WorldBeat Center Official Website

33rd Annual Earth Day Celebration
2025-04-20 11:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego, 92101, United States
WorldBeat Center’s 33rd Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 20 | 12PM–7PM
Healing Garden opens at 11AM
Free event, RSVP encouraged
This Earth Day, we invite the community to “rise together as one” in unity, healing, and action.
Our planet, our food, and our health are threatened by the impact of conventional living—but the power to create change lies in our collective hands. WorldBeat Center’s Earth Day Celebration is a free, family-friendly gathering that highlights cultural expression, environmental education, and holistic wellness.
Live Performances by:
– Big Mountain
– Quinto Sol
– Empress Akua
– Mara Sulu & Revival
– Maka Roots
– Soulplant
*Line-up subject to change
Guest Speakers
– Starla Lewis
– Dr Derah
Cultural Showcases:
– Japanese Taiko drumming by San Diego Taiko
– Hip Hop Dance by Junkyard Dance Crew
– West African Drum and Dance
– Afro- Cuban Percussion by Juan Sanchez and Ensemble
– Brazilian Samba by Super Sonic Samba
– Native American blessing and drumming by Tim Red Bird and the Red Warriors
– Earth Poetry by Jonnierenee Nia Nelson
Supported in part by a grant from Poets & Writers
Ethnobotany Sanctuary Garden Activities:
– Community seed swap
– Guided garden tours
– Compost workshops
– Plant Spirit Meditation and Tea Tasting with herbalist Cindy Saylor (11AM meet outside the garden)
– Wellness healing modalities by local practitioners
– Children’s art and craft activities
– Garden plant sale featuring heirloom and medicinal plants
*Guests and activities are subject to change
Additional Highlights:
– All-vegetarian food court
– Wellness and multicultural vendors
– Earth-friendly informational booths
Follow the links below to sign up to volunteer or become a vendor.

We’re using SignUp to organize our Volunteer SignUps.
Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link above
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.
Vendor applications ARE NOW OPEN
CRAFT VENDOR APPLICATION – CLOSED

FOOD VENDOR APPLICATION – CLOSED
INFORMATION BOOTH APPLICATION – CLOSED

Seeds of Herbalism - An Introduction to the Art and Science of Herbalism
2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-03 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-10 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-17 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-24 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-31 10:00 - 12:30
Embark on a transformative journey into the world of herbalism with the “Seeds of Herbalism” course, designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in the art and science of herbal practices. This six-week program offers an immersive experience for individuals eager to integrate herbs and nature into their daily lives.
Course Highlights:

Comprehensive Curriculum: Explore the study of over 12 significant herbs, delve into herbal energetics and actions, and learn sustainable practices for working with plants.
Practical Skills: Gain hands-on experience in growing herbs, ethical wildcrafting, and crafting herbal recipes and formulas to enhance your herbal proficiency.
Personalized Learning: Develop your unique self-study path, fostering a deep, personal connection with the plants that resonate with you.
Community Engagement: Join a community of like-minded individuals passionate about herbalism, facilitating shared learning and meaningful connections.
Sensory Exploration: Participate in numerous tea-tasting sessions, enriching your sensory appreciation and understanding of various herbs.

Course Details:

Dates: Saturdays – April 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: World Beat Center Ethnobotany Peace Garden, San Diego, CA
Cost: $259
Registration Deadline: April 12th

Spaces are limited and classes often reach capacity. Secure your spot by registering promptly.
Join Cindy in cultivating a profound connection with nature and embark on your personal herbalism journey.

Light Justice, Bird Migration and Stargazing
2025-04-26 18:00 - 21:30
Join us for an enlightening evening during International Dark Sky Week as we explore the often-overlooked impacts of noise and light pollution on both people and wildlife. In partnership with Dark Sky Network San Diego Chapter and the Fleet Science Center, this event will highlight the urgent need for light justice—ensuring that everyone, especially marginalized communities, has access to dark skies and a healthier environment.

Event Highlights
– Understanding Light Pollution & Bird Migration – A presentation by Cathy Handzel (Dark Sky Network) on how artificial light disrupts migratory birds and ecosystems.
– Environmental Equity & Light Justice – A discussion with Mwenda KudumuBiggs on the social and environmental impact of excessive artificial lighting.
– Mindful Birding Sessions – Learn how birdwatching fosters mindfulness and a deeper connection with nature.
– Native Planting Workshop – Discover how native plants create bird-friendly habitats and help restore biodiversity.

– Night Sky Star Party – Enjoy a stargazing experience with telescopes provided by the San Diego Astronomy Association.

At WorldBeat Cultural Center, we believe in holistic solutions to environmental challenges. Our Healing Peace Garden serves as a model for transforming noisy urban spaces into places of peace, while this event will inspire action against light pollution and promote greater awareness of its effects.

RSVP now and join us in creating a brighter future by keeping our skies dark.

Black Biz Flea Market 2025
2025-04-27 12:00 - 17:00
Black Biz Flea Market returns for its 3rd event on April 27, 2025, at the iconic WorldBeat Cultural Center in Downtown San Diego.

Attendees can anticipate shopping from vibrant Black-owned businesses, live musical performances from some of So-Cal’s most talented artists, great eats from our most loved food vendors, suprise apperances and more!

Nourish the Body, Empower the Soul
2025-05-04 13:00 - 15:00
This community-centered tasting discussion will explore the connection between food, immunity, and overall health, particularly for those managing HIV or seeking better wellness will enjoy nutrient-dense, immune-boosting dishes while engaging in an open conservation on food access, culturally relevant nutrition and holistic health. The circle will focus on teaching sisters how to prepare healthy immune-boosting and culturally relevant meals to improve overall health and wellbeing.

Saritah Live In San Diego
2025-05-16 19:30 - 21:00
Join us for an inspiring evening of conscious music as internationally acclaimed artist Saritah takes the stage at WorldBeat Center. Blending reggae, roots, and acoustic soul, Saritah delivers powerful messages of healing, empowerment, and connection through sound. Raised in Australia and now based in California, her global influences and vibrant energy make for an unforgettable live experience. Don’t miss this uplifting celebration of music and purpose.

Honey Experience: A Journey into the World of Bees
2025-05-17 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for a unique and enlightening presentation led by Kemi Pavlocak, founder of SAVAGE BEE-CHES, a San Diego based honey brand dedicated to bee conservation, education, and advocacy. Kemi is a passionate beekeeper and pollinator educator with years of experience in sustainable beekeeping practices, native bee awareness, and the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystems. Through SAVAGE BEE-CHES, she works to bridge the gap between communities and the world of bees, fostering environmental stewardship and hands-on education.
This immersive event will take guests on a journey into the world of San Diego’s native bees and honeybees, exploring their essential role in agriculture, biodiversity, and human culture. Attendees will learn fascinating facts about local pollinators, the science behind honey and bee products, and simple ways to support bee populations. The experience will culminate in a guided honey tasting, where guests will sample a selection of floral varieties while discovering how bees shape the flavors we enjoy. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the magic of bees and gain practical knowledge to help protect these vital creatures!

National Tap Dance Day - San Diego
2025-05-24 08:00 - 17:00
National Tap Dance Day is Saturday, May 25th! Join us from 4:00pm-6:30pm at the World Beat Cultural Center in Balboa Park for fantastic tap classes & performances. Check-in beginning at 3:30pm. The first event will start promptly at 4pm.
Please REGISTER HERE to help us get a head count.
WHO: All Tap dance enthusiast of all levels
WHAT: National Tap Dance Day Festivities
WHEN: Saturday, May 25th 11:30a-3:30pm
WHERE: World Beat Cultural Center 2100 Park Blvd, Balboa Park
HOW: Register & show up! IT’S FREE
WHY: Celebrating Tap dance & the legendary “Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
FAQ’s
Any volunteers needed? YES! Please call/text (858) 456-7301
Do I need to bring a tap board? No
Should I bring my tap shoes? Yes, but you can come even if you don’t have any
Where do I park? On the street, or in the lot across the street
Is There Food? Yes, the cafe is open and food/beverages can be purchased
What Is The Jam? The jam is an open dance session where everyone can get up and dance to live music, watch performers, and be part of the party. Anyone who would like to take a turn can come up and improv, alone or with a group, to live music.
11:30 Check In
12:00 Rudiments
12:05 Performances
12:15 Class Chair Dance
12:45: Performances
1:00 Class: EB Choruses
1:30 Performances
1:40 Class: Laura
2:10 Performances
2:20 Class: Improv/Jam
2:50 + BS Chorus
We appreciate all of you for being a part of our dance family, and look forward to sharing a wonderful day of tapping with you!

African Liberation Day 2025
2025-05-24 13:00 - 18:00
African Liberation Day 2025
African Liberation Day is an annual event commemorating the ongoing struggle for freedom, unity, and self-determination across the African continent and the diaspora. Established in 1958, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of African peoples in the fight against colonialism, oppression, and injustice. It is a time to reflect on historical movements, celebrate victories, and discuss the path forward toward true liberation and empowerment.
About the Event
This year’s African Liberation Day gathering promises an inspiring and engaging experience. Attendees will participate in thought-provoking discussions, educational sessions, and cultural performances that highlight the significance of Pan-African unity. The event will feature powerful speakers, community-led workshops, and interactive exhibits aimed at fostering dialogue, connection, and action. Whether you’re an activist, scholar, or simply passionate about African heritage and justice, this is an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and contribute to meaningful change.

International Tap Dance Day
2025-05-25 11:30 - 15:30
National Tap Dance Day is Saturday, May 25th! Join us from 4:00pm-6:30pm at the World Beat Cultural Center in Balboa Park for fantastic tap classes & performances. Check-in beginning at 3:30pm. The first event will start promptly at 4pm.
Please REGISTER HERE to help us get a head count.
WHO: All Tap dance enthusiast of all levels
WHAT: National Tap Dance Day Festivities
WHEN: Saturday, May 25th 11:30a-3:30pm
WHERE: World Beat Cultural Center 2100 Park Blvd, Balboa Park
HOW: Register & show up! IT’S FREE
WHY: Celebrating Tap dance & the legendary “Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
FAQ’s
Any volunteers needed? YES! Please call/text (858) 456-7301
Do I need to bring a tap board? No
Should I bring my tap shoes? Yes, but you can come even if you don’t have any
Where do I park? On the street, or in the lot across the street
Is There Food? Yes, the cafe is open and food/beverages can be purchased
What Is The Jam? The jam is an open dance session where everyone can get up and dance to live music, watch performers, and be part of the party. Anyone who would like to take a turn can come up and improv, alone or with a group, to live music.

We appreciate all of you for being a part of our dance family, and look forward to sharing a wonderful day of tapping with you!

Black Birders Week at Chollas Lake Park
2025-05-31 09:30 - 12:00
WorldBeat Cultural Center and San Diego Bird Alliance invite you to celebrate Black Birders Week, a nationwide movement that centers Black voices, joy, and belonging in outdoor spaces. Created to uplift and support Black birders and nature lovers, Black Birders Week is a powerful call for visibility, connection, and cultural affirmation in nature.
For 2025, Black Birders Week carries the powerful theme “Grounded in Community,” celebrating Black joy, liberation, and collective power in the outdoors. Our event takes place on Day 7—Community Chorus—a day dedicated to lifting our voices together through shared stories, reflection, and celebration in nature.
🐦 Bird Theme – Honoring the Sparrow and the Crow
Black Birders Week 2025 honors the Sparrow Family—resilient, adaptive, and thriving in connection. Like sparrows, we find strength in community, lifting our voices together to transform the outdoors into spaces of belonging and liberation. Often dismissed as “little brown birds,” sparrows embody qualities of resilience and solidarity that deeply resonate with the Black experience.
WorldBeat Cultural Center also honors the American Crow, a bird often misunderstood and marginalized—much like Black communities in urban spaces. Despite negative stereotypes, crows are highly intelligent, social, and resourceful. Their story mirrors our own: thriving against the odds and creating beauty through adaptability and ancestral knowledge.
♿ Accessibility & Amenities

The walk follows flat, paved, and hard-packed dirt paths suitable for wheelchairs and strollers
Bathrooms and drinking water are available on site
Free parking is available near the trailhead
Public Transit: Accessible via Bus Route 955 and MTS Trolley Orange Line to Euclid Ave, with a transfer to bus or short rideshare
Binoculars will be available to borrow for participants

Whether you’re new to birding or simply seeking connection in nature, this outing offers a space to learn about local birds, try out the Merlin Bird ID app, and reflect on the meaning of place, healing, and being Black in the outdoors.
What to Expect:

A slow, mindful nature outing through the lake
Birdwatching and identification tips
Restful pauses for reflection and connection
📱 Guidance on using the Merlin Bird ID app

🦆 All ages + experience levels welcome
🦜 Free and open to the public

Juneteenth Celebrating Black Seminole History
2025-06-19 17:00 - 20:00
Juneteenth at WorldBeat Center: Honoring the Legacy of Black Seminoles, Maroon Societies, and John Horse
Thursday, June 19, 2025 | 5PM–8PM | WorldBeat Cultural Center, Balboa Park
Juneteenth marks a turning point in American history—the day in 1865 when freedom finally reached the last enslaved people in Texas. But long before that, liberation was being claimed by those who resisted slavery on their own terms, forging hidden paths and building independent communities. This Juneteenth, WorldBeat Cultural Center honors the powerful legacy of Maroon societies, especially the Black Seminoles, the Mascogos of Mexico, and their courageous leader John Horse.
We are honored to welcome Micco/Chief Thomi Perryman as our keynote speaker. A hereditary chief of the United Warrior Band of the Seminole Nation/John Horse Band and founder of the Warren Perryman Foundation for Native American Research, Chief Perryman has spent decades preserving the legacy of Black Seminoles—descendants of Africans who fled slavery and found refuge with Seminole Indians in Florida. Their journey spanned multiple forced migrations through Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, and eventually into Mexico, where they became known as the Mascogos.
Their story is one of survival, sovereignty, and cultural resilience—hallmarks of Maroon societies across the Americas. At the center stands John Horse (Juan Caballo), a warrior, negotiator, and visionary who fought for freedom across borders, leading his people through war and into self-determined exile.
Join us on Thursday, June 19th from 5PM to 8PM for an evening of remembrance, storytelling, and celebration.
🗓️ Event Schedule
5:00 PM – Reception and Meet & Greet with Chief Thomi Perryman
Live performance by Dramane Kone
5:30 PM – Welcome by WorldBeat Center and Guests
6:00 PM – Keynote presentation by Chief Perryman
7:15 PM – Q & A
WorldBeat Cultural Center, Balboa Park
Chief Thomi Perryman | Ibrahima Ba
This Juneteenth, we lift up the stories of Afro-Indigenous resistance and the enduring spirit of those who never waited to be free. Come be part of this powerful tribute to legacy, liberation, and cultural survival.

3rd Annual Juneteenth Harriet Tubman Bird Walk
2025-06-21 09:30 - 14:30
Join us for a powerful morning of remembrance, nature, and cultural history as WorldBeat Cultural Center hosts the 3rd Annual Harriet Tubman Freedom Birdwatch in honor of Juneteenth and the legacy of Black resistance and liberation.
This year’s experience will take place in and around WorldBeat Center’s gardens, where participants will engage in guided birdwatching, cultural storytelling, and hands-on learning.
In partnership with Celebrate Urban Birds and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, we’ll be using the Merlin Bird ID app to identify local birds by sight and sound. We’ll also reflect on the important role of birds in history—especially how Harriet Tubman used the call of the barred owl as a secret signal during Underground Railroad missions.
New this year is an Augmented Reality “freedom trail” in the garden. Visitors will follow interactive markers that highlight the lives and leadership of figures like Harriet Tubman and John Horse, a Black Seminole and freedom fighter who led maroon communities across the South.
Participants will also learn about the quilts used as communication tools, sewn with symbols that guided enslaved people on their journey to freedom—blending African textile traditions with resistance strategies.
Event Highlights:

Garden-based birdwatching using the Merlin Bird ID app
Stories of how the barred owl and other birds were used as coded signals
Augmented Reality “freedom trail” through the garden
History of quilt codes on the Underground Railroad
Kumeyaay land acknowledgment and native tree planting
Bird-friendly seed giveaways
Cultural drumming, community vendors, and a Juneteenth Freedom Plate

This is more than a birdwatch—it’s a celebration of heritage, resilience, and the deep connection between nature and liberation.
Free and open to the public.
All ages welcome. Let’s learn, honor, and walk in the path of freedom—together.

Raw & Ripe
2025-07-26 14:22 - 19:00
Join Chef Danielle from Let’s Talk Food and Godis Lavva on an ancient yet futuristic vision quest in wellness and healing at the most indigenous venue in San Diego, California. This event is bound to be a meditative, multi-sensory, and transcendent experience, including a sacred tea ceremony with the illustrious Egyptian Blue Lotus Flower. We will be immersed in a sound-healing journey to charge our energetic and subtle bodies, all while nourishing our physical bodies with a 3-Course RAW AND RIPE Cookbook tasting.

VIP Admission Includes:
– Blessed Goodie Bag
– Autograph Signed RAW AND RIPE Cookbook
– Autograph Signed “Prayers in the Mirror” album poster by LAVVA
– Hand-crafted Sacred Egyptian Blue Lotus Tea Blend
…and more magic.

Theme: Crown Chakra AWAKENING
Offering(s): Blue Lotus Tea Ceremony & Vision Quest, 3-Course Raw and Ripe Cookbook Tasting, (VIP) Blue Lotus After Party
Suggested Attire: Shades of blue, indigo, brown, nude, and white
*Featured Guest: Godis LAVVA is a sonic frequency healer, musical oracle, medicine woman, and multi-dimensional artist and designer.

Ancestral Resonance - A Gathering of Remembrance
2025-08-08 19:00 - 21:00
Lion’s Gate Portal Activation at WorldBeat Center

Join us under the powerful energies of the Lion’s Gate Portal, when the Sun in Leo, the Earth, and the star Sirius align. This sacred window opens a direct connection to higher consciousness, offering an opportunity to retrieve, remember, and activate your soul’s divine blueprint.
Together, we will co-create a ceremonial space of remembrance, restoration, and deep spiritual alignment.

✨ Evening Offerings
Crystal Hologram Activation
with @the_crystal_shaman_naj
Access your soul’s Akashic records through the soul-retrieving power of Brazilian Lemurian Quartz, guided by Stone Medicine Practitioner Najah Abdus-Salaam.
Oracle Activation
with @evinnesence
Receive a Spoken Word Soul Purpose Transmission to unlock the codes and scrolls of your soul’s frequency. Allow this energetic activation to initiate the Great Remembering.
Sound Bath
with @piecesofmisty
Bathe in a multi-sensory sound alchemy journey, designed to calm the nervous system and open deeper connection to self, spirit, and ancestral frequencies.

💫 Meet Your Hosts
Evinn Moreland
Oracle Activator • Scroll Bearer • Soul-Led Guide
A San Diego native and cosmic emissary, Evinn walks between worlds, channeling ancient codes through spoken word and sacred transmissions. Her work is rooted in frequency over form, guiding others into alignment with their highest destiny timeline.
Misty Jackson
Holistic Hairstylist • Sound Healer • Reiki Master • Herbalist • Tea Curator
Misty is a multidimensional healer who integrates sacred touch, herbal wisdom, and sound medicine to restore inner harmony. Every offering is infused with love and intention, nurturing both the physical and energetic bodies.
Najah Abdus-Salaam
Stone Medicine Practitioner • Acupuncturist • Channel • Intuitive
Najah bridges ancient Chinese Medicine and Daoist Stone Medicine with modern intuitive healing. Her crystal work creates portals of deep transformation, integrating vibrational frequencies with traditional healing modalities.

🧘‍♀️ What to Bring

Yoga mat or blanket for comfortable reclining
Journal + pen for reflections
Water to stay hydrated
Open heart + willingness to receive

Step into your full power. The portal is open.
Join us for a night of soul healing, remembrance, and multidimensional activation.

Build a Raised Planter Box Workshop
2025-08-09 10:00 - 14:00
🌿 Learn How to Build a Mobile Raised Planter Box with wheels! 🌿
No Experience Needed | All Tools Provided | Fun & Hands-On!
Join us for a Saturday workshop where we’ll transform a simple stack of redwood and cedar into a beautiful, professional-grade planter box—on wheels! These produce-friendly materials are perfect for home gardening. Whether you’ve got a sunny balcony, a cozy backyard, or just a patch of patio, you’ll walk away with the skills to build and get growing.
🛠️ What You’ll Learn:
• Basic carpentry skills
• Step-by-step planter box construction
Your Instructor: Jaime Maurine Armbruster
With over 45 years of experience, Master Carpenter Jaime brings wisdom, skill, and a love of teaching to every project. Whether you’re new to tools or a DIY veteran, this workshop is for everyone.
🌻 Come Ready to Create, Learn & Have Fun!
We provide everything—just bring your enthusiasm.
* LIMITED RESRVATIONS FOR WORKSHOP

Community Market at WorldBeat Center
2025-08-10 12:00 - 17:00
Community Market at WorldBeat Center
Every Second Sunday | 12PM – 5PM | Balboa Park
Join us for the launch of an exciting new tradition at the WorldBeat Cultural Center! The Community Market is your monthly destination for culture, creativity, and connection—happening every second Sunday from 12PM to 5PM in beautiful Balboa Park.
Enjoy:
Delicious local food
Unique vendors and artisans
Uplifting music and community vibes
Hosted by @communitymarket_worldbeat, this vibrant gathering is more than just a market—it’s a celebration of community spirit and cultural expression. Come shop, eat, dance, and support local talent in a space dedicated to unity and creativity.

A Night in Africa
2025-08-10 17:00 - 20:00
Join us for A Night in Africa—an unforgettable evening celebrating Experience the electrifying sounds of Wazumbians, a dynamic Afro-fusion band hailing from Ghana known for blending traditional West African rhythms with funk, reggae, and highlife.
The evening will also feature beautiful African fashions, lively West African drum and dance, and delicious African and Afro-Caribbean dishes available for purchase.
We’ll be celebrating the birthday of our Executive Director, Makeda, along with all the Leos in the house!
Come immerse yourself in the culture, music, and soul of Africa right here in Balboa Park.
Free event, All ages welcome

An Evening of Zappa: Stinkfoot Orchestra featuring Napoleon Murphy Brock + Fistfights With Wolves
2025-08-15 19:00 - 21:00
Friday, August 15 | Doors 7PM | Show 8PM
$20 at the door | All Ages
Experience a night of boundary-pushing music and theatrical performance at WorldBeat Cultural Center.
The Stinkfoot Orchestra returns to San Diego with legendary saxophonist and original Frank Zappa band member Napoleon Murphy Brock. Since 2022, this critically acclaimed ensemble has captivated audiences up and down the West Coast, celebrating over three decades of Zappa’s innovative compositions—from the early Mothers of Invention to his later works. Backed by a robust lineup featuring six horns, tuned percussion, and four vocalists, the band delivers Zappa’s music with unmatched energy, authenticity, and musical precision. Their performances have received praise from Zappa alumni including Arthur Barrow, Ray White, Ike Willis, and Bruce Fowler, who simply stated, “They get it.”
Opening the evening is Fistfights With Wolves, a progressive rock eight-piece based in San Diego. Known for blending classical chamber music with driving rock rhythms, their richly layered sound includes two drummers, two vocalists, violin, bass, guitar, and keyboards. Critics have called their music “dynamic,” “emotional,” and “beautiful,” making them the perfect complement to a night of musical exploration.
Event Schedule
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Fistfights With Wolves: 8:00 PM
Stinkfoot Orchestra featuring Napoleon Murphy Brock: 9:00 PM
Learn more:
stinkfootorchestra.com
fistfightswithwolves.bandcamp.com

CANCELED: Marcus Garvey Day featuring the Wailing Souls
2025-08-16 19:00 - 23:00
** Due to an unforeseen medical circumstance, we must postpone our date to February 2026. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused. Stand by, and we’ll see you shortly at Legends Festival
-Wailing Souls Management **

Join us at WorldBeat Center for a powerful and uplifting Marcus Garvey Day Celebration honoring the life, legacy, and vision of one of the greatest Pan-African leaders of the 20th century. This year, we are proud to present a live concert with legendary reggae icons, The Wailing Souls, bringing roots, rhythm, and revolutionary spirit to Balboa Park.
Celebrate Marcus Garvey’s call for unity, pride, and self-determination with a night filled with conscious music, cultural tribute, community connection, and liberation energy.
The Wailing Souls are a Jamaican reggae vocal group whose origins date back to the 1960s. The group has undergone several line-up changes over the years with Winston “Pipe” Matthews and Lloyd “Bread” McDonald the only constant members. They have been nominated for Grammy Awards three times.

XVII Fandango Fronterizo – Workshop with Tacho Utrera
2025-09-05 18:30 - 20:30
Friday, September 5, 2025
WorldBeat Cultural Center (2100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101)6:30 PM – 8:30 PMAll Levels Welcome
Join us at WorldBeat Center for a special workshop in Jarana and Zapateado led by the renowned musician Tacho Utrera. This session will focus on practicing the traditional son of Zapateado. Participants are encouraged to bring shoes with wooden heels if possible.

Instructor Bio: Tacho Utrera
Tacho Utrera is a respected son jarocho musician and cultural bearer from Veracruz, Mexico. Known for his mastery of the jarana (a traditional string instrument) and the zapateado (percussive footwork central to fandango), Tacho has dedicated his life to preserving and sharing the rich traditions of son jarocho music and dance. He regularly teaches workshops across Mexico, the U.S., and internationally, helping to connect communities through the spirit of the fandango—a participatory celebration of music, dance, and poetry.

Additional Information

What to bring: Comfortable shoes with wooden heels (if available) for zapateado practice.

Presented by: XVII Fandango Fronterizo, with support from WorldBeat Center and partners.

📞 More info: 619-800-0841 | Instagram: @fandangofronterizo

XVII Fandango Fronterizo – Taller con Tacho Utrera
Viernes, 5 de septiembre de 2025
WorldBeat Cultural Center (2100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Todos los niveles son bienvenidos
Acompáñanos en el WorldBeat Center para un taller especial de Jarana y Zapateado dirigido por el reconocido músico Tacho Utrera. En esta sesión se practicará el son del Zapateado. Se recomienda traer zapatos con tacón de madera, si es posible.

Biografía del Instructor: Tacho Utrera
Tacho Utrera es un respetado músico de son jarocho y portador cultural originario de Veracruz, México. Reconocido por su maestría en la jarana (instrumento de cuerdas tradicional) y el zapateado (baile percusivo esencial del fandango), Tacho ha dedicado su vida a preservar y compartir las ricas tradiciones del son jarocho. Ha impartido talleres en México, Estados Unidos e internacionalmente, conectando comunidades a través del espíritu del fandango—una celebración participativa de música, danza y poesía.

Información adicional

Qué traer: Zapatos cómodos con tacón de madera (si es posible) para la práctica de zapateado.
Presentado por: XVII Fandango Fronterizo, con el apoyo de WorldBeat Center y colaboradores.
📞 Más información: (+1) 619-800-0841 | Instagram: @fandangofronterizo

Mama Charlotte featuring film screenings
2025-09-13 19:30 - 21:00
Mama Charlotte returns from Tanzania to WorldBeat Center to screen her documentaries “Mama C: Urban Warrior In the African Bush” and “American Exile” this Saturday, September 13th. Come join us for this free event 7pm-9pm.
Mama C: Urban Warrior
Raised in the violent segregation of 1960s Kansas, former Black Panther and artist Mama C has lived in Africa for most of her life. Her story is a journey through African identity and gives us a powerful meditation on identity, exile and art.

American Exile
American Exile chronicles some of the history of Pete O’Neal, founder and Chairman of the Kansas City Chapter of the Black Panther Party. The documentary by two Berkeley University grads, is narrated by the award winning actress Alfre Woodard and features never before seen footage of his life in exile and areas that previous documentaries have never touched upon.

About Charlotte Hill O’Neal
Charlotte Hill O’Neal is known by several names. Residents of the Arusha region of northern Tanzania, where she has lived for decades, call her Mama C. Others call her Mama Africa because of the scarification on her cheeks and the ring piercing her nose, and because she encourages the local youth to be proud of their culture and heritage.
Her Orisha spiritual name is Osotunde Fasuyi. She was initiated several years ago as a priestess in the Yoruba belief system, which originated about 10 000 years ago in present-day Nigeria. Enslaved Africans brought it to the Americas and the Caribbean, where it syncretized with other belief systems and is now practiced throughout these areas.

Charlotte is bedecked in jewelry and beads. Some items represent Orisha deities and others are traditional Maasai beadwork.

She is a former member of the Black Panther Party, who fled the United States with her husband Pete O’Neal half a century ago.
Charlotte speaks Swahili with a Midwest drawl and her skin is decorated with tattoos: a black panther on her left shoulder and Sankofa, a symbol the Akan people of Ghana use to represent the importance of gaining knowledge and wisdom from the past, on her arm. African instruments, including the stringed nyatiti traditionally played by the Luo of present-day Kenya, replace the gun once strapped across her body.

Community Market at WorldBeat Center (September)
2025-09-14 12:00 - 17:00
Every Second Sunday | 12PM – 5PM | Balboa Park
Join us for the launch of an exciting new tradition at the WorldBeat Cultural Center! The Community Market is your monthly destination for culture, creativity, and connection—happening every second Sunday from 12PM to 5PM in beautiful Balboa Park.
Enjoy:
Delicious local food
Unique vendors and artisans
Uplifting music and community vibes
Hosted by @communitymarket_worldbeat, this vibrant gathering is more than just a market—it’s a celebration of community spirit and cultural expression. Come shop, eat, dance, and support local talent in a space dedicated to unity and creativity.

Seeds of Herbalism - An Introduction to the Art & Science of Herbalism
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:30
Seeds of Herbalism – An Introduction to the Art & Science of Herbalism
Class begins Saturday Sept 20

A 6 week introduction to the art and science of herbalism. This course is for anyone that wants to build a foundation of learning in herbalism. This class will be a strong foundation for further exploration into herbalism, plant spirit connections and medicinal plants.

Connect with yourself.
Connect with the plants.
Connect with green hearted folks.

Curriculum:

Building Connections | Plant Spirit Communication & Meditation
Traditions | How to study herbs | Vitalism | Four Directions Model of learning
Self-Study | Plant Profiles | Resources | Finding your way in the chatter
12+ Herbs | Growing & Wildcrafting & Purchasing | Experiential Learning
Energetics | Actions | Formula Theory
Recipes & Formulas | Home Herbalism by the seasons

Details: 6 Saturdays Sept 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm
Location: World Beat Center Ethnobotany Peace Garden
Limited space sign up early!

Learn More and sign up:

Black Biz Flea Market
2025-09-20 12:00 - 18:00
CELEBRATE, COMMERCE, CULTURE!
Black Biz Flea Market returns for its 4th event on September 20, 2025, at the iconic WorldBeat Cultural Center in San Diego!
Join us for the ultimate end-of-summer celebration — a day of community, culture, and commerce all in one space.
Expect:
Vibrant shopping from Black-owned businesses
Live music from some of SoCal’s most talented artists
Your favorite food vendors serving up the best eats
Surprise appearances, live art, and more!
This is how we’re closing out the summer—BIG.
SEE YOU THERE!
*All age event*
