Borrego Springs: Your Destination for Cultural Enrichment
Discover the Vibrant Cultural Scene at Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. Experience a fusion of local flair and world-class artistry, a place where the community’s enthusiasm for performance comes alive. Visit Borrego Springs to witness this dynamic showcase of passion and talent.
2023-2024: A Season of Enthralling Performances
BSPAC Opening Night Gala – Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing Orchestra
Nov 18, 2023
Kick off the season with the Queen of Boogie Woogie, Sue Palmer, and her orchestra. Immerse in the vibrant rhythms that promise to bring the house down on opening night.
Homegrown Holidays
Dec 08 – Dec 10, 2023
Celebrate the festive season with a homegrown twist. Enjoy a blend of traditional carols and local musical flair that will fill your holidays with warmth and cheer.
Stephanie Trudeau – Becoming Chavela
Jan 19, 2024
Step into the world of iconoclast Chavela Vargas with Stephanie Trudeau. A poignant tribute to the legendary singer, this performance is a deep dive into her impactful life and music.
Forever – Simon and Garfunkel
Jan 28, 2024
Relive the timeless classics of Simon and Garfunkel. This nostalgic journey revisits the duo’s greatest hits, offering a night of harmonious folk-rock that transcends generations.
Tony Feathers and Bug Guts
Feb 03, 2024
Get ready for a unique blend of humor and music with Tony Feathers and Bug Guts. Their performance is sure to be an eclectic mix of the unexpected and the unforgettable.
San Diego City Ballet
Feb 09, 2024
Witness elegance and grace with the San Diego City Ballet. An evening where poise meets passion, this ballet performance will capture the beauty of classical dance.
Yuko Mabuchi Trio
Feb 17, 2024
Experience the dynamic fusion of jazz with the Yuko Mabuchi Trio. The group brings a fresh energy to the stage, ensuring an evening of captivating rhythms and melodies.
Coastal Cities Jazz Band
Feb 25, 2024
Enjoy the rich sounds of big band jazz with the Coastal Cities Jazz Band. Their powerful performances pay homage to the golden era of jazz, leaving audiences spellbound.
Calamity and Berkley Hart
Mar 02, 2024
Join the musical journey with Calamity and Berkley Hart. Their collaboration is a creative concoction of storytelling and acoustic melodies that resonate with folk lovers.
Borrego Laughs
Mar 08 – Mar 10, 2024
End the season on a high note with “Borrego Laughs.” This production promises a weekend of humor and light-hearted entertainment, providing a perfect cultural capstone to the season.
Embrace the Cultural Spirit of Borrego Springs
The Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center is your cultural oasis, offering a rich tapestry of performances that celebrate both local roots and global artistry. Don’t miss this season’s lineup; it’s a perfect opportunity to experience the community’s vibrant spirit and support the arts in one of California’s most enchanting locales.
Decades of Drama: Tracing BSPAC's Theatrical Legacy
The history of the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC) is a tale woven through decades of theatrical passion and community spirit. It began in the 1950s when Borrego Springs was a secret retreat for Hollywood elites, including the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Bing Crosby.
The theatrical journey in Borrego Springs took off with Lon Chaney Jr. founding a community theater group in 1950, which later became the De Anza Players in 1954 under Polly Baker. Barbara Bartko’s era began in 1961, enriching the local culture with over 50 plays until 1971. The De Anza Players later morphed into the Sunrise Players in 1978, showcasing their last performance in 1987.
This end heralded the start of the Little Fox Dinner Theater in 1987, which lasted until the early 1990s. By 1991, the Borrego Springs Movie Theatre was transformed into today’s BSPAC, a 177-seat center, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Varina French, Jimmy Corsaro, Sharon Andrews, and others.
Artistic leadership has been a cornerstone of BSPAC, with Robie Evans, Ray Evans, Austin Custodia, and Tony Reilly serving at different times, ensuring the continuation of live entertainment in Borrego Springs. This rich heritage underscores the community’s commitment to fostering the arts amidst the desert landscape.
Learn more on Borrego’s local newspaper: Borrego Sun
