Resolutions and fresh starts are slated for January with Balboa Park following suit. Find your path to wellness with the Japanese Friendship Garden or discover your sense of wonder with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Secret Society of Adultologists.
Also, on Balboa Park’s January line-up, mind-bending challenges at the Fleet Science Center, a mash-up of artforms at the San Diego Museum of Art and five powerful films at MOPA’s Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Balboa Park is a must visit this month to kick-start this decade in the best way possible.
Path to Wellness
When: January 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 2020
Where: Japanese Friendship Garden
There is no arguing that we all need to slow down and self-reflect from time to time. The Japanese Friendship Garden is here to help you do that with their Path to Wellness program. Explore various themes: joy, gratitude, forgiveness (to name a few) as part of your journey to self-actualization. Weekly activities are included such as meditation, origami and traditional tea ceremonies to encourage and aid participants to put their best foot forward as they work toward wellness.
SDMA + The San Diego Ballet
When: January 24, 2020
Where: San Diego Museum of Art
This edition of San Diego Museum of Art’s Art After Hours series is a special one. The San Diego Ballet and SDMA are joining forces with art-inspired performances. Using SDMA’s Bouguereau & America exhibit as a muse, the San Diego Ballet will perform duets and ensembles that showcase the pastoral romance and mythological legends featured in the artworks. Admission to Art After Hours is only $5 with three chances to enjoy the balletic movements in this clash of the arts.
Secret Society of Adultologists: Time Machine
When: January 24, 2020
Where: San Diego Natural History Museum
The Secret Society of Adultologists – a park favorite – is back for its first quarterly visit of 2020. The 21+ after-hours event is all about food, drinks, rooftop-views with a special Time Machine theme to know your clocks off. Let your inner time traveler loose and rediscover your wanderlust while adorned in your best time-traveling costume (yes, there is a costume contest, too). The event clocks in at 7 p.m. and time is up at 10 p.m.
Mindbender Mansion
When: January 25 – April 17, 2020
Where: Fleet Science Center
Looking to get your grey matter going in the new year? You’ll want to check out the whirl of whimsical brainteasers and interactive challenges at the Fleet Science Center’s newest exhibit. Put your problem-solving skills to the test. Gather clues and secret passwords throughout the various thematic rooms of this quirky exhibit as you manipulate tilt-tables, keep up with conveyor belts and jump your way through hopscotch obstacles. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience said to test even the most experienced of puzzlers.
Human Right Watch Film Festival 2020
When: January 30 – February 1, 2020
Where: Museum of Photographic Arts
In its 10th year, this festival explores and addresses a wide range of human rights issues from around the world. Five films will take you on five different journeys—exploring a range of complex topics like journalistic integrity, democracy and LGBTQ+ identity. Each viewing will be followed by an open discussion and Q&A forum. Pick and choose which films to watch or buy a pass to view all five for $45.