Friday Gazette: February 13, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! It's Friday the 13th—and while some might see today as unlucky, we think this weekend is filled with reasons to celebrate. Today happens to be the perfect day for Galentine's Day and National Wingman/Woman Day, honoring the friends who have your back. Tomorrow brings Valentine's Day itself, and Riverside is ready with plenty of ways to show love to the people who matter most.
From romantic dinners to community gatherings, our local businesses and organizations have created wonderful opportunities to celebrate connection. Check out our guide to Riverside's Valentine's scene to find the perfect way to spend the weekend with the people you love.
However you choose to celebrate—whether with a partner, friends or by treating yourself—we hope your weekend is filled with joy.
See you Sunday!
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ART
Chicano Camera Culture Traces Six Decades of Photography as Activism
A first-of-its-kind exhibition at RAM and the Cheech explores how Chicano photographers have used cameras to document their communities and reshape American art history.
When curating Chicano Camera Culture: A Photographic History, Elizabeth Ferrer chose to begin the timeline in the 1960s. That generation of artists didn't call themselves photographers. Instead, they saw an urgency in capturing the moment and their training grounds were the protests happening around them.
"Chicano photography really starts with those activist years," she said. "That's when people began to refer to themselves as Chicanos, and it was during the era of Cesar Chavez and the protests."
The exhibition will be split between two museums - running through Sept. 6 at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture and through July 5 at the Riverside Art Museum's Julia Morgan building. It is the first major survey to explore the evolution of Chicana/o/x-based practices across six decades, featuring 150 artists from around the country.
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EVENTS
Dickens Festival Turns Focus to Social Justice With Oliver Twist Theme
The 33rd annual Riverside Dickens Festival will explore themes of poverty, resilience and community care when it returns to White Park Feb. 21-22, marking a shift toward social equity.
Riverside's Dickens Festival adds storytelling circles featuring disabled community members and youth, connecting Victorian social advocacy to modern challenges.
Why it matters: The festival's new format gives marginalized voices center stage — a shift from traditional historical reenactments that could reshape how Riverside celebrates its annual literary event.
What's new: Storytelling circles replace some traditional programming, featuring personal narratives on resilience, identity and belonging.
- "These aren't performances; they're conversations," said Imari Nuyen-Kariotis, RDF Entertainment Chair.
The big picture: The festival partnered with Riverside University Health System, Disability Access Office and the Library System to honor "modern Olivers" — people facing challenges Dickens wrote about.
- A collaborative mural project invites attendees to contribute art that will be installed publicly after the festival.
What's happening: Traditional elements return, including character reenactments, the Children's Tea with Queen Victoria, Saturday's Poetry in Motion fashion show (2:15 p.m.) and Sunday's Steampunk Peacock Parade.
What's next: The festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at White Park, 3901 Market St. Tickets: $20adults, $5 children 6-12 and seniors 65+, free for kids 5 and under.
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Adoptable Pet of the Week
Meet Kelso!
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
Noteworthy
Riverside warns residents ahead of Valentine's weekend that mylar balloons cause thousands of power outages annually when they contact power lines, creating explosion risks that should be reported to 311.
This Weekend in Riverside
Friday, February 13
- Certified Farmers Market at Farm House Collective
- Valentine's Day Dance Party at Janet Goeske Center (free- $10)
- Authors' & Artists' Masquerade Ball Fundraiser at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa ($81.88)
- Baseball vs Utah Tech at Riverside Sports Complex
- Club 90's Presents: Heated RivalRave (18+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- CLYBOURNE PARK at Riverside Community Players ($20- $25)
- DVAP's 2ND ANNUAL COMEDY DINNER SHOW at Elks Lodge #643 ($40- $50)
- Friday I'm in Love!! ALL 80s Night at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove ($20.23)
- Night Fight at Culver Center of the Arts
- Open Mic Night/Karaoke-show us what ya got! at Euryale Brewing Company
- Out in the I.E. at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- PlayStation: The Concert at Fox Performing Arts Center
Saturday, February 14
- Riverside Black History Parade at Riverside City Hall
- Goeske Bingo at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100)
- Valentine's Day at Heritage House at Heritage House
- Permaculture Design Training and Certificate at Land Use Learning Center
- Historic Churches of Downtown Riverside at Mission Inn Foundation ($21.20)
- Orange Terrace Library | Galentine's Tote Bag Painting at Orange Terrace Library
- Mt. Rubidoux Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead, a short walk from Ryan Bonaminio Park. ($21.20)
- YIN YOGA WITH KRISTIN at Community Yoga Center
- The All Headliners Clean Comedy Show w/ Cizzle Cat Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church ($28.52)
- Women's Basketball vs UC San Diego at SRC Arena
- Cal Baptist Lancers Women's Basketball vs. Utah Tech Trailblazers at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center ($70.74)
- Baseball vs Utah Tech at Riverside Sports Complex
- Be Our Valentine, a comedy paint and sip at Back to the Grind
- For the Lovers: Valentine's RnB Party at Downtown Experiment ($44.52)
- Pinball Experiment at Game Lab
- In the Mood for Love at Culver Center of the Arts
- Love Doesn't Follow a Pattern" Valentine Paint Party at Canyon Crest Winery ($29.50)
- The Mad Valentine's Ball at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge ($10)
- Paint your Mate, Valentines and Galentines, a comedy paint and sip at Back to the Grind
- Ripperside Cinema Galore Presents: Sid & Nancy at Back to the Grind ($12.51)
- Valentine's Day: Paint Your Partner at Thompson Brewing Co. ($28.52)
- Adriel Favela at Fox Performing Arts Center
Sunday, February 15
- Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
- Riverside Cars & Coffee! at J&M Speed Center
- Baseball vs Utah Tech at Riverside Sports Complex
- History is in the Caption: Fariba Hajamadi in Conversation with Judith Rodenbeck at Culver Center of the Arts
- Sweetly Paired at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa ($54.13)
Save the Date
- February 19: Empowered Leadership: Cultivating Influence and Impact at Work Well ($165)
- February 21: Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
- February 23: Sip with a Scientist at Bar Ni Modo
- March 9: REEF's Best Event Ever! Take 9! at Fox Performing Arts Center ($10- $75)
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