sunday

Add a little spice to your life at the City of Temecula’s annual Hatch Chile Festival this weekend in Old Town. Sponsored by the city’s Community Services Department and Chile Hedz hot sauce store, the Hatch Chile Festival will transform Town Square Park into a spice-lovers dream; roasting and selling over 10,000 pounds of fresh Chile peppers to attendees.

Europa Village Winery once again taps into Spanish culture with their own version of the La Tomatina Festival; the decades-old tradition in Buñol, Spain, where thousands of attendees hurl the plump red fruits (yes, they are fruits) at one another; turning the streets into a big bowl of marinara.

“The Altos” is a comedy spoof of the award-winning HBO series, The Sopranos; which picks up right where the drama left off – at Tony’s funeral (or is it)?

Sleeping Beauty is the story of a beautiful hidden princess who falls victim to an evil curse, causing her to sleep for a hundred years and only true love’s kiss can awaken her. But what happens after the handsome prince saves her from her slumber? Why, there’s a wedding, of course and the Fine Arts Network, in association with the Ballet Studio, are bringing that magical ceremony to life on stage.

In the City of Temecula, art is everywhere. From the Gallery at the Merc to the “Art Off the Walls” at the Truax Building to the exhibits at the public library, high quality artwork can be found almost anywhere you look, even on the streets of Old Town – and I mean ON the streets of Old Town – when the Temecula Art and Street Painting Festival returns this weekend.

Appearing on stage at Harrah’s Southern California Resort on February 16th, the members of Air Supply can boast seventeen studio albums. Their consistent tour schedule has garnered legions of fans all over the world. Each of these accomplishments is that much more impressive if you know about their humble beginnings.

Easily the biggest and most anticipated annual event in the valley, Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival packs Lake Skinner Recreation Area with tens of thousands of guests itching to partake in the festival’s culinary creations and potent potables, sunrise balloon sails across wine country and other adult as well as family activities; all while enjoying great entertainment from some of the music industry’s biggest names and hottest up-and-comers.

The recital series Classics at the Merc, curated by Robert Culverhouse, Jr. in consultation with Dana Zimbric, Artistic Director and Conductor of the California Chamber Orchestra, has been makes classical music personal and accessible to Inland Empire residents; highlighting the talents of concert hall-caliber artists in an intimate setting. On Sunday, May 24th, the series welcomes Brazilian Violinist, Ayrton Pisco and Pianist Suzanne Shick.

When strolling down Front Street, it’s easy to imagine what Temecula must have looked like during its earliest days. This weekend, those images become a reality when the City of Temecula’s Western Days once again brings cowboy shoot outs, hoedowns and good old fashioned country grub to the streets of Old Town.

Mother’s Day is now less than a week away and, if you haven’t put any thought into the occasion, What’s Up? Temecula has a few ideas and suggestions that are much better than running to Albertson’s early Sunday morning and grabbing one of those pre-made bouquets (although they are better than nothing.)