WorldBeat Center Official Website

Luciano w/ special guests Fully Fullwood band ft Ginger Roots
2025-10-23 19:30 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego, 92101, United States
WorldBeat Cultural Center presents the Together As One Concert 🌍
Experience an unforgettable night of roots reggae and conscious vibrations as Luciano “The Jah Messenger” returns to San Diego. With a voice that uplifts and lyrics that inspire, Luciano has become one of the most respected figures in international reggae, carrying messages of love, unity, and justice across the globe.
Joining him is special guest, the Fully Fullwood Band featuring San Diego’s own Ginger Roots, bringing soulful roots reggae and fresh, uplifting grooves rooted in community and positivity.
📅 Thursday, October 23rd⏰ Doors open at 7:30 PM📍 WorldBeat Cultural Center, Balboa Park
Celebrate a night of music for peace, justice, and unity with some of reggae’s finest.

Seeds of Herbalism - An Introduction to the Art & Science of Herbalism
2025-10-25 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:

San Diego Capoeira Batizado
2025-10-25 15:00 - 17:00
Batizado 2025: African Brazilian Capoeira Initiation & Celebration

Join us for Batizado 2025 at the WorldBeat Cultural Arts Center—a powerful celebration of African Brazilian tradition, rhythm, and movement. The Batizado (meaning “baptism”) is a Capoeira initiation ceremony where new students are formally welcomed into the roda (circle), and returning students are honored for their growth and mastery.
This year’s guest teachers and master include Mestre Touro, Mestre Preto Velho, Mestre Caveira, and Contra-Mestre Bode Contador,

Capoeira is a martial art integrated with dance, ritual, and gravity defying acrobatics. It is marked by deft, tricky movements often played on the ground or completely inverted. It is always played with music. Capoeira balances the body, soul and mind. It is a graceful and exciting art form that teaches you to be alert. Capoeira is both a dance and a fight which asks you also engage your mind in learning its music, culture, history and knowledge.
Batizado literally means “baptism”; besides being an initiation rite for new students it is also a graduation ceremony for advanced students and a great capoeira community celebration with masters from near and far are invited and the fraternity of capoeira is measurably strengthened by the camaraderie and interplay.
Capoeira is usually done inside a circle of people called a “roda”, pronouced HO-DUH. The people in the circle are usually other capoeiristas waiting to “play”, and observers.
A roda will usually commence with a ladainha (litany), often sung by the most senior member present. These songs may be improvised on the spot, but are often famous songs written by an earlier mestre and sung in Portuguese. After the ladainha has been sung, the same singer will usually sing the chulas, which are usually made up of any of the lines listed in the chulas section below but, again, may be improvised on the spot. The chorus repeats each line of the chula after it has been sung. Finally, corridos will be sung while the game is playing. In most rodas anyone can sing a corrido, though most often they will be sung by the members of the group playing instruments, the bateria.

Community Market at WorldBeat Center (December)
2025-11-09 11:00 - 16:00
Join us for the Community Market at the WorldBeat Cultural Center!
Now a growing tradition in Balboa Park, the Community Market is your monthly destination for culture, creativity, and connection—happening every second Sunday from 11AM to 4PM.
Come support local artisans and makers while finding one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Every purchase helps strengthen our local economy and uplift small businesses that make our community shine.

Community Market at WorldBeat Center (November)
2025-11-09 12:00 - 17:00
Join us for the Community Market at the WorldBeat Cultural Center!
Now a growing tradition in Balboa Park, the Community Market is your monthly destination for culture, creativity, and connection—happening every second Sunday from 12PM to 5PM.
Come support local artisans and makers while finding one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Every purchase helps strengthen our local economy and uplift small businesses that make our community shine.

2ND ANNUAL TRANSFORMNATIONS GALA
2025-11-15 18:00 - 22:00
TransformNations Gala
Join us for TransformNations as they celebrate their 2nd annual TransformNations Gala and embark on a Magic Carpet Ride! Saturday November 15, 2025 at 6pm. Location : Worldbeat Cultural Art Center
Let us celebrate an opportunity to enhance the lives of our youth, supporting local and global children’s organizations. This black tie (adults only) event will be held at the WorldBeat Cultural Center. Get Fancy, enjoy the silent auction, incredible music and entertainment, good food and great company. TransformNations is a 501(c)3 non profit foundation that was created to support children, both locally and globally to live an empowered life. We will feature our latest creation and book, Intentional Alphabet, as all profits from the book go to TransformNations and ultimately to the foundations and organizations we are partnered with.

Herbal Traditions for Winter Wellness
2025-11-23 10:00 - 14:00
Herbs for support during the winter season and lifestyle strategies for self-care
Hit pause and join Herbalist Cindy Saylor of Everyday Plant Magic for herby tips and self-care strategies for a cozy, supportive winter season. The winter season brings longer nights and shorter days. The natural world slows, and turns inward. As we move into the hustle and bustle of November and December we often forget to slow down and appreciate what we have.
Please join me and relish in the natural rhythm of the winter season. You will try tasty herbal remedies and leave with strategies and recipes to infuse your winter season with wellness, joy and calm.
Cost is by donation.
Financially stable: $25.00-$40.00
Financially challenged: $0-$20.00

8th Annual ThanksLiving Vegan Potluck
2025-11-27 13:00 - 17:00
Join us for Kind Heart Coalition’s 8th Annual THANKSLIVING Day VEGAN Potluck!
When: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego
Let’s come together in gratitude for our compassionate community, all living beings, and the beautiful planet we share.
Schedule
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Check-In (Forms required upon arrival)
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM – Gratitude Circle
2:15 PM – 4:00 PM – Dinner is served
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Announcements & Opportunity Drawing
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Community Cleanup
What to bring:
A VEGAN dish ONLY — absolutely NO meat, NO dairy, NO eggs, NO honey, No animal products of any kind.
Your own reusable plate, cup, and cutlery to help us stay zero waste.
Please label your dish and utensils so they can find their way back to you!
Suggested Donation: $1 to support Kind Heart Coalition’s ongoing community work.
This is an inclusive, family-friendly vegan event — all are welcome!
REGISTRATION IS A MUST! Please register through our Zeffy link before the event to secure your spot.

Let’s make this 8th Annual ThanksLiving a day of gratitude, compassion, community, and amazing vegan food — plus a chance to win in our Opportunity Drawing!

CA Hurricane Relief for Sweet Jamaica
2025-11-29 19:00 - 23:30
Fundraiser for Jamaica Hurricane Relief
Featuring:

Ginger Roots and the Fully Fullwood Band
Empress Akua
Sankoh and the Rockaway Kings
Tafari Watkis
Seraphim
Fre3styl3
Rafa Ponde
About the Fundraiser
As a cultural hub dedicated to unity through music, the WorldBeat Cultural Center is standing with our brothers and sisters in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa. This fundraiser continues our mission of using art and culture to heal and uplift communities in need.All proceeds will support the Peter Tosh Foundation in Bluefields, Westmoreland, providing direct aid to families in the hometown of reggae legend Peter Tosh.
The Peter Tosh Foundation, in partnership with the Jamaica Association of Massachusetts (JAMA) and Jah Workz, Inc., is raising funds to provide food, clean water, hygiene products, medical supplies, and temporary shelter to families, elders, and children who have lost everything in this disaster.
How Donations Help
Funds will go directly to trusted local organizations and community leaders in Bluefields who are actively distributing:

Food, clothing, and hygiene supplies
Medical and children’s necessities (books, shoes, small gifts)
Shelter materials: blankets, mattresses, tarps, and ropes

A GoFundMe link will also be available for contributions.
🎟️ Event Details
Tickets: $15 advance | $20 at the door
All proceeds benefit the Peter Tosh Foundation

San Diego Taiko at December Nights 2025
2025-12-06 13:30 - 14:00
This December 6th, WorldBeat Center’s San Diego Taiko group will be participating in the annual December Nights weekend celebration. Join us for a heart-pounding celebration of rhythm, culture, and community.
Catch their electrifying live performance at the Spanish Village Stage on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 1:30PM – 2:00PM
Since 2004, this dynamic group has brought the power of Japanese drumming statewide through vibrant performances and workshops. As WorldBeat Center’s longest-running class, they’ve inspired audiences for over 20 years. San Diego Taiko has performed at the Japanese Gardens in Balboa Park, and other festivals throughout California. They are a major influence of the Taiko Palooza, which brings several taiko groups from Southern California together for sold out concerts at the WorldBeat Center. Taiko drumming is a powerful and dynamic form of Japanese percussion, combining music, and culture.
https://www.sandiegotaiko.org/

Swing Into The Holidays
2025-12-12 19:00 - 20:30
A LIVE JAZZ AND DIGITAL ARTS COLLABORATION FEATURING MIMI LUV, THE WORLD BEAT CENTER JAZZ BANDS &
SAN DIEGO PRIDE POP UP SYMPHONY MUSICIANS!
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT, KIDS WELCOME!

Harriet Tubman trail - SOCal Bird Nerds in the Wild
2025-12-14 08:00 - 10:00
Join SoCal Bird Nerds and WorldBeat Cultural Center for a refreshing morning of birdwatching along Balboa Park’s beautiful Harriet Tubman Trail. Whether you’re an experienced birder or brand new to the practice, this outing offers a welcoming space to explore nature, learn together, and connect with the birds that call our urban oasis home.
What to Expect
Participants will be guided through lush canyon pathways and garden areas where a variety of local and migratory birds can be spotted. Bring your binoculars, curiosity, and love for the outdoors!
Meeting Point
Meet in front of the WorldBeat Center by the main entrance.
Parking is available across the street in the large Inspiration Point lot. A short walk leads directly to the WorldBeat Center.

Location: WorldBeat Cultural Center, Balboa Park
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Community Market at WorldBeat Center
2025-12-14 10:00 - 16:00

45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: December 26th, Umoja
2025-12-26 18:00 - 21:00
45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
“Health, Reciprocity, and Community”
WorldBeat Cultural Center will be celebrating its 45th Annual Celebration with 4 of the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African American Holiday celebrated from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. The annual Kwanzaa holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate and reaffirm family, community, and culture.
Kwanzaa was a celebration that was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the “seven principles of African Heritage” which Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy”.

Each night will feature Special guest speakers or performers, Ceremonial candle lighting and libation with drumming, poetry readings by Johnnierenee Nia Nelson, and Karamu (the traditional feast and family get down).

Day 1: Friday, December 26th – Umoja, Unity
Keynote TBA

45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: December 27th, Kujichagulia
2025-12-27 18:00 - 21:00
45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Day 2: Saturday, December 27th: Kujichagulia- Self-Determination

WorldBeat Cultural Center will be celebrating its 45th Annual Celebration with 4 of the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African American Holiday celebrated from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. The annual Kwanzaa holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate and reaffirm family, community, and culture.
Kwanzaa was a celebration that was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the “seven principles of African Heritage” which Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy”.

Each night will feature Special guest speakers or performers, Ceremonial candle lighting and libation with drumming, poetry readings by Johnnierenee Nia Nelson, and Karamu (the traditional feast and family get down).
Book Summary
Harriet Tubman’s legendary life is widely known: escaping enslavement, leading others to freedom via the Underground Railroad, and tirelessly fighting for change. But a crucial chapter often overlooked is her daring Civil War service as a spy for the US Army, detailed in Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black’s groundbreaking book, COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War, which won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in History and the 2025 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize. A direct descendant of a soldier who fought in the raid, Fields-Black unveils Tubman’s command of spies, scouts, and pilots and intelligence gathering among freedom seekers, which led to a raid that liberated 756 enslaved people from bondage on seven rice plantations. It was the largest slave rebellion in US history. Through unexamined documents, she brings to life the Combahee River Raid and the untold stories of those freed, their resilience, and the lasting impact of Tubman’s heroism.
About Edda Fields Black
Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black is a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian at Carnegie Mellon University and Director of the Dietrich College Humanities Center, known for her groundbreaking research on West African rice farmers, the Gullah Geechee diaspora, and overlooked chapters of African American history. A consultant for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the librettist of the acclaimed contemporary classical work Requiem for Rice, Fields-Black descends from both Africans enslaved on South Carolina rice plantations and a USCT soldier who fought in the Combahee River Raid. Her award-winning book COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War illuminates Tubman’s role as a military strategist and intelligence leader, drawing from previously unexamined documents to reveal the raid that freed 756 enslaved people—now recognized as the largest slave rebellion in U.S. history.

45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: December 28th, Ujima
2025-12-28 18:00 - 21:00
45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration

WorldBeat Cultural Center will be celebrating its 45th Annual Celebration with 4 of the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African American Holiday celebrated from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. The annual Kwanzaa holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate and reaffirm family, community, and culture.
Kwanzaa was a celebration that was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the “seven principles of African Heritage” which Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy”.

Each night will feature Special guest speakers or performers, Ceremonial candle lighting and libation with drumming, poetry readings by Johnnierenee Nia Nelson, and Karamu (the traditional feast and family get down).
Keynote TBA
Day 3: Sunday, December 28th: Ujima, Collective Work & Responsibility

45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: December 29th, Ujamaa
2025-12-29 18:00 - 21:00
45th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration

WorldBeat Cultural Center will be celebrating its 45th Annual Celebration with 4 of the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African American Holiday celebrated from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. The annual Kwanzaa holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate and reaffirm family, community, and culture.
Kwanzaa was a celebration that was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the “seven principles of African Heritage” which Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy”.

Each night will feature Special guest speakers or performers, Ceremonial candle lighting and libation with drumming, poetry readings by Johnnierenee Nia Nelson, and Karamu (the traditional feast and family get down).
Day 4: Monday, December 29th: Ujamaa, Cooperative Economics
Keynote TBA

37th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration
2026-01-19 12:00 - 18:00
WorldBeat Cultural Center presents
The 37th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration
CELEBRATING UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY
Martin Luther King Jr is one of the most respected African-American leaders in history, this celebration is to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Even today his messages keep being relevant in the United States of America and all around the world.
Worldbeat Cultural Center, located in Balboa Park, is celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr with a family event with live music, guest speaker, vendors, and more.

MORE DETAILS TBA

Attune to Venus: Astrology, Art, Sound, and Crystal Medicine
2026-02-07 16:00 - 19:00
Join Lisette and Najah for an immersive evening of embodied astrology at the WorldBeat Cultural Center. Through a blend of experiential art, sound healing, and crystal medicine, this workshop is designed to attune you to the energy of Venus—the planet of beauty, love, connection, and abundance.

This experience supports participants in deepening their connection to themselves through mindful, creative, and somatic practices. You will be guided back to the simple pleasures of life and into the essence of love and beauty, allowing those qualities to resonate outward into your relationships and daily experiences. Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of self and practical ways to cultivate greater connection with others.

Date: Saturday, February 7
Time: 4pm–7pm
Location: WorldBeat Cultural Center
Tickets: $55 solo | $99 bring a friend (two tickets)

What to Bring:
Journal, pen, yoga mat, eye mask, water bottle, and an open heart.
