With the first day of school just around the corner, a typical teenager would most likely be found surfing, swimming or simply doing nothing at all. But 15-year-old Charlie Reed spent the end of her summer vacation teaching about two dozen 5- to 10-year-olds how to sing, dance and act — all in the name of charity.

For the first time in 20 years of national and Broadway performances, the hit Broadway show “Les Misérables” is available for regional presentation, and Vista will get to host the very first performance in Southern California.

There was music, dancing and bead throwing from the band, as hundreds gathered at Rancho Del Oro Park to enjoy the music of Steve Reid and the zydeco tunes of the Bayou Brothers at this summer’s final Concert in the Park on Aug. 14.

Actor Ben Seton traveled halfway around the globe from his native Australia for the American debut of his one-man cautionary tale, “Cheap Thrills,” first performed for at-risk New Haven students at North Coast Church on Aug. 6.

The music scene in North County flourishes because of music venues like The Jumping Turtle in San Marcos, which supports local bands by giving them shows on a nightly basis and helping them hone not only their skills of playing live but also their ability to make new fans. I got to meet Joe Troutman, The Jumping Turtle’s entertainment director, a few months back at one of the Turtle’s shows and thought he was a pretty interesting guy. So I gave him a call and picked his brain to understand a little bit of how booking shows for a premier North County music venue like The Jumping Turtle happens.

Dozens of art lovers and artists gathered recently to celebrate “Summer in the Ranch,” the new show on display at the Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild.

Before “Cats” or “Phantom of the Opera” ever graced a stage, there was Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Weber’s first musical hit was the retelling in a riot of colors and disparate musical styles of the famous biblical story of Joseph and his betrayal by 11 jealous brothers. Bringing such a wild show to the stage can be a challenge. The Moonlight Stage Production Company has taken on the task, pinning its hopes on director/choreographer, Carlos Mendoza.

Now that the Del Mar Fair has packed up and left us wanting more fun for summer, the horse races at Del Mar have started and with them, the 4 O’Clock Fridays concert series. For those of you who still haven’t experienced the racetrack in all its glory, you need to listen close.

Revisiting the La Paloma Theatre for the first time since his teens, David Paskowitz settled into his seat surrounded by friends, with his wife of more than 25 years by his side.

The annual San Diego County Fair is upon us again, with its roller coasters, music and beer gardens in all their glory. The fair is the largest in San Diego, attracting more than 1 million people each year.