San Diego CityBeat • Aug 14, 2019

2 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

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UP FRONT | FROM THE EDITOR

The race for mayor: Round 1

F

or those of us who remember the days of the high school debate team, we might remember that debates are often judged by three criteria: delivery, structure and argumentation.

By these standards, there was no clear winner on Friday evening at a San Diego Mayoral Forum hosted by the San Diego County Democratic Party. In fact, if I were to judge solely by this formula, all three candidates (City Councilmember Barbara Bry, State Assemblymember Todd Gloria and San Diego Compassion Project co-founder/community advocate Tasha Williamson) came away with something of a win. Here’s a breakdown: Structure: Barbara Bry Fresh off her votes for affordable housing plan updates and calling for a moratorium on e-scooters, Bry was calculating and methodical in her arguments. In fact, I’ll even go so far as to say she won the debate overall, but this was not entirely her doing. Bry reminded the audience of the reasons why she has made some of her more unpopular stances (at least with the YIMBY crowd and housing advocates). She laid out, rather convincingly, that her decisions are informed by her experience as someone who is in San Diego working on these issues every day.

“I want to make sure we make decisions for San Diego, not Sacramento,” Bry said, referring to Gloria’s current position.

Still, Bry saved her biggest counterpunch until the very end when she claimed that Gloria had opened a “Todd Gloria for Assembly 2020” committee in addition to his mayoral committee.

“Mr. Gloria, I want to know what office you are running for,” Bry said, knowing full well that it was a mic-drop moment and that Gloria would not have the opportunity to respond. I think the allusion was clear enough: Bry thinks Gloria’s heart is still in Sacramento and isn’t fully invested in his bid for mayor.

Argumentation: Todd Gloria Gloria was poised and professional, laying out logical, deductive arguments that have made him the current frontrunner for the Democrats. Where he contrasted himself the most was pointing out actual legislation he’d either written or helped pass in the assembly.

Whereas Bry was keen on laying out hypothetical plans for what she’d do as mayor when it came to issues such as homelessness, housing and climate change, Gloria had something he could point to as having actually done something, albeit on the state level with a democratic legislature and governor. “iPads are not going to solve this prob-

lem. More housing is going to solve this problem,” Gloria shot back at Bry after she said she’d like to see more social workers with iPads on the ground to talk to homeless citizens. This provided a nice segue for Gloria to lay out some of his accomplishments in the assembly.

Gloria did stumble, however, when he accused Bry of exploiting the story of a woman’s near-fatal injuries from an e-scooter accident.

“You shouldn’t politicize someone’s tragedy to win a mayor’s race,” Gloria said, drawing boos from the crowd. To be fair, many of those boos came from Bry supporters, but Bry was clearly offended, shaken even, by the accusation and it was not a good look for Gloria.

Delivery: Tasha Williamson If anyone in attendance didn’t know who Tasha Williamson was before (ahem, humblebrag, she was one of our “People of the Year” last year), they left knowing exactly who she was after the debate. Williamson was amazing and spoke with a sense of unique, onthe-ground authoritativeness.

“I’ve actually been homeless. I’ve seen the wrongs that have happened and they’ve been happening long before the current administration,” Williamson said when asked about the city’s homelessness policies.

“We keep hearing the word affordable, but many people can’t afford the affordable... we need housing for all,” she remarked later.

But the real stinger came when the conversation turned to MTS. Whereas Bry and Gloria were content in laying out their respective plans when it came to public transit, Williamson said she would not support any of it without a major overhaul of MTS’s security practices.

“It’s time to roll up your sleeves and fire, fire some of these people,” Williamson said, referring to MTS’s private security and what many consider to be excessive fare enforcement practices. “They walk around our city and they damage people like me. These are people who don’t understand the law… Formal complaints do not work for us.”

Every candidate had a moment on Friday, but Williamson brought attention to issues that were outside or even unknown by many of the people in attendance. She may not have laid out as many concrete plans as Bry and Gloria, but she drew the largest amounts of applause even from those who may have been there to support another candidate.

—Seth Combs

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AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 3

UP FRONT | LETTERS

WE PAY FOR SCOOTERS

Re: “Scooter purgatory,” Spin Cycle, July 31.

The merging of smartphones, GPS and electric scooters by “entrepreneurs” who refuse to work with local governments for the common good (beyond PR platitudes about concern for safety and the environment) is an illustration of how tech goes wrong. Along with poor or no profit in most areas of the U.S. (due to rain or snow), both public and private lawyers may be the most formidable foe of Lime, et al., in cities blessed with dry, mild weather, such as our fair city.

In downtown S.D., we see a circus of how to get hurt on a scooter: No helmets; two adults onboard; weaving on the busy sidewalk, then onto the street; pre-teens riding double; unskilled riders doing nearly 20 mph downhill, against traffic, with tiny grocery-cart wheels wiggling like crazy… wheeee!

Do they know that when they signed up, they waived their rights big-time? If the brakes fail or a wheel comes loose—too bad rider! By not making scooter identifiable, they endanger pedestrians, where an injured walker is left with a “sorry dude…” as the rider gets away quickly.

Injured riders without insurance have large ER bills, and much of this cost is borne by the public. As the contracts absolving the company of any responsibility come under greater scrutiny, it will become clear that a business based on unstable vehicles, poorly designed and maintained has a downside. Some localities have undertaken outright bans—this appears to be the only effective method to re-

4 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

store basic safety that all pedestrians and lawabiding bike riders should expect.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME?

Every third Friday of the month, DJ Daniel transports a cast of misshapes, mistakes and misfits back to a time when we’d dance, drink and screw because there was nothing else to do [“F#!kin’ in the Bushes turns 10,” Notes from the Smoking Patio, Aug. 7]. FITB is a mid-90s time capsule with bands like Pulp, Suede, Blur, Oasis, Stone Roses, Sleeper, Marion, Echobelly, Shed Seven, Lightning Seeds, Rialto, Ash, Saint Etienne, Ride, and Gene providing the soundtrack.

FITB proves that we CAN go home again even if we did leave an important part of our brain somewhere in a field in Hampshire. Cheers.

UP FRONT

D. Tovey, College Area

Michael Charming, via sdcitybeat.com

WE WANT FEEDBACK Email letters to editor Seth Combs at seth. combs@sdcitybeat.com, or mail to 3047 University Ave., Suite 202, San Diego, CA 92104. For letters to be considered for publication, you must include your first and last name and the part of town where you reside. Note: All comments left on stories at sdcitybeat.com will also be considered for publication.

WE HAVE A

PODCAST! To b, or not to Airbnb? That is the question posed in this week’s episode of Show In Progress with Matt Strabone. No doubt, short-term vacation rentals have become a hot button issue, with seemingly no solution in sight. To help navigate this debate, Strabone solicits two very different opinions. First, he speaks with Brian Curry of Save San Diego Neighborhoods who pulls no punches with his assessment that short-term vacation rentals, and wholehome rentals in particular, are illegal and should be treated as such. Strabone also speaks with Matt Kiessling of the Travel Technology Association, a trade group that represents companies like Airbnb and others in this industry. Kiessling argues that short-term rentals provide important benefits for the community and allow unprecedented options for travelers. As always, Strabone ends the show with one of his signature jokes that Bill Gates—and maybe nobody else—might enjoy. Show in Progress can be downloaded or streamed pretty much anywhere podcasts are available, but readers can find it on sdcitybeat. com as well.

From the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Letters to the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Spin Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Backwards and In High Heels. . . .

Well, That Was Awkward . . . . . . .

3 4 5 6 7

FOOD & DRINK World Fare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Anatomy of a Cocktail Scene . . . . 9 Final Draught. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

THINGS TO DO The Short List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . 10-12

ARTS & CULTURE Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Feature: Chicano Park: From the Mind of a Conceptual Artist. . . . . . 14 Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-16

MUSIC Feature: Summergrass Festival. . 17 The Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Black Gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 If I Were U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Concerts & Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . 20-22

IN THE BACK Astrologically Unsound . . . . . . . . . 21 CannaBitch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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JOHN R. LAMB

UP FRONT | OPINION

SPIN

CYCLE

JOHN R. LAMB

Claim jumper It ain’t bragging if you can back it up.

—Muhammad Ali

I

n a scenic land ruled by the Hunter family for nearly four decades, Carl DeMaio apparently believes he can regain his footing on the nation’s political soapbox. He’ll do so with one modest goal in mind: Saving the Republican Party from extinction.

If Spin had a dime for every time some derivation of the phrase, “This isn’t about a candidate, it’s about a movement” has been uttered to launch a political campaign, it might have enough to afford one of the $15 DeMaio yard signs the former San Diego City Councilmember-turned-Trumplite-radio-host is hawking on his website. Or maybe enough for a set of 10 “freedom” straws for $19.99 or a $25 “Freedom Doesn’t Mean Free S#!%” T-shirt or even a $45 brightred “Make CA Great Again” ball cap.

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But there was DeMaio, in a recent Newsradio KOGO interview, dropping that “movement” line like he had just come up with it.

When the phone lines were opened for questions from listeners, DeMaio insisted that opponents be moved to the top of the caller list.

“I’m a big boy,” he declared.

What followed was a hiccup-inducing ego-fest of atta-boys punctuated by a single question of clarity: Why a run for Congress instead of local or state office?

It’s a query DeMaio is likely to answer again and again while on the campaign trail in the 50th Congressional District, one he does not live in and quite possibly the most conservative district in the state.

Larry Wilske, a Descanso resident and retired 30-year Navy SEAL running since March to end the long-running, father-and-son Duncan Hunter stranglehold on the House seat, offered his unvarnished assessment.

“I’m just as perplexed why he would want to come out to East County,” Wilske told Spin this week. “Carl—how do I put this delicately—I think politics has enough malignant narcissists. Literally, that is that guy.”

DeMaio does live just a few miles from the 50th, which spans much of northeastern San Diego County and includes a slice of Riverside County.

He told listeners in that same KOGO interview that “we need more of the Second Amendment, not less of the Second Amendment,” so he’s apparently hip to the district’s sensitivity toward gun-control measures.

“I don’t know what he means,” Wilske said. “He’s full of shit. The sad part is he doesn’t understand how the rest of us are laughing at him.” Wilske said he talked to about 100 folks outside an Alpine grocery store the other day and claimed only two recognized the name Carl DeMaio.

“And one of them didn’t like him,” Wilske laughed. “He’s got bad name ID.” On other days, Wilske said constituents react to DeMaio negatively primarily for his outsider status. Others, he added, will say they think he’s funny on the radio, but come away not liking him.

“I mean, that’s my gut feeling,” Wilske explained. “Sometimes it’s entertaining. Sometimes I change channels.”

Carl DeMaio and the indicted congressman he wants to replace, Duncan D. Hunter, at least share a fondness for Donald Trump­— and furry creatures.

But the factory workers at Team Carl would have you believe he is the only Republican candidate who can win in the district, and he issued a poll (well, it’s more of a summary) to prove it. Not that it emerged easily.

The internal poll was first mentioned on the website POLITICO in a story about DeMaio’s challenge to indicted incumbent Duncan D. Hunter and the possibility of another 50th outsider, former Rep. Darrell Issa, joining the race.

“DeMaio’s campaign is already bracing for the possibility of Issa’s entrance, commissioning a poll— shared with POLITICO—that shows DeMaio scoring higher favorability ratings than Issa,” reporter Jeremy B. White wrote.

When Spin asked Team Carl for a copy of the poll, the response from spokesman Dave McCulloch was succinct.

“Lol…to citybeat [sic]?! Hahaha.” Yes, CityBeat has had its fun at DeMaio’s expense over the years as he flailed against municipal pensions, cat taxes and just about any other tax that comes to mind.

McCulloch confirmed the campaign had “shared the poll with politico” and was actively “shopping it around elsewhere nationally too.” When Spin expressed puzzlement why such good news would be withheld from a local, albeit left-of-Carl publication, leaving CityBeat with only the “lol” quote, McCulloch shot back.

“What’s with your attitude?...

I mention I’m shopping a story around to larger, national publications and you’re upset. Keep this attitude up and next time I am going to intentionally ignore you.”

When Spin explained that not sharing an already-released poll— one that the campaign was boasting about on social media—was newsworthy in itself, he wrote back, “I may decide to release it tomorrow. You can wait.”

Indeed, the next day, the POLITICO reporter tweeted it out.

And the rest, as they say, was his-

tory. Very selective history, because what was actually released was a four-page summary of the poll results from The Tarrance Group, a Virginia-based Republican research firm. The summary showed DeMaio beating both Hunter and Issa in the primary, but falling short of Democratic challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar in most scenarios. In one, DeMaio edges out the Democrat 41 to 40 percent on a second ballot, presumably after pollsters read a list of perceived negatives.

As Campa-Najjar noted in a tweet, “I’m sure Carl painted me in the worst light on the second ballot.”

But the summary provided no hint of the questions asked in the poll, which prompted one CampaNajjar supporter to reach out to DeMaio.

Kristine Alessio, a La Mesa City Council member who quit the Republican Party in 2017 because it wouldn’t take a stand against racism, told Spin she’s known DeMaio for “a zillion years” and likes him.

A cat breeder, Alessio said they bonded over a love of felines and a dislike of proposed laws pertaining to breeders.

“He’s a huge cat enthusiast,” Alessio said. “But if you’re going to have a decent poll, you have to throw out your own negatives.”

She said DeMaio told him he did test his negatives, which she would not divulge, adding, “He doesn’t want his opponents knowing. Bad enough I had to tell him I already endorsed his opponent.”

Still, she admires his chutzpah. “He’s weird and bombastic, and when he gets on that Trump wagon, I think I just want to kill myself,” she said with a laugh. “But what people are sick of is Duncan D. [Hunter]” So, 50th, DeMaio’s all yours.

Best of luck.

Spin Cycle appears every other week.

Write to johnl@sdcitybeat.com.

AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 5

UP FRONT | OPINION

AARYN BELFER

BACKWARDS & IN

HIGH HEELS

Dismantling Olango memorial is a black and white issue Edit note: Aaryn Belfer is on a much-deserved family vacation this week. She will be back next week with a brand new column. In the meantime, we thought we’d republish this column from 2016. We felt it was important considering the recent civil trial ruling that cleared El Cajon officer Richard Gonsalves of any negligence in the shooting death of Alfred Olango.

W

hen Alfred Olango’s sister called 911 two weeks ago, she was seeking help for her brother, whom the media reported was mentally ill and the family has said was having an emotional crisis in reaction to the suicide of a friend.

These details are beside the point: The police recorded the call as a 5150, or a psychiatric issue, and as such, should have dispatched the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). This team being unavailable, officers untrained to handle a mental health crisis were dispatched instead. They arrived 50 minutes after the call, aggressively approached Olango and immediately cornered him, something mental health professionals say is the exact opposite of any de-escalation protocol.

In less than two minutes, one officer had tased Olango while the other shot and killed him. Neither officer attempted to talk to the victim’s sister who can be heard on cell phone video pleading that her brother was having a breakdown.

Someone even tells her to “shut the fuck up!”

In a video posted to Facebook five days later, dozens of police officers in riot gear can be seen moving in on a small group of peaceful mourners holding vigil at the spot where Alfred Olango died. This shieldwearing, baton-wielding state-sponsored militia arrived after days of peaceful protests (“don’t, don’t, don’t believe the hype”) and declared that this alsopeaceful gathering—which included at least two children—comprised an “unlawful assembly.”

The officers gave everyone 10 minutes to leave and then proceeded to move in slowly like a boa constrictor choking its prey, compressing the space from several directions until they’d boxed in the citizens who remained. The children can be heard crying. Police arrested 17 people, including the mother of the kids on bogus charges.

And then. Then they began to dismantle the memorial that had been built over several days, desecrating the memory of the man they killed.

I have been down in El Cajon, have participated in a faith-based gathering and march and have spent time at the exact spot where Alfred Olango died. It was while I was standing quietly at the restored memorial the day after the dismantling—looking at photos of Olango and his family, survivors of war and genocide, reading the handwritten messages left by friends and strangers alike—that I thought of Chelsea King.

For those who have forgotten, King was a beautiful, young high school student who was murdered while out on a run one day in Rancho Bernardo. Following

the discovery of her body in a shallow grave, San Diegans came out by the thousands to mourn her loss.

There were vigils all across this city and up and down the coast. Memorials were erected to honor all the promise that had been snuffed out in one horrific, despicable and inexcusable act. Elected officials and community leaders everywhere publicly mourned; Arnold Schwarzenegger, our governor at the time, came to Balboa Park in support of a law in King’s name. There is a freeway bridge named after her, an annual 5K run and a foundation to honor her legacy.

“When our daughter Chelsea went missing, and we learned the terrible truth of our loss,” her parents write on the Chelsea’s Light Foundation’s homepage, “we struggled to find air to breathe.”

Those words. They are the words of a movement and make me feel some kind of way.

The grief of Chelsea’s parents is beyond imagination. But it is not unique to them, or to all who felt their loss so acutely as to be moved to show up, be visible, and then take action to make something good come from something despicable; to transform their feelings into policy change.

And during that time of such darkness and sorrow, anger and outrage over King’s senseless death, not one police department sent out militarized officers to break up the assembly of so many mourners and vigil-holders. There was not one single unlawful assembly declaration that I can remember. There were no ultimatums given to, or arrests of, folks gathered to contemplate the state of our humanity while peacefully lighting candles, holding hands, wrapping arms around one another, whispering memories and wiping away tears of grief for this life that had been snuffed out in one horrific, despicable and inexcusable act.

And there certainly, definitely, absolutely was no removal by police officers of candles or signs or flowers or stuffed animals from any memorial.

Some will write to tell me I’m comparing apples and oranges. And I will argue that I’m comparing black and white.

As I see it, Chelsea King and Alfred Olango were both loved by their families, friends and the communities in which they lived. As I see it, each were the now-unfulfilled promise of their parents. As I see it, the only real difference is that King was killed by a civilian monster while Olango was killed by a deputized one.

And that deputized one? He didn’t take a single moment to speak to Olango’s sister or hear what she had to say before he pulled his trigger four times at close range. Because she didn’t matter to him, and Olango didn’t matter to him. And the mourners at the taco shop where Olango died, who are still out there each night to alleviate this trauma and grief, do not matter to them, vividly underscoring without doubt and with punctuation, that all lives definitely, definitely do not fucking matter.

Some will write to tell me I’m comparing apples and oranges. And I will argue that I’m comparing black and white.

6 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

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UP FRONT | VOICES

RYAN BRADFORD

WELL THAT WAS

AWKWARD Ashes to ashes

W

“

e’re going to spread the ashes. Do you want to join us?”

It’s definitely one of the stranger texts I’ve received from my wife Jessica. It’s late morning on a Monday and I’m about to go to lunch.

I text back: “What time?”

“Now?” “Oh, um sure. I can be there in 20 mins.”

“No rush, they’re not going anywhere.”

The “they” in question are Jessica’s grandparents, Burt and Dorothy Whipple. Or, more specifically, their remains, which have been sitting on our dining table in ornate wooden boxes that look a little like high-end stereo speakers.

I never knew Dorothy—who passed away before I ever met Jessica—but I was very close to Burt. Before he died last year at the age of 92, we spent a lot of time together.

I have many fond memories of drinking Pacificos and watching old TV shows with him. Burt loved pointing out actors who had died.

“He’s dead,” he’d say. I now have a healthy appreciation of Lawrence Welk (who’s dead) because of Burt.

I drive home to spread the ashes and think of my favorite Burt memories along the way. A few years ago, when our apartment complex was getting treated for termites, Jessica and I stayed at her mom’s condo, which she shared with Burt.

One morning when it was just me and Burt, he said, “Let’s go to Denny’s. I’m driving.” I wasn’t sure if Burt was allowed to drive anymore, but I didn’t question it.

Instead, I jumped in the passenger seat, buckled up tight, and held my breath for the six-block drive.

It was the slowest joyride I’d ever been on and was honored that he saw a co-conspirator and enabler in me.

I remember the time when Burt gave me a pair of jeans because he said they were too small for him.

“They seem to be made for a large boy,” he said. I still often think of myself as “large boy.”

I also loved his disdain for craft beer.

“Budweiser was a beer before you were born,” he once proclaimed when we went to the Firestone Walker Brewery, which, to his displeasure, did not sell Budweiser.

Of course, these are just little snapshots of the man who meant a whole lot more. To think that all of that can fit into a little wooden box feels both poetic and counterintuitive.

Jessica and her family are sipping champagne when I get home. My sister-in-law hands a glass to me. At the kitchen table, my mother-in-law is trying to pull the bag containing Burt’s ashes from the small

hole cut into the bottom of the box. It reminds me of a piggy bank.

I see that Dorothy’s ashes have already been placed in a big wooden bowl we usually use to serve salads.

There’s a lot of her in the bowl, more ashes than what I imagined a human body could produce—a mountain of white dotted with black specks. I imagine what our salads will taste like in the upcoming weeks.

It’s difficult to pull the bag from the box, so I suggest we cut it open and pour Burt’s ashes from the box. I take Burt and the bowl containing Dorothy outside, cut open the bag and dump the ashes. A misty plume rises from the bowl and I accidentally inhale a mouthful of Burt. He tastes like the desert.

Burt’s ashes are darker than Dorothy’s, which seems curious. What circumstances would have created darker ashes? Hotter flames, or was it something to do with Burt’s composition? I stir them together— again, using a wooden salad spoon (sorry, future dinner guests) and the mixture takes on a salt-and-pepper coloring. It’s a strangely beautiful composition. I find a small metal button, a relic from Burt’s cremation outfit. A small piece of bone emerges, I pick it out and toss it into our yard, and even though it’s my mother-in-law’s wish to spread her parents’ ashes in our yard, the nonchalance of tossing human bones into my shrubbery makes me feel like a psychopath.

We take red Solo cups and dip them into the bowl of ashes. It seems to be the most appropriate way to distribute them. Burt always enjoyed a good party. There are enough ashes for each of us to spread at least two cup fulls.

I fill my cup with ashes. They’re as dense as sand. I walk to the sage growing in the yard, and sprinkle Burt and Dorothy around the base of the plant. I don’t know why I do that; there’s no guidebook for spreading the ashes of loved ones. A wind kicks up and blows ashes onto my clothes. My shoes and pants acquire a fine dusting of grandparents.

At no point during this process do I ever question why my mother-in-law wanted the ashes spread in our yard; it just feels right. I don’t believe in God or the afterlife, and I don’t think Burt did either—he was a devout scientist and engineer throughout his life—but he also believed that matter could not be destroyed. The form he’s now taken will be in our yard, and that brings me comfort.

So here’s to Burt and Dorothy Whipple. They’re dead.

I take Burt and the bowl containing Dorothy outside, cut open the bag and dump the ashes. A misty plume rises from the bowl and I accidentally inhale a mouthful of Burt. He tastes like the desert.

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Well, That Was Awkward appears every other week.

Write to ryanb@sdcitybeat.com

AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 7

UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK

BY MICHAEL A. GARDINER

THE WORLD

along with little skewers to pull the snail meat out of the shells.

An easier-to-eat take on the theme is the seasoned escargots sautéed in coconut milk with dill and peanuts. The dish comes with the snails conveniently out of their shells along with glass noodles in a coconut milk sauce.

The wild side The marinated venison with onions and butter is wasn’t shocked to see escargots on a Vietnamese another dish with obvious French influence, albeit menu. Given Vietnam’s history as a French col- clearly not in the plating (over iceberg lettuce with ony, a tasty snail dish doesn’t seem out of order. tomato slices). But what it gave away in the plating, it took back on the palate. The deer was perfectly Nor was I shocked to see steamed mussels.

But whole sections of the menu devoted to wild cooked, the onions (both green and white) provided boar, deer and goat? Que Huong in City Heights a savory underlayer, and the pan drippings brought (4134 University Ave.) was clearly going to be a some- it together.

The inclusion of wild boar in any dish is guarwhat different Vietnamese restaurant experience.

MICHAEL A. GARDINER anteed to make it sound exotic. Que Huong’s version with lemongrass and peppers was no exception. Having a spicy element—not unusual in Vietnamese cuisine—heightened the experience.

The green mango salad with shrimp and pork was a standout. The acidity and subtle sweetness in the mango played well together with the shrimp, and both did well with the savory pork. But it was the crunch of the peanuts that heightened the experience. The sliced pork ear and shrimp salad was not quite as successful. For a dish that was all about texture, slivered bits of lemongrass was, at best, a distraction. I was more than happy to wait until after the meal to floss.

Even with all this, the best dish Stir-fried escargots with tamarind at Que Huong is actually one of the least exotic: fried chicken wings in Vietnamese cuisine is more than the sum of fish sauce over the same lettuce and tomatoes from its conquerors’ and colonial rulers’ foods. From a the deer dish. It was nice, meaty chicken wings with millennium of Chinese dominance to a century of wonderfully crispy skin in a sauce that had just the French colonization, and then decades of American slightest hint of fish sauce funk that gave way to a influence, they all left their mark. But it’s the un- beguiling salty-sweetness. It’s the kind of dish that mistakable stamp of Chinese and French cuisines will spoil all lesser wings for anyone who tries them.

Que Huong has a long menu, but I did not taste that are most evident, filtered as they are through one bad dish at the place. In the end, it was the kind Southeast Asian ingredients.

Stir-fried escargots with tamarind was a perfect of menu and kind of meals that will force a reconadaptation of a classically French ingredient to the sideration of the parameters of Vietnamese cuisine.

Southeast Asian idiom. The tamarind’s acidity and sweetness—and its herbaceous leaves—married perfectly with the escargots’ briny richness. It was The World Fare appears weekly. also a fun dish to eat since Que Huong delivers it Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.

FARE I

8 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

@SDCITYBEAT

UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK

ANATOMY OF A COCKTAIL SCENE

BY IAN WARD

#63: Finding the cure at Havana 1920

not the only origin story I want to tell here. The cocktail itself is the successor to what many consider to be the first cockcan’t think of a cocktail I hold dearer tail ever created: the El Draque, which is than the mojito. It was a pivotal com- credited as being invented by Sir Francis ponent in the development of my bar- Drake in the year 1586.

The legend goes that Drake’s crew came tending career.

It was around 2005 and I was bartending down with a bout of illness somewhere in Williamsburg, a rapidly changing neigh- outside of Havana. His ship being stranded, borhood in Brooklyn. The bar had recently Drake sought out a cure, wherein the locals been awarded a “top 5 best place to get directed him to use a few medicinal ingreMojitos” distinction by some Manhattanite dients: mint, lime, tree bark, rum and sugar to sweeten the concoction and make it palmagazine, and for the year and a half atable. Drake combined the ingredients and that I worked there, that was pretty supplied the concoction to his crew. They much all we made. Under strict were revived and the El Draque was orders, the limes were cut born. The remnants of the concocand the mint was plucked a tion can be seen throughout the minute before we made each imbibing world in such cocktails as cocktail.

Ti’ Punch and the Mojito.

On average, we made Still, as incredibly delicious as about 250 Mojitos a night. On a mojitos can be, do they represent very busy night, we made upwards the true spirit of the El Draque? of a thousand. A pitcher fit four And how much different do they Mojitos and we pumped out more taste now compared to hundreds of pitchers of liquid than the average years ago? beer hall in Brooklyn at the time.

Whereas the sugar added to the My hands were filthy from pulling Mojito original El Draque must have come mint after every shift, and the bar top (which was also a functioning cutting directly from cane, most sweeteners board) was consistently overrun with lime we come across these days is processed pulp, despite our collective best efforts fucking poison. That is one of the many to keep it clean. And yet, despite all the reasons I applaud the Mojito at Havana headaches involved with its creation, I 1920 (548 Fifth Ave., havana1920.com). It is one of the only establishments that I’ve still loved making mojitos.

But my relationship with the mojito is ever been to that presses its own sugar cane in order to sweeten their cocktail.

As a person who runs bars professionally, THE MOJITO it makes me incredibly envious, and as a As prepared at Havana 1920 person who truly wants the best for all guests, it makes me incredibly happy.

2 oz. Havana Club Blanco Havana 1920’s version is exactly what 1 oz. Lime juice I look for in a great mojito: herbaceous, 1 oz. Fresh-pressed sugar cane juice cooling yet simultaneously warming, and Sparkling water always refreshing. It may not cure 16th Large pinch of mint Century ailments, but it is a true cure for Lime the summer heat.

I

For the preparation of this cocktail, build it inside of a Collins glass. First, lightly muddle the mint and then add the rest of the ingredients. Add shaved ice, swizzle and garnish with a lime wheel.

@SDCITYBEAT

Anatomy of a Cocktail Scene appears every other week. Write to ianw@sdcitybeat.com.

BY BETH DEMMON

FINAL DRAUGHT Getting Creative in El Cajon

BETH DEMMON

D

espite having more breweries than Vermont, Delaware, Arkansas and Washington, D.C. combined, there are still certain swaths of San Diego County that have few (if any) craft breweries. Cities such as Coronado and Del Mar are swankier than the average craft beer regions of Miramar and Mid-City. Some, like Poway and Fallbrook, are just really far away for city dwellers. But others, like El Cajon, seem ripe for a brewery explosion.

For now, there are only two breweries within El Cajon city limits: Burning Beard Brewing (who I covered in a previous column) and Creative Creature Brewing Company (110 North Magnolia Ave., Ste. B, creativecreaturebrewing.com). The latter has remained comparatively under-theradar, but has managed to shine brightly enough to warrant a satellite location in East Village, which will open sometime later this year. For not having even been open a year, that’s a good sign. I hadn’t ventured into the El Cajon space since URBN St. Brewing Company shuttered in early 2016. But since the ghosts of breweries past haven’t hindered Creative Creature’s beer endeavors yet—at least as far as I can see— it seemed it was time to give it a try.

The pocket-sized tasting room now sports a lot of neon graffiti art and handpainted touches. It’s not unlike drinking in your artsy stoner friend’s basement in college, but I doubt many home kegerators have had braggots on tap. Braggots are an ancient beer/mead hybrid made with honey and malt, and are relatively rare to find in the beer world. Creative Creature aged its braggot in rum barrels, and it went down scarily easy at 12 percent ABV. Even if it didn’t, it would still be pretty cool that they made one at all.

Creative Creature doesn’t offer flights, but when I visited the beertender informed me I could order as many 4 oz. tasters that I’d like at the same time. (This seems like a flight to me, but whatever.)

Creative Creature Brewing Company Besides the braggot, the beers on tap ranged from several Berliner weisses, an amber ale, a couple of hazy IPAs and two stouts, including one on nitro.

I spotted another unusual style: a white IPA. After I ordered it, the beertender let me know it was made with Belgian yeast.

It’s a good thing I like Belgian yeast, because that would have been an unpleasant surprise. Still, this one is very good. Lots of lemon on the nose, followed by heaps of banana and pepper flavors. It’s definitely a fun twist on run-of-the-mill IPAs. But it’s the Berliner weisses that truly stand out. The cucumber, lime and mint iteration could easily be my drink for the rest of the summer. Normally, I’m not too keen on cucumber beers, but this was nicely mint-forward and less tart than what I’d expect from a standard Berliner weisse. It kept it approachable and ideal for anyone who wants to give sour beers a try.

There were a few misses—the pilsner was extraordinarily dry and the amber ale was a little thin and malty sweet. The carbonation on almost everything was a little off, save the Berliner weisses. But with their array of offbeat styles, it could help prime this relatively virgin beer town for the breweries yet to come.

Write to bethd@sdcitybeat.com or check her out on Instagram at @thedelightedbite.

AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 9

EVENTS

SHORTlist

ART

the

THREE YOU HAVE TO SEE

COORDINATED BY

SETH COMBS

OLD TOWN

RON LOGAN

THE WRITE STUFF

For well over a decade, local org Write Out Loud has been staging unique and family-friendly events that celebrate literature without getting too fringe.

The annual Twainfest is one such event. Now in its tenth year, the free event at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park (4002 Wallace St.) includes readings and reenactments of classic literary greats, as well as old-fashioned games and activities. Still, it’s so much more than a celebration of classic literature; it’s a celebration of analog living and the times, however problematic, that contributed to these classic writings.

“Each year, Twainfest provides a beautiful day to connect with literature and with people of all ages,” says Write Out Loud artistic director Veronica Murphy. “We really love that families can come and spend a day away from their electronic devices to have a tactile experience engaging with the literature, history and the culture of the 19th century.”

Activities include a literary costume contest, story and poetry readings, giant puppet shows, a mock election of 1872 (which includes literacy tests) and croquet matches. Of course, there will also be food, vendors and craft activities throughout the event. It happens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17.

For those who can’t make it to Twainfest, Write Out Loud will also kick off its Story Concerts season

ESCONDIDO

BOOKS Twainfest with San Diego’s 250th, a night of readings celebrating San Diego’s big birthday. Local writers will read literature that, as Murphy puts it, “has been written by San Diegans or inspired by our city.”

“Literature leaves its mark on our culture in a beautiful, sustainable way, and we look forward to sharing some of San Diego’s literary history with our patrons,” says Murphy.

Readings include selections from Max Miller, Roy Blackman, Frank Baum and, naturally, Dr. Seuss.

It happens at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at the Old Town Theatre (4040 Twiggs St.). Tickets are $25 at writeoutloudsd.com.

PUNCH UP

It’s still hard to believe that Stone Brewing went from a small microbrewery to the ninth largest craft brewery in the country in just 23 years. In honor of their anniversary, Stone’s hosting a Rare Beer Festival with over 50 guest breweries, 20 pours of rare beers (per ticket), and endless 2 oz. tasters. There will also be complimentary eats from their kitchen, desserts like chocolate and cheesecake, and even a cigar lounge.

Also on the agenda: live performances from singer Christian Taylor and award-winning duo Jimmy and Enrique. The three-hour festival will start at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 17 at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens (1999 Citracado Parkway).

General admission tickets are $99 and designated driver tickets are $25. For more tickets and info, go to stonebrewing.com/events.

Nautical Magic of Artist Kerry Hallam at Martin Lawrence Galleries, 1111 Prospect St., La Jolla. Meet the artist and veteran New Englander, who will be showcasing his nautical-inspired works including charts, acrylics on canvas and watercolors on paper. From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. Free. martinlawrence.com HOne Man Wolf Pack at Dia Del Café, 2873 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Local artists Ricardo Islas and Dickie Islands will showcase new works. Opening from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Free. instagram. com/diadelcafe

PACIFIC BEACH

SET ON STONE

HOVERSEAS at The Front Arte Cultura, 147 W. San Ysidro Blvd., San Ysidro. An artist and curator talk to discuss the new show examining the intersection of diasporic experiences along the Mexico-U.S. Border and Philippine culture, as well as a performance from artist Victoria Proxy. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. Free. 619793-6038, thefront.casafamiliar.org

Who will win in the fight for the Quasar crystals? Who is the mysterious green alien known as Gorgus who is making these might warriors fight for the crystals? Do you like wrestling? If any of these questions intrigue readers, then Super Awesome Showdown’s Galacticadia 6 is for you. Taking place at Tango del Rey (3567 Del Rey St.), SAS puts the “show” in showdown by combining elements of sci-fi fantasy and theater with professional wrestling.

The intergalactic video game-themed show features names such as Manta Ray, Vic Valentine and Sol Invictus duking it out for the title of Galactic Champion. The melee begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, and tickets range from $5 for kids to $20 for adults at superawesomeshowdown.com.

LAURIE MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

COURTESY OF STONE BREWING

HQuanuquanei A. Karmue at Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The activist, artist, and president/founder of Save More Kids, Inc. will sign and discuss his new memoir, Witness: A Civil War Through the Eyes of a Child. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com T. Jefferson Parker at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The mystery writer will sign and discuss his latest Roland Ford novel, The Last Good Guy. At 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. Free. mystgalaxy.com HJohn Muir and Susie Ghahremani at ROVE, 3275 Adams Ave., Ste. A, Normal Heights. Celebrate the official launch of Little Muir’s Song, written by Muir and illustrated by Ghahremani. All sales will support Yosemite National Park. From 10 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Aug. 17. Free. hello. boygirlparty.com HQuarterly Zine Release at Verbatim Books, 3793 30th St., North Park. Join Verbatim Books for the release of the second issue of the quarterly collaborative zine and art by Marita and Maddog.

From 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. Free. verbatim-books.com J.R. Strayve Jr. at Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The author of First Spouse of the United States will talk about his book and sign copies as part of Warwick’s Weekends With Locals” program.

From noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18.

Free. warwicks.com Robert Crais at Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The mystery writer will sign and discuss his latest Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novel, A Dangerous Man. At 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 19. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com HPatrick Coleman at The Book Catapult, 3010-B Juniper St., South Park. The poet, writer and Assistant Director of the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at UC San Diego will sign and discuss his debut novel, The Churchgoer. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20. Free. thebookcatapult.com Steve Cavanagh at Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The thriller novelist will sign and discuss his latest Eddie Flynn novel, Th1rt3en. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com

COMEDY HThe Dollop at The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., North Park.

Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth

Stone Brewing 10 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

Galacticadia

H = CityBeat picks

Reynolds will record a live taping of their popular podcast that mixes American history and comedy. At 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. $20-$75. observatorysd.com Phil Johnson at Comedy Palace, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. The comedian and singer/songwriter will film his fourth comedy special, filled with humor and jokes that take on controversial topics, from race and sex to religion and doughnuts. At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. $20-$25. roadsideattraction.com Nicole Byer at House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Actress Nicole Byer, best known as the host from Netflix’s bake-off show Nailed It, stop by for a night of comedy. At 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. $22.50$27.50. houseofblues.com/sandiego

DANCE The State of Which at City Height Performance Annex, 3795 Fairmount Ave., City Heights. Dance performance created collectively by performers and derived from questions surrounding American social and political structures. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15 through Saturday, Aug. 17. Free. stateofwhich.com

FILM HChicano Park: From the Mind of a Conceptual Artist at La Bodega Gallery, 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. Watch the new documentary, inspired by the original 1989 Chicano Park documentary, and enjoy art displays by local Chicanx artists.

From 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. Free. labodegagallery.com

FOOD & DRINK HSan Diego Margarita Fest at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, Downtown. Pay homage to San Diego’s favorite cocktail at the city’s largest margarita festival. It will have professional bartenders, a variety of handcrafted margaritas and a concert headlined by Everclear. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. $35$175. sandiegomargaritafest.com H¡Latin Food Fest! at Embarcadero Marina Park North, 1 Marine Way, Downtown.

The seventh annual culinary celebration includes a Modern Mexico chef’s dinner, cooking and wine demonstrations, music from La Junta Sound System and more.

From 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. $25$149. 858-337-0597, latinfoodfest.com HRare Beer Festival at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, 1999 Citracado Pkwy., Escondido. Sip on unique and hardto-find beers from Stone as well as beers from over 50 guest breweries alongside tasty bites, live music and a cigar lounge.

From 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. $25$99. 760-294-7899, stonebrewing.com HTurf & Surf BBQ Championship at the Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Over 30 of the nation’s top pitmasters will barbecue meat all afternoon to compete for a $15,000 prize. Tickets include racetrack admission, five craft beer samples and an unlimited amount of barbecue samples. From 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19. $50-$65. 858-755-1141, dmtc.com

MUSIC HThe Mother Hips at Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The breezy harmonies and psychedelic Americana sounds of the San Francisco-based rock band will play as part of the aquarium’s Green Flash Concert Series. From 5:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. $33-$38.

858-534-7336, aquarium.ucsd.edu

EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 @SDCITYBEAT

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AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 11

THEATER DAREN SCOTT

What a dream

F

or those with long memories and silvering hair, 33/1/3—House of Dreams is a great big nostalgic hug.

For music lovers in general, this world premiere at the San Diego Repertory Theatre is a delightful and revealing chronicle of Gold Star Recording Studios, from which Top 40 hits flowed like fine wine. Written by Jonathan Rosenberg and Brad Ross, in collaboration with Steve Gunderson and Javier Velasco (who directs), House of Dreams is a documusical focused on Gold Star co-founders Stan Ross (played by Nicholas MongiardoCooper) and Dave Gold (Jacob Caltrider).

The rest of the cast members play everyone from Phil Spector (Collin Leydon) and Brian Wilson (Joshua Penrod) to Tina Turner (Janae Parson is a showstopper).

The hits (there are too many to list here) just keep on coming in this show, but House of Dreams isn’t just another churned-out jukebox musical. The odyssey of Stan (the dreamer) and Dave (the technical wizard) may be star studded, but it’s a genuinely human one. With a massive cast, multiple set pieces and costumes, not to mention a band that features 20 musicians, House of Dreams is the Rep at its most ambitious.

And with all this talent involved, it becomes its own house of dreams.

33/1/3 House of Dreams runs through

Little Women: The musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel about four sisters in Civil War America. Presented by Patio Playhouse, it opens Aug. 16 at the Kit Carson Amphitheatre in Escondido. patioplayhouse.com Dance Nation: A dance team of adolescent girls prepare for a competition while also navigating the doubt and optimism that comes with pre-pubescence. Written by Clare Barron, it opens in previews Aug. 17 at the MOXIE Theare in Rolando. moxietheatre.com

33/1/3—House of Dreams Aug. 25 on the Lyceum Stage in Horton Plaza, downtown. $25-$72; sdrep.org ••• erbert Siguenza is a sheer joy to watch and listen to in his solo show, A Weekend with Pablo Picasso.

First produced six years ago at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, where Siguenza is a playwright in residence, the 80-minute piece is now being staged at the New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad. Directed again by Rep associate artistic director Todd Salovey, the play has a smaller stage this time around, but remains just as lively and engaging.

Siguenza portrays Picasso in 1957, residing in France and having just been com-

H

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug, 17. $24-$93. sandiegosymphony.org

San Diego Beer Choir at Border X Brewing Tasting Room, 2181 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. The local chapter of the informal, sing-along style group will meet to drink beer and sing drinking songs while supporting San Diego’s craft beer community.

From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. $12. choralconsortiumofsandiego.org

David Roberts & the Sounds of Sinatra at La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. The Sinatra singer will be accompanied by Carlos Velasco on guitar and piano and Kevin Moraine on bass to perform the iconic singer’s most memorable hits. From 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. $20. 858-459-0831, ljcommunitycenter.org

Opera Wednesdays at La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla.

Past and present Metropolitan Opera Competition winners, active San Diego Opera performers and guest artists will perform in this monthly opera showcase.

From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. Free. 858-459-0831, ljcommunitycenter.org

HSummer in the City at Quartyard, 1301 Market St., Downtown. Musical festival to support Voices of Our City Choir with performances from popular local bands and entertainers including The Steph Johnson Band, Miki Vale, MC Flow and more. From 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. $10-$25.

310-313-3444, voicesofourcity.org

HLorraine Castellanos Trio at The Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., Downtown. The jazz enchantress and classical guitarist with perform with her trio as part of the weekly Sunset Poolside Jazz Series curated by Gilbert Castellanos. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. $25.

619-238-1818, westgatehotel.com HSummergrass Bluegrass Festival at Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N Santa Fe Ave., Vista. A three-day event featuring live music by several bluegrass bands, music workshops, a kids’ camp, on-site camping, instrument raffles, a vendor village and more. From 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 17 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 18. $25-$143. 760-9411791, summergrass.net The Broadway Hits of Rodgers, Hammerstein & Hart at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, Downtown. Rob Fisher conducts Laura Osnes, Jason Danieley and the San Diego Master Chorale in performing the songs of Broadway’s most famous musicals. At 7:30 p.m.

OPENING: Tenderly—The Rosemary Clooney Musical: The San Diego premiere of the musical based on the life of the pop singer behind hits such as Come On-a My House” and “Botch-a-Me.” Directed by Michael Marotta, it opens Aug. 15 at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org

Blues Traveler at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, Downtown. The blues-rock jam band best known for its hits “Run Around” and “Hook” return to play old favorites and new music from their recent album, Hurry Up and Hang Around. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. $25-$98. sandiegosymphony.org Gunnar Idenstam at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American Road E., Balboa Park. The organist and composer will make his first appearance in the U.S. performing his original works as part of the 2019 San Diego International Organ Festival. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19. Free.

619-702-8188, spreckelsorgan.org

PERFORMANCE Cleopatra Metio La Pata at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Downtown. A lighthearted, humorous musical retelling of the story of the invasion of Roman troops led by Julius Cesar and the Persian kingdom into Cleopatra’s legendary land. Performed in Spanish. At 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. $50-$90. sandiegotheatres.org

12 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

missioned to create six new works over the course of one weekend. Siguenza, a talented artist in his own right, actually produces some of them with great flourish during the swiftly paced performance, all the while treating the audience to the insights and delights of the singular master that was Picasso.

A Weekend with Pablo Picasso runs through Aug. 25 at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad. $25-$39; newvillagearts.org

—David L. Coddon

Theater reviews run weekly.

Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com.

HGalacticadia 6 at Tango del Rey, 3567 Del Rey St., Pacific Beach. Professional wrestling troupe Super Awesome Showdown’s biggest match of the year. Features more than five fights, new characters and a match for the Galactic Championship. At 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. $5$20. superawesomeshowdown.com

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD Full Moon Poets Poetry Slam at La Paloma Theatre, 471 S. Coast Hwy., Encinitas. The 21st year of the annual competition will feature poets from all over the country performing their original poems in three minutes or less. From 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 15. Free. 760-845-8456, fullmoonpoets.org HSan Diego’s 250th at Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs Ave., Old Town. A night of readings celebrating San Diego’s 250th birthday. Local writers will read literature that has been written by San Diegans or inspired by our city. At 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19. $25. writeoutloudsd.com Daring Stories at Collective Impact Center, 3295 Meade Ave., Normal Heights. A storytelling night centered on the theme of “facing your fears.” A storytelling workshop (included with admission) will take place an hour before the event. From 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21. $8-$25. thenewnarrative.org

SPECIAL EVENTS Encinitas Cruise Nights at South Coast Hwy. 101 and Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas.

Historic cars, including hot rods, classic cars and Woodies, will line the streets in this family-friendly and pet-friendly car show, accompanied by live music along the road. From 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Free. encinitas101.com

Two Sisters and a Piano: A staged reading of Nilo Cruz’s play about a romantic obsession that complicates the lives of two sisters under house arrest during the Pan American Games in ’90s Cuba.

Presntned by the Carlsbad Playreaders, it happens Aug. 19 at the Carlsbad Dove Library. carlsbadplayreaders.org Tampons, Dead Dogs and Other Disposable Things: A staged reading of a new play by Shairi Angle, as part of the Veterans Playwriting Workshop.

The reading is free but RSVP is required. It happens Aug. 19 at the Forum Theatre at the La Jolla Playhouse. lajollaplayhouse.org The Coast Starlight: Keith Bunin’s world premiere play about six strangers on a train from L.A. to Seattle who must come to terms with their past and find a way forward together. Directed by Tyne Rafaeli, it opens Aug. 20 at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre at the La Jolla Playhouse. lajollaplayhouse.org For complete theater listings, visit sdcitybeat.com

HFerragosto at Amici Park, 1660 Union St, Little Italy. The historical preservation and education fundraising event includes food, entertainment, a casino and pirate-style treats. From 6 p.m. to midnight. Saturday, August 17. $125-$1,250. ferragostosd.org

Sports Arena Blvd., Midway District. For their second annual event, the outdoor flea market will feature over 100 non-profit organizations to raise funds and awareness. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Free. kobeyswap.com

HNational Thrift Store Day at Home Start Thrift Boutique, 3611 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Celebrate the sustainable holiday with special sales, scheduled activities, raffle prizes, live music, in-store stylists, furniture re-make demonstrations and more. Free. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. 619-692-0727, home-start.org

HAnimal Rights March and Animal Rights Vegan Fair at Ruocco Park, 585 Harbor Lane, Downtown. March for animal rights and then peruse dozens of vegan vendors while enjoying live music and games. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Free with RSVP. facebook.com/ sandiegoveganactivists

HImperial Avenue Street Festival on Imperial Avenue between 25th and 27th Street, Logan Heights. Enjoy multiple live performances, a beer garden, and food from various vendors. The festival benefits the Logan Heights Community Development Corporation. From noon to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Free. imperialavenuestreetfest.com HChula Vista Harborfest at Chula Vista Bayside Park, 999 Bayside Pkwy., Chula Vista. Annual family-friendly summer celebration with three stages of music, water activities, exotic automobiles, Lucha Libre wrestling, a food truck alley, art exhibitions and more. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 17. Free. 619-233-5008, cvharborfest.com HTwainFest at Old Town Historic Park, 2454 Heritage Park Row, Old Town. This family festival will celebrate the literature and culture of America in the 19th century with live music, puppet shows, games and readings of stories written by Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Emily Dickinson and more. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Free. 619-4910099, writeoutloudsd.com HKobey’s Swap Meet Non-Profit Day at Pechanga Arena Parking Lot, 3500

SPORTS HTVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Watch many of the country’s top horses compete in the 29th running of Del Mar’s signature event. At 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 17. $5-$62.50. 858-7551141, dmtc.com

TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS Cannabis 101 at Fifth Avenue Kitchen and Tap, 3515 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. This educational event includes a panel discussion about California’s cannabis industry, sampling opportunities and special giveaways. From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Free with RSVP. eventhi.io/event/cannabis-101-1577 HThe Impact of Privilege on Equity in Higher Education at Mesa College Gymnasium, 7250 Mesa College Drive, Kearny Mesa. Prominent anti-racism scholar and writer Tim Wise will speak on methods for dismantling racism in institutions. At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. $10-$25. sdmesa.edu

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@SDCITYBEAT

AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 13

ALDO SANDOVAL

CULTURE | FILM

Short doc explores the history and future of Chicano Park through the eyes of an artist

By Andrea Lopez-Villafaña Salvador Torres and Melissa Hernandez or those who grew up in or around Barrio Logan, Chicano Park is a symbol of the community’s resistance, history and culture.

UC San Diego students Raymond Velasquez and Aldo Sandoval were not as familiar with the park’s history, but curiosity drew them to the park. Then in spring 2019, as part of a UCSD class dedicated to exploring media activism, they were asked to create a five-minute film. The assignment was to find a social justice issue on campus that they felt passionate about. Instead, Velasquez and Sandoval decided to pitch the idea of documenting the story behind Chicano Park.

With support and permission from their professor, Velasquez and Sandoval were joined by Melissa Hernandez and Steven Azanon as co-directors to produce Chicano Park: From the Mind of a Conceptual Artist.

However, their homework went beyond the classroom when they realized the project would take longer than the course’s duration.

“It did start as part of a school project, but in the end, it became something completely different and something we all decided to take time to create and develop,” says Hernandez.

Chicano Park: From the Mind of a Conceptual Artist captures the past, present and future of the park, through the eyes of muralist Salvador Torres. The group drew inspiration from the 1988 Chicano Park documentary directed by Marilyn Mulford.

The resulting film was awarded “Best Documentary” at UCSD’s 2019 Annual Media Production Showcase and it was then that they decided it would be a good idea to share the film with the community. A screening will take place on Aug. 18 from 5

to 7 p.m. at La Bodega Gallery in Barrio Logan. Velasquez says this could be the first and only screening of the documentary. The event is free to attend but donations for the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center will be accepted.

“Learning the history of the park through Salvador’s passionate words and emotional images helped me understand what the park meant to the community and what it meant to the original people who fought and worked for the land,” says Azanon.

Torres, who played a crucial role in the creation of the park, is no stranger to students reaching out to learn more. The way he sees it, people’s interest in the park has always come down to three topics: the art there, as well as the history and future of the park. The colorful murals that cover the concrete pillars that hold up the Coronado Bridge capture the attention of anyone who sees them, but Torres says its the history painted on those pillars that really pulls people in.

Sitting in a local coffee shop in Barrio Logan, Torres pulls out photographs of children planting trees in Chicano Park. He’s dressed in paint-covered overalls and says that when Velasquez and Sandoval approached him about the film, he was adamant that they do some research first. He wanted to make sure the four students had researched documents, photos and facts about the history of the community, and assigned them material to go over prior to filming the documentary.

“It was a really unique, special experience because he encouraged us to learn on our own but also guided us and helped us through the learning process,” Velasquez says.

In the documentary, Hernandez is shown

14 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

listening to Torres’ stories and watching old images displaying on his projector.

“From the very first time I spoke with him on the phone, I could [hear] so much knowledge just vibrating off of him,” says Hernandez. “I just admire the fact that he was open enough to welcome us in.”

ALDO SANDOVAL

Salvador Torres, Melissa Hernandez and Raymond Velasquez Hernandez, who grew up in Los Angeles, says she heard about Chicano Park from people who would tell her to visit. She says that prior to working on the film, she did not know the park had not been graciously given to the community, but rather something they had to fight for.

“I knew that this space was not only representative of Chicano culture, but it’s a space where a lot of Latinx people are drawn to because sometimes the San Diego area can be non-Latinx oriented. So this space, in general, means so much to so many people,” Hernandez says.

The interactions between Hernandez and Torres throughout the film were a conscious decision by the directors because they wanted to create a bridge between the genera-

tions. This was inspired by the stories Torres told them of different community members of all ages coming together for Chicano Park over the years.

“Salvador talks about how the students organized for the takeover in 1970 and how students worked with a lot of the older community members, so we wanted to show that as well during the film,” says Velasquez.

The film begins in 1970 with Torres explaining how the community felt when residents were displaced due to the building of the Coronado Bridge and the freeway.

“People moved away, they didn’t want to see this, they didn’t want to be a part of it, but a lot of us stayed,” says Torres in the film. “We had to do what we did and that was to take over the land.”

The community wanted to see a park built under the bridge, and it was something that was “worth dying for,” says Torres.

The first four minutes of the film focus on the fight for a park. Torres also shares that his bedroom used to be where there is now a pillar of concrete. His family was one of the many families who were displaced when the Coronado Bridge was built.

Later in the film, he walks through the park with Hernandez and begins to discuss the issues the park currently faces, specifically maintenance issues like broken drinking fountains, deteriorating murals and more. The film ends with the directors exploring the future of the park and the development of the Chicano Park Museum.

“I’ve never been so proud to be part of a film,” says Sandoval. “Walking through the land with [Torres] felt like being transported through time. That’s an experience I can never forget.”

@SDCITYBEAT

CULTURE | FILM COURTESY OF IFC FILMS

Vengeance is mine

The Nightingale

Jennifer Kent delivers a deeply personal and violent anti-colonialist Western

by Glenn Heath Jr.

C

olonialism seeks to erase all facets of indig- her young family experience this firsthand, initiatenous experience in the name of western tra- ing what will become an epic revenge narrative that dition and white supremacy. Historically, the provides a window into the collective suffering of an British Empire has been notoriously adept at achiev- entire native population.

Clare’s quest for retribution against Hawkins and ing these goals by any means necessary, using brutal terrorism tactics and indoctrination campaigns to two other murdering officers not only defies the gender expectations of the day (multiple well-meaning men ensure ideological control over foreign lands.

Nineteenth century Australia was such a setting. try to stop her), but also the conventions associated Some of the Crown’s most heinous atrocities were with Westerns in general. So too does her complicated committed during The Black War in the 1820s, when relationship with Billy (Baykali Ganambarr), the Black English troops occupied the island of Tasmania (then tracker she hires to help her navigate the rough terrain.

The British see both characcalled Van Diemen’s Land) in ters as second-class citizens, but order to systematically wipe out that designation only empowers Aboriginal tribes.

THE them to learn more about each Jennifer Kent’s The NightNIGHTINGALE other’s traumas and familial ingale, one of the most forceful Directed by Jennifer Kent backgrounds. Kent juxtaposes and unflinching anti-colonialist tense chase sequences with quiet films to be released in years, Starring Aisling Franciosi, campfire interludes that allow takes place during this parBaykali Ganambarr and Sam Claflin Clare and Billy time to examine ticularly ugly time period. EvRated R the cultural and social nuances ery square inch of the cramped of their prickly situation. What Academy ratio frame inspires begins as a tenuous partnership feelings of menace and suffocation. One character strolls down a quiet forest path founded on mutual fear eventually develops into somesinging a hymn, a knife in hand just in case the rus- thing ethereal and liberating.

If Clare and Billy find strength in each other’s ventling foliage becomes something more sinister.

This quiet but dangerous scene alludes to the dam- geance, Hawkins has the systematic injustices of coloaging psychological imprint left on the countryside by nialism to fuel his opportunistic savagery. Compared violent colonizers like Hawkins (Sam Claflin), an en- to the wonderfully humanist performances of Franciosi titled and insecure British officer who’s been exiled to and Ganambarr, Claflin’s villainous turn is the perfect lead a squad of drunken conscripts deep in uncharted encapsulation of merciless self-righteous privilege.

Melding sparse landscape photography with territory. Kent positions him as the purest distillation of colonialist evil, someone who views minorities and shockingly blunt violence—eerily reminiscent of Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man—Kent is working in very difwomen merely as property to pillage and dump.

An Irish convict named Clare (Aisling Francio- ferent tonal territory than The Babadook, her horror si) knows all too well what it’s like living under the debut. But there are spaces for thematic overlap, esthumb of the British oppressor. She was brought to pecially in the way she refuses to present emotionally the wilderness by Hawkins in order to serve out her vulnerable mothers as victims.

An ambitious and angry genre film, The Nightingale sentence. During the three years since Clare arrived, she has fallen in love with another Irish ex-con and (opening Friday, Aug. 16) is awash in confrontational recently given birth to their child. Hawkins views iconography that reveals the high crimes of colonialist these developments as a direct threat to his control, histories traditionally written by white men. Taken in that context, the film constructs noticeable parallels reacting in the only way he knows how—with force.

The Nightingale is not an easy film to watch, mostly with white supremacist acts of terrorism in modern because of how frankly it depicts violence against America, making it so much more than a period piece. women and children. Kent carefully presents this

harsh imagery as a byproduct of failing colonialist Film reviews run weekly. institutions. Without going into specifics, Clare and Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com

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AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 15

CULTURE | FILM COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOS

The forgotten ones

C

One Child Nation

hina’s infamous “one-child” policy was adopted in response to the country’s perceived population crisis during the late 1970s. Filmmaker Nanfu Wang remembers the era mostly through propagandistic folk songs, billboards and theater performances.

Her new documentary, One Child Nation, co-directed with Jialing Zhang, seeks to break free of these nationalist mechanisms and understand the social and psychological implications of the policy.

By conducting sobering interviews with former family planning officials, nurses and human traffickers, the film paints a dire portrait of forced sterilizations and abortions, abandoned fetuses and rampant misinformation campaigns.

The recurring rationalization from those involved was consistent: “policy was policy.” Some interviewees still feel guilty about their participation. A former nurse tells Wang that she spent nearly three decades traveling the country operating on women against their will. Hoping to atone for her

sins, she now helps couples dealing with infertility.

One Child Nation doesn’t stay beholden to one story track, and instead splinters out following a number of different narrative tentacles. Taken as a whole, these tentacles help to encapsulate the tragic scope of China’s authoritarian tactics against women’s reproductive rights. Wang and Zhang carefully explore the human consequences of collective blind faith in ideology, interviewing multiple women who were directly impacted by the policy.

Most of them are decades removed from the traumatic experience, but each confession shows how tangible and raw their respective loss still feels. Such memories are conveniently erased within the censured realm of Communist rhetoric, but within the framework of One Child Nation (opening Friday, Aug. 16, at the Ken Cinema), these women are finally given a voice.

This quietly devastating document is so powerful precisely because it avoids being sensational or overtly critical. Like artist Peng Wang, an interview subject whose work is fixated on the imagery of discarded fetuses, Wang and Zhang cut through the fog of propaganda to embrace a panoramic view of collective trauma that remains deeply personal.

—Glenn Heath Jr.

OPENING Blinded by the Light: The rock music of Bruce Springsteen inspires a British teen of Pakistani descent during the austere days of Margaret Thatcher’s rule in the 1980s. Opens Friday, Aug. 16, in wide release.

Good Boys: Hoping to attract all those foul-mouthed middle school students, this R-rated comedy follows three sixth graders on an epic day away from school. Opens Friday, Aug. 16, in wide release.

Luce: After their adopted son’s feud with his high school teacher grows increasingly tense, a married couple confronts the fact that they may have been living a lie. Opens Friday, Aug. 16, in wide release.

One Child Nation: A sobering and horrifying documentary about the legacy of China’s “one-child” policy that was enacted to combat the country’s population crisis in the late ’70s. Opens Friday, Aug. 16, at the Landmark Ken Cinema.

The Angry Birds Movie 2: Your grandma’s favorite phone app gets a big-screen sequel that takes the battle between the birds and their green pig enemies to another level.

Opens Friday, Aug. 14, in wide release.

The Nightingale: Jennifer Kent’s brazing period epic set in 1820s Tasmania tracks an Irish convict seeking revenge against a British officer. Opens Friday, Aug. 16, at the Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas, Angelika Film Centers Carmel Mountain and Arclight La Jolla Cinemas.

What You Gonna Do When the World’s On Fire?: Roberto Minervini’s documentary portrays a community of Black people during the summer 2017, when a string of brutal killings of young Black men sent shockwaves throughout the country.

Opens Friday, Aug. 16, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette?: A family-focused mom (Cate Blanchett) suddenly leaves town after realizing she needs to pursue her creative passions. Opens Friday, Aug. 16, at Angelika Film Centers Carmel Mountain.

For complete movie listings, visit Film at sdcitybeat.com.

16 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

@SDCITYBEAT

DAVID K. CUPP

MUSIC

COURTESY OF THE GRASCALS

The Grascals

Summergrass Festival he grass is always greener..., or so the saying goes. But that’s definitely not true of Vista’s long-running Summergrass Festival. It’s blue, baby. And it’s been that way from the beginning.

Back in the early 2000s, the only thing somewhat representing a bluegrass festival in San Diego was an on-again/off-again guitar and banjo contest held in Julian.

Enter Mike Tatar. The banjo-playing Bay Area transplant, along with his bass-playing wife, Yvonne, helped found the current Summergrass fest, which has been held on the grounds of Vista’s Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum since 2003.

The Tatars, who play in a bluegrass quartet called Virtual Strangers, were surprised by the lack of representation for local musicians in the genre. Mike became heavily involved with the San Diego Bluegrass Society (even becoming their president at one point) and worked closely with the North County Bluegrass and Folk Club.

At one point, the two organizations even tried taking over the Julian event, but the logistics weren’t right. Not only would it have been held in the outer reaches of the county,

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but also the hillside surrounding the stage made for a tricky layout. They also wanted a place for visitors to camp or jam at night.

The 55 acres of Vista’s Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum (2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., agsem.com) was another story. Founded in 1969 (and incorporated as a museum in 1976), the nonprofit’s sprawling landscape has provided the perfect Summergrass setting—both aesthetically and logistically— for nearly two decades now.

In addition to day-to-day patrons, Summergrass now hosts more than 100 campers each year and offers plenty of additional attractions from food and kids camps to most of the Museum’s throwback exhibits. In fact, the only real hitch in their giddy-up thus far was the condition of the stage during 2003’s inaugural fest.

“The stage was falling down that first year,” Tatar told CityBeat while walking the festival grounds with his wife recently. “The joke was to stay away from the right side. The termites had gotten it. We had to tell everyone that when they went on to walk on the left side.”

That was remedied by year two, after Palomar College built the museum a gorgeous no-nails/timber-framed stage in 2004.

Similar to an Amish barn raising, the stage was built at the college, deconstructed and then put up on the museum grounds in a single weekend.

It now stands as the centerpiece of the festival, surrounded by everything from a weaving room and a working blacksmith shop, to a model railroad area and, of course, plenty of gas-and-steam-powered relics.

If it seems like Summergrass has been able to retain its original charm and community feel over the years, it’s because everyone involved has worked hard to keep it that way. What’s more, they’ve been reluctant to expand it beyond one stage or accept any sort of sponsorships. They haven’t even expanded the definition of bluegrass to include bands that don’t fall somewhere within a broad definition of the genre.

“All that takes away from the group feeling,” says Yvonne. “We want this to be like a family reunion. That’s the feel we’re going for. We want this to be a little jewel in North County.”

So far, it’s been exactly that. And while the Tatars now call Nashville home, Mike still books the very best bluegrass talent for the festival when he returns each year.

AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 17

BY SETH COMBS

MUSIC

BLACK

GOLD

Looking for some hot stuff

H

18 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

THE

SPOTLIGHT

W

e’re all familiar with the concept of binging when it comes to things such as TV, drinking and eating.

But what about music? There are plenty of listicles devoted to ranking an artist’s entire discography, but not that many discussing what it’s like to discover an artist for the first time and listening to their catalogue continuously over the course of a few days. Basically, binging their music.

Such was the case with me recently when I discovered the music of Mon Laferte, the Chilean singer/songwriter who I came to learn is the most streamed Chilean musician worldwide. As is often the case with streaming, I stumbled upon Laferte (born Norma Monserrat Bustamante Lafetre) by accident after Spotify recommended her new single, “Canción De Mierda” based on my having listened to a lot of Natalia Lafourcade.

Along with another recently released song (“Chilango Blues”), I was immediately entranced with Laferte’s sultry and empowered take on a barroom ballad. “Canción,” in particular, sounds as if it’s straight out of a vintage Western movie, perhaps with exception of that sick sax solo. Lafetre’s voice, especially during the heart-wrenching chorus, should come with a warning to anyone already having end-of-summer romantic problems.

These two songs alone sent me down a binging wormhole where I listened to her entire discography on repeat over an entire weekend. Even with her interstellar voice and amazing musicianship, what impressed me the most about Lafetre was her ability to effortlessly shift, as one blogger put it, “from salsa movido to triste blues and soul-nourishing cumbia, she’s managed to capture them well.”

She has, indeed, and I highly recommend a binge session with her music.

Mon Laferte plays Aug. 17 at House of Blues San Diego.

Mon Laferte

ALBERTO H.

select handful of other folks and myself (idiots) circled the parking lot for sparse bargain gems.

Bernie of Beat Box Records was in attendance. Bernie is a frenemy of sorts. He’s out there looking for the same things as I am. I’ll put it this way: Bernie was really sick last week so I brought some soup over to his apartment. That’s the friend part.

I also contemplated a soft poisoning to get him out of the game for a few days. Nothing too murdery, just something mildly debilitating a la Phantom Thread. That’s the enemy part.

Bernie let slip that he was expecting a lady to show up at Qualcomm with an insane collection of 45s. This meant that I was now also expecting an insane collection of 45s to materialize in the otherwise hopeless stadium parking lot. This hope tethered both of us to the black pavement of fire. It was a war of will ow hot was it? and attrition, a fear of missing out keeping us both there. Who It was hot enough to convince an Alabama Republican was going to go home to AC and cold water first? Who would get that climate change is real. It was hot enough to inspire a the reward for their endurance? new Nelly concept album that I will eventually spot in Goodwill.

Bernie has a stronger will than I. Perhaps it was my black TAnd yes, it was hot enough to where it is my civic duty to emanci- shirt and black pants pulling in the direct rays of the that made me pate records from swap meets before the sun can turn them into cry uncle. Whatever it was, I gave up, but I bought one record beSalvador Dali sculptures. fore I left. Normally I don’t buy warped records For example, I went to a swap meet in Phoebecause, well, they’re warped. But this record nix once. I passed on a copy of the Seeds’ album looked interesting.

Future that I should have grabbed. Always get Living Our Lives and Days by the Steger Band the record! If this were the film Memento, my (spelled Stegar on the back) has a song called first and second tattoo would be “Always Get “Good Snatch” on it, a title so classy it was althe Record.” When I came back to amend this most presidential. It was a private-pressed redecision, the record was so warped it literally cord from the ’70s, which meant that it was rare oozed out of the jacket like encroaching lava. regardless of it being good or bad. I couldn’t find I could have saved that record from Phoethe album on Discogs or eBay, or anywhere else nix. Never again (I’m also fine if “never again” on earth. Three of the musicians on the back is referring to me finding myself in summerlooked like they had abused drugs and alcohol time Phoenix). (which could either point to enhanced perspecAnyway, there was a day a few weeks ago that tive or predictable sophomoric poetry) and the Living Our Lives and Days was hot and humid and yet I still decided to go

by Steger Band other two looked like musically educated nerds, to the Qualcomm Stadium swap meet. FOMO, which gave me some hope. It cost a dollar and or “Fear of Missing Out,” is a very real thing for me. Aside from therefore wasn’t much of a risk. obsessively hunting down records, I play in bands. The two do not Readers who follow any accounts on Instagram dedicated to coexist particularly well. When I leave a bar after a show at 1:30 surfers being devoured by waves will likely understand the joura.m. on a Saturday and the swap meet starts in a little over 3 hours, ney my needle took navigating the warped terrain of this record.

I sometimes decide that my broken and tired body needs rest. I do The first few tracks were impossible to decipher, but the last not set my alarm. song on each side played. The closing track on Side 2 (“Stay A But then at 4:59 a.m., I will wake up in a cold sweat with a While”) was excellent. The band was a little sloppy on the intro jackhammer heart from a reoccurring dream where a man named but strummed with a sense of urgency to the point that the lisSteve Kader buys a bunch of records before me at an estate sale tener will ultimately remember the frenetic energy and not the in New Mexico. It’s at this point that I throw some water on my disjointed nature. It sounded somewhere between Richie Havens face and try my hardest to not put my pants on backwards and and Stephen Stills, but playing with a drummer trying to prove head to a swap meet. he was worth something greater than a home recording.

On this day, however, it wasn’t fatigue pushing me away from In the end, there were tasteful melodic shimmers of elecQualcomm. It was the oppressive third-world heat on the black tric piano and enough vibes on these songs to make me wish it asphalt. If I got there and someone shouted “send him back, send wasn’t so goddamned hot and the record wasn’t so goddamned him back.” I would have asked what the current temperature was warped and the two weren’t so goddamned connected. in Kenya before deeming the comment to be racist as opposed to a simple suggestion on how I might be able to cool off.

Black Gold appears every other week. Alfred Howard is I’ve never felt more like a vulture out there searching for always looking for vinyl and stories, and can be contacted at scraps. As vapors of heat leapt from the ground beneath me, a blackgoldsandiego@gmail.com.

ALFRED HOWARD

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC

BY CITYBEAT STAFF

IF I WERE U Our picks for the week’s top shows

NICOLE DOLLANGANGER

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14

PLAN A: Nicole Dollanganger, Infinity Crush @ Che Café Collective. For nearly a decade, Canadian singer/songwriter Nicole Bell (aka Nicole Dollanganger) has been producing forlorn ballads that are stark, sad and perfect for late-night cry sessions. So yeah, naturally, we love it. BACKUP PLAN: Devotchka, Jamie Drake @ Music Box.

THURSDAY, AUG. 15

PLAN A: Hibou, Tangerine, Bad Kids @ SPACE. It doesn’t always work out when drummers start their own bands, but in the case of Peter Michel, who used to be behind the kit for Craft Spells, his Hibou project has been pretty great. The synthy, ’80s-inspired songs have touches of indie-pop and surfrock, which make them a great end-of-summer soundtrack. BACKUP PLAN: Doom Bloom, Francis Blume, Michael McGraw & the Tin Rattlers @ Soda Bar.

FRIDAY, AUG. 16

PLAN A: Big Business, Modern Love, Gloomsday @ The Casbah. L.A. guitarand-drum duo Big Business often get conveniently classified as metal, but their sound is so much more than that. Sure, there are elements of metal subgenres such as stoner and sludge metal, but they also manage to incorporate elements of ’70s classic rock and even math-rock. There are lot of riffs, soaring verses and tons of epic buildup. PLAN B: Summer Salt, Motel Radio, Dante Elephante @ House of Blues. Austin, Texas band Summer Salt claim to create the “perfect soundtrack for chillaxin’ by the pool.” It’s hard to argue with that proclamation. It’s pure lo-fi indie-pop that sounds both vintage and timeless. BACKUP PLAN: 3Teeth, Author & Punisher, Lana Del Rabies @ Brick By Brick.

SATURDAY, AUG. 17

PLAN A: Mon Laferte @ House of Blues.

Our editor is smitten with the Chilean singer/songwriter. Check out this week’s Spotlight section for more. PLAN B: Khofa, Negative Shawdy, Devvlov, Khalil Menace @ House of Blues Voodoo Room. A nice lineup of local and regional hip-hop acts.

Headliner Khofa recently released a fantastic EP (Fatherless) of slick rhymes that bucks trends such as mumble rap for a more nuanced, old-school sound. BACKUP PLAN: The Sleepwalkers, Cumbia Machin, Sonidero Travesura @ Soda Bar.

SUNDAY, AUG. 18

PLAN A: Quali, Temple Of Angels, Rose Dorn, Runsdeep @ Whistle Stop. Sundays can be tricky for live shows, but the lineup

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Nicole Dollanganger for this one is great from top-to-bottom.

Quali is arguably the best shoegaze band in San Diego, while Austin’s Temple of Angels specialize in dreamy psych-pop. And show up early for L.A. trio Rose Dorn, who play sad indie-pop for all the lonely hearts in the audience. PLAN B: Thief, Silence in the Snow @ SPACE. The man behind one-man industrial-electro project Thief used to play in a black metal band so expect some dark, synthy jams with big, mechanical drops and earnest vocals. BACKUP PLAN: Flynt Flossy and Turquoise Jeep @ Soda Bar.

MONDAY, AUG. 19

PLAN A: Boris, Uniform @ The Casbah.

As our former music editor once put it, Tokyo rockers Boris aren’t a “band that entirely makes sense on paper.” They’ve tackled a lot of different sounds in the 25-plus years they’ve been together, from noise rock and drone, to sludge metal and even goth-disco.

Whatever it is, it’s always amazing to see live. BACKUP PLAN: Bad Books, Brother Bird @ The Irenic.

TUESDAY, AUG. 20

PLAN A: Generationals, Pure Bathing Culture @ The Casbah. New Orleans duo Generationals are easy to categorize as new wave, but we’d classify them more as experimental pop. They’re new album, Reader as Detective, is filled with sonic meanderings that are danceable and fun one minute, serious and psychedelic the next. BACKUP PLAN: Herbie Hancock @ Humphrey’s by the Bay.

AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 19

MUSIC

CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!

High Tone Son Of A Bitch (Soda Bar, 8/31), TRIDENT (Music Box, 8/31), Booty Bassment (Casbah, 9/1), Rebecca Jade & the Cold Fact (Casbah, 9/13), Pink Eye (Casbah, 9/29), Nikki Lane (Soda Bar, 10/3), The Pettybreakers (Music Box, 10/4), Skarhead (Soda Bar, 10/9), Bring Me The Horizon (Viejas Arena at SDSU, 10/19), Allen Weaponry (Soda Bar, 10/19), Mephiskapheles (Casbah, 10/22), Death Valley Girls (HOB, 10/25), Ra Ra Riot (BUT, 10/27), Chameleons Vox (Casbah, 10/28), Gramatik (Observatory, 10/30), SKEGSS (Casbah, 11/8), Hovvdy (SPACE, 11/14), Big Freedia (BUT, 11/21), Crocodiles (Casbah, 11/24), Jim Breuer (Observatory, 11/27), Aly & AJ (BUT, 12/8), Damage Inc. (Brick

by Brick, 12/21), The Winehouse Experience (Music Box, 1/4), Soil (Brick by Brick, 2/21), Flotsam & Jetsam (Brick by Brick, 6/1).

ALL SOLD OUT Orville Peck (Casbah, 8/15), Kyle Kinane (Casbah, 8/18), Gondwana (Music Box, 8/28), David Grisman (BUT, 8/29), Queen Nation (BUT, 8/30), Mariachi El Bronx (BUT, 9/7), Jinjer (Brick by Brick, 9/11), Millencolin (Brick by Brick, 9/13), Phora (The Irenic, 9/13), Still Woozy (Music Box, 9/30), The Marshall Tucker Band (BUT, 9/12), Oliver Tree (Observatory, 9/18), Elder Island (Casbah, 9/21), Girl in Red (House Of Blues, 9/27), MXMTOON (HOB, 10/2), Obituary (Brick by Brick, 10/3), Marc Broussard

(BUT, 10/5), Jonas Brothers (Pechanga Arena, 10/7), Morcheeba (BUT, 10/13), Tyler Childers (Observatory, 10/15), Caamp (BUT, 10/19), Black Pumas (Soda Bar, 10/25), Two Door Cinema Club (Observatory, 11/8), Built To Spill (Casbah, 11/14), Adam Carolla (BUT, 12/1), Stick Figure (BUT, 12/27-28).

CANCELLED Dick Dale’s Misirlou (BUT, 12/19).

GET YER TICKETS Kacey Musgraves Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, 8/27), Jason Nash (Observatory, 9/7), Andy Grammer (HOB, 9/2), Carrie Underwood (Pechanga Arena, 9/10), Tony Bennett (San Diego Civic Theatre, 9/14), Chance the Rapper (Pechanga Arena, 9/18), Yungblud (Observatory, 9/19), Cigarettes After Sex (Observatory, 10/5), Lana Del Rey (Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, 10/11), The Japanese House (Observatory, 10/11), The Who (Viejas Arena, 10/16), Judah & The Lion (Observatory, 10/17), Senses Fail (HOB, 10/19), Hozier (Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, 10/26), Helmet (BUT, 11/7), The Maine (Observatory, 11/19), Aly & AJ (BUT, 12/8), King Princess (Observatory, 1/28).

AUGUST WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 Planet Booty at Soda Bar. Devotchka at Music Box. The Routine at The Casbah. Nicole Dollanganger at Ché Café Collective. The Black Moods at House of Blues.

20 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 The Fabulous Thunderbirds at Belly Up Tavern. Mike Love at Music Box. Doom Bloom at Soda Bar. Hibou at SPACE.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 Summer Salt at House Of Blues. The Dollop at Observatory North Park. The Devastators at Belly Up Tavern. Ringworm at Soda Bar. Electric Mud at Music Box. Big Business at The Casbah.

Changui Majadero at California Center for the Arts. Goldfish at Music Box.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 Khofa at House of Blues. The Sleepwalkers at Soda Bar. The Bomboras at The Casbah. SD City Soul Club at The Merrow. Xavier Wulf at SOMA. Boys Don’t Cry at Humphrey’s. Wild Child at Belly Up Tavern.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 Hawthorne Heights at The Irenic. Flynt Flossy at Soda Bar. Thief at SPACE. The Fixx at Music Box. Blues Traveler at Copley Symphony Hall. Julian Marley at Belly Up Tavern. Kyle Kinane at The Casbah.

MONDAY, AUGUST 19 Bad Books at The Irenic. Rotting Christ at Brick by Brick. Steve Earle & The Dukes at Dezorah at Soda Bar. Boris at The Casbah. O.A.R. at Humphrey’s.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20 Justin Hayward at Belly Up Tavern. Kadavar at Brick by Brick. Generationals at The Casbah. Gypsy Temple at Soda Bar. Herbie Hancock at Humphrey’s. Young T.O. at House of Blues.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 Snail Mail at The Irenic. Blackfoot Gypsies at The Casbah. Jack Symes at Soda Bar. Gary Mullen & the Works at Humphrey’s.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22 Kacey Musgraves at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Kenny G. at Humphrey’s. Mijares at Balboa Theatre.

Kyle Craft & Showboat Honey at Soda Bar. The Surrealistics at The Casbah.

Alesana at Brick by Brick. Blueface at SOMA.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 Metalachi at Belly Up Tavern. The Avett Brothers at San Diego Civic Theatre.

SOJA at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Leoni Torres at House Of Blues. Molly Burch at Soda Bar. Nebula at Brick by Brick.

Beach Goons at The Irenic. Homeshake at Observatory North Park. Emo Nite at The Casbah.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 Super Diamond at Belly Up Tavern. Tuxedo at Observatory North Park. Martin Campbell & Al Campbell at Music Box. Shonen Knife at Soda Bar.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 Boz Scaggs at Humphrey’s. Man Or Astro-Man? at The Casbah. Ian Olney at Soda Bar.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26 Pink Martini at Humphrey’s. Evan Konrad at The Casbah. RacketGirl at Soda Bar.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27 Heart at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28 Protoje at Observatory North Park. Ms Nina at Soda Bar. Free Throw at Ché Café Collective. Hot Flash Heat Wave at The Irenic. Joe Wood at The Casbah.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 Dub Trio at House Of Blues. Ryley Walker at Soda Bar. The Bird and the Bee at The Casbah. The Last Ten Seconds of Life at Brick by Brick.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 Pathology at Brick by Brick. The Roots at Harrah’s Resort SoCal. Red Not Chili Peppers at Music Box. Throwing Muses at Soda Bar. Sacri Monti at The Casbah.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31 Vaud and the Villains at Belly Up Tavern.

The Get Up Kids at Observatory North Park. The Fooks at Brick by Brick. The Young Wild at The Casbah. Sitting on Stacy at The Irenic. High Tone Son Of A Bitch at Soda Bar. TRIDENT at Music Box.

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Fri: Chill Clinton, The Soulside Players. Sat: Stefen Hillesheim & Power of Love, Clapton Hook. Tue: DASH, Shoeless.

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

@SDCITYBEAT

BY CHRISTIN BAILEY

MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘#HipHopWeds.’

Thu: Nicholas Wetzler. Fri: ‘House Music Fridays.’ Sat: ‘Tacos and Tequila.’

Sun: ‘Bachata Sunday.’ Mon: ‘Organized Grime.’ Tue: ‘Deep & Progressive.’

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Kate Quigley. Fri: Brandon Wardell, Yassir Lester. Sat: Brian Redban. Sun: Charlie Berens. Tue: ‘Great Gaslamp Open Mic.’ The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Thu: STEELTOE, Los Santos, Bastard Saints, VEDIC, Groovy Guruz. Fri: Mission G, SHINSHARIFT, Parasitic Existence, Exit Dream. Sat: Terrorist, Genocide Beast, Beliath. Sun: The Clowder, Swimming Circles, Ending Left.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St., Downtown.

Fri: Cherokee, Boys Don’t Disco. Sat: Max Chapman.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., North Park. Wed: Metal Bingo, Rock Lotto with the Swiss Rolls. Thu: The Touchies, Honeychain, Baz Francis. Fri: DJ Grimm, DJ L. Sat: Neon Beat. Sun: Rat Sabbath with DJ Ratty. Mon: Dave Gleason Band.

Heights. Sat: Pinkeye and Band of Loons.

Blonde, 1808 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. Wed: ‘Dance Klassique.’ Thu: ‘Chocolate.’ Fri: ‘We Are Your Friends.’

Sat: ‘Bump.’ Sun: ‘Spectrum.’ Mon: ‘Blue Monday.’ Tue: ‘Techno Tuesdays.’

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave., Carlsbad.

Fri: ‘Club Musae.’

Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., Bay Park. Thu: Rivers of Nihil, Lorna Shore, Brand of Sacrifice, Suntorn, City of Crooks.

Fri: 3Teeth, Author and Punisher, Lana del Rabies. Sun: Thief, Silence in the Snow.

Mon: Rotting Christ, Mork, Tomb Mold.

Tue: Kadavar, Truckfighters, ASG. The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Wed: The Routine, Tori Roze and the Hot Mess, The Anodynes. Thu: Orville Peck. Fri: Big Business, Modern Love.

Sat: The Bomboras, The Rosalyns, Action Andy and the Hi-Tones. Mon: Boris Uniform. Tue: Generationals.

Che Cafe, 1000 Scholars Drive S, La Jolla. Wed: Nicole Dollanganger and Infinity Crush. Fri: Same Son, Absent, Final Path.

Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, Bay Park. Sat: Kawsak. Sun: Zappa.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown. Sat: DJ Moe. Sun: ‘Reggae Sundays.’

ASTROLOGICALLY UNSOUND Weekly forecasts from the so-called universe ARIES (March 21 - April 19): This week will be filled with mixed emotions—like when your car finally stops making that strange sound just as you’re pulling into the mechanic.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Be cautious in all of your dealings with politicians, lawyers, traffic cops and children’s birthday clowns who just got off work.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Nothing great is achievable without hard work... but things that are pretty good are easy to come by if you do the absolute minimum amount of work.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): The first step when setting a goal is giving yourself permission to dream. I’m not sure about the second step. It could be assembling a ragtag crew of confidence men during a montage.

Fluxx, 500 4th Ave., Downtown. Fri: Shabazz. Sat: Wellman.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: Max Weinberg’s Jukebox. Thu: The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Fri: ‘Atomic Groove’s Peace Love Groove Happy Hour,’ The Devastators. Sat: Wild Child. Sun: Julian Marley and the Uprising. Mon: Steve Earle and The Dukes.

Tue: Justin Hayward ft. Mike Dawes

LEO (July 23 - August 22): Let your inhibitions go this week and become helplessly entangled in a complex plot of intrigue and espionage that will either lead to your salvation or ruin you completely.

The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach. Wed: Walter Bros, The Giraffees. Thu: Gangstagrass, MohaviSoul. Fri: Green Today, Oceans. Sun: Jon Campos, Drivin’ The Bus, Velour, The Miles. Tue: ‘Reggae Tuesdaze.’

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): It’s not really your fault... all the choices you are now making are instinctively motivated by all the decisions you made in the past, all of which have led you to this moment.

Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., City

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Beaumont’s, 5665 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Thu: The Heart. Fri: Bonneville 7. Sat: Red Headed Strangers.

@SDCITYBEAT

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Build a life for yourself that you do not have to take a vacation from and then take a vacation anyway. I mean, what? Are you supposed to just sit around working your whole life?

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Look on the bright side this month— like a homeowner in Phoenix whose property value will skyrocket in 30 years when climate collapse makes it beachfront.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 December 21): I hate to be the one to tell you what’s in store for you this week, so I just won’t. I really don’t want you to get mad at me over it. I’m sensitive, you know?

CAPRICORN (December 22 January 19): In both matters of finance and scuba diving, the less you leave up to chance, the better.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): This week try to accomplish the little errands you have been putting off for a while, such as cleaning the Pacific Ocean of all single-use plastic waste.

PISCES (February 19 - March 20): In high-stress situations, it is important to take a break, then a step back, another step back, another step back, and another step back, and then turn, run, and let somebody else deal with it.

Astrologically Unsound appears every week. Follow Christin Bailey on Twitter at @hexprax.

AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 21

MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Wed: The Black Moods. Thu: Fish and the Seaweeds. Fri: Summer Salt, Motel Radio, Dante Elephante, Jerry DeMink.

Sat: Khofa, Mon Laferte. Sun: Nicole Byer, Graham Gillot. Tue: Yhung T.O. Humphreys Backstage, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. Wed: Clapton Hook. Thu: The Surf Birdz. Fri: Michele Lundeen, Viva Santana. Sat: Platinum Vibe. Sun: About Face. Mon: Michele Lundeen. Tue: Manzanita Blues.

The Irenic, 3090 Polk Ave., North Park.

Sun: Hawthorne Heights, Emery. Mon: Bad Books.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Thu: ‘Acid Varsity.’

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave., Kensington. Sat: The Petty Saints, The Dodges, Original Son, Dead Ven. Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Fri: Saline Solution. Sat: Irish Eyes, Zack Rhodes. Sun: The Robin Henkel Band. Mon: ‘Open Mic Night.’ Tue: ‘Comedy Night.’

Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave., Coronado. Wed: Jerry Gontang. Thu: North Star. Fri: The Alternatives. Sat: Pat Ellis and Blue Frog Band. Sun: Bonneville 7, Jackson Solo. Mon: Bob Wade. Tue: Glenn Smith.

Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: Guy Branum. Thu: Betty Bryant. Fri: The Janice Edwards Trio Sat: Sophia Alone. Sun: Keep It On The DL. Mon: Andy and Nathan. Tue: Janet Hammer and Nathan Fry. The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hill-

22 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 14, 2019

crest. Wed: Night Bloomers. Thu: Diamond Dogs Boylesque: Slumber Party. Fri: Club Hemlock. Sat: Monty Neysmith of Symarip, The Bishops, The Amalgamated.

Rich’s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest.

Wed: ‘Mischief w/ Bianca.’ Thu: ‘#LEZ + House Music.’ Fri: ‘Dirty POP!’. Sat: ‘Fuel.’ Sun: ‘Discoteka.’

Mother’s Saloon, 2228 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Wed: Thu: Fri: Sat: Sun: Mon: Tue: TBA

Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz.’ Thu: Chloe Lou & Davies. Fri: Modern Day Moonshine. Sat: Three Chord Justice.

Tue: ‘The Works Jam.’

Mr. Peabody’s, 136 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas. Thu: Three Chord Justice. Fri: Black Cherry Lightnin’. Sat: Adrienne Nims & Spirit Wind, It’s Never 2 L8. Sun: Tony Ortega Jazz Jam. Mon: ‘Open Mic with Jay Cain.’

Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy.

Wed: DeVotchKa. Thu: Mike Love. Fri: Electric Mud. Sat: Goldfish. Sun: The Fixx.

The Office, 3936 30th St., North Park.

Wed: ‘Drip Trop.’ Thu: ‘Dig Deeper.’ Sat: ‘Strictly Business.’ Mon: ‘Motown on Mondays.’ Tue: ‘Night Shift.’

OMNIA Nightclub, 454 Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: ‘Undone on Thursday.’ Fri: Tory Lanez. Sat: Jesse Marco.

Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park.

Wed: Young Lions, ‘Wednesday Jam Session.’ Thu: Victor Baker Quartet. Fri: Erika Davies. Sat: Besos de Coco. Sun: Uptown Rhythm Makers.

Parq, 615 Broadway, Downtown. Fri: DJ Cla. Sat: ‘Beatsource Playground.’

Pour House, 1903 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside. Wed: Thu: Fri: Sat: Sun: Mon: Tue: TBA Proud Mary’s, 5550 Kearny Mesa Road, Kearny Mesa. Wed: ‘Blues Jam Night.’

Thu: Tomcat Courtney. Fri: Sundown Society. Sat: Chris James and Patrick Rynn.

The Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. Thu: ‘Country Dance’. Sat: ‘Sabados en Fuego.’

Rosie O’Gradys, 3402 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Digital Lizards of Doom. Thu: DJ Ratty. Fri: The Naked I. Sat: Johnny Deadly Trio, Rip Carson.

Mon: Jazz Jam w/ Louis V. Tue: ‘Adams Gone Funky.’

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave., North Park. Tue: Charlie Arbelaez.

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: Planet Booty, One Hot Planet. Thu: Doom Bloom, Francis Blume, Michael McGraw & the Tin Rattlers. Fri: Ringworm, Cave Bastard, Heat. Sat: The Sleepwalkers, Cumbia Machin, Sonidero Traversura, Air Nandez. Sun: Flynt Flossy & Turquoise Jeep, Kosha Dillz, The Parker Meridien. Mon: Dezorah, Bad Kids, Free Paintings. Tue: Gypsy Temple.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway.

Sat: Xavier Wulf, Beau Young Prince, Marty Grimes, RecoHavoc.

SPACE, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights.

Wed: ‘Make Yourself at Home.’ Thu: Hibou, Tangerine, Bad Kids. Fri: ‘Rollin wit the Funk.’ Sat: ‘Whips & Furs.’ Sun: Thief, Silence in the Snow.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St., Midtown. Fri: ‘All Things Deep.’ Sat: Nina Flowers. Sun: Type3, Bones.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Paul Gregg. Sun: Clinton Davis. Tue: Trivia.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: ‘A Night of Obstreperous RnB, Rock and Soul.’ Thu: ‘South Meets South.’ Fri: Misc Ailments, One I Red, Day Trip. Sat: Chloe Lou & the Liddells, Babydoll Warriors, Super Villain. Sun: ‘Pants Karaoke!’. Tue: Dave Gleason.

Tin Roof, 401 G St., Downtown. Wed: Mitch Clark. Thu: Sheyna Gee. Fri: Legends Undercover. Sat: Legends Undercover. Sun: Karaoke. Tue: Corey Gray & Jake Coco.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., Bay Park. Wed: Carl Sonny Leyland & Chloe Feoranzo.

Thu: Mercedes Moore Band. Fri: Funks Most Wanted. Sun: Colour. Mon: ‘Sexy Salsa & Sensual Bachata.’ Tue: The Tourmaliners.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., City Heights. Thu: The Vibrators, Strychnine 99, Midnight Track. Fri: The Rough, The Filthy Lowdown, City Escape Artist, City Windows. Sun: Argentavis, Habak, All Beat Up, Endless//Nameless. Tue: Nebula Drag, Caustic Casanova, Vedic.

U-31, 3112 University Ave., North Park.

Wed: DJ Mo Lyon. Thu: ‘BoomBox Thursdays.’ Fri: DJ Fishfonics. Sat: DJ Nvious.

Sun: Strictly Skunk, Indica Roots. Mon: ‘#31 Flavors.’

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park.

Wed: Open Mic. Fri: ‘F#$%ING in the Bushes.’ Sat: Shawn P. Rohlf. Sun: ‘80s vs ‘90s Dance Party.’ Mon: Quali, Temple of Angels, Rose Dorn, Runsdeep.

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach.

Wed: ‘Club Kingston.’ Thu: Russell Ramo & The Funk Bus, Star Jungle, Side of Beans. Fri: Vokas Kompany, One Hot Planet. Sat: Indubious, Sol Seed. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: KNW, My Mynd.

@SDCITYBEAT

BY JACKIE BRYANT

IN THE BACK

CANNABITCH COURTESY OF LOWELL HERB CO.

Bud and boujee

L

ike most trends in our social mediasaturated world, it was only a matter of time before cannabis went fancy.

For starters, the general public seems to love “elevated” anything, whether it’s boozy seltzer, craft beer, cocktails or even $40 SoulCycle classes.

Cannabis legalization has also been a cause célèbre for the rich and/or famous.

It allows them to indulge their personal interests while also appearing to be woke to their followers. It also allows for investment opportunities. So, it’s hardly surprising that the luxury cannabis industry has taken off.

Last week a friend and I were slamming down some of those aforementioned hard seltzers before heading to a cannabis industry party. It was hosted by Lowell Herb Co. (lowellsmokes.com), a company best known for their pre-rolled joints (I am a fan), as well as their social justice activism.

The party was thrown for budtenders who work in San Diego’s various dispensaries.

“Do you think there will be on-site consumption allowed or is this just a public relations stunt?” my friend asked.

“I can’t imagine how it would be legal,

@SDCITYBEAT

Lowell Herb Co.’s cold-pressed cannabis oil vape pen but I also can’t imagine Lowell throwing a party where people aren’t lighting up,” I responded, genuinely confused.

We pulled up to Mission Valley’s Lot 8, an outdoor venue that, in this case, was enveloped in a cloud of dank-ass smoke. Inside, there was a vape bar, a bud bar, a takeyour-own-pre-roll display, a roll-your-own station and an open booze bar. Oh, and there was a photo booth, a churro bar and catering by Phil’s BBQ. There was even a fake prop joint, to be used in photos, that I was told cost $1,000 to make.

For those of us who are old enough to remember the old days of smoking shitty, seeded weed in the backseat of someone’s car, it’s hard not to overstate how insane—

and awesome—this scene was. Everything was free. Out in the open. High class. Seemingly legal. Elevated.

I still have no idea if it was above board, but the party was one of the better legal bud parties I’ve ever been to. The whole shindig was intended to introduce budtenders to Lowell’s new cold-pressed cannabis oil vape pen. It looks like any old single-use vape cartridge and battery apparatus except, in this case, the pen’s casing is metal and sports a copper varnish. It also retails for around $55-$60 for a half gram, thereby making it one of the more luxurious cannabis products on the market.

In this case, the pen isn’t a gimmick.

Most cannabis oil cartridges are produced

via a volatile chemical extraction process that includes heating to above 500 degrees, adding solvents and introducing artificial terpenes to replace what was lost in the extraction process. Lowell’s oil uses frozen plants that are tumbled in ice water before being cold-pressed for extraction, resulting in a high-quality and 100 percent solvent-, butane- and additive-free oil that is also very expensive.

This boujee party was a fine way to introduce what may be a market-changer in the retail cannabis community. It’s certainly a valid step above the other luxury cannabis things that have been hawked to me, including luxury dispensaries like Royal Highness in Palm Desert, Shine’s 24-karat gold rolling papers, expensive CBD bath bombs for dogs and any number of celebrity-backed vapes.

Look, I like nice things, but I also am aware that people are still languishing in jail for cannabis convictions, among other grave injustices. That duality will not stop the luxury cannabis freight train, so, for now, I’m happy to support even elevated companies and products that I think are doing it right.

CannaBitch appears every week. Follow Jackie Bryant on Twitter at @jacqbryant.

AUGUST 14, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 23