The return of Rosin Box Project’s “Ghost Light Masquerade” finds the immersive dance experience taking place in a new venue: The Soap Factory on Commercial and 30th streets. Opening night is next Thursday, with six performances slated through Halloween Eve, Oct. 30.
Rosin Box Project founder and artistic director Carly Topazio says the fifth “Ghost Light Masquerade” will be more audience-interactive than ever, with a stage in the round so patrons can move in and around the performers.
“Each year,” she said, “it’s like a social experiment. We’ve also re-created the beginning to be a little more of a story experience.”
If you go, you can be as immersed as you choose to be — or not. It depends on what mask you don.
“You have the option,” Topazio explained, “of choosing one color mask that signifies to the performers that you want to be interacted with. The other color is ‘Leave me alone. I just want to be a spectator.’ Last year there was almost no one who chose the ‘Just leave me be’ mask. It was awesome.”
The costuming of the dancers has evolved over the years, Topazio said, describing the current attire as “deteriorated Gothic or Victorian.” She emphasized that though this event is presented annually during the month of Halloween “it’s not a scary show. It has a haunted vibe. But it’s more campy than anything. Very playful.”
By all means get involved when you go. Don’t be shy. Tickets available at therosinboxproject.com.
“’Ghost Light Masquerade’ is not just something you sit down and consume,” said Topazio. “You actually become a part of it.”
Film
It’s always a proud moment for us when local goes global. That’s now true for the independent film “To Fall in Love,” directed by San Diegan Michael Foster, written by Jennifer Lane and co-starring Beth Gallagher and Eric Casalini, both of them familiar to local theater-goers. As of Tuesday, “To Fall in Love” will be available for North American distribution on cable and streaming platforms.
If you’re a film buff you may have seen “To Fall in Love” when it screened during either the San Diego International Film Festival last year or at last February’s Oceanside International Film Festival. If you haven’t seen it, particularly if you’re struggling with a relationship, the opportunity’s here to watch it at home. You too may find yourself answering psychologist Arthur Aron’s “The 36 Questions To Fall in Love” along with the characters.
Standup comedy
The “Comedy Night at the Guggenheim” series winds up Friday at UC San Diego Park & Market downtown with shows at 8 and 10:30 p.m. As always, it’s hosted and curated by Mark Christopher Lawrence.
Pay no attention to those who insist standup’s primarily become the domain of streaming and “Comedy Central” and cable specials. It’s still best in person and the Guggenheim Theatre’s an ideal venue for it.
Friday’s headliner is James P Connolly. Also on the bill are comedian Sue Shirey, the musical comedy team Adam & Sean and ukulele duo Tricia Lynn Naval and Joyce Mendez. For tickets, visit parkandmarket.ucsd.edu.
Pop music
Maxwell, one of the pioneers of the so-called neo-soul movement, comes to town Wednesday for a show at Viejas Arena at SDSU. Soul/R&B artist Jazmine Sullivan and singer-songwriter October London open.
Three-time Grammy winner Maxwell had been a club performer in New York for years before releasing his first album, “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite,” in 1996. It was during that decade that he received the ultra-high praise title of “the Marvin Gaye of the ‘90s” from the Washington Post.
That may be over the top, but Maxwell is a gifted songwriter and performer still going strong 30 years after those club gigs in the Big Apple.
Movies and music
Are we ever going to get burned out on Spider-Man? It doesn’t look like it. The films keep coming and so do the spinoffs from films, like “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” live in concert, which opens Tuesday and runs through next Thursday at the Balboa Theatre downtown.
These shows feature a screening of the “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” animated film with live accompaniment by an orchestra, a DJ and percussionists. Shows all three nights begin at 7:30 with tickets $48 and up.
All I can say is, with great box-office power comes great spinoff potential.
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
Journey beyond the horizon with “Earth Serenade,” a captivating series that offers a breathtaking visual and musical experience. Created in partnership with the Association of Space Explorers, each episode showcases stunning photos taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, set to beautifully curated music. From the ethereal guitarscapes of Steve Thomas, inspired by private astronaut Richard Garriott’s historic flight, to Qingzhu Weng’s virtuoso performance of Bach and Emily Amos’ majestic organ music, the series captures the awe of viewing Earth from space. With dazzling views of landscapes like the Sahara, Mediterranean and Gulf of Mexico, paired with transcendent compositions, this series celebrates the beauty and wonder of our planet as seen from the stars.
“Discuss of the Film ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’”
Filmmaker Sreemoyee Singh joins moderator Shiva Balaghi to discuss “And, Towards Happy Alleys,” Singh’s documentary exploring the intersection of art, politics, and censorship in Iran. The film delves into Singh’s research on Iranian cinema, inspired by her admiration for the works of acclaimed filmmakers like Jafar Panahi, who are often censored or imprisoned for their art. During her travels to Iran, Singh connected with filmmakers and artists, including those influenced by the late poet and director Forugh Farrokhzad, known for her bold and controversial works. In this conversation, Singh reflects on the challenges of documenting these powerful stories and the broader implications of censorship on artistic expression in Iran.
“Modeling Kidney Disease and Regeneration”
Benjamin Freedman, Ph.D., delves into the development and potential of kidney organoids — miniature, lab-grown versions of kidneys. He explains that these organoids prioritize filtration functions, similar to natural kidneys, over hormonal functions. Freedman also addresses interesting questions about urine production within organoids and whether they require fully formed structures to function properly. He explores the use of scaffolds to support organoid growth, potentially allowing for future implantation. Freedman also touches on the philosophical and biological implications of off-target cells—cells that do not belong to the kidney tissue—within organoids. He poses the question of whether these cells represent a flaw or are a natural aspect of organ development, offering deeper insights into organoid research.
And finally, top weekend events
