San Diego CityBeat • Jan 16, 2013

2 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 3

Homeless Bill of Rights is not quite right Last week, we published a story that detailed state Assemblymember Tom Ammiano’s latest attempt to get the TRUST Act through the Legislature and signed by the governor. It would mostly bar local law-enforcement officers from helping federal officers enforce immigration laws. You might recognize the San Francisco Democrat’s name from his campaign four years ago to legalize and tax marijuana.

In addition to the TRUST Act, he’s also introduced a bill that would enact a Homeless Bill of Rights.

A lawmaker who wants to legalize pot and protect homeless people and undocumented immigrants? To our eyes, he sounds like a hefty slice of fried gold. Ammiano for president in 2016!

But, actually, as much as we appreciate Ammiano’s crusade for social change, the Homeless Bill of Rights is not the way to go.

The legislation stems from a group called the Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP), a coalition of West Coast social-justice groups, and its organizing director, Paul Boden, a formerly homeless person who became an advocate 30 years ago. It’s a response to what WRAP sees as worsening discrimination and harassment against people who are forced by circumstances to live on the street.

We agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment behind the bill. During the past 40 years, events have conspired to dramatically increase the homeless population in California and beyond—namely, the deinstitutionalization of severely mentally ill people, the upward concentration of wealth and the gradual loss of public and single-room occupancy housing.

In response, communities, often through businessimprovement districts, have used the police to roust people from sidewalks in commercial centers, parks and other public places. County jails have become an expensive (for taxpayers) part of the routine for many people with no place to live. Generally, there’s no place for people to store their belongings—hence, the proliferation of shopping carts—and precious few proper places where they can go to the bathroom, let alone sleep. Meanwhile, as they’ve been hemmed into blighted parts of cities, they’re increasingly victimized by violence. So, we get it.

The legislation is long and detailed, and we can

get behind some of the provisions, such as allowing folks to sleep in cars that are legally parked. But the core of the bill essentially allows people to engage in survival activities—sleeping, resting, lingering, eating, asking passersby for money, urinating, etc.— on any public property, without fear of being harassed or cited. We’d have trouble with that provision, but it doesn’t matter, because it’s a poison pill that would surely kill the bill or fail to survive an amendment process. The state’s major daily newspapers—Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee—have editorialized against it.

We understand the desire to protect homeless people from discrimination and harassment up and down the state with one swift swipe, but we think a better approach is community by comDAVID ROLLAND munity, perhaps through the courts, as was done in San Diego in 2007 when a judge approved a settlement that barred police from citing people for “illegal lodging” on public property between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. if there are no shelter beds available, and in 2011, when a judge approved a settlement that compelled the city to establish a facility where people can stash their stuff.

Yet there are policies that can be pursued at the state level to provide additional funding for supportive housing for folks with mental illness and addiction, as well as more treatment facilities; affordable housing for the lowest-income citizens; public restrooms, storage facilities and day centers with amenities like showers and Internet access; and, as a last resort, emergency shelters.

Honestly, it pains us to oppose any measure aimed at making life easier for people who have no sanctuary, no warm bed at night, no place to perform the most basic biological functions. But the Homeless Bill of Rights is destined to languish in the purgatory of a legislative committee or be watered down to the point that it’s mostly symbolic. We favor more targeted efforts to chip away at the problem.

Still, we thank Boden, Ammiano and countless others like them for giving a damn.

What do you think? Write to editor@sditybeat.com.

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4 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 5

STOP VOTING In your Dec. 26 editorial, you write: “Had Romney been elected, we’d have seen an accelerated shift of wealth to the top strata of society, perilous deregulation, unprecedented military spending, a further dismantling of the social safety net, more institutionalized disregard for science and at least one new right-wing justice on the Supreme Court.”

As it happens, that’s just what we got during Obama’s first term and will get more of in his second. Obama gave bigger bailouts to the rich than Bush did and is now about to give them even more by driving us over a fiscal cliff of his own making [editor’s note: This letter was written before the “fiscal cliff” deal.], shifting even more wealth from the 99 percent to the 1 percent.

As for deregulation, Obama has clearly been on the side of corporations instead of on the side of the people, even breaking the 30-year moratorium on new nuclear plants while we’re all still being bombarded with radiation from both Chernobyl, which was never, and cannot ever be, properly sealed, and Fukushima.

Defense spending increased, probably because Obama not only continued the Bush wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, replacing U.S. troops in Iraq with more expensive private military contractors, but also started new wars in Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Syria. Even when these wars are waged with local or CIA-imported proxies rather than U.S. troops, the cost of the drone bombs continues to increase.

Obama is attacking Social Security and Medicare in ways that no Republican had ever dared.

Disregarding the science that has proven genetically modified foods to be so harmful that many countries have banned them, Obama appointed former Monsanto Vice President Michael Taylor as his food safety czar.

And as for that Supreme Court justice, take a look at Obama’s pick for secretary of defense, Chuck Hagel. If you think Romney could have found a more right-wing Republican to appoint, you’ve definitely had too much rum-spiked eggnog.

The truth is that both parties are funded by the same corporations and have to

adhere to the corporate agenda of their major funders or risk losing the billions of dollars that sustain their political party and enable it to compete with the other party.

Those billions are what they’re competing for. No matter how people vote, and no matter who is elected, we can only expect more of the same.

I stopped voting and became an election-boycott advocate when I realized that globalization and environmental catastrophe were against my interests and the interests of the planet, and that I could no longer authorize anyone to do such things in my name. When you know beforehand that the only possible result of an election will be more income disparity, more war and more climate change, it isn’t really an election, anyway, and unless that’s what you want, you really shouldn’t vote.

Mark E. Smith, Downtown

STADIUMS ARE A ‘DRAG’ Alan Schmitt’s Jan. 2 letter to the editor regarding Todd Gloria’s proposal for new infrastructure funding shows that he is thinking with his heart and not his head.

That’s understandable because a shiny new stadium would get people excited, keep the Chargers in town and may host various other events.

However, any objective study of stadiums built in the last decade or so have shown that the financial effect on a city’s economy is either minuscule or has been a drag on the general funds of those cities.

One example is in Cincinnati, where funds for local schools and other city services have had to be cut to help pay the debt service on a football stadium.

These projects always cost more than anticipated, and the taxpayers usually are on the hook. I think Mr. Schmitt needs to realize that a stadium, and keeping the Chargers, who are a civic asset, may just be a luxury that San Diego cannot afford and certainly should not be the subject of any new tax proposal.

Rob Cohen, Kensington

SH ENANIGANS GUESS THE WINNING BID ON THESE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CONTRACTS. 1. Metal and wood barricades, 38 by 24 feet.

Quantity: 2,000 2. Three-wire lapel-microphone kit for sheriff’s radios.

Quantity: 25 3. Commercial truck driver’s license training, textbook, physical examination, permit, etc. Quantity: 1 A $2,091

B. $3,692

BY DAVE MAASS

C. $37,500 ANSWERS: 1C, 2A, 3B

6 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

david rolland

Bob Filner

This week in Bob

San Diego’s new mayor is a provocative speaker, but is he telling the truth?

body has to abide by? …

“Oh, and here’s the reason they gave that I should intervene,” Filner added, “the lady who is running the stables is a Hispanic woman who has no other job…. Not only do they have billions of dollars that they can give her a job—so, find her a place to

by Kelly Davis do something—but why are you using that Nothing gets a populist’s blood boiling like on me? So, we called code enforcement and stories of political favors being doled out to said, ‘Go to work faster.’” people with money and power. And Mayor Filner’s been in office since Dec. 3; when Bob Filner told a good one at a Hillcrest he’s well into his four-year term as mayor of Town Council meeting on Jan. 8.

San Diego, folks will look back at last week “So, I get a call a couple weeks ago that as either an anomaly or harbinger. In addiPapa Doug, publisher of our paper, and his wonderful assistant, John Lynch, want to “I would go with what the see me,” he told attendees. Papa Doug is Doug Manchester, the real-estate develmayor said. This is his office. oper who purchased the San Diego UnionThat’s what the mayor said.”

Tribune in late 2011; Lynch is the newspaper’s CEO. —Irene McCormack Not only did Lynch show up on a different day than was scheduled—a day Filner wasn’t in the office—but in a meeting with tion to the Manchester-Lynch brouhaha, two members of Filner’s staff, he asked the Filner grappled publicly and fiercely with Mayor’s office to intervene in code-enforce- City Council President Todd Gloria (see ment proceedings against Manchester’s Page 8) and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith Grand Del Mar hotel in Carmel Valley. (see sidebar).

“Now, I wouldn’t interfere with code enWhile opponents have derided his beforcement for a friend, let alone the U-T,” havior as reckless bullying and grandstandFilner told the standing-room-only crowd. ing, supporters hail Filner’s actions as the “But the incredible arrogance that they just end of business-as-usual at City Hall. But have to call up the mayor, and [we’re] going in rallying the masses, is Filner sacrificing to stop enforcement of a law which every- truth for a good tale? It’s hard to know.

Let’s take a closer look at the Grand Del Mar case: Indeed, there were code-compliance violations—a helipad, three parking lots, an equestrian center, a stable and horse trails had been added to the property without proper permits, and environmentally sensitive land had been damaged in the process. In early 2012, the city’s codeenforcement division handed the case off to the City Attorney’s office, and a lawsuit was filed against the Grand Del Mar on Jan. 4, 2013.

The lawsuit appears to have been procedural. Both sides had agreed to a settlement before the case was filed. Manchester and a Grand Del Mar representative signed the settlement on Dec. 19, 2012, and Paul Robinson, who represented the Grand Del Mar in the case, signed the agreement on Dec. 18. Deputy City Attorney Danna Nicholas signed the agreement on Dec. 31.

The settlement says the Grand Del Mar must pay the city $87,456.39 and obtain permits for the equestrian center, horse trails, corral and helipad—all of which much cease operations until the permits are secured.

Until settlement terms are met, there’s to be no further development on the property, and the Grand Del Mar must fix any environmental damage that the clandestine construction caused.

The meeting between Lynch and Filner’s staff took place on Dec. 24—after the settlement had been drawn up.

Lynch said Filner misrepresented how the meeting came about. He also disputed Filner’s claim that he showed up on the wrong day.

“He approached us first,” Lynch told CityBeat. “He wanted to bury the hatchet.”

The U-T had editorialized against Filner in the run-up to the November election.

Manchester had been called out of town, Lynch said, so he brought along Perry Dealy, Manchester’s development consultant. Lynch said he and Dealy met with two Filner staffers—Deputy Chief of Staff Allen Jones and Director of Bi-National Affairs Mario Lopez. The only request related to the Grand Del Mar, Lynch said, is that the equestrian center be allowed to remain open during the permitting process.

“I think [Dealy] asked if they would allow the lady who runs the private business at the stables… to keep running until the final resolution of the entire thing. So, it wasn’t a very big deal, and that was only part of the reason why we were there. We were to talk about how we could work together to support [Filner’s] efforts.”

Filner’s communications director, Irene McCormack, confirmed that a meeting took place on Dec. 24. She wouldn’t say who was there or what was discussed.

“I would go with what the mayor said,” at the Hillcrest Town Council meeting, McCormack said. “This is his office. That’s what the mayor said.”

Dealy deferred to Lynch on what exactly happened in the meeting. “The only thing I can tell you is I worked with the city to come up with the [settlement] agreement,” he said. “The agreement’s been signed; we’re now processing the permits with the city.”

Bob’s first burns and bumbles Mayor Bob Filner has spent the first weeks of his administration speaking to any group that can get a few people in a room with some chairs. Last week, however, Filner finally started to govern—wildly. Whereas the previous mayor preferred to negotiate calmly behind the scenes, Filner enjoys dropping bombshells in front of an audience.

During a Jan. 7 press conference announcing his top-level staff, Filner asked for an apology from U-T San Diego for criticizing him for failing to respond to its earlier records requests for a list of mayoral employees. As CityBeat’s Kelly Davis pointed out in a blog post, Filner was wrong on several claims he made about the California Public Records Act, including what constitutes a request (you can make them over the phone) and when records have to be produced (promptly and without delay). For the record, he did hire former City Councilmember Donna Frye as director of open government and her longtime aide Steve Hadley as her deputy.

Filner turned up at the Jan. 8 City Council session and engaged in a decorum-busting exchange with Council President Todd Gloria over who has the authority to appoint delegates to SANDAG—see Page 8 for details. Right after that, Filner addressed the Hillcrest Town Council, where he slammed U-T San Diego publishers Douglas Manchester and John Lynch—see our story on this page for more on that.

Later that same evening, Filner spoke to the San Diego chapter of Americans for Safe Access, a medical-marijuana advocacy group. He promised to testify in court on behalf of criminal defendants and to lobby Washington, D.C., for drug-policy reform. Filner stoked the most controversy when he attacked City Attorney Jan Goldsmith’s “persecution” of dispensaries. His remark that Goldsmith was a “little guy” who could be “intimidated” was interpreted as an insult by those watching the live feed, but it really was just a joke referencing a large-bodied patient.

Two days later, Filner sent letters to the head of the city’s code-compliance unit and the police chief, ordering them to stop forwarding dispensary cases to the City Attorney’s office.

—Dave Maass As for the Grand Del Mar’s equestrian center, a woman who answered the phone said it’s currently closed—“they’re working on a few things”—but will re-open on Jan. 22.

Write to kellyd@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 7

Photo illustration: Adam Vieyra

spin cycle

john r.

lamb The Filner Treatment “Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend a little than to break.”

—Jane Wells A bracing, wintery wind rolled through San Diego last week, but balmier days appear on the horizon.

Nooo, John Coleman hasn’t hijacked Spin Cycle. This blast of arctic air came gift-wrapped for local media consumption via our newly anointed mayor, Bob Filner, the Sultan of Swat-downs, directed at our newly minted City Council ringmaster, Todd Gloria.

The public dispute over city appointments to local governmental agencies—most notably the money-flush San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)— occurred during last Tuesday’s otherwise innocuous City Council

meeting. Social media blew up over the proceedings, which were highlighted by the mayor urging fellow Democrat Gloria to bail from his presiding duties so they could meet privately to hash out a solution.

You read correctly—during the meeting.

Thing is, the kerfuffle didn’t have to happen. As noted in a string of emails provided to Spin

by Gloria’s office, the council president reached out to Filner’s staff as early as Dec. 12 with board recommendations for the mayor to consider.

In an interview this week, Gloria said responses to those drafts were limited to “acknowledgements of receipt and that they’re working on it.” The first time he saw Filner’s own nominations—presenting a vastly reduced role for Gloria on

8 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

outside agencies—was the Friday before last week’s showdown.

Gloria said Filner’s memo appeared “in reaction” to Gloria’s own memo, which docketed the appointment agenda item and recommended much more robust duties for Gloria, including as a voting member of SANDAG’s board, which oversees the regional transportation purse strings of the TransNet half-cent sales tax.

The evening after the public snit, Filner appeared before the Hillcrest Town Council, mesmerizing the packed house with tales of battles with code-violator-cum-publisher Doug Manchester (detailed on Page 7), defying SDG&E’s attempt to dine him and “hand me some checks for my debt” (the utility company declined comment) and riffing on his opposition to Irwin Jacobs’ Plaza de Panama remodel, a La Jollaseal-cam (“I’m told technically it’s not difficult to do”) and requiring all city contracts to bear his signature (“Everything!”)

After the talk, Filner told Spin that he chose to reduce Gloria’s appointments “because he’s council president, and he’s got enough to do.” The mayor added that he tried to include all council members on the various boards, Re-

publicans included, and that Gloria had shown that courtesy only to Lorie Zapf, with whom Gloria had shared “alternate” status on SANDAG. “I think we ought to be sharing these responsibilities,” Filner argued.

Asked why he chose the confrontational approach rather than the admittedly informal practice of past mayors and council presidents working out the picks jointly, Filner bristled. Gloria “had his memo before, and I couldn’t agree to it,” he said, leaning in. “But he wouldn’t talk about what I wanted to do until I gave him my thing [memo], and he said, ‘I’m going to do my thing.’”

Now, much of this can be blamed, presumably, on the relative freshness of this evolving relationship— “We’re both new to our roles,” Gloria noted—although the two are no strangers. Gloria even accompanied Filner to the mayor-to-be’s voting precinct on Election Day. “It’s a classic case of a new mayor coming in, and he has staff who hasn’t figured out how to work with this council,” said Carl Luna, a Mesa College political-science professor who frequently opines on the local legislative landscape.

(He noted that Filner may speak at the 2nd annual Conference on Restoring Civility to Civic Dialogue that Luna will moderate in February at the University of San Diego.)

“It’s not the same sort of partisan environment that you have on Capitol Hill,” Luna added, a reference to Filner’s feisty decades in Congress.

“I mean, these guys are just down the hall from each other. And it’s not 435 of them. So I think the mayor is learning some more of the people skills, and I think the transition has caused him a few snafus.”

Asked if his Tuesday appearance was predicated by the previous day’s council meeting in which Gloria sided with his Republican counterparts to fill two vacant seats on the influential San Diego Port Commission, the mayor smiled and wrapped his arm around Spin.

“You know how the votes came out? Four Republicans and Todd,” Filner said.

During the impromptu behinddoors meeting with Gloria last Tuesday, the mayor—in a style that conjured memories of the so-called “Johnson Treatment” (whereby Lyndon Johnson would literally lean into the face of those he sought to influence)—said he told Gloria, “Why are you allowing them to run the city? We had an election!”

Gloria gets the Filner Treatment.

Gloria, meantime, described the encounter as “uncomfortable” but nothing more. “Serving on additional boards and committees, it’s not what I wake up yearning to do,” he told Spin. “The office of the mayor is very important, but so is the office of the council president.

We’re co-equal branches of government. And a deviation from a process that in my mind would reduce the voice of the council president is nothing that I could support. That’s why you see some of the tension.”

Gloria also defended the port picks, chuckling, “A pro-worker Republican [Marshall Merrifield] and the president of the La Raza Lawyers Association [Rafael Castellanos]? It’s a new day in San Diego!”

In the end, the council president, after meeting with Filner last Thursday, prevailed for the most part. Where Filner wanted Councilmember David Alvarez to join him on SANDAG, Gloria will take that seat. (Gloria even hinted at the possibility of chairing SANDAG’s powerful Transportation Committee, a rare plum for local council members typically hampered from gaining seniority due to term limits.)

Alvarez, whose spokesperson said he was “good” with the changes, will join the Airport Authority and sit on SANDAG’s Border Committee. At Monday’s meeting, during which the council unanimously approved the picks, Filner seemed to soften, saying, “I want to thank you for the cooperative spirit, which I think was commanded by the council, that we present a unified state.”

“Bob,” Luna observed, “has to make sure he’s not burning bridges before he’s even learned how to cross them. Maybe the council can come up with something like the Mayor’s Box, a little railed box, and he never gets to leave!”

Got a tip? Send it to johnl@sdcitybeat.com.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 9

BY AMY T. GRANITE amy t. granite

ing overhead, carafes of coffee, a long hallway (also the back entrance/exit) lined with photo memorabilia dating way back and free parking—in La Jolla!— Harry’s is of another era. I think fondly of my grandparents when I’m there, in part because of the blue-haired clientele but mostly for the non-fussy, just plain goodness of everything, particularly breakfast.

I’m hardly one of those people who order the same thing every time. But somehow, I almost always end up with an omelet, and at one point, when I worked around the corner, that meant up to three times a A spinach, bacon and cheddar omelet week. Oink! and chicken fried steak ’n’ eggs On the menu, under “ummlettes cause a stir,” there are all kinds of options. I’m partial to the sausage link and cheese—oh, yes, chopped-up breakfast sausage folded right in—or building my own with spinach, mushrooms, cheese and sometimes bacon in there, too. Servers recite the side and toast options, with hash browns and sourdough toast La Jolla has soul food? doing it for me, cottage cheese for nana.

Open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, Harry’s A visit to Harry’s Coffee Shop reminded me serves breakfast till closing, and the lunch fare inof many of the reasons why I love the blue-colcludes all the greasy-spoon standards from B.L.T. lar food beat. The family-owned, classic diner and tuna melt to burgers and milkshakes. has been around since 1960, with Harry’s sons I don’t think I’ve ever waited more than 10 continuing to operate it much the same way, minutes for my always-solid brekkie. The hash I’d imagine, that their father did during his lifebrowns are the best: crisp, golden and salty on time. Several of the servers have been around for the outside with a moist interior. And you won’t roughly 20 years, and Nacho, the cook, has been want to miss the salsa, red-hot and potent, blendaround since 1976. ed smooth, best enjoyed drizzled on eggy dishes The tasty American food here is all you’d ever every few bites. want it to be: fast, consistent and honest. Throw No single thing on Harry’s menu is over-thein that it really is a place where everybody knows top great; it’s the sum of all parts and the authenyour name, or will after a few visits, and it becomes ticity that makes eating there a value. Little things obvious why Harry’s (7545 Girard Ave., harrys like the counter seating, old-school service and the coffeeshop.com) is a La Jolla icon that doesn’t cast of characters flowing in and out make it a joint have to trumpet the words “first” or “best” across that’s easy to get sucked into. I can see myself sitthe front window or along the top of the menu. ting at the counter 20 years from now, still orderLegit restaurants don’t have to spell it out; they ing my bacon omelets and probably not chuckling at the cute old timers quite as much. prove it just by doing what they do. I’m wary of places whose owners talk a lot. Save your sermon Write to amyg@sdcitybeat.com for a staff meeting and just feed me, dammit. and editor@sdcitrybeat.com.

With touches like soft, classical music play-

grubby

bitch

10 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

BY KELLY DAVIS

cocktail

tales

Adventures in retro cocktailing With this issue of CityBeat having a retro focus, I was at a loss as to what to write about. No, really.

Retro cocktails are pretty much all I’ve been writing about in this space—folks re-creating classics or doing their own twist on a classic.

So, I did what I’ve wanted to do for years. I hauled out Here’s How, a cocktail-recipe book I pilfered from my dad’s house that I’m pretty sure belonged to his grandmother. Published in Asheville, N.C., in 1941, it’s got wood-board covers held in place with metal hinges. New Yorkerstyle illustrations—some rather un-PC—fill the pages, along with comments under recipes made to look like marginal notes, like this one for the Brandy Flip: “You’ll be flip, too, if you go too far with this!”

Here’s what I learned from Here’s How: No one used vodka back then. Of the roughly 150 recipes, not a single one includes vodka. And I now know the difference between a jigger (an ounce-and-a-half ) and a pony (1 ounce). A wine glass isn’t a wine glass—it’s 2 ounces. And a dash doesn’t mean “eyeball it”—it means measure out one-third of a teaspoon.

The book pushed me to add to my cocktail cabinet—sweet and dry vermouth, grenadine, curacao. I’m still searching for anisette and prinelle. I learned that gum syrup is actually simple syrup (one part sugar, two parts water), Danziger Goldwasser is apparently the world’s oldest spirit (1598) and orchard syrup is made from apples (Google it for some good recipes).

But, sadly, of the maybe 20 recipes I tried, most were undrinkable. The problem became clear early on—too much citrus (many recipes called for 1/2 a lemon and 1/2 a lime)—but I felt compelled to follow each recipe exactly. So much good booze wasted last Saturday night.

I sent an email to Adam Stemmler and Dustin Haarstad from Blind Tiger Cocktail Co.—I wrote about the new menu they created for Alchemy in our Dec. 26 issue; the guys are cocktail scientists. Haarstad agreed that it’s rare for a cocktail recipe to include more than 3/4 an ounce of citrus.

“It is important to note that citrus tastes slightly different in various parts of the world,” Stemmler added, “and I can only assume that over the past 70-ish years, not only produce, but spirits as well, have changed significantly. That is why recipe templates are more of a guide than ‘law,’ if you will.”

So, with that advice, I cracked open the book again. The Cream Fizz caught my eye; underneath was the Orange Fizz. Using the two as a template, I concocted what I’ll uncreatively call the Orange Cream Fizz: s ke lly davi

1 pony of gin 1 wine glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice 1/2 tsp. powdered sugar Put in a shaker with ice. Strain into a glass with ice and add half an ounce of cream or half-and-half. Stir. Optional: One dash of bitters. Cheers.

Write to kellyd@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 11

the floating

library

by jim ruland

Whale ho!

Call me tardy.

After a stint in the Navy, two English degrees and an ocean of books, I finally got around to reading Herman Melville’s classic seafaring adventure, Moby-Dick.

Last January, I resolved to read Moby-Dick before the end of the year. I doubled down on that promise after seeing Moby-Dick performed at the San Diego Opera.

I read the Norton Critical Edition that’s been sitting on my shelf since I was an undergraduate student and a free electronic version that I downloaded via Goodreads on my iPhone.

This sounds like a terrible way to read MobyDick, but it was surprisingly efficacious. When I was at home, I read from the book, but when I was out and about, I was able to read a few pages here and there without having to lug the book around.

In fact, I read the first 40 pages, which feature Queequeg the harpooner, who has “tattooing burned like Satanic blue flames on his body,” while getting one of my own tattoos touched up in North Hollywood.

If the thought of reading a big book like MobyDick on a tiny iPhone screen strikes you as ridiculous, consider for a moment that Melville was hugely into technology.

Whaling tech. Sailing tech. Harpoon tech.

(I think if Melville were alive today, he’d be writing for Wired. He would have loved Angry Birds.)

The extent to which Melville describes the process of extracting whale oil is both gruesome and fascinating because there was a time in American life when whale oil was as “indispensable” as petroleum is today.

But even with two copies of Moby-Dick, I still lagged, and I was perilously close to reneging on my resolution before I picked it up and got through it.

I loved everything about it. But like most people, I’d never been able to get more than a few chapters in before abandoning ship. This time I was able figure out why.

Moby-Dick is not a sea-faring adventure.

Moby-Dick is a portmanteau: It contains a little of everything. It’s got travel narratives, sea songs, expositions of Bible stories, treatises on mid-19th-century whaling and descriptions of everything from the formalities of hailing a passing vessel to the Pequod’s deck fittings.

But nautical adventure? Not so much. At least not until the very end, which is awesome.

It’s more than the stories being told; it’s how Melville tells them. He deploys an astonishing range of styles: comic scenes, fiery sermons, scholarly soliloquies, tales told within tales.

The way he jumps around, ignoring the conventions of genre, is practically postmodern.

Melville even slips in a portrait of himself “while plunged in deep thought, after six cups of hot tea in my thin shingled attic, of an August noon.”

12 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

For a book about the pursuit of a whale that takes several years and crosses many oceans, Moby-Dick is anything but monolithic. It certainly wasn’t something 19th-century readers were accustomed to, and Moby-Dick went out of print well before Melville died in 1891.

Yet in one of American literature’s first, foremost and best-loved comeback stories, MobyDick became a classic.

In his cultural biography, Melville: His World and Work, Andrew Delbanco explains that the symbolism in Moby-Dick is so rich that it works regardless of which critical theory is in vogue.

From the infancy of American academia to the radical ’60s to the present day, Melville’s tale of the perils of monomania has endured.

Now everyone knows that Ahab is synonymous with obsession and that the white whale is a symbol for something elusive that just might destroy you if you seek it out. It’s the classic “Be careful what you wish for” situation.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is how direct the novel seems when taken from Moby-Dick’s point of view.

Think of Moby-Dick as Mike Tyson in his prime and Ahab as Tony Tubbs.

Tony who?

Exactly.

Ahab’s obsession is cute, but once he gets in the ring with the great White Whale, there can only be one outcome.

And that’s what Moby-Dick is all about: Death with a capital D. The Pequod is a reeking death ship crewed by living dead men. Ahab is a serial killer, a steampunk cyborg with a whalebone leg and a mind warped with revenge.

For this reader, the message is clear: Don’t fuck with Moby-Dick.

Ultimately, this resurrected classic is the story of what happens when we mess with things we shouldn’t be messing with.

Like the polar ice cap, for instance.

Perhaps someday, technologies like hydraulic fracturing and genetically modifying the food we eat will seem as dangerous and disgusting as slaughtering whales so we can boil their blubber in shipboard cauldrons.

Melville is no longer around to tell the tale, but something tells me that Moby-Dick is still out there, and our Ahab moment is just over the horizon.

Write to jimr@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 13

the

SHORTlist

1

DRAWING LOTS

In our first issue of the year, CityBeat identified the Structural and Materials Engineering Building (SME) at UCSD as one of the top places to keep an eye on in 2013. What grabbed our attention was the school’s clever decisions to house innovative art studios beside engineering laboratories.

Dual, the first art event of the year at SME, opens Friday, Jan. 18. Described as “a parallel drawing show between two and three-dimensions,” the exhibit is a collaboration between 17 visual-arts graduate students working in the separate experimental sculpture and experimental drawing studios at SME. Jennifer Pastor, the professor who leads the sculpture studio, says that “drawing” is very broadly defined in the context of this show. Viewers will be surprised if they’re expecting only blueprints or preparatory drawings from her students.

“One of the prompts for the show was the fact that I see so much flatwork, so much drawing and collage around the studios of all different types of makers, including people who work with time-based mediums,” she says.

The artists were still finalizing their submissions

2

THESE CHARMING GIRLS

Can you call a Canadian band’s music “Americana”? Though, what’s meant by “Americana,” anyway? The Good Lovelies, an all-female trio—Caroline Brooks, Sue Passmore and Kerri Ough—from Toronto, play music that blends folk, country, roots, jazz and lots of old-timey charm. The multi-instrumentalists’ voices are as suited for threepart harmonies as vanilla, chocolate and strawberry are for Neapolitan ice cream, helping them secure a 2010 Juno award (Canada’s version of the Grammys) for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year. And they do a damn-good version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Catch them live at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at the Museum of Making Music (5790 Armada Drive in Carlsbad, museumofmakingmusic.org).

Tickets are $15. goodlovelies.com

14 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

COORDINATED BY ALEX ZARAGOZA

“Salt Exclosure” by Dominic Paul Miller as we hit deadline, but at least three will be familiar to CityBeat readers—Kate Clark, Emily Grenader and Hermione Spriggs, whose artistic investigation into the history of Balboa Park was feature in an August 2012 cover story. Clark tells CityBeat she’ll display a rendition of the severed hand that directs tourists where to see the sights at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Spriggs will reveal field sketches from her larger ethnographic project in Slab City, including an image of firemen tackling a boat that caught fire in the desert. Meanwhile, Grenader will showcase some of the original charcoal portraits of chefs that she created for a series of gourmet frozen-yogurt labels.

The opening reception runs from 5 to 7 p.m. in Rooms 201 and 202 of SME. visarts.ucsd.edu

3

TAKE THIS DANCE

Dance comes in many forms, but what we’re usually exposed to are the pop-andlock of hip-hop dancing, which is not only entertaining, but also absolutely impressive. Modern dance, however, has the stigma of being snobby or boring, and that’s not the case.

(Well, that’s not always the case.) Anyone into dance should see Canadian ensemble Compagnie Marie Chouinard when they perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at UCSD’s Mandeville Auditorium. For this concert, Chouinard uses stark lighting and costuming, wild movement and humor to honor the 100th anniversary of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Oh, did we mention there will be nudity? Chouinard is very into nudity. A discussion with Chouinard will follow the performance. Tickets are $28-$46. artpwr.com

Art HLux@Night at Lux Art Institute, 1550 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Wander the studio as artist-in-residence, Spanish-born sculptor Carlos Vega, works on his carved lead panels. Food and drink will be available for purchase. From 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16. $5. Vega will discuss his work on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Wine ception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the artist talk at $6 p.m. $10. 760-436-6611, luxartinstitute.org Live Art Battle at Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Artists Krystal Dyer, Hill Young, Al Scholl and Jimmy Ovadia will be painting during live performances by Simpkin Project, Beyond I Sight and Ryan Gonzo. From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16. $8 in advance; $10 day-of. 858-481-8140, facebook.com/ events/346322702141529/ HOn the Trail of Ansel Adams: Black and White Nature Photography at San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park. View black-and-white, nature-based imagery inspired by Ansel Adams. Photographers with work in the exhibition include Charles Cramer, William Neill, Aaron Chang and Steven Bundy. On view through April 29. See website for museum hours and admission prices. Opens Thursday, Jan. 17. 619-232-3821, sdnhm.org HArt of the New Year at Propagandist, 835 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Grab one of the bar’s awesome craft cocktails and check out art from local artists. From 7 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Jan. 17. 619-238-7117, facebook.com/events/509550212422404 Symposium: Across the South of Asia at San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park. This three-day symposium features prominent scholars who’ll be discussing south and southeast Asian art. Happening

“Ray Charles” by Kristina Micotti is on view at Subtext Gallery (2479 Kettner Blvd. in Little Italy) as part of Sentimental Mood, her exhibition of illustrations, which runs through Feb. 3.

Friday, Jan. 18, through Sunday, Jan. 20. See website for times and lecture info.

One-day ticket $30-$45; three-day ticket $50-$80. 619-232-7931, sdmart.org HDual at Structural Materials and Engineering Building, UCSD campus, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. This group show features artists whose work evolves from two-dimensional practices, investigations

of sculpture and space and everything in between. Happening in the Experimental Drawing and Sculpture Studios. Opening 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. 858-5342230, visarts.ucsd.edu HJarod Farver at Alexander Salazar Fine Art, 640 Broadway, Downtown. Farver, the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 15

theater are short on dramatic tension. Frank’s college-office set, in which the entire play outfits a dozen times. The more restrained takes place, would feel claustrophobic if it Johnson, with his unkempt hair and beard weren’t so appealing (kudos to scenic artist bears Frank’s burdens of booze and too many John Finkbiner). No wonder it is, in different bad essays well, and he conveys the rumpled ways, both Frank’s and Rita’s escape. look of a timeworn academic.

Educating Rita runs through Feb. 3 at Like Pygmalion, Educating Rita is a tale of North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana opposite classes learning to appreciate the oth- Beach. $37-$54. northcoastrep.org er. Rita wants to understand great literature; —David L. Coddon Frank, it turns out, wants to understand her (he’s given up on himself ). The two search- Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com ing souls achieve a restless acceptance of their and editor@sdcitybeat.com. destinies, Frank’s more restless than Rita’s.

There are moments of genuine warmth Opening: and amusement in this production, though Charley’s Aunt: It’s the late-1800s, and two college many of the quickly unfolding mini-scenes men want to get with a couple of young lasses. They

War’s no match for love in 1949 musical Who’s educating whom? This is the not-socryptic underlying question of Willy Russell’s Educating Rita, the veddy British dramedy that in the ‘80s made a star out of Julie Walters, who originated the title role on London’s West End and reprised it in a well-received film co-starring Michael Caine. While Rita is the one seeking an education, her tutor, Frank, is immersed in a serious case of Professor, teach thyself.

The parts of the alcoholic Open University prof and the working-class girl he’s tutoring in literature and in life are decidedly showy ones. In other words, there’s dangerous opportunity for the pair playing the roles in Russell’s two-character play to run amok.

Director Rosina Reynolds keeps that from happening in the North Coast Rep’s new production of Educating Rita, which features Meghan Andrews (last seen at NCR in Words by Ira Gershwin and the Great American Songbook) as the unpolished hairdresser who reads Harold Robbins, and Bjorn Johnson as Frank, who hides his Scotch whiskey on bookshelves behind volumes of Dickens.

Andrews’ accent doesn’t always sound exclusively Liverpudlian, and she occasionally seems to speak to the audience rather than to Johnson, but her good-natured Rita is a sympathetic one. She also gets to change

16 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

Courtesy: North Coast Repertory Theatre

plan a get-together to coincide with a visit from a rich aunt from Brazil. But, as usual with this sort of farce, things go haywire. Opens Jan. 18 at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista. onstageplayhouse.org

Leading Ladies: It’s the late-1950s, and two struggling actors decide to pose as two missing men who are due an inheritance. When it turns out the missing pair are actually women, the actors decide to go through with the scheme in drag. Opens Jan. 17 at Avo Playhouse in Vista. moonlightstage.com Pete ’n Keely: It’s the late-1960s, and a successful singing duo who haven’t spoken in five years have decided to reunite for a live TV special. Opens Jan. 18 at Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado. lambsplayers.org

For full listings, please visit

Meghan Andrews and Bjorn Johnson

“T heater ” at sdcit yb eat.com

latest artist in residence at Salazar Fine Art, displays his abstract paintings. Opening 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, alexandersalazarfineart.com Places Here at Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown. See plein-air landscape and cityscape oil paintings by Kevin Inman. On view through Feb. 10. Opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. 619-5441000, themovingcastle.com Meaning and Metaphor at Hera Hub, 9710 Scranton Road, Suite 160, Sorrento Valley. Kira Carrillo Corser displays her art that incorporates photograph, silk, pastels and ink. Opening reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. kiracorser.com H2013 Juried Biennial Exhibition at William D. Cannon Art Gallery, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad. The gallery presents 100 works of juried art by artists in all media who live, work or maintain a studio in San Diego County. Artists include Neil Shigley, Anna Zappoli and Eric Wixon. On view through March 9. Opening from 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 19, carlsbadca.gov/arts HToe the Line at Planet Rooth Design Haus, 334 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. Sixteen tattoo artists will display their artwork. The evening includes live sets from River City and The Heavy Guilt Duo. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. sd-too.com HReflections at Space 4 Art, 325 15th St., East Village. Three painters—Jessica Rose Marsh, Linda Litteral and Ben DeHart—will reveal show their work as part of Space 4 Art’s Tenant Series. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, sdspace4art.org HThe Expiation at Glashaus, 1815-B Main St., Barrio Logan. Check out an exhibition of new large scale works by Jill Joy. Opening 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.

facebook.com/events/119085698264097 Configuration at Biz Center Art, 7317 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa. View work from local artists and students from Monuments Project and enjoy food from Haritna Restaurant. Opening at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. 619-713-2560, BizCenterArt.com HJoshua Dildine at White Box Contemporary Art, 1040 Seventh Ave., Downtown.

Dildine blends acrylic and spray paint to create colorful, abstract works. Opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, alexandersalazarfineart.com HEra. at Madison Gallery, 1020 Prospect St., La Jolla. View artwork from James Verbicky, who creates a blend of sculpture and painting by binding fragments of vintage media. On view through Feb. 19.

Opening 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, madisongalleries.com Abundance of Light at Exclusive Collections Gallery, 437 Market St., Downtown.

Check out Dale TerBush’s works based on his study of jellyfish. Opening reception 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. ecgallery.com Figuratively Speaking at La Jolla Art Association, 8100 Paseo del Ocaso, La Jolla.

This all-media art exhibition will be judged

by Palomar College fine art instructor, Michael Steirnagle. On view through Jan. 27.

Opening from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. 858-459-1196, lajollaart.org Captured Freedom at Front Porch Gallery, 2903 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad.

Dance photography by Robert K. Gullen.

On view through March 17. Opening noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. 760-795-6120, frontporchgallery.org (Dis)Orient at Loft @ UCSD, Price Center East, La Jolla. View art by May Yang while Poor Sport provides the mood music.

Opening at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, theloft.ucsd.edu

Books Jill Badonsky at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Founder and director of Kazen-Muse Creativity Coaching, Badonsky will discuss and sign The Muse Is In: An Owner’s Manual to Your Creativity.

At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16. 858454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com Thomas Caplan at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. Caplan signs his latest, The Spy Who Jumped Off the Screen. At 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 16. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com HAlex Boese at Upstart Crow, 835 West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village. The author of Electrified Sheep: Glass-Eating Scientists Nuking the Moon and more Bizarre Experiments and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes, discusses his book. At 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 17. 619-232-4855, upstartcrowtrading.com Steven Gould at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. Gould signs his book, Impulse. At 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com HRobert Lorin Calder at D.G. Wills Books, 7461 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Calder discusses his book, Willie: The Life of W. Somerset Maugham. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. 858-456-1800, dgwillsbooks.com Weekend with Locals: Judy Eby at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. As part of their continuing series of Weekend with Locals events, Warwick’s will be hosting Eby, author of Free Trade.

At noon Sunday, Jan. 20. 858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com Colette Baron-Reid at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. BaronReid will discuss and sign her newest book, Weight Loss for People Who Feel Too Much: A 4-Step, 8-Week Plan to Finally Lose the Weight, Manage Emotional Eating, and Find Your Fabulous Self. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. 858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com Chasing a Dream in the Galapagos at Mision Valley Library, 2123 Fenton Pkwy., Mission Valley. Bette Pegas will discuss her memoir about travelling with her adult daughters to the Galapagos Islands. At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23.

Dance HThe Fantasy Project at Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre, UCSD campus, La Jolla. MFA candidate Anya Cloud directs this modern-dance piece that explores the real and imagined, desirable and repulsive. It also includes camels. At 8 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 16-19. $20. theatre.ucsd.edu/season HCompagnie Marie Chouinard at Mandeville Auditorium, UCSD campus, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The French Canadian dance company performs an avant-garde homage to Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Warning: There will be some nudity. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17. $28$46. 858-534-TIXS, artpower.ucsd.edu HCabaret Dances: An Impressionist Evening at White Box Theatre, 2690 Truxtun Road, Point Loma. San Diego Dance Theater presents a new dance concert,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 17

Water Lilies/Nymphs, inspired by the art of Claude Monet. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, and 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. $15-$30.

619-225-1803, sandiegodancetheater.org

Fashion Shupaca Trunk Show at Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park. Purchase fair-trade goods and textiles made by Ecuadorian artisans and sold by Andrew and Lori Schuster. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19. 619239-0003, mingei.org HShop & Shimmy Vintage at The Girl Can’t Help It, 3806 Grim Ave., North Park. Buy some cool vintage duds at the shop while the gals from Hell on Heels Burlesque Revue serve as shopping assistants. The ladies will also do teaser window performances. From 4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 19. 619-795-7169, thegirlcanthelpit.com

Food & Drink Tea and Chocolate Tasting at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad. Led by tea master Chas Kroll and pastry chef Franck Riffaud, try chocolates paired with fine teas, followed by a high tea service. From 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. $38. 760-448-1234 ext. 5056. parkaviara.hyatt.com HBlackout Dinner at Sea Rocket Bistro, 3382 30th St., South Park. The restaurant reminisces about the great blackout of 2011 by turning off the electricity, lighting some candles and serving a four-course meal paired with beers from Mother Earth Brewing Co. Sunday, Jan. 20. $60. RSVP: 619-255-7049. searocketbistro.com

18 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

Music San Diego Symphony: Brian Stokes Mitchell at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., Downtown. The star of the Great White Way takes the stage to perform some of Broadway’s biggest hits. At 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19. $20-$85. 619235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org HThe Good Lovelies at Museum Of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad.

The folksy, all-female trio blend soft vocals and harmonies with plenty of banjo. At 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. $10-$15. 760-4385996, museumofmakingmusic.org HErik Deutsch Band at Space 4 Art, 325 15th St., East Village. The jazz trio plays as part of the Fresh Sound Series. At 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 20. $10-$15, freshsoundmusic.com HJoshua Roman at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla.

The rock star classical cellist performs as part of the Athenaeum’s Chamber Music Series. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. $35-$40. 858-454-5872, ljathenaeum.org/ chamberconcerts Kate Loughery at Scripps Miramar Ranch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, Scripps Ranch. The harpist will perform a program of jazz and classical music. At 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 20, srfol.org Coastal Cities Jazz Band at Carlsbad Community Church, 3175 Harding St., Carlsbad. Drummer Bernie Dresel joins the jazz big band for this one-night concert. At 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. $12-$15.

International Guitar Night at Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad.

This annual musical event brings together the world’s foremost acoustic guitarists.

Performing are Brian Gore, Martin Simp-

son, Solorazaf and Celso Machado. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. $20-$25. 760602-2012, museumofmakingmusic.org Athenaeum Jacobs Mini-Concerts at Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown. Barbara Tobler and the Lyriphon Trio perform at noon Monday, Jan. 21. Free. ljathenaeum.org

Poetry & Spoken Word New Alchemy Poetry Series at Upstart Crow, 835 West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village. Elizabeth (Lisa) Hoffman will read Joyce Nower’s poetry from a new book published posthumously. At 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 16. 619-232-4855, upstartcrowtrading.com Shadab Zeest Hashmi at Protea Gallery, 3780 30th St., North Park. The poet will read from her new book, Kohl and Chalk.

At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. proteagallery.com

Politics & Community Activist San Diego’s People’s Ball at World Beat Center, 2100 Park Blvd., Balboa Park. KNSJ 89.1 FM and Activist San Diego are hosting this gala to raise funds to bring a new radio voice to San Diego. From 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. $19 advancepurchase; $24 at the door. Includes one adult beverage. 619-283-1100, knsj.org Civilized Conversation Club at Coco’s Restaurant, 2644 El Cajon Blvd., North Park. This week’s roundtable discussion topic: Are Overpopulation and Democracy

Compatible? From 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. 858-231-6209, civilizedconversation.wordpress.com National Day of Service at Balboa Park.

Along with San Diego faith communities, help beautify Balboa Park in honor of MLK Day. Register at Morley Field (corner of Upas and Texas streets). Bring food for a post-clean-up picnic on the lawn. From 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21. fumcsd.org

Special Events Antique Show & Sale at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Find antiques of all types. There will also be an appraisal booth. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. $8.

858-755-1161, delmarfairgrounds.com

Cinderalla star in this ice-skating show. Performances at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Jan. 23-27, with additional shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $10-$60. valleyviewcasinocenter.com

Talks & Discussions Pirates in Print at Geisel Library, UCSD campus, La Jolla. UC San Diego historian Mark Hanna, an authority on the rise and fall of pirates during the first British Empire, will give a talk to complement a special exhibition currently on display at the library.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16.

HPerspectives: The Making of Behold, America! at MCASD La Jolla, 700 Prospect

St., La Jolla. Learn about the ambitious collaborative project and exhibition, Behold, America! from three museum directors.

This program falls on a Free Third Thursday, where you can tour the exhibition for free from 5 to 7 p.m. At 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17. $5-$10. 858-454-3541, mcasd.org Opera Talks at University Community Library, 4155 Governor Drive, La Jolla.

San Diego Opera docent Josie Gomez discusses the upcoming season of the opera, focusing with Donizetti’s Daughter of the Regiment. At 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18. 858 552 1655, sandiegolibrary.org Lecture: Relics & Reliquaries at San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park. Sonya Quintanilla will explore the ways in which Buddhists across Asia used the physical remains associated with deceased holy

men to sanctify works of art and monuments. At 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18. $8-$15.

619-232-7931, sdmart.org Orchid Show and Sale at Casa del Prado, Balboa Park. Check out award-winning orchids and maybe take one home for yourself. From 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 19, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 20. sdorchids.com.

Cultural and Healing Benefits of Chinese Tea at San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, 404 Third Ave., Downtown.

Qijong master Kenneth Cohen will discuss the early legends and history of tea. There will be a tea ceremony and a tasting after the presentation. From 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. RSVP: 619-338-9888. sdchm.org Impressionism Plus Two at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La

Jolla. Art history lecturer Linda Blair will explore the historic context, personalities, theories and techniques of Impressionism.

At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. $12-$17.

858-454-5872, ljathenaeum.org Stephen Metcalfe at Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The director and screenwriter of films like Pretty Woman and The Marrying Man discusses his career and autism as part of the La Jolla Community Center’s Distinguished Speaker Series. At 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 22. $12 suggested donation. 858-454-3541, ljcommunitycenter.org

For more listings, visit “E ve nt s” a t sd c it yb e a t.c o m

Gem Faire at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. More than 80 exhibitors will be selling jewelry, beads, findings, crystals, silver and more. From noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 19, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 20. $7. gemfaire.com Death at the Doo-Wop: Mystery Dinner at San Diego Hall of Champions, 2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park. The Murder Mystery Company travels to 1957 to solve a murder at a sock-hop at this interactive show. From 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. $60 admission includes three-course meal. Mention CityBeat and pay $45. 888643-2583, grimprov.com Great Balls of Fire! at Reuben H. Fleet, Balboa Park. Learn about the origins of comets, astroids and meteors, recent discoveries and what it all means to us Earthlings. Opens Saturday, Jan. 19. On view through April 28. rhfleet.org HRummage Sale at San Diego Woman’s Club, 2557 Third Ave., Downtown. Sift through all kinds of items at this sale, including furniture, toys, clothes and appliances. Proceeds benefit the San Diego Woman’s Club. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 19. 619-234-0510, sandiegowomansclub.org Sheila Hardin Multi-Cultural Festival at Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Harbor Drive, Downtown. The festival showcases San Diego’s cultural diversity and heritage through live music, dance performances, storytelling, children’s activities and food and retail vendors. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 19, sdmulticultural.com Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam at Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road, Mission Valley. Put on your trucker hat and cheer on some big ol’ trucks and cars.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. $12-$90.

8007453000, monsterjam.com Martin Luther King Day Parade at Embarcadero, Harbor Drive, Downtown. Commemorate the life of the civil rights activist while watching floats, high school bands, drill teams and more. At 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. alpha-zsl.org/mlkdayparade.html Family Sunday at Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park. On the third Sunday of each month, families can explore the museum and take part in a treasure hunt, storytelling and craft-making activities. From noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. $5 for families; $3 for individuals. mingei.org Martin Luther King Day Celebration at World Beat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., Balboa Park. Celebrate at this free community event featuring reggae bands, African drumming and dance, vegetarian food by Prophet Restaurant and more. All ages welcome. From noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. 619-230-1190, worldbeatcenter.org Disney on Ice at Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., Sports Arena.

Disney princesses Rapunzel, Tiana and

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 19

seen local Perseverance pays If Jarod Farver has a skill—other than painting—that’s getting him places, it’s being a people person. After moving to San Diego four years ago, the abstract artist got his name and work out there by spending an equal amount of time networking. He’s constantly reached out to restaurants, offering to outfit spaces with his busy, geometric works in hopes of a sale, and when some of his new friends in town got wind of his art background and proposed that he start body painting in the Downtown club scene, he went with it, and made good money, fast.

But what Farver (jfarverart.weebly. com) really wanted was gallery representation and to improve his art under the tutelage of a professional who could take him to the next level. That desire compounded last year after half of his works sold in one night at an art show in a hair salon.

“It hit me that this is something I need to focus on more,” Farver says.

So, he was back at his computer and pounding the pavement, trying to make things happen. He set his sights on Alexander Salazar.

Last summer, Farver participated in Salazar’s Easel Art Fair. After the show was over, when he went to pick up his piece, he started firing questions about his work at the gallerist. What Salazar had to say was very different from the kind of “Yeah, I like your stuff; get back to me in a few months” responses Farver had been getting from other gallery owners.

“He looked at the art I came to pick up and said, ‘It’s too crazy and gives me a headache,’” Farver recalls. “Then, he motioned with his hands to a really small, simple area of it and said he liked that part.”

After a couple of months of correspondence, Farver accepted Salazar’s offer to become his gallery’s December / January artist-in-residence. A reception for a show of Farver’s work will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 18, at Alexander Salazar Fine Art (640 Broadway, Downtown, alexandersalazarfineart.com).

“The first couple days [of the residency], I created what I’d normally create,” Farver says. “Then, Alex said, ‘I want you to do something more simple that everyone can appreciate.’ That’s why Alex is very smart; he knows exactly what he wants. I think he was almost scared at first, because he didn’t know what I was going to come up with. But he saw something, knew I was good with color and rolled the dice.”

The gamble has paid off; Farver’s recent work is selling. Each piece, while simple, is deep, vibrant and textured with crackling effects that expose layers of color.

“The main thing I want people to see is the layers and the time that was put into it,” he says. “I want someone to look at it and not be able to leave.”

“Purple Rain” by Jarod Farver at Planet Rooth Design Haus (334 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest)—that will feature non-body-art work by 16 artists from local tattoo shops.

Planet Rooth co-owner Gustaf Rooth tells CityBeat in an email that artists have been asked to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are outside their normal tattoo artistry.

“Hence, they are showing that they are bona fide artisans both in style and in technique,” Rooth says.

Among the participating artists are several that have been featured in CityBeat’s pages, the most recent being Dave Warshaw of Avalon II Tattoo, whose ballpoint-ink-on-wood, four-eyed-owl illustration graced our Aug. 15, 2012, cover. Expect to see more of Warshaw’s “Urban Taxidermy,” as he calls it, along with works by Adam Hawthorn of Guru Tattoo, whom we featured last summer for his sick-and-twisted skate-deck art; Tonya Van Parys of Avalon Tattoo, Dominic Vasquez of Flying Panther and more.

The show will feature music by The Heavy Guilt Duo and River City. See sd-too.com for details.

—Amy T. Granite Write to amyg@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Off the skin Maybe it’s the relatively warm weather, or maybe it’s that body art has penetrated the mainstream, but San Diego is covered with ink, and artists of varying backgrounds are answering the demand. But there’s more than meets the eye, or skin, when it comes to tattoo work, and there’s a whole show happening this week—Toe the Line, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19,

20 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

“No Ticket” by Genghis of Highland Ink

The Retro Issue

Photo by Jeff “Turbo” Corrigan (jeffcorrigan.com). Styling, clothing and accessories by The Girl Can’t Help It (thegirlcanthelpit.com).

Model: Scarlett De Ville of Hell on Heels Burlesque Revue (hellonheelsburlesque.com). Thanks to Lucky’s Golden Phenix for use of the diner (3804 Grim Ave. in North Park).

G

oing “old” is nothing new. As D.A. Kolodenko says in his piece on Page 31, contemporary society continues to long for aspects of the past that, in retrospect, were more aesthetically interesting, of a higher quality or more well-mannered. Of course, many of us are also nostalgic because we romanticize times gone

by; we’re drawn, perhaps, to what we perceive as a more innocent and simpler era.

In this special section, we honor the past with Alex Zaragoza’s look at the rockabilly scene in the Latino community (Page 22), Dave Maass’ profile of a man who repairs old turntables and Kelly Davis’ companion rundown of folks who fix vintage

products (Page 24), Jim Ruland’s feature on a retro-style barber shop (Page 28), Amy T. Granite’s story about a venerable donut shop (Page 29), Peter Holslin’s profile of an old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll musician (Page 30) and Kolodenko’s look at one old-school bar that’s gone away and three that are still up and running, for now (Page 31).

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 21

The Retro Issue Amanda Suter

A custom car for cruising

Rockabilly raza

Mexican-tinged American culture thrives in San Diego’s Latino community · by Alex Zaragoza “I look like this every single day.

It’s mostly about feeling classy and good about yourself,” says Mia Alvarado-Ruffier, a 32-year-old Chicana sitting at South Park’s Whistle Stop Bar for “Sleepwalking,” a lowrider oldies night. Around her, Latino men and women dressed in perfectly pressed jeans and 1940s-style coifs sway to Brenton Wood’s “Oogum Boogum” while sipping on beer.

Her dark, curly hair, parted in the middle, falls down past her shoulders and is adorned with a bright red flower above her right ear. Alvarado-Ruffier’s face is powdered pale with two thin, black brows arched over her eyes.

Her lips are colored a dark maroon red, popping out like an old movie star’s.

“Oogum oogum, boogum boogum / boogum now baby you’re castin’ your spell on me.”

Alvarado-Ruffier is part of a subculture within the Latino community that melds Mexican iconography, beliefs and history with classic Americana. She is a Chicana rockabilly.

The subculture isn’t new. Mexican-Americans have been combing pomade through their hair and shimmying to Little Richard since

the early days of rock ’n’ roll. But in its modern form, it emerged in the early 2000s, says Nicholas F. Centino, a doctoral candidate at UC Santa Barbara who’s been studying the rockabilly scene within Southern California’s Chicano community.

The look of a Chicano rockabilly is distinct. For men, it’s loose-fit khakis or jeans ironed and cuffed, a pair of clean Converse All-Stars or boots, a crisp plaid shirt buttoned to the neck, hair greased back in a pompadour and arms covered in traditional tattoos and tattoos that honor their Mexican heritage.

The women emulate stars of Mexican and American cinema.

They curl their hair into soft victory rolls and wear Bettie Page bangs, never forgetting to add a flower to their ’do. Some wear soft red lipstick and cat-eye makeup; others pencil their brows thin and use tons of black liner and dark lipstick to create a stark, dramatic look.

They also stick to a dark palette— tight black dresses and tops and dark-wash, cuffed skinny jeans.

“All those design elements come from the mid-century,” Centino explains. “They have always been present in Chicano culture.

If you look at the rockabilly scene worldwide, the people draw from

22 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

those American icons, like Bettie Page and James Dean. I think with Latinos and Chicanos, we look to our own icons.”

“It’s not Marilyn Monroe or James Dean,” Alvarado-Ruffier says. “They weren’t Chicanos.

They weren’t us. Me, as a person, I look up to actors and actresses of the golden era of Mexican cinema, like Katy Jurado. The look is so classic and beautiful and simple.”

That need to appropriate classic Americana and inject Chicano and Latino traditions is prevalent.

In a way, the scene stands as a challenge to racism.

“With the attacks in Arizona and the debate on whether Latinos belong or don’t belong, things like rockabilly and the rock ’n’ roll scene help Latinos establish a foothold in American history,” Centino explains. “We, as Chicanos, can prove that we’re a part of American history, especially now that there are so many people that want to deny that.”

That notion’s especially true when it comes to the classic cars rockabilly Latinos cruise in. The bombers, lowriders and hot rods that they customize become an extension of themselves. With each pinstripe, white wall, chrome pipe or Mexican blanket draped on the back seat of their ’50s-era Ford, they join both sides of their cultural identity.

Victor Arreguin runs Los Ilegales car club in Chula Vista. For him, driving a piece of American

automobile history and customizing it to reflect his Latino background is the embodiment of the American dream.

“You can’t get any more American than driving an Americanmade vehicle,” he says. “Cars like those, it’s Americana at its finest.

Whether it’s a rockabilly guy or a cholo driving it, I think it’s a beautiful thing.”

Chuck Terror, a DJ and promoter in the Chicano rockabilly scene who organized rockabilly shows at National City’s Café La Maze for years, agrees.

“You build a car, you customize it, you want to make that car represent you and your character,” he says. “You have to have the old-school Mexican blanket in the back. I remember my dad had one and I always thought it was the coolest thing. You want to have something that represents the Latino culture.”

The cars and the rock ’n’ roll prevalent in the scene are usually attributed to upbringing. Talk to any Latino rockabilly kid and he’ll wax nostalgic about listening to oldies with family, seeing old photographs of grandparents and wanting to emulate their style or working on classic cars with his dad and grandfather. A shared personal history unites them and seems to have ignited an interest in this subculture.

Oddly, the same goes for Irish-

man Reb Kennedy, founder of Wild Records, a Los Angeles-based rockabilly label made up of mostly Chicano and Latino acts. Twenty out of the 23 artists Kennedy’s signed are Latino. Among them are Pachuco Jose y Los Diamantes, Gizzelle, Luis & The Wildfires and Omar & The Stringpoppers.

“The Irish and Mexican cultures are both family-oriented, which means you grow up with music,” Kennedy explains. “Music is very dominant in Hispanic culture. We have the best of America’s young Hispanic rock ’n’ roll talent.

They have a sound that’s full of aggression, energy and soul, and it’s because of who they are and the culture they come from. “ Through Wild Records, Kennedy hopes to give young Latinos some rock ’n’ roll idols.

“There are probably 10 acts from ’50s ever that the young Hispanic kids can look to as heroes,” he says. “We have developed worldwide a Hispanic rock ’n’ roll scene for them to look to.”

Latino rockabillies will continue to have a presence at car shows, major events like Viva Las Vegas and Long Beach’s Iron-N-Ink Festival and anywhere else old-school rock ’n’ roll is played, paying homage to their Latino roots and making their mark in America.

Write to alexz@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com. alex zaragoza

Pomade and denim are musts, as demonstrated by Ramon Lopez

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 23

The Retro Issue DAVE MAASS

Need a fix?

Where to go to get your vintage goods repaired

opened Classic Audio Repair off Adams Avenue in Normal Heights. In 2007, he expanded, leasing the unit directly next door with the intent of opening a showroom. The recession quashed that plan, but Longworth kept the space as a sort of garage.

Entering this dark annex, wearing a magnifying visor pushed back on his head and wielding a flashlight, Longworth looks like a archaeologist exploring a catacomb. He waves his torch at massive, credenza-style consoles and dusty reel-to-reels in the same way a History Channel host might point out sarcophagi and urns.

Then there’s Longworth himself, with his fanny pack full of pungent lavender and a never-ending supply of granola bars. He’s a high-fidelity David Livingstone who, with time, became a full-on electronic witch doctor.

“I had a useless liberal-arts degree from San Diego State, and I had a very intense hobby of electronics—and I was also in a failing rock band as the pianist,” the 66-year-old Chula Vista native says. “I didn’t have any money, so I had to learn how to fix things. I realized I was kind of good at it, so then I took the electronics-technician program at San Diego City College.”

Longworth’s repair shop is not the portrait of modern

Living in Boston for three years, I learned about “spring coats”—those that are perfect for temperatures in the 50s and 60s. In other words, Boston’s spring coats are San Diego’s winter coats. I amassed a small collection, my favorite being a vintage doublebreasted brown tweed with three-quarter sleeves. But the fit was too big.

A few years ago, I was shopping at my favorite vintage-clothing store, Frock You in Hillcrest, and noticed a business card on the counter. “Maddalena Sciacca: Custom tailoring and fine alterations.” Kristin Tinderholt, KELLY DAVIS Frock You’s co-owner, raved to me about Sciacca’s talent for altering vintage clothes.

Long story short, my coat fits perfectly, and Sciacca, who’s been doing alterations for 40 years, even managed to make the three-quarter sleeves a little longer.

Her customers, she told me, “know once they get here, I’ll know how to fix it, no matter what…. Sometimes Maddalena Sciacca I even surprise myself.”

Whether you’re an estate-sale fiend, a thrift-store picker or going through your grandmother’s attic, you’ve likely come across something—a dress, a watch, a coffee table—that has potential but needs repairs beyond what you can do yourself. If it’s clothing, take it to Maddalena Sciacca (4535 30th St. in Normal Heights, 619-920-2725); if it’s something else, hopefully someone below can help.

Cameras: Photographer Dan Chusid estimates his own vintage-camera collection numbers around 700. While he tries to fix them up himself, if he can’t, he’ll take them to Kurt’s Camera Repair (7811 Mission Gorge Road, Suite E, kurtscamerarepair.com) or Pro Camera Repair (7910 Ratheon Road in Clairemont, procamerarepair.com). He also enjoys perusing Camera Exposure (2703 Adams Ave. in University Heights, cameraexposure.com).

“They carry an extensive amount of vintage cameras and lenses and they also do repairs on vintage equipment,” Chusid says in an email. “This would be the place

AUDIO CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

FIX CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Fred Longworth

NEEDLES AND FRED

Meet Normal Heights’ vintage-audio medicine man · BY DAVE MAASS Traversing the doorway of Fred Longworth’s Classic Audio Repair is like entering the Lost World. A Balinese mask hangs on the wall next to a display case where two dead lizards—one fully skeletal—are displayed beside an assortment of turntable cartridges. A crocodilian mouth made of two slabs of spiky sound-proofing and a purple foam tongue rests on the waiting room’s overhang.

Cross into the employees-only area and you discover that Longworth’s workshop is a rainforest of cables, the shelves thick with the carcasses of arcane sound systems from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, the floor dusted with electronic detritus. Two repair stations—one for Longworth and one for his chief technician, Jordan Pier—look like high-tech sacrificial altars with their oscilloscopes, voltage detectors, dental picks and surgeons’ hemostats.

Longworth began repairing audio components in 1972 and operated a shop in Ocean Beach until 1994, when he

24 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 25

The Retro Issue

AUDIO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 efficiency. Records are maintained with pen and paper. No one gets in and out in a jiffy. The customer is frequently wrong. Over the years, Longworth has established a reputation as a gentler, nerdier, more talkative, vintage-audio version of Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi.

“You always have to realize that, as a professional audio-service person, your perceptions of what is going on may differ from the customer’s perceptions and that difference oftentimes is very large,” he says. “The problem you run into is that your perceptions are usually the correct ones. The ones the customer has are frequently, shall we just call them, ‘unschooled opinions.’ You have to very tactfully lead them to where they can comprehend enough of what actually needs to be done on their equipment so they’re not going to fuss and argue about it.”

What really drives Longworth “No soup for you!” crazy is when a customer, for whatever reason, be it the embarrassment of plain foolishness, won’t tell him the whole story about the damage. Did they

spill a beer on it? Did they purchase it from a shady eBay seller?

Longworth needs to know.

“I wish they would be straight with me,” he says. “They think if they don’t tell me about something that it would save money or that it would alter the diagnosis. I compare it to not telling a doctor that you’re coughing up blood.”

Longworth often talks in medical terms, though he may be more akin to a veterinarian whose patients are sometimes abused and neglected by the owners who love them dearly. A week earlier, he had to deliver the grim news to a young woman that the turntable belonging to her terminally ill father was beyond repair. She, as many customers do, accidentally damaged it by transporting it improperly.

“She broke down and sat in the customer area five minutes, just weeping,” he says. “I’ve been doing this a long time, but this is the first time that’s happened.”

What makes audio repair worth doing, Longworth says, is he’s able to not only fix an audio system, but also restore the sound quality to a point the owner no longer thought was possible.

One afternoon, Longworth is examining a customer’s table

26 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

FIX CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 to go for the parts that might be impossible to find elsewhere.”

Art: I asked Dave Hampton, an expert in mid-century art and cofounder of Objects USA (objects usa.com), where he goes to get art restored and framed.

“Paintings conservator Sarah Murray,” he says, “who used to be with the Balboa Art Conservancy in the park but has been solo for about a decade and is quite reasonable cost-wise given her professional calibre (she’s British so you get the accent experience, just lovely...). She is attached to my framer of choice, the talented Janos Novak, owner of J. Dewers” (715 Eighth Ave., Downtown, jdewers.com, smcon radio, twisting the tuner down the dial, from staticky jazz to a snowy version of Alex Clare’s “Too Close.” He inspects the back end and derides the customer for trying to perform “amateur brain surgery” on the radio. The quote is $125.

servation.com).

Furniture: I also asked Hampton about furniture repair. He cryptically gave me two names: Lalo and Ming. “Based in Bankers Hill under the airplanes, Lalo is also a dancer,” he wrote in an email. He told me to call David Skelley, who owns Boomerang, a Little Italy midcentury furniture store.

Ming, Skelley told me, is Ming Pan. “He’s fabulous,” Skelley says.

“Plus, he gets it. No matter what you need to have done, he’ll do it correctly.” Pan owns Oriental Furniture Repair in Pacific Beach (5111 Santa Fe St., 858273-5728). Lalo, unfortunately, isn’t taking new customers, but Skelley suggests Abbas Upholstery and Design (3003 Adams Ave. in University Heights, 619281-0941). Tony Moorhead, who “They either love me or hate me,” Longworth says, reflecting on his relationship with his clientele.

“Well, they know you,” says the customer, having waited the greater part of a half-hour. “Not a lot of guys do this.”

“Not true,” interrupts a second

owns Antiques on Kettner in Little Italy and also handles estate sales, takes his upholstery jobs to Rufino Serna (4275 37th St. in City Heights, 619-203-1120).

Jewelry and watches: For jewelry and watch repair, Moorhead likes Irelia Fine Jewelry (2136 Kettner Blvd., facebook. com/ireliafinejewelry).

Skelley recommends Asim Gunlap, who owns the perfectly named A Gunlap Horologist Watch & Clock Shop in Old Town (2350 San Diego Ave., sandiegowatch maker.com). And if you’re in the market to buy something in working condition, Gunlap’s got some pretty cool vintage watches, Skelley says.

—BY KELLY DAVIS Write to kellyd@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com. customer, who drove down from Oceanside to have Longworth inspect his classic Sansui receiver.

“A lot of guys do this, just not with integrity.”

Write to davem@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 27

The Retro Issue david rolland

Marvin Attiq (seated) and his crew

Where everybody knows your mane A visit to Barber Side is a return to an old-school men’s social club · by Jim Ruland Imagine it’s 1899 and you want to know what’s going on in the world. You really only have two options: buy a newspaper or head to the barber shop.

In the days before indoor plumbing, electricity and cheap, disposable razors, regular stops at the barber shop were essential to good grooming. But hygiene wasn’t the only attraction. Barber shops were places where a gentleman could spend an hour socializing, reading the papers, catching up on local news and, of course, getting a first-class shave and a haircut. And because the barber shop was often the first stop for weary travelers riding the rails, they were a great place to acquire out-of-town news, too.

But somewhere along the line, men lost their way. We stopped going to barber shops and started going to hairdressers in anonymous, interchangeable salons.

Instead of clippers and straight razors, stylists used scissors and blow dryers. And a shave? Forget about it. But they’d happily highlight our tips or change our hair color for a hefty fee.

Marvin Attiq, proprietor of Barber Side, had seen enough. He decided to bring back barbering with

28 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

rience, but also for the products that Attiq makes and sells. You can buy everything from blades and brushes to creams and oils.

Barber Side currently offers a brush cream for straight-razor use, shaving oil for double or singlededged razors and two aftershaves: Witch Hazel and Bay Rum. It also sells straight razors. “One is made in the Middle East,” Attiq says, “and the other is made in the U.S. with Damascus steel that is folded and hammered over 100 times.”

Barber Side’s most popular product is the Secret Sauce, which Attiq is reluctant to describe much less reveal its ingredients.

“It’s not a gel. Not a pomade,” he says. “Doesn’t flake.”

Now that we know what it’s not, what exactly is it? I’m not sure, but it has a strong vanilla smell and is useful for placing and positioning hair without the greasy residue of a pomade, which Barber Side also sells, and has a distinct bubble-gum fragrance.

Attiq will even build you a custom barber shop for your home or office, like he recently did for a wealthy North County car collector who wanted an authentic barber shop in his garage.

Barber Side’s signature service is its hot-towel shave. It’s not for the customer in a hurry, as the shave alone can take 25 to 30 minutes. Half of that time is spent preparing the skin for the rigors of the straight razor.

The shave is timeless, with a procedure that dates back thousands of years. If you’ve been shaving with cheap disposable razors all your life, you owe it to yourself to experience an old-school shave.

Just don’t believe those who tell you it’s illegal. “That’s what barbers who are unable to perform the shave say,” Attiq says.

Though Barber Side has come a long way from its outlaw roots, it still feels like a social club. Barbers greet you and offer you a beer as soon as you come through the door. Boxing photos and vintage signage decorate the walls. A stack of men’s magazines sits next to a refrigerator filled with cold beer.

There’s an unhurried feel as soccer dads and skateboarders, artists and aging punks talk about their day. It’s more than a place to get a haircut; it’s a place where men come together from all walks of life to participate in a decidedly masculine ceremony.

“You have the Westside and the Eastside,” Attiq says. “This is Barber Side.”

a distinctly old-fashioned feel.

Barber Side (3506 Adams Ave. in Normal Heights, barberside. com), is packed with Americana.

From the barber pole out front to the diamond-patterned floor, Barber Side is as old-school as it gets.

“The barber chairs are from 1948,” Attiq says. “I got three of them in Colorado. Rebuilt the others that I found in old barber shops. I found a lot of stuff online, yard sales, alleys. I searched everywhere.”

Attiq, who sports a handlebar mustache that looks like it’s straight out of the Gilded Age, has been a collector all his life. He got his start cutting hair as a kid by giving his friends mohawks.

Since 1993, he’s run the Classic Malt Shop on Midway Drive with his brother Jeff, which has also helped his passion for collecting antiques and artifacts.

“Old things are made to last forever,” he says. “New things are built to break.”

Barber Side started as a private, members-only social club that catered to outlaw motorcycle clubs until Attiq finished barber college.

He opened his shop in 2010, and today Attiq’s clients come from all over the world—not only for Write to jimr@sdcitybeat.com the authentic Barber Shop expe- and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

amy t. granite

A way of life

There’s a hole at iconic Stardust Donut Shop, but the fryer’s still on · by Amy T. Granite There isn’t anywhere to sit at Stardust Donut Shop in Imperial Beach. From inside, 69-year-old Cliff Arnold waits on customers as they walk up to the little stand’s window and choose what they want from the modest selection of cult favorites like cinnamon rolls topped with peanuts. He doesn’t have to walk but two steps to work the register, bag donuts or pour a cup of coffee—but what customers don’t see is the production area behind all the goodies, where Arnold spends the first few hours of the day, mixing, cutting, proofing, frying and glazing the donuts all by himself. That last step might be what’s set Stardust apart since 1967; glazing the entire thing while it’s still hot, he says, literally seals the deal.

“People say they’re still good tomorrow, and the next day,” Arnold says. “Not too many donut shops can do that. I don’t sell anything beyond today because

I know people buying them will keep them two to three days.”

Hanging out with Arnold, if only for an hour, reveals how highly customers regard his treats. Returning visitors make themselves known, while others approach and confess they’ve never had one but have heard about them. There are smiles and pleasantries passed from the other side of the window that looks out on the busy intersection (698 Hwy. 75), but Arnold sticks to the business of dealing donuts.

Straightforwardness has earned him a reputation as a grouch, exaggerated, of course, through nearly five decades of lore.

He’s been running Stardust alone since July, when his brother and partner of 45 years, Ed, died.

The brothers are third generation San Diego donut makers—their grandma had a shop, Keen’s, in City Heights—and they worked together at Stardust since taking it over from their parents.

The view from inside Stardust Donut Shop “I don’t know what else I’d rather do if I wasn’t making donuts,” Arnold says. “And everybody wants to know how long I’ll keep doing it, and I keep telling them, I’ll probably just keep going till I fall over dead. I don’t have any plans of stopping.”

Arnold’s routine starts when he gets to the shop at between 5 and 5:30 a.m. every morning.

two hours,” he says. He makes anywhere from three to four batches a day, and he admits that his selection is far smaller than other shops, with only eight or so varieties.

“I know what people like, so I make those donuts,” he says. Each kind tastes homemade and wholesome. These aren’t Dunkin’ Donuts.

It’s down to a science for Arnold—he and his brother figured out a way around every variable of donut making, from the outside air temperature to the “formulas” with which the confections are made every day, except Sundays and Mondays when Stardust is closed. On Saturday, Arnold opens at 11 a.m.; every other day it’s 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until the donuts sell out.

“You’ve got to like them if you’re going to make them—particularly these ones I have. They’re all good—everybody asks me what my favorite is when they can’t decide for themselves what to take.”

Ask Arnold for yourself the next time you see Stardust’s “Open” sign.

Eat those donuts like they’re going out of style. They clearly aren’t, but still—Stardust by Cliff Arnold won’t be around forever.

He switches on the coffeemaker, warms up the proofing cabinet and mixes the first batch of yeastraised dough for cinnamon rolls and glazed, chocolate-frosted and jelly donuts. The old-fashioned donuts are made from a cake dough, and buttermilk twists are a variation of that recipe.

“The whole process, start to Write to amyg@sdcitybeat.com finish, for one batch takes about and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 29

The Retro Issue Peter Holslin

Stephen Rey

Working-class cool Rocker Stephen Rey is a badass with a heart of gold · by Peter Holslin Stephen Rey’s house looks like something out of a Wild West movie. Fronted by a bulky wooden gate, it’s 102 years old and designed like an old saloon, with sun-bleached blue paint on the exterior and hand-crafted woodwork inside. On the roof at the front is a steer’s skull, whose empty eye sockets gaze out onto 30th Street in South Park.

Only a man like Rey could live in a house like this. The very definition of a badass, he makes ladies swoon and men want to, well, be him. With a lean build, ’50s movie-star looks and lots of gnarly tattoos, he radiates working-class cool as he bangs out old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll.

Though he’s a skilled carpenter, Rey’s been plying the local bar and club circuit pretty much fulltime lately. He fronts a trio called Stephen Rey and The Sextrash, who sound as grimy as the name suggests. Several nights a week, he plays bass for local R&B icons Lady Dottie and the Diamonds.

Recently, he started Two Wolves,

30 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

groan at the sound of a mediocre blues-rock riff or country-folk cliché. But as I talked with Rey in his backyard, I was rapt. He’s a manly man, with strong values and years of experience working on cars, motorcycles and his own house.

He’s also sensitive, thoughtful and committed to his daughter.

“He’s always been a real genuine, down-to-earth kind of guy,” says Tim Mays, owner of The Casbah and a good friend of Rey’s.

“And he’s also very charming with the ladies.”

Though he isn’t opposed to fun, somewhat campy music, Rey’s also plumbed some intense emotions with his songs. “Mississippi All Day Long”—a cut from Old Fashioned Future, a 2011 album he recorded with a band he’d been fronting, Stephen Rey & The Slicks—was written as a gift to a friend who lost his Mississippi home during Hurricane Katrina. Over twanging guitar and weighty horns, Rey lays out a stark scene in a tired, throaty voice: rabid dogs, flattened houses, vast piles of destroyed belongings.

“I lost everything,” he sings. “All I want is my cat.”

Rey refuses to say how old he is, insisting (like his roommate, Tim Lowman of Low Volts) that he’s “ageless.” But some facts are clear: He was born in Victorville, Calif., and grew up in City Heights and Lakeside. His dad was a technician in the Air Force, and Rey grew up working on motorcycles and listening to Motown, Bo Diddley and Johnny Cash. He first got into construction as a high-schooler, landing a job while driving a dump truck for the city of La Mesa.

“I have this propensity for old cars, motorcycles, old movies, old records, vinyl, the drive-in show,” he said. “There was always that vibe in the house. I think I was just born into it. It was a feeling I had ever since I was a little kid.”

In 1995, Rey signed a publishing deal with Warner Bros. and went on to play in the bands Red Truck and Deere Johns. His recording career didn’t get off the ground, but he’s kept up a longstanding love affair with roots music. He’s played with Lady Dottie for years, and he’s upped the ante in recent months with The Sextrash and, now, Davies and Two Wolves.

Indeed, it’s only a matter of time before more listeners catch wind of Rey. What’s the allure?

Lady Dottie probably says it best.

“You can’t do nothing but love him,” she says. “You just can’t get enough of him.”

a bare-knuckles honky-tonk duo featuring drummer Anders Larsson. And he’s been working on duets with his girlfriend, jazz singer Erika Davies.

When I met Rey at his house on a recent Wednesday, he emerged at the door in cowboy boots, blue jeans and a wife-beater. As tough as he looked, his soft side came out when he put on a rough mix of a song he recorded with Davies and Larsson, “Why Don’t You Lie?,” a ’50s-style pop tune by The King Khan & BBQ Show. Over some swooning guitar and a simple beat, Rey’s deep, sensitive croon offered a lovely complement to Davies’ birdlike call.

Asked how the collaboration came about, he sounded like a man smitten.

“It just kind of happened. We tried it and it just clicked—melted,” he said. “It’s just another extension of our lives. You know, like everything we are here and now, right now.”

Some of San Diego’s rootsy Write to peterh@sdcitybeat.com bands give me a certain fatigue. I and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

amy t. Granite

Albie’s Beef Inn

Goodbye, Whaling Bar La Jolla institution is gone, but three other mainstays persist in dodging time’s harpoon

by D.A. Kolodenko One weekend last fall, I took the woman for whom I’d fallen to visit two of my favorite places in San Diego, Kitchen Creek and The Whaling Bar: wilderness and civilization. I liked seeing her captivating eyes take them in like black holes absorbing the energies of surrounding stars. I may never know what the visit to the former meant—lunch in a secluded ravine, blackberries on her lips as tantalizing as sweet talk, a screwy accident and a blood-stained Tshirt that I never threw away—but I understand the latter completely: a timeless, perfect moment in a tiny corner of San Diego that had actually stayed classy.

The reason there’s nostalgia for the modern era (when most of the stuff we call “retro” was designed) is not just because it looked better than our postmodern era’s crass cheapery, but because even though it was monumentally destructive, it was also productive of ideals like refinement, manners, eloquence, wit, style, grace and chivalry. And also of tangible things like destinations for the intangibles to flourish, places like La Jolla’s elegant La Valencia Hotel, the “pink lady,” built in 1926.

them, while they still exist: Albie’s Beef Inn: Albie’s (1201 Hotel Circle S. in Mission Valley) and its brother establishment next door, Adam’s Steak and Eggs, opened in 1962 and have remained practically unchanged. CityBeat writer Amy T. Granite calls Albie’s “the restaurant time forgot.”

The furnishings are intact, as are those in Adam’s (a classic spot for a morning corn cake and Ramos Fizz). The service and food in both are top-notch. The gilt-framed paintings of naked stewardesses by late artist Larry “Vincent” Garrison are the ultimate throwback and a story in themselves. There’s piano-bar entertainment Tuesday through Thursday, so Monday is my favorite night—after football on the bar TV, when it’s dark and quiet and comfortable and just you and the stewardesses.

Café La Maze: Namesake Marcel LaMaze opened his first café on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood in 1935. The flamboyant maître d’ liked to hob-nob with movie stars and played poker with the Marx Brothers. The café’s primary owner, Tommy Thompson, opened the National City location (1441 Highland Ave.) in late 1941 as a last-chance to gamble—in the secret upstairs gambling room— for Hollywood elites returning to L.A. from Tijuana’s popular Caliente race track. The place was busted in 1949 and the gambling stopped, but the joint lives on. I wrote about it for CityBeat in detail last year. Take one of the large red booths in the spacious dining room, dig into your baked potato and imagine Clark Gable upstairs, calling Harpo’s bluff over a strong Manhattan or three.

The Red Fox Room: If you’re a CityBeat reader, it’s unlikely you’ve never had a drink at the Red Fox. Inside the renovated Lafayette Hotel (2223 El Cajon Blvd. in North Park), the enduring steakhouse / piano bar with beautiful dark-wood décor reassembled from the furnishings of a 16th-century British inn needs no renovation. The young and old patrons come for the swanky atmosphere and stay for it, too. Expect no-frills, cheap drinks, live jazz duos and guest vocalists of varying skill-levels. But don’t just do the piano bar; after all, its mainstay for decades, the effervescent Shirley Allen is long gone, even though her absence is a palpable presence. Come for dinner and try the solid old-world fare in the elegant, ancient dining room.

In the quiet back room of that hotel’s stellar bar—at a little, clothcovered table, topped with fresh flowers and a lit candle, surrounded by red booths, dark wood walls, moody whale-hunting murals and icy, dry martinis after a nighttime walk by the sea—that perfect moment in the perfect place gazing into those unfathomable eyes seems unrepeatable. And not just because of the woman.

In 2011, San Diego-based Pacifica Company bought the hotel and is currently compromising it to monetize it. They should’ve sought a way to revive the marketability of the classic Sky Room restaurant and Whaling Bar, instead of gutting and replacing them. In the early 1950s, Dr. Seuss and Raymond Chandler sat in those booths, which will now be auctioned off by the end of this month.

So, with The Whaling Bar to be gone the way of The Pelican Room, The El Cortez Sky Room, King Louis Inn and so on, where the hell in San Diego can you still get a martini and be transported to that era before douchebags in baseball caps were allowed indoors? A few old haunts still remain, dear read- Write to dak@sdcitybeat.com er. Allow me to present three of and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 31

Picking the winners Our absolutely brilliant Oscar choices

by Anders Wright The Golden Globes are behind us, and the Oscars are just a few weeks away (Feb. 24). I’ve looked at the nominations announced last week and done my best to give you a crib sheet for your Oscar pool.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Who will win: Tony Kushner agonized over his Lincoln screenplay for years, eventually crafting a complex look at legislation and the nation’s greatest president. Who should win: The story behind Argo is a great idea for a movie. Credit Chris Terrio for taking a terrific idea and running with it. Dark horse: Don’t count out Beasts of the Southern Wild and Silver Linings Playbook. Here’s where voters can give them some love without giving them Best Picture.

Best Original Screenplay: Who will win: The screenplay for Moonrise Kingdom, by director Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, is whimsical and clever, taking audiences back to happier times. Who should win: The backlash against Zero Dark Thirty will probably carry over to this category, even though Mark Boal’s screenplay is epic, nuanced, intricate and had to be adapted in the midst of shooting, after the reallife killing of Osama bin Laden. Dark horse: Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained is about 20 minutes too long, but his dialogue crackles like no other.

Best Supporting Actress: Who will win: Anne Hathaway is the best part of Les Miserables, and the Academy just loves her. Who should win: This one is totally justified. Hathaway is the only actor whose work in Les Mis transcends the live performance, giving the fairly sterile adaptation a degree of humanity.

Dark horse: Helen Hunt has kept a low profile in recent years, but she bares it all in The Sessions.

Best Supporting Actor: Who will win: It’s hard to see anyone but Tommy Lee Jones winning. Christoph Waltz won the same award while working with the same director (Tarantino) a few years ago. Who should win: Waltz is even better in Django Unchained than he was in Inglourious Basterds, taking what could have been a caricature and turning it into the movie’s heart. Dark horse: There isn’t one. Two-horse race.

Best Actress: Who will win: It doesn’t get much more appealing than Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook, in which she plays a young widow who puts her emotional money on the mentally ill Bradley Cooper. Who should win: There was no better piece of acting this year than Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty. During the course of a decade, her CIA analyst grows into an angry, insubordinate, socially awk-

Daniel Day-Lewis and Lincoln should win big. ward pit bull whose single-minded dedication to her work leaves her friendless and leads the world to bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan. Dark horse: It’d be great to see the award go to Emmanuelle Riva, whose performance in Amour is savagely heartbreaking.

Best Actor: Who will win: This is the slam-dunk of them all. Daniel Day-Lewis brings Lincoln to life and makes him so great that even his political conniving and manipulation makes sense. Who should win: No one else comes close. Dark horse: If the voters are tired of rubber-stamping DD-L, they could look to Bradley Cooper, who does the best work of his career in Silver Linings Playbook.

Best Director: Who will win: Steven Spielberg’s biopic hit all the right notes, and he was ably aided by a terrific production design, solid cinematography and Day-Lewis. Who should win: How about Kathryn Bigelow, whose Zero Dark Thirty is hands down the best-directed film of the year? Oh, wait, she didn’t get nominated. Dark horse: The biggest upset we’re likely to see is if the Academy crowns Benh Zeitlin Best Director for Beasts. And it could happen.

Best Picture: Who will win: Since Bigelow and Ben Affleck weren’t even given Best Director nominations, Zero Dark Thirty and Argo probably aren’t going to win. And since those would have been Lincoln’s main competition, well, you get the idea. Who should win: Sure, the torture sequences in Zero Dark Thirty generated controversy, but it’s the best-made film of the year, absolutely enormous in scope, and it’s generated real debate about our country’s very recent history. Dark horse: Once again, the only film that has a shot of dethroning the anointed king is the little movie that could, Beasts of the Southern Wild.

Write to anders@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Yet more Oscars

Tootsie

32 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

Let’s say you’re like me—kind of meh about this year’s crop of Oscar nominees. The good news is that there’s a slew of past Oscar winners screening around town this week. Reading Cinemas will show a number of award winners during the course of the next two months, and the fever has clearly spread to some other venues. Are they all, you know, the real deal? That depends on

you, friend, or, as Javier Bardem said in his Oscar-winning turn in No Country for Old Men, “Call it, friend-o.” (Sadly, that movie will not be shown anywhere.)

The first film will likely be done before a lot of this week’s CityBeats have reached their destination. Driving Miss Daisy, which earned Jessica Tandy her Best Actress Oscar, screens at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Central Library, Downtown. The film won four Oscars,

including Best Picture, though Morgan Freeman and Dan Aykroyd, nom’d for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, didn’t get a walk to the podium, and Bruce Beresford, the director, didn’t even get a nomination.

At noon and 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, you can catch Tootsie at Reading Cinemas Town Square in Clairemont. It’s easy to poke fun at this one now, but it racked up 10 nominations, winning just one award, for Jessica Lange as Best Supporting Actress.

Similarly, Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which screens at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 18, at the Full Moon Drive-In in Pacific Beach, earned nine Oscar nominations, but won only two awards, and one of those, Sound Effects Editing, was a Special Achievement.

Reading Cinemas Gaslamp will screen the 1956 take on Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, and Tuesday, Jan. 22—that one earned five Oscars, including Best Picture.

The one absolutely unimpeachable Oscar film screening this week is Lawrence of Arabia, David Lean’s epic, which won seven awards, and, as far as I’m con-

cerned, should have won a couple more, since both Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif lost. O’Toole was bested by Gregory Peck’s performance in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Lastly, My Cousin Vinny screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma. There’s always been controversy surrounding Marisa Tomei’s Best Supporting Actress win, because there was talk at the time that presenter Jack Palance read the wrong name. I don’t think that’s the case, but, hey, that sounds like a pretty good idea for a movie.

The Last Stand: What do governors do after they’re termed out? Star in ultraviolent movies, of course! The Governator plays Ray Owens, an inexperienced border-town sheriff who’s the only thing standing between a drug lord and his destination in Mexico.

—Anders Wright

Blazing Saddles: Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained is a bastard son of Mel Brooks’ satirical western, generally thought of as the first movie ever to use the sound of flatulence. (Also, it was nominated for three Oscars!) Screens at around 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Sea Rocket Bistro in North Park.

Opening Beasts of the Southern Wild: Wait, what? Didn’t this micro-budget movie come out last summer before being nominated for a slew of Oscars last week? Yeah, that’s why it’s back in theaters, Sherlock.

Broken City: Ex-cop Mark Wahlberg finds himself immersed in scandal when he starts trailing Catherine Zeta-Jones, wife of New York Mayor Russell Crowe.

Cosmic Collisions: So, that asteroid that might smash into Earth in 20 years is much bigger than previously thought?

Awesome. This new IMAX movie at the Reuben H. Fleet looks at what happens when things bash into each other in outer space. On the bright side, if we go the way of the dinosaurs, at least future species will have a new source of fossil fuels.

Mama: Fresh from Zero Dark Thirty, Jessica Chastain has to take care of her young nieces, who survived in the woods for five years. Also, there are ghosts or something.

The Rabbi’s Cat: A rabbi’s cat, who lives in Algeria in the 1920s, swallows a parrot, learns to talk and explains that he’d like to convert. Oy.

One Time Only

penniless. Um, it’s a comedy, presented by the San Diego Italian Film Festival at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.

against alien slavers. Um, this one was not nominated for an Oscar. Screens at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at Full Moon DriveIn in Pacific Beach.

El Abuelo and With Me: These two films—the former written by San Diego playwright and screenwriter Stephen Metcalfe—are about children on the autism spectrum and the unique challenges they and their families face in communicating with the world around them. The event, which will feature a post-screening discussion, will raise money for two local nonprofits. It starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s La Jolla branch.

The High Cost of Low Prices: Documentarian Robert Greenwald takes a hard look at Walmart. Presented by Women Occupy San Diego, it screens at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Women’s Museum of California in Liberty Station.

Men in Black: Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones save the world from aliens.

Barry Sonnenfeld’s film is still pretty funny stuff. Not only was the movie nominated for three Oscars; it also won Best Makeup.

Screens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Full Moon Drive-In in Pacific Beach.

Rocky Horror Picture Show: Oscars?

Nah. RHPS don’t need no stinkin’ Oscars.

Screens at midnight, Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Ken Cinema.

The Princess Bride: Sword fighting!

Swashbuckling! The most handsome man and beautiful woman in the world!

Also, nominated for the Best Song Oscar.

Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

Farewell My Queen: French film about Marie Antoinette’s extremely close relationship with a female attendant. Brings a whole new meaning to that cake-eating saying. Screens at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Central Library, Downtown.

Sullivan’s Travels: The Preston Sturges series continues. Joel McCrea stars as a movie director who learns a thing or two when he poses as a hobo and rides the rails. Screens at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at the Central Library, Downtown.

Bestiare: This quiet documentary looks at animals—and their relationship to both nature and humans—in a way you’ve never seen before. Screens at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at the gorgeous Calit2 Auditorium at UCSD.

Escort in Love: A wealthy MILF is forced to take on a new profession after her husband dies and leaves her and her son

Space Jam: Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny are forced to play basketball

Robin Hood: Men in Tights: Mel Brooks robbed from Kevin Costner’s version of Robin Hood to give to the poor people who paid to see that one. Screens at around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Sea Rocket Bistro in North Park.

now playing One More Try: In this Filipino drama, a woman tries to convince her ex-husband to give her another child so she’ll have a blood donor for their very ill son.

Amour: Michael Haneke’s Palm d’Orwinning drama, about an elderly couple facing declining health, is as terrifying as his movies about sadism, home invasions and fanaticism.

A Haunted House: Comedy-horror! Horror-comedy! Marlon Wayans (who co-wrote the script) and Essence Atkins move into a new house, where Atkins is quickly possessed by demon spawn. Hilarity ensues.

For a complete listing

of movies pla ying locally, please see “F ilm S creenings” at sdcit yb eat.com under the “E vents” tab.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 33

34 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

Darren Barker

From left to right: Jason Clifton, Riff Vomit, Miles Orff and Scott Jones

Built to destroy Coda Reactor might be the most reckless, hedonistic punk band in the city Rock ‘n’ roll is practically synonymous with drunken debauchery. From Ozzy Osbourne gnashing off doves’ craniums to Jim Morrison’s infamous indecent-exposure arrest, rock music has long been paired with raised blood-alcohol content and shocking unpredictability.

But it takes a special band to get kicked out of a venue on the night of its very first gig.

In April 2011, the recently formed San Diego punk-rock band Coda Reactor played a volatile set at Slab City Fun Fest in the California desert 50 miles outside of Coachella.

They raged through originals and Misfits covers, and then guitarist Riff Vomit and then-drummer Tim Helton (Vomit’s cousin) came to blows after some late-night pranksterism went awry.

“The guy who put on the show, who lives out there, saw the whole thing and was just shaking his head,” recalls Miles Orff, Coda Reactor’s singer, over a round of beers at Toronado in North Park. “We were supposed to play for two nights,” he adds, but the band was sent back home, and the second show never happened.

by Jeff Terich

space-rock of Monster Magnet. Parasite, their debut album, which came out in April 2012, is an aggressive but remarkably tight set of escapist thrash ’n’ crunch, with tracks like the throat-grabbing rocker “Brain Rape” and the groovy, psychedelic thunder of “The Pyramids Were Built in the Future.”

Vomit says the band maintains a three-drink minimum for each show, which ensures that they’ll be at least a little toasty before getting onstage. After all this time performing, though, they’ve brought some razor-sharp focus to their debauched ways.

“It started out, each show was just destruction—just a reason to fuck it up,” Orff says. “But, over time, we got more musical and started getting tighter…. Then it turned into a drunken sloppy mess again. Right now, we’re tight—tighter than we’ve ever been.”

Since the release of Parasite and the addition of new drummer Jason Clifton, Coda Reactor still know how to get crazy. In a recent, near-empty show at the Royal Dive in Oceanside, their set got cut short after the band started “breakin’ shit,” as Orff puts it. Before that, on Nov. 1, Orff says they earned a lifetime ban from Boar Cross’n in Carlsbad.

“We were booked to do Boar Cross’n months in advance,” Orff explains. “We were told we had a 45-minute set. When we get there, the sound guy told us we had 30 minutes. So, we get on stage [and] about 20 minutes in, he says we got one more song. And we were just like, ‘Screw you, dude.’”

As the band recalls, they kept playing while Orff jumped into the crowd and stripped down to his birthday suit. He proceeded to grab a handful of maraschino cherries from the bar, and smashed them onto his body.

Not amused, bouncers kicked the singer out of the club.

However, the band didn’t flee the scene without getting paid first.

“They originally wanted us to wait until the end of the night to get paid,” Jones recalls. “And Jason’s famous line was ‘Do you really want us to hang out all night to get our money?’”

Justin Burnette, general manager at Boar Cross’n, confirms that Coda Reactor’s been blacklisted from the club.

And to prevent further acts of nudity, he says the club has added a clause to the contract that every band signs before going onstage: If a band member exposes him or herself, the band won’t get paid.

No doubt with a sense of pride, Orff refers to this new policy as the “Coda Reactor clause.”

Coda Reactor’s shows aren’t always this chaotic, but North County hasn’t seen the last of them. The band hopes to make its way back up north for another round, eventually.

“We’re two for three,” Vomit says. “We’ll see how the third turns out.”

One of the rowdiest, most hedonistic punk bands in San Diego, Coda Reactor are not for prudes, teetotalers or anyone with a delicate sensibility: Orff jokingly describes them as “a machine built to destroy music.” Like any rock band, all they’re really looking to do is play some tunes and have a good time. A word of warning, though: The band has high expectations from their crowd.

“We don’t encourage audience participation,” Orff says.

“We demand it.”

Indeed, Coda Reactor are some wild dudes, and they look the part as well, adorned with tattoos, beards, sideburns and long hair. In the beginning, Vomit and bassist Scott Jones were playing in other bands, and they both played in punk outfit Nuclear Tomorrow. But they opted for Coda Reactor as their full-time musical gig.

“We all mesh well,” says Jones, who’s been playing in punk bands since the 1980s. “We had great times every time we went out. We always had a great story.”

The band plays a raucous, rowdy hybrid of Motör- Coda Reactor play with The Fuzz Bombs and Oddball at head-style heavy metal, Misfits-style punk and the heavy The Casbah on Tuesday, Jan. 22. facebook.com/coda.reactor

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 35

notes from the SMOKING PATIO Locals Only After coming under new ownership in late 2012, City Heights rock ’n’ roll club Eleven appears to be getting a name change. On Friday, Jan. 11, someone launched a Facebook page for a venue called The Void, located at the same address as Eleven, 3519 El Cajon Blvd. Meanwhile, Eleven’s website (elevensandiego. com) has been taken down.

It’s unclear whether there will be any other changes. In a text message, Eleven co-owner Alexandra Kacha said she was too busy to talk. Nobody responded to an email sent to thevoidbooking@gmail.com, an address listed on The Void’s Facebook page. A phone number was listed, too, but a woman who answered Monday said it was the wrong number.

According to The Void’s Facebook Events page, the club has a few big shows set up for the coming months. Skuzz-rockers Blues Control will play with Infinity Dots and DJ Matt Bahamas on

peter holslin

Fag Recordings will book shows at the venue. Orduno declined to talk to CityBeat about his plans.

“We’ve been very busy getting things sorted out and planned. We don’t have anything to report as of now,” Orduno says in an email.

As CityBeat first reported, Eleven’s former owner, Scot Blair, sold the venue to Kacha and Neil Rajiv Dutta—who operate under the name Kadu Inc—in October. The change to The Void marks the latest time the club has gotten a new name; it was once The Zombie Lounge, and then it Eleven became Radio Room before beFriday, Feb. 15. Lo-fi songsmith coming Eleven.

R. Stevie Moore will perform with Lake on Saturday, March 2.

And Canadian indie-pop wünder- In Ears We Trust kind Mac DeMarco is set to come A semi-regular feature in which we ask local musicians what they’ve through on Sunday, April 7.

Blogger Scott Pactor broke the been listening to lately. news about Eleven’s name change with a brief announcement on his DJ PWC: “I’ve been listening to blog, catdirtsez.blogspot.com. He Crimekillz constantly for the last writes that Mario Orduno of Art couple years. I love the realness

36 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

they embody. My jam right now is is no exception to that. Their mu‘Born Alone Die Alone,’ ’cause it’s sic sounds improvised at first, but the raw truth.” everything these guys do is on Zoltron Monsieur, Lion point. Once you give the album Cut: “Lion Cut has been really multiple listens, you can pinpoint diggin’ on local band (Charles) all the different melodies they go Book&Record’s songs and vid- through in a single song.” eos. As cats from space, sci-fi surNena Anderson: “I’ve been realist jams are our listening to Gregg cup of tea.”

Allman’s Low CounAstra Kelly: “I try Blues. I opened recently started a Jofor his show here at hann Sebastian Bach the Balboa [Theatre], Pandora station and and I wanted to get a have been listening feel for his new mato that incessantly. It terial. It’s a beautiful stimulates my brain in record of blues songs, all the right places.” produced by T Bone Jackson MilgatBurnett. His voice is en, Cuckoo Chaos: amazing, and the enJohann Sebastian “I have been obsessed Bach, 1748 tire album grooves, with a guy from Monswings and shows off treal by the name of Mac DeMar- his skills on the organ. So good.” co. He and his band play their own Brian Karscig, The Nervous brand of off-kilter garage-pop full Wreckords: “I still listen to a lot of catchy hooks and jangly, shim- of old vinyl. A lot of Freddy King, mering guitar licks. His charm- Leon Russell and Appetite for ingly quirky lyrics are delivered in Destruction has been finding its a laid-back talk/sing style that re- way to the turntable a lot after a minds me of Lou Reed a little bit.” few cocktails.”

Jordan Leal, Rebuilder: “I’ve Brad Lee, Stereo Disguise Rebeen listening to Yowie’s new al- cording Laboratories: “Barbarbum [Damning with Faint Praise] ian, man. Watch out for that shit.” quite a lot recently. Strange music —Peter Holslin always intrigues me, and this band

if i were u

BY peter holslin

Wednesday, Jan. 16 PLAN A: Cannibal Ox, Keith Masters, Double A.B., Kenyattah Black, I Realz @ Soda Bar. In 2001, New York City duo Cannibal Ox dropped an underground hip-hop classic with The Cold Vein, a debut album full of smoky, futuristic beats and bleak, lyrical rhymes. Now, after years of inactivity, they’re back together and reportedly working on a new album. (Cannibal Ox also play at Kava Lounge on Friday, Jan. 18.) PLAN B: Sea Wolf, The Donnies The Amys @ The Loft at UCSD. Sounding as quaint as a picnic on the prairie, L.A.’s Sea Wolf mix Jack London’s bucolic imagery with Bright Eyes’ rich, confessional songcraft to make sweet, wholesome indie-pop.

BACKUP PLAN: Social Distortion @ House of Blues.

Thursday, Jan. 17

Joy, Harsh Toke, Primitive Noyes @ Tin Can Ale House.

Saturday, Jan. 19 PLAN A: AK1200, Ghost MD, DJ Ronnie, Adia Break, Animate, DJ Calypso, Ridda, Subliminal @ The Ruby Room. While plenty of club-goers go crazy for the heaving barf of mainstream dubstep, some prefer the pulsing bass and skittering break-beats of drum ’n’ bass. Few do it better than Orlando drum ’n’ bass pioneer AK1200, who’s been dishing out sensual tunes and hard-hitting bangers since 1989. PLAN B: The Atom Age, Grand Tarantula, Bloody Mary Bastards, Subsurfer @ Soda Bar. The newly reunited Rocket from the Crypt don’t have any local shows lined up (not yet, at least), but you can still get a dose of bruising, horn-heavy rock ’n’ roll from Berkeley’s The Atom Age.

PLAN A: Red Bull Thre3style w/ DJ Kristen Bonser Slowhand, DJ G-Roy, Sunday, Jan. 20 Chris Cutz, DJ FishFoPLAN A: Erik Deutsch nics, DJ Fresh One @ Band @ Space 4 Art. Voyeur. This year, DJs Jazz keyboardist / comfrom around the globe poser Erik Deutsch prewill go head-to-head in fers sizzling soul-jazz a competition to prove over avant-garde austerwho’s best at what Red ity. On his 2012 album, Bull hilariously calls the Demonio Teclado, he and “art of Party Rocking.” his bandmates tear it up Here’s hoping this local with deep grooves and qualifying round features lush, psychedelic sounds. all the drama of an MMA PLAN B: Glossary, Fucage match. PLAN B: ture You, Zozo Fiasco Femi Kuti & The Posi@ Soda Bar. You can’t get tive Force, Wolfgang more genuine than TenVon Cope feat. Juju The New Kinetics nessee’s Glossary. OfferNamjai @ Belly Up Tavern. Femi Kuti isn’t quite as hardcore as ing up a hodgepodge of rock, R&B, gospel his dad, the late, great Afrobeat legend Fela and country, they burst with unconditionKuti. But the younger Kuti sure has endur- ally good vibes. BACKUP PLAN: Cumbia ance as he and his band lay down explo- Machin, Buyepongo, Batwings, Bumbsive funk. BACKUP PLAN: Dirty Sirens, klatt, Revival, Piracy, Odessa Kane, ScatDeadly Birds, Two Wolves, DJ Andrew ter Brain, BDP&T @ The Casbah.

Mills @ El Dorado.

Friday, Jan. 18 PLAN A: The Burning of Rome, The Nervous Wreckords, The New Kinetics, Okapi Sun @ The Casbah. Plenty of folks will be coming out to see The Burning of Rome and The Nervous Wreckords at this all-local show. But The New Kinetics will also be a highlight, serving up rough ’n’ tumble pop-rock with the help of a singer whose voice resembles that of Karen O. PLAN B: Downpour, Rammoth, Country Rockin’ Rebels @ The Griffin. Rammoth is a rad band name (a “rammoth” sounds like a cross between a ram and a woolly mammoth), and Rammoth also seems to be a rad band. With crunchy riffs and falsetto screams, their ’80s-style heavy metal is so cheesy, it’s irresistible. BACKUP PLAN:

Monday, Jan. 21 PLAN A: Muse @ Valley View Casino Center. This big, bombastic rock band seems to have a big, bombastic live show planned: On their recent U.K. tour, concerts reportedly involved dancing aliens and a giant, LED pyramid.

Tuesday, Jan. 22 PLAN A: Coda Reactor, The Fuzz Bombs, Oddball @ The Casbah. As you’ll read in our feature on Page 35, you never know what to expect from Coda Reactor. I’ve seen their live show devolve into chaos, and I’ve seen them throw down a rockin’ set. Whatever the case, they always kick lots of ass. BACKUP PLAN: Kamau Kenyatta Trio w/ Ben Schachter @ The Loft at UCSD.

January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 37

HOT! NEW! FRESH! The Bronx (Casbah, 2/1), 12th Planet (Voyeur, 2/12), St. Lucia (Griffin, 2/13), Toubab Krewe (Loft @ UCSD, 2/14), RYAT, Rainbow Arabia (Soda Bar, 2/20), The Orwells (Casbah, 2/21), Del tha Funky Homosapien (Porter’s Pub, 2/22), Gold Fields, A Silent Film, Royal Teeth (Casbah, 3/5), BOY (Loft @ UCSD, 3/9), Alicia Keys, Miguel (Valley View Casino Center, 3/13), Neil Hamburger, Brett Gelman, K-Strass (Casbah, 3/14), Merchandise, Wet Hair (Soda Bar, 3/20), Christopher Owens (The Irenic, 3/21), Janis Ian (AMSDConcerts, 3/22), Anthrax, Exodus, High on Fire, Municipal Waste, Holy Grail (HOB, 3/25), Foxygen (Soda Bar, 3/30), Iceage, Milk Music (Casbah, 3/31), Dark Star Orchestra (BUT, 4/3), Soul Asylum (BUT, 4/4), Merle Haggard (BUT, 4/10), Peter Prance, White Mystery (Ché Café, 4/22), Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (HOB, 4/23), Telekinesis (Casbah, 4/27), They Might Be Giants (BUT, 6/16).

January Wednesday, Jan. 16 Social Distortion at House of Blues. Cannibal Ox, Keith Masters, Double A.B., Kenyattah Black, I Realz at Soda Bar.

Thursday, Jan. 17 Femi Kuti and The Positive Force at Belly Up Tavern. He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister at The Casbah.

Saturday, Jan. 19 Tower of Power at Belly Up Tavern. Cadillac Tramps at The Casbah.

38 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

Sunday, Jan. 20 Gemini Club at The Griffin.

Monday, Jan. 21 Muse at Valley View Casino Center.

Thursday, Jan. 24 XBXRX, Signals at Ché Café. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (DJ set) at Voyeur.

Friday, Jan. 25 Ozomatli at Belly Up Tavern. Quicksand, Title Fight at House of Blues. FIDLAR, Meat Market, Pangea at Ché Café. Roy Zimmerman at AMSDConcerts.

Saturday, Jan. 26 Ozomatli at Belly Up Tavern. Jackson Browne at Copley Symphony Hall. Infest at Che Cafe. Wax Tailor at Soda Bar. Dead Meadow, Dahga Bloom at The Casbah. El Ten Eleven, Races at The Loft @ UCSD. John Jorgensen Quintet at AMSDConcerts.

Sunday, Jan. 27 Ben Folds Five at House of Blues. Ken Stringfellow, The Maldives, Rookie Card at Soda Bar. Cody Chesnutt at The Casbah. Adam Green and Binki Shapiro at The Griffin.

Monday, Jan. 28 Nada Surf, The Soft Pack at The Casbah.

Tuesday, Jan. 29 Niki and The Dove at The Casbah.

Wednesday, Jan. 30 Geographer, On an On at The Casbah.

Akron/Family at The Loft @ UCSD.

Thursday, Jan 31 Nashville Pussy at The Casbah. The Wood Brothers at Belly Up Tavern. Detective at Soda Bar. The Parlotones at The Griffin.

February Friday, Feb. 1 Pinback, Judgement Day at House of Blues. The Bronx at The Casbah. Ray Wylie Hubbard at AMSDConcerts.

Saturday, Feb. 2 ALO at House of Blues. Smile at The Casbah. Kris Allen at Soda Bar. D.O.A. at Brick by Brick.

Sunday, Feb. 3 Benjamin Francis Leftwich at Soda Bar. Augustana at The Griffin. Jayo Felony at Porter’s Pub.

Monday, Feb. 4 T.V. Mike and The Scarecrowes at Soda Bar. ZZ Ward, Delta Rae, Martin Harley at Belly Up Tavern.

Tuesday, Feb. 5 Onuinu at Soda Bar. The Who: Quadrophenia and More at Valley View Casino Center.

Wednesday, Feb. 6 Chelsea Wolfe at The Loft @ UCSD.

Thursday, Feb. 7 OFF!, Negative Approach, Bad Antics at Epicentre.

Friday, Feb. 8 Simon Shaheen at The Loft @ UCSD. Seapony, Rose Melberg at Soda Bar. Bro Safari, Torro Torro, Tittsworth at House of Blues.

Saturday, Feb. 9 The Wailers at Belly Up Tavern. Gram Rabbit at The Casbah. Spider John Koerner at AMSDConcerts.

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach. 710bc.com. Wed: Open mic, open jam. Thu: Live band karaoke. Fri: Arizona Bay, Rage Again. Sat: Tommy Dubs, Seismic Leveler, KNG MKR, Piracy Conspiracy.

Mon: Battle of the Bands. Tue: Karaoke.

98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd. Ste. 110, Little Italy. 98bottlessd.com. Fri: The Homegrown Hour w/ Sunday Hustles (CD release), Anna Bell Bentholm-Jensen, Caresa Lynnett, As The Crow. Sat: Gilbert Castellanos..

The Creepy Creeps, Widows. Sun: Roots Factory 3-Year Anniversary w/ Cumbia Machin, Buyepongo, Batwings, Bumbklatt, Revival, Piracy, Odessa Kane, Scatter Brain,. Sun: Roots Factory Three-Year Anniversary. Mon: Schitzophonics, Family Wagon, Rusty Maples, Jupiter. Tue: Coda Reactor, The Fuzz Bombs, Oddball.

Che Cafe, UCSD campus, La Jolla. thechecafe.blogspot.com. Wed: Raein, Loma Prieta, Birdbrain, Lyburnem, Haruka. Thu: Folk Yes Fest w/ The Parmesans, Sledding With Tigers, Midnight Parade, Bogsey and the Argonauts, Jon Maurer, Jonathon Barefoot. Fri: Agonizing Blight, Puberty Wounds, Burnt. Sat: Raindance, Creative Adult, Bonebreaker, Cutoff Man, Villain. Sun: St. Ranger, The Frights, Wild Pack Of Canaries, Throne.

Croce’s, 802 Fifth Ave, Downtown. croces.com. Wed: Sue Palmer. Thu: Gilbert Castellanos and The New Latin Jazz Quintet. Fri: Yavaz. Sat: Daniel Jackson (11:30 a.m.); Eve Selis (8:30 p.m.). Sun: The Archtones. Mon: Dave Scott and Monsoon Jazz. Tue: Mike Wofford/Holly Hofmann Quartet.

Dirk’s Nightclub, 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove. dirksniteclub.com. Wed & Sun: Karaoke. Fri-Sat: Serious Guise.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave, Downtown. americancomedyco.com.

Wed: Slanted Comedy. Thu-Fri: Hannibal Buress. Sat: Mo Mandel. Sun: Henry Phillips. Tue: Open mic.

Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Dr, Downtown. dizzyssandiego.com. Thu: Reine Rimon w/ the Bonita Jazz Band, Rob Thorsen. Sat: Reka Parker w/ Bob Daniels, Jeff Blanco, Dwight Love, Derek Cannon, Joe Marillo.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St, North Park. barpink.com. Wed: Stevie and The HiStax. Fri: The Styletones. Sat: ‘Neon Beat: The Best and Worst of the ‘80s.’ Sun: DJs Joemama, Tramlife. Mon: The Husky Boy All-Stars. Tue: The Secret Samurai.

Eddie V’s, 1270 Prospect St, La Jolla. eddiev.com. Wed, Sat Tue: Freddie A Dream Trio. Thu: Richard James Trio. Fri: AJ Degrasse Trio. Sun-Mon: John Cain.

Beaumont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla. brocktonvilla.com/beaumonts.html. Wed & Sun: Allegra. Thu: Mike Myrdal. Fri: Cougar Canyon Band. Sat: Jones Revival.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. bellyup.com. Wed: Live Art Battle. Wed: ‘Simpkin Project’ w/ Beyond I Sight feat. Gonzo, DJ Clint Westwood, Al Scholl. Thu: Femi Kuti and The Positive Force, Wolfgang Von Cope feat. Juju Namjai. Fri: Dead Man’s Party, Betamaxx. Sat: Tower of Power, Jimmy Woodard (sold out). Sun: Charley Hoffman Foundation Pro-Am Party. Tue: Lee Coulter, Michael Tiernan, Ryan Hiller.

El Dorado Bar, 1030 Broadway, Downtown. eldoradobar.com. Thu: Dirty Sirens, Deadly Birds, Two Wolves, DJ Andrew Mills.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown, Downtown. f6ixsd.com. Fri: DJ Fingaz. Sat: Dre Sinatra. Sun: Brett Bodley.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave, Downtown. fluxxsd. com. Thu: Moguai. Fri: DJ Brett Bodley, DJ JLouis. Sat: DJ Cobra, DJ Slowhand.

Sun: Juicy J, DJ Craig Smoove, DJ Decon, DJ Dynamiq, Murphi Kennedy.

Blarney Stone Pub, 5617 Balboa Ave, Clairemont. 858-279-2033. Wed & Sat: The Barmen. Thu: Adam Jones. Fri: The Fooks. Sun: Open mic w/ Men of Leisure.

Tue: Irish jam.

Griffin, 1310 Moreno Blvd, Bay Park. thegriffinsd.com. Wed: Goodnight Ravenswood, Gates, Digital Sea. Thu: James Douglas Band, Sweet Beautiful Chaos, Margot Smokes, Kimmi Bitter. Fri: Downpour, Rammoth, Country Rockin’ Rebels.

Sat: Tumbleweed Wanderers, Mad Traffic.

Sun: Gemini Club, Social Club, Foreign Film. Mon: Beware of Darkness, Hit Dog Hollar. Tue: Earphunk, Brothers Gow.

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave, Carlsbad. myspace.com/boarcrossn. Thu: Rootsicali, Ancestree. Fri: Club Musae. Sat: John Goodhue, Reef Bound Sol. Tue: Video DJ.

Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave, Downtown. hardrockhotelsd.com. Thu: Hit Dog Hollar, Dark Thirty. Fri: Mark Stylz, Ayla Simone. Sat: Kevin Brown, Lavelle.

Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd, University Heights. bourbonstreetsd.com. Wed: DJ Sebastian La Madrid. Thu & Fri: Marcel. Sat: Dreamgirls (8 p.m.); Michael Carrera (10 p.m.). Sun: Kiki. Tue: Open mic, karaoke.

Henry’s Pub, 618 Fifth Ave, Downtown. henryspub.com. Wed: ‘Club M.A.W.’ Thu: DJ Yodah. Fri: DJs Rev, Yodah. Sat: DJs E, Yodah. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: DJs Joey Jimenez, E.

Brass Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave, Hillcrest. thebrassrailsd.com. Wed: Golden Chicks.

Thu: ‘EDM Lifestyle.’ Fri: Sultry. Sun: Daisy Salinas, DJ Sebastian. Mon: Junior the Discopunk.

Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave, Bay Park. brickbybrick.com. Fri: Badd Co., ZZ Too. Sat: Days to Change, Fire in the Hamptons, Caldecott, Cult Vegas.

Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. casbahmusic.com. Wed: The London Souls, Mrs. Henry, Uniform Victor. Thu: He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister, Kera and The Lesbians, Jenny O. Fri: The Burning of Rome, The Nervous Wreckords, The New Kinetics, Okapi Sun. Sat: Cadillac Tramps,

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave, Downtown. houseofblues.com/sandiego. Wed: Social Distortion. Thu: Hoodoo Blues. Fri: DSB, The PettyBreakers; ‘White Out’. Sat: The Burnsville Band, Marcel Woods. Sun: Ruslan, theBREAX, NomiS, John Givez, Beleaf; The Come Up. Tue: Michael Dwyer, Emily Laliotis, Tiff Jimber, RDG, Special Delivery.

Inn at the Park, 3167 Fifth Ave, Bankers Hill. innattheparkdining.com. Wed: Andy Anderson and Nathan Fry. Thu: Janice Edwards, Tommy Gannon. Fri: Sacha Boutros. Sat: Carol Curtis. Sun: Ria Carey, Don LeMaster. Tue: Roman Palacios.

Ivy @ Andaz, 600 F St, Downtown. ivyentertainmentsandiego.com. Thu: ‘Back

to School: Winter Wonderland’ w/ Tristan D, DJ Ideal, Soulman, Tim Tensity, Oscar Wydle, Wattzup, Ayla Simone, Nik Nak, Jo. Fri: Anthony Attalla, Fltrfreq, Beefam, Erik Till, Angle, Este, Fle. Sat: DJ Who, Erick Diaz, Este, Angle, Mikey Beats.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. kavalounge.com. Wed: Soul Ablaze, DJ Black, Belt Jonez, Geminelle, Burns 1 w/ Dez Ease and Burns 2, Kendrick Dial and The Lyrical Groove. Thu: Future Weapon, Andrew Foster, Nicky Holiday Baby Davy, Chuko. Fri: Cannibal Ox, Double A.B., Kenyattah Black, IRealz, Odessa Kane, Anti Citizens, Generik and Anek, Brother Nature, Trankwel, DJ To. Sat: Joey Jimenez, Omar Paraiso, Marques Skot, Joe Pea, Thomaz Nestlehner.

La Gran Tapa, 611 B St, Downtown. lagrantapa.com. Wed: Agave Guys, Carlos and Freddie. Thu & Sun: Carlos Velasco. Fri: Juan Moro, Oscar Valero, Erika Lopez, Carlos Villatoro, Patricia Lotufo, Malka Winograd, Dancers of the Academia del Baile Espan. Sat: Pan Am. Tue: Tomcat Courtney.

Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave, Normal Heights. lestats.com. Wed: Jessica Hull, 22 Kings, Seaholm Mackintosh. Thu: MSP, narcissist radio. Fri: Bushwalla, The Lovebirds, Tolan Shaw.

Sat: Allison Lonsdale, Danny Green Trio, Harley Magsino Trio. Sun: A City on a Lake, Barnaby Bright, Josh Damigo.

Mon: Ryan Cabrera, Teddy Geiger, Tyler Hilton. Tue: Comedy.

Loft @ UCSD, Price Center East, La Jolla. theloft.ucsd.edu. Wed: Sea Wolf, The Donnies The Amys. Fri: DVC. Tue: Kamau Kenyatta Trio, Ben Schachter.

Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave, Coronado. mcpspub.com. Wed: Jackson and Jesus. Thu: JG Duo. Fri: Ron’s Garage.

Sat: Mystique. Tue: Gene Warren.

Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd, Hillcrest. numberssd.com. Thu: ‘Tagged’ w/ DJ Angel X; ‘Varsity.’ Fri: Viernes Calientes. Sat: Eye Candy; ‘Ladies: Femme Fatale.’

Office, 3936 30th St, North Park. officebarinc.com. Fri: ‘Overtime’ w/ DJ Beatnick, Mr. Mention. Sat: ‘Strictly Business’ w/ DJs EdRoc, Kanye Asada. Sun: Tribe of Kings. Mon: ‘Dub Dynamite’ w/ Rashi, Eddie Turbo. Tue: ‘The Void’ w/ Colour Vision.

Onyx Room / Thin, 852 Fifth Ave, Downtown. onyxroom.com. Fri: Seize, Yogui, Muzik Junkies, Mike Zee, Martin Kache, Tony V. Sat: DJ Rags, Nicky Z. Patricks II, 428 F St, Downtown. patricksii.com. Wed: Mystique Element of Soul.

Fri: Len Rainey and The Midnight Players.

Sat: 145th Street. Mon: Deejha and Walter. Tue: Walter’s Chicken Jam. Porter’s Pub, 9500 Gilman Dr., UCSD campus, La Jolla. porterspub.net. Thu: Sumerian Metal Fest. Sun: Grace Kelly.

Propagandist, 835 Fifth Ave, Downtown. ThePropagandistSD.com. Thu: Art of the New Year. Fri: Cobra Heart.

Quality Social, 789 Sixth Ave, Downtown. qualitysocial.com. Fri: DJ Frankie M. Sat: DJ Groundfloor.

Queen Bee’s, 3925 Ohio St, North Park. queenbeessd.com. Wed: Firehouse Swing Night. Thu: Rob Bondurant (CD release).

Fri: Battle of the Bands. Sat: Club Bellydance. Sun: Salsa. Tue: Open mic.

Rich’s, 1051 University Ave, Hillcrest. richssandiego.com. Wed: ‘Mischief’ w/ Bianca, DJ Taj. Thu: ‘Repent: Ladies Night’.

Fri: ‘Electro Pop!’ w/ DJs dirty KURTY, Will Z. Sat: ‘L.L. Bear’ w/ DJ John LePage.

Sun: DJs Casey Alva, Cros 1.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41 January 16, 2013 · San Diego CityBeat · 39

the hit list Where to party in Chula Vista Recently, a good friend asked me which bars and clubs are cool places to hang in Chula Vista. Despite being from “The Chul,” as no one but me calls it, I was at a loss for good ideas. I moved to Tijuana as a tween, so I spent my youth sneaking into the bars down there, and once I was of legal partying age, I stayed close to the North Park scene. It’s only recently that I’ve made my way to Chula Vista to see what’s going on in da clubs.

One cool place that’s poppin’ in The Chul is Posh Bar (683 Broadway). The nightclub / lounge keeps it local and offers the area, which is prone to sports bars and neighborhood dives, somewhere classy to party. No sneakers, Chargers jerseys or flip-flops are allowed, which anyone from Chula Vista knows seems unimaginable. Local DJs spin everything from party rock and top-40 club jams to R&B and hip-hop. Iron your nice, collared shirt and head there for a good time.

If you’re like most Chula Vistans and refuse to remove your jeans and sneakers, check out Wild

40 · San Diego CityBeat · January 16, 2013

Woolly’s (247 Broadway). The neighborhood sports bar turns into a club when the sun goes down. It’s a favorite among locals for its chill atmosphere. That is, unless there’s a UFC event on.

Then things get a bit rowdy. I’ve warned you. alex zaragoza A staple of the South Bay bar scene for years now is Club Caribe (5080 Bonita Road in Bonita). The nightclub hosts tropical nights every Saturday, when you can shake your butt to salsa and merengue in one room, then drop it low to hiphop, reggaeton and top-40 in another room. It’s one of those places you think sounds awful but is actually kind of amazing. A healthy Posh Bar sense of irony might also come in handy.

You might think The Chul has nothing to offer, but I dare anyone to try a night out. You might be surprised.

—Alex Zaragoza Write to alexz@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave, La Mesa. rivierasupperclub.com.

Wed: Kice Simko. Thu: Man From Tuesday. Fri: Supertasty. Sat: The Bedbreakers. Tue: Meagan Flint.

Ruby Room, 1271 University Ave, Hillcrest. rubyroomsd.com. Wed: Folk Family Revival, The Desolators, Sierra West.

Thu: FILTER Art and Music Event. Fri: Warner Drive, Foreign Film, Vim Furor, The Blue Suns. Sat: AK1200, Ghost MD, Dj Ronnie, Adia Break, Animate, DJ Calypso, Ridda, Subliminal. Tue: The Lamadores, Lillian Lefranc and The Proper Villians, Kiss and Yell.

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave, North Park. sevengrandbars.com/sd. Wed: Gilbert Castellanos Jazz Jam. Thu: Miss Erika Davies. Fri: Hands Down South. Sat: Burnett’s Bliss. Tue: The Makers.

Shakedown Bar, 3048 Midway Drive, Point Loma. theshakedownsd.com. Fri: Oddball, The Natives. Sat: Stealth by Starlight, Cantina Renegades.

Side Bar, 536 Market St, Downtown. sidebarsd.com. Wed: DJ Scooter. Fri: Kevin Brown. Sat: Epic Twelve.

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. sodabarmusic.com. Wed: Cannibal Ox, Keith Masters, Double A.B., Kenyattah Black, I Realz. Thu: Lexington Field, Ugly Boogie, The County Fair. Fri: The Flowerthief (CD release), Kelsea Little, Knockout Bell. Sat: The Atom Age, Grand Tarantula, Bloody Mary Bastards, Subsurfer. Sun: Glossary, Future You, Zozo Fiasco. Mon: Barbarian, The Abigails, Idyll Wild, Golden Beaches. Tue: Rob Solito, Dream Buddies, Keith Sweaty.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd, Midway. somasandiego.com. Fri: Whitechapel, Emmure, Unearth, Obey the Brave, The

Plot in You, Mortify Your Enemies. Sat: Of Mice and Men, Woe, is Me, Texas in July, Volumes, Capture the Crown.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St, Midtown. spinnightclub.com. Fri: DJ Jam. Sat: ‘Montage’ w/ DJ Kimberly S., DJ Chris Braga, DJ Will Z. Sun: Reggae w/ Shotta Crew, Wreckin Krew, Fayah Heart.

Stage Bar & Grill, 762 Fifth Ave, Downtown. stagesaloon.com. Wed: Bl3ndr, Mark Fisher/Gaslamp Guitars. Thu: Dubstep, Van Roth. Fri: The Disco Pimps, Trish Tacon, Gian Caballero. Sat: DJ Miss Dust, Fingerbang. Mon: Reggae, Sophia Bouhaddou. Tue: DJ Von Kiss, Kahn Artest.

The Flame, 3780 Park Blvd, Hillcrest. flamesandiego.com. Thu: ‘Club ‘80s’; ‘Rockabilly Psychois’; ‘RnR Debauchery’. Fri: ‘Therapy’; ‘Darkwave Garden.’ Sat: ‘Diamond Dust’ w/ Maystar, Tigh, Future Weapon, Volz, Joemama, Mustache, Nom Nom. Tiki House, 1152 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach. tikipb.com. Wed: Steve Barto. Thu: Kayla Hope. Fri: Giant Mechanical Brain.

Sat: Joey Harris and the Mentals. Sun: Open mic w/ Tim. Tue: Sweet Dreams.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. tiltwoclub.com. Wed: Karaoke.

Thu: DJs Roger Lane, Vegemite. Fri: Miki Vale, niomiesoulfly. Sat: Beat Panther, Vision Complex, Pedalay the Boss, John Henry. Mon: Karaoke. Tue: Kim Gordon Comedy Nite w/ Russell Brock, Brian Simpson, Adam Wass, Jenn Ellis, Rocco Joel.

Tin Can Ale House, 1863 Fifth Ave, Bankers Hill. thetincan1.wordpress.com. Wed: Ed Ghost Tucker, Truckstop Darlin’, Brooke Nicole Telarico. Thu: Degero, Merry Problem Child, The Red Fox Tails. Fri: Joy, Harsh Toke, Primitive Noyes. Sat: Idle Hands, Via Coma, Chris Hopkins. Mon: The Tin Can Country Club w/ Daniel Crawford. Tue:

Natasha Kozaily, Aly Tadros, J Irvin Dally.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St, Bay Park. tioleos.com. Wed: The Swamp Critters. Thu: Stoney B. Blues. Fri: Detroit Underground.

Sat: Left4Dead. Sun: Salsa.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave, City Heights. thetowerbar.com. Wed: Mikey Ratt vs. DJ Vegemite. Fri: The Amalgamated, Hashishans. Sat: The Magnificent, The Baja Bugs, DJ Tony the Tyger. Tue: Eskera, The Chain, Trash Axis, Beekeeper.

Turquoise, 873 Turquoise St, Pacific Beach. theturquoise.com/wordpress. Wed: Talia Ceravolo, Tomcat Courtney. Thu: Latin Jazz Crew w/ Lynn Willard. Fri: Afro Jazziacs, Tomcat Courtney. Sat: B-Violin, Tomcat Courtney. Sun: Big Boss Bubale, Sounds Like Four. Mon: Persian Classical Music.

Tue: Afro Jazziacs, Ibrahim Senegal.

U-31, 3112 University Ave, North Park. u31bar.com. Sat: ‘Dance Dance January Addition.’ Sun: Rasta Nation Reggae Night. Mon: ‘Taking Back Monday.’

Voyeur, 755 Fifth Ave, Downtown. voyeursd.com. Thu: DJs Slowhand, G-Roy, Chris Cutz, FishFonics, Fresh One, Hapa.

Fri: Hot Mouth. Sat: Fareoh.

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St, South Park. whistlestopbar.com. Wed: Feral Factory Publishing Party (6 p.m.); ‘Now Hear This.’

Thu: ‘Makeout Weird’ w/ Heather Broesche. Fri: ‘Fking in the Bushes’ w/ DJ Rob Moran. Sat: ‘80s vs. 90s’ w/ DJs Gabe Vega, Saul Q. Winstons, 1921 Bacon St, Ocean Beach. winstonsob.com. Wed: Ancestree, DJ Carlos Culture. Thu: Destructo Bunny. Fri: Comedy (6 p.m.); Floyd FX (9:30 p.m.).

Sat: Bernie Worrell Orchestra, Naked Funk. Sun: ‘O.B.-o-ke’ w/ Jose Sinatra.

Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: Battle of the Bands Week 3.

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