Pacific San Diego Magazine, July 2010 Issue by Pacific San Diego Magazine

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{publisher’s page}

proud to be an american

y wife just became one. Ten years ago, she moved to San Diego from Brazil. Today, she’s a gringo (actually, a gringa), just like me. On June 23, in an auditorium adjacent to City Hall downtown, Simone was one of the nearly 800 immigrants from across the globe sworn in as American citizens. Joel, my godfather—who gave Simone away at our wedding because her parents couldn’t get travel visas from Brazil right after September 11—sat with me in the cheering section, trying to get a glimpse of our little patriot-to-be from the balcony. “S-H-R-U-R-A-S-H…I? How in the heck do you say that?” said a white-haired man into a microphone. “Sha-rushi? Suh-ashi?” The audience collectively cringed in 50 languages. You could tell the guy (let’s call him Uncle Sam) was trying to be kind as he warmed up the crowd during the interminable wait for the presiding judge to appear, but for me, his rhetoric felt like a verbal assault. He might as well have said, “Welcome to America, your name sucks,” followed by a heartfelt, “but really, welcome.” For all I know, Uncle Sam is a senator’s brother or a City Councilwoman’s uncle, so I should probably hold my tongue—or fingers—but I can say for sure that he should not be entrusted with the responsibility of welcoming foreigners into our intimate circle of blue passport holders. Perhaps the Feds should invite someone more culturally sensitive…like Archie Bunker or Mel Gibson. Nation after nation, Dude was an equal opportunity offender. “Did you say Konoko? Kanooko? Anybody else here from Japan, raise your hand.” When he tried to pronounce the name of a woman from Eritrea, it sounded like he was going to swallow his tongue. Zut alors! If I knew enough French, I might have tried faking like I was from Quebec, just so no one

sitting nearby would equate me with the global name thrasher at the front of the room. I hadn’t been less proud to be an American since my brother was hit by a tiny car (which he thereby damaged) outside a coffeehouse in Amsterdam. But as I looked at the friends and families en masse, I didn’t see other embarrassed natives. Instead, I saw a sea of beaming faces, several with tears in their eyes, elated to see their loved ones becoming citizens of the great U.S. of A. Then I remembered our wedding cake, with the Brazilian and U.S. flags sticking out of it, and my own eyes started to water, though that may actually have resulted from the guy in the row behind me. He was eating some horribly aromatic chutney thing, and even though I didn’t understand a word he said, we did have one thing in common—smelling like his food for the rest of the day. When we arrived at the office after the swearing-in, I busted out a pre-Independence Day freedom cake I had picked up at Albertson’s. With red, white and blue icing and a star-spangled flag in the middle, it was one sweet slice of Americana. Finally, my wife can vote—and now we’re both waiting for election season so we can oust the incumbent citizenship ceremony moderator. Welcome to America, Simone…I think we should move to Brazil now. How the hell do you pronounce your name last again? Happy Fourth of July, San Diego! By the way, please say hi to Seth Combs (Page 12), the new editor here at PacificSD. Seth’s something of an editorial superstar, but please don’t mention that to him—it would just make him impossible to work with.

David Perloff, Publisher

Dear PacificSD lover,

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Please check it out today. Contest ends July 21. Thank you and good luck! To be eligible for prizes, please enter your contact information at the end of the survey. This survey is being conducted by Verified Audit Circulation on behalf of PacificSD. Please be assured that Verified will protect your confidentiality. The answers you provide are for research purposes only, and they will only be used in combination with all other responses. Any contact information you provide will be protected and used only to contact you if you have won one of the prizes. You will not be asked to buy anything today, or in the future, as a result of taking this survey.

editor’s note

{staff}

Celebrating the best of everyday life in San Diego VOL.4

ISSUE 07

JULY 2010

PUBLISHERS David Perloff Simone Perloff EDITOR Seth Combs

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kenny Boyer CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Brandon Hernández CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erin Glass Chantal Gordon Sasha Orman Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph Frank Sabatini Jr. PHOTOGRAPHERS Brevin Blach, brevinblach.com Jeff Corrigan, turbo.fm Leetal Elmaleh, leetalesd.blogspot.com Gabriela Lingenfelder, photographybygabriela.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Logan Broyles

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jason Gregory Laura Rovick

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pacificsandiego.com | JULY 2010

an, I’ve always wanted to write one of these letters. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to work in magazines. From when I was a wee youngster, poring through the pages of my mother’s Rolling Stone and my father’s Field & Stream, I was that kid that, when you had to sell magazines to help raise money for the school, my house ended up cutting the biggest check. Sorry, mom. The dream of working in magazines persisted. Sort of funny when you consider I was growing up in the age of computers and the dawn of the internet. While a lot of my friends were learning how to build websites, I wanted nothing more than to hold something in my hands, flip from cover to cover, look at the pictures, maybe even dogear a page so I could come back to it later. Remember that feeling you got as a kid when you came home to find a new copy of your favorite magazine had come in the mail? I still get that. I’m having a similar feeling as I sit down to write this. That kid who grew up wanting to work in magazines is now the editor of a magazine. I’ve never been one to think too hard about fatalism and pre-determinism, but something inside me tells me that it was meant to be with Pacific San Diego magazine. Bear with me for a minute. You see, after I moved to San Diego ten years ago from Atlanta to finish school at San Diego State, I was drifting a bit. I was putting school on the backburner and I was unsure if I’d ever have what it took to be a writer, much less an editor. Then I met a man named Chris Connolly. He had recently moved into the apartment next door and worked from home as a freelancer writing for all kinds of magazines. We became friends and whether he knows it or not, he taught me so much more than journalism school ever did about hard work, motivation, drive and what it really takes to survive as a writer. A few years later, he was offered a job at the local magazine Riviera. Loving his independence, he respectfully declined but told them to contact a young freelancer that he knew. He told them that I would be perfect for the job. I got it a few weeks later. My first week at Riviera was a tough one. I do remember at one point someone come up to my desk and handing me the first ever copy of PacificSD (then called Pacific Beach magazine). I remember scoffing as I flipped through it and as I tossed it aside, but I also remember thinking that, if done right, the magazine could be a great local publication. And that’s exactly what PacificSD publisher David Perloff has been doing the past four years. He’s not only changed the name, but has turned PacificSD into a fantastic publication that’s now competing with the big boys. The same kind of drive I saw in my writer friend, I also recognize in David. How he’s managed to serve as both editor and publisher for the past few years is baffling to me, but he now believes, just as I do, that the magazine has reached a level of popularity and size that he needs to focus more on the business side of things. The fact that he believes enough in me to hand over the reigns to what has been his baby for so long is extremely overwhelming, not to mention humbling. I’m going to do my best not to let him down. For those of you who’ve come to love PacificSD’s editorial content, please don’t fret. I’m not going to drastically change a product that people already love, but I can promise you this: Better writing, better features, more exclusives and a more concerted focus on all facets of San Diego culture and lifestyle. Just check out this month’s feature (Page 32) to get a better idea of what I’m talking about. And for those of you left who are not yet familiar with PacificSD, well, get ready, because soon enough, there will be no escaping it. I want you to get that feeling you got when you were a kid every time you pick up our magazine or see it in your mailbox. Trust me, it’s coming.

Seth Combs, Editor

{contents} pacific

foreword

F eatures

The future of San Diego culture has begun

pg.

THIS PAGE: Unchained: Jewelry designer Anjela Piccard Photo by Brevin Blach On the cover: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cultural Iconsâ&#x20AC;? illustrated for PacificSD by Tom Kimball

pacificsandiego.com | JULY 2010

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{contents} D E P A R T M E N T S CURRENTS 19 First Things Hillcrest gets Prideful, haute hats, films with punch and the little comic book company that could 26 Almost Famous Meet San Diego comedian Mal Hall 28 Hot Seat With visions rooted in the past, this San Diego designer’s future is on fire 30 New Waves A Pacific Beach shop exposes locals to the artistic side of surf culture TASTE 44 The Buddy System A Top Chef does a lot more than get buy with a little help from his friend 46 Fare Play TV dinners get a grownup makeover in Hillcrest GROOVE 48 Road Warriors Despite a hectic touring schedule, for Slightly Stoopid, there’s still no place like home 52 Bar None Actually, three bars…and then some BLIND DATE 56 Man Date PacificSD’s first ever same-sex blind date CALENDAR 64 SEVEN.TEN July event listings THINK 66 TALKING TRASH San Diego’s July 5 garbage forecast

Counter Culture It’s an exclusive live performance by City Ballet, and it’s free—you should come

pacificsandiego.com | JULY 2010

Bikini Week Immerse yourself in five days’ worth of runway shows, strutting models and photo shoots, as San Diego Bikini Week, presented in part by PacificSD, takes over some of Downtown’s hottest venues with a series of fashion-driven, bikini-centric events. Celebrated producer and DJ Fernando Garibay who created Bikini Week’s official mix-tape soundtrack, will spin at each event before passing the nightly torch to some of the region’s top DJs. Tickets range from $20 to $50. Learn more at bikiniweeksd.com. Wednesday, June 30, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. FLUXX, 500 Fourth Ave., fluxxsd.com Bikini Week’s 2010 premiere features a runway fashion show with designs by Francisco Medavog and jewelry by Anjela Piccard. Thursday, July 1, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Stingaree, 454 Sixth Ave., stingsandiego.com Get caught in the flashing lights as fashion photographers conduct live photo shoots with runway models sporting unique and adventurous designs. Friday, July 2, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Ivy Rooftop at Andaz, 600 F St., ivyentertainmentsandiego.com Strike a pose in an interactive experience where guests have the opportunity to be styled like models by A Style Concierge, and then participate in a professional photo shoot. Saturday, July 3, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Float at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, 207 Fifth Ave., hardrockhotelsd.com Watch a high-fashion, daytime runway show highlighting top swimwear designers, as DJ beats electrify the poolside party setting. Sunday, July 4, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Horton Plaza (inside ballroom), 324 Horton Plaza, westfield.com/hortonplaza Bikini Week concludes with a shopping soiree at the designer retail lounge, where guests can interact with designers and purchase their creations in a festive beach-themed atmosphere.

first things

chainsaw

home

coolture

currents Here Comes the Pride

THE CITY’S MOST COLORFUL FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS 36TH YEAR

BY FRANK SABATINI, JR. fter a rare July rain shower several years ago, a rainbow appeared briefly over Hillcrest while morning crews readied University Avenue for a mile-long parade that uses the meteorological phenomenon as its core symbol. An hour later, the dazzling spectacle of San Diego Pride began as if Mother Nature had hollered from the sky, “Take this rainbow and march with it in the name of gay equality. Oh, and save me a spot on the dance floor.” This year’s 36th annual Pride celebration (July 17 and 18) mixes rainbow banners and festooned floats with political fervor aimed at securing the right for same-sex couples to marry as well as a complete repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. In Pride tradition, the energy on the streets combines party with protest, gays with straights, and gender-benders with cameraworthy outfits. More than 160 organizations will participate in the parade, many of them in large floats, revving the crowd with up-tempo music and occasional water

Above: Hip-hop star Eve is all smiles about headlining Pride; (below) festival goers show their true colors at last year’s event.

pistols. The best bet for securing a prime perch is to arrive at the parade route oiled in sun block well before 11 a.m.—more than 100,000 sideliners are expected. Over the rainbow and through some woods is nearby Marston Point in Balboa Park, the site of Pride’s two-day post-parade festival featuring performances by ‘80s rockers Devo, American Idol alum Blake Lewis and rap diva Eve. The grounds will also give way to three other music stages, two dance floors, beer and cocktail gardens and food and merchandise vendors, all represented by a colorful flag that confirms you’re not in Kansas anymore.

San Diego Pride parade: 11 a.m., July 17, travels west down University Avenue beginning at Normal Street, then continues south on Sixth Avenue to Upas Street. Festival hours and admission: Noon to 10 p.m., July 17; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 18. Tickets purchased online by July 16 are $15 per day or $25 for a two-day pass. Gate prices are $20 per day and $30 for both days. For ticket purchases, performance schedules and other details, visit SanDiegoPride.org.

pacificsandiego.com

{currents}

first things

Top Hats

JUST IN TIME FOR RACE SEASON, THIS LOCAL ARTIST PROVES TO BE ONE MAD HATTER BY ERIN GLASS

t’s hard to tell when fashion is joking these days, especially when it comes to the hats trotted out along with the horses at opening day of the races at Del Mar. Every year it seems like a game of one-upmanship, with ladies building towers of Babel or community gardens on their noggins in an effort to win an invitation into the exclusive paddock. Local artist Katy Stockinger managed to do just that in the summer of 2008. Hats available at retail stores failed to cause her to fling open her wallet and commit, so she made her own headpiece out of feathers, fake birds and other knick-knacks. What she created was a winning hat that defied all common sense. Sure, it was gaudy, but is was also artful and frustratingly beautiful to the other women who looked on in jealousy. Stockinger, a smiley blonde who creates and sells pet portraits, surrealist paintings and surfboard mosaics that earn her enough to quit her day job, had just stumbled upon yet another business. “Lots of people started asking me if I could do a hat for them,” she says from her cottage in Ocean Beach. “I thought, ‘wait a minute, I should just do a bunch of them.’” That she did. Slaving away in her studio late into the night, she forgot to eat enough and ended up losing weight, but the work paid off. Last year, she sold 29 hats ranging from $50 to $395, and this year she’s making 40 that will be sold online and at the Hillcrest farmers market on the Sunday before the races (July 18) for $20 to $100. She’s dropped the prices because she wants to sell things she could afford herself, and also to allow herself the freedom to be as crazy or elegant as each creation inspires her to be. Though some of her hats take up to 10 hours to make, for Stockinger, the reward—seeing her customers get in touch with their eccentric side—is worth the effort. “It’s a labor of love,” she says. “I don’t worry about the return so much, or my hourly wage.” While she admits that the hat she’s concocted for herself for this year’s Del Mar Thoroughbred Club affair is a bit obnoxious, she’s also quick to point out that that’s sort of the point. Look for Stockinger opening day in a giant floral explosion structured out of three Chinese lanterns and a lampshade. And try not to stare. 20

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

Clockwise from top: The AvantGarden hat; Stockinger models the Dulcet hat with help from a feline friend; the Green Pearl hat; the Raize hat. Photos by Jessica Matthews and Nick Petterson.

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first things

Keeping it Reel

From top: Actor Alex Perea (left) gets a pep talk from Martin Sheen; the Unconventional Crew (left to right), Neil Trusso, Kelly Parks and Vernon Mortensen; actor Kirk Harris gets punchy.

WITH MARTIN SHEEN AND MICHAEL MADSEN IN THEIR CORNER, THESE EX-MILITARY MEN ARE READY FOR THEIR CLOSE-UP

BY NOEL REED an Diego-based Unconventional Films is landing it square on the jaw with this summer’s national release of Chamaco (Spanish for “Kid”), a coming-of-age boxing film starring Martin Sheen and Michael Madsen and directed by Miguel Necoechea. Shot in Mexico with a largely local crew, Chamaco follows a young boy from the mean streets of Mexico City as he finds respite from real violence in the ring. If the movie’s pint-size hero seems like a bruiser, you should see the guys behind Unconventional Films. Founders Neil Trusso and Vernon Mortensen became buddies when they deployed together to Somalia—Trusso’s a former Navy SEAL; Mortensen was a Navy SWCC (Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman). Both ended up going to film school after retiring from the military. Mortensen says his post-Navy film career was always in the crosshairs. “When I was a kid, my dad’s cousin worked for Universal Studios on Back to the Future. He took me to work with him for two weeks, and I got to meet Steven Spielberg. I fell in love with movies.” Chamaco, produced in collaboration with L.A.’s Rogue Arts, is the first fulllength feature for Trusso and Mortensen, who launched Unconventional Films in 2003. Not long after finishing Chamaco, Mortenson met third partner Kelly Parks, a screenwriter who used to be in the CIA. (Er, wouldn’t want to make any unprofessional moves on their movie set.) Parks suggested they make an Internetbased TV series, starting with Universal Dead, an action-packed zombie-vs.-Navy SEALs thriller with actors D.B. Sweeney and Doug Jones (his name might not be familiar, be he was the costumed star of Hellraiser and Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer). Mortenson believes the show, filmed in San Diego, signals a change in the industry. “Sooner or later movies will only exist online. We decided it was a really good idea to get into the business early, so we wouldn’t be playing catch-up later on.” Chamaco will be screening throughout the country in July before making its hometown premiere at Gaslamp 15 Pacific Theatres on August 27. The Unconventional Films trio is already hard at work on its next film, as well. The Sorrow, a Western that takes place during the Gold Rush, will most likely be shot locally, as will future projects. Mortenson, who fell hard for San Diego during his Navy days, says they plan to stick around for good. “Being outside of L.A. as an independent has its advantages,” he says. “In L.A., you can get lost as an independent. In San Diego, it is a big deal to be a movie company.” unfilms.com

P h o t o B Y P A U L S AV A G E

“I’m salaried so I don’t get overtime.” I just finished trying an overtime case, and I heard that comment a few times when questioning the potential jurors. It’s not that simple. California law, when it comes to overtime, favors employees over the employer. Unless your employer can prove you’re “exempt” from overtime laws, you’re entitled to time-and-a-half for any time worked more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week (and at some point, you get double-time). Generally speaking, managers, executives, and professionals, who are on salary and make a certain hourly rate, are exempt, and not entitled to overtime. However, your boss can’t just put you on salary, call you a “Manager” and then make you perform nonmanager duties. What matters is what you do, not what you’re called. Don’t expect your boss to know or care about overtime laws. One company, which I have sued several times for different employees, is run by an unlicensed attorney who knows the overtime laws but willfully violates them because it’s cheaper to wait to get sued and then settle. Other employers simply don’t know the laws. If you are wondering if you’re being paid correctly, or know that you’re not, call the Labor Commissioner or an attorney. By the way, the Labor Code requires the employer to pay the attorney’s fee.

{currents}

first things

Stand-Up Comics Homegrown comic book company IDW Publishing is knocking on Hollywood’s door in more ways than one

BY SETH COMBS

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hen Ted Adams and three other comic book enthusiasts took over a steamy, windowless office space in Pacific Beach to start Idea and Design Works (IDW) back in 1999, they never dreamed that they’d one day be the fourth largest comic book publisher in the U.S. In fact, Adams still isn’t sure how they got any work done. “It was on Garnet, right above the Tower Records where all the bars are. My partners were surfers, so they’d be surfing during lunch,” says Adams, now the CEO of IDW. “We were definitely working late into the night on a lot of stuff.” A little over 10 years later, the Tower Records is gone, but IDW Publishing is thriving—the original quartet has since grown to 26 full-time staffers and more than 200 freelancers from all over the world. Today, the company has dozens of original titles and awards under its belt and is the largest distributor of licensed comics derived from films and television shows including GI Joe, Star Trek, CSI and True Blood, the latter of which they’ll be plugging heavily at this year’s Comic-Con. However, the film and television industry is also knocking on IDW’s door. The company’s first comic book series, 2002’s vampire spectacle 30 Days of Night, started a seven-figure bidding war in Hollywood, with Sam Raimi’s (the legendary director behind the Spider-Man movies) Ghost House Pictures eventually winning out. The film version, released in 2007, went on to open at number one at the box office and spawned a sequel and a TV mini-series. IDW has four other titles in development at studios including Dimension Films and Cartoon Network, and action-film king Jerry Bruckheimer is producing a film for Disney based on the IDW graphic novel, World War Robot. “We have another book called Welcome to Hoxford that’s being produced by Chris Columbus’ production company,” says Adams. “He’s the guy who did the first Harry Potter movie.” Yet, even with all their success, Adams says IDW will never forget their roots. They’re still in Pacific Beach, albeit in a much larger, more comfortable office, and they don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. “I have to travel a lot for the company, and there’s never any place that I’ve been where I didn’t come back and say, ‘I’d rather live in San Diego,’” says Adams. “This is the place to be.” idwpublishing.com

{currents}

chainsaw

Almost Famous MEET SAN DIEGO COMEDIAN MAL HALL

BY COOKIE “CHAINSAW” RANDOLPH / photos by leetal ELMALEH

omedian Mal Hall is mad at me because I’m always saying that within 12 months he’ll blow up so big in Hollywood, he’ll forget all his friends in San Diego. In the meantime, while he still remembers our names, Hall books and hosts The Gaslamp Comedy Show, held the last Thursday of each month at The Tipsy Crow (formerly Bitter End) on Fifth Avenue. The venue’s downstairs showroom has a big-town feel: bar in the back, great sound system, brick wall with iron beams and, thanks to Hall’s network of comedian friends, a dependably excellent night of comedy. On this night, Hall presents Rajan Dharni, Geoff Keith and Michael Kosta, all professional touring comics. During his 12-minute opener, Dharni wonders why we don’t use homeless people for advertising. After all, they already have signs: “I’m homeless, but my feet are warm—UGGs.” Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson veteran Geoff Keith follows with a mischievous 25-minute set, in which he explains to his girlfriend why he acts so differently around his buddies: “Babe, that’s just me being happy.” Headliner Michael Kosta, who’s appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, begins by reliving the horror of removing contact lenses while hammered, and finishes by admitting his mom thinks he’s Mal Hall way too cocky up on stage: “So I told “Sometimes her—look, Janice, I don’t get nobody speaks to to pick. I was Kosta that way.” driving up to Maybe you had to be here. Maybe next LA and forgot I time, you will be. had my blinker The real star of on. That’s Born: Yes the show is Hall. Asian. A police Hometown: San Diego He not only cajoles officer noticed Race: Blasian his comedian and pulled me Height: 6’1” buddies into over—now I’m Weight: 180 coming down from black again.” Length: Enough L.A. to perform, –Mal Hall Religion: Bootist but also puts out an L.A.-ready 15 Next Gaslamp Comedy Show: Thursday, July 29, minutes himself. at The Tipsy Crow, 770 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp His descriptive tale Purchase $10 tickets at malhall.com of sitting next to a

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

double-wide lady on a plane flight has the packed house rolling. His style is one part Cosby and one part…baseball superstar Ichiro Suzuki? “That’s real cute, Chainsaw. I’m way funnier than Ichiro. Tiger Woods also—then again, most trees are funnier than Tiger. More faithful, too.” Mark Christopher Lawrence, a regular on the NBC sitcom Chuck and frequent Gaslamp Comedy Show performer, says, “Mal Hall is one of the brightest rising stars that I have had the pleasure to work with since [late cult comedian] Mitch Hedberg.” Such praise makes Hall uncomfortable as he battles the typical comedian’s schizophrenia: self-loathing one moment, and “I rule!” the next.

“It’s cool being half black and half Asian, because I get to pick when I’m black and when I’m Asian. If I’m at a park and they’re picking teams for a basketball game, I’m black. I always get picked. But if I’m at a college during finals week outside a library, and somebody needs some help with their Mac book or some calculus…I’m still black. I suck at math.” –Mal Hall But mostly, Hall rules, booking, hosting and performing at a club Lawrence calls “the grittiest, dopest, most fantastic place to get down in San Diego.” Hall compares The Tipsy Crow’s downstairs comedy showroom to The Comedy Cellar in New York City, where Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock once had the honor of performing. Make no mistake: it’s Hall’s relentless energy that packs the room for two shows on the last Thursday of each month. Catch this rising star while you still can. “Oh, I’ll still do The Tipsy Crow as long as I’m able,” says Hall. I hope so, because a year from now I want to bring this PacificSD article to one of Hall’s shows so he can autograph it. I already know what he’s going to say: “Oh, cool, I remember this article. <cursory glance up> And who can I make this out to?”

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{currents}

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Hot Seat

with visions rooted in the past, this san diego designer’s future is on fire BY CHANTAL GORDON / PHOTOS BY BREVIN BLACH

urniture designer Alberto Vieyra’s aesthetic call-to-arms came when he was about 13 years old, and it came on wheels—in the form of a mint-condition 1957 Cadillac El Dorado with a black exterior and textured white vinyl interior. “It was my neighbor’s car, so I could stare at it every day,” says Vieyra. “The opening for gas was inside the taillight. I was in love with the futuristic look of it—it was like a spaceship.” Vieyra’s childhood fixation with future looks was also fueled by his having grown up in Mexico City, where the skyline is graced by architectural masterpieces. These influences converge today in Vieyra’s furniture, which takes the common interpretation of mid-century design—and explodes it. Take, for example, his Origami Table. Inspired by the $2 million Lamborghini Reventón and (duh) origami shapes, the table’s base bears geometric lines reminiscent of the facets of a diamond. And whereas famed Japanese-American designer Isamu Noguchi’s mid-century tables have a swooping anemic-chic look, Vieyra’s table is gracefully substantive. On the lighter end of the design spectrum, other works from Vieyra Designs include tall tables that pair spindly, angular wire legs with marble and granite tops that are inset with cactus-growing planters. For now, the designs are custom-made for a Los Angeles- and Palm Springsheavy clientele, but Vieyra says he’ll soon begin showing his works in local shops in addition to on his website. Having moved here three years ago from Columbus, Ohio—where he ran his own gallery and worked as an interior designer—Vieyra was a hit at the San Diego-born trade show, Thread, back in April. And while Mexico City remains in his thoughts, much of his current work is inspired by sights in his new hometown, including the Timken Museum in Balboa Park and the Pearl Hotel in Point Loma. “San Diego infuses the modern-urban lifestyle with a laidback beachtown essence,” says Vieyra. “To me, this is what incites creativity, art and design. The combination of cultural diversity and ideas inspired by the people who arrive here from other cities and countries—that’s what makes the local art and design scene have its own identity.” Today, Vieyra’s in the midst of launching his “Tiempos Modernos” collection of custom furniture composed of metal, wood and granite, and ranging in price from $300 to $3,000 apiece. One of his first pieces will be an origami-inspired egg chair, reminiscent of acclaimed designer Eero Aarnio’s celebrated Ball Chair, with a green interior and a white exterior covered in Dupont car paint. “A lot of people don’t know how furniture can be art, and that it can make a space beautiful…or horrible,” says Vieyra. “I’m always dreaming about the future. It’s going to change in five or 10 years, because we’re going to conceive of it in a different way, but in this moment, this is how I picture the future.” vieyrahdesigns.com

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

From top: “DF 1968” table; “White Dining Table and Chair” in Vieyra’s kitchen; Eero Aarino’s Ball Chair, one of Vieyra’s current influences; Vieyra in front of his “Objeto Viviente” table.

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New Waves MASA ROGERS

A PACIFIC BEACH SHOP EXPOSES SAN DIEGANS TO THE ARTISTIC SIDE OF SURF CULTURE

by sasha orman

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

From top: Chris Rule is a board man; crowds flock to Surfindian parties; the work of Japanese artist Koji Toyada.

“The emphasis from the very get-go,” says Rule, “was to have products that reflect the art of surfing—not just art in connection with surfing, but surfing as an art form.”

LAURENT KRAMER

hen Chris Rule first arrived in San Diego on business in 1999, he expected to stay for only a couple of weeks. Instead, he fell in love. “You couldn’t dynamite me out of here now,” says Rule, laughing. “I love it that much.” The Oklahoman put down roots in Pacific Beach and, within a year, was immersed in its surfing culture. At Surfindian, his surf shop and gallery, Rule’s aim is to expose the natives to a side of surfing they may never have considered otherwise. “The emphasis from the very get-go,” says Rule, “was to have products that reflect the art of surfing—not just art in connection with surfing, but surfing as an art form.” It’s a theme that’s present in every corner of the shop. Lining one wall is an impressive offering of surf movies, including everything from classics to underground films by emerging artists. Closer to the door, an assortment of Ando & Friends t-shirts by local artist Andy Davis hang along a shelf. In the middle of the spacious room are a coffee table, several chairs and a couch perfect for catching a film—there’s always one running on the wall opposite the surfboards—or just stopping by to relax after a day in the waves. Even the surfboards are held to a higher standard than your basic board—handcrafted by masters like Skip Frye and Steve Mast, each one is an original work of art. “It’s truly unique and really cool,” Rule says. “These boards represent the pinnacle of surfboards out there, yet a lot of them are from right here in San Diego. Every time someone buys one, they’re helping sustain this industry that’s really worth supporting. It’s a terrific part of not just surf culture, but Southern California culture.” Tying everything together are the fine-art pieces scattered across the gallery space. Already, Surfindian’s been host to a number of big names in the world of surf art—most recently, Japan’s Koji Toyoda brought his cheerful and quirky art to the shop’s walls. Next up, beginning July 9, Rule will display Hawaiian surf photographer Clark Little, known for his dramatic shorebreak images. “I think that I have some of the better artists out there. I kind of like to feature stuff that’s a little more cutting edge—guys that are pushing the envelope here and there, that’s my favorite.” In the end, says Rule, it’s all about making people stop and think about surfing in a different light. “If I can have people come in and see Ando & Friends and say, ‘wow, I never knew about that kind of surf art,’ or check out a DVD by Thomas Campbell that’s shot on 16mm film and beautiful and come out saying, ‘that’s a side of surfing that I’ve never seen before, that I think is cool,’ then I’m happy. Really happy.” surfindian.com

foreword

The future of San Diego culture has begun By Seth Combs / Photos By Brevin Blach

eople like to brag that they knew about it first. It’s human nature. Whether it’s a song, a fashion designer or a book discovered way before Oprah loved it, we’re all guilty of one-upmanship at some point. Covering eight facets of San Diego culture—from film and fashion, theater and television to nightlife and books—here are the people, places and things that’ll be all the buzz soon enough. So when the time comes, you can go ahead and brag that you heard it here first.

David Adey’s sculptural piece, “John Henry” (left) and Andy Ralph’s “Lawn Chairs.”

Bi-Curious

To catch a glimpse of the names that’ll soon be scoring solo shows and appearing in the collections of San Diego’s most affluent, look no further than the artists that were picked for the 2010 California Biennial. The exhibition, which opens late October at the Orange County Museum of Art, will feature works by 45 artists from all over California, including nine from San Diego. Some of our favorites include David Adey, whose work ranges from fantastical sculpture to intricate collage, and Andy Ralph, the Woodbury University School of Architecture instructor who crafts sculptural pieces out of things like lawn chairs and household tools. And while she may not be part of the Biennial, local abstract artist Heather Gwen Martin will have a solo show in September at the taste-making Luis De Jesus gallery in Los Angeles. Snatch up their work while you still can.

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

CULTURAL ICONS BY TOM KIMBALL

the believer

Gustaf Rooth F

or almost a decade, Gustaf Rooth put his heart and soul into his Planet Rooth Gallery in North Park, opening it when the neighborhood was still a little sketchy, and then watching it blossom into an art and nightlife destination that was recently covered in The New York Times. When rent issues forced him to leave the neighborhood a few months ago, he could have walked away from the art scene forever—he had his cat, his girlfriend, a new house in Hillcrest and was already making a good chunk of change from selling his custommade wooden furniture. But the guy who started the perennial neighborhood art walk, Ray at Night, wasn’t ready to hang up his trademark overalls quite yet. “Just look at this place,” Rooth says, walking through his aforementioned new space on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest. “This is going to change the art scene, dude, I’m telling you. Wait, come downstairs! You gotta check this out.” And once you check it out, it’s hard not to get excited for Rooth—and for the city at large. The 19th-Century Victorian house and future home of the Gustaf Rooth Gallery is amazing. There’s the expansive downstairs that’ll serve as a gallery and boutique, complete with a vintage bar and space for musicians. Then there’s the showroom, where locals are already walking by and gawking at Rooth’s furniture in the window. While the place is still being gutted from floor to ceiling (Rooth recently fell off a ladder while fixing the plumbing, but was miraculously unhurt), expect a soft opening in July, with full-on art shows featuring artists from San Diego and Rooth’s native Sweden in the not-so-distant future. “There’s some great places around here that I think we could include in some kind of art walk,” says Rooth. “I’m thinking about calling it ‘5th on 5th’. It would be on the fifth of every month.” His eyes light up. “Man, Cinco de Mayo would be crazy.” gustafrooth.com pacificsandiego.com

PASSING THE BAR

BRYAN MCCLANAHAN D

JEFF “TURBO” CORRIGAN

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

something old, something new A ton of clubs are either opening or revealing new looks this summer, starting with one of Downtown’s major players, Stingaree. Perhaps inspired by designer Davis Krumins’ work on Fluxx, Sting is now sporting an earthier, au natural look complete with new landscaping, VIP cabanas and two gigantic Buddha statues thrown in for good measure (below). The owners of The Fleetwood are hoping lightning strikes twice, this time closer to the coast, with their three-story Beachwood, in Pacific Beach. If you’re familiar with their Downtown original, you can expect a similar vibe in the bottom-floor bar area, featuring food by Fleet chef Mark Bolton. The second story and rooftop will serve as the venue’s club levels. Also, be on the look out for the ‘70s-themed Analog Music and Burger Bar, coming to Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp sometime in July. The project—a joint effort by the designer of The Pearl Hotel and the guys who own Vin de Syrah—will boast a dive-bar feel complete with karaoke nights and strong cocktails at affordable prices. M I K E S AV A C OO L

espite working in an industry that focuses on the scene, Bryan McClanahan prefers to remain behind the scenes. If you don’t know who he is (you’re not alone), you probably soon will—the man behind Reset Events throws some of the biggest parties this city has ever seen. “The goal was to bring a big electronic show to San Diego and make it look good, and that’s exactly what we did,” says McClanahan. He’s referring to the recent Reset SD Festival, held June 5 at the San Diego Sports Arena, where innovative electronic acts including Bassnectar, A-Trak, Flying Lotus and almost a dozen others played to a sea of more than 3,000 fans. Inspired by festivals like Ultra in Miami and the San Francisco Electronic Music Festival, McClanahan says he wants to produce these kinds of music festivals here—and he plans on doing them bigger and badder than in other cities. “I’ve already called up to L.A. and told them to give me as many L.E.D. panels as they possibly can,” says McClanahan, who took his experience with helping to design theme parks and incorporated it into festival planning. “The idea is to make the main stage look as epic as possible.” Next up? The Abstract Festival in September with huge names in electronic music, including Major Lazer, Rusko and Claude VonStroke already slated to play at the Sports Arena. Anticipate seeing enormous L.E.D. screens, lights galore, flame-throwing props and possibly a stage in the shape of a spaceship. “People should expect the stages to get more complex and more intricate,” says McClanahan. “More production, more sound and the artists will be getting bigger and bigger with every event. That’s going to be our method and I think it’s going to change the whole game.” resetevents.com

JEFF “TURBO” CORRIGAN

the party boy

Most bartenders are content with simply pouring shots and pretending to enjoy the music, but not all bartenders are like Nicole Novak (pictured). The U-31 server has begun to make a name for herself by becoming the club’s go-to talent booker for Saturday night events. Since taking the reins, she’s booked artists that would have otherwise bypassed San Diego on their way to Vegas. On a recent Saturday night, for example, she arranged an appearance by celebrated British house-music DJ Kelevra—the joint was packed to the gills. She has also managed to entice big names from L.A., including DJ Tina T and Destructo. Scoring acts of this caliber has earned Novak attention, so much that a higher-up at downtown’s Voyeur nightcltub recently remarked that she’s now competing with the big boys. Cheers to that!

Punk Prose

the wordsmith

TAMMY GREENWOOD L

ike most writers, Tammy Greenwood obsesses over the particularities of words. It took her almost seven years to write and publish her last novel, 2009’s Two Rivers, mainly because she was trying a different stylistic approach. “It was a lot less… plotty,” says the author from her Clairemont home. Well, apparently not that particular. Made-up words aside, Greenwood is probably the most promising San Diego fiction writer to emerge out of what is most assuredly an underrated literary scene. The inspiration behind her characters and material stem from her having lived all over the U.S.; the resulting five novels run the gamut of literary topics: Death, adultery, obsession, drugs and redemption just to name a few. Her hard work on Two Rivers paid off. The story of a small-town railroad worker with a mysterious

Justin Pearson’s music is not for everybody. The frontman for highly influential local punk bands including The Locust and All Leather, he’s more often screaming than having actual discourse. So, what a surprise to learn that his recently published memoir, From The Graveyard of the Arousal Industry, is actually filled with insightful recollections of growing up punk in preand post-millennium San Diego. Some of the names and bands in his book may be unfamiliar, but Pearson (center) pulls no punches when talking about an underground culture filled with drugs, betrayal and death—all in our own backyard. Rock bios are often stranger than fiction, and this one is no exception.

FASHIONABLY LATENT

Most spoken-word events conjure images of guys in awful turtlenecks with even worse writing, but if you want to hear some of the best young writers sow their oats, then hit up one of the semi-monthly events held by The Latent Print. Run by a collective of dedicated arts supporters, these weeknight gatherings (held mainly at the South Park bar, The Whistle Stop) have drawn huge crowds to hear stories, check out art, listen to bands and watch experimental films. The website, thelatentprint.com, has also become a taste-making forum of all that’s new and buzz-worthy in the local literary and arts scene. The Latent Print crew

and sullied past, it was not a huge bestseller, but it received accolades from Publishers Weekly, who declared Greenwood “a writer of subtle strength, evoking small-town life beautifully…finding light in the darkest of stories.” The book has since gone on to win the “Best General Fiction” award at this year’s San Diego Book Awards and is on its ninth printing. Most recently, Kensington Press, home to many a New York Times bestseller, was impressed enough with Greenwood that they bought her entire back catalogue. And after reading her new book, The Glittering World (slated to be released in January 2011), they signed her to a three-book deal. “I almost feel like I’m a new writer again,” says Greenwood. “Things have really picked up for me recently. The future looks amazing.” tgreenwood.com pacificsandiego.com

a league of her own

The glass ceiling may seem all but shattered, but when it comes to being a TV sports anchor, it’s still primarily a man’s world. But just like Christina Applegate’s character in Anchorman, Jenny Cavnar (left) is poised to break down barriers. Cavnar knows her sports—after starting out as a reporter for ESPN and CBS College Sports, she worked her way up to co-hosting the Padres’ pre- and post- game show broadcast on Channel 4. She can wax intellectual with Phillies star pitcher Cole Hamels (pictured) about his fastball better than most fans, and she holds her own while hosting the local football show, 4th Down With Shaun Phillips. Last year, she was even tapped for a reporting gig during a Chargers game on NBC’s nationally-televised Football Night In America. Look out, fellas.

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

Oh, Sh*t! It’s Captain Kirk

Justin Halpern (being held) poses with pops at the Grand Canyon

Justin Halpern isn’t exactly a household name. He probably never will be, but more than over 1.4 million people are familiar with his father, Sam, whose expletive-laden diatribes appear on Justin’s Twitter page, @ShitMyDadSays. Justin’s story isn’t all that uncommon: Guy in his late 20s gets dumped by his girlfriend and has to move back in with his parents in Point Loma. His dad’s welcome-home-son salvo: “All I ask is that you pick up your sh*t, so you don’t leave your bedroom looking like it was used for a gang bang. Also, sorry that your girlfriend dumped you.” Nice. Three months into living at home again, Justin launched the Twitter page, which since begat an entire book of Dad’s phrases (naturally, it became a number one bestseller the week of Father’s Day) and, come fall, a CBS sitcom starring, drum-roll please…William Shatner playing the role of “Dad.” Thus far, the closest Halpern has gotten to celebrity status was when a coffeehouse employee asked him if he was “the guy from the Twitter thing.” But, he says, no one has recognized his dad. “Or maybe they have,” Halpern says, “and he didn’t say anything.” Seems unlikely.

the snow men

MATT HOYT & JASON SHERRY

Jason Sherry (pictured with blue parka) is a well-respected visual artist considered to be one of the most up-and-coming in town. Matt Hoyt (in red) co-owns Mission Hills restaurant Starlite. Both men have enough on their plates, but Hoyt still had an unrealized dream. “For years, I had been pitching television show ideas or creating and modeling them in my head,” he says. When CBS decided to launch a new online network of made-for-web programming, they came to Hoyt for ideas. Even after the project was scrapped, however, Hoyt still clung to one idea that he wanted to see to its fruition: a bizarre, surrealist sitcom called Antarctic… Huh?. Taking action, he enlisted his best friend, Sherry, to help design sets for the pilot episode. The script’s absurd but hilarious plot tells the story of a pampered San Diegan named Preston Latterdale (played by Hoyt), who moves to Antarctica to work at a trash dump. Because there isn’t much need for a trash dump in Antarctica, Latterdale sets out to find himself by write the great novel he knows he has inside himself. “It’s like Kurt Vonnegut meets Salvador Dali meets Taxi,” says Hoyt, “All rolled into one.” After its completion, Hoyt submitted the first episode to Here, Not There, a Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) exhibition focused on burgeoning local artists. MCASD accepted, and Antarctic…Huh? now plays on a television at the exhibit. Surrounded by props used during the production of the pilot, the Hoyt-Sherry collaboration is of the most popular pieces at the show and has received a glowing review from the Union-Tribune. It’s almost absurd to think of what we did as art, but I guess it really was,” says Hoyt. “This thing can be developed way further than what we’re doing right now. We made it for no money in my backyard, and the curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art found it so rich and wild.” Today, Hoyt says he’s beginning to garner commercial television interest. And although he remains mum on the details (lest he jinx it), he says he’s registering scripts and copyrighting the name—it’s gotten that serious. “I don’t know,” he says. “Can we take a show that’s produced in a backyard for no money to Hollywood? Maybe. I don’t see why not.” wormwoodfilms.net pacificsandiego.com

SPINNING HIS WHEELS When they first became roommates while attending SDSU in 2006, Dusty Duprel and Andrew Shelley didn’t have much in common. But when Shelley, a wheelchair-bound 29 year-old suffering from muscular dystrophy, told his life story to Duprel, a farm boy-turned film-student, Duprel knew the story had to be told. The result was Duprel’s first documentary, Beyond the Chair, which follows Shelley (below) on a worldwide quest (from New Zealand to Thailand and beyond) to discover happiness and identity. The trek was not an easy one, but with the help of his all-terrain wheelchair, some friendly locals and the film crew, Shelley manages to fish in Cambodia and wander around the Taj Mahal, amongst other adventures. See clips of the film, which is currently in post-production at btcmovie.com.

the man of action

JEFFREY DURKIN O n a recent weekday night, an AMC Mission Valley theatre was packed—the audience had come to see the recently completed short film, This is Charlotte King, about an overzealous San Diego meteorologist. Featuring gorgeous cinematography from all over San Diego County, the six-minute clip’s title character inspires those around her by simply doing what she does best: Obsessing over the weather—a thing which, in San Diego, seems rather arbitrary. Local arts collective Sezio and Downtown design firm Holiday Matinee collaborated on the project. They wrote the script and had funding; all they needed was a visionary director. Enter Jeffrey Durkin, the man behind Breadtruck Films. In just a little over two years, Breadtruck has produced four short films that have garnered multiple awards at film fests as far away as Melbourne, Australia, and Seoul, South Korea. One of Durkin’s latest creations, Mixed Message, which tells the story of a graphic designer with a bad case of ADHD and a fear of the advertising world, won

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

the grand jury prize at last year’s San Diego Film Festival. Having worked as an architect for seven years, Durkin says San Diego itself plays just as an important role in his films as do the actors. “That’s been a unique launching point for us when it comes to filmmaking,” he says. “It makes us different. To bring in location as an actual character and not just a backdrop.” With a staff of four, including what Durkin describes as “one very helpful intern,” Breadtruck is wrapping up their new documentary, Working Class, about artists Mike Giant and Mike Maxwell. They’re also working on a follow-up to what was probably their most acclaimed film, Design + Build + Sustain, about San Diego architect Jonathan Segal. “We want to build up the business side and sell it, and then put all our money into feature films. That’s the 25-year plan,” Durkins says. He laughs then adds, “We’re gonna start small. We’ll work our way up to Avatar.” breadtruckfilms.com

HEAVY METAL

Accessorizing with large chunks of bulbous metal can be tricky, if not wholly ballsy, but Brazilian jewelry designer Anjela Piccard isn’t so much interested in what you’ll be wearing all the time, but rather what you’ll be wearing when you really want to get noticed. Some of her most noticeable pieces, for example, resemble futuristic dog tags, something like what Daryl Hannah might have worn in the Sci-Fi movie Blade Runner. Piccard describes her wares as “a celebration of beauty and intimate interaction.” For now, she is showing some of her work in boutiques including Chic Little Devil Styling House, in Los Angeles. In August, she plans to open her own boutique in Hillcrest, and until then, you can customize your own piece at anjelaanders.com.

LEVI DEXTER

Sweet Barrie

If you’ve opened up a People magazine lately, you may have noticed a spiffy, sailor-themed swimsuit. What you probably didn’t realize is that the suit was designed by none other than local seamstress Barrie Kaufman. It didn’t take long before women were desperately trying to track down the suit online, but now locals have a leg up on the rest of the world—Kaufman’s recently opened a boutique in Hillcrest called Fables by Barrie, which sports not only pin-up-inspired swimwear, but also dresses and accessories. Paging Betty Page fans. fablesbybarrie.com

the seamster

francisco medavog I

f we’re to believe the words of French writer Françoise Sagan, that a dress “makes no sense unless it inspires men to want to take it off,” then Francisco Medavog might be the next king of couture fashion. That said, while his designs can sometimes border on the bizarre and surreal, Medavog says that if a woman has the right attitude, his designs will only accentuate her beauty. “I only do couture pieces,” says Medavog, whose admirers include Paris Hilton and famous designer Zandra Rhodes. “They’re one of a kind—no one will look the same way in that dress. Everyone is different so I have to design every single one differently.” It’s Medavog’s attention to detail, not to mention his ubiquitous presence at fashion-related events, that has made him a bit of a local celebrity. He is also extremely outspoken, openly criticizing other designers, including local Project Runway alum Jesus Estrada. This boldness is also visible in Medavog’s clothing. His Spring/Summer collections included everything from space-age frocks rooted in ‘60s swinging London to bikinis covered with his custom-made lace. Need further proof? His Fall/Winter collection is called “Erte in the 21st Century.” Inspired by the French artist and designer, Erte, it will feature flowing gowns with capes and opera coats. “It would be nice to find someone who believes in me and would like to invest in my line to make it a big sensation,” Medavog says. Gowns with capes? Something tells us it’s only a matter of time before somebody notices. medavog.com pacificsandiego.com

VIDEO STAR

While any band can make a music video and throw it up on YouTube these days, most can’t claim their videos are artsy. UCSD alum Christin Turner defies this trend, making clips that conjure up the days when videos were both aurally and visually stimulating. So far, Turner has directed clips for local buzz bands including the Dum Dum Girls (pictured) and Crocodiles, and has had to travel north to tape shorts for bands like Tamaryn and Height of ’63. Seemingly inspired (in equal parts) by French cinema and stop-motion photography, she has a distinct and engaging style that seems bound to be emulated.

the dancing queen

LIZETH SANTOS-ROBERTS W

atching Lizeth Santos-Roberts on stage, it’s hard to believe she’s performed in front of an audience only 10 times so far. Impeccably poised in front of her small drum kit, she remains standing while singing and drumming, relying on nothing but pre-programmed music samples as a backup band. Despite the lack of visible action during her performances, however, the energy of her music invariably makes audience members jump on stage and shake what their mamas gave them. “The overall reception has been really wonderful,” says Santos-Roberts, “the best anyone could ever want.” Performing under the name Smile Now Cry Later, Santos-Roberts’ plays infectious tunes inspired by ’80s-era Top 40 and Latin stars like Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Sheila E. and Selena. She says she has always wanted to blend these styles into something unique to her personal experiences. “Something very Southern California and Mexican-American-inspired,” she says. “This is not sad music. It’s dance music.” Though she began playing behind a cocktail drum kit (pictured) only about a year ago, Santos-Roberts has already gotten a big break: one of her songs—a Gwen Stefani meets Charo jam, “Just Wanna”—was featured in a MAC cosmetics ad. The response on YouTube was instantaneous, with the comments section abuzz not about the waify models and their makeup, but rather about where viewers could download that song. More recently, a live clip of her performing the song, “Big Booty Butt,” was featured on the Maxim-esque men’s website, Heavy.com—right next to the new Christina Aguilera video. Since then, she’s made more recordings in hopes of releasing an album by the end of the year. Looking out into the faces at her shows, Santos-Roberts says she can tell that people like what they are hearing. “It’s pretty amazing that crowds are showing up and people know the songs by heart,” she says. “People are singing my songs and I’m just thinking, ‘this is crazy!’” myspace.com/smilenowcrylaterband

pacificsandiego.com | JUly 2010

CATCH A BUZZ

J ackie t eeple

W I L E Y P HOTO G R ap h y

Smile Now Cry Later isn’t the only musical act poised to break out this year. Paramore fans should take note of The Material (far right), a quintet whose contagious pop-punk has scored them almost 40,000 fans on MySpace. Acoustic troubadour Mike Pinto (left, foreground) seems likely to have picked up a whole new set of followers during his current nationwide tour. He’s been selling out local venues for years, and his mix of Jason Mraz-style ballads and Sublime-influenced acoustic reggae seems tailor-made for the bigger beach venues. Even after surviving a horrific van accident on their last tour, A City Serene is taking their youthful brand of metal and pop on the road this summer. They’ve already been featured in Alternative Press magazine and have scored a clothing deal with local skateboard apparel company, Innes. Expect the band’s own shirts to be a mall staple any day now.

pacificsandiego.com

P A U L S AV A G E

MISSION STATEMENTS

Launched five years ago five years ago by San Diego theater vets Carla Nell and Kym Pappas, InnerMission Productions has staged edgy and provocative plays in almost every small theater in town, including Queen Bee’s, Diversionary Theatre and 6th & Penn to name a few. The fact that they’re rarely in the same place twice means that they’re free to stage controversial subject matter. “Our goal is to bring new pieces of theatre to San Diego that the other theaters won’t do or haven’t done,” says Nell. “And whatever work we do, we tie it into the community, doing fundraisers and addressing social issues.” Take their latest production, Dog Sees God (left), for example, where the characters from the Peanuts cartoon strip have grown up to become high-school stoners, nerds and goths. Ever seen Charlie Brown question his sexuality? Now you can.

works hard, play hard

For years, the La Jolla Playhouse has been an incubator for Broadway. Tommy, Jersey Boys and Thoroughly Modern Millie all got their start there, and let’s not forget 2008’s Memphis, which just won five Tony Awards year, including “Best Musical.” And this season looks no different— highlights include the September premiere of Limelight, a new musical based on the life of Charlie Chaplin, as well as the west coast premiere of Notes From Underground, adapted from the Fyodor Dostoevky novel by veteran theater men Bill Camp and Robert Woodruff. Beginning in February 2011, they’ll be staging a musical adaptation of the hit 2006 indie film Little Miss Sunshine.

drama kings

THE LEADING MEN F

or years, the old 6th & Penn Theatre in Hillcrest was bleeding money. It was not-so-endearingly referred to as a “firetrap,” but that kind of thing never stopped Claudio Raygoza (above, left) and Glenn Paris (right) before. Since 2006, they’ve been working together as the Ion Theatre Company, building San Diego theatres starting with the New World Stage in East Village and The LAB in Mission Valley. Though initially successful in both venues, the duo eventually had to vacate due to issues with the property owners. Then, in December, they took over the old 6th & Penn space, reinventing at as BLK BOX Theatre. “Everything has been upgraded,” says Raygoza. “Most people that have walked in are so blown away. They can’t even believe that it’s the same place.” Since BLK BOX’s opening in February, Raygoza and Paris have already put on five productions and recently extended their latest, Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune. With decades of experience between them, these two theatre buffs have 42

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built a reputation for staging avant-garde pieces and bringing big names to San Diego, including Neil LaBute (a famous playwright and the man behind feature films like In The Company of Men and the recently released Chris Rock comedy, Death at A Funeral) and Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Gina Gionfriddo. Raygoza and Paris recently launched Ion After Dark, a series of late-night theater productions on Friday and Saturday evenings. Finally have a space all to themselves, they’ve found a new sense of security, which now drives them to get back into writing and directing. “One of my favorite accomplishments was that we were able to found a theatre company in San Diego, and that we’re going on our sixth year,” says Raygoza. “We’re about to launch our 30th production. That’s a big milestone for us, and we want to provide San Diego with something that no one else is doing—bringing in new talent, new writers. Whether most people know it or not, this is a theatre town.” iontheatre.com

{taste}

dining out

cocktail

Brian Malarkey (right) with friend James Brennan

The Buddy System

A TOP CHEF DOES MORE THAN GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIEND By Brandon Hernández / photo by brevin blach

n a town where few culinary pros are known by name, chef and consummate extrovert Brian Malarkey has built a following both loyal and robust. While TV appearances (Top Chef 3 Miami, Mega Bites, etc.) jettisoned him into the spotlight, the quality dishes he developed as executive chef at Downtown’s Oceanaire Seafood Room backed public-eye pomp with savory substance. As such, when Malarkey left the restaurant last year, many wondered where he’d resurface. That question will be answered in a big way when, later this month, he opens the doors to Searsucker, a 7,000 square-foot restaurant in the heart of the Gaslamp. Located at Fifth and Market on the site that previously housed the three-level Z Gallerie, “it’s a restaurant for the people,” says Malarkey. “It’s like a club for grownups, where you can sit down and call up some friends to come meet you for a drink or, if you want, have a full on meal at your own pace. My wait staff will kill me for this, but I want you to own your table and not be rushed.” Acclaimed designer Thomas Schoos—known for his upscale contemporary design of venues including Café Bravo in Temecula and LAX and O-Bar in L.A., —created Searsucker’s stylishly worn and, hence, warm environment, which, when complete, will center around a traditional dining room fitted with scratched wooden tables and scuffed leather banquets. The restaurant’s sprawling floor plan also includes a mammoth rectangular bar and ample real estate devoted to plush couches and comfy mismatched chairs. “We wanted to make sure that whatever we did, we didn’t go too over the top, because the space had a lot to work with already,” says San Diego nightlife impresario, James Brennan (at left in photo), Malarkey’s close friend and business partner in Searsucker. And Brennan should know a little something about what works–after all, we’re talking about the man behind downtown hotspots Stingaree and Side Bar. “For the space, we came at it with a Broadway show mentality of what the experience was going to be,” Brennan says. “When you walk into Searsucker, stage left is Brian with the cool bar seats by the kitchen, and more tables with the noise and atmosphere of a busy restaurant. Stage right is a really cool, very mature lounge or bar area.” No matter where patrons sit, the full menu is available. This is ambitious not only because a full house at Searsucker means more than 200 hungry mouths to feed, but also because Malarkey and his brigade will be on full display via the large open kitchen (which also features bar seating). Malarkey’s opening day bill of fare comes in at a hefty 60-plus offerings (not including side dishes) and is made up of uncomplicated, familiar flavor combinations built around everything from salmon and pork to abalone and bull’s balls. Despite his penchant for showmanship, there are no smoke and mirrors in the form of fancy garnishes, foams or touches of molecular gastronomy. The New American Classic food is simple and approachable, featuring pristine meats and produce, plus seafood reeled in from local waters. 44

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Local swordfish is served “drunken” with cherries and almonds. Baja scallops are dressed with a sweet persimmon relish, and local Tombo albacore tuna goes Italiano via the addition of prosciutto, basil and balsamic vinegar. But Searsucker is anything but Oceanaire Part Deux. Red meat options run the bovine gamut from cheek to cheek, with steaks and inventive off-cut dishes like hock “osso bucco” and bone marrow with shallot jam. The rest of the barnyard—chicken, lamb and pork (roasted shoulder with bacon and peach jam)—is also represented, as are game meats including rabbit, quail and duck (with gnocchi and mustard). As for drinks, the best local craft beers will be poured in conjunction with Malarkey’s “No Crap On Tap” initiative. Specialty cocktails designed to be paired with the food will also be available, along with a largely Californian wine list that gives a respectful nod to Malarkey’s home state of Oregon. From dining room to lounge, plate to glass and farm to table, Searsucker is a manifestation of its owners’ ideals and personalities. It’s been a dream for Malarkey, and making it come true with a friend—now that’s something that certainly doesn’t suck. Searsucker 611 Fifth Avenue, downtown 619.233.7327 | searsucker.com

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{taste}

dining out

cocktail

Fare Play

By Brandon Hernández / photos by BREVIN BLACH

s a contestant on season five of Bravo’s Top Chef, Rich Sweeney made the most of his time on television. When creating the menu for his new Hillcrest restaurant, R Gang Eatery, he capitalized on the time he used to spend in front of the tube—or at least on the grub he consumed in the process. “I thought to myself, ‘what are the dishes that I always enjoyed when I was growing up?’” Sweeney says of the impetus for his contemporary-retro American cuisine. “One of my favorite things is Lipton Cup–a–Soup, because, when I was sick, that’s what I had. And growing up, I was a huge fan of TV dinners. We’ve all had the Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and a brownie that’s a little burnt on one side.” These days, Sweeney makes Salisbury steak with ground lamb and figs, and exotic curry spices enliven his chicken pot pie. Even the buttered Saltine crackers from his childhood (which he affectionately refers to as “ghetto Ritz”) have been reborn, now appearing as home-made toasted butter crackers atop another of Sweeney’s favs, mac ‘n’ cheese, the R Gang version of which is amped-up by smoked gouda and soppressata (cured Italian sausage). “It’s like playing American Idol with your food,” says Sweeney. “Every season, the contestants get an old school song and they have to make it relevant for now. I want to take something old and make it grown up and sexy.” Unlike many of his contemporaries, rather than resorting to high-end enhancers like lobster and truffle oil, Sweeney is more likely to reach into his home pantry for flavorbolstering ingredients. And he isn’t scared to use items many foodies regard as culinary contraband. Think Cheez-Whiz, Velveeta and SPAM. “SPAM is like peoples’ dirty little secret,” he says. “They like to eat it, but in Hillcrest, where everybody likes to look and see what’s in your shopping cart, you don’t want to be buying it.” Sweeney took the salty, porky treat with him when he went to New York City for Top Chef. The result: his fellow chef-testants continued eating SPAM almost daily, even after he left the show. “When you’re a kid, you never look at a dish and question what’s in it or say, ‘gee, does it have the right amount of vegetables?’ or ‘what’s the nutritional value?’” Sweeney says. “All that matters is, do you like it? It’s Peter Pan-ish how people lose their ability to be playful with their food. Why does it have to be that way?” R Gang’s décor reinforces Sweeney’s Never Never Land mentality—the outdoor patio is partially illuminated by the word “fun,” spelled out in brightly lit letters that are visible from the street. That overriding attitude is perhaps best exemplified in edible form by Sweeney’s dessert menu, which will soon feature a dish incorporating NECCO wafers and will always include a rotating s’more du jour. The latter is gutsy considering it was one of Sweeney’s s’mores that got him eliminated from Top Chef. “People say, ‘you’re actually doing that?’ and I tell them, if I’m taking myself that seriously, then I need to not be doing this. I need to be able to laugh at myself,” Sweeney says. “I got into cooking because I like playing with my food. I’m not talking about making mashed potato snowmen, but I’m going to have fun with what I eat.” And that goes double for what his customers eat.

R Gang Eatery 3683 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest 619.677.2485 | rgangeatery.com

pacificsandiego.com | JULY 2010

Clockwise from top: Richard Sweeney and sous chef Rachel Feil have some fun; table for two; Sweeney’s cheddar chive tater tots; honey bourbon pork skewers with pecan mint pesto; Sweeney prepares pan-roasted halibut with sweet pepper confit

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showtime

J E F F FA R S A I

Road Warriors

DESPITE A HECTIC TOURING SCHEDULE, FOR SLIGHTLY STOOPID, THERE’S STILL NO PLACE LIKE HOME

bartender

From left: Kyle McDonald, Miles Doughty, Ryan Moran

By LOGAN BROYLES

PacificSD: You’re on the road a lot. Are you ever actually home in San Diego? Miles Doughty: Probably like a third of the year. We spend the rest of the year out on tour going all over the world. If you have two months off in a row you start to get antsy, you want to be out there playing as much as you can. It’s awesome to come home because we get to go surf, chill, hang out with our friends and see family. But we’re road dogs now. What’s your favorite venue to play in San Diego? Doughty: There are so many great spots around here. I really like the Belly Up in Solana Beach just because of the vibe. It’s one of the best small venues around because it’s more intimate and the sound is killer. It’s like being at a backyard party. 48

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Of course, anywhere we play in San Diego is great because of the hometown love. Do you have any favorite local surf breaks? Doughty: I’ve always been a fan of the OB jetty, except there’s a million people there now. We grew up surfing that spot when there was like four people and we’d have it to ourselves for hours. You guys have always surrounded yourselves with a lot of great musicians. Who have been some of your favorites to work with? Doughty: Honestly, I’ve liked working with all of them. We’ve gotten to tour with some really cool people, like the Dave Matthews Band, Sublime, Pennywise, all the Marley Brothers, Snoop [Dogg], and this summer we’ll be touring with Cypress Hill.

JARED MILGRIM

hey’ve played packed shows in Japan and just wrapped up a sold-out European tour, but the members of reggae-punk band Slightly Stoopid will never forget their local roots. Born and raised in Ocean Beach, founding members Kyle McDonald and Miles Doughty started the band back in 1995 when they were 13, and signed their first record deal with Skunk Records (which was then owned by Bradley Nowell, the late lead singer and guitarist from the band Sublime) while still attending Point Loma High School. The band still calls San Diego home and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon. “I’ll never leave here,” says singer Miles Doughty (middle, in photo above). “When you’re from here, you don’t leave. I’ve been everywhere in the world worth going to and I still think this is the greatest place to live.”

When you were first starting out, did you think music was going to be your career? Doughty: We’d always dreamed of it as kids, but nobody ever expects it to become a reality. We were just another high school punk-rock band like so many others, playing parties for our homies. We didn’t know it would work out like this, but even before we knew how to play the guitar, me and Kyle wanted to be in a band. If you tried to script the perfect life, I don’t think there’s really much more that we could ask for. Slightly Stoopid performs July 17 at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre with Cypress Hill and Collie Buddz as part of the Cauzin’ Vapors Tour.

PACIFICSD

P R E S E N T S

COUNTER CULTURE Saturday, July 10, 9PM - 2AM

Enjoy a one-night-only performance by City Ballet, San Diego’s premiere ballet company, in an intimate and unlikely setting: Quality Social in the Gaslamp. In a seamless integration of modern dance and nightlife, the ballet’s prima ballerinas will reveal a series of sultrier-than-Swan Lake dances set to booming DJ beats and choreographed exclusively for this special night. Admission is free. Donations to the ballet are strongly encouraged. (Warning: There will be mother-types on-site to make non-donators feel very guilty.)

Guests will also be treated to a live-art body-painting spectacle, with models from Bikini Week as moving canvases. 9PM-10PM: Private Function (friends/family, ballet, event partners) Hosted Lions Wines and Karlssons’ Gold Vodka Complimentary tray-passed appetizerss

10PM-2AM: Public Function Complimentary tray-passed appetizers (10-11PM) Ballet performances (9:30 – 11:30PM) DJ Adam Salter (‘til 2AM)

This event will hit capacity early! Friends/family, make sure to RSVP to get on the guest list: insider@pacificsandiego.com

Quality Social • 789 Sixth Avenue • San Diego, CA 92101 • qualitysocial.com

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{groove}

showtime

bartender

Bar None ACTUALLY, THREE BARS... AND THEN SOME by SETH COMBs PHOTO BY JEFF “TURBO” CORRIGAN

ot everyone finds their niche. Errol Asuncion has found about seven. Asuncion isn’t fickle, it’s just that his interests extend way beyond the not one or two, but three different San Diego venues where he tends bar. On Tuesday nights, he’s at Typhoon Saloon in Pacific Beach; the next night, he’s pouring at Side Bar in Downtown for the club’s packed industry night. Oh, did we mention he moonlights at the ever-changing Fluxx nightclub as well? In what spare time he has, Asuncion runs Fortune Industries with his buddy Jason Herrick. Born five years ago as a clothing company, Fortune has since expanded to producing nightlife events, launching a record label and even setting up a children’s charity. Asuncion also dabbles in surfing and cooking, but he’s quick to add that “90 percent of the time, I’m out at the club, either working or rocking out.”

PacificSD: Do you ever sleep? Asuncion: [Laughs] That is something that escapes me more than anything else. I probably average four hours a night—maybe. People always ask me if I even do anything for fun. I always tell them that my job is what I do for fun. This may be a tough one, but which bar is the best to work at? Side Bar is my favorite, because myself and one of the other bar managers came up with the industry night on Wednesdays, and it has become a huge success. At Typhoon, it’s always fresh faces. And Fluxx, I mean, what can I say? That place is amazing. Ever worn a Fortune shirt to work and gotten a compliment from a customer? Sure, but one of the coolest stories was when I was in Vegas. I’m standing in the line for Jet, and this guy comes up to me and says, ‘San Diego!’ And I was like, ‘Yeah!’ He worked there and took care of us the rest of the night. It’s almost like, now, when you wear a Fortune shirt in Vegas or certain places, people will ask you if you’re from San Diego. What’s the craziest event Fortune’s ever thrown? Oh, man, one of the bigger ones that we’ve done is, for the past three years, we’ve taken over the entire Del Mar Marriot—the whole property—and thrown a 30hour party. It goes from New Year’s Eve all the way to the evening of New Year’s Day. People get crazy, but everyone has a good time. 52

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Biggest tip: “It was $5,000, when I worked at Stingaree. Five years ago, back when real estate was booming, this guy handed me the money and told me he had a great time. It was pretty amazing.” Favorite food spot to nurse a hangover: “Rubicon Deli in Mission Beach—great atmosphere for a long, hungover Sunday. Get the Spicy Tuna sandwich.” Specialty cocktail: The Pink Taco: raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, fresh-squeezed lemonade and a little bit of raspberry liqueur that’s shaken and served as a shot. “I swear I didn’t come up with the name. Six girls named it.”

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{love} blind date

Above: Sanel Below: David

Man Date IT’S THE SAME OLD STORY: BOY MEETS GIRL—ACTUALLY, MAKE THAT BOY MEETS BOY

PHOTOs BY BREVIN BLACH f 10 percent of the U.S. population is gay, then perhaps we should have conducted 4.2 same-sex blind dates by now. Despite having conducted 42 of these magical monthly interludes, however, tonight we present PacificSD’s first-ever gay blind date. As the sun fades over Shelter Island, Sanel (pronounced Suh-nell) and David are about to meet for the first time. Before they do, let’s review the pre-date interviews.

PacificSD: Where are you from and where do you live now? SANEL: I am from Croatia, born and raised in a tiny village of like 50 people, and here I am now in California. DAVID: I was born in New York, raised in SoCal, spent 10 years after high school in the Caribbean and then came back home to San Diego. What do you do for a living? SANEL: Depends who’s asking. I have many talents, but for G-rated purposes, I work in human resources. DAVID: You will never hear this again, I’m sure: I manage the Cemetery Systems for the City of San Diego. What do you do for fun? SANEL: There’s hardly anything I do not do, but most common things are traveling, spending time with friends and my new puppy, watching movies, hiking, running, tennis, skydiving, swimming and the list goes on and on. DAVID: Travel—I’m trying to charter a yacht to cruise the Sardonic Gulf in Greece next year with some friends. Describe your personality in seven words. SANEL: Well, I am a Gemini, so there are two of me. That means you need 14 words, but I guess I’ll give you one half of me for now. My seven words are: outgoing, funny, spontaneous, adventurous, loyal, caring and mellow, contrary to what people believe. DAVID: Outgoing, intelligent, down to earth, adventurous, generous. What’s your favorite part of your body and why? SANEL: My hands—they are strong and big and 54

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able to protect you from danger and hold you when you need to be held and feel loved. DAVID: I guess it would be my chest. A few open buttons and some good man cleavage works every time. <winks> What animal are you most like and how? SANEL: I have fetishes, yes, but never to play the role of an animal. <winks, laughs> But since you’re asking, I will have to go with a dog. Dogs are loyal; they love unconditionally and will be your best friend for life. DAVID: I’m probably like a parrot—I sometimes talk too much, can mimic and can get my feathers ruffled. But if you appreciate the colorful, I’m entertaining and always up for a song.

What are you looking for in a man? SANEL: Not sure I am looking for one, but maybe if one comes along—someone that is honest, full of life, able to carry a conversation, secure with themselves and not affected by what people think or say, one who can keep up with me and be able to do things spur of the moment without question, who can live life to the fullest without any hesitations, one who can get along with just about anyone and must have a nice smile and teeth—then, maybe. DAVID: I’m not sure I’m looking, but what attracts me is someone who likes spontaneity and understands what a mutually supportive relationship is really about. (Continued on Page 56)

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Hai Times

MAN, OH MAN, WHAT A VIEW

avid and Sanel meet at Bali Hai, where they drink Mai Tais before switching to Sanel’s fav, the Cosmopolitan. As they sit on the deck, talking over cocktails and an order of Hawaiian Ahi Poke, both are smiling and laughing. With the sun beginning to set, the daters leave their waterfront perch, kiss the Easter Island-esque head by the front door for good luck, and are then chauffeured downtown to the other side of the harbor. Next stop: the Hyatt, and a romantic dinner with a view at Sally’s Seafood on the Water. When they arrive at the hotel, the two seem to be having a blast. They run past valet, jump up on the check-in counter to pose for pictures, then strike poses throughout the lobby on the way to the restaurant. Inside Sally’s, once they’ve had a chance to order drinks and look over the menu, the couple is split for mid-date debriefings.

PacificSD: How’s it going so far? SANEL: Awesome. I was nervous, frustrated, unsure, and the fact that it exceeded my expectations makes it so much more appealing and welcoming. DAVID: We’re having a fun time. I think we’re both enjoying each other’s company and getting to know each other with no pressure. First impression? SANEL: Oh, my god, I know you! What’s your name again? We have mutual friends, so I’ve seen him around, but he and I never had an opportunity to talk before. It was like an eyecontact thing from across the room. DAVID: Energetic, outgoing, nice guy. Very likeable. How was Bali Hai? SANEL: Romantic, it was beautiful. Having drinks and enjoying the view was fantastic. DAVID: Great place, great drinks, friendly staff. Wonderful place to go for a first date. Rate your date, physically, on a scale from one to 10. SANEL: It’s still premature to say that, but I guess eight. DAVID: A strong eight. Rate your date’s personality in terms of compatibility with yours. SANEL: Nine. DAVID: Right now, about a six or a seven. We don’t know too much about each other yet, so it’s 56

pacificsandiego.com | JULY 2010

hard to say how compatible we are, but we seem to share a lot of common interests. I’m looking forward to the second part of the date. Is the vibe friendly or romantic at this point? SANEL: Both. DAVID: It’s strangely in a grey area. I’m not exactly sure. Describe his sense of style SANEL: Banana Republic-ish. DAVID: He seems to be very detailed and he has a very great look. Describe him in one word. SANEL: Comfortable. DAVID: Extrovert. What’s the best way the date could end? SANEL: If something blossoms from this, if it’s meant to be, great. If not, no big deal. I’m having

an amazing time. DAVID: With a plan for a second date. What’s the worst way? SANEL: Him walking away, offended and insecure about it not going in the stereotypical quote-unquote gay-date way, where you go home and have sex. Right now, I’m so far away from that, I’m in like a different galaxy. DAVID: Too much alcohol overpowering what, to this point, has been a nice development of a rapport between us. Do you want to kiss your date now? SANEL: I don’t know. DAVID: I will wait until the end of the date to see if I want to. Does he want to kiss you? SANEL: Of course. DAVID: I think he already tried. <laughs> (Continued on Page 58)

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{love} blind date

Men Overboard DINNER, DRINKS, KISSES

s their entrees arrive , Sanel and David are finally left alone to enjoy the rest of the evening without the Mai Taienriched magazine crew bothering them. (Bali Hai doesn’t mix any fruit juice into their Mai Tais, by the way. It’s just dark rum, light rum and more rum. Zing!) We call the next day to see what we missed, but to be honest, some of us kind of already knew. The boys explain it better below. Overall, how was the date? SANEL: I had a great time. The experience was more then I expected. Lots of fun. DAVID: The date was good. I was impressed by how easy our rapport was, and I would be happy to call Sanel a friend. How was Sally’s? SANEL: Very elegant, classy and just up my alley. We split filet mignon and lobster—delicious. Oh, yeah, the drinks were good, too, however I never got to finish mine as David drank his and mine. Do I get a second date to finish my drinks? DAVID: After pre-dinner drinks, we were at ease happy and ready to have fun. We had surf and turf and some great specialty drinks. What happened after the magazine crew left you two alone? SANEL: Uhhh…I don’t think we were left alone all night. I brought everyone along with us; we all had a celebration ‘til the wee hours of the night. DAVID: We basically talked like old friends when we were left alone, and then chose to stay with the magazine crew like a group of friends. That was maybe a reason we didn’t have a true spark, but most good relationships for me have started in that type of environment. Was there a romantic connection? SANEL: I was so into the conversation and the laughing and having a good time that I did not pay attention to romance. However, I think we kissed on the bay outside Sally’s for a show. People wanted to see it, so maybe you can call that romantic. DAVID: We had chemistry, maybe a precursor to a spark. 58

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What was the funniest part of the date? SANEL: I laughed so much that I don’t remember what was the one funniest thing. Wait, I just remembered—it was kissing the publisher. <publisher’s note: on the cheek> DAVID: When the photographer followed us around and people assumed we were famous— and, of course, we hammed it up. What’s the sexiest thing your date did last night? SANEL: Show his confidence and hold his own through out the night. He was a trooper, especially when I made him go to my stomping grounds, Ivy and Fluxx. DAVID: Sent me a message to make sure I got home safe.

Will there be a second date? SANEL: We will hang out, yes. Hard to find good people that you connect with. DAVID: I hope so. It may not be a date, but I’m hoping it will be just as fun.

Aftermatch: Last night, David and Sanel forged an instant connection—they were all smiles from start to finish and, at times, appeared to have a romantic connection. In the end, however, they seem to have confirmed that (sometimes, anyway) a kiss is just a kiss. When some guys go out at night in San Diego, they complain about the preponderance of dudes and say we’re living in Man Diego. For other local men, that’s precisely what makes this America’s Finest City. Go figure. (Continued on Page 60)

6/7/10

{love} blind date

5k Run on the Strand

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Total Run/Swim/Paddle time

Top Banana = Total Run/Swim time

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Shooting Stars

HOLLYWOOD CELEBS DISCUSS LAST NIGHT’S MAN DATE

s the magazine crew was packing up the mini-van with all the equipment after last night’s date, we noticed a bunch of A-listers (and a couple of Bs and Cs), loitering in the parking lot by Seaport Village. Luckily, our microphone was still on, so we managed to eavesdrop on their conversation. Check out what Tom Cruise, Seth Rogen, Ru Paul, Senator Larry Craig, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Larry King, Kathy Griffin, Cher and Bono had to say about PacificSD’s first-ever same-sex blind date.

Tom Cruise (revving his motorcycle): My heart hasn’t raced this fast since that sweaty volleyball scene in Top Gun. Hey, do you know how to get to Miramar from here? Seth Rogen: You know how I know you’re gay, Tom? Ru Paul: <snapping fingers> Oh, no, you di’int, Seth. Just ‘cause you’re skinnier now don’t mean you ain’t gonna be fat again soon, sister. Seth Rogen: Okay, you’re right, Ru. I’ll admit that joke is played out by now. (Our celebs turn their heads to the sound of toetapping.) Senator Larry Craig: Excuse me, Ms. Paul. Maybe you should come with me. I won’t ask if you don’t tell, son. Ru Paul: I ain’t your son, grandpa, and this here ain’t a bathroom stall. Touch my arm again and it will be the last thing you do. I mean, puh-lease, old man. You’re horny even for a senator. Ellen DeGeneres: Don’t mind him, Ru. He’s just been married to a woman for too long. The mind wanders, you know? Portia de Rossi: I heard that, Ellen. I mean, you are kidding, right? I’m the hot one. You’re the one they cast as a dimwitted, big-nose cartoon fish. Larry King: Speaking of Finding Nemo, Porsche—I mean Croatia—with the way

P R P HOTO S

SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2010 // OCEANSIDE PIER, CA

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things are today, remembering how different relationships between men and women used to be way back when, uhhh...Ellen. Wait, what were we—is this thing on? Let’s cut to commercial. Kathy Griffin: Larry, you’re memory is shot. You’re worse than my grandmother…and she’s dead. Do you even remember when Marlon Brando kissed you on the lips? Now that was gay. Cher: Lighten up, Kathy—you’re the one who’s starting to look like Carrot Top. Larry is straight as an arrow, and his suspenders are, well, disarming. It’s like I always say, ‘If I could turn back time…’” Larry King: <to Cher> Thanks, Marie. Say hi to Donnie for me. Bono: Can’t we all just get along? I mean, this is Pride month after all. Let’s celebrate pride, pride in the name of love! Seth Rogen: Hey, Bono, you know how I know you’re gay?

THANK YOU! Bali Hai Restaurant, 2230 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 619.222.1181, balihairestaurant.com Sally’s Seafood on the Water, 1 Market Place, downtown, 619.358.6740, sallyssandiego.com

* Not valid on holidays or with any other promotion or offer.

Great Food

Fresh Beer

721 Grand Ave. | San Diego, CA 92109 | Phone: 858.581.BEER (2337) | www.pbalehouse.com

calendar {Listen}

pacificsandiego.com | JULY 2010

J OH N D A U G HT R Y

7/9: Steve Miller Band @ Pechanga, pechanga.com 7/9: Boyz II Men @ Dreamcather Theatre at Viejas, viejasentertainment.com 7/10: The Donkeys @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 7/11: The Wailers @ Sound Wave, wavehousesandiego.com 7/14: Gypsy Kings @ Humphrey’s by the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com 7/14: La Roux @ 4th & B, 4thandbevents.com 7/15: MGMT @ SDSU Open Air Theatre, livenation.com 7/16: Thrice @ House of Blues, hob.com 7/17: Jim Gaffigan @ Pechanga, pechanga.com (standup comedy) 7/17: Slightly Stoopid @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, livenation.com 7/19: The Dead Weather @ House of Blues, hob.com 7/23: Patton Oswald @ House of Blues, hob.com (standup comedy) 7/23: Pinback @ San Diego County Fairgrounds, sdfair.com 7/23: Joel Mchale @ Humphrey’s by the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com (standup comedy) 7/24: Aziz Ansari @ House of Blues, hob.com (standup comedy) 7/24: Barenaked Ladies @ Humphrey’s by the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com 7/24: Elton John @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, livenation.com 7/25: 91X Fest ft. 311 & Offspring @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, livenation.com 7/25: Lyle Lovett @ Humphrey’s by the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com 7/29: Joanna Newsom @ San Diego Woman’s Club, casbahmusic.com 7/29: Night Marchers @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 7/30: Common Sense @ San Diego County Fairgrounds, sdfair.com 7/30: Transfer @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com

c o ur t esy o f t h e san dieg o c o nven t i o n & visi t o rs bureau

7/4: Big Bay Boom Fireworks Show Venue: San Diego Bay Admission: Free Info: sandiego.org Break out the lawn chairs and celebrate your independence with a bang at the largest fireworks show in town. Ooohs and aaahs will abound all around you, as more than 8,000 pyrotechnics fill the night sky over San Diego Bay.

L E G O P HOTO G R A P H Y

7/2: B-Side Players @ Belly Up Tavern, bellyup.com 7/2: Dum Dum Girls, Crocodiles @ The Casbah, casbahmusic.com 7/3: Jeff Dunham @ San Diego County Fairgrounds, sdfair.com (standup comedy) 7/4: Sid Vicious @ 207 at the Hard Rock, 207sd.com 7/6: Colbie Caillat @ Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, humphreysconcerts.com 7/9: Kings of Leon @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, livenation.com

Submit events to calendar@pacificsandiego.com. Compiled by Logan Broyles

7/10: Microbrew Festival Venue: Pechanga Casino’s Grand Ballroom Tickets: $50 Info: pechanga.com Beer aficionados know that San Diego is now one of the premier destinations for microbrews (we even beat the Germans in one website survey), but you don’t need to be a hops snob to enjoy samples from dozens of awardwinning breweries, a chili cook-off, DJs and a silent auction supporting Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

7/6-11: Avenue Q Venue: Civic Theatre, downtown Tickets: $18-76 Info: broadwaysd.com It’s not clear how Jim Henson would feel about Avenue Q, but we’d like to think the late Muppets creator would be laughing his ass off while watching this R-rated mix of people and puppets. Think of the three-time Tony Award-winning musical as Sesame Street for adults.

{Home Games}

San Diego Padres vs.: 7/1-4: Houston Astros 7/16-18: Arizona Diamondbacks 7/27-29: Los Angeles Dodgers 7/30-31: Florida Marlins

AMERICA

ROCKS!

718 Ventura Pl., Mission Beach sandbarsportsgrill.com Where it’s still legal to drink on the beach

(and you should, too) 1200 Garnet ave., Pacific Beach tavernatthebeach.com Bacon and Beer + Spin the Big Wheel on Wednesdays

1261 Garnet avenue, Pacific Beach brewleyspint.com PB’s home for World Cup action

2895 university ave., north Park westcoasttavern.com Voted North Park’s Business of the Year West Coast Font: Matchwood Bold LF Tavern Font: Mouse Deco A7D Graphic Design // anna@a-7-d.com 8.31.2009

SIx gREAt wAyS tO CElEbRAtE yOuR IndEpEndEnCE... 5145 Morena Place, San Diego 92110 • www.verantgroup.com

3815 30th st., north Park truenorthtavern.com Sports bar, night club, bar or restaurant? You decide!

2253 Morena Blvd., Bay Park offshoretavern.com Best happy hour in Bay Park...seven days a week!

7/10-11, 7/17-18: Over the Line World Championship Venue: Fiesta Island on Mission Bay Admission: Free Info: ombac.org If baseball had been dreamt up by drunk people at the beach, it might look a little like Over the Line. What started out as a local tradition has since grown to become a worldwide competition, with more than 1,200 three-player teams participating in this year’s 57th annual championship. Play for glory, or just chill with the other 50,000 spectators and a Miller Lite, the event’s official sponsor.

o ld missi o n beac h at h le t ic club

calendar 7/11: San Diego’s Best Craft Beer Dinner Venue: Trattoria Acqua, La Jolla Tickets: $45 Info: trattoriaacqua.com Enjoy gourmet food with some of San Diego’s best brews, as PacificSD contributing editor Brandon Hernandez pairs his own gourmet recipes with flavorful suds from three of our award-winning hometown breweries: AleSmith, Ballast Point and The Lost Abbey.

C o ur t esy o f c o mic c o n in t ernat i o nal

C o ur t esy o f t h e del mar t h o r o ug h bred club

L o ri B r o o ks P h o t o grap h y

7/21: Opening Day at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Venue: Del Mar Racetrack Tickets: Field $10, Clubhouse $20 Info: dmtc.com It’s time for big bets, big hats and even bigger, uh, “enhanced” body parts, as Del Mar’s race season begins in style. Show off your creativity at the annual Fabulous Hats Contest (check out Page 20 to get a leg up on the competition), or just chill with a Coors Light, the track’s official sponsor.

7/22-25: Comic-Con International Venue: San Diego Convention Center Tickets: Sold Out Info: comic-con.org Probably the only event in the world where geeks can party in the same venue as Megan Fox and Paris Hilton, the 41st annual convention includes panels, signings, sneak peeks of upcoming movies and celeb sightings galore. 7/27: In the Heights Venue: Civic Theatre, downtown Tickets: $18-79 Info: broadwaysd.com Set over three days in a Dominican neighborhood of New York City, this highly acclaimed show won “Best Musical” and “Best Original Score” at the 2008 Tony Awards for its mix of salsa, merengue, hip-hop and soul.

{Of Note} JANET MACOSKA

pacificsandiego.com | JULY 2010

July Birthstone: Ruby July Flower: Water Lily 7/4: Independence Day 7/14: Bastille Day 7/30: Chargers training camp begins

{think}

Talking Trash SAN DIEGO’S JULY 5 GARBAGE FORECAST

o matter where you live in the county, on the day after Independence Day, there’s bound to be a mess. And whether you join the legions of beach cleaners he’s who known volunteer as comedy’s for San Queen Diego Coastkeeper, of Mean. Jim Carrey or you’re says still she’s flicking “morecigarette butts than standout,” according to Howard Stern, the out aofstand-up—a the car window, you’reand bound to notice the debris. self-proclaimed King of All Media, she’s “a true original brilliant Depending on which neighborhood you call home, here’s whatand youacan expect to find the morning after comedy the fireworks mind who’ll while steal picking the show up the every pieces time.”   from America’s 234th birthday. In advance of her June 4 stand-up appearance at Pechanga, comedian Lisa Lampanelli talks with PacificSD about her career, her jokes and her body.

NEIGHBORHOOD

TRASH

Gaslamp: Body glitter, VIP wrist-bands, hair extensions North Park: Fake eyelashes (unisex), guitar pics, fedoras Hillcrest: Probably not much (the place is sparkling for Pride), but perhaps some tossed-aside tiaras and rainbow American flags Coronado:

Viagra and denture removal ointment (not necessarily in that order)

Pacific Beach:

Red plastic cups from all the house parties, tanning salon receipts, disposable fingernails, nightclub flyers

Ocean Beach: Actually, almost nothing—nearly everything found on the ground gets smoked, eaten or used as bait…except on Dog Beach, we hope. La Jolla: Sea lion guano, tourists’ lens caps, cougars wandering since Jack’s closed Del Mar: Diapers, sippy-cups, overalls and other carnie refuse from the fair Rancho Santa Fe:

Bentley key fobs, five-dollar bills, desperate housewives, foreclosure notices

El Cajon:

Unsold Hummers; Budweiser cans; red, white and blue NASCAR paraphernalia

San Ysidro: Outlet mall shopping bags, shell casings, pulverized Obama piñatas Mission Beach: Fake I.D.s, square-brimmed baseball caps (turned slightly sideways), empty kegs, the charred remains of a lifeguard tower

pacificsandiego.com | JULY 2010

DRINK WITH STYLE. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.