San Diego CityBeat • Oct 23, 2019

OCTOBER 23, 2019 • SDCITYBEAT.COM • FREE

‘it’s getting ugly’ Antonio Jaramillo is secretive about ‘Mayans M.C.’

THE WORLD FARE/EMPANADA CHICKEN (P.6) | ‘THE LIGHTHOUSE’ (P.11) | HOZIER (P. 18)

2 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

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EDITOR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ART DIRECTOR Christy Byerly CONTRIBUTORS Karen Barnett Jackie Bryant David L. Coddon Samantha Fuoco Michael A. Gardiner Sara Harmatz Glenn Heath Jr. John Lamb Taylor O’Connor Alan Sculley Octavio Serrano L. Kent Wolgamott EDITORIAL INTERN Mary Pat Abruzzo PRODUCTION MANAGER Tristan Whitehouse ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Steven Persitza

FEATURE

Volume 18 • Issue 4

13

ANTONIO JARAMILLO IS SECRETIVE

FOOD & DRINK

MUSIC

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jason Noble

7

PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine

Wort Mentioning

VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Interested in advertising?

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The advertising deadline is 5 p.m. every Friday for the following week’s issue.

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18 THE WORLD FARE

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.

Spin Cycle_________________ 5 Wort Mentioning ������������7 Calendar of Events ����������9 World Fare_________________ 6 Top 15 ��������������������8 Theater �������������������10

ARTS & CULTURE

IN THE BACK

11

FILM

10

Hozier

23

CannaBitch

theater

Film ��������������������������������� 11 Antonio Jaramillo of “Mayans M.C.” �������� 13

ON THE COVER:

Lukas Graham ������������������������� 16 Concerts & Clubs ������� 20-22 Todd Snider ��������������������������� 17 Cannabitch ��������������� 23

Antonio Jaramillo, photo by Jason Willheim

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OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 3

4 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

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UP FRONT | SPIN CYCLE

SPINCYCLE

Who’s minding the SROs?

Councilwoman Bry blasts ‘disgusting’ vacation-rental shift

By John R. Lamb

“The sky’s the limit if you have a roof over your head.”

D

-- Sol Hurok

uring last week’s deliberations about San Diego’s latest plan to address homelessness, Councilwoman Barbara Bry unleashed on a littlediscussed wrinkle in the city’s ongoing affordable-housing saga.

Bry, also a 2020 mayoral candidate, told her City Council colleagues that she appreciated the “data-driven approach” of the new “Community Action Plan on Homelessness,” a 10year, $1.9 billion proposal to build 5,400 new housing units, add hundreds of shelter beds and improve services. She was also encouraged that the newest ambitious plan “acknowledges the importance of addressing substance abuse and mentalhealth issues,” and urged county officials to step up their efforts.

She then turned to housing, focusing first on the “16,000 homes being used as short-term vacation rentals,” which remain technically illegal in San Diego while city leaders, principally termed-out Mayor Kevin Faulconer, continue to dither with laws governing them. “If our mayor would simply enforce the law, we could bring a number of housing units back into the market,” Bry lamented.

But Bry reserved her greatest scorn for something she had just learned about the week before, and a trend that housing officials say has caught them by surprise.

“Last week, we actually found an SRO that is being advertised on Airbnb,” she said. “We found one. We think there are others, and this is enormously distressing.”

Her anger seemed to build as she continued: “These units were not built to be Airbnb visitor accommodations. They were built for San Diegans for the long

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term…And as we Diego needs to all know, nearly do a better job 9,000 SRO units tracking the were demolished housing for its in the last decade. most vulnerable And now that citizens. (The they’re being newly unveiled used as visitor 63-page plan accommodations, mentions SROs it’s actually only in passing, disgusting.” including a single Spin checked proposed action in with her office to “identify SRO to see which SRO properties for (single-roompreservation.”) occupancy) The list of establishment SROs that the San she was referring Diego Housing to, and her Commission spokesperson relies on hasn’t replied with an been updated Airbnb link to since early the Chadwick 2016. And while Manor on A DeWitt insists Street downtown, that commission just a stone’s officials “do throw from the plan to update swank Symphony it regularly,” Towers and the compiling the Connections initial list was, as Housing she described it, Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Barbara Bry isn’t pleased with local “a big, Herculean homelessSROs that cater to short-term vacationers rather than the city’s most services effort.” vulnerable population. (Photoshop by John R. Lamb) partnership at Spin spent the old World an evening Chadwick’s rooms to short-term Trade Center. going through the Housing vacation rentals, Bill referred “If you are looking for a Commission’s inventory list of Spin to another manager, who downtown space for your stay 90 SRO properties to see if any did not respond to numerous in SD, STOP looking, this is were being advertised on shortphone messages. the place for you!” the Airbnb Wendy DeWitt, vice president term-vacation-rental platforms listing proclaims for a $55-perand discovered a total of four, of policy for the San Diego night studio. “Your one-of-aincluding the Chadwick.

Housing Commission, said the kind private cozy place is full of One, the Wilsonian Hotel, a agency was aware of the situation details to make memories that historic downtown apartment at the Chadwick, but declined will last for years.” building on Second Avenue, was to provide any specifics. “It’s The “superhost” for the promoting a third-floor unit for sort of a new phenomenon. Our accommodations, a pleasant $109 a night. In July, the host legal counsel is involved in it,” chap named Bill, told Spin noted that “this is a new property she explained. “Our method of that 30 of the 42 units at the for us to rent to vacationers.” enforcement is typically a ceaseChadwick were now available as The other two, the Hillcrest and-desist type of letter.” short-term vacation rentals and Inn on Fifth Avenue and the DeWitt said she heard about have been “I think for two years.” Bry’s comments and has seen Hawthorne Historic Inn in He said the remaining 12 Bankers Hill on First Avenue, pictures of the Chadwick rooms units are rented to longer-term advertise a handful of units on advertised on Airbnb. “It looks tenants and range in price the short-term platforms. pretty nice in there,” she said. from $600 to $1,040 a month, “First and foremost, we’re a She did push back against including some with private hotel, OK?” said Kevin Sneed, Bry’s demolition numbers, bathrooms. But when asked who’s managed the Hillcrest saying the number is closer to what motivated the decision to Inn for seven years. “We don’t 3,000 SRO units lost. Numerical convert three-quarters of the advertise ourselves as an SRO spats aside, what’s clear is San

whatsoever, even though we might technically be one.”

Sneed said when he arrived from Cleveland to take over managing the hotel, “this place resembled more like a mental institution than a hotel.” Now, the inn rents only to tenants staying a minimum of 30 days, even for Airbnb clients.

Those include military folks in transition, traveling nurses and “people looking for permanent housing who need something temporary.”

Stephen Parker, who’s owned the Hawthorn Historic Inn with his ex-wife, Michelle, since 2016, shared a similar experience but noted that the four or five units he promotes on shortterm platforms at $85 to $95 a night allows them to keep from radically raising rents on the building’s longer-term tenants.

He estimated they’ve raised rents $50 over those three years, “but we haven’t evicted anybody.

And Airbnb is not so wonderful.

It’s very seasonal.” He thinks Bry may be overreacting, adding, “We’d much rather rent to a nurse and not have to hassle with people coming in and out all the time.”

A city ordinance, adopted in 2000, requires property owners’ intent on demolishing or converting any SRO units to replace those lost units and pay long-term tenants a relocation fee. Parker said he was not aware of those rules, but added, “Everybody feels good when they can point a finger at someone, but it’s not going to fix the problem. Mental health is the issue. And if you put a mentally ill person in an apartment, they’re still mentally ill.”

“If Barbary Bry thinks this is disgusting,” Parker added, she should work to cut the red tape on housing for the mentally ill.

“We’ve just neglected them as a society.”

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

OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 5

UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK

Excellent Empanadas Downtown Proteins wrapped in dough and cooked the Argentinian way

By Michael A. Gardiner

E

very country run by Spain has its own version of empanadas. From Argentina to Belize and Chile to even the Philippines, this ubiquitous class of hand pies featuring tasty morsels wrapped in dough are not just part of the cuisine but highlights. There’s nowhere on the rock, though, where empanadas are more central, more prototypical and more brilliant than Argentina. Perhaps the best place in San Diego to taste that is Empanada Kitchen (819 C Street) on the edge of Downtown.

The empanada’s roots lie in Galicia in Spain’s Northwest.

Instead of a single-serving hand pie, Gallegan empanadas

are large, two-crust affairs traditionally baked in a round or rectangular plate. The yeasted dough exterior holds fillings, usually including onions and sweet peppers along with seafood or chicken.

Unlike the original Gallegan model, Latin American empanadas are single-serving hand pies; some fried, others baked. Some use wheat-based doughs, others use yuca, plantain or corn flour, and fats vary from country to country. Argentina’s versions are made with a yeastless, wheat-based dough and are baked with crimped edges (often elaborately so) and a nearly infinite variety of fillings (sweet or savory).

Empanada Kitchen’s offerings are true to the Argentine style. They offer nine

The lamb empanada, left, was hands down the best, as it’s slow braised in red wine with onions, carrots and rosemary. The vegetables in the veggie ratatouille empanada, center, were overcooked and under salted. The beef version, right, was unfortunately dry. (Photos by

daily empanadas (ranging from highly carnivorous to vegan) plus a daily special. The shape and crimping on the edges of each style of empanada are unique. Pictorial cards help the diner identify which crimping corresponds to which style.

Hands down their best empanada was the lamb. It’s slow braised in red wine with onions, carrots and rosemary.

The result is unbelievably tender with deep lamb flavor that’s highlighted and given definition by the rosemary and the aromatics. Nearly as good was the sweet corn, basil and mozzarella bound by a béchamel sauce. It had a luxurious feel with the corn and basil hitting totally different sweet notes.

I was excited for the ratatouille empanada but

ended up disappointed. The vegetables themselves were overcooked (a personal bugaboo) and under salted.

The beef version—Argentina’s most famous empanada—also underwhelmed, largely on account of the dryness of the beef.

But, frankly, these were the only two empanadas I tried that were anything less than excellent. The ham and cheese version is usually my favorite Argentine empanada. It’s a classic flavor combination and the flaky baked crust was the perfect frame. On one trip I had a broccoli and bacon empanada, hardly a classic. It could easily have fallen flat but the fat from the bacon actually took the broccoli to another level.

Empanada Kitchen offers Empanada Kitchen excels with these hand pies—especially with the broccoli-bacon, sweet cornbasil and ham and cheese dishes.

two versions of its chimichurri: one spicy and one mild, both in the classic Argentine chopped (not pureed) style.

Chimichurris, while classically Argentine, are not usually intended as an empanada dipping sauce. While I recognize the tradition and while most of the ones I tried definitely didn’t need a sauce, none were any worse for a dip and a swirl.

Empanadas may be ubiquitous in Latin America.

There is, in fact, no shortage of them in America. But the Argentine-style baked ones at Empanada Kitchen, with their light, flaky, buttery pastry wrapping, show just how much more than a simple hand pie empanadas can be.

Empanada Kitchen

819 C Street, Downtown, 619-288-9419, empanada-kitchen.com

Michael A. Gardiner)

The empanadas at Empanada Kitchen are $3.50 and range in flavors from ham and cheese to mushroom and goat cheese.

6 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

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UP FRONT | BEER

WORT MENTIONING

Beer Week Not for the Weak

San Diego puts a 10-day spotlight on the alcohol industry

By Karen Barnett

A

s November approaches, breweries, beer bars and craft aficionados across the county begin to buzz with talk of all the special events planned for San Diego Beer Week.

“It’s a week to celebrate the brewing community,” says Matthew Zirpolo, San Diego Brewers Guild president and Burgeon Beer Company owner. “Everything we have accomplished and all those who helped us get here.”

No matter which area of SD you live or work, there is likely a handful of events happening around you every day of Beer Week, which is November 1 to November 10. Beyond generic tap takeovers and tired keepthe-glass nights, there are fishing, arm wrestling and disc golf tournaments, a drag show, a dog show and a harbor cruise amid over 500 other beer and food pairing events. Sycuan Casino is even getting into it with a night of gambling where not only do they shuttle you out to their casino for free, but they also give you money to gamble with!

SDBW started in 2009 at the hands of a guy who bought the original sdbeerweek.com website on his cellphone over beers at Blind Lady Ale House.

Andy Waer had a part-time gig pouring beers at BLAH, but working in the beer industry wasn’t his “day job.” A bigger beer nerd then than anyone I know today, Andy was San Diego’s first cicerone (a.k.a. beer sommelier).

Jeff Motch (co-owner BLAH, Tiger! Tiger!, Panama66) was in that initial discussion.

“I offered to design a logo,” Motch recalls. “And we’ve been 100% behind it ever since.”

Waer and friend Josh Sibelman (also nonindustry) @SDCITYBEAT

took the logo and built a website to present to the Brewer’s Guild. After much hemming and hawing from mainly one local beer industry character over needing to include the Tourism Board, November was chosen, as this was said to be where tourism dropped.

“This should have been the sign to me that it was going to become something other than what we had envisioned,” Sibelman recalls. “Starting with the notion of celebrating local, artisanal businesses and seeing it get altered for the sake of money was a tough lesson.”

In cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia, Beer Weeks at that time were fairly new and organically planned by bars and restaurants. “I saw (SDBW) as a way for local breweries to partner with good restaurants and expose chefs and their patrons to food-friendly beers they might not know about,” Sibelman says.

So, 10 years later, and on the cusp of our 11th Beer Week, where are we?

“What Beer Week has become is 300 events over 10 days where 275 of them don’t move the needle and are more stress and disappointment for brewers and buyers than anything else,” claims Matt Cieslak, co-owner of Manhattan Bar (Chula Vista).

“The zeitgeist of SDBW has been diluted; the pervasive sentiment is no longer how can we celebrate the vendors that have loyally remained at our sides, or the accomplishments of one another throughout the year, but rather evolved into a self-involved singularity of how many kegs can be pushed out the door or how many warm bodies can fill the room,” says Shannon Lynette co-owner of Burning Beard Brewing.

While the guild touts

“You Deserve a Beercation!” as its theme this year, many argue it’s Beer Week in San Diego every day.

Another original planner, Melody Crisp (Coronado Brewing), still feels excitement.

“Remembering our first planning meeting, and to see how it’s grown since then, has been really rewarding.”

Nomad Donuts were paired with Kilowatt Brewing’s beer during San Diego Beer Week 2018. (Photo courtesy Kilowatt Brewing)

San Diego Beer Week

Friday, November 1, to Sunday, November 10.

For more information, visit sdbw.sdbeer.com.

OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 7

TOP15

OUR PICKS FOR COOL THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

By Taylor O’Connor

1 Caravan Palace

OCTOBER 23

Parisian jazz/electronic band Caravan Palace will take its swing rhythms to San Diego.

Influenced by bands like Daft Punk, the eight-member group has beats that can make anyone get up and dance, as it incorporates swing and tap dancing into its performances.

Its latest album, “Chronologic,” came out in August.

Observatory North Park, 2891 University Avenue, Suite 1, North Park, 8 p.m., tickets start at $47.

2 Andrew Bird

OCTOBER 24

Known for his strong voice and deft violin playing, Andrew Bird comes to us with his 15th studio album, “My Finest Work Yet.” The former member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers has fun effects pedals and whistling talents under his wing as well.

Check him out at the House of Blues.

House of Blues Voodoo Stage, 1055 Fifth Avenue, Downtown, hob.com, 8 p.m., tickets start at $48.50. latinamericanartfairsd.com

3 San Diego Halloween Pub Crawl OCTOBER 25

Boo-ze! Did I scare you? Be ready to get your spookiest, funniest costumes out and join the San Diego Halloween Pub Crawl. Show up in costume, get a pub crawl map at checkin, and hit more than 20 bars and nightclubs. Guests will get free nightclub entry, drink discount coupons and welcome shot tickets at select venues. Dying for more?

There will be a San Diego zombie crawl after party once all the ghoulish shenanigans end. See website for discount details.

Moonshine Beach, 1165 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach, sandiegoclubcrawl. com, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., $30.

Coronado Bridge. Two DJs will play two floors with dance areas and a variety of free food. Pirate costumes are preferred, but any costume will do just fine.

The California Spirit Yacht, 990 N. Harbor Drive, Dock 3, eventbrite.com, 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., $109-$1,095.

7 Hozier

OCTOBER 26

Irish singer-songwriter Hozier will bring his soulful voice to San Diego on his “Wasteland, Baby!” tour. His debut single, “Take Me to Church,” sent this OCTOBER 25 artist to multiplatinum status Looking for something a little in several countries. Later, in more family friendly? Little Italy 2014, he released his debut will host its annual trick-oralbum, which topped the treat on India Street, where all charts in Ireland and scored your favorite little critters and top 10 positions on a global witches can gather together to level. “Wasteland Baby!” came get a KitKat or two. Businesses out in March with more of the on India Street will open their soulful power his fans adore. doors to any goblin or dinosaur The album debuted atop the who comes to their doors for Billboard 200 album chart. It their treats, and parents don’t won’t be a waste of time to see have to worry about safety. this beautiful human perform.

Come join this beloved tradition CalCoast Credit Union Open in this historic neighborhood.

Air Theatre at SDSU, 5500 Piazza della Famiglia, 555 Campanile Drive, Mission W. Date Street, Little Italy, Valley, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast, littleitalysd.com, 5:30 to 7:30 8 p.m., tickets start at $39.50. p.m., free admission.

4 Trick-or-Treat on India Street

8 Birch Aquarium’s 5 Thriller Flash Haunted Aquarium: Mob in Balboa Park Sea Monster Mash OCTOBER 26 No mere mortal can resist the evil of the thriller—and now you don’t have to. The San Diego Civic Dance Association will host a “Thriller” flash mob in Balboa Park. Dress in a “Thriller”-related costume.

It’s OK to bring the kids.

Rehearsals begin at 10 a.m., with the performance noon.

Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Feeling like you could dance to a little MJ? Sign up and get ready to have the thrill of your life.

Balboa Park Club Ballroom/ Plaza De Panama, 2150 Pan American Road West, eventbrite.com, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free registration.

6 San Diego Halloween Black Pearl Yacht Party

OCTOBER 26

Capt. Jack Sparrow won’t be there, but board the boat anyway and drink rum just like he does. This three-deck yacht will take guests across the water to see views of the San Diego skyline, harbor and

8 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

Cajon Boulevard, North Park, eventbrite.com, 6 to 10 p.m., $40 in advance, $50 day of event.

10 Sushi Festival San Diego

OCTOBER 27

Better dust off those chopsticks and get out that extra soy sauce you carry with you at all times because the Sushi Festival of San Diego is in town. This time, though, the festival is trying to make history with the most sushi pieces created in a 48hour period. Sushi chef masters will aim to create 100,000 sushi pieces, and all you have to do is eat them. Sounds like a typical Tuesday to me. Your ticket is your entry; once in it is all-youcan-eat sushi—honestly, a dream come true.

The Dana on Mission Bay, 1710 W. Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay, eventbrite.com, 2 to 10 p.m., followed by VIP/media event 2 to 8 p.m.

October 28, tickets start at $106.

11 Trick or Trot 5K run

OCTOBER 27

Take the little ones, ages 2 and older, to Birch Aquarium to discover a sea of glowing beasts, get sticky with slime and enjoy several Halloweenthemed games. For this event, everybody must make a purchase and kids free in October coupons do not apply.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, aquarium.ucsd.edu, 6 to 9 p.m., $20 for Birch Aquarium members, $25 for public in advance, $30 at the door.

Worried about how much candy you are going to eat on Halloween? Sign up for Trick or Trot 5K to get a workout beforehand. That way, you won’t feel guilty about consuming your weight in Twizzlers. Runners are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes, and prizes will be awarded to the best individual, small- and large-group costumes as well as the fastest runners.

All proceeds will support Roosevelt’s After-School Clubs and Enrichment Programs.

Morley Field, 2221 Morley Field, Balboa Park, friendsofroosevelt.org, 8 to 11:30 a.m., $10-$20.

9 San Diego Haunted Brewery

12 Sparks Gallery at LeadingAge National

OCTOBER 27

OCTOBER 27

Step inside and grab a beer at the San Diego Haunted Brewery—if you dare! This historic brewery has been open for decades, but its presence won’t leave. Does your desire for a cold beer overtake your fear? Unlimited beer samples are for those who enter. Dress up in costumes and have a howling good time.

The Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El

OCTOBER 28

Join the Spark Gallery for a night of contemporary art from San Diego and Southern California artists. Sip on cocktails, devour hors d’oeuvres and enjoy live music at the historic Sterling Hardware Building in the Gaslamp Quarter, giving this the perfect environment for art and an evening of expression.

Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth

Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter, eventbrite.com, 6 to 9 p.m., free admission.

13 Sara Bareilles

OCTOBER 29

Although she probably won’t write you a love song either, Sara Bareilles is not a performance to be missed.

On tour for her latest album, “Amidst the Chaos,” Bareilles will bring the vocals of a lifetime to the stage for all to appreciate.

Along with her own albums, Bareilles scored “Waitress, the Musical,” which took off on Broadway in 2013. From then on, she’s done work in the theater as well as for movies.

CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU, 5500 Campanile Drive, Mission Valley, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast, 8 p.m., tickets start at $35.

14 Rooftop Cinema Club TO OCTOBER 31

Rooftop Cinema Club provides horror and lots of it! The frighting lineup continues with “Midsommar” (October 24); “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Scream” (October 25); “The Exorcist” (October 26); “The Blair Witch Project” (October 30) and, of course, “Halloween” (October 31).

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, 1 Market Place, Fourth Floor Sport Terrace, Harbor Tower, rooftopcinemaclub. com, doors open at 6:30 p.m., with movies starting at 8 p.m. on all nights except Friday and Saturday, movies start at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, tickets prices vary.

15 Salt Drift Pointe Grand Opening

OCTOBER 30

Give a huge welcome to Salt Drift Pointe, a new venue overlooking the San Diego Bay that was inspired by the salt ponds that have been mined for more than 100 years. The public is welcome to check it out, even though the event is geared toward folks in the event industry and brides to be.

Salt Drift Pointe, 536 13th Street, Imperial Beach, eventbrite.com, 5 to 8 p.m., free admission.

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EVENTS ART Black Life: A Conversation at The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado. Sit and listen to exhibition curators Gaidi Finnie, of the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts, and Keith Rice, historian and archivist at the Tom and Ethel Bradley, California State University, Northridge, discuss the exhibition “Black Life: Images of Resistance and Resilience in Southern California” with the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts. From 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 26. $5 for members and seniors, $7.50 military, students, $10 nonmembers.

619-232-7931, sdmart.org.

Art After Hours at The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado. Peruse the museum’s 20 galleries and exhibitions, and enjoy live music playing in the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court. From 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 25.

Members, youth 17 and younger, and college students with ID get in free. $5 general admission. 619-232-7931, sdmart.org

Horrorgasm at Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Centers, 3925 Ohio Street, San Diego. Horrorgasm is a celebration of all things creepy, spooky and macabre. There will be an art gallery, a marketplace, live performances, live readings and an escape room. From 1 to 11 p.m., Saturday, October 26. $5-$15. 619-255-5147, queenbeessd. com.

Paint Party (Art at the park) at Mira Mesa Community Park, 8575 New Salem Street, San Diego. Learn to paint an image from

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start to finish in two hours in a relaxed atmosphere at the Mira Mesa Community Park. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 27. $16. 858-243-5461, leoangeloart.com.

BOOKS

Author Event: Colleen Russell at Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado. Author Colleen Russell will speak about her book, “The Feminine Path to Wholeness, Becoming a Conscious Queen,” a memoir and guidebook for women in search of their true selves. From 6 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 24. Free. 619-522-7390. coronado.ca.us.

COMEDY Improv at The Comedy Palace at The Comedy Palace, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. Enjoy a night out on the town with live improv. The Palace Players play completely new sets every week with different sketches and situations. At 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 24. $10 to $15. 858-5739067. Thecomedypalace.com.

The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show at DoubleTree Hilton San Diego, 1515 Hotel Circle. Take control and tackle a challenging crime while enjoying a four-course meal at the Dinner Detective Show. Keep a look out for the murderer or you may find yourself as the prime suspect. This dinner event is rated PG-13 and is geared toward adult content. Children ages 15 or older are allowed with adult supervision. At 6 p.m. Saturday October 26. $59.95. 866-496-0535. thedinnerdetective. com

FILM Movie Night Under the Stars at insideOUT,

1642 University Avenue, Suite 100, San Diego. Lounge next to a fire pit and watch “Death Becomes Her” as part of a threenight Halloween movie series. From 7 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 13. Free.

619-888-8623, insideoutsd.com.

and family and enjoy the spooky vibes while sipping on a beer. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 26. $45. bit. ly/2MqqcU0.

FOOD & DRINK

Wine & Cheese Pairing at Charlie & Echo, 8680 Miralani Drive, Suite 113, Miramar. Take the evening off and have fun trying some of the best cheese and wine!

Join Jenny Eastwood, certified cheese professional, and winemaker Eric Van Duren as they guide guests through each of the five pairings that will be available. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 24. $29. 877592-9095, charlieandecho.com.

Belly Dancing and Wine at La Fleur’s Winery, 215 S. Pacific Street, Suite 106, San Marcos. Learn how to belly dance while sipping on wine and sangria. This class is for anyone who has an interest in dancing and would like to learn from an instructor. Make sure to try some of the wines, sangrias and sparkling wine that will be available. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 24. $5.

760-983-2838, lafleurswinery.com.

Last One Ever at La Mesa Wine Works, 8167 Center Street, La Mesa. Sip wine while enjoying music by Last One Ever at La Mesa Wine Works. The jazz combo has morphed into rock, playing music by the likes of Steve Earl, Neil Young and Wilco. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, October 25. Free. 619-7410700, lamesawineworks.com.

Halloween Food, Beer & Wine Tour by Things to Do in Carlsbad at 1778 Callisia Court, Carlsbad. Bring your best costumes to the village and celebrate Halloween with food, beer and wine. Spend time with friends

Hallo-wine & Spirits Party at Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado.

Celebrate Halloween at San Diego’s famous haunted hotel and wear the best costume for this adults-only event. The party will be full of spooky surroundings, great food, drinks and dancing. And don’t forget the year’s theme nights will be clowns! From 7 p.m. to 11:55 p.m., Saturday, October 26th. $150. 800-4683-3533, hoteldel.com/events/ hallowine.

to 5 p.m., Sunday, October 27. $5-$7. 760690-6617, chevalwinery.com.

MUSIC

Disney-Pixar Coco in Concert at San Diego Symphony, 750 B. Street. Explore the Land of the Dead as Miguel tries finding his idol Ernesto de la Cruz in a live performance performed by Michael Giacchino’s symphony. 2 p.m. Saturday October 26. $29-$86. sandiegosymphony.com

PERFORMANCE

AIDA at San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Avenue. There will be a pre-opera lecture at 6:40 p.m., and a post-opera talk-back where audience members will be able to ask the stars and cast questions about what happens onstage and backstage. At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 25, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 27. $45-$240. Sdopera.org

San Diego Haunted Brewery at The Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park. Step inside the haunted house and grab a beer at the pop-up brewery.

Have fun spending time with the spirits of patrons and bartenders of the old brewery as they serve guests with beer samples. Make sure to bring a costume and compete in the contest to win prizes! From 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, October 26. $35-$60. 619-2962101, bit.ly/32r2EUs.

SPECIAL EVENT

OCTOBER 27

Artist Almanac: Fused Glass Workshop at The Studio Door, 3867 Fourth Avenue, Hillcrest. Learn how to fuse glass and create a one-of-a-kind plate made by you!

Material costs included in workshop fee. On Saturday, October 26. $65. 619-255-2867, thestudiodoor.com

Birch Aquarium’s Haunted Aquarium: Sea Monster Bash at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. Get close to different types of marine life that glow in the dark, under water. Listen to scary stories and search the aquarium for unusual marine life swimming around. At 6 p.m. Friday, October 25, to Sunday, October 27. $25.

858-534-7336. aquarium.ucsd.edu

WORKSHOPS

Breast Fest at Cheval Winery, 2919 Hill Valley Drive, Escondido. Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month as all ticket proceeds will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The activities will include a costume contest, pumpkin carving, wine dancing, pony rides, cornhole and other games. Come and sip for a cause! From 1

OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 9

ARTS | CULTURE

THEATER

Musical Mean Girls in O.B. ‘Heathers The Musical’ is a good-time experience

By David L. Coddon

O

B Playhouse & Theatre Co. turns the midwestern high school experience fiendishly upside down with its splendid production of “Heathers The Musical,” a 2013 show by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy based on the cult film “Heathers” from 1988.

While not as relentlessly dark as its cinematic inspiration, “Heathers The Musical” traffics unapologetically in murder, attempted suicide, nihilism and the grimmest facets of teen angst—all elements that made Daniel Waters’ movie that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater so memorable.

But the stage musical, directed at OB Playhouse by Manny Bejarano, relies more on anarchic

“Heathers The Musical” traffics unapologetically in murder, attempted suicide, nihilism and the grimmest facets of teen angst—all elements that made Daniel Waters’ movie that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater so memorable. (Photo courtesy OB Theatre and Playhouse Co.)

spirit and often-profane parody than on the schematics of the original film. Its poppy score

flits from purposely outrageous or sassy ensemble numbers to tortured balladry, and the

recurring anthem “Seventeen” somehow ties it all together.

The likable Kate McNellen

portrayed Veronica Sawyer, the insecure girl who initially befriends the uber-popular but mean-spirited Heathers, in OnStage Playhouse’s production of “Heathers The Musical” two years ago in Chula Vista.

She reprises the central role now in Ocean Beach, with Hunter Brown brooding and dangerous as JD, the disturbed young man she falls for, and Kylie Young, Alexis Dytko and Tyra Carter playing the miniskirted Heathers. The large cast is aptly costumed and coiffed to represent the “types” in a high school population, and Michael Mizerany’s athletic choreography has them moving with the precision of a fevered pep rally.

The OB Playhouse is limited in performance space, but the actors are freed from the stage and placed within the crowd throughout—an immersive device. A four-piece band led

by Ian Brandon sometimes overwhelms the vocals, though this is probably more a consequence of the Newport Avenue theater’s acoustics.

Then there’s the audience.

OB Playhouse’s crowds—young, enthusiastic, ready to party—are unlike any others in town, which makes a show here a good-time experience. Even one as winkwink subversive as “Heathers The Musical.”

Fittingly, it was announced on opening night that those who attend the performance of “Heathers The Musical” on Halloween night are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Heather.

“Heathers The Musical”

runs through Sunday, November 17, at OB Playhouse, 4944 Newport Avenue D. Tickets are $26 to $46. For more information, visit obtheatrecompany.com 10 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

@SDCITYBEAT

Stormy Weather

CULTURE | FILM

‘The Lighthouse’ drowns in the madness of its own making

By Glenn Heath Jr.

“T

he Lighthouse” looks like a lost film that’s just been recently discovered after years of being submerged underwater. The grainy, blustery black-and-white imagery has a weathered quality made all the more foreboding being presented in Academy ratio, the big screen equivalent of a prison cell.

Two ornery barnacles stand slumped over at the center of writer/director Robert Eggers’ psychologically demented period piece about two lighthouse keepers who slowly go insane.

Drunken veteran Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) has the limp and wiry beard to back up his years of coastal service, while new recruit Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson) doesn’t look like he’s ever felt the sting of whipping, briny wind.

Much of the film’s intriguing first act examines the laborious and backbreaking work Ephraim must endure while Thomas locks himself in the lantern room, becoming hypnotized by the constant luminescence. Eggers camera initially fixates on the mechanisms and textures of 19th century hard labor, crawling along with the mud-soaked characters in order maximize the rigor of it all.

Similar to Eggers’ previous film “The Witch,” there’s a menacing rhythm to early sequences of everyday life, which are punctuated by creaking floorboards and deafening blasts of the lighthouse foghorn.

Ephraim tries to avoid Thomas’ attempts at nightly fireside chats over stiff liqueur, but eventually awkwardly slimy conversations prove more appealing than pure boredom.

At this point, “The Lighthouse” becomes something of a tonal and narrative mess.

It relishes in the waterlogged, horrific imagery of highfalutin dream sequences that help signify a deeper descent into madness. Having been trapped together by the elements (and each other’s farts) for too long, the posturing seamen start to lose @SDCITYBEAT

all sense of time and direction.

Pattison and Dafoe provide moments of unhinged chemistry, like when Ephraim finally unloads on Thomas in a fury of frustration about the terrible living conditions and gobs of bodily fluids he’s had to endure.

Yet, it’s Eggers’ film that feels selfsatisfying to a fault.

Robert Pattinson, right, and Willem Dafoe prepare for the horrors ahead in “The Lighthouse.”

(Photo courtesy A24)

MOVIES Opening “Black and Blue:” A rookie police officer witnesses some of her colleagues commit murder and must fight for her life on the gritty New Orleans streets.

Opens Friday, October 25, in wide release.

“Countdown:” After downloading a mysterious app that predicts the time of your death, one group of friends must try to cheat the grim reaper. Opens Friday, October 25, in wide release.

“Cyrano, My Love:” Young French writer Edmond Rostand tries to persuade investors an performers to be involved with his new play, “Cyrano de Bergerac,” which he hasn’t even written yet. Opens Friday, October 25, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas and Angelika Carmel Mountain Cinemas.

“I’m Leaving Now:” Felipe has spent 16 years working three low-paying jobs in Brooklyn and collecting bottles on the street in his spare time to send money home to his family in Mexico.

But after deciding to return for a long-awaited homecoming, he discovers a bitter and tragic truth about how the funds have been spent. They need him to stay in the United States. Opens Friday, October 25, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Ken Classics: The latest weeklong retrospective of classic films will feature David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet,” William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist” and Stanley Kubrick’s “Lolita,” among others. Screenings begin Friday, October 25, at the Landmark Ken Cinema.

“Parasite:” Unemployed members of a working class family become entangled with the affairs of a wealthy clan in Bong Joonho’s award-winning new mystery.

Opens Friday, October 25, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas and Angelika Carmel Mountain Cinemas.

“The Current War:” Electricity titans Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) engage in a cutthroat battle to determine whose electrical system will power the world. Opens Friday, October 25, in wide release.

“The Lighthouse:” Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe star in this black-and-white horror film about two lighthouse keepers who try to keep from going insane while weathering the relentless pressures of their profession. Opens Friday, October 25, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas and Angelika Carmel Mountain Cinemas.

One Time Only

“Creature from the Black Lagoon:” Jack Arnold’s classic 1954 horror film is about a prehistoric See

MOVIES on page 15 OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 11

CULTURE | FILM

Being Practical

Carolla, Prager come together in the name of free speech

By Christina FuocoKarasinski

C

omedian and podcast star Adam Carolla has never been one to mince words.

But he doesn’t see it as being gutsy. He’s being practical.

“I don’t look at it as a tough conversation or controversial,” Carolla says. “That’s other people making it tough or controversial.

I look at myself as a nutritionist saying diet and exercise is important so you won’t be fat.

“Others say, ‘Whoa, you better think about what you’re saying.’ I’m talking about the truth. I know what the truth is.”

Carolla and conservative talk show host Dennis Prager are releasing their film on free speech “No Safe Spaces” in San Diego on November 1 at the Regal Palace Parkway and then AMC Mission Valley 20 on

Adam Carolla, left, and Dennis Prager discuss the state of free speech in the documentary “No Safe Spaces.” (Photo courtesy Adam Carolla)

November 8. Visit nosafespaces. com for showtimes.

The movie looks at the current state of the First Amendment and free speech featuring interviews with the likes of Tim Allen, Jordan

12 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

Peterson, Van Jones, Alan Dershowitz and Dr. Cornel West.

Carolla and Dennis Prager traveled the country, talking to experts on the right and left, tour college campuses and examine their own upbringings

to try to understand what is happening in America today and what free speech should look like.

Prager and Carolla are longtime friends.

“I’ve been a fan of Dennis Prager for a long time,” he says. “When we started working together a little bit, he’d come on my podcast and we’d go out and do a few engagements throughout the country.

The producer came up with the idea for the movie and I thought this was an intriguing subject and I get to work with Dennis, who is such a fun, likeable, jovial guy. I love any excuse to hang out with the guy.”

The two chose college campuses as locales because they’re the epicenter and ground zero for free speech debates.

“It made the most sense to

start at ground zero,” he says.

Previews of the documentary has been well received. Carolla says there are simple reasons for that.

“First things first, it’s entertaining,” he says. “It’s well made. It has laughs. It makes you think. The first thing you have to do when you’re making something to be consumed is it has to be good. It has to taste good if it’s nutritious.

“If we just sat there staring at the camera droning on about free speech it wouldn’t be a good film. We need people to enjoy it and bring their kids to see it. A 12-year-old has to be able to watch it and not be fidgeting in their seat the whole time. We wanted to make an entertaining film and a wellcrafted film with a lot of layers to it, which I definitely feel is mission accomplished in that department.”

@SDCITYBEAT

COVER STORY

‘It’s Going to Get Ugly’ Antonio Jaramillo stays mum about his big episode of ‘Mayans M.C.’

By Christina FuocoKarasinski

A

ntonio Jaramillo chuckles when he’s asked about the October 29 episode of FX’s “Mayans M.C.,” the next chapter in Kurt Sutter’s award-winning show “Sons of Anarchy.”

His publicist dubs the episode Jaramillo’s “big episode,” and the actor, who was raised in San Diego, won’t say much more than that. Jaramillo stars as Michael “Riz” Ariza in the show that debuted to 2.53 million viewers.

“Everything about it is ‘big,’” Jaramillo says with a laugh.

“Some people aren’t going to like it at all. They’ll be very upset about it. It’s going to get ugly.”

Set in a post-Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam on “Sons of Anarchy”) world, Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (JD Pardo) is a prospect in the Mayans M.C. charter on the Cali/Mexi border. Once the golden boy, EZ is trying to reconcile with his brother “Angel” (Clayton Cardenas) while searching for the truth behind their mother’s death. Meanwhile, their father “Felipe” (Edward James Olmos) is struggling to lead his sons down the right path. “Riz” is “el secretario” and a “full-patch member” of the Mayans M.C., Santo Padre Charter.

The show boasts a mostly Hispanic cast, which Jaramillo says, makes it “spicy and a little more dangerous.”

“It’s really wonderful when people receive your work the way it’s been received,” he says.

“People are digging it and enjoying it. When people accept what you do—whether you’re a lawyer, doctor, dishwasher or teacher—it feels good.”

He chalks up the success to the mystery that surround motorcycle clubs.

“The world of motorcycle clubs is unknown,” he says.

“FX has been very supportive of the show and the quality is tremendous.”

“Riz,” whom Jaramillo describes as “cool, relaxed and chill,” has been embraced just as @SDCITYBEAT

“He’s a guy who grew up in the church and was disillusioned by the church—not so much God and religion, but the abuses they have imposed on children. He disconnected from that and became a member of the motorcycle club. They liked it. Nobody has come in with that angle. They thought it was interesting.

“They also haven’t used it much, which is a little frustrating.

Maybe they’ll do that later.”

Jaramillo was born in Tijuana to a young mother and father.

He spent his formative years in an orphanage until he moved to San Diego as a teenager.

“My mom was a young mother with three kids,” says Jaramillo, whose parents lived in southern Mexico. “My Antonio Jaramillo, who stars on “Mayans M.C.,” grew up in a Tijuana orphanage and then took a chance and traveled to San Diego, where he unexpected found material relatives. He went to brother was school in San Diego before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. born, and my (Photo Jason Willheim) mom separated from my father.

“When she moved up north, warmly.

That tattoos were Jaramillo’s she was too young with three “Some of the guys, they’re idea. Although he’s proud kids. She couldn’t really support really tough and they always that the show’s staff took his all three of us. So she put us in an look like they’re about to kick suggestions seriously, he wishes orphanage about two hours from someone’s butt,” he says. “I think the writers would delve into Tijuana. My sister stayed with Riz is cool. He has a different that side of his character a little her because she was a little girl. vibe than anybody else. He deeper.

We spent most of our childhood comes from a different world.

“When I met with the there.”

“All the other guys have gang- creators, they gave me the ideas At age 14, Jaramillo and his related tats. The ink on Riz is they had,” Jaramillo says. “I told brother left the orphanage and more spiritual—Bible Scriptures, them I didn’t want to be this found distant maternal relatives a cross on his chest. He’s one of stereotypical tough guy on a in San Diego. The reunion led to the spiritual ones.” motorcycle.

a safe, comfortable place to stay.

“We had a place to sleep, which was better than not having one,” Jaramillo says. “We had food. It was a difficult place, but we had a place to sleep and food in our tummy. It made me the person I am today. It is what it is.

While I was living with relatives, I went to junior high and high school and attempted to go to college. That didn’t go so well.”

Jaramillo was always passion about the arts, especially music.

When he was in his 20s, he was introduced to Anton Chekhov, Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Jaramillo was previously seen on NBC’s “Shades of Blue” alongside Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta. He was also on TNT’s “Dallas” and Universal Picture’s “Savages.” Other notable credits include USA’s “Burn Notice” and Fox’s “Lucifer.” Off-screen, Jaramillo was in the ensemble cast member of the Antaeus Theatre Company in Glendale.

Also in his free time, he enjoys music, boxing, tennis and spending time with his children, a 9-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy, who’s autistic.

“It’s a difficult thing to deal with—more for him than anyone else,” he says with a sigh. “He has to deal with that for the rest of his life. It’s also difficult as a parent. I’m separated from his mom, so I don’t get to see him as much, but he’s doing well.”

When he has free time, he travels to San Diego to hang out with friends.

“I fish a lot,” he says. “My best friend lives in San Diego. I live in L.A. because that’s where the work is. But I love La Jolla, Encinitas and Old Town. It’s like home.”

“Mayans M.C.”

10 p.m. Tuesdays on FX fxnetworks.com/ shows/mayans-mc

OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 13

CULTURE | DINING

It’s Getting Deep

Chicago-style deep-dish pizza comes to Hillcrest

By Mary Pat Abruzzo

L

ayers of greasy, gooey goodness are hitting the San Diego streets.

Palo Alto-born Patxi’s Pizza is a full-service, deep-dish pizzeria preparing to open up shop in the heart of Hillcrest.

Taking over the spot once held by Project Pie, the restaurant will be the first Patxi’s Pizza in San Diego. John Bryan, area general manager for Patxi’s, says two others are coming—Eastlake and Chula Vista.

Patxi’s Pizza will celebrate its grand opening at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, with free 10-inch Neapolitan pizza for the first 50 people in line. Patxi’s Pizza will offer buy-one get-one free 10-inch Neapolitan pizzas and samples of its signature deep-dish pizza.

Founded in 2004 by Francisco “Patxi” Azpiroz—the chef and namesake of the pizzeria—and his business partner, William Freeman, Patxi’s Pizza strives to create a sophisticated-yet-comfortable restaurant for all ages. Dedicated to using fresh and quality ingredients, the founders went to farmers markets to ensure they could create the perfect deep-dish pizza. Patxi’s Pizza was acquired by Los Angeles-based Elite Restaurant Group in November 2018.

But Azpiroz and Freeman’s plan worked and Patxi’s Pizza became known for its Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

Bryan recommends the classic meat and sausage pizza dubbed “Matt Cain,” after the San Francisco Giants pitcher, or the barbecue chicken.

These droolworthy, layered slices are

well worth the 30-minute wait to prepare them, especially if prefaced by Patxi’s famous spicy artichoke dip or housemade meatballs.

Patxi’s Pizza also welcomes those who are on a time crunch, with its thincrust slices and variety of sandwiches, flatbreads and salads. A must-try is the piadina, a rustic Italian flatbread sandwich that comes in herb-roasted chicken; pepperoni and sausage or eggplant pesto. Bryan likes the uptown piadina, with herb-roasted chicken, artichoke dip, parmesan and arugula all wrapped up in a 10-inch crust.

“We want to have something for everyone,” Bryan says, adding the restaurant offers a slice on the go or a fully loaded deep-dish for a family outing.

Although they have expanded past the small confines of its original community, Patxi’s Pizza still embodies the “neighborhood pizzeria.” The company stays connected to the community by giving back with multiple fundraisers.

The new Patxi’s Pizza in Hillcrest is hosting a benefit for The San Diego LGBT Community Center—a Hillcrest-based activist group that provides programs and services to the full diversity of the city’s LGBT community—at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 26.

Patxi’s will offer deep-dish

Forager Piadina

slices for $5 and give 20% of the proceeds to The Center.

“It’s a good way to build relationships with the community and build your business by helping out within the community,” Bryan explains.

Patxi’s Pizza is excited to bring its Chicago-stuffed pies to San Diego locals.

“I am excited to introduce awardwinning deep dish to the area, especially being a Chicago guy, I grew up eating deep dish my whole life,” Bryan says. “I believe in the product. I believe in the

brand and I know when everybody bites into the deep dish they will buy into the brand.”

Patxi’s Pizza

3888 Fourth Avenue, Hillcrest 619-501-8000, patxispizza.com

Patxi’s meatballs BBQ Chicken Deep Dish

14 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

@SDCITYBEAT

CULTURE | FILM

MOVIES

from page 11

beast that ascends from the Amazon jungle to terrorize a group of scientists. Screens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 23, at Arclight La Jolla Cinemas.

“Compensation:” In this powerful drama, the life of a deaf AfricanAmerican woman living in the 1900s parallels with others from the 1990s.

Screens at 7 p.m. Friday, October 25, at the San Diego Central Library.

“The Birds:” In Alfred Hitchcock’s mesmerizing disaster film, a small Northern California town is terrorized by hordes of attacking birds.

Screens at 8 p.m. Friday, October 25, to Sunday, October 27, at Cinema Under the Stars in Mission Hills.

“Hocus Pocus:” Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimi are a hoot as witches who return from the dead on Halloween to haunt the curious youngsters of Salem, Massachusetts. Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 30, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

@SDCITYBEAT

“Hocus Pocus” stars Kathy Najimi, Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker. (Submitted photo)

OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 15

MUSIC

The Man Behind the Lyrics

Lukas Graham’s tour shares new songs while revamping old ones Magnus Larsson, Lukas Forchhammer and Mark Falgren are Lukas Graham. (Photo by Rasmus Weng Karlsen)

By Octavio Serrano

L

ukas Forchhammer wanted to be a songwriter, but he realized his tunes were too vocally demanding for some musicians.

He struggled to find the right vocalist to sing his songs.

“We didn’t have the connections to the Rihannas and Beyoncés and I was writing these songs that had a very large vocal span and a guy who would become our manager said, ‘Why don’t you just record them and sing them yourself?’”

Soon thereafter, Forchhammer and his band Lukas Graham were one of the top acts in Denmark. Ready to hit the United States, Forchhammer and his band have refreshed some of their songs and will play the new versions on Sunday, October 27, at the House of Blues.

Forchhammer, 31, grew up in Freetown Christiania, Denmark, where music was always a part of his life. He had a broad range of influences, including classical, Irish and Scottish folk

music, bluegrass and country, as well as rock music from The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who and The Rolling Stones.

“My mom said I sang with a perfect pitch in kindergarten.

Everyone in my family would sing or play an instrument,” Forchhammer said. “My father was Irish, so that music culture was very apparent and very in our blood.”

Although Forchhammer had big dreams of becoming a songwriter, fame was never a goal for him. Memories and experiences are more important for Forchhammer, who found success with the single “7 Years.”

“Fame was never a fun part for me in that sense,” Forchhammer said. “When we started writing songs, fame was never part of the equation and it still isn’t a part of the equation. It’s all about the song, the message, the performance and having fun.

“If it stops being fun, we can stop. We can go back home. I grew up with nothing and I was happy poor. I know I can go

16 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

I enjoy writing the songs more than I enjoy performing them. back and be happy.”

Forchhammer has a habit of writing autobiographical songs and his recent album, “3 (The Purple Album),” delves into the artist’s past and present. For example, he shares the experience of being a parent after having lost his father.

“My father died when I was 23 and my daughter was born three years ago and it’s a pretty intense experience being a father,” Forchhammer said. “I had such an amazing dad that a lot of my thoughts while I was writing these songs revolved around what kind of dad I want to be, what kind of dad I had,

and what I can do better.”

He’s happy being a father, as he includes his daughter, Viola, in his musical career. He enjoys having her on stage while he’s getting ready for a show.

“When we’re driving, sometimes one of my songs comes on the radio and she’s like, ‘Dad, that’s your song! You’re singing in the car!’” Forchhammer said. “Having her on tour with me, she wears little ear protector things on her head, and she’ll walk on stage while I’m doing soundchecks and sit with me. It’s very strange but also incredibly rewarding.”

Lukas Graham’s latest single, “Lie” also holds a magnifying glass to Forchhammer’s past.

The record takes listeners back to the early stages of a teenage relationship that has passed the test of time. It’s loosely based on Forchhammer’s relationship with his fiancée, whom he met when he was 18. The song also touches on the power of lies and the inevitable despair they cause.

“Lies can sometimes occur out of the need to protect

yourself or others, but at the end of the day a lie is like a rock in a little pond,” he said. “It will ripple, it will touch shore and it will be found out.”

Lukas Graham’s tour, however, isn’t all about its new music. Older tracks have been retouched slightly.

“We built a whole show for the American tour where we revamped a lot of our arrangements,” he said. “Some of the sonic expressions have been revisited to try and give our fans a completely new experience of the same songs. Also, a song from the ‘Purple’ album called ‘Unhappy’ will be played live for the first time.”

It’s important to Forchhammer to challenge his fans and himself while staying true to his roots. He wants his style and music to continue to grow and evolve, with an eye on where it all began.

“Roots are important,” he said. “That’s where you’re from.

Roots and the stem and the leaves of the flower are comSee

LUKAS on page 19

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC

A Hard-Working American Todd Snider’s time on stage is the healthiest part of his day

By L. Kent Wolgamott

T

odd Snider may have, of late, been garage rocking and singing in Hard Working Americans, the band made up of members of Widespread Panic and the Chris Robinson Brotherhood.

But he’s always remained a folk singer at heart. Which is evident on his new album, “Cash Cabin Songs Vol. 3,” a disc recorded in Johnny Cash’s Tennessee cabin—there are no volumes one or two—that’s filled with various forms of folk.

“I even have a talking blues song on this record,” he said.

“I’ve always thought of myself as a folk singer. That’s never changed, even in the band.

I wasn’t playing guitar or anything. I was just the singer.”

Snider’s folk lineage goes back to his earliest influences, including Jerry Jeff Walker, who he saw playing in an Austin club and helped him realize he didn’t need a band to be a musician.

“John Prine was probably my first one, back in the ’80s,” Snider said. “Then there was Jerry Jeff Walker and Guy Clark. There was that bunch of Townes Van Zandt people, Steve Earle was young then, Lyle Lovett was young then.

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is probably the father of what I do. It feels like this is a family I ended up joining.”

Snider made his name and wise-guy reputation within that folk family with the topical, tongue-in-cheek hit “Talkin’ Seattle Grunge Rock Blues,” and the wryly funny, autobiographical, “Alright Guy” on his 1994 debut album, “Songs for the Daily Planet,” on the MCA-distributed label run

by Jimmy Buffett.

After working for MCA on a couple more albums, Snider moved to Prine’s OhBoy Records and went back to major label Universal and indie stalwart Sugar Hill before starting Aimless, his own label @SDCITYBEAT

in 2011.

He now has 19 albums that include 2012’s tribute album “Time as We Know It: The Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker” and his original-filled “Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables” that landed on many best of the year lists and got him praised

by Rolling Stone as “one of the sharpest, funniest storytellers in rock.”

Then came his two-album foray with Hard Working Americans and his 2016 garage rock excursion, “Eastside Bulldog.”

So why go back to folk?

“It’s just the songs, I think,” he said. “A lot of it was I’d been playing with the band and learning so much about guitar, even though I wasn’t playing guitar. When these songs came, the closer I got to finishing them, the more they seemed folkie. I recorded them with the band and they just sounded folky.”

But, he said, it’s better folk than he could have played before getting schooled in Hard Working Americans.

“I’ve gotten a lot better at guitar,” Snider said. “I’ve finally got an ability to play not just chords and strum. I wouldn’t say it’s great guitar playing, but it’s good for me.”

So, what comes first in his songwriting? The words, a melody or chord progression or something else musical?

“These ones were all lyrics,” Snider said. “The record before this one, we were about just getting garage rock. I wrote up the words for that one really quickly. Records like this one take a few years to make up the words for.

“I don’t know how many more of these (folk-centric albums) I have in me. Lyrics are the hardest things to come by.

I don’t know how many sets of lyrics you get.”

The lyrics on “Cash Cabin Vol. 3” are as incisive and entertaining as any that Snider has written, telling a he-swearsit’s-true story of Loretta Lynn dancing with “The Ghost of Johnny Cash,” detailing the

Todd Snider will re-release on vinyl “East Nashville Skyline” on Friday, November 15—in time for the record’s 15th anniversary.

(Photo by Brian Blauser)

songwriter’s life on “Working On A Song,” and, on “Talking Reality Television Blues,” taking a tour through television from Milton Berle to Michael Jackson’s moonwalk, from MTV’s “The Real World” to “The Apprentice” and the line “An old man with a comb-over had sold us the moon.”

That song comes right out of the folk tradition, from Woody Guthrie through Bob Dylan, as do “A Timeless Response to Current Events” and “The Blues on Banjo,” pointedly topical songs that Snider said aren’t aimed at convincing anyone of anything.

“I definitely don’t think that learning to play guitar makes your opinion better than

someone else’s,” he said. “It does give you a place to put them.

For me, a lot of it has always been getting it off your chest. It lets me get it off my chest.”

For most of the rest of 2019, Snider will be getting things off his chest in clubs and theaters across the country on a solo tour that’s literally solo. And on Friday, November 15, he will re-release on vinyl “East Nashville Skyline,” in time for the record’s 15th anniversary.

“This whole year, I’m touring by myself,” he said. “It’s quite a bit simpler. It’s just me and three people on the road as opposed to like 10 or 12.”

That me-and-my-guitar approach makes for a shall we say loose show. Snider will try

to work in some of the new songs, but most of the night will be “whatever somebody yells for.

“I usually try to go back and hit something from all the records. But I’ve got too many records now to guarantee I’ll hit all of them,” Snider said.

“So a lot of it is what people yell for. I don’t have a collective ‘Free Bird.’ The songs they yell out come from all over the place. ‘Beer Run’ is probably the closest. But I don’t do it every night unless someone calls for it.”

And he’ll be happy that he’s able to play the show. Snider suffers from arthritis in his See

SNIDER on page 19

OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 17

MUSIC

An Homage to the Greats

Hozier explores darker themes, legendary musicians on ‘Wasteland’

By Alan Sculley

E

ven if Hozier’s second album, “Wasteland!

Baby,” fails to come close to having the success of his debut effort, the Irish singer/songwriter will always have at least one memory that will make the new collection stand out over time.

That experience came in recording the lead track and first single “Nina Cried Power,” when Hozier got to work in the studio with gospel/soul great Mavis Staples and legendary keyboardist Booker T. Jones.

The song pays homage to artists—Staples being a prime example—who stood up for civil rights, both in their music and their work for the cause.

“It was an absolute honor having Mavis, the fact that she was up for being part of that song and she knew where it was coming from,” Hozier says.

“She’s a super important artist and just a total hero.

That song was written about artists like her. She totally embodies what that song is about. And then Booker T, the first band I was ever in at 14 or 15, I joined a group of kind of older kids. We were covering Stax (Records songs played by) Booker T & the MGs. Being able to tell him that (was special), that his music is one of the reasons I became a musician and have continued with it. His work kind of switched on that light in my head. I just think, just working both of them was a total dream of mine to be able to see that happen.”

Hozier, who turned 29 on St. Patrick’s Day, began his solo career about seven years ago

when he landed a development deal with Universal Ireland Records followed by a record deal in early 2013 with Rubyworks Records.

At the time, early attempts to demo his songs with a few different producers had fallen short. So he decided to try his hand at producing in hopes he would realize his vision for his music.

One of his early songs was called “Take Me to Church,” and it was when he tackled that song—at first on his own and then later with producer Rob Kirwan (known for his work with U2 and PJ Harvey), who replaced Hozier’s fake instrumental tracks with live instruments—that a grittier sound, rooted in blues, jazz, soul and gospel, started to come together.

That song, of course, would entirely change Hozier’s career trajectory.

The video for “Take Me to Church” was posted on YouTube on September 25, 2013, and almost immediately went viral.

The YouTube activity got the attention of bigger worldwide labels, and Hozier was signed

by Columbia Records in America. Songs from his 2013 debut EP “Take Me to Church” EP, a second EP, “From Eden,” and newer songs were assembled to create Hozier’s self-titled debut, which was released September 2014.

“Take Me to Church,” naturally enough, became the album’s lead single and reached No. 2 on Billboard magazine’s all-genre Hot 100 singles chart in December 2014, and about a month later, “Take Me to Church” was up for a Grammy

18 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

Hozier retreated to his home country of Ireland after wrapping his tour in support of his self-titled debut.

(Photo by Alex Lake)

for Song of the Year and Hozier performed the song with Annie Lennox during the Grammy telecast.

By the time touring behind the debut album wrapped up in late 2016, the album had gone

I was eager to write music that hit a little bit harder, that leaned into rhythm a little bit more. double platinum and Hozier was a bona fide star. He was also exhausted from touring and promotional activities that came with his whirlwind success.

Coming off of the road, Hozier returned to Ireland and unplugged.

“I was living alone kind of in

the countryside in a bungalow close to where I grew up, a place in County Wicklow in Ireland, which is pretty close to the coast, a kilometer or 2 from the seafront,” he says.

“A lot of quiet, a lot of green, just being able to do kind of normal person things, like waking every day and preparing food for yourself. It’s the little, tiny things that you miss when you are on the road. You miss the regular sort of everyday stuff, being able to walk or being able to swim in the sea.

Weirdly, it was one of the first summers in many, many years, in nearly my (whole) adult life I can remember being able to enjoy a summer in Ireland, which is great. That, to me, was super helpful for just the ideas and the writing and just for taking stock of things.”

But as 2017 moved on, Hozier started to get inspired to write songs again, and so began the process that eventually produced “Wasteland! Baby.”

As ideas began to emerge, so did a direction for the second album, and Hozier found a number of the songs taking on a dark tone as certain themes emerged.

“It was kind of an intention of writing from an honest place and also trying to reconcile some of the worries and concerns and anxieties I had over what was just a real interesting time to be alive and

a weird time to be alive, just for geo-politics, both at home and abroad, etc. and (with) the 2 minutes to midnight on the doomsday clock, all that type of stuff,” Hozier says.

“That naturally just found its way into the work, sometimes unconsciously and sometimes consciously.”

Nowhere is the topical element of “Wasteland, Baby!” more apparent than on the title track, which touches on, among other things, fears of global warming and nuclear disasters.

There are other tunes with a social thread (“Be” and “No Plan”), but Hozier covers other ground as well, paying tribute to jazz greats in the context of sweet love on “Almost (Sweet Music),” getting sensual on “Movement,” and on “Shrike” he sings of love that overcomes the reality that some emotional bruises will be inflicted along the way.

Musically, Hozier retains much of the stylistic blueprint from his debut album. “Nina Cried Power” (the advance single from the album, which was also released as the title track to the EP that preceded the arrival of the full “Wasteland! Baby” album) is a gospel-infused gem with a heavy beat. Grooving soul and R&B remain key ingredients on See

HOZIER on page 19 @SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC

LUKAS

from page 16

pletely different things. They’re not separated, they’re not detached, but they’re completely different things.

“I think it’s necessary to evolve, to stay relevant to yourself and to others. You don’t want to become some stagnant dinosaur who can only do one thing. That would be boring.”

Forchhammer doesn’t think his fans understand he’s thrilled when he writes new songs. The process of creating something from scratch is even more exciting to him than performing it.

“I enjoy writing the songs more than I enjoy performing them. I get such an adrenaline kick,” Forchhammer said.

“When I’m writing a song, I go into a room with nothing and I go out of there with something that wasn’t there before. You’re creating something entirely new and that’s pretty exhilarating.”

As Forchhammer continues to grow, along with his daughter, there are many things he wishes to do—tour South

America, play at the Madison Square Garden again, and perform a song with the likes of Adele, Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé are a few of them.

However, the humble singer is grateful for the path he is on and doesn’t need much more to be happy.

“I was born on a couch. I grew up wearing secondhand clothes and eating leftovers,” he said.

“I’m already very grateful for what I’ve achieved and what we’ve achieved as a team. I’m looking forward to watching my daughter grow and I’m also looking forward to seeing how the songs that I write evolve and change. I’m very happy to be alive.”

Lukas Graham w/ Lauren Duski

7 p.m. Sunday, October 27 House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Avenue, Downtown $35-$60 houseofblues.com

HOZIER

from page 18 “Movement” and “Be,” while “No Plan” adds a rock edge to the soulful sound with a fuzzed-up guitar line. There’s also a soft element to the album, as represented by the folky, largely acoustic ballads “Shrike,” the title track and “As It Was,” but Hozier was mostly in an up-tempo mood for the album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard magazine album chart.

“I was eager to write music that hit a little bit harder, that leaned into rhythm a little bit more,” Hozier says. “I’d enjoyed a lot of music on the road that was just very rhythmic. So I definitely wanted to write songs that kind of hit a little bit harder here and there, where the drums were important, where the rhythm was important, to be enjoyed.”

Hozier should have no problems bringing the more assertive sound of much of “Wasteland! Baby” to life on stage. His current tour features

an eight-person band that can generate plenty of sound.

The new songs, Hozier said, also lend themselves to live performance.

“It’s going to be fun,” he says of the show. “I think when writing a lot of these songs…I spent so long on the road (that) I think a lot of the arrangements, the playing of them, was taken into consideration.”

Hozier w/special guests

8 p.m.

Saturday, October 26 Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego Tickets start at $50 ticketmaster.com, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast/ events/119

SNIDER

from page 16 neck and back, but there’s no way he’s not going to go out and play for people.

“Some nights it hurts, but I wouldn’t know what I could do without touring,” he said.

“I’m grateful for every show I get to do now. I don’t take it for granted. Some days the show is the only thing that gets the pain away. You’re running on adrenaline for those two or three hours around the show and the pain goes (away). I’ve had other musicians, like Willie Nelson, tell me that the show is the most healthy three hours of the day.”

Todd Snider w/Dean Alexander

8 p.m. Tuesday, October 29 Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach $28-$30 (seated show) 858-481-8140, bellyup.com

THE PREMIER LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE IN OCEAN BEACH, SAN DIEGO 5046 NEWPORT AVENUE • SAN DIEGO, CA 92107

@SDCITYBEAT

OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 19

MUSIC

CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!

Messer Chups (Merrow, 11/5), Sluka (Soda Bar, 11/6), The Locust (Music Box, 11/7), Nebula Drag (Casbah, 11/10), The Good Pour (BUT, 11/14), Ed Maverick (HOB, 11/14), Jonny Lang (BUT, 12/4), Unearth (Brick by Brick, 12/11), Groundation (BUT, 12/22), Poolside (Observatory, 12/28), Twin Ritual (Soda Bar, 12/28), The PettyBreakers (BUT, 1/18), Saint Motel (Observatory, 1/25), City of the Sun (Casbah, 1/28), Tower of Power (BUT, 1/29), Ozomatli (Music Box, 2/1), Danko Jones (Brick by Brick, 2/5), Mortiis (Brick by Brick, 2/6), Miniature Tigers (Soda Bar, 2/13), Ingested (Brick by Brick, 2/17), Little People (Casbah, 2/19), Illiterate Light (Casbah, 2/20), Lower Dens (Soda Bar, 2/26), Dr. Dog (Observatory, 2/28), Yacht Rock Revue (Observatory, 3/6), The Three Tremors (Brick

by Brick, 3/30).

ALL SOLD OUT

The Story So Far (Observatory, 10/24), Tab Benoit (BUT, 10/25), Black Pumas (Soda Bar, 10/25), Mac Ayres (Music Box, 11/3),Two Door Cinema Club (Observatory, 11/8), Nahko (Observatory, 11/14), Built To Spill (Casbah, 11/14), Cold War Kids (Observatory, 11/15), Adam Carolla (BUT, 12/1), Thievery Corporation (BUT, 12/12), Bayside at The Casbah, 12/12, Silversun Pickups (Observatory, 12/17), Chris Isaak (BUT, 12/17), Stick Figure (BUT, 12/27-28), Dashboard Confessional (Observatory, 2/11).

CANCELED

Off with their Heads (Casbah, 10/23), Dick Dale’s Misirlou (BUT, 12/19), Christian Death (Soda Bar, 11/6), Jacky Vincent (Brick by Brick, 11/12), Goblin (Brick by Brick, 11/14).

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, October 23

Off With Their Heads at The Casbah. Danny Brown at Music Box. Caravan Palace at Observatory North Park. Subhumans at SOMA. Distressor at Soda Bar. Wild Wild Wets at Belly Up Tavern.

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.

Super-Villain at Soda Bar.

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.

20 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

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. Michael vs. Prince Halloween Party at The Casbah.

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 Brick.

Shoreline Mafia at SOMA. Jon Pardi at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Mike Watt & the Missingmen at Casbah. Cults at Soda Bar.

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. Cults at Soda Bar.

Sunday, November 3

Whitney at Observatory North Park. Matt Heckler at Soda Bar. Guerilla Toss at The

Casbah. Electric Guest at The Irenic. Aaron Neville at Belly Up Tavern.

Monday, November 4

LITE at The Irenic. Making Movies at Soda Bar. The Cadillac Three at House of Blues.

Burning Beard at The Casbah.

Tuesday, November 5

Monolord at Brick By Brick. Craig Finn & the Uptown Controllers at Soda Bar. Mellow Fellow at Ché Café Collective. French for Rabbits at SPACE. Twenty One Pilots at Pechanga. Matt & Kim at Observatory North Park. Summer Walker at SOMA. Micky & the Motorcars at Belly Up Tavern. Elephant Stone at The Casbah. Ralph Castelli at House Of Blues. Messer Chups at The Merrow.

Wednesday, November 6

Penny & Sparrow at Belly Up Tavern. Tobe Nwigwe at Music Box. Ghost of Paul Revere at The Casbah. Sluka at Soda Bar.

Thursday, November 7

Helmet at Belly Up Tavern. Omar Apollo at Observatory North Park. Sloan at The Casbah.

Luke Combs at Pechanga. Shawn James at Soda Bar. Lohanthony at Ché Café Collective.

The Locust at Music Box.

Friday, November 8

Hilltop Hoods at Music Box. The Pine Mountain Logs at Belly Up Tavern. SKEGSS at The Casbah. Lyrics Born at Soda Bar. Sabrina Claudio at SOMA.

Saturday, November 9

Rat Boy at House Of Blues. Baby Bushka at The Casbah. Sammy Johnson at Music Box. Liturgy at Soda Bar. Homesafe at Brick by Brick. Super Diamond at Belly Up Tavern.

Sunday, November 10

Gloria Trevia at Viejas Arena at SDSU. Rhett

Miller at Music Box. Immortal Technique at Belly Up Tavern. Gesaffelstein at Petco Park.

Lil Xan at House of Blues. Nebula Drag at The Casbah.

Monday, November 11

Kilo at Soda Bar. Broncho at The Casbah.

Charley Crockett at Belly Up Tavern.

Stonecutters at Brick by Brick.

Tuesday, November 12

Built To Spill at The Casbah. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors at Belly Up Tavern. SleaterKinney at Observatory North Park. The Dangerous Summer at Soda Bar. Augustana at Music Box.

Wednesday, November 13

Frankie Cosmos at Ché Café Collective. Cave In at Soda Bar. TAUK at Belly Up Tavern.

Miami Horror at Music Box.

Thursday, November 14

Strung Out SOMA. Hovvdy at SPACE. Jonathan Bree at Soda Bar. Art Alexakis at Music Box. The Good Pour at Belly Up Tavern.

Ed Maverick at House Of Blues.

Friday, November 15

Nekromantix at Brick By Brick. Mating Ritual at Soda Bar. Max Bemis at The Irenic. The Babe Rainbow at The Casbah. Black Belt Eagle Scout at Ché Café Collective. Los Amigos Invisibles at Music Box. Max Bemis at SOMA.

Saturday, November 16

Twin Peaks at Belly Up Tavern. Moonchild at Music Box. Dizzy Reed’s Hookers at Brick by Brick. MyKey at Soda Bar. The Ocean Blue at The Casbah. Rufus Wainwright at Copley Symphony Hall.

See

CONCERTS on page 22

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC

CLUBS 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Wed: Open Mic. Fri: Casual Yak, Something Contagious. Sat: About Face, A Nightmare on ‘80s Street. Tue: Lance Rodriguez, Do Right Louie.

Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘#HipHopWeds.’ Thu: ‘SUBdrip.’ Fri: ‘House Music Fridays.’ Sat: ‘Juicy.’ Sun: ‘Sunday Feels.’ Mon: ‘Organized Grime.’ Tue: Jonathon Lestat.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Dante Chang. Fri: Dante Chang. Sat: Dante Chang. Tue: Open Mic. The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Wed: Karaoke. Fri: Social Spit, Missing Limbs, Endless Nameless, Last Option.

Sat: N8NOFACE, Ingonoir x Snapghost, TieGameRivalry. Sun: Loose Grooves. Mon: Trivia. Tue: Karaoke.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St., Downtown. Fri: Kristian Nairn. Sat: Adana Twins, Rinzen.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., North Park. Wed: Imagery Machine, L’Freaq. Thu: Downs Family, Chloe Lou & The Liddells. Fri: DJ Ratty. Sat: The Return of the Sultans, The Swami Sound System, Disc Jockeys. Sun: Electric Warrior, The Collectors. Mon: DJ Showcase. Tue: Heather Hardcore.

Ad Proof

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

Thu: Mike Myrdal. Fri: Bonneville 7. Sat: Emotional Rescue.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: Wild Wild Wets, Mrs. Henry, Hail Hail. Thu: Half-Pint, The Yellow Wall Dub Squad, Andrew Bees, King Hopeton. Fri: Tab Benoit (sold out). Sat: Dead Man’s Party.

Sun: Ra Ra Riot, Bayonne. Mon: Lucy Dacus, Liza Anne, Sun June. Tue: Todd Snider, Dean Alexander.

‘Reggae Halloween.’

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave., Downtown. Fri: DJ Brees. Sat: ‘Playboy Halloween Party.’

Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., City Heights. Sat: The Cramp’d, Killer Lords.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown.

Wed: Subhumans. Thu: Andrew Bird. Fri: Rocket from the Crypt. Sat: Wild Child. Sun: Lukas Graham. Mon: Stellar.

Blonde, 1808 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. Wed: ‘Dance Klassique.’ Thu: ‘Through Being Cool.’ Fri: ‘We Are Your Friends.’ Sat: ‘’80s New Wave Dance Party.’ Sun: ‘Salvation.’

Mon: ‘Blue Monday.’ Tue: ‘Techit Easy.’

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

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

Thu: Oranssi Pazuzu, Insect Ark, Kyrkagard.

Fri: Modern Bummer, Dean Decay, The Hughes Brothers Band, Zero South, Emerald Bay, Papach, The Danger Field, Stay for the Fireworks, Grand Curator. Sat: Our Second Home, Sullen Eyes, Nuestro Destino, Zero South. Sun: Night Club, Warsaw, EST. Tue: Michale Graves, Brand of Julez, The Midnight Block, 13 Wolves.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown.

Thu: Sean Hayes, Edwin. Fri: Cheap Trick, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, New Order, Spice Pistols.

Sat: Love Revisited, The Loons, Thee Allyrgic Reaction, DJ Tony the Tiger. Sun: EyeHateGod, Negative Approach, Sheer Terror, Final Conflict, The Accused A.D. Mon: Chameleons Vox, Theatre of Hate, Jay Aston. Tue: Justin Townes Earle, Johnny Two Bags.

Che Cafe, 1000 Scholars Drive S, La Jolla.

Wed: Andrew Montana. Sat: The Model Youth, Amaya Lights, Fear//Converge.

Dizzy›s, Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. Fri: David Whitman Septet. Sat: The Joshua White Trio.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown. Fri: Senema, DJ Akrite. Sat: ‘CarnEVIL Halloween Party.’ Sun:

Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy. Wed: Danny Brown, Ashnikko, Zelooperz. Thu: An-Ten-Nae, Govinda, Malicious. Fri: Queen Nation, The ‘80s Underground. Sat: Hepcat, The Steady 45s, The San Diego City Soul Club, The FreQtones. Sun: Cory Wong, Paris_monster. Tue: Skizzy Mars, Yoshi Flower, Grady.

Humphreys Backstage, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. Wed: Blue Largo. Thu: XIV. Fri: Viva Santana. Sat: Full Strength Funk.

Sun: Stellita’s Groove. Mon: Nathan James.

Tue: Mercedes Moore.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., Midtown.

Sat: Alice Clark. Sun: ‘Slappin’ Hands.’

OMNIA Nightclub, 454 Sixth Ave., Downtown.

Thu: ‘Undone on Thursday.’ Fri: Benny Benassi. Sat: Party Favor.

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave., Kensington. Fri: The Weeks, Future Thieves, H.A.R.D. Sat: Jonny Wago & the Hollywood Guns.

Parq, 615 Broadway, Downtown. Fri: Brytiago. Sat: ‘Freak Show.’

Mc P›s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave., Coronado. Wed: Goodall Boys. Thu: Fish & JG. Fri: In Midlife Crisis. Sat: Ron’s Garage.

Sun: Gonzology. Tue: Sophisticats.

Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: Steven Brinberg. Thu: Chance Tobar. Fri: Soul Fire. Sat: John Llyod Young.

Sun: Keep it on the DL. Mon: Carol Curtis.

Tue: Valentina Ranalli & Rosario Monetti.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest.

Thu: ‘Noche Romantica.’ Fri: Peelander-Z, The Touchies, Kitty Plague. Sat: Heartbones. Sun: Karaoke. Tue: Jara, Miles Bandit, Boychick.

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

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

Thu: Hazmatt. Fri: Bonneville 7. Sat: The Traumatics. Sun: ‘Jazz Jam.’ Mon: Open Mic. Tue: Karaoke.

Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park.

Wed: ‘The Wednesday Jam Session.’ Thu: Cobby Brzeski Quartet. Fri: Dave Gleason Trio.

Sat: Montalban Quintet. Sun: ‘Funk Jam.’

Pour House, 1903 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside. Wed: Open Mic. Thu: The Surrealistics. Fri: Nathan James & the Rhythm Scratchers. Sat: Dulaney & Co. Sun: Trivia.

Mon: DJ Lexicon Devil. Tue: Open Mic.

Proud Mary’s, 5550 Kearny Mesa Road, Kearny Mesa. Wed: ‘Blues Night.’ Thu: Tomcat Courtney. Fri: Chris Fast Band. Sat: Chickenbone Slim & the Biscuits.

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

Rich›s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest.

Wed: ‘Mischief w/ Bianca.’ Thu: ‘#LEZ.’ Fri: ‘Electro-Pop.’ Sat: ‘Halloween Massive.’ Sun: ‘Discoteka.’

Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz.’ Thu: Will Fleming.

Fri: The Becca Jay Band. Sat: Goldetts, Teazed. Tue: ‘Works Jam.’ Rosie O’Gradys, 3402 Adams Ave., Normal

Heights. Mon: ‘Jazz Jam.’ Tue: ‘Adams Gone Funky.’

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

Wed: Distressor, Aquarium, Sparkler, Cheap Skates. Thu: Busted Coffins, Parade of Horribles, Super-Villain, Bedlam Rebels. Fri: Black Pumas, Neal Francis (sold out). Sat: Agnostic Front, Prong, Slow Decay. Sun: Sunset Rollercoaster, Arthur Moon. Mon: Saintseneca, The Blank Tapes. Tue: Brent Weinbach.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway.

Wed: Subhumans, Neighborhood Brats, Agonista. Fri: Counterparts, Stray from the Path, Varials, Chamber, Dying Wish. Sat: Rich Brain, August 08, Don Krez. Sun: Cherry Glazerr, Cowgirl Clue. Tue: Last Dinosaurs, Born Ruffians, Michigander.

SPACE, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Fri: ‘Spooky Disco.’ Sat: ‘Transmission.’ Mon: Sean K. Preston & the Loaded Pistols.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St., Midtown. Fri: Sonny Fodera, Dom Dolla. Sat: The Magician.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Paul Gregg. Sun: ‘Jim Croce Tribute Night’ w/ Nick Brook, Kevin Begin.

Tue: Trivia.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: Subversion. Thu: Alpha Apex.

Fri: The Barstool Preachers, Grade 2, Toxic Energy, Matamoska, Some Kind of Nightmare, Beta 7. Sat: Corre Diablo, No Lights, Old News, Hardwar. Sun: ‘Pants Karaoke.’ Mon: ‘Groovin.’

Tin Roof, 401 G St., Downtown. Wed: ‘Rewind Wednesday.’ Thu: Shane Hall. Fri: Coriander.

Sat: ‘Nineties Massacre.’ Mon: Karaoke.

See

CLUBS on page 22

4746 El Cajon Blvd., 619-255-1481 TilTwoClub.com

October 23

SUBVERSION

Goth, Post Punk, Dark Wave, New Wave & Industrial October 24

ALPHA APEX

Illegal Bar Takeover and 350.org Benefit!

October 25

THE BARSTOOL PREACHERS

Grade 2 • Toxic Energy Matamoska • Beta 7 Some Kind of Nightmare October 26

CORRE DIABLO

No Lights • Old News • Hardwar October 28

GROOVIN’

DJs Old Man Johnson & Marshall Islands October 30

HALLOWEEN EVE BOOGIE Old School Funk & Party Jams with DJ Boogieman and DJ Julian Ramirez PANTS Karaoke every Sunday!

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OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 21

Client: Til Two

APPROVED AS IS

MUSIC

CONCERTS

from page 20

Sunday, November 17

Wonderfront Festival at Waterfront Park.

Simple Plan at SOMA. Spendtime Palace at Ché Café Collective. Johnny Distortion at Music Box.

Sunday, November 24

Reckless Kelly at Belly Up Tavern. The Black Keys at Pechanga Arena. The Midnight Hour at Soda Bar. SuicideGirls at Music Box. Youth of Today at Ché Café Collective. Young Thug at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU. Fister at SPACE.

The Chainsmokers at Viejas Arena.

Crocodiles at The Casbah. Turnover at Observatory North Park. Wild at Soda Bar. Kottonmouth Kings at Brick by Brick.

Wonderfront Festival at Waterfront Park.

John Craigie at Belly Up Tavern.

Monday, November 18

Monday, November 25

Pip Blom at Soda Bar. Leonid & Friends at Belly Up Tavern.

Emily Afton at Belly Up Tavern.

Tuesday, November 19

The Dead South at House of Blues. Eddie Spaghetti at The Casbah.

ScaryPoolParty at House of Blues. Puma Blue at The Casbah. Stoop Kids at Soda Bar.

Wednesday, November 20

Mason Ramsey at House Of Blues. Meg Myers at Music Box. Ghostland Observatory at Belly Up Tavern. The World/Inferno Friendship Society at The Casbah.

Thursday, November 21

Tyrone Wells at Music Box. Big Freedia at Belly Up Tavern. Charlotte Lawrence at House of Blues. Enterprise Earth at Brick by Brick.

Our Girl at Soda Bar.

Friday, November 22

Cherry Poppin’ Daddies at Belly Up Tavern.

Cautious Clay at House Of Blues. Vetiver at Soda Bar. Whitey Morgan at Observatory North Park. Bad Bunny at Pechanga.

Wonderfront Festival at Waterfront Park. The Expendables at Music Box.

Saturday, November 23

Hirie at Observatory North Park. Pinback at Belly Up Tavern. Shred for Dime Tribute at Brick by Brick. The Get Up Kids at Soda Bar.

Tuesday, November 26

Wednesday, November 27

Casbah. Defeater at Ché Café Collective. JD McPherson at Belly Up Tavern. The Shelters at Music Box. Unearth at Brick by Brick.

Wednesday, December 4

Thursday, December 12

From Indian Lakes at Soda Bar. Moon Hooch at The Casbah. Jonny Lang at Belly Up Tavern.

La Dispute at House of Blues. Khemmis at Brick by Brick.

Cattle Decapitation at Brick by Brick. Eric Rachmany at Observatory North Park. Mud Slide Slim at Music Box. Late Night Radio at Soda Bar. Groundation at Belly Up Tavern.

Thursday, December 5

Friday, December 13

Saturday, December 28

Black Flag at House Of Blues. DIIV at Belly Up Tavern. Judge & Cro-Mags at The Irenic. Marco Benevento at The Casbah.

Reagan Youth at Soda Bar. The Slackers at Music Box. Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Observatory North Park. Catfish & the Bottlemen at Pechanga. Shawn Colvin at California Center for the Arts. Judge at SOMA. Kill Devil Hill at Brick by Brick.

Allah-Las at Observatory North Park.

Lebanon Hanover at Brick by Brick. Tragedy at The Merrow. Rorre at Soda Bar.

Friday, December 6

Sunday, December 15

Saturday, December 14

Chon at Observatory North Park. Nick Offerman at Balboa Theatre. As I Lay Dying at SOMA. Blockhead at The Casbah. Randy at Ché Café Collective. Motel Radio at Soda Bar.

Nile at Brick By Brick. Yachtley Crew at Music Box. Jim Breuer at Observatory North Park.

Fortunate Youth at Belly Up Tavern. Cryptic Wisdom at Soda Bar.

Lee Fields & the Expressions at The Music Box. Magic Sword at The Casbah. Daughters, HEALTH at SOMA. Exhumed at Brick by Brick.

Illenium at Pechanga. Griffin House at Soda Bar. Lisa Prank at Ché Café Collective.

The Blind Boys of Alabama at Belly Up Tavern. Omni at Soda Bar.

Friday, November 29

Saturday, December 7

Tuesday, December 17

Buku at Music Box. Morbid Angel at Brick by Brick. The Maine at Observatory North Park.

The Greyboy Allstars. The Rosalyns at The Casbah.

Saturday, November 30

Wayward Sons at Belly Up Tavern. Ten Bulls at Soda Bar. Ensiferum at Brick by Brick. Lane 8 at Petco Park.

Sunday, December 1

Mikal Cronin at The Casbah. The Old Firm Casuals at Brick by Brick. A$AP Ferg at House Of Blues. Elton John at Pechanga.

Monday, December 2

So You Think You Can Dance Live! 2019 at Balboa Theatre.

Blues. The Heavy Guilt at Soda Bar.

Angel Olsen at Observatory North Park. The Make-Up at The Casbah.

Tuesday, December 3

Monday, December 16

Kiefer Sutherland at Belly Up Tavern.

John Waters at Observatory North Park. With Confidence at The Irenic. Tow’rs at Soda Bar. Gryffin at SOMA. Authority Zero at Brick by Brick. Louis Futon at Music Box.

Mark Diamond at Soda Bar.

Sunday, December 8

Thursday, December 19

Andrea Bocelli at Pechanga Arena. Aly & AJ at Belly Up Tavern. Kim Petras at Observatory North Park. Pink Froyd at Music Box. Death Eyes at The Casbah. Valley Queen at Soda Bar.

Tuesday, December 10

The Charlie Daniels Band at California Center for the Arts. Pete Yorn at Belly Up Tavern.

Wednesday, December 11

Son Little at Soda Bar. Kolars at The

Wednesday, December 18

The Venice at Belly Up Tavern.

Mariachi Sol de Mexico at Balboa Theatre.

The Tubes at Belly Up Tavern. 13 Bats at The Casbah.

Friday, December 20

Cash’d Out Christmas at Belly Up Tavern.

Infected Mushroom at Music Box. Matt Embree at Soda Bar.

Saturday, December 21

Damage Inc. at Brick by Brick. The Grouch at Music Box. Phantom Planet at House Of

Sunday, December 22

The Crystal Method at Music Box. Jim Brickman at Balboa Theatre. Ignite at Brick

by Brick. Poolside at Observatory North Park.

Twin Ritual at Soda Bar.

Sunday, December 29

Donavon Frankenreiter at Belly Up Tavern.

Monday, December 30

Donavon Frankenreiter at Belly Up Tavern.

Tuesday, December 31

Steel Pulse at Belly Up Tavern. The Floozies at Music Box.

JANUARY

The Winehouse Experience (Music Box, 1/4), David Lindley (BUT, 1/8), Chadwick Stokes & the Pintos (BUT, 1/9), Mandolin Orange (Observatory, 1/10), Joyce Manor (Music Box, 1/10), Gary Gulman (Observatory, 1/11), Coco Montoya (BUT, 1/15), Midge Ure (BUT, 1/16), Los Stellarians (Music Box, 1/16), Trey Anastasio Band (Observatory, 1/16), Nada Surf (Casbah, 1/18), The PettyBreakers (BUT, 1/18), Reverend Horton Heat (HOB, 1/19), The Great Love Debate (Music Box, 1/22).

CLUBS

from page 21

Tio Leo›s, 5302 Napa St., Bay Park. Wed: Jazz Pocket Swing. Thu: The Rockin’ Aces. Fri: Whiskey Ridge. Sat: Band Overboard. Mon: ‘Sexy Salsa & Sensual Bachata.’ Tue: Sea Monks.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., City Heights.

Fri: Iron Kingdom, Headless Pez, NightShadow, Monarch, Tzimani. Sat: Iron Lung, Bad Breeding, Violencia, Therapy, Heat. Sun: Rival Squad, Pudre, Mad Cow Disease, Hungry Livers, C.O.D. Mon: Black Moon.

U-31, 3112 University Ave., North Park. Wed: DJ Mo Lyon. Thu: ‘BoomBox Thursdays.’

Fri: ‘Freeman Fridays.’ Sat: DJ Junior the Discopunk. Sun: ‘Live Reggae.’ Mon: ‘#31 Flavors.’

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park.

Fri: Patience, Riki, Lovenote. Sat: ‘Booty Bassment.’ Sun: Body Salt. Mon: ‘Electric Relaxation.’

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Wed: ‘Club Kingston.’ Thu: ‘OB Hip Hop Social.’ Fri: TV Broken 3rd Eye Open, High Step Society.

Sat: Arise Roots, Eureka Roots. Sun: Karaoke.

Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: Parasitic Existence.

22 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

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IN THE BACK

CANNABITCH Respect the Plant

Be careful of cannabis-based smoothies

By Jackie Bryant

A

minor theme of this column has been me earnestly trying new cannabis products and concepts, only to end up monstrously over-stoned.

It’s a theme I try not to lean too much on that because it’s a trope that can get boring and overplayed. However! It’s a very real part of being a cannabis columnist, especially in the early days of legalization when many people are on a steep learning curve, myself included sometimes.

I was scrolling through the internet last week when I came across a raw smoothie recipe post on Instagram, which was republished by someone from a recipe found on the cannabis website Leafly. I was never able to find the recipe in full, but it sparked an idea: I like smoothies! I like weed. I, too, should

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make a weed smoothie and write about it.

I also write about food, so this seemed to be a perfect marriage. I headed to my dude’s house—he grows a few cannabis plants of his own and happens to be a whiz in the kitchen. There, I dusted off my industrial-strength Vitamix, trimmed some of the stray leaves, bud and stems from his maturing cannabis plants and got to work.

My strongly informal recipe for two people was this: a quarter of a cantaloupe, two bananas, a decent handful of Tuscan kale, hemp milk (I eyed it), a few spoonfuls of flaxseed, a few spoonfuls of hemp seed and about two fat handfuls of the full cannabis plant, which included maturing buds with visible trichomes. I also added ice because I like smoothies to be cold.

The result was green. My

dude said, “It tastes like freshly mowed lawn. It’s completely unpalatable.”

While he wasn’t wrong about the concoction’s greenness, I do disagree that it was unpalatable. It tasted like a decently hardcore green juice!

It probably could have benefitted from a more obvious fruit, like strawberries or blueberries.

I couldn’t taste the weed all that much, which I consider a plus, but other enthusiasts may not.

Overall, especially for a first try and with flavors as strong as hemp and weed, I considered it a success. So much so that I drank an entire Solo cup’s worth.

And that, dear readers, is where things took a bit of a turn. About an hour after my guy and I threw in the proverbial towel and decided to order Shake Shack while enjoying a joint, I realized I was significantly more stoned than I

usually am after only smoking a joint.

“Wait, can I get stoned off of raw bud?” I asked. Because I was more used to actually cooking or making cocktails with weed—which includes a heating process called decarboxylation that converts non-intoxicating THC-A into the compound we all know and love, THC—I forgot that more mature buds naturally undergo this conversion process over time.

“Of course, you can see the trichomes on the bud,” he answered, referring to the sometimes-colored crystals that can be seen forming on cannabis buds by the naked eye. Since he hated the smoothie, he had only sampled a few sips. I was a whole frat boy sized-cup in.

The following eight hours found me sprawled out on the couch, more or less unable to talk or move and absolutely

the most useless human in San Diego on that particular day.

It was disheartening, because I knew my smoothie had some nice health benefits from raw cannabis: fiber; Vitamins A, C, and K; folate; iron and calcium along with some unproven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The high was fun if one is truly looking to “go there,” so to speak, but it rendered me completely useless, thereby not making it a good option for a healthy breakfast or snack, particularly if one wanted to have a productive day.

With some ratio tweaks, I have a feeling the smoothie can be made in a way that provides nutritional value and a functional high—I just happened to completely overdo it. But, even still, I’m always glad to be reminded that this plant deserves a good dose of respect above anything else..

OCTOBER 23, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 23

24 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · OCTOBER 23, 2019

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