San Diego CityBeat • Sept 25, 2019

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 • SDCITYBEAT.COM • FREE

ALMOST FAMOUS Cameron Crowe talks putting a musical spin on his landmark film

LIBERTY CHIK HOT CHICKEN (P. 5) • BLACK GOLD (P. 17) • LEWIS CAPALDI (P. 18)

2 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

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Volume 18 • Issue 4

FEATURES

16

MK

EDITOR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ART DIRECTOR Jay Bradbury COLUMNISTS Edwin Decker Alfred Howard John R. Lamb Rhonda “Ro” Moore CONTRIBUTORS David L. Coddon Beth Demmon Michael A. Gardiner Sara Harmatz Glenn Heath Jr. EDITORIAL INTERN Mary Pat Abruzzo

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PRODUCTION MANAGER Tristan Whitehouse ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Steven Persitza SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jason Noble PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt

FOOD & DRINK

5

MUSIC

18

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‘ALMOST FAMOUS’

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WORT MENTIONING

World Fare ________________5 Wort Mentioning ___________ 6

MK ___________________ 16 Black Gold ______________ 17

ARTS & CULTURE

10

GIRL FRIEND

Top 15 ________________________________ 8 Calendar of Events ______________________ 9

ON THE COVER:

Lewis Capaldi ___________ 18 Concerts & Clubs ______ 20-22

IN THE BACK

14 JUDY San Diego CityBeat is published and distributed every Wednesday by Times Media Group, free of charge but limited to one per reader. Reproduction of any material in this or any other issue is prohibited without written permission from the publisher and the author. Contents copyright 2019.

LEWIS CAPALDI

23 CANNABITCH

Theater _______________________________ 10 Film _______________________________14-15 CannaBitch _______________ 23

The cast of Almost Famous. Photo by Neal Preston.

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SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 3

UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK

SPINCYCLE

Faulconer’s Trump bump Teetery times for the lame-duck mayor They wanted a wall in San Diego. Good mayor in San Diego, by the way.

—President Donald Trump

By John R. Lamb

S

o, the Cheese-Puff-inChief likes San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

And why not? They’re both Republicans, sport chemically altered blonde hairstyles, and have uncertain political futures.

Whether Faulconer likes Trump, however, is certainly open to interpretation. When Agent Orange swept into town last week on a campaign-cash barnstorming run that reportedly netted millions for his 2020 reelection efforts, media reports of any meetups between the two were nonexistent.

In fact, when Trump arrived via Air Force One at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar last Wednesday, he was greeted not by San Diego’s mayor but Poway’s, the perennially cowboy-hatted Steve Vaus, who seemed to be enjoying the spotlight and Trump’s company.

It could even be argued that Vaus, current chairman of the powerful San Diego Association of Governments (a position Faulconer has never sought), was the more appropriate choice as regional greeter.

Earlier this month, Faulconer stood before delegates of the California Republican Convention in roasting Indian Wells and delivered a speech that contained lots of words except one: “Trump.” Ergo, it received little attention, even though some billed the appearance as Faulconer’s attempt to persuade attendees to convert from a bunch of naysayers lacking sincere solutions to “the party that says ‘Yes!’ – particularly in solving the state’s homeless crisis.

“I’ll conclude by saying that addressing this crisis requires each of us to look in the mirror and acknowledge reality,” the mayor said at the convention.

And while he told conventioneers that “more housing is key,” Faulconer a day later announced that he would veto a 5-4 San Diego City Council inclusionary-housing policy decision intended to increase affordable housing by requiring developers to provide more in their projects or pay higher fees to fund affordable housing elsewhere.

Faulconer again leaned on advice from developers and business interests that such a policy would reduce home construction and produce fewer affordable homes. The City Council will have an opportunity to override the mayor’s veto in October, although six votes are required.

The mayor, meanwhile, sent in the troops to last week’s Rules Committee, where fellow Republican Councilman Scott Sherman continued his push to get the mayor’s office removed from the process of selecting an independent city auditor.

“The current process is undefined and kind of suspect with the mayor’s office appointing the auditor who will oversee the mayor’s office,” Sherman told committee members last Wednesday. “I think it’s well past time to change this. It’s a serious flaw in the system.”

As previously reported in this column, Sherman—frequently a Faulconer loyalist—hit the proverbial roof when the mayor nominated for the auditor position a deputy director in the city treasurer’s office who last worked as an auditor in 2010.

The city has been operating with an interim city auditor since Eduardo Luna left in frustration last year to take a similar job with the city of Beverly Hills.

4 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

It isn’t easy being a moderate Republican like termed-out Mayor Kevin Faulconer during Trump’s days of whine and poses. (Photoshop by JRL)

Until last week, the mayor’s office had offered no opinion on Sherman’s March 2020 ballot proposal to boot the mayor from the auditor-selection process. But at the Rules Committee meeting, Almis Udrys, Faulconer’s deputy chief of staff for innovation and policy, suggested a slower approach.

Udrys raised several concerns, including whether the current 10-year term for an appointed city auditor is still appropriate (no other cities have a similar length of term for the position) and whether the expertise now required to serve on the city’s audit committee—a unique amalgam of elected and public members—should be broadened “to allow for greater participation.”

Udrys suggested a workshop or referral to the audit committee might be in order, but Sherman

seemed to sense an effort to delay the measure. “I want to make sure it doesn’t get pushed from March all the way to November and in that time, we lose our interim auditor and end up having the mayor appointing the next independent auditor,” Sherman said. “That’s the very situation that we’re trying to avoid.”

Udrys later pushed back on that notion. “That’s not true,” he said. “We would have to put forward a nomination at City Council, which would then have to be approved. There’s no circumstance under which we’re just going to put a new auditor in, even under the current process.”

Council President Georgette Gómez, who also chairs the Rules Committee, said her greatest concern was getting the measure docketed for City Council consideration in time to qualify

for the March ballot. The council has until December 6 to submit a measure to the county registrar of voters, but the last council meeting before the Thanksgiving holiday legislative recess is November 19.

“That’s a slippery slope that we’re walking in terms of getting it on the calendar,” Gómez said.

In the end, the Rules Committee voted unanimously to forward the measure to the full City Council while also requesting that the Audit Committee, which Sherman chairs, review the language and offer its perspective.

Gary Blackmer, a retired Oregon State auditor and respected authority on the position, told Spin he was “disappointed” that the proposed language fails to make clear the importance of performance audits, which as opposed to financial audits measures efficiencies in a given department or program.

“Performance audits more directly address services provided to citizens, but are unlikely to be produced under these provisions,” Blackmer said.

Former City Councilwoman Donna Frye, who has expressed support for Sherman’s efforts, also had another concern. “The Rules Committee specifically stated there should be no mayoral or mayoral staff involvement,” she said.

“Wonder why that is not reflected in the city attorney’s draft?”

The draft language also would keep the mayor’s office in the mix by allowing the city’s chief financial officer, a mayoral hire, on the screening committee.

Like with Trump, Faulconer may appear to be keeping an arm’slength distance. But the devil, as always, is in the details.

Spin Cycle appears every other week. Write to johnl@ sdcitybeat.com. @SDCITYBEAT

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FARE

UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK

The story’s almost better than the chicken at Liberty Chik

By Michael Gardiner

P

assive aggressive revenge never tasted so good. Legend has it the mechanism of that intended revenge was the original batch of a dish we now know as Nashville hot chicken: buttermilk marinated chicken parts breaded and sauced with an incendiary cayenne–based paste before being pan-fried and served with pickles over white bread. To get a taste of that “revenge” head to Liberty Chik Hot Chicken (2820 Historic Decatur Road) in the Liberty Public Market.

The precise identity of the lady seeking revenge may have been lost in time but the identity of the one upon whom she sought to exact it is clear: James Thornton Prince.

Prince was a handsome guy with a reputation in 1930s black Nashville as something of a lady’s man. It was a reputation well-earned and one that was, for his girlfriend, painful.

One Saturday night she decided to act. Her weapon of choice? Prince’s favorite Sunday breakfast, fried chicken, this time with just a little bit extra. Every single spicy thing in the kitchen went into that dish resulting in nearly nuclear chicken.

Just one problem: Prince absolutely loved the dish!

So much, in fact, he opened a chicken shack of his own featuring his spurned exgirlfriend’s concoction. That restaurant is still open in Nashville today: Prince’s Hot Chicken (originally “Barbecue

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Liberty Chik Hot Chicken in the Liberty Public Market offers hot sauce on the side that’s so hot it comes with a legal disclaimer on the bottle.

(Photo courtesy Liberty Chik Hot Chicken)

Chicken Shack”).

Liberty Chik may not be Prince’s but it’s focus is the same: Nashville hot chicken. Liberty Chik offers three main combos: two breast pieces with fries, a sandwich with fries, and hot chicken with waffles. Each is offered in four heat levels: mild (why?), medium (same question), hot (getting there) and “Smokin Hot” (why you came). Even a seriously capsicum-phobic dining companion asked, “Why would anyone bother getting it medium?” I loved the “Smokin Hot.” It wasn’t excessive. Liberty Chik also offers a hot sauce on the side that’s so hot it comes with a legal disclaimer on the bottle (good luck with that, guys).

But Nashville hot chicken’s not a hot sauce dish it’s a chicken dish. And Liberty Chik consistently cooks its breasts to a perfect, juicy, tender texture. The heat just brings it to another level.

The hot chicken and waffles

is a wonderful combination of sweet and heat with savory chicken. For my money, though, the best bet is the sandwich. It’s as close as Liberty Chik gets to the original. It’s hot chicken, bread and pickles along with their wonderful Tennessee mustard slaw, which comes in the sandwich but can also be ordered as a side. Save room for Liberty Chik’s “Bonuts,” a cross between biscuits and doughnuts.

It’s not quite beignets, but it’s a worthy second best.

There’s a very definite chance Nashville hot chicken’s origin story is less history and more myth. While there’s no doubt Thornton Prince founded Prince’s Hot Chicken and little reason to question the notion his ex served him the hot stuff, there’s also another annoying fact: rumor has it there was already a hot chicken shack in Nashville before Prince started his: Bo’s.

Me? I don’t care. I like the story.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 5

UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK

WORT MENTIONING

Don’t skip La Mesa Brewpub

By Karen Barnett

I

n his book “History of Drinking: The Scottish Pub Since 1700,” historian Anthony Cooke describes Scotland’s storied bar culture. “Urban and rural pubs and taverns functioned at a humbler social level with a wider and less elite clientele [who] in the 18th century ranged from the labouring poor to skilled artisans, as well as lawyers, doctors, merchants, farmers, and shopkeepers [becoming] centres for many kinds of social and political debate…” It is this ethos that owner of Fourpenny House, Peter Soutowood, brings to his brewpub in historic La Mesa Village.

This themed drinkery, with wooden booth seating, mixed plaid upholstery and burlap sack-lined ceiling, offered a range of 14 house ales upon my visit. Unicorn’s Pride, its English Special Bitter (ESB) was my favorite with a balanced malt to hops flavor, and only a hint of sweetness against the classic full-bodied bitterness typical of this style. Also referred to as an English Style Bitter, this underappreciated style of beer is usually passed on by the average beer consumer simply due to one word in its name—“bitter.” An unfortunate assumption as bitterness is the flavor that most IPA drinkers love in their beer, with bitterness and flavors ranging by hop varietals. The sweetness derived from the English malt is what balances the bitterness in an ESB, creating a subtle caramelized flavor.

There were almost the exact same number of breweries in all of Scotland 500 years ago as there are currently in San Diego—just over 150. Except in Scotland, 100% of their brewers were female. Perhaps by coincidence, Soutowood strives for further authenticity by his employment of a female brewer. A graduate of the master brewer program at UC Davis and former ChuckAlek head brewer, Sam Olson runs the brewing program at Fourpenny House. As an avid homebrewer, Soutowood opened Fourpenny House last year with his own recipes and a production brewer staffing the brew deck. Nowadays, he tasks out the flavor profiles in styles he wants Olson to brew.

Recently, Soutowood requested the earthy, piney smells and flavors of the Pacific Northwest to come to fruition in a new ale, and Olson surely delivered. Pacific Crest Ale is a rye pale ale with unmistakable notes of juniper, lemongrass and sage. Olson’s use of rye malt in the mash of this pale ale proves to be a successful

6 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

Beer menu at La Mesa’s Fourpenny House ranges (Karen Barnett)

counterpart to the hops driven botanical flavors and aroma she delivers with this beer.

Fourpenny’s coffee milk stout, Stout Du Monde (a nod to New Orleans’ famous Cafe du Monde), also stood out with rich roasted coffee flavor paired with a creamy sweetness. A brew that would no doubt accompany their bread pudding quite well at a cozy fireside table on a cool evening this fall.

Whether you come down to explore the Village or are attending the 46th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest (October 4 to October 6), don’t skip a visit to the charming Fourpenny House. Pro tip: Enjoy a pint of Unicorn’s Pride with their house-baked spent grain toast—fantastic!

Write to wortmentioning@gmail.com or follow Karen Barnett on Instagram at @karensmallbarnett.

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SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 7

EVENTS

TOP15

By Mary Pat Abruzzo

workplaces and homes to demand action on the climate crisis.

University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., free.

SEPTEMBER 22 TO SETPEMBER 29

San Diego Restaurant Week continues with new tastes and unforgettable experiences. Guests can choose from more than 180 restaurants offering deep discounts during the eight days. No passes or tickets required, just show up to your favorite restaurant or one you have been dying to try and enjoy a special prix-fixe menu. Reservations are highly recommended so you can lock down your experience in advance. Various locations and times, sandiegorestaurantweek.com.

2 Pre-TwitchCon 2019 Super

Smashed Bros. Charity Bar Crawl SEPTEMBER 26

Super Smash Bros., drinking games and charity. How much better could it get? Join the Twitch Community in supporting Child’s Play, a charity founded in 2003 that raises money to support children’s hospitals and domestic violence shelters by supplying toys and games to improve lives through therapeutic play. All it takes is two teams composed of 35 people each representing characters from Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. past and present to determine who the best character of all time. Make sure to get your twitch on, while also supporting a great cause.

The Field Irish Pub, 544 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp District, eventbrite.com, 7 p.m., free, 21 and older.

3 UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro w/Shaggy

SEPTEMBER 26

Get ready to sing along to your favorite throwbacks as Shaggy and UB40 come to together for the latter band’s 40th anniversary tour, “A Real Labour of Love.”

With hits like “It Wasn’t Me” and “Red Red Wine,” it’s a guaranteed night full dancing and singing.

Petco Park’s Park at the Park, 100 Park Boulevard, Downtown, ticketmaster.com, 6:30 p.m., $40.

4 Bombay Bicycle Club SEPTEMBER 27

Looking for good vibes on a Friday night? Catch Bombay Bicycle Club at The Observatory North Park.

Hailing from England, Bombay Bicycle Club is back from a hiatus when fans missed its perfectly curated indie folk and post-punk revival-inspired songs.

The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Avenue, North Park, ticketweb.com, 7 to 11 p.m., $35.

5 UCSD Climate Action March SEPTEMBER 27

In an attempt to be heard on an issue so big, UCSD’s Green New Deal will walk out of their 8 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

Festival

SEPTEMBER 28

6 MCAS Miramar Air Show SEPTEMBER 27 TO SEPTEMBER 29

1 San Diego Restaurant Week

11 San Diego Water Lantern

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar invites guests to attend the Miramar Air Show, the country’s largest military air show. The three days’ activities include aerobatics and entertainment, children’s activities and military displays.

Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar Way, Miramar, 1-800-514-3849, miramarairshow.com, $30-$35 for box seats.

7 CRAFToberfest SEPTEMBER 27 TO OCTOBER 6

Fill up your stein and grab your lederhosen, it’s time for CRAFToberfest at Liberty Public Market.

CRAFToberfest is San Diego’s only 10-day Oktoberfest celebrating the art of craft beer. Steins, food, live music and giveaways headline this week.

Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Road, Loma Portal, libertypublicmarket.com, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., free admission.

8 Oliver Tree SEPTEMBER 28

Calling all scooter lovers. Oliver Tree, a Los Angeles-based vocalist, producer and sketch comedian, will perform at The Observatory. Lucky audience members can experience this internet sensation ride his scooter onto set while performing his indie pop- and hip-hop-inspired hits, such as “Alien Boy” and “Miracle Man.” The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Avenue, North Park, observatorysd.com, 7 to 11 p.m., $22.50.

9 Hillcrest Art Stumble SEPTEMBER 28

The Stumble is a self-guided tour and art scavenger hunt through Hillcrest’s streets. It features artists and businesses who support the arts including The Studio Door, The Alchemist & The Artist and Artist & Craftsman Supply. Start your evening exploring the Artisan Pop-Up Market and continue the adventure with the scavenger hunt throughout Hillcrest.

The Studio Door, 3867 Fourth Avenue, Hillcrest, kpbs.org, 6 p.m., $1.

10 Kids’ Slime Fair SEPTEMBER 28

Don’t be afraid to get a little sticky at the Kids’ Slime Fair. Young entrepreneurs will showcase and sell creative and handmade slime along with other handmade crafts. Enjoy music, drinks, food while your kids get creative with plenty of activities and crafts.

Fair at 44, 4350 El Cajon Boulevard, Norman Heights, eventbrite.com, noon to 5 p.m., free.

Experience the magic of thousands of lanterns as the soft lights reflect on the water. Water Lantern Festival is a place where family, friends and strangers celebrate life and unite individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Enjoy bites and music as you watch your lantern join others carrying hope, love and peace.

Chollas Lake, 5850 College Grove Drive, Chollas Lake Park, waterlanternfestival.com, 4 to 9 p.m., $25.

12 AIDS Walk & Run San Diego SEPTEMBER 28

Run or walk or cheer on participants in the event that supports those living with HIV and honors those we’ve lost to the disease. In its 30th year, AIDS Walk & Run San Diego remains the largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser in San Diego County, raising HIV awareness while reducing the stigma. Funds raised will support HIV service organizations and The Center’s HIV services and programs.

Hillcrest Pride Flag, University Avenue and Normal Street, Hillcrest sdpride.org/event/aidswalksd/, 6 to 10 a.m., starts at $30.

13 San Diego International Dragon Boat Race

SEPTEMBER 28 TO SEPTEMBER 29

Find excitement and athleticism at the 10th anniversary San Diego International Dragon Boat Race. Growing in popularity, dragon boating is a global sport with crews of 16 to 20 paddling in a boat decorated with an ornately carved dragon head at the bow.

Tecolote Shores, 1500 E. Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay, sddragonboatrace.com, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., free admission.

14 CRSSD Music Festival SEPTEMBER 28 AND SEPTEMBER 29

This two-day electronic music festival features three stages and more than 36 performers including Kaytranada, Fisher, Masego and Yaeji. In addition to the music, the festival will offer craft beer, mixed drinks, phone lockers and food.

Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, Downtown, crssdfest.com, various hours, $120-$215, 21 and older.

15 San Diego Sake Festival SEPTEMBER 29

Dive into the world of sake at the second San Diego Sake Festival, which offers tastes of sake from more than 15 breweries from Japan and California. Learn about sake and its history as the event opens with a traditional cedar sake barrel opening ceremony. Munch on bites that are specifically paired by local East Village restaurants.

Quartyard, 1301 Market Street, Gaslamp District, eventbrite.com, 2 to 6 p.m., $35-$45. @SDCITYBEAT

EVENTS ART

Brightest Beacons, Blindest Eyes at Mesa College Art Gallery, 7250 Mesa College Drive, Clairemont. John Brinton Hogan will present and discuss his first solo exhibition, featuring a series of works which blur the boundaries between painting and photography. From 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Free.

619-388-2829, sdmesa.edu Modern San Diego at San Diego Central Library Art Gallery, 330 Park Blvd., Downtown. Opening reception for an exhibition presenting images by renowned photographer, Julius Shulman, documenting mid-century architecture in San Diego. From noon to 2 p.m.

Saturday, September 28. Free.

619-238-6690, sandiego.gov Hillcrest Art Stumble at The Studio Door, 3867 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Selfguided tour and art scavenger hunt in which participants will make their way through the streets of artists and businesses to rack up stamps on a stamp card. From 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, September 28. $1. 619-255-2867, thestudiodoor.com Uptown Meets Downtown at Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth Ave., Downtown. The artists of the Hillcrest gallery, The Studio Door, put together their contemporary styles for an art exhibition which nods to the freedom and experimentation of the Roaring 20’s. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, September 29. Free.

619-255-2867, thestudiodoor.com

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International Exhibition at San Diego Watercolor Society, 2825 Dewey Road, Liberty Station. Jeannie McGuire curates the 39th annual display of original, ready-to-hang artworks from around the world. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 1 to Thursday, October 31. Free.

619-876-4550, sdws.org A Different Perspective at Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. Three local artists share their views of the world through over 75 paintings featuring wildlife, nature, and abstract compositions. Times vary. Wednesday, October 2 through Wednesday, October 30. Free.

858-208-7460

BOOKS

Point Loma Book Club at Barnes & Noble, 3150 Rosecrans St., San Diego.

Discuss Shirley’s Jackson’s classic supernatural thriller, “The Haunting of Hill House” with book club members and newcomers. From 6 to 7 :30 p.m. Thursday, September 26. Free.

619-225-0465, stores.barnesandnoble.com

COMEDY

Tuesday Night Comics at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Frances Dilorinzo headlines alongside featured comedians Mike Wirtz and Grace Klein in a comedy performance series curated by Mark Christopher Lawrence. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 1. $26-$29. 858481-1055, northcoastrep.org

FOOD & DRINK

Shady Ladies and Hop Heads Historical Pub Crawl and Walking Tour at Gaslamp Museum at the David-Horton House, 410 Island Ave., Downtown. Learn about historic buildings and people of the Gaslamp quarter and visit three bars from the “Stingaree” era for beer tastings. From 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 27. $10-$20. 619-233-4692, gaslampfoundation.org

MUSIC

Creedence Clearwater Revisited: Concert for a Cause at Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach.

Dance away to hit songs from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford while raising money for The Museum of Making Music and Friends of San Pasqual Academy.

From 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, September 25. $250. 760-304-5820, museumofmakingmusic.org Mikan Zlatkovich at The Studio Gallery, 3867 Fourth St., Hillcrest. Artist Katya Mezhova presents the latest edition of the music performance series Uptown After Hours with live jazz and accompanying art. From 7 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, September 26. $10.

619-255-2867, thestudiodoor.com Danny Green at La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. The award-winning recording artist, pianist and composer will perform with his trio, bringing new compositions and jazz standards to the stage. From 7 to 9:30

p.m. Friday, September 27. $18-$25.

858-459-0831, ljcommunitycenter.org Our House at Christ Lutheran Church, 4761 Cass St., Pacific Beach. The allfemale choral group, Key of She, will present their fall concert featuring works from Sarah Quartel, Anders Endenroth, Stephen Sondheim and more. From 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, September 28. Free.

619-857-5115, keyofshe.org

PERFORMANCE

VAMP: Experiments at Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park. So Say We All’s monthly curated storytelling showcase will feature nonfiction stories on the theme of “Experiments.” From 8 to 10 p.m.

Thursday, September 26. $5 suggested donation. sosayweallonline.com “Gotta Dance” Dance-Ability Showcase at Balboa Park Club, 2150 Pan American Road W., Balboa Park. Wheelchair dancers and their dance partners will perform a Tango routine while attendees enjoy bites, open dancing and more performances. From 12 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, September 28. Free. 858-5731571, wheelchairdancers.org Honey Do That at Liberty Hall Theatre, 2700 East Fourth St., National City. The original stage production consists of a collection of skits creatively written to entertain the entire family. Times vary. Thursday, September 26 through Saturday, October 5. $30-$35. 619-9782000, deeboneproductions.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

Runway: Where Fashion Meets Compassion at Bloomingdale’s, 7057 Friars Road, Mission Valley. Get a sneak peek of the latest in Fall fashion while raising money for Feeding San Diego, an organization providing meals to people in need. From 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, September 26. $75. give. feedingsandiego.org International Dragon Boat Race at Tecolote Shores Park, 1300 E. Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay. The 10th anniversary of the unique boat race, which features crews paddling in a boat decorated with a dragon head and a tail, will include a lion dance, music, food, vendors and more. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29. Free. sddragonboatrace.com Water Lantern Festival at Chollas Lake, 5850 College Grove Drive., La Mesa.

Attendees will make their own water lantern and send it off into the water, while enjoying good, games, activities, vendors, music and more. From 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, September 28. $24-$40. waterlanternfestival.com beWell Fitness Fair at La Jolla High School, 750 Nautilus St., La Jolla.

Family-friendly fundraiser featuring a fitness boot camp, yoga classes, local vendors, live entertainment and more to benefit the new Copley Psychiatric Emergency Department. From 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday, September 29. $20-$13.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 9

ARTS | CULTURE

THEATER

Divergent tales told to music

By David L. Coddon

O

ne of the underappreciated pop-rock albums of the early ’90s, Matthew Sweet’s “Girlfriend” has been rightfully winning new fans in the 10 years since Todd Almond’s play-with-music, also called “Girlfriend,” premiered at Berkeley Rep. The slow-moving, practically giddy story about two high school grads, Mike and Will, falling into love in an intolerant 1993 Nebraska is considerably enlivened by songs from Sweet’s album.

Diversionary Theatre’s San Diego premiere of “Girlfriend” directed by Stephen Brotebeck rocks to the sound of a dynamic live band populated by Melanie Medina (guitar), Christian Reeves (bass), Nobuko Kemmotsu (drums) and keyboardist/musical director

Kyrsten Hafso-Koppman. As the more conflicted Mike and the immediately smitten Will, Michael Louis Cusimano and Shaun Tuazon respectively may not look like high school graduates, but each in his own way projects the insecurities of that age and also the clumsy tentativeness with desire made all the more daunting by residing in the narrowminded American Heartland.

Yet Sweet’s songs and the house band are more involving than anything in Almond’s sentimental script.

“Girlfriend” runs through October 13 at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. $27-$55; diversionary.org Hershey Felder’s portrayal of the melancholy master, Fryderyk Chopin, unfolds in the San Diego Repertory’s Lyceum Space, the smaller and more intimate of its two theaters. As such, Felder’s

10 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

Chopin’s stated premise that everyone in the audience is a student who’s paid 20 francs for the privilege of hearing his story and hearing him play is much more credible than if “Monsieur Chopin” were on the much larger Lyceum Stage. Felder not only performs and inhabits the persona of Chopin, but he engages theatergoers throughout an impromptu Q&A. While the audience participation, always an awkward undertaking, slows down the one-act, two-hour show, it doesn’t detract from Felder’s supple and dramatic performances of the works of Chopin. The great composer’s short 39 years on life were sad, even tragic, but what music they left behind, and after all, that’s what’s drawing record crowds to this Rep engagement.

“Monsieur Chopin” runs through October 6 in the San Diego Repertory Theatre’s Lyceum Space, downtown. $50-

$109; sdrep.org

OPENING THIS WEEK “Almost Famous:” The muchloved 2000 film written and directed by Cameron Crowe has been adapted into a stage musical with the collaboration of composer/lyricist Tom Kitt and director Jeremy Herrin. It features new songs written just for the show as well as favorites from the movie, including Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” It’s at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park through October 27.

“Intimate Apparel:” Twotime Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage crafted this poignant tale about an African-American seamstress dreaming of a better life. It runs at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad through October 20.

“Noura:” If Noura sounds like

Nora, it’s because this play by

Heather Raffo is loosely based on Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House.” Noura is a Chaldean Christian who with her husband is confronted at Christmas time by an orphan girl they once sponsored. It runs through October 20 in the Old Globe’s intimate Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre.

“Man of La Mancha:” The

enduringly popular musical that features songs including “The Impossible Dream” comes to San Diego Musical Theatre’s Horton Grand space downtown under the direction of Scott Thompson.

It runs through October 27.

“Carrie the Musical:” The musical based on Stephen King’s novel and the 1976 Brian De Palma film was not a success on Broadway, but it’s found many production homes since, including at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista where it will be presented through November 3.

@SDCITYBEAT

Cameron Crowe’s musical homecoming

ARTS | CULTURE

By David L. Coddon

G

rowing up on Sixth Avenue across from Balboa Park and attending performances at the Old Globe with his mother, Cameron Crowe couldn’t have dreamed that an autobiographical musical about a seminal time in his life would one day open in that same storied theater.

But that’s exactly what will happen on Friday when “Almost Famous,” a stage musical adaptation of Crowe’s 2000 film, begins a world-premiere engagement at the Old Globe Theatre. Given its true story about how a teenaged Crowe pursued with uncommon desire the career of a rock music journalist, it may be that growing up he dreamed of such a day after all. “‘Almost Famous,’” Crowe says, “is a love story about San Diego and music. Nothing is like the feeling that a great song or piece of music will give you. It’s the universal language.

“It’s one of the reasons why trying to do ‘Almost Famous’ for theater was such a fun challenge.

Coming to San Diego and doing it says right off the bat that we’re not trying to exploit a movie property. This is labor-of-love time, taking it back to the roots of not just the movie, but also our lives. Could we get the feeling that a great song can give you into the theater and make it last for a twohour experience?”

The film starred Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit as William Miller, the Cameron Crowe character who as a 15-yearold high schooler gets to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine.

Crowe won an Oscar for Best Screenplay and “Almost Famous” became a beloved entry in the canon of movies he’s directed, which include “Jerry Maguire,” “Say Anything” and “Singles.”

Initially, he resisted the idea of returning to “Almost Famous” in any fashion. “I’ve never done a sequel or been somebody to redo anything,” Crowe said. “If you’re @SDCITYBEAT

One of the pivotal moments in “Almost Famous” is when the band and the lead character William Miller are on the tour bus. Shown here, from left going back, is Casey Likes as Miller; Solea Pfeiffer as Penny Lane; Katie Ladner as Sapphire; Julia Cassandra as Estrella; and Brandon Contreras as Silent Ed Vallencourt. Right side going back: Colin Donnell as Russell Hammond; Gerard Canonico as Dick Roswell; Storm Lever as Polexia; Drew Gehling as Jeff Bebe; and Matt Bittner as Larry Fellows.

Members of the cast are Brandon Contreras (Silent Ed Vallencourt), Julia Cassandra (Estrella), Colin Donnell (Russell Hammond), Solea Pfeiffer (Penny Lane), Casey Likes (William Miller), Drew Gehling (Jeff Bebe), Storm Lever (Polexia), Matt Bittner (Larry Fellows), Katie Ladner (Sapphire) and Gerard Canonico (Dick Roswell). Based on Cameron Crowe’s film, the musical “Almost Famous” runs through October 27 at The Old Globe. (Photos by Neal Preston)

able to catch lightning in a bottle with something, you don’t want to mess with it.”

Adapting the film into a musical was a notion that Crowe said first emerged some 15 years ago, but, he recalled “It never felt right. It felt like taking a treasured friend to the wrong party.”

It was Lia Vollack of Columbia Live Stage, a division of Sony Pictures and a friend of Crowe’s, who he says renewed his interest in an “Almost Famous” musical project. “Sony had half of ‘Almost Famous,’ so we started talking about it,” he said. “She is a theater person. I inched closer (to the idea of the musical) the more I learned.”

Before long, Crowe, who wrote the book and some of the lyrics for the musical, found kindred collaborators, including British director Jeremy Herrin. “I met him and it was like ‘Boom!’

We were on the same wavelength.

He loves music. I just knew on instinct he was the right guy.

We started working together.

Then I met (Tony Award-winning

composer and lyricist) Tom Kitt.

And he was the right guy.

“They bring their points of view, but we all have great simpatico.”

The musical’s score includes tunes from Kitt but also some familiar to fans of the film, including arguably its most memorable one, Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.”

Crowe calls his cast, meanwhile, the best he’s had since “Almost Famous” the movie. It includes Solea Pfeiffer as Penny Lane and 17-year-old Casey Likes as William Miller. “We were lucky to find him,” said Crowe, recounting that the first “William” cast dropped out to do a TV show. “I saw him in L.A. and I just caught a buzz off of him, and Jeremy saw him and we all fell in love with Casey.”

Even more central to the musical than in the film is the character of rock journalist Lester Bangs, played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in the movie and now by Rob Colletti.

“Here’s my favorite thing of the whole part of being able to recast

the movie for a different format,” Crowe confided. “I loved making more of Lester Bangs and making him a bit of a master of ceremonies as well as a mentor. He starts the play in the audience. (Colletti) loves Lester. He studied Lester.

From the very beginning, as soon as he walked into the room, he was the spirit of Lester Bangs.”

Crowe pointed out that working in theater is markedly different from being behind the camera. “Every day is an opportunity to try new stuff and see it that night,” he said. “It’s almost like the play is a standup comedian who can try out material that night and build on it. I’ve never had that experience.

“I never take any of this for granted – the fact that all of these actors are there and want to make the play better every night, better than it was the night before.”

There’s no one Crowe wants to please more with this “Almost Famous” than his mother, Alice, who was depicted in the film (by Frances McDormand) and is in the musical as well. “It was her dream for me to be able to bring the play here (to San Diego).

Everybody knows that in many ways it is a tribute to her.”

She’s been part of the journey of “Almost Famous” the musical

from the get-go.

“She saw a tape of a version we had done in New York, an early version and she said, ‘It could be better,’ which is classic her,” he said. “This is a woman who I sent a 75-page Pearl Jam profile to and she said, ‘More Stone (Gossard).’

“About four, five months later, I brought her a tape and I nervously put in this download of the show. I have a picture of her on the edge of her seat, studying Anika (Larsen, who portrays Alice, who’s called Elaine in the show as she was in the movie). When it was over, she turned to me and she said, ‘It’s wonderful. I told everybody ‘Elaine digs it!’”

If everyone else digs it, ‘Almost Famous’ could be Broadway-bound someday, meaning another life for this music-filled, feel-good story that first captivated audiences 19 years ago. “It’s unbelievable,” Crowe said, sounding happy but humble, “that it lives on.”

“Almost Famous”

opens Friday and runs through October 27 at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. $70 and up; theoldglobe.org

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 11

12 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

@SDCITYBEAT

@SDCITYBEAT

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 13

ARTS | CULTURE

Zellweger does Garland proud

By Glenn Heath Jr.

M

uch has been made of Renee Zellweger’s recent semi-retirement from acting. Most of the problematic scuttlebutt revolved around perceived changes to her physical appearance, the kind of rumors that once sold gossip rags but now invites the worst kind of click bait content. The entire episode proves just how little the film industry has changed in its treatment of women ever since the early silent movie days of Florence Lawrence.

If there’s one potential positive that came from Zellweger’s unfair experiences with the press and Hollywood hypocrisy, it’s that she probably better understood what it was like for

Renee Zellweger stars as famed singer/actor Judy Garland in “Judy,” which opens Friday, September 27.

(Photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions)

then child star Judy Garland key trauma of which the teenher two young children. growing up under the iron age Garland would never fully Despite the nearly three thumb of MGM Studios during recover. Importantly, it’s not decades of time that’s passed the 1930s. just the man’s menacing mind since “Oz,” Mayer’s predatory In Rupert Goold’s sturdy games that are threatening; influence still remains potent biopic, Zellweger stars as the Goold positions Mayer in the on the now 47-year-old Judy. famed singer/actor decades afframe so as to make any physiShe abuses alcohol and drugs ter her starring roles in classics cal escape seem impossible. to cope with the ghosts of belike “Meet Me in St. ing a child star, which Louis” and “A Star is often leads to onBorn.” But the film stage meltdowns that opens on a 1930s further fuel the easysoundstage featurto-digest simplicity Directed by Rupert Goold ing a familiar yelof her looming selflow brick road. For destruction.

Starring Renee Zellweger, young Judy (Darci Like many biopics Jessie Buckley, Rufus Sewell Shaw), “The Wizard about complicated of Oz’s” iconic locale women, “Judy” beand Richard Cordery holds none of the comes bloated and Rated PG-13 magic or wonder banal trying to inthat audiences would clude as many charcome to associate acters and historical with it years later.

Adapted from Peter Quilter’s context as possible. Scenes “Judy” immediately intromusical production “End of the with the men in Garland’s duces a devil’s agreement by Rainbow” by screenwriter Tom life are specifically tiresome, way of the vindictive mogul Edge, much of the film takes as they simply reinforce the Louis B. Mayer (Richard Cordplace in the late 1960s when stranglehold of Mayer’s influery), whose punishingly manip- Garland took gig singing at the ence without getting to the root ulative and sexist monologue London cabaret “Talk of the of it. Judy’s ongoing squabbles about stardom functions as a Town” to financially support with ex-husband Sidney (Rufus

“JUDY”

14 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

Sewell) and her delusional infatuation with husband-in-waiting Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock) is obligatory plot filler.

Once the film finally moves on from these tertiary subplots and others (one involving a gay British couple is well-intentioned but purely symbolic), it finally belongs solely to Zellweger.

Her purposefully raw performance, defined by those soulful eyes framed by perpetually running mascara, taps into a painful legacy of starlets who’ve been used, abused, and ultimately discarded by the Hollywood machine.

“Judy” unsurprisingly culminates with a public musical performance that allows Garland one last chance to reclaim her artistic and emotional power. But it doubles as a lovely victory for a woman who finally breaks free of male gatekeepers to connect with her audience directly.

Up to this point, the subtle cruelty of show business has been the only consistent in Judy life. But her climactic rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” reminds the performer and her adoring fans why they need each other so much. So, in a way, Judy (opening Friday, September 27), takes back the narrative of Hollywood stardom from the Mayer’s and the Harvey Weinstein’s of the world, placing the performer back in control of their own historical identity.

The approach produces its own problematic simplicities about historical perspective and hero-worship, but there are far worse ways Goold and Edge could have depicted these cycles of abuse. In its own subtle ways, “Judy” addresses the never-ending sting of victimhood with suitable agency. @SDCITYBEAT

ARTS | CULTURE

The “Lord of the Flies” ripoff, “Monos,” takes its name after the revolutionary “organization” who’s provided a gathering place for young child soldier castoffs.

(Courtesy of Neon Rated )

‘Monos’ leads new releases around town

By Glenn Heath Jr.

H

igh atop a foggy mountain peak somewhere in South America, the young recruits from a clandestine rebel insurgency train in the art of combat. They have nicknames like “Rambo” and “Wolf ”, signifying how their true identities have been permanently stripped in service of the collective. This does not mean they aren’t reckless, sexual and unpredictable when left to their own devices.

Mind-numbingly obvious,

the “Lord of the Flies” ripoff entitled “Monos” takes its name after the revolutionary “organization” who’s provided the feeble disciplinary structure for these young child soldier castoffs. Director Alejandro Landes lets the audience know he’s a very serious filmmaker by using arty long takes to fortify the dehumanizing effects of blunt militaristic ideology.

Some of the machine-gun toting soldiers of misfortune start to question their allegiances and the hierarchy of power begins to break down just as Mica Levi’s experimental score

kicks into overdrive. Empathy is a punishable offense, while savagery gets rewarded with promotion. The decisions surrounding an American prisoner of war (Julianne Nicholson) being held for ransom complicates matters even more, but every attempt to create tension with this subplot ends up revealing the film’s many faults.

But all of this conflict unfolds inside a carefully constructed bubble of art film cliché and war film symbolism.

“Monos” (opening Friday, September 27) wants to be “Full Metal Jacket,” so badly in

fact that it even purposefully splits the ponderous recruit/ war narrative into two halves that somewhat mirror the hallucinatory trajectory of Stanley Kubrick’s Vietnam War masterpiece.

But “Monos” has nary a clue as to what made that film such a devastating indictment of jingoistic indoctrination, and seems more interested in the hollow symbolism of torture and collateral damage. It’s a perfect example of formal showboating being marketed as vision. Landes must have bruises from all that chest thumping.

MOVIES “Abominable:” In this animated adventure, two mischievous teens try to reunite a Yeti with its family. Opens Friday, September 27, in wide release.

“Britt-Marie Was Here:” After discovering that her husband has been unfaithful for decades, a 63-year-old Swedish woman upends her life to start anew coaching a youth soccer team.

Opens Friday, September 27, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas.

“Give Me Liberty:” When a riot breaks out in Milwaukee, medical transport driver Vic is torn between his promise to get his relatives, a group of elderly Russians, to a funeral and his desire to help Tracy, a headstrong woman in a wheelchair. Opens Friday, September 27, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

“Judy:” Renee Zellweger stars @SDCITYBEAT

as the famed singer/actor Judy Garland during her fateful final days performing at a cabaret in London. Opens on Friday, September 27, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas and Angelika Carmel Mountain Cinemas.

“Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool:” A documentary about the life and career of the legendary jazz musician that originally was produced for PBS. Opens on Friday, September 27, at Angelika Carmel Mountain Cinemas.

“Monos:” High atop a mountain peak in Latin America, teenage soldiers involved with an insurgency train for combat while fighting their urges to rebel. Opens Friday, September 27, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas and Angelika Carmel Mountain Cinemas.

“Ms. Purple:” Korean-Amer-

ican siblings struggle with everyday realities in director Justin Chon’s dream modern day melodrama. Opens Friday, September 27, at the Landmark Ken Cinema.

One Time Only

“The Shining:” Stanley Kubrick’s film tracks a writer’s descent into madness while he and his family are staying the winter in an abandoned hotel.

Screens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 26, at Arclight La Jolla Cinemas.

“Yesterday:” Imagine a world where The Beatles don’t exist. That’s exactly what Danny Boyle’s fantasy musical does.

Screens at 8 p.m. Friday, September 27, to Sunday, September 29, at Cinema Under the Stars in Mission Hills.

“Island Soldier:” A powerful documentary that weaves

together the personal stories of Micronesian soldiers serving in the U.S. military, following their journey from the most remote islands in the Pacific to the bitter combat of Afghanistan. Screens at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, September 28, at Ultrastar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center.

“Snoopy Come Home:” In this 1972 animated comedy, Snoopy leaves his beloved Charlie Brown to visit his original owner Lila, who’s now fallen ill.

Screens at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 29, at Arclight La Jolla Cinemas.

“The Addams Family:” Raul Julia and Angelica Huston star as the parents of a gothic family trying to conform to modern-day life in this comedy film based on the TV show. Screens at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, October 2, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 15

MUSIC

Back and Forth

MK switched genres before finding his home in house music

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

A

s a child in suburban Detroit’s Oak Park, Marc Kinchen enjoyed disassembling and reassembling electronics.

That prompted him to pursue an architecture degree at Lawrence Technological University in Michigan, something he didn’t achieve. Instead, the DJ, producer and Area 10 label boss now known as MK joined Virgin Records’ roster.

“When I was growing up, I used to draw a lot and take things apart just to see how they worked,” Kinchen said. “Even in school, I was going for architecture. It was the creative blood in me.

“I put beats together and that all turned into music. I figured out how they put a song together, the same way you put a machine together.”

Responsible for creating some of the defining sounds and biggest tracks of early and contemporary house music, Kinchen continues to evolve as one of the most in-demand producers and DJs. His latest tracks “There for You” with Gorgon City and the summer hit “Body 2 Body” has racked up global streams in the millions.

Last year, Kinchen’s goldselling single “Back & Forth” peaked at No. 12 in the U.K. Top 40 Singles Chart and remains a mainstay on streaming playl-

MK, otherwise known as Marc Kinchen, studied architecture before landing a deal with Virgin. (Photo by Neil Favila)

ists. This was preceded by 2017’s “17,” Kinchen’s most successful career release, amassing just under 300 million Spotify streams.

Fans can hear those songs

16 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

when Kinchen plays CRSSD in San Diego on Sunday, September 29. This is Kinchen’s third time on the festival’s stage.

“I love playing CRSSD,” he

says. “Fans are going to hear a lot of new music. I’ve been playing in Europe mostly this summer. I’ve picked up some good tracks along the way. I’m looking forward to playing them.”

Kinchen’s music reared its head in the 1990s, and in the following decade he sharpened his R&B skills with the likes of Will Smith, Quincy Jones and Diane Warren. He also worked with Pitbull as a producer on 2010’s “Armando.” He also turned the knobs for the “Men in Black 3” theme, Pitbull’s “Back in Time.”

He returned to house music in 2007, and in 2013 his rework of Storm Queen’s “Look Right Through” scored a U.K. No. 1 on the singles chart. A year later, Kinchen’s remix of “My Head is a Jungle” by Wankelmut and Emma Louise was the Ibiza anthem of 2014.

He has also remixed Rudimental, Disclosure, Hot Natured, Lana Del Rey, Haim, Rihanna, Diplo, Tove Lo, Halsey, Mark Ronson, Elderbrook, Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith, Sigrid, Ellie Goulding and London Grammar.

Kinchen’s most recent hit is the gold-certified “Back & Forth,” which was a favorite at festivals and shows such as SW4, We Are FSTVL, Parklife, Amnesia, Pacha, Ushuaia, EDC, WHP, Tomorrowland and Creamfields.

Throughout his career, one person inspired him the most and it’s an unlikely choice.

“The person who has inspired me the most in my music

career, not in dance music, is Will Smith,” he says. “His energy and his popularity is intimidating, but you learn a lot from it. This is opposed to just a kid who’s making beats.

“I saw someone who was successful and shows that it’s obtainable. You see entertainers on TV and you feel like there’s no way you could be close to doing what that person does.

Sitting with him, though, he’s just another human like everyone else. I like him a lot. He’s not Jesus, but I feel like I can do bigger things.”

To accomplish bigger things, Kinchen needs to stay focused, he says. He’s been on the road since April, so he’s looking forward to going home and recording music in his new studio.

He can’t fight the loneliness of hotel rooms, so he prefers not to record with his laptop on the road.

“I can’t fall in love with it,” he said. “I can’t get the vibe.

You don’t have speakers or headphones. You’re alone and you don’t want to do it because you’re alone. The last thing I want to do is sit at a hotel desk on my laptop.”

CRSSD Festival

Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29 Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego Sold out | crssdfest.com

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC

BLACK

had me stripped down to half naked.

I tried yoga positions, involuntarily grunted like a female tennis player when, finally, a manager rapped at the door and asked if everything was OK. “We’ve heard reports of strange sounds coming from the bathroom.” With a quaking and feeble, clearly lying voice I said, “I’m fine.” I was looking at the clock. Getting anxious. Thinking how no one would doubt the genuineness of my sadness because I’d certainly look like the most emotionally distraught person in attendance. The most Alfred Howard thing I could possibly do in life would be to miss a room and there was a young woman my father’s memorial service that I drove practicing cello. That’s how I found out I four days to get to because I got stuck, had a sister. fecally challenged in a Burger King bathWithin 7 minutes of arriving at room in rural Virginia. Classic Alfred.

Goochland, I learned I had second older The knocking at the door rattled me and brother who no one had mentioned to I couldn’t perform under such circumme. This is on top of years earlier finding stances. The tortoise head retreated, I walked bowlegged out of the Burger King, drank a gallon of water and tried again and with the teary success of an Olympian I made it to the memorial service.

For a few hours I listened to stories about my father and they sounded like they were describing me. He was charismatic African-American birdwatching “Simpsons” fan with a penchant for driving across country, collecting vinyl and taking in nature, that’s basically my bio on social media.

He was a professor at University of Virginia and changed the course of The Jordanettes’ “Walk with Christ.” (Submitted) several lives along the way.

And though there were moments when I sat back and lamented out that I had an older brother in my the impact he could have had on my life favorite hip-hop group but if I get into had he been involved, I saw clearly the that I’ll spill over my 800-word allotimpact of blood, nature and nurture are ment for this article. This was Friday coauthors of the landscape of the soul. night and the memorial service was My father willed me his 45s, most of Saturday. Two hours before the service, which I had in my collection because Josh and I decided to get the oil changed our tastes were aligned. But after Josh and be prepared for the 2,700-mile drive and I drove 46 hours in a straight shot that awaited us. While Josh handled the caffeine arrow from Richmond, Virginia, oil, I decided to go to the bathroom in to San Diego, I started playing them on the adjacent Burger King. I haven’t eaten my turntable, knowing him further. The fast food since I moved to California 20 unfamiliar one that caught my ear was years ago today (literally) so I discretely The Jordanettes’ “Walk with Christ” on slithered unnoticed into the BK restChoice Records from Newark, New Jerroom. sey—ironically the town that I was born I had never been constipated before in. It was a slow stomp gospel number in my life. And I couldn’t have chosen about finality and redemption, course a worse time to have my inaugural afcorrection in search of virtue. The organ fliction. I can’t imagine that this was a was scorching in the front of the mix and normal occurrence because I’ve neither the voices were booming, graveled and wept nor screamed through this before. committed. As the last line of the song Though I’m new to wearing glasses, faded along with my will to be awake, the I’ve never had the fog up during a No. singer said, “I’m gonna give up my whole 2. I’ll try to describe what happened as life to walk with Christ.” Rest in peace poetically as I can. I was in the Burger father.

King for 40 minutes. The heat of it all

The

SPOTlight

GOLD

Rest in peace, father

I

got to know my father more at his memorial than I ever did in his life.

But it almost didn’t happen. My father was afraid of flying. And if you’re in one of those states that doesn’t believe in science, this story may at least prove the validity of genetics. I am also afraid of flying. Not so much a fear, I just believe that I will die on a plane and because I still find life enjoyable, I don’t test the accuracy of my prophecies. My father’s memorial was held in Goochland, Virginia, which sounds like a fictional town named after its famous bulldog mayor, “the Gooch.” I called one of my close friends and music collaborators, Josh Rice, and asked him if he’d help me drive to Virginia and lay my father to rest. Being a true-blue friend, he simply responded “gimme the dates.”

We took four days to cross. We took in the red rock canyons of Zion National Park. We climbed the Rockies to their snowcapped peaks. We breezed through the lightning-touched monotony of Kansas.

We hiked through the Smoky Mountains, drove by billboards for AR-15 assault rifles, super-sized mega churches, fast food that would make you loosen your Bible Belt and a confederate flag large as a middle-class home with a Trump 2020 sign in the bullseye center of it.

We saw a quick slideshow of America as we snacked on mixed nuts and soul food all across the south. Eighty-eight cents for a side of hush puppies with pickled tomatoes and a catfish po boy— sure why not. “When in Memphis” as they say.

When we arrived in Goochland, I began to meet my extended family. See, I met my father twice in my life. Enough to love him but never enough to know him. My father was a guarded man who kept compartmentalized lives from colliding. For instance, when we’d speak on the phone, he’d often have to cut the conversation short to “feed the little one.” I had met my dad at 21, so I often imagined the details I didn’t know. I wondered if this “little one” was a pug or if he was more of a border collie kind of man. It was years later when I met him a second time that he said, “You have to meet the little one” and I walked into @SDCITYBEAT

The Havnauts

Chance meeting led to The Havnauts’ ‘Gained Weight’ video

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

W

hen San Diego indie rockers The Havnauts ran into Derrick Acosta at Bar Pink, the chemistry was palpable.

The chance meeting led to the band’s new video “Gained Weight,” which San Diego CityBeat is premiering at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 25.

“We wouldn’t have made a music video at all had he not approached us,” says drummer Jenny Merullo.

“He’s a fantastic videographer and a great person. He has this wonderful energy and he did this all for us pro bono. We were really, really happy to work with him.”

Acosta storyboarded the video for the band, which also includes vocalist/ guitarist Shelbi Bennett, bassist Zak Kmak and guitarist Josh Smith.

“He sent us an email with minute to minute what we wanted to do, and it materialized from there,” she says.

The honest yet light-hearted song, penned by Kmak, is a favorite at The Havnauts’ shows.

“If you listen to the lyrics, it’s very personal,” she says. “It materialized so quickly. It’s always been one of ours and a fan favorite.”

In the “Gain Weight” video, the power is in the details. The Havnauts are playing in a tent made from the same material as their pants, which were created by Jasz Kuyate. The pizza is courtesy Mr. Moto Pizza House.

“We are on a budget,” Merullo says.

“Seriously, though, we’re about luck or whatever you want to call it. We feel very fortunate for the people we’ve met and worked with. We hope to do another video with him relatively soon.”

The Havnauts

Pour House Oceanside, 1903 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside, 9 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, September 28, pourhouseoceanside.com, free admission.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 17

MUSIC

Scotland’s Lewis Capaldi uses humor to diffuse perils of fame

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

L

ewis Capaldi offers what he calls honest expectations of his forthcoming show at House of Blues San Diego.

“Expect a slightly overweight Scottish man in his early 20s, sweating profusely, singing sad songs and doing his best to entertain a roomful of people,” he said.

Despite that, he’s become one of the most captivating personalities of 2019. He and Noel Gallagher, formerly of Oasis, have been embroiled in a war of words since the 52-year-old musician’s wife Sara MacDonald, who is from Edinburgh, compared Scotland to a “Third-World Country.”

Her husband called Capaldi “Chewbacca.”

Capaldi didn’t take it personally. At a show, he donned a T-shirt with Gallagher’s face inside a heart. This has gone on for months—and even include social media photos of Capaldi with Gallagher’s estranged brother, Liam. Noel’s daughter, Anais, tweeted she wanted to be Capaldi when she grew up.

The affable Capaldi laughs off questions and remarks about Oasis.

“That was priceless,” he said.

“It was all a good laugh from what I remember.”

Instead, he wants to focus on breaking his music in the United States. His ballad, “Someone You Loved” spent seven weeks at the top of the U.K. Singles Chart making it one of the longest No 1 singles in U.K. chart history.

“It’s genuinely confusing,”

Lewis Capaldi is focusing on bringing his music to the United States. (Photos by Alexandra Gavillet)

he said with a laugh. “I’m very happy about the success. I can move out of my mum and dad’s house at some point.

Mum doesn’t want to wash my

way to get through all this is to have a laugh and have fun.”

Capaldi is prolific nonetheless. He sets times to write songs, or else his music

about the success. I can move out “ofI’mmyverymumhappy and dad’s house at some point. Mum doesn’t want to wash my underwear anymore. I never expected to do this—and I’m being 100% honest. It’s been incredible to watch. It’s like I’m watching something happen to someone else. I think the best way to get through all this is to have a laugh and have fun.

– Lewis Capaldi

”

underwear anymore. I never expected to do this—and I’m being 100% honest. It’s been incredible to watch. It’s like I’m watching something happen to someone else. I think the best

18 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

wouldn’t be recorded.

“If I waited for inspiration to help me, I’d be waiting a long time,” he says. “I’m a lazy bastard—for real. I always try to sit down at the piano and

write a song here and there. If inspiration happens, I can write a song in a half hour. Other times, I sit at the piano for five hours and question everything and envision my life. I just want to pack it all in and go work as a fisherman somewhere.”

There is a serious side to Capaldi. He recently released a special version of the “Someone You Loved” video that heightens awareness of the need for organ donors and stars Capaldi’s distant cousin, Peter Capaldi, who portrayed the 12th Doctor in the British TV show “Dr. Who.” “Someone You Loved” is from Capaldi’s debut album, “Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent,” which is the fastest-selling U.K. debut of 2019 with 90,000 albums sold in the first week.

“I don’t think it’s fate, though,” he says. “Fate is,

perhaps, overrated. If I hadn’t actively worked, I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now. I always try and I always push.

“I would be lying to you, though, if I said I don’t feel pressure for my next album. It’s one of those things where I write the best songs I can write. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. I just try my best to write songs I enjoy and I’m happy with. It’s all about pressure. If you put pressure on a grape, you’d crush it.”

Lewis Capaldi w/Saint Phnx 7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 27 House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Avenue, San Diego ticketmaster.com

@SDCITYBEAT

@SDCITYBEAT

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 19

MUSIC

CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!

SG Lewis (Music Box, 9/28), Crooked Colours (Music Box, 9/29), Vinyl Junkies Record Swap (Casbah, 10/5), Badflower (Music Box, 10/14), Bloom. (Soda Bar, 10/16), GRLwood (Soda Bar, 10/20), Pruitt Igoe (Casbah, 10/21), Cold (Brick by Brick, 10/31), Old Man Wizard (Soda Bar, 10/31), Suffocation & Belphegor (Brick by Brick, 11/2), Jacky Vincent (Brick by Brick, 11/12), Meg Myers (Music Box, 11/20), Whitey Morgan (Observatory, 11/22), Kottonmouth Kings (Brick by Brick, 11/24), Ensiferum (Brick by Brick, 11/30), Souly Had (HOB, 12/1), The Make-Up (Casbah, 12/3), Pete Yorn (BUT, 12/10), Phantom Planet (HOB, 12/21), Lucky Chops (Casbah, 2/8), Thrice (Observatory, 2/25), Ezra Furman (Casbah, 2/26), A Bowie Celebration (BUT, 3/7).

ALL SOLD OUT

Pink Sweat$ (Music Box, 9/27), Girl in Red (House Of Blues, 9/27), The Movement (BUT, 9/27), Anderson East (BUT, 9/28), Madeleine Peyroux (BUT, 9/29), Still Woozy (Music Box, 9/30), MXMTOON (HOB, 10/2), Obituary (Brick by Brick, 10/3), Marc Broussard (BUT, 10/5), Cigarettes After Sex (Observatory, 10/5), Jonas Brothers (Pechanga Arena, 10/7), Morcheeba (BUT, 10/13), Tyler Childers (Observatory, 10/15), Caamp (BUT, 10/19), DEAN (Brick by Brick, 10/20), The Story So Far (Observatory, 10/24), Black Pumas (Soda Bar, 10/25), Two Door Cinema Club (Observatory, 11/8), Built To Spill (Casbah, 11/14), Adam Carolla (BUT, 12/1), Thievery Corporation (BUT, 12/12), Stick Figure (BUT, 12/27-28).

CANCELED

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

Death (Soda Bar, 11/6), Goblin (Brick by Brick, 11/14).

GET YER TICKETS

Charli XCX (HOB, 9/28), Peter Frampton (Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU, 10/2), Morrissey (Pechanga, 10/6)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), Cold War Kids (Observatory, 11/15), The Maine (Observatory, 11/29), Aly & AJ (BUT, 12/8), King Princess (Observatory, 1/28).

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Wax Tailor at Music Box. Barns Courtney at House Of Blues. Steve Bradley at The Casbah.

Jesse Palter at Soda Bar. Steely Dan at Humphreys.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 UB50 at Petco Park. Hocico at Brick by Brick. !!! at Belly Up Tavern. Flatfoot 56 at The Casbah. Sweet Tooth at Soda Bar. The Early November at House of Blues.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Titus Andronicus at Soda Bar. Bombay Bicycle Club at Observatory North Park. Don Broco at SOMA. Lewis Capaldi at House Of Blues. Half Moon Run at The Casbah. Camila at Pechanga.

The Australian Pink Floyd Show at Humphreys.

Vein at Ché Café Collective. Alejandro Sanz at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 o e ore at usic Box. Soul y at Bric by Brick. Elektric Voodoo at Soda Bar. Drug Hunt at The Casbah. blink-182 at San Diego Convention Center. Charli XCX at House Of Blues. Madeon at Petco Park. Stevie B at Pechanga. Bob James at Humphreys. Eli &

20 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

Fur at Waterfront Park. Stolen Jar at Ché Café Collective. Chalk Talk at SOMA. CRSSD Festival at Waterfront Park.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Revocation at Brick by Brick. Sean James Murphy at Soda Bar. Pink Eye at The Casbah.

CRSSD Festival at Waterfront Park. Mana at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Greta Van Fleet at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU. India.Arie at Humphreys.

Marianas Trench at House of Blues. Small Talk at Ché Café Collective.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 TWRP at The Casbah. Kayo Dot at SPACE. Swell Spells at Soda Bar. Tegan & Sara at Balboa Theatre. All That Remains at House of Blues.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 Reignwolf at The Casbah. Mercury Rev & Beth Orton at Belly Up Tavern. Tank & the Bangas at Music Box. PnB Rock at House of Blues.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 Stiff Little Fingers at House Of Blues.

Ziggy Alberts at Belly Up Tavern. Avatar at Observatory North Park. Grieves at Soda Bar. Psyclon Nine at Brick by Brick. Sully at Music Box. State to State at The Casbah. BANKS at SOMA. Peter Frampton at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU. Chick Corea at Balboa Theatre.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 Fruit Bats at The Casbah. Big K.R.I.T. at House of Blues. Hayes Carll at Belly Up Tavern. Nikki Lane at Soda Bar. Berner at Music Box. Earth Groans at SPACE. Ingrid Michaelson at Observatory North Park. Vampire Weekend at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatret at SDSU. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 Hiss Golden Messenger at The Casbah.

Beyond Creation at Brick by Brick. Starcrawler

at The Irenic. Okilly Dokilly at Soda Bar. The Pettybreakers at Music Box. Iron & Wine at Humphreys. Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers at House of Blues. The Motet at Belly Up Tavern.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 Grandmaster Flash at California Center for the Arts. Futuristic at Soda Bar. Fleetwood Mac vs Abba at Music Box. Westcoast Podcast Expo at Music Box. Vinyl Junkies Record Swap at The Casbah. Angela & Airwaves at House of Blues.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 Marc Broussard at Belly Up Tavern. Big Mountain at Music Box. Vivian Girls at Observatory North Park. Dwarves at Soda Bar. The Living End at Brick by Brick. Morrissey at Pechanga. Bad Religion at SOMA. Billy Currington at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 Starset at House Of Blues. Son Volt at Belly Up Tavern. IDLES at Observatory North Park.

SOURCE at Soda Bar. 1Take Jay at Music Box. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8 Jon McLaughlin at Music Box. Black Lips at The Casbah. Bit Brigade at Brick by Brick.

Deaf Club at Soda Bar. Van Morrison at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Michael McDonald at California Center for the Arts. JJ Grey at Belly Up Tavern.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 Dodie at House Of Blues. Dropkick Murphys at Park At The Park. The Parlor Mob at The Casbah. Skarhead at Soda Bar. Cass McCombs at Music Box. WAR at Belly Up Tavern. Stone Temple Pilots at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 Immolation at Brick By Brick. Too Many Zooz at Belly Up Tavern. Crumb at Music Box. The HU at Observatory North Park. Swervedriver

at The Casbah. Nebula Drag at Soda Bar. Live at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 Logic at Viejas Arena at SDSU. Little Hurricane at Music Box. Led Zepagain at Belly Up Tavern. The Japanese House at Observatory North Park. Lana Del Rey at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Kllo at Soda Bar. The Schizophonics at The Casbah.

Contortion at Brick by Brick. Logic at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl. Power Alone at Ché Café Collective.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 The Waterboys at Observatory North Park.

Carlos ivera at ouse of Blues. or at usic Box. Tinariwen at Belly Up Tavern. El Ten Eleven at The Casbah. Mothership at Brick

by Brick. Death Cab for Karaoke at Soda Bar. The Glitch Mob at Petco Park. Patton Oswalt at California Center for the Arts. Zack Fox at SOMA. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 J Balvin at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Kishi Bashi at Music Box. Disentomb at Brick By Brick. Collie Buddz at Observatory North Park. Brick + Mortar at Soda Bar. Bastille at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU. Lila Downs at Balboa Theatre. Mayday at SOMA. The Backseat Lovers at Ché Café Collective.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14 UFO at House Of Blues. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears at The Casbah. Wurve at Soda Bar. Bad ower at usic Box. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15 Ride at House Of Blues. Godsmack at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes at The Casbah.

See

CONCERTS on page 22

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC

CLUBS 710 Beach Club, 710 arnet ve., Pacific Beach. Fri: Redwoods Revue. Sat: Paradise Kitty, Alice Insane.

Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘#HipHopWeds.’ Thu: ‘SUBdrip.’ Fri: ‘House Music Fridays.’ Sat: DJ Fingaz. Sun: DJ Pinkie. Mon: ‘Organized Grime.’ Tue: Ginger Lou. American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Nick Thune. Fri: Nick Thune.

Sat: Nick Thune. Tue: Open Mic. The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Wed: Karaoke. Fri: Off the Rails, The Dead End, The Writhers, DAB, Tim Frog. Sat: Supersonic Dragon Wagon, Mezzoa, Dalis Llama. Sun: Emerald Bay, Subtlety, Enso Anima, Amaya Lights, The Brain Ghosts. Mon: Trivia. Tue: Karaoke.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St., Downtown. Thu: James Zabiela. Fri: Fred Falke, Todd Edwards.

Sat: Michael Bibi. Sun: Anna Lunoe.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., North Park. Wed: Rock Lotto. Thu: ‘Dias de Los Muertos Fashion Show.’ Fri: DJ Camilla Robina, Nastea. Sat: DJ Dunekat. Sun: DJ Ratty. Mon: Bassics, Swagger, Cromms.

Beaumont’s, 5665 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla.

Thu: Dude Cervantes. Fri: Off Shore Drift. Sat: Bonneville 7.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

Thu: !!!, Sinkane, The Mad Alchemy Light Show. Fri The ovement, Bong, lific sold out). Sat: Anderson East, Malachi Henry & the

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Lights. Sun: Madeleine Peyroux (sold out).

Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., City Heights. Fri: King Whisker, Bummer Dreams, Skerfunk.

Blonde, 1808 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. Wed: ‘Dance Klassique.’ Thu: Jaksan.

Fri: ‘Just Can’t Get Enough.’ Sat: ‘Just Like Heaven: ‘80s New Wave Nite.’ Sun: Alpha Apex, Osmium619, Outrageous Behavior. Tue: ‘Techit Easy.’

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave., Carlsbad. Sat: Big Dude.

Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., Bay Park.

Thu ocico, aex. Sat Soul y, ncite, Prison, Arrival of Autumn, Warpath. Sun: Revocation, Voivod, Psycroptic, Skeletal Remains, Conjurer.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown.

Wed: Steven Bradley, Richard Lloyd, The Slashes. Thu: Flatfoot 56, Hoist the Colors, The Petty Saints. Fri: Half Moon Run, Tim Baker. Sat: Drug Hunt, Wild Wild Wets, Doc Hammer, Spooky Cigarette, Sixes, Los Pinche Pinches. Sun: Pink Eye, Belladon, Heather Nation, Honey Child. Mon: TWRP, Rich Aucoin. Tue: Reignwolf, Creepseed.

Che Cafe, 1000 Scholars Drive S, La Jolla.

Fri: VEIN, Soft Kill, Higher Power, Dead Heat.

Sat: Stolen Jars, The Rinds, Los Tripsters, Underground Lounge. Sun: Suburban Park, Lost Dakota, Rain on Fridays, Small Talk, Ending Left, Dean Decay, Sully.

Dizzy›s, Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. Fri: The Robin Henkel Band, Horns. Sat: The Joshua White Trio.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown. Thu: ‘Take Over Thursdays.’ Fri: Talespin, Tony Tone. Sun: ‘Reggae Sundays.’

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave., Downtown. Fri: Jae Murphy. Sun: J Alvarez.

The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave. Wed: Marvin’s Garden, Sickstring Outlaws.

Thu: ‘Purple People Palooza.’ Fri: The Fooks.

Sat: Faux Fighters, Nirvana Mania. Sun: OFIER. Mon: Karaoke. Tue: ‘Reggae Tuesdaze.’

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown.

Wed: Barns Courtney. Thu: The Early November. Fri: Lewis Capaldi. Sat: Charli XCX. Sun: Marianas Trench. Mon: All That Remains, Lacuna Coil. Tue: PnB Rock, NoCap. Humphreys Backstage, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. Wed: Clapton Hook.

Thu: The Surf Birdz. Fri: Beta Maxx. Sat: Wildside. Sun: Jason Brown. Mon: Sue Palmer. Tue: Chris Fast Band.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., Midtown.

Fri: IDontKnowJeffery, Thom Genius, Jey Pearson, B.Nice. Sun: Ninjoi, Eureka the Butcher, Frythm, Gabonano, Jordnmoody, Unthotof, Tall, Drk, Al3jxndro, Saya.

Lestat›s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Thu: ‘Banned Books Reading.’ Fri: Matt Jaffe, Dazee. Sat: Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra. Mon: Open Mic. Tue: ‘Comedy Night.’

Mc P›s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave., Coronado. Wed: Jerry Gontang. Thu: JG Duo. Fri: Ron’s Garage. Sat: Misty & the Moby.

Sun: Traxx.

Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: ‘Sinatra Night.’ Thu: Niki Haris.

Fri: Janet Hammer, Rhythm Express. Sat: Rayme Sciaroni, Peter Kalivas. Sun: Keep It on the DL. Mon: Mark MacKillop.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest.

Thu: Toward Space, Slay Dean, Dream Burglar. Sat: The Goddamn Gallows, Scott H., Biram, Urban Pioneers, Sam Hell.

Mother’s Saloon, 2228 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Tue: Trivia.

Mr. Peabody’s, 136 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas.

Fri: Bonneville 7. Sat: Resurrection Radio.

Sun: ‘Jazz Jam.’ Mon: Open Mic. Tue: Karaoke.

Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy. Wed: Wax Tailor. Fri: Pink Sweat$, PJ. Sat: SG Lewis. Sun: Crooked Colours. Mon: Still Woozy, Remi Wolf (sold out). Tue: Tank & the Bangas, Adia Victoria.

The Office, 3936 30th St., North Park. Wed: ‘Drip Trop.’ Fri: ‘Factory.’ Tue: ‘Night Shift.’

OMNIA Nightclub, 454 Sixth Ave., Downtown.

Fri ryffin. Sat atoma.

Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park.

Wed: ‘The Wednesday Jam Session.’ Thu: Robin Henkel Jazz Quartet. Fri: Ypsitucky. Sat: Mochilero Allstars. Sun: Dave Gleason Trio.

Parq, 615 Broadway, Downtown. Sat: Justin Credible.

Pour House, 1903 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside. Wed: Open Mic. Fri: Dead on the Wire. Sat: Grimm’s Law. Sun: Shane Hall.

Mon: Trivia.

Proud Mary’s, 5550 Kearny Mesa Road, Kearny Mesa. Wed: Fred Heath. Thu: Tomcat Courtney. Fri: Manzanita Blues. Sat: Nathan Rivera.

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

Rich›s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest. Wed:

‘Mischief.’ Thu: ‘#LEZ.’ Fri: ‘Electro-Pop.’ Sat: ‘Fuel.’ Sun: ‘Discoteka.’

Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz.’ Thu: Todd Goodnough. Fri: Rosa’s Cantina. Sat: The Sleepwalkers. Tue: ‘The Works Jam.’ Rosie O’Gradys, 3402 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Gaby Aparicio. Thu: DJ Dougie.

Fri: The Soulside Players. Sat: Goldetts, Chloe Lou & the Liddells. Mon: ‘Jazz Jam.’ Tue: ‘Adams Gone Funky.’

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights.

Wed: Jesse Palter, Veronica May, The Spiritual Motels. Thu: Sweet Tooth, The Rightovers, Blacks Beach Boys. Fri: Titus Andronicus.

Sat: Electric Voodoo, KWN. Sun: Sean James Murphy, Swimming in Circles, The Liquorsmiths. Mon: Swell Spells, Virtue Signal, Papach.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway. Fri: Don Bronco, The Aquadolls, Trash Boat, Sleep n t, Selfish Things. Sat Chal Tal , Fa es, Sideyard, HomeBase, Suburban Park, Okay, Whatever. Tue: BANKS, Kevin Garrett.

SPACE, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights.

Wed: ‘Make Yourself at Home.’ Thu: KidWonder, Peterdactyl, Stevie Ortega. Fri: Western Settings, Modern Love, The Industry.

Sat: ‘Transmission: ‘80s New Wave Dance Night.’ Sun: ‘Pocari Sweat.’ Mon: Kayo Dot. Spin, 2028 Hancock St., Midtown. Fri: Brennen Grey, Julia Govor, Lee K. Sat: Rebuke, BEC. Sun: Julian Jeweil, Jay Lumen, Anastasia Kristensen.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Paul Gregg. Thu: ‘Burlesque Boogie Nights.’ Tue: Trivia.

See

CLUBS on page 22

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 21

MUSIC

CONCERTS

from page 20

Caracara at Soda Bar. The Obsessives at Ché Café Collective.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 The Who at Viejas Arena. Surf Curse at Observatory North Park. Battle of the Bands at Music Box. The Side Deal at Belly Up Tavern.

Bloom. at Soda Bar. The Beach Boys at Humphreys. The Atom Age at The Casbah.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 Judah & The Lion at Observatory North Park.

Lost Frequencies at Music Box. Joseph Arthur at Soda Bar. Birdy Bardot at The Casbah. The Beach Boys at Humphreys. Faim at SOMA. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 The Rocket Summer at Soda Bar. Chelsea Wolfe at Observatory North Park. Joseph at Belly Up Tavern. Neon Indian at Music Box. Ty Dolla $ign at Viejas Arena. Sum 41 at SOMA. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 Lucero at Music Box. Senses Fail at House Of Blues. Maribou State at Observatory North Park. The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band at The Casbah. Alien Weaponry at Soda Bar. Bring Me The Horizon at Viejas Arena at SDSU. Havok at Brick by Brick. Tyler, The Creator at Pechanga. Kurt Elling at San Diego Symphony.

Taimane at California Center for the Arts.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 Dean Lewis at House Of Blues. Santo at The Casbah. Monster Movies For Music at Observatory North Park. GRLwood at Soda Bar. Boots in the Park at Waterfront Park.

Gus Dapperton at SOMA. Suzanne Santo at Casbah. Peter Mayer at Belly Up Tavern.

22 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 Mushroomhead at Brick by Brick. Pruitt Igoe at The Casbah.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 Todrick at House Of Blues. Mephiskapheles at The Casbah. The Speed of Sound in Seawater at Soda Bar. GRiZ at Observatory North Park.

Cavetown at Music Box. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23 Off With Their Heads at The Casbah. Danny Brown at Music Box. Caravan Palace at Observatory North Park. Subhumans at SOMA. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 Andrew Bird at House of Blues. Al Jardine at Belly Up Tavern. Sean Hayes at The Casbah.

Dreamers at The Irenic. Half Pint at Belly Up Tavern. Lizzo at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. For King and Country at Viejas Arena. Maldita Vecindad at Balboa Theatre.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 The Weeks at The Irenic. Rocket from the Crypt at House of Blues. Death Valley Girls at House Of Blues. Peelander-Z The Merrow. The Story So Far at Observatory North Park.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 Hozier at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Hepcat at Music Box. (Sandy) Alex G at The Irenic. Love Revisited at The Casbah.

Agnostic Front at Soda Bar. Heartbones at The Merrow. Our Second Home at Brick by Brick.

Devendra Banhart at Observatory North Park.

Rich Brain at SOMA. Benise at Balboa Theatre.

Con at Ché Café Collective.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 Lukas Graham at House Of Blues. Night Club at Brick By Brick. EyeHateGod at The Casbah.

Face to Face at Observatory North Park. Cory Wong at Music Box. Ra Ra Riot at Belly Up Tavern. Cherry Glazerr at SOMA.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 Lucy Dacus at Belly Up Tavern. Saintseneca at Soda Bar. Chameleons Vox at The Casbah.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29 Sara Bareilles at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Michale Graves at Brick By Brick.

Todd Snider at Belly Up Tavern. Justin Townes Earle at The Casbah. Steve Lacy at Observatory North Park. Skizzy Mars at Music Box. Last Dinosaurs at SOMA. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30 OK Go at California Center for the Arts. Gramatik at Observatory North Park. The Spill Canvas at Soda Bar. Easy Wind at Belly Up Tavern.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 The Adicts at House Of Blues. TR/ST at Observatory North Park. Dirtwire at Music Box. ‘80s Heat at Belly Up Tavern. Cold at Brick by Brick. Old Man Wizard at Soda Bar. Acid Tongue at Ché Café Collective.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Kikagaku Moyo at Music Box. Dinosaur Jr. at Observatory North Park. Kero Kero Bonito at Belly Up Tavern. Wovenhand at Brick by Bric . Shoreline afia at S . on Pardi at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Mike Watt & the Missingmen at Casbah.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Noah Kahan at House Of Blues. Black Mountain at The Casbah. Through the Roots at Music Box. The Spazmatics at Belly Up Tavern.

Suffocation & Belphegor at Brick by Brick.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Whitney at Observatory North Park. Matt Heckler at Soda Bar. Guerilla Toss at The Casbah. Mac Ayres at Music Box. Electric Guest at The Irenic. Aaron Neville at Belly Up Tavern.

CLUBS

from page 21

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: Eagle Claw, Vedic, Liquid Squid.

Thu: ‘Up All Night Thursdaze.’ Fri: Harrington Saints, The Widows, No Reptile, Spaztix. Sat: Contortion, Lost Dakota, Enzo Anima, Subtlety.

Sun: ‘Pants Karaoke.’ Mon: ‘Groovin.’

Tin Roof, 401 G St., Downtown. Wed: ‘The Corner.’ Thu: Corey Gray & Jake Coco. Fri: ‘’90s Dance Party.’ Sat: Erick Tyler & the Vibe.

Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Lucky Devils Band.

Tio Leo›s, 5302 Napa St., Bay Park. Wed: Blue Largo. Thu: The Rockin’ Aces. Fri: Abby Girl & the Real Deal, Pachuco Jose y Los Diamantes.

Sat: Dennis Jones Band. Mon: ‘Sexy Salsa & Sensual Bachata.’ Tue: Sue Palmer.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., City Heights.

Thu: Cash’d Out. Fri: The Touchies, Broken Patron Saints, Masteria, Rodents of Unusual Size. Sat: Shattered Faith, The Crowd, The Vulturas, Transistor.

U-31, 3112 University Ave., North Park. Thu: ‘BoomBox Thursdays.’ Sun: ‘Live Reggae.’

Mon: ‘#31 Flavors.’

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park. Wed: Beth Stelling, Paige Weldon. Thu: ‘VAMP: Night of Storytelling.’ Fri: Blessure Grave. Sat: ‘Booty Bassment.’ Mon: ‘Electric Relaxation.’

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Wed: ‘Club Kingston.’ Thu: The Sweet Lillies, Ryan Bloom. Fri: Brian Jones Rock N Roll Revival, Mango Habanero. Sat: Ron Blair, The Chris Torres Band. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: Carbon Leaf.

@SDCITYBEAT

IN THE BACK

Cannabitch

Not all fun and games

By Jackie Bryant

T

here can be no doubt that the early days of recreational legalization in California and other states is a very exciting time. Easily lost in the shuffle, however, are those who still languish in jail for cannabis-related offenses or who have had their post-incarceration livelihoods affected by criminal records related to cannabis offenses.

Though historically, there has been a strong and decently successful effort made by cannabis activists to include these legal and social issues in cannabis activism, there is still a long way to go before any kind of justice is to be served.

One of those efforts includes the second National Expunge-

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ment Week (N.E.W.), which takes place in 29 cities across the United States from September 21 to September 28. The first was held in October 2018 and took place in 15 cities. N.E.W. is led by a coalition of more than three dozen organizations representing the cannabis industry and other interests concerning racial equity and reparative justice. The week includes events that offer expungement and other forms of legal relief to some of the 77 million Americans with all kinds of convictions on their records. These convictions can restrict access to housing, employment, education, public assistance, and voting rights long after sentences have been served.

These events are particularly important for a number of reasons. Firstly, they heighten

awareness and visibility regarding expungement, a serious social justice problem that many Americans are paying attention to. Secondly, they provide tangible, actionable legal and social aid to many who don’t have access to such services normally because they can’t afford it, don’t know they need it or otherwise.

Another benefit is the federalized nature of the events— they are localized, depending on which state they take place in, to provide tailored help to recipients. Expungement, record sealing and other post-conviction laws differ greatly from stateto-state and sometimes even from county-to-county. But, in general, many misdemeanors and low-level felonies are eligible for some kind of relief.

Many people don’t even know

they are eligible.

N.E.W. is not just specific to the cannabis industry. Activists will advise and help anyone with a criminal record inquiring about what kind of relief they may or may not be able to receive. But because of cannabis’ precarious legal status across the country and the dichotomy that still exists between legalization and prohibition, cannabis activists have taken expungement and other post-conviction issues on as their own.

In San Diego County, N.E.W. events take place in San Marcos, at the CSU-San Marcos campus.

While these events are meant to have real-life, tangible results, there is also a strong educational component attached to them.

Those who miss out don’t have to wait to look into post-convic-

tion relief. There are resources available at offtherecord.us/toolkit, which provides a blueprint and tools for hosting an expungement event. Those looking for direct legal aid can contact Equity First Alliance to link up with an attorney who has agreed to work with the organization.

There is a long way to go before the effects of both legalization and prohibition are fully realized. When it comes to social justice, both the government and the cannabis industry have a long way to go when it comes to cannabis-related convictions, but efforts like National Expungement Week are a good first step to ensuring any kind of future equality for those who choose to toke up freely and those who have been unfairly punished for doing so.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 23

24 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

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