National Tour of “Wicked.” (Photo by Joan Marcus)The Broadway tour of “Wicked” will be in San Diego for an extra-long stint starting on Feb. 5 and running through March 2. Most Broadway tours stay in San Diego for one or two weeks, so the month-long stay is special – although the musical has had two-year sit-down engagements in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the past. Tickets are already on sale for the four-week engagement at broadwaysd.com, making them an excellent gift idea for musical theater lovers. With the unusually long stay for the musical, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a showing of the ever-popular musical at the Civic Theatre.For recent fans who fell in love with the film adaptation of the show starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the production allows them to find out the musical’s ending before part two of the movie is released on Nov. 21, 2025.“Wicked Part One” has experienced box office success since debuting in November, with the best opening weekend of any non-sequel film in 2024 and the third-best overall opening after “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.” However, it still pales in comparison to the Broadway production, which has amassed over $5 billion in global sales since its debut 20 years ago.Tip: Use a pink and green card to give away these tickets from the show’s iconic color scheme.Plenty of other local productions can be used as gifts while supporting the arts. Nights out are a meaningful way to spend time and bond with loved ones. After all, relationships have more value than any temporary item. Here are some other options.“Some Like it Hot”Matt Loehr (Joe), Leandra Ellis-Gaston (Sugar), Tavis Kordell (Jerry) and the First National Touring Company of “Some Like It Hot.” (Photo by Matthew Murphy)Can’t wait another month to see a musical? The Broadway tour of the rebooted musical will be in San Diego from Jan. 28-Feb. 2. This production also has a special local connection as it is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw and features costume designs by Gregg Barnes—both proud San Diego Junior Theatre alums.“Churlish Chiding of Winter Winds”“Churlish Chiding of Winter Winds” (Photo by Josie Gonzales)Speaking of San Diego Junior Theatre, the nation’s longest-running youth theater, is debuting a world premiere production, “Churlish Chiding of Winter Winds: A Shakespeariment!” Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m. from Jan. 10 to 19. This original production was conceived by director David Goodwin and devised by students of Junior Theatre’s education program along with cast members of the show. It explores the dangers of winter set against the pastoral escapism of Shakespeare plays such as “As You Like It,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Winter’s Tale.”Offerings at The Old GlobeThe Old Globe (Photo courtesy The Old Globe)A few buildings away at San Diego’s traditional home of Shakespeare, The Old Globe is performing his classic comedies “All’s Well That Ends Well” from June 8 to July 6 and “The Comedy of Errors” from July 27 to Aug. 24 this summer. Before that, the theater is also performing world premieres of the poignant play set in post-tsunami Japan “Empty Ride” from Feb. 8 to March 2, the historic road trip musical “Regency Girls” from April 2 to May 4, the family restaurant drama “House of India” May 10 to June 1, and Anna Ziegler’s “The Janeiad” from June 21 to 25.“Hello, Dolly!”For more Broadway offerings, San Diego Musical Theatre gives local artists a chance to perform hit musicals. Their latest season opens with “Hello, Dolly!” In this golden age blockbuster hit, a meddlesome matchmaker arrives in Yonkers set on finding a match for the miserly Horace Vandergelder. Bursting with humor, romance, high-energy dancing and some of the greatest songs in musical theater history, this show is boisterous and charming from start to finish. Catch performances from Feb. 7 through March 9 at 4650 Mercury St.“Other Desert Cities”Cygnet Theatre is currently showing “A Christmas Carol,” is no Scrooge when it comes to Christmas productions as its next show also features the holiday. (Photo by Karli Cadel)Cygnet Theatre is keeping the Christmas spirit alive through March with “Other Desert Cities,” about a family gathering for Christmas in Palm Springs where family secrets unravel. It’s at the theater’s Old Town location from Feb. 5 through March 5, so is timely as a Christmas gift. This is also one of the last productions at Cygnet’s 4040 Twiggs St. home before it moves to Liberty Station.“3 Summers of Lincoln”One of San Diego’s most renowned theaters, La Jolla Playhouse, is premiering a historic musical about the profound friendship between President Abraham Lincoln and Frederic Douglass from Feb. 18 to March 23. This is the sixth Playhouse collaboration between Joe DiPietro and Christopher Ashley, including the hit shows “Babbitt,” “Diana” and Tony-winning “Memphis.” More information at https://lajollaplayhouse.org/show/3-summers-of-lincoln/.

Explore the fascinating intersection of science and art at the upcoming Art Show and Reception “Science and Art: Bridging Two Creative Universes” hosted by Beata Science Art and the UC San Diego School of Biological Sciences. This unique exhibition brings together the works of talented researchers and artists who have been inspired by the wonders of science. This interactive gathering also explores how art can communicate complex scientific concepts, foster innovative collaborations, and advance scientific discovery.The event features a diverse range of art pieces, including paintings, sculptures, fashion, and interactive media that showcase the powerful connection between science and art, emphasizing how artistic practices are transforming scientific research, communication, and visualization through creativity and cutting-edge technologies.The Art Show and Reception takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at UCSD Park & Market (1100 Market St.). The event is free and open to the public, with complimentary food and drinks. This event was made possible through support from the UC San Diego School of Biological Sciences, BPS Bioscience, Ibidi, New England Biolabs, Nikon Instruments, Cytoskeleton Inc., ZEISS, and the National Marrow Donor Program.Beata Science Art is a science outreach brand sharing the beauty of biology through art, fashion, and interactive media. Inspired by a passion for making science accessible in creative ways, Dr. Beata Mierzwa, a molecular biologist and science artist, collaborates with Matthew Cooney, MSc, a conservationist and science communicator. Beata Science Art’s illustrations portray scientific concepts in intuitive ways, while their science fashion celebrates the beauty of the molecular world. For more information, visit www.beatascienceart.com or follow @beatascienceart on social media.