San Diego CityBeat • Feb 4, 2015

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2 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 3

Stadium push is already SAGging It wasn’t long after San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulinstead of demanding action from local politicians coner announced that he’d assembled a nine-person is making it harder for franchises to relocate. But it Citizens Stadium Advisory Group (SAG) to come won’t do that, because then it would be damn near up with a development and financing proposal for impossible to extort money from the public. a new Chargers headquarters that some journalists Faulconer’s got this whole thing backwards. found an issue to get riled up about: The SAG will He’s being proactive when he should be reactive. do its business in private.

He’s gathered a group of usual suspects to tell the That didn’t bother us. Not at first. To us, the isChargers, a private business, where and how they sue isn’t whether the public gets to sit in while the should build a new stadium. He should be telling SAG decides whether to propose a new stadium for the Chargers, “I and the City Council look forward Downtown or Mission Valley and how it’ll be paid to hearing your proposal for a new stadium, which for; the important part is what it comes up with, not you will pay for. Meanwhile, we’ll be busy repaving how it comes up with it. streets, staffing libraries and parks and enforcing But then U-T San Diego published a story that laws—you know, the public’s business.” had the most important news buried in the last senBut there he was, at his news conference, remindtence. At the end of an article about City Council ing us that it was a “public-private partnership” that members taking issue with the SAG’s lack of transcreated Petco Park for the Padres and invigorated parency came this: “The members of the task force East Village. “And today we’re going to use that spirit are unpaid volunteers, but the panel may pay conof cooperation to keep the Chargers right here in San YouTube sultants or financial analysts.”

Diego,” Faulconer said. “It’s time for us, as Whoa. Wait a second. We were una community, to come together to decide impressed with complaints about the the future of the Chargers in San Diego.” public not getting access to deliberaUgh. Mission Valley doesn’t need tions, but that all changes if the SAG invigorating, and Downtown’s already starts using public money to pay coninvigorated. It’s time for the Chargers sultants. Then, the problems becomes to decide the future of the Chargers in more than just lack of transparency; it San Diego. becomes the fact that the mayor is usAnd there was Aimee Faucett, chief ing our money to pay people to help operating officer of the San Diego Rehim come up with a way to get more gional Chamber of Commerce and a Kevin Faulconer member of Faulconer’s SAG, gushing public money to build a billion-dollar facility for a private business. about how amazing Faulconer is (the 2016 campaign Let’s deflate that ball right here and now. If that’s has begun) and letting loose with the pro-stadium the plan, the City Council must pass a resolution depropaganda. “In my role at the chamber,” she said, “I manding not that the SAG’s meetings be open, but know that stadiums can generate revenue that helps that it be barred from spending taxpayer dollars. our small businesses and neighborhoods thrive.”

Let’s back up a bit. Did you hear the arrogant reUgh. Wrong. sponses from the Chargers and the National FootWe’re told that the SAG might surprise us and ball League after Faulconer announced the SAG? come up with a great idea that, as Faulconer has Get a load of this quote from NFL Commissioner demanded, is good for taxpayers. Maybe. The bestRoger Goodell: “I’m glad to hear he’s got a task force case scenario is a plan that sites a stadium Downgoing. But they’ve been working at this for 12 years, town and replaces Qualcomm Stadium with a puband it’s something we need to see tangible results lic-friendly development that includes a river park. sooner rather than later.”

But if there’s money for a river park, we should be Oh really? We’ll get right on that, Rog. having a broader conversation about whether that’s The tangible result that Goodell needs to see is the best of use of scarce dollars, rather than worrySan Diego and its citizens sending the Chargers and ing about what we can get in exchange for a truckthe NFL the message that a region that has trouble load of corporate welfare. paying for basic services isn’t going to frantically We’ll try to keep an open mind, but this thing is not off to a good start. hand over hundreds of millions of dollars just because it holds some civic pride in its underachieving What do you think? Write to editor@sdcitybeat.com sports franchises. What the NFL should be doing This issue of CityBeat lives every week like it’s Left Shark Week.

Our cover art is by Terri Beth Mitchell.

Read about her on Page 19.

Volume 13 • Issue 27 Editor David Rolland Associate Editor Kelly Davis Music Editor Jeff Terich Arts Editor Kinsee Morlan Staff Writer Joshua Emerson Smith

Columnists Aaryn Belfer, Edwin Decker, John R. Lamb, Alex Zaragoza Contributors Ian Cheesman, David L. Coddon, Seth Combs, Tiffany Fox, Michael A. Gardiner, Glenn Heath Jr., Peter Holslin, Dave Maass, Scott McDonald, Jenny Montgomery, Susan Myrland, Mina Riazi, Jim Ruland, Ben Salmon, Jen Van Tieghem, Amy Wallen

Senior account executive Jason Noble Account Executives Beau Odom, Kimberly Wallace Accounting Alysia Chavez, Kacie Cobian, Linda Lam Human Resources Andrea Baker

Production Manager Tristan Whitehouse

Vice President of Finance Michael Nagami

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Vice President of Operations David Comden

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4 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

Lindsey Voltoline

bonus

news Shrouded in secrecy

New legislation seeks to end isolation in juvenile-detention facilities

legislation that would define solitary confinement in state and county juvenile-corrections facilities and establish standards for how it’s used. The bill would forbid the use of room confinement except in instances where a juvenile “poses an immediate and substantial risk of harm to others

by Kelly Davis or the security of the facility” and less-restrictive options haven’t worked. Even then, the juvenile can’t be confined Ask probation officials if juvenile-detention facilities use for longer than four hours, and the bill would ban a facility from isolating juveniles who are mentally ill or expressing solitary confinement and you’ll likely get a “no.” a desire for self harm.

That might be because you’re using the wrong words.

Jennifer Kim, policy director at the Ella Baker Center In San Diego County, for instance, the oversight body that inspects the county’s seven juvenile-detention facili- for Human Rights in Oakland, helped write the legislation ties has been told by probation officials that confinement and says that nailing down the definition of what constiis not used, according to recent inspection reports. But a tutes solitary confinement was an important component complaint filed last July with the U.S. Department of Jus- of the bill.

“Different counties and even the state call it different tice’s Civil Rights Division shows otherwise.

Youth Law Center (YLC), ����������������������������� the San Francisco legal������ -advo- things,” she says. “So, one of the aims of the bill is to really cacy nonprofit that filed the complaint, initially set out to provide a uniform definition that anytime a young person investigate the excessive use of pepper spray in San Diego is placed in a locked cell in isolation, with limited contact from guards and other correctional County’s juvenile-detention facilities. staff, that’s solitary confinement. We But incident reports also revealed the don’t want different juvenile facilities routine use of solitary confinement— “... for young people, to hide behind these terms that they usually for two, three or four days— being locked in a room create and then simply say that, ‘We even on youth with mental illness and don’t have solitary because we don’t suicidal intentions, and that pepperby yourself for even a call it that.’” spray use often went hand-in-hand period of a few hours can If you were to look at facilitywith confinement. inspection reports from San Diego “In some cases, room confinement is be very harmful.”

County’s Juvenile Justice Commisimposed as discipline based on youth’s —Sue Burrell sion (JJC), a court-appointed overresponse to staff’s attempts to remove sight body, covering 2012 and 2013— their clothing,” the complaint says, rethe same years YLC examined for its ferring to the strip-searches conducted investigation—you’d read that youth-detention facilities on juveniles who express a desire to harm themselves.

Minors placed on room confinement are shackled if here don’t use solitary confinement. The form used by JJC they need to leave their rooms, the complaint notes, even inspection teams includes a section with the heading “Conduring shower time. There’s no requirement that confined finement” and a series of questions asking whether there youth receive educational instruction, and it’s not clear are written policies “to ensure that solitary confinement is whether they receive mental-health services. One young used only when necessary” and “only as long as necessary” girl was already on suicide watch when she kicked a staff as well as whether each incidence of its use is documented.

For each of those questions on the inspection report for member in the leg and spit on another. She was given 72 the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, the county’s hours of room confinement.

“The nurse who visited her after the incident noted largest, “N/A” is checked, and there’s a note at the bottom: that the minor was rocking back and forth with her arms “Solitary confinement is not used at this facility.” folded and crying,” according to the complaint.

Last month, state Sen. Mark Leno introduced SB 124, Confinement CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

—Joshua Emerson Smith

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 5

Joshua Emerson Smith

Defining confinement

How much will it cost to get the Desert Line up and running? And is the private company that’s holding the government contract to complete it up to the task?

Those questions were put to the Metropolitan Transit Authority last week by San Diego City Councilmember David Alvarez. In a letter to MTS CEO Paul Jablonski, Alvarez asked for an update on efforts to rehabilitate the 70-mile section of railroad track in southeastern San Diego County.

“I continue to have concerns regarding the lack of transparency and information which has not been provided regarding costs involved and a financing plan for this project,” Alvarez told CityBeat in an email.

Specifically, Alvarez asked for an update on a feasibility study of the Desert Line, as well as a financial audit of Pacific Imperial Railroad (PIR), the contracted company. MTS officials have yet to respond.

However, answers to Alvarez’s questions likely exist. In order to Paul Jablonski begin freight operations, 57 bridges and 17 tunnels would need to be inspected and potentially repaired, according to MTS records.

Sections of the 100-year-old tracks would also need to be upgraded.

Since entering into a 99-year contract with MTS in 2012, PIR submitted a business plan, which both entities have refused to make public. In 2007, MTS did a study of the rail line, which it also declined to release.

But, in a legal declaration from 2012, MTS general counsel Karen Landers said the study found “costs to bring the Desert Line into a state of good repair were informally estimated at more than $100 million.”

Seen as a way to transport cars and other goods produced in factories in Mexico to markets in eastern states, the rail line drew attention from elected officials last year when progress stalled and controversy emerged. After a short stint with the company, former CEO Ernie Dahlman and former President David Rohal paid for an independent audit of PIR and subsequently left in early 2014, claiming the majority stockholders had embezzled funds and left the company essentially broke.

“We didn’t know [at the time] that it only had about $10,000 in cash left after making the December 2013 lease payment to MTS,” Rohal told CityBeat. “Ernie’s friends and family and I invested less than $5 million in all.”

A 30-year railroad industry veteran, Rohal said the line could be repaired within a year with the proper resources. However, he said, PIR has done little if any work over the last two years.

“The [Pacific Southwest Railway] Museum has maintained a few miles for their purposes, but that’s all,” he said.

YouTube

spin cycle

john r.

lamb Stadium radium “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.”

—Mark Twain If you’ve lived in San Diego longer than a decade, you might have noticed the circular nature of our city’s political leadership. Issues that one day seem urgent—water conservation, public safety, sewage treatment come to mind—invariably wind up back on a dusty shelf when hard decisions about spending big money need to be made.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer— thought by many to have political aspirations beyond the 11th floor of 202 C St.—may have entered office at just the wrong time for anyone with a penchant to hedge, as this mayor seems inclined to do when the governing gets tough and political courage is required.

This is why the assembly of a

group of Faulconer supporters to hash out in private how to build a new stadium and keep the San Diego Chargers from bolting to greener pastures to the north should come as a surprise to no one.

It’s classic risk-averse Faulconer.

As has been widely reported, Faulconer has put together something he calls the Citizens’ Stadium Advisory Group (sporting the unfortunate acronym CSAG), a nine-member panel of seemingly whip-smart business types given a fall deadline to put an actual plan to actual paper to get the Chargers a new home either Downtown or on the current Mission Valley site.

“They will explore all possibilities to finance the project, with the clear direction that it must present a good and fair deal for San Diego taxpayers,” Faulconer said during his State of the City address last month. “This is my commitment: For the first time, this year, we will

6 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

Aimee Faucett have a real plan to consider for a new stadium.”

If you’ve lived here for a while, this all might sound like déjà vu.

Flash back to 2009. The city’s then-redevelopment arm, the Centre City Development Corp., hired a New York consultant for $160,000 to lay out all the financing options for a new Downtown stadium. The consultant, stadium-finance expert Mitchell Ziets, presented some information to the panel that alluded to the

gers happy.

Spin Cycle reached out to Fabiani unsuccessfully. Spin also reached out to Aimee Faucett, who one source said was in the early 2012 meeting with Sanders when it was decided not to make the Lazard report public.

If Faucett’s name sounds familiar, it should. A former staffer to both Faulconer and Sanders, Faucett now works alongside Sanders at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. She was also tapped by Faulconer as one of the nine member of his Citizens’ Stadium Advisory Group.

Faucett also did not respond to inquiries from Spin, but it might be helpful for her friends on this new panel to find a copy of the Lazard report. On the flip side, it might not be what Faulconer in the end wants to hear.

One source said that during the early-2012 meeting, Sanders’ advisers—including Faucett—debated the report’s release. While some urged public divulgence, it was decided that the city officially would not take physical receipt of the report, lest someone request it through public-records law.

One source who argued for public release recalled learning “it’d be left to [Bob] Filner to decide.” Hence the question remains: Is there a copy of the Lazard report floating around City Hall somewhere?

Therein lies the rub with this new group cobbled together by Faulconer that will meet in private. As it proceeds from its first meeting this Friday until its completion in the fall, how will the public know what these nine fine people are talking about?

Arguments have been made that the voters in the end will have the final say, so why sweat the sausage-making?

Spin thought it would be helpful to reach out to someone who knows a thing or three about mounting successful ballot initiatives proposing big projects.

“Our experience with the first Convention Center expansion and Proposition C for Petco Park was that the task-force approach with open meetings helped build public trust in the recommendations,” longtime campaign consultant Tom Shepard told Spin.

Faulconer held his press conference announcing his new panel in front of Petco Park. Considering the uphill climb his stadium dream faces, the mayor might want to consider shedding a little more light on the subject.

probability that taxpayer funding would be required, a prospect that every mayor since Jerry Sanders has publicly rejected. But no formal report ever surfaced.

Then, in 2011, Sanders hired another financial adviser to help draft a plan to finance an $800million East Village stadium. New York-based Lazard Ltd. was given a contract of less than $250,000, “most of it to be paid contingent on a deal being worked out with the Chargers,” according to a U-T San Diego report at the time.

“We can’t keep just saying we really want to keep you,” the U-T quoted Sanders as saying about the Chargers in the story. “We really have to present something.

They’ve got some big decisions coming up, and we need to say, ‘Hey, here’s another piece of the decision.’”

But three sources have confirmed that report never saw the light of day, because the Chargers objected to the “x hundreds of millions” of taxpayer dollars the report suggested would be needed to make the plan work, as one source put it.

“My understanding is the reason they didn’t release it is because the Chargers were extremely unhappy with the findings,” the source said. “But it basically answers all the questions that are being raised about this task force, at least insofar as it relates to the financing option.”

Added the source: “Fabiani went ape shit when he saw the first draft.”

That, of course, is a reference to Mark Fabiani, special counsel to the Chargers, who, of late, has been pooh-poohing Faulconer’s idea of yet another task force swooping in to find the magical silver bullet no one has ever found Write to johnl@sdcitybeat.com to keep taxpayers and the Char- and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Confinement CONTINUED from PAGE 5 Asked about the inconsistency between Youth Law Center’s finding and the inspection reports, Kathleen Edward, chair of the JJC, wrote in an email to CityBeat that the commission plans to change the wording on its inspection forms, “so that we ask the number of administrative segregations and the number of room confinements instead of asking for numbers of solitary confinements.”

Edward says the JJC also wants to know under what circumstances a minor is placed in isolation.

“This data,” she says. “will allow us to provide appropriate recommendations on this confinement issue.”

Edward says the commission has been in contact with YLC about its complaint.

“We take their allegations very seriously,” she says.

The county’s Probation Department didn’t respond to CityBeat’s questions about practices and policies.

YLC staff attorney Sue Burrell says that things aren’t as bad as they were even a decade ago, when juveniles in state-run facilities were kept in solitary confinement for months and denied an education. Court orders stemming from a 2002 lawsuit filed by the Prison Law Office against what was then the California Youth Authority (now called the Division of Juvenile Justice) put an end to the worst abuses. However, that doesn’t mean current practices aren’t harmful.

“When juvenile facilities think about solitary confinement, they think of those little metal rooms, like when you go on the Alcatraz tour, or they think of Pelican Bay,” Burrell says, “and part of the challenge in trying to reduce solitary confinement is to sort of shine light on the fact that what we’re talking about is putting kids all by themselves in a locked room. It’s sensory deprivation, really.

“Yes, it’s true that we might not have Pelican Bay-level a small change in context, but Kim says those are the folks use of solitary for months or years on end, but for young who know best what’s happening in detention facilities. people, being locked in a room by yourself for even a pe“The way we found out that these egregious practices riod of a few hours can be very harmful,” she says. were happening on a frequent basis is we received phone The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psy- calls from family members that were alerting us to the fact chiatry has publicly opposed solitary confinement for juve- that their children were in isolation,” she says. niles, and as part of its Juvenile Detention Alternatives IniLeno’s bill is the third try at this legislation. A 2014 bill tiative, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has recommended authored by Sen. Leland Yee was pulled after Yee was arthat confinement be limited to four hours and never used as rested on corruption charges. Earlier versions faced strong a disciplinary measure. A 2009 study commissioned by the law-enforcement opposition; a 2012 bill fell one vote short U.S. Department of Justice on suicide among juvenile de- of making it out of the seven-member Senate Public Safety tainees found that nearly two-thirds Committee after two Democratic had a history of room confinement senators joined the committee’s two “The way we found out and roughly half committed suicide Republicans in opposing it. while in solitary confinement.

“The bill doesn’t prevent or ban that these egregious In November, CityBeat wrote the use of isolation,” Kim says. “We practices were happening about 16-year-old Rosemary Sumjust want some protections, and for mers, who was found hanging in [probation departments] to basically on a frequent basis is her room at the Girls Rehabilitation keep track of how often they’re uswe received phone calls Facility in Kearny Mesa on Sept. 27, ing it. We’re just puzzled as to why 2013. According to records obtained there was such a resistance to somefrom family members that by attorneys representing Summers’ thing we thought would be benwere alerting us to the parents in a lawsuit against the eficial to not only the young people, fact that their children county, the teen struggled with debut to just general outcomes in these pression and panic attacks that were juvenile facilities. were in isolation.” especially acute after she was moved “We’re trying to say that the state —Jennifer Kim into a single room, where staff reand the counties shouldn’t be engaged ported hearing her talking to herself. in practices that if a parent were to do In one instance, when Summers reat home, they would get arrested,” fused to return to her room because of severe anxiety, she she says. “Your children would be taken away by CPS if you was punished with 48 hours of room confinement. locked up your kid for 23 hours a day and denied them eduAlso in Leno’s bill are several provisions to strengthen cation, denied them physical and emotional contact. So why the oversight role of county and regional Juvenile Justice are we allowing the government to do this?”

Commissions. For instance, the bill would require that two or more members of a JJC be a parent or guardian of a Write to kellyd@sdcitybeat.com young person who’s been incarcerated. It might seem like and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 7

aaryn

backwards & in high heels

belfer The pitfalls of Tupperware My husband’s long-articulated worst nightmare is the overwhelming fear of haphazardly stored became real last week when he bit down on a piece and mismatched Tupperware—which is to say my of smothered chicken he’d made the night before nightmare is a reality. Just going to the drawer to and thought he’d been stuck through the tongue get a container for leftovers requires emotional with a bone. But it was no bone. It was a 2-inchpreparation not unlike an arachnophobe clearing long vertical shard of glass that pierced the roof of away the carcass of a cellar spider. his mouth and his tongue. I tried to get him to put a All the various lids stacked precariously, some little hipster chain in there with a wallet charm on upright, some pancaked on top of others—but not it, but it was too soon. evenly because they don’t stack evenly. God forbid You’re probably cringing right now because eatthere be a recycled yogurt container or several mixed ing! glass! But that’s cherry blossoms and butterflies in because while these things stack neatly, they do compared with the vivid description of an episiotonot match. I just—I can’t even. And oh, the exasperamy that my friend, who’s in nursing school, shared tion I feel when packing a lunch and there’s nary a with my family over dinner the other night. (No lid among the many lids for my salad dressing. When HIPAA provision was violated in the making of this faced with such a situation, I always attempt Saran column; my friend witnessed the deed in a training Wrap (its own nightmare) and a rubber band, hoping video.) Ruby was thoroughly disgusted and never the thing doesn’t tip over in my lunch bag and always wants to have babies. So, yup. I win parenting. pissed when it does. Tupperware-party-havers: Just It took a bit of investigating to determine the shove me off a subway platform, already. source of said glass shard and the culprit was TupAnd then, who doesn’t microwave their Tupperware. Or, rather, six degrees of Tupperware. It perware? Even though you’re not supposed to, nowas actually a glass airtight container bought in body wants to dirty another dish. So now that old, a moment of exasperation over our Tupperware mismatched Tupperware has been nuked, and, one (more on that in a sec). day, as you’re putting away what’s left of your carIn a remarkable coincicinogen-leaking, incomplete dence, the NPR radio show set, the drawer won’t close Marketplace featured a story because you haven’t properly Tupperware-party-havers: about Earl Tupper, the man Tetrised those airtight TupJust shove me off a who invented the container perware containers. In a huff, subway platform, already. that’s now famous around the you throw everything away— world, the very same week my sure, it’s going to a landfill, but husband nearly severed his it’s the last time you’ll contribtongue from his body. Of note: Tupper couldn’t figute to this particular human footprint because you ure out how to make people think his product was are going to purchase all glass Tupperware containuseful, but a woman with an eighth-grade education ers! Your family will rejoice, you are certain. named Brownie Wise could. She’s not only credited This genius solution requires a trip to the second for the Tupperware pandemic, but also for creating most vile store on the planet, Bloodbath and Beyond, and popularizing the Tupperware Party (and, by where you try not to see, in the floor-model bathroom magnifying mirror—among the local craft beer, extension, the Pampered Chef Party and probably loofah sponges, inspirational college posters, beach the more risqué Passion Party, too). According to towels, Essie nail polish and floor-to-ceiling displays journalist Gigi Douban, Wise gained wide acclaim of Corksicles—that you are turning into Andy Rooney, with her marketing savvy, and “people knew her by may he rest in bushy-eyebrowed peace. Good thing her first name the same way people know Beyoncé.”

Bloodbath stocks Tweezerman products.

Naturally, Tupper got jelly, fired her, sold the busiSo. The glass, airtight Tupperware containers that I ness for $16 million and gave the brains behind his bought in a moment of environmental altruism? They success a parting gift of $35,000. I hope she told Emight microwave for decades but they don’t stack any Tup to go munch on some glass. better than their plastic counterparts. In fact, they reWhile eating glass is disconcerting, it’s not my quire an engineering degree in order to properly arworst nightmare. It doesn’t even rank among my range them. And they break. Loudly if you drop them top three worst nightmares, which are, in descendon a tile floor, but very quietly if you stack them in a ing order: being eaten by a shark, simultaneously drawer after washing them—so quietly that a man tumbling from stilettos and a New York high rise might not notice when a glass sliver has chipped off and being shoved from a train platform into an onof one container and come to rest in the dish nested coming—you know, I just can’t finish the sentence. below it until his mouth is its own bloodbath.

Bad juju. All I’ll say is I knew Zoe Barnes’ fate from As I finished typing this, I received a call from the moment she made her way down the escalator my husband, who was purchasing a traditional to meet Frank Underwood.

Tupperware set at Costco. And I may just buy him a I’ll also say this: For godsake, stand behind the barbell tongue ring to celebrate. yellow line! Who are you people who saunter and pace and meander without a care along the yellow Write to aaryn@sdcitybeat.com tactile paving? and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

What is on my Top Ten Worst Nightmares list

8 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

by michael a. gardiner Michael A. Gardiner

monality: fresh. The key exclusions are parmesan cheese and breading. Breading is not what the Italian dish is about; it’s about the simple combination of three fresh ingredients and marinara sauce. The combination yields a synergy.

Caps’ eggplant-parm sandwich, on the other hand, is breaded, fried and uses ingredients—eggplant, mozzarella and parmesan “cheese” (likely out of the familiar green can)—that are far from the best available products. It is, frankly, anti-Italian. But that The eggplant-parm sandwich marinara sauce is brilliant and pulls together all of the ingredients, soaking into the flaky sub roll and making the entire sandwich one big whole that’s significantly greater than the sum of its parts. There’s absolutely no way that this thing should work.

But, surprisingly, spectacularly, it does. It looks like a hot mess, and feels like one in your hands, Best Sandwich on the Planet, Part 6 and somehow that’s what makes it great.

The meatball sandwich is also a hot mess—it Let’s get one thing straight: eggplant parmigiashouldn’t work and it doesn’t. The meatballs are na—at least the breaded version we know on neither adequately caramelized nor simmered these shores—is not an Italian dish. Americanlow and slow in that great marinara sauce. As a Italian? Yes. Italian? Not on your life. And if eggresult, they’re just flaccid, relatively tasteless plant parm ain’t Italian, what about an eggplant meatballs swimming in sauce in structurally parm sandwich? Fuggedaboutit. challenged bread.

Similarly, there’s not much that’s Italian about Caps’ prides itself on pizzas, and it produces Caps Pizza & Bar (1428 First Ave., Downtown). an excellent version of the “San Diego-style” Italian-American? Yeah. Italian? No. You got a thick and doughy pies à la Fillipi’s. The style is problem widdat? hardly my favorite. But that marinara sauce is so There is, however, one thing at Caps that any good that even otherwise ordinary pizzas and Italian mamma would be proud of: the marinara. pastas are enjoyable.

It’s glorious, the best I’ve tasted in San Diego. It’s Also great at Caps is the Mediterranean salad, a simple sauce—frankly, what you probably think with cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, cherry of as “tomato sauce”—canned tomatoes, onion, tomatoes, marinated artichokes, feta cheese, kagarlic, herbs and olive oil. Many Italian mothers lamata olives, avocado and either grilled chicken add sugar or red wine to adjust the acidity, and strips or shrimp. A Greek-style salad dressing is there are variations involving capers, olives or delicious and highly addictive. If, for some reavarious spices. But this exquisitely simple sauce son, you don’t order the eggplant-parm sandwich, is, as the San Diego Italian dining scene shows, the Mediterranean salad is a good alternative. difficult to master. Caps gets it right.

But why wouldn’t you order that eggplant That marinara is the key to Caps’ eggplantarm? Come zee bell! It’s a beautiful thing. parm sandwich. A truly Italian eggplant parmigiaWrite to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com na is based on wonderfully fresh eggplant, creamyand editor@sdcitybeat.com. fresh mozzarella and sweet-fresh basil. The com-

the world

fare

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 9

by ian cheesman

beer &

our time, but I seriously doubt it stands a chance against our collective liver power.

Beer to the Rescue will officially kick things off on Saturday, Jan. 31, with the release of Benchmark Brewing Company’s Hildegard IIIPA, a triple India pale ale that’s been dosed Livers over lupus with ridiculous quantities of Warrior and Citra hops. There may be no greater endorsement Beer isn’t generally regarded as a vehicle for of this charity effort than the fact that it conchange. That’s kind of a shame. To me, one of vinced brewer Matt Akin to set aside his obsesbeer’s most laudable characteristics is its ability sion with 4-percent-ABV table beers to produce to inspire grandiose thinking. Without fail, finthis hoppy monster. ishing three or four beers infuses me with the February will follow that with two additional kind of positive thinking and confidence needed special releases. On Friday, Feb. 6, O’Brien’s Pub to bellow out the chorus to “Sweet Caroline” will release the Nickel Double Dubbel Quadru(hopefully in the context of a pub sing-along, pel (after 5 p.m.), likely along with some custom but not exclusively) or showcase my fledgling menu items. A mere 20 days later, Monkey Paw parkour skill set. It even makes me vomit in a Pub & Brewery will offer a “LUP’d Up Singel more life-affirming way than usual. Is it (LUPUS),” a massively dry-hopped Belreally that much of a stretch in that gian-style singel brewed with rhubarb. state to believe you’re capable of More details about these events, curing a disease? along with information on forthI’d like to think it was coming ones, will be posted to exactly that kind of sudsBeer to the Rescue’s Facebook laden optimism fueling the page (facebook.com/beerto launch of Beer to the Restherescue) and twitter feed cue, a yearlong charity (@BeerToTheRescue). initiative that partners The beers slated to arrive San Diego breweries later this year are no less with the Lupus Foundanoteworthy. The offertion of Southern Califorings are as varied nia (LFSC). Lupus and as an imperial beer may seem odd bedmilk stout that’s fellows, but the linking of infused with orpubs and public outreach ange, chocolate and chilis no coincidence. Beer to es by Ballast Point Brewthe Rescue is the brainchild ing & Spirits and a sour of Brandon Hernández, a ale brewed with blueberries man known to many as the and fermented with wild yeast second most handsome beer

by Toolbox Brewing Company. journalist in San Diego but recogThese beers look so promising that nized by far fewer as someone even closeted lupus supporters who’s been wrestling with the Beer is the hero we need right now may consider breaking ranks autoimmune disorder for years. and contribute to the cause.

Beer to the Rescue has inspired more than Whether you love beer, hate lupus or simply 15 local breweries to commit their fermenters desire the confidence to attempt a three-wall or taprooms to the cause—2015 will bear witbank shot in pool, look to Beer to the Rescue ness to more than two-dozen special events, events this year to bring a little more purpose to your pint. many of which include a custom brew, all targeted at generating proceeds for LFSC outreach Write to ianc@sdcitybeat.com and counseling. A cure for lupus may have yet and editor@sdcitybeat.com. eluded the greatest biomedical researchers of Lin

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10 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

by jenny montgomery Jenny montgomery

options, it can be difficult to stand out from the pack.

Don’t miss the smoked-fish taco, a great tweak on an old favorite. The basic fish-taco building blocks are there: cabbage, crumbly cheese and robust pico de gallo. Filling out the locally made tortilla are chunks of smoky whitefish, tender and flaky with the telltale punch of smoke not only hitting your tongue but wafting into your nose, as well. The crunchy freshness of the toppings worked as a perfect complement to the cured flavor. A creamy chipotle aioli adds a nice zing in An underwhelming crab-and-cheese dip lieu of the more mellowing, traditional crema.

You’ll find a few raw items, from poke to oysters, but this fish house isn’t a sushi joint. I did, however, enjoy the sushi-adjacent hamachi crudo.

It’s a pricey little appetizer, but quite a colorful and quirky plate. Wasabi “caviar” tops the paperthin slices of fish, piled in vivid-green mounds of Beachside charmer Technicolor heat. Crispy fried shallots add texture and crunch while a drizzle of citrus-soy reWinter in San Diego is gorgeous, with everything duction lends a bright and slightly sweet note. at its greenest and sunsets at their most vibrant.

Nothing disappointed me on the menu, but There’s no pesky marine layer to play party-poopI did find the more-traditional offerings underer, and the occasional rainfall makes for fluoreswhelming. The albacore-tuna melt was aggrescent clouds at sundown. The rooftop bar at Hello sively fine, but a bit more of a mayo bomb than I Betty Fish House in Oceanside is my new favorwant in a fresh-fish restaurant. Our hungry belite place to gaze at the horizon and pretend that I lies couldn’t wait to dig into the crab-and-cheese totally saw the green flash—not to mention you’re dip; it was pleasantly heavy on the crab but disapperched right over Kelly McGillis’ house in Top pointingly short on gooey cheese.

Gun, so get ready to have your breath taken away.

Dragging children along while reviewing resBut before heading to the roof, make sure to grab taurants often means everyone deserves an icea meal in the actual restaurant (211 Mission Ave., cream sundae. The cinnamon sopapilla sundae was hellobettyoceanside.com). Hello Betty is a charmjust silly-good. Horchata ice cream? Yes, please. er. The dining room is funky and stylish without Mounds of fresh whipped cream? Sure, tiny toddler feeling forced, and, overall, it feels incredibly comof mine, scoop that mess up like your life depends fortable. There’s a vast, open lot on the west side of on it. Don’t forget the sweet and crispy sopapillas— the building (who knows how long that will last, fried wedges of light dough dusted with cinnamon alas), so the open-sided bar has gorgeous breezes and sugar: a churro’s sophisticated cousin. slipping inside. Kids (both legit and overgrown) Say hello to Betty. And maybe Goose and Mavwill love climbing all over the groovy dune buggy erick, too. parked in the middle of the restaurant.

Write to jennym@sdcitybeat.com There are only so many new spins one can put and editor@sdcitybeat.com. on a fish taco, and in a region saturated by taco

north

fork

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 11

[T echnology ] no life

offline

by dave maass

Video games you should’ve gotten for the holidays I’m a twitchy sack of distraction.

There’s a video clip that my parents like to roll out whenever I’m home for the holidays from when I was preschooler at summer camp. We were bused to the local public-access station in Phoenix to appear on a Between Two Fernsstyle set with a host who interviewed us two-by-two on what we young’uns thought about the world and our futures. There I am, shifting my legs every 10 seconds in an armchair, playing with my hands, with the host quickly losing patience as he has to keep telling me to stop fidgeting with the mic.

Sadly, I haven’t improved much in the last 30 years. In fact, with the introduction of the iPhone into my life, combined with the stresses of news deadlines, I can’t stay still for more than a moment. I can’t watch a show without checking my email during the romantic bits, and I certainly can’t make it through more than a few pages in an ebook without skipping back to Twitter and Facebook. When I write, I need to barricade myself with stimulus: music, hot tea and sometimes even a TV running in the background.

That’s why I love video games: All the stimuli are there in one medium that keeps my brain and fingers busy. Here are four games that came out late last year that kept my hands from idling: Assassin’s Creed Unity (Ubisoft, Playstation / Xbox / PC, assassinscreed.ubi.com): Last year, you’ll recall my fiancée and I were totally entranced by Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, a pirate game that immersed us in the cutthroat humidity of the Caribbean. Ubisoft’s latest openworld saga is set in Paris during the French revolution, where your assassin character, Arno, must assist Napoleon, the Marquis de Sade and other notable historical figures as the city burns.

Unlike Black Flag, which included multiple glorious islands and epic ship battles, Unity is confined to a single but sprawling city. In a word, the game is gorgeous. In a few more words: It’s filthy and opulent, with adventures ranging from infiltrating fortresses to solving murder mysteries. But the real glory is in exploring the alleys, cathedrals, tanneries and catacombs, each rendered in exquisite detail.

The Unfinished Swan (Giant Sparrow, Playstation, giantsparrow.com/games/swan): There must be a lot of orphans working in the videogame industry: It feels like every other game is premised on the overactive imagination of a child whose parents have died or disappeared or just abandoned them. The Unfinished Swan may be the best of the orphan genre, but it’s also a unique take on the first-person shooter. You play a young boy whose mom was a painter but couldn’t quite finish any artwork before her untimely demise, and you’re seeking closure through exploring a single painting of a swan.

12 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

The Sailor’s Dream You begin in a blank white space, like that first moment in a movie when the protagonist realizes he’s died and gone to Heaven. When you pull the trigger, you let fly a ball of black ink that splats against a wall that suddenly becomes visible. You keep throwing ink, following the passages (and local flora and fauna) that magically emerge. I won’t spoil the rest of the game—the fun of which is in the creative, brain-bending challenges—but, suffice to say, each level introduces a new dynamic that makes you see the world in a new way.

The Sailor’s Dream (Simogo, iOS devices, simogo.com/work/the-sailors-dream): For Christmas 2013, I told you to go out and buy your friends a Device 6, a clever mobile-phone game that’s part epic concrete poem, part locked-room game, part dystopian adventure. In late 2014, Simogo debuted The Sailor’s Dream, taking the iPhone game platform to new heights (and depths).

Unlike other games, there’s no straightforward narrative path you must follow, no particular goals to achieve. Instead, you explore shipwrecks and abandoned lighthouses to unveil songs and stories that tell the tale of a seaman’s loneliness.

It’s kind of like an interactive version of “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” crossed with Myst.

Turbo Dismount (Secret Exit, iOS / Android, turbodismount.com): In my second column, back in October 2012, I revisited Stair Dismount, the smartphone adaptation of a game I was obsessed with eight years earlier. In it, you play with physics and grave bodily injury by pushing a mannequin down various staircase configurations. Now, 10 years after the original, the mannequin is back with Turbo Dismount, which, as the name implies, involves sending your dummy into harm’s way in an array of vehicles. You can set up ramps, roadblocks and mines or send him into busy intersections or oncoming traffic, all with the goal of inflicting as much physical damage as possible. The game is free, with lots of in-app upgrades available.

As an added bonus, in this iteration your character can be decapitated and dismembered.

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

the

SHORTlist

ART

COORDINATED BY KINSEE MORLAN

TONY VALADEZ / HERO VENTURES

Rick Licht, the guy who came up with the idea for turning Marvel characters into the stars of a walk-in digital amusement park, describes his years-in-the-making creation as something he hopes will entertain both hardcore comic-book nerds like himself and the more casually interested folks who’ve maybe only seen a few of the flicks.

“You’ve seen The Avengers or Iron Man, right?” Licht asks. “That’s all you need to know before you go to this.

The experience was not built specifically for the fan-boys. I will tell you, though, that we did include about 50 or 60 Easter eggs in there for the super Inside one of The Marvel Experience domes fan-boys, so they’ll be happy, too.”

Licht says The Marvel Experience is essentially a two-hour story or interactive movie that unfolds as groups of people are led through the It’s official: Comic characters are main- domes (tours leave every 30 minutes and timeslots stream. Thanks to the recent wave of can be reserved online at themarvelexperiencetour. blockbuster movies, even non-geeks com with purchased tickets, which start at $34.50). who’ve never touched a comic book recognize the likes Folks begin by choosing a name and getting an of Wolverine, Iron Man, Captain America and Thor. official SHIELD ID card. They’re then greeted by The growing popularity means that a company an animated version of Tony Stark, and, from there, like Marvel Comics can experiment with all sorts of cutting-edge technology helps bring the story to life. strange new ventures, including dipping its toes into If you’re into this sort of thing, your age probably the mobile-hyper-reality-attraction realm (yup, ap- doesn’t matter. But, a blogger in Dallas, where the parently that’s a thing). experience launched, called The Marvel Experience The Marvel Experience—seven giant domes “crack for 6-year-olds.” jammed with interactive games, a 360-degree 3-D projection theater, a Spider-Man climbing wall and more—will pop up at Del Mar Fairgrounds (2260 Irreverent, edgy, often-subterranean Jimmy Durante Blvd.) from Saturday, Feb. 7, writers read their work to an audience through Feb. 22. of lit-crazed beatniks. It’s called Vermin on the Mount. And, no, it’s not a collection of Jesus’ ethical teachings; but, yes, it’s usually chock full of inConsider it a warm-up for that trip to sights into the human condition. On Friday, Feb. 6, Havana you’ll soon be able to take. On host, curator (and CityBeat contributor) Jim Ruland Thursday, Feb. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m., the will bring five Southern California writers to the MuSan Diego Museum of Art brings back its popular seum of Contemporary Art San Diego (1100 Kettner Culture & Cocktails event, this one inspired by the Blvd., Downtown) for a special edition of the event. four pieces of Cuban contemporary art, currently on Kicking off at noon, the readings will be the latest display in the Welcome Gallery, that the museum re- in a series of happeningss at the museum where the cently acquired. The evening includes Cuban eats and audience watches from Rita McBride’s sculpturedrinks—like an Old Havana dark-rum cocktail—and slash-arena, Public Tilt. Featured authors include workshops where you can learn to roll a cigar or make Lisa Brackmann, Sean Carswell, Steph Cha, Heather a fedora or a Carmen Miranda-style fruit headpiece. Fowler and Ben Loory. The event is free with the $10 Tickets are $20 pre-sale, $25 at the door. And, over at museum admission. verminonthemount.com PABLO MASON the museum’s outdoor restaurant and bar, Panama 66, the innovative, Latin-inspired trio Besos de Coco will play a free show from 8 to 11 p.m. sdmart.org

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MARVEL AT IT

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2

LIT RATS INFEST MUSEUM

LA ISLA GRANDE

Cuban artist Sandra Ramos’ “El Hilo de Ariadna”

Rita McBride’s “Arena”

Return of The Macramé at Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., Normal Heights.

Chelsea Virginia, macramé crafter extraordinaire, will lead participants in a two-hour workshop. Two craft cocktails included.

From 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4. $45. 925-548-2583, sycamoreden.com HTerrestrial at City Gallery, 1313 Park Blvd., Downtown. The multimedia exhibition consists of seven artists with similar themes of animals, man and nature. Artists include Gail Roberts, Joanne Hayakawa and Lauren Strohacker. Opening from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. 619-3883400, facebook.com/citygallerySDCC HCulture & Cocktails: Havana Nights at San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park.

Enjoy Cuban sandwiches, coffee, chocolate cigars, desserts, a signature cocktail infused with Cuban spirits, a Latin DJ and a live musical performance. From 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. $20-$25. 619232-7931, sdmart.org HFriday Night Liberty at NTC at Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma. The first Friday gallery and studio walk features open artist studios, galleries, live performances, shopping and entertainment throughout NTC’s Arts & Culture District. From 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6.

619-573-9300, ntclibertystation.com Let the Good Times Roll at Brokers Building, 402 Market St., Downtown.

Celebrate Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year with live Afro-Cuban music and performers while perusing the art by Dan Camp, Tim Casey, Madeline Sherry and more. Opening from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. 858-222-9367. facebook.com/ events/1772896939601415 The Colors of Joy at O’Dunn Fine Art, 8325 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. Aaron Zigel, who lives and paints in Israel, showcases his new oil paintings, many portraying the landscapes and seascapes of Israel. Opening from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. 619-337-8342, odunnfineart.com HPick Apart the Pixels at TPG2, 1475 University Ave., Hillcrest. The first exhibition featuring photographic works by members of the Common Ground Collective, a group of local artists, photographers, writers and musicians. Opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. 619203-6030, TPG2.net HStudio Series: Julian Kreimer at Lux Art Institute, 1550 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Enjoy some wine and a discussion from Lux‘s current resident artist, who specializes in blending landscape and abstraction in his paintings. Opening from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. $10. 760-4366611, luxartinstitute.org HTears of War: The Many Faces of Refugee Women at Women’s Museum of California, 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 16, Point Loma. This photographic exhibit focuses on women from at least 30 war-torn nations who now call San Diego home. Opening from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. womensmuseumca.org HThe Crow Show: An Homage To The Raven This multimedia exhibition focuses on those ubiquitous black birds and features work from Susan Omoto, Sheryl Daniels, Jammey Huggins and dozens more. From 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Art Institute of San Diego (7650 Mission Valley Road, Mission Valley) and from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the San Diego Art Department, 3830 Ray St., North Park. thestudiodoor.com Hello, My Name Is... at Bread & Cie Bakery, 350 University Ave., Hillcrest. An art exhibition by Lynn Susholtz in collaboration with the New Arrival Center

students at Crawford High School that tells the stories and dreams of travel, relocation and growing up. Opening from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. 619-683-9322, artproduce.org/hello-my-name-is HUnbroken at Freshly Faded, 2850 El Cajon Blvd, Suite 1, North Park. A group art show celebrating Black History Month with artists such as Espana Garcia, Franky Agostino, Carly Ealey and more showing off new works. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6. freshlyfaded.com Gotta’ Have Heart: Sincerely Yours at Sophie’s Kensington Gallery, 4186 Adams Ave., Kensington. In celebration of Sophie’s Gallery 15th anniversary, the gallery is featuring hand-painted mailboxes and silkscreened umbrellas, two projects from prior Valentine’s Day shows. Opening from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.

619-442-5129, stmsc.org The Structure of Water at L Street Fine Art, 628 L St., East Village. New abstract oil paintings by Anita Lewis, who incorporates the classical with modern resulting in harmonious, water-evoking compositions. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. 760-492-2876, lstreetfineart.com Birds of the World at San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park. View stunning imagery of birds from every continent by 14 award-winning wildlife photographers. Opens Saturday, Feb. 7. $11-$17. sdnhm.org Color of Light and Handmade at Glashaus, 1815-B Main St., Barrio Logan.

A two-person art exhibition featuring new abstract paintings by Kaori Fukuyama and drawings by Terry Matsuoka. Opening from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. theglashaus.com Boardwalk Craft Market at Old Poway Park, Midland & Temple, Poway. The 23rd season of the juried event presents contemporary artists who work in traditional arts and crafts in keeping with the living history theme of Old Poway Park. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. 858-4863497, poway.org HBlack Dolls at Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park. This exhibition presents more than 100 handmade African-American dolls made between 1860 and 1930. Opens Saturday, Feb. 7, and on view through July 5. mingei.org HEverything Framed at La Bodega Gallery & Studios, 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. This one-night-only exhibition features original artwork, all framed, by more than 50 local and national artists. From 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. facebook. com/la.bodega.1 Landscapes of Balboa Park at Lemon Grove Library, 8073 Broadway. A solo show of Ed Roxburgh’s oils that also includes pastels by Roxburgh’s grandmother, Margaret Kyle Roxburgh, who studied art in France before moving from Scotland to San Diego in 1899. Opens Tuesday, Feb. 10. sdcl.org/locations_LG.html HCause and Effect: Group Art Battle at West Coast Tavern, 2895 University Ave., North Park. A one-night battle of lovers and haters as local artists display their interpretation of LV & H8. From 7 to 11 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 11. $1. artbykami.com

BOOKS Paula Hawkins at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The seasoned journalist will present her debut psychological thriller, The Girl on the Train, about a woman who sees something on a train that ultimately changes her life. At 7:30

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February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 13

p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4. 858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com Mary Elise Sarotte at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Sarotte will discuss and sign her new book, The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5.

858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com Matthew Reilly at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave. Suite 100, Clairemont. The Australian thriller and young-adult author will sign and discuss his latest, The Great Zoo of China. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. mystgalaxy.com Raymond M. Wong at Fletcher Hills Branch Library, 576 Garfield Ave., El Cajon. The local author will present a program on his immigrant experience as shared in his memoir, I’m Not Chinese: The Journey from Resentment to Reverence. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. 619466-1132, raymondmwong.com HLocal Author Meet and Greet at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. Sandra Levy Ceren, Sabina Griggs, James Raney and over a dozen more local writers will be making appearances to promote their respective works. From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com Sid Shapira at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Shapira will sign and read from his children’s book, Danny Dog: A Rescue Dog Finds His Forever Home. At noon Sunday, Feb. 8. warwicks.indiebound.com Francy Starr at Women’s Museum of California, 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 16, Point Loma. Starr will sign and discuss, Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. 619-233-7963, womensmuseumca.org

Heather Stimmler-Hall at Kapreeza European Lingerie & Swimwear, 1772 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. Meet the author and Parisian tour guide for a “Naughty... but Nice Champagne Adventure,” where she’ll discuss and sign Naughty Paris: A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City. At 5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 8. $35. 619-702-6355, adventuresbythebook.com Stephanie Diaz at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. A launch party event for the local author and SDSU grad, who will be presenting the next book in her sci-fi Extraction series, Rebellion. At 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9. 858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com HAndrew McCarthy at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The actor-turned-travel writer will be promoting his book, Journeys Home: Inspiring Stories, Plus Tips and Strategies to Find Your Family History. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10. warwicks.indiebound.com Lisa McMann at Warwick‘s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The bestselling fantasy author will be presenting her latest book, Island of Shipwrecks, the fifth installment of the Unwanteds series. At 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. 858-4540347, warwicks.indiebound.com Kristin Hannah at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Hannah will sign and discuss her new love story and family drama set at the dawn of World War II, The Nightingale. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. warwicks.indiebound.com Patricia Bracewell at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave. Suite 100, Clairemont. The fantasy author will sign and discuss The Price of Blood, her follow-up to Shadow on the Crown, both of which are set in 11th Century England.

At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. 858-

Trouble in Mind stands test of time You must have patience with Moxie Theatre’s production of Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind, directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg. If you do, you’ll be rewarded. Childress’ 1955 play, about how ingrained racism was in the American theater, is getting renewed attention, and deservedly so. But its first act, occupied with a tense rehearsal of a flawed play called Chaos in Belleville, is full of fits and starts while half the cast sits at a table, observing. As a result, it’s low on energy, even with the sparkling Cashae Monya (so memorable in Moxie’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy last year) in a standout supporting role.

Then comes the second act. Emotions that had been simmering before intermission come mightily to the fore. The war of wills between veteran black actor Wiletta Mayer

268-4747, mystgalaxy.com

DANCE HCollage 2015 at Casa Del Prado, Balboa Park. Features various dance styles such as tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern and musical theater including guest choreography by Maud Arnold and local legend Donna Flournoy. Through Sunday, Feb. 15. $5-$15. 619-817-5017, collage2015.brownpapertickets.com

FOOD & DRINK HFoodie Friday at La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Theatergoers taking in The Darrell Hammond Project can try some local beers and eats at this semi-regular food truck event.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. $15.

858-550-1070, lajollaplayhouse.org Turista Libre: Tijuana Taco Tour at San Ysidro Trolley Station, 700 E. San Ysidro Blvd., San Ysidro. Tickets include roundtrip border transportation, courses at three taco taquerias and dessert at an artisan ice cream parlor with more than 80 flavors. At 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. $45. turistalibre.com HKarl Strauss Changing of the Barrels at Karl Strauss, 5985 Santa Fe St., Pacific Beach. The brewery celebrates 26 years with debut beer tastings, food pairings, live music from Dead Feather Moon and more.

From 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. $45.

858-273-2739, karlstrauss.com Gluten & Allergen Friendly Expo at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. The largest special diet consumer event in the U.S., dedicated to meeting the needs of those with gluten and food sensitivities. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HBlackout@Counterpoint at Counterpoint, 830 25th St., Golden Hill. The bistro will turn out the lights and be illuminated by candles alone. Rx Bitters co-founder Ryan Andrews will create special cocktails to be paired with bites from Chef Rose Peyron. At 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9.

619-564-6722, counterpointsd.com

MUSIC Erin Keefe, Ronald Thomas and Adam Neiman Part of Mainly Mozart’s 19th annual Spotlight Chamber Music Series, the trio will perform works from Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Happening Friday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 8, at various locations. Check website for details. $25-$70.

619-239-0100, mainlymozart.org/spotlight Joe Garrison & Night People at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas. A special concert featuring collaborations with 17 of San Diego’s best modern jazz players including Chris Warren and Dave Millard. From 7 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6. $12-$15. seasidecenter.org HSchool of Rock at The Irenic, 3090 Polk Ave., North Park. Young rock students perform a tribute to Mars Volta at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6; a Best of the ‘90s show at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7; and a Women Who Rock show at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. $10. schoolofrock.com HRoss Karre at Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave., Logan Heights. Part of the Fresh Sound music series devoted to percussion, Karre’s performance presents a tour through a variety of interactions with found objects. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. $10-$15. freshsoundmusic.com Maya Beiser at Mandeville Auditorium, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The cellist

THEATER

(Monique Gaffney) and pompous white director Al Manners (Ruff Yeager) is front and center, with the exclusionary treatment of African-Americans in the theater world as their battleground. No easy answer is proffered. Childress famously refused to give her play a happy ending. Still, self-respect wins out, and that’s a victory worth witnessing.

Trouble in Mind runs through Feb. 22 at Moxie Theatre in Rolando. $20-$27. moxie theatre.com

•••

Chaos of a comedic kind reigns on The Old Globe Theatre’s main stage with the twoman musical comedy Murder for Two. This music-hall mystery dares you not to like it.

In spite of one-liner after one-liner, formula DAREN SCOTT gimmick after formula gimmick, Murder for Two’s Joe Kinosian (composer of the show’s music and co-creator of the book) and Ian Lowe manage to make you laugh and somehow keep you involved in a whodunit in which it doesn’t matter whodunit.

Kinosian does howling quick-change character duty, portraying all 10 suspects at a birthday-party murder, young and old, male and female. Lowe is the hapless sleuth trying to sort through all the alibis and silliness while Monique Gaffney and providing some silliness of his own. The songs Ruff Yeager in Trouble in Mind are rendered at a lone piano on stage, some-

14 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

Saturday, Feb. 7. $5-$20. gfafexpo.com

times by both actors. Murder for Two gets out of control here and there, but that’s its charm.

For example, how can you not love a song that snarkily rhymes the awful Broadway musical Mamma Mia! with “diarrhea”?

Murder for Two runs through March 1 at The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. $29 and up. oldglobe.org

—David L. Coddon Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

OPENING Jake’s Women: A staged reading of Neil Simon’s play, about a writer in a struggling marriage who engages all of the females in his life—both in the flesh and imaginary representations—in a series of conversations.

Presented by Carlsbad Playreaders, it happens at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at the Carlsbad City Library. carls badplayreaders.org Murder at the Howard Johnson’s: A slapstick comedy about a plan by a woman and her lover to off her husband. Opens Feb. 6 at The Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa. lamplighterslamesa.com This: In this comedy, a group of friends struggle with their demons and confront middle age. Opens Feb. 6 at Patio Playhouse in Escondido. patioplayhouse.com

For full listings,

please visit “T heater ” at sdcit ybeat.com

“Angela Davis” by Carly Ealey is on view in Unbroken, opening from 7 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6, at North Park’s Freshly Faded Barber Shop (2850 El Cajon Blvd.). plays a solo concert that includes Golijov’s Azul’s concerto written for Yo-Yo Ma and “Khse Buon” by UCSD composer Chinary Ung. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. $18-$36. 858-534TIXS, lajollasymphony.com HVinyl Junkies Record Swap at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown.

Vendors selling thousands of collectible and vintage records, plus DJs spinning throughout the day including Mike Halloran, Jon Kanis and CityBeat’s own Jeff Terich. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. $3. facebook.com/VinylJunkies RecordSwap HBesos de Coco at Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad. An innovative and eclectic chamber trio featuring romantic music of the old-world Mediterranean, Latin American and jazz. At 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. 760-602-2049, carlsbadca.gov HThe Nile Project at Price Center Ballroom, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Bringing together musicians from Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda and other African countries, this group intertwines musical traditions into a beautifully unified sound. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. $12-$30. 858-246-0809, artpwr.com Ingolf Wunder at The Auditorium at TSRI, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, La Jolla.

The pianist, who achieved worldwide recognition as the First Prize Winner at the Concours Musical de France, performs a solo concert featuring several works by Chopin and Liszt. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. $5-$30. 858-784-2666, ljms.org David Vidal and Greg Snear at Performance Hall 111, CSUSM, Arts Building, 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos. The two blues musicians perform a program entitled “American Roots Music: History of the Slide Guitar in Americana Blues.” At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10. $6-$12. 760-750-8889, csusm.edu/al 1st Marine Division Band Annual Concert at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. The band plays a program focusing on the history of the 1st Marine Division alongside the broader history of wind band music over the last 100 years. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 12.

800-988-4253, artcenter.org Opera Wednesday: Arias & Songs of Love at La Jolla Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Some of Southern California’s top opera singers perform a Valentine’s Day-themed night of arias and songs of love. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. $10. ljcommunitycenter.org

PERFORMANCE

Feb. 7. $54-$100. insaneinflatable5k.com

Circus Vargas Presents Arlequin! at Westfield Parkway Plaza, 415 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon. Circus Vargas presents what they describe as “aerialists, acrobats, clowns and the ballyhoo of nostalgic Americana.” From Thursday, Feb. 5 through Monday, Feb. 9. $15-$70. 877468-3861, circusvargas.com

HGrand Opening at Geographie Shop, 2879 University Ave., North Park. The urban-adventure store/curiosity shop celebrates its opening with small bites from Nomad Donuts, City Taco and others. First 25 guests receive a Will Leather Goods token of appreciation. From 5 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7. geographieshop.com

HRuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons at House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. America’s fave drag queen brings her reality TV show to the stage with performances by some of the best contestants from Drag Race’s past six seasons. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. $41.

619-299-BLUE, rupaulbots.com

HThe Marvel Experience at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Activities include a projection dome, motion ride, virtual-reality experiences, multi-person gaming, themed cafes, a megastore and more. Saturday, Feb. 7, to Sunday, Feb. 22. $29.50-$34.50. 858755-1161, themarvelexperiencetour.com

HGarrison Keillor at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. The legendary humorist and A Prairie Home Companion radio host delivers anecdotes with his signature dry sense of humor, charisma and wisdom. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. $30-$75. 800988-4253, artcenter.org

Bridal Bazaar at San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Drive, Downtown.

The 40th annual winter expo features over 300 wedding professionals. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. $12. 760-3345500, bridalbazaar.com

Woods, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson in action at this annual golf tourney.

Thursday, Feb. 5, to Sunday, Feb. 8. $10-$140. farmersinsuranceopen.com

look at the music, characters and behindthe-scenes work of the newest offering from San Diego Opera. At 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5. sdopera.com

Mile of Maltese Charity Pooch Party at Slater’s 50/50, 2750 Dewey Road, Point Loma. A Valentines-inspired fundraiser to benefit Maltese Rescue California. Activities include a doggie fashion show, a puppy kissing booth and activities for kids. From 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10. malteserescuecalifornia.org

Monster Energy Supercross at Petco Park, Park & Imperial, Downtown. Catch the world’s top supercross motorcycle riders battle it out for the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross title. From 7 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7. $20-$100. 800-7453000, supercrossonline.com

A Bird Photographer’s Story at San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park. Arthur Morris presents a slide-illustrated talk featuring hundreds of his spectacular images and describes his journey to become a professional nature photographer. From 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. $9-$12. 877-946-7797, sdnat.org

SPORTS Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course, 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. See defending champion Scott Stallings and others including Tiger

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS Stars in the Salon: Don Giovanni at San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., Downtown. Join Nicolas Reveles for a

For full listings,

please visit “E vents” at sdcit yb eat.com

Kodo One Earth Tour 2015: Mystery at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Downtown. The Japanese taiko drumming troupe performs scenes inspired by traditional folk dances. At 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. $27-$77. 619-570-1100, ljms.org

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD HBlind Date: Vermin on the Mount at MCASD Downtown, 1001 Kettner Blvd., Downtown. In conjunction with the exhibition Rita McBride: Public Tilt, Vermin on the Mount’s group of local writers will read their original works inside McBride’s modular “Arena” piece. At noon Friday, Feb. 6. Free-$10. 858-454-3541, mcasd.org Wordstock Festival of Oral Glory at Santa Fe Room, Balboa Park Club, 2150 Pan American Road West, Balboa Park.

An open mic and readings from Chris Vannoy and The Mightier P.E.N.S. At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6.

HNon-Standard Lit: Sherwin Bitsui and Ken White at Gym Standard, 2903 El Cajon Blvd. No. 2, North Park. Award-winning poet Sherwin Bitsui and screenwriter, director, and poet Ken White will read from their work. From 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. 619-501-4996, gymstandard.com

SPECIAL EVENTS Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War at San Diego Law Library, 1105 Front St., Downtown. A traveling exhibition featuring photographic reproductions of original documents, including a draft of Lincoln’s inaugural speech and the Emancipation Proclamation. Opens from 2 to 4 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5. sandiegolawlibrary.org Bike the Boulevard Start at Mama’s Lebanese Bakery in North Park for a communal bike ride with stops at The Homebrewer, a BikeSD pop-up event and ending at The Hideout. Treats, drinks and entertainment along the way. From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. theboulevard.org Burn Run 5K at Road Runner Sports,5553 Copley Drive, Kearny Mesa. Join the Burn Institute and Road Runner Sports as they get moving to raise funds for scald prevention. From 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. $30. roadrunnersports.fundly.com/burnrun Insane Inflatable 5K at Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2030 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista. An obstacle race made up solely of inflatable obstacles. After the race, visit the miday for food, drinks, music, games and more. Benefits the Autism Society San Diego. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday,

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 15

Jimmy Callaway

Local standup comedy is bigger than ever, but can these jokesters go only so far? by

S eth C ombs

esse Egan remembers the first time he retired from standup comedy. Actually, he just remembers bits and pieces.

“The first time I ever really performed stand-up was at a place called Poppy’s in Claremont,” Egan recalls, sitting in his office at Winstons bar in Ocean Beach. “It went well, and I invited my friends to come back and see me the next week, and they were, like, ‘Well, do you have new jokes?’

They didn’t want to see the same act again.

So, I wrote a bunch of new stuff that was terrible. It was all based on me growing

J

Mark Christopher Lawrence up in the ’80s. Like, everything was about The A-Team and stupid shit like that. And I drank a bunch of Rumple Minze and got really drunk and just bombed terribly.

I also got into a fight in the bar and got thrown out.”

One would expect Egan to laugh about that night in hindsight, as he’s since made quite a name for himself locally. However, the local comic, promoter, podcast personality and winner of last year’s “San Diego Funniest Person” competition still doesn’t like to think about it, even though it was almost a decade ago.

“It was horrible,” he says. “It was, like, the worst night of comedy ever. It was probably, like, 2005 or 2006. I didn’t do standup again for two years.”

These days, Egan doesn’t see retiring from comedy until—well, until it’s time to retire. After all, it seems to be an exciting

16 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

time for the San Diego standup and improv scene. Egan points out that when he first started, there was only one major comedy club and maybe a few coffeehouse openmics that welcomed comedians. Nowadays, nearly half a dozen comedy clubs in San Diego attract big-name acts. Bars like The Wood in Pacific Beach, North Park’s Seven Grand and Downtown’s The Tipsy Crow all have regular comedy nights, and two major annual comedy festivals happen within a month of each other (the San Diego Comedy Festival, which just wrapped up, and the San Diego Improv Festival, which runs Feb. 19 through 22).

“I think standup comedy is having this renaissance,” says Jill Dawsey, associate curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and the main force behind the museum’s most recent La Jolla exhibition, Laugh-in: Art Comedy Performance.

Jesse Egan “There’s so much going on in the standup world. I’ve noticed that there are more formally inventive acts and more experimental acts, and it seems likes it’s become more inclusive—more diverse voices and acts that are more like performance art.”

(The Laugh-in exhibition tackles comedy-as-art-form head on, with video installations, sculptures, paintings and photography. There’ll also be shows tied to the exhibition, with comics like Neil Hamburger, Eric Andre and Dynasty Handbag playing at The Casbah on Feb. 11.)

Dawsey speaks about comedy’s “inclusiveness” in broad terms, but talking with many local comics—some club veterans and some just starting—it seems San Diego’s particularly friendly and welcoming scene is one of the main reasons, if not the biggest

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Photo Credits (left to rgiht): The American Comedy Club, Michael Schwartz, Chris Brake photography

Fbusiness unny

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 17

reason, that it’s become as big as it is.

“A scene like L.A. is very large and unwieldy,” says Jimmy Callaway, a local comic who says he performs every day but Monday and whose day job is working the box office and doing social media for the American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp Quarter.

“There are lots of people trying to make it, and it seems like it would be tough to crack.

Here, I’ve found it to be very supportive.”

Some local comics, like Mark Christopher Lawrence, get the best of both worlds by commuting back and forth to Los Angeles for auditions and standup appearances.

“I wouldn’t say it’s easy; I think there was definitely a struggle to it,” says Lawrence, who’s appeared in shows like Seinfeld and Chuck, in addition to acting in films and theater. “I mean, there were months where I thought, Well, you know what, maybe this is not for me, and then all of a sudden, there’s another job. So, it’s just a matter of being persistent.”

Still, Lawrence admits he might be lucky, since he started out in L.A. and already had a solid foundation of contacts and credits to his name before moving to San Diego in 1999.

Just as with music and visual art, San Diego has a long history of breeding comics who’ve gone on to do great things, from Whoopi Goldberg perfecting her act at the Comedy Store in La Jolla to, more recently, Scripps Ranch native Kyle Mooney going on to become a breakout star on Saturday Night Live.

So, though it’s possible to live in San Diego while also commuting north for auditions and open-mics, most comedians know they’re much more likely to make a name for themselves by moving to L.A. entirely.

“Personally, I am just so thankful that I started in San Diego and honed my chops in a smaller market,” says Lauren O’Brien, who spent nine years here working in clubs and improv theater and as a radio cohost on The Mikey Show.

O’Brien moved to L.A. in 2013 and sparked a lot of attention late last year when her YouTube video “My Impressions of Celebrities Stuck in Traffic” went viral, with more than 5 million views so far.

“I think if I had never lived in San Diego and been on the radio, that video wouldn’t have caught fire,” she says. “However, because I live in L.A. now and I’ve built up a little bit of experience in the acting world, I have been able to get some applicable opportunities from it.”

Taylor Tomlinson, 21, is based in Temecula and is now getting regular standup gigs in both L.A. and San Diego, but she admits that San Diego might not be enough for her.

“I think I’m probably going to have to move to L.A. eventually,” Tomlinson says.

“I wish I could move to San Diego, but, unfortunately, you kind of hit a wall there where you can’t go any further.”

But for the comics who do stick around, they find there’s often more than enough standup work to keep them busy,

18 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

even if many of them still have to work regular day jobs.

“I always thought standup would be an inroads into aeronautics and the space industry,” Callaway jokes. “Look, there are obvious career paths that you can take, but if you want to be a touring standup and make money at it, you can certainly do that from here. I was always under the impression that you had to move to L.A. to make a living at this, but I think the scene is big enough here now to where you don’t.”

For Jesse Egan, who’ll be defending his “San Diego’s Funniest Person” crown starting this month at Downtown’s Mad House Comedy Club, he says his L.A. friends will continue to tell him to move north, but he likes what he has going here.

“I don’t want to lose my good job here, my life here that I love, and gamble on something that is like hitting the lottery,” he says. “Being a star in L.A. is very unlikely. Sometimes it’s easier being a big fish in a small pond, but sometimes I think I’m pussing out. But I think it has made me a lot better comedian.

I don’t know if staying here has held me back, as far as being a star or something, but my approach to comedy has always been that I want to try to be the funniest I can possibly be and maybe the rest of the stuff will fall into place. I’m gonna stick with that.”

Lauren O’Brien

Write to editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Lauren O’Brien / Youtube

Seen Local

Kinsee Morlan

Big art in Lemon Grove A dark and intimidating underpass on Buena Vista Avenue in Lemon Grove will soon be colored with a large-scale mural.

The project is the latest result of the San Diego Museum of Art’s provocative Open Spaces program, which seeks to place public art in underserved neighborhoods. Funded by a $530,000 grant from the James Irvine Foundation, Open Spaces kicked off in Lincoln Park in 2013 and has since traveled to Logan Heights, Lemon Grove and National City.

Richard Luna, lead artist for the Lemon Grove project, has lived in the city for more than a decade.

He says he’s seen Lemon Grove’s basic infrastructure and reputation improve, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the nonexistent art scene. He says he hopes the new mural, an idea generated by Lemon Grove residents (disclosure: including me) through a series of community meetings, will inspire other art projects throughout the city, which is known for its large, gaudy lemon sculpture downtown.

“Hopefully, it’ll trigger different projects in Lemon Grove other than paintings of lemons,” he says of the mural, which was designed by Open Spaces artist-in-residence Miguel Angel Godoy as a string of vibrantly colored flowers and other nature scenes.

“Everything we do here doesn’t necessarily have to have a lemon theme.”

Open Spaces project coordinator Irma Esquivias, who—in part by recruiting young kids at the local skate park to show up and provide input—made sure that a diverse group of residents showed up to the workshops, calls the Lemon Grove project “the most successful yet.” She says the community was active in the process, and the city was a speedy facilitator. The last steps are submitting applications to Caltrans and hosting workshops in February that’ll invite residents to help paint the mural.

However, Esquivias says the $30,000 budget for the project won’t cover the landscaping or lighting that the community had requested to help the mural

Irma Esquivias (left) and Richard Luna at the Buena Vista underpass make more of an impact. The hope is that Caltrans or even local businesses may step up.

“People are still looking into how to make it happen,” she says.

Other Open Spaces projects have seen varying degrees of success. The city of San Diego sent the Lincoln Park community back to the drawing board after residents submitted a preliminary proposal for a light sculpture at the intersection known as the “Four Corners of Death.” Esquivias says Lincoln Park has already decided on a new project—positive word murals throughout the community—that’s expected to meet easy approval.

In Logan Heights, the community chose to create an online radio station, Radio Pulso Del Barrio (radiopulsodelbarrio.com). The station recently moved into its office at Bread & Salt and is already broadcasting several shows. Meanwhile, the National City community is expecting to choose soon from among its top project proposals.

The biggest challenge for Open Spaces, Esquivias says, was the tight timeline, which was initially supposed to be just two years. The approval process for public-art projects can take months, she says, and building relationships in each community in such little time proved to be difficult.

“It’s been quite the journey,” she says. “But I’ve been so impressed with what’s been done. The radio station—I mean, that was so innovative and progressive…. It’s all been pretty cool to see.”

—Kinsee Morlan

Meet our cover artist

the Kraken exhibition at Little Italy’s Subtext galTerri Beth Mitchell is a pop-surrealism painter lery in 2011. The curators of the show collected who likes poking fun at the excesses of American paintings from estate sales and thrift stores and Kinsee Morlan handed off the works to dozens of culture. She’s a bit of an undercover feminist, too, often using artists, who then added their own bright pinks, glitter and an othersea monsters. wise stereotypically girly palette “I didn’t know what to do with to make fun of the ways women mine,” says Mitchell, who’ll have a are often represented. new piece hanging in Everything In other words, her paintings Framed, an exhibition opening at are both poignant and hilarious.

La Bodega (2196 Logan Ave. in “I don’t think I can take myself Barrio Logan) from 6 to 10 p.m. seriously,” Mitchell says, sitting in on Saturday, Feb. 7. “Then it just her North Park apartment beneath hit me that it would be funny to her portrait of a reclined Michael make a freshwater trout with Jackson blowing a big pink bubJesus’ head on it. Kinda creepy. ble while stroking a bright-blue Kinda funny. Kinda edgy. I don’t Terri Beth Mitchell really think it’s that edgy, but I’m blowup dolphin. “There’s probably some sort of insecurity going on there. I feel sure someone does.” comfortable being funny. I feel safe there—like, it’s —Kinsee Morlan not serious, so how can you criticize it?”

“Jesus Fish,” the piece on CityBeat’s cover this Write to kinseem@sdcitybeat.com week, was Mitchell’s contribution to the Release and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 19

Pecking order Andrei Zvyagintsev forcefully adapts The Book of Job

by Glenn Heath Jr. “Don’t you recognize authority when you see it?” Mayor Vadim Shelevyat certainly has a way with words. The unsubtle threat he lobs at a constituent named Nikolay during the opening act of Andrei Zvyagintsev’s striking Leviathan evokes the arrogance and brazen indiscretion of absolute power. Their argument over a piece Things are rather bleak. of land has finally reached a tipping point, having worked its way through the broken court system tory actions when facing down government officials and into the real world. Now the confrontation will insulated by bribes, police protection and free reign. have near-biblical consequences. Leviathan is, after Who needs killers when you’ve got exhausting and all, a modern update of The Book of Job. stupefying bureaucracy?

Squabbles like this one might be commonplace As Leviathan turns increasingly oppressive and in the quaint coastal community of the film’s set- gloomy, the theme of erosion takes hold. Multiple ting, but Zvyagintsev establishes this particular feud structures stand blown-out, held up by three walls as specifically catastrophic. Much of the film looks and resembling something like an open-faced cement critically at the ideological divide between govern- sandwich. Incessant rain pours down at the most inment officials and the citizens they are tasked with opportune times, turning all walking surfaces into representing. Failures of the system reside in every muddy corridors lacking anything resembling tracframe, from crumbling architectural marvels to oil tion. Zvyagintsev’s symbolism borders on abrasive, barrels bobbing on the ocean surface. Shots of crash- yet the calculating and flawed patterns of the characing waves and beaches littered with whalebones ters deserve to be overtly mirrored by their surroundaugment the serious tone, reminding that the only ings. This relationship gives the film’s conflict a masthing more forceful and destructive than human im- sive feel, despite being an incredibly micro narrative. morality is nature’s fury.

Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar If Vadim (Roman Madyanov) this year, Leviathan surprisingly personifies the long-gestating hasn’t drawn the ire of Putin’s rot of Russia’s crippling instiregime. One of the best—and Leviathan tutional corruption—his office most absurd—sequences finds Directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev walls are adorned with pictures Nikolay, Dmitriy and a drunken Starring Aleksey Serebryak, Roman of Putin—Nikolay (Aleksey Seresheriff using portraits of old polMadyanov, Elena Lyadova and bryak) comes to represent the iticians for target practice on the Vladimir Vdovichenkov impotence and self-destruction beach during a pivotal birthday Rated R of the country’s blue-collar popparty where shots of vodka are ulace. The property in question the main course. One character has been in his family for years, gleefully mows down an entire but it doesn’t necessarily ensure a brighter future for row of frames with an AK-47. Overkill? Maybe, but an adolescent son who seems destined for delinquen- it may prove to be the only way men like Nikolay can cy or his young wife Lilya (Elena Lyadova), perma- voice their frustrations and rage against the cowards nently unhappy even when draped in full sunlight. they hate who are protected by power.

Vadim’s motives are purely self-serving; he wants Leviathan opens Friday, Feb. 13, in time for Valenthe land so he can build a lavish new church to appease tine’s Day, but those interested in a happy love story the religious fathers who’ve helped him win election. will want to stay away. This brooding goliath of a movIn order to stave off the inevitable, Nikolay re- ie leaves a mark by showing a nation’s populace slowly cruits a lawyer friend from Moscow. Dmitriy (Vladi- eating itself. Like Zvyagintsev’s The Return, it frankly mir Vdovichenkov) strides into town like a foreign addresses the sinking of masculinity and family struccowboy coming to save the natives from annihila- ture in modern Russia. The years have taken their toll, tion. Arriving by train (a classic Western trope), he and what’s left looks a lot like a society of zombies. immediately begins making waves with Vadim in order to protect his old buddy’s homestead. Levia- Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com than inevitably proves the fallibility of such retalia- and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Broken homes

Life Sentences

20 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

Celebrating its 25th edition at multiple local venues from Feb. 5 through 15, the San Diego Jewish Film Festival remains an important forum to explore ongoing issues of identity in both the United States and abroad.

The program (sdcjc.org/sdjff ) includes fictional narratives, documentaries, shorts films and

panel discussions that all examine the diversity of perspective in the Jewish community.

This year, CityBeat was given the chance to preview a few of the festival’s selections, the best of which is a nonfiction effort by directors Yaron Shani and Nurit Kedar called Life Sentences.

The film begins with a faded photograph of a handsome Arabic man named Fauzi Nimer pos-

ing next to his young Jewish girlfriend, Simona, while they enjoy a day at the beach in the Israeli city of Nahariya. Except, her face is covered by a black box, redacted to symbolically express the cultural divide that will haunt their unborn children for years. From here, Life Sentences explores Fauzi’s descent into terrorist activity in retaliation for Israel’s dominance during the Six Day War in May of 1967, and the impact his arrest has on Simona and their two young children.

Epic in scope, the movie traces the fault lines of Fauzi’s legacy, specifically the experience of his grown son, Nimer, who recounts growing up a confused child caught between his mother’s Jewish faith and father’s tainted legacy. The women remain voiceless and their pictures obscured, not out of spite for their diverging experiences but to express the vast figurative space between family members who’ve chosen ideology over blood.

Life Sentences boils the ongoing Jewish / Arab conflict down to a very personal level. It has so thoroughly blurred the lines of empathy for Nimer that he can no longer relate to either side, left to feel a prolonged sense of isolation. The film’s title is plural for a reason.

—Glenn Heath Jr.

Opening Jupiter Ascending: Ever hoped to experience Channing Tatum in full eye shadow and Mila Kunis as a world-saving goddess? Andy and Lana Wachowski’s longdelayed sci-fi opus will be your chance.

Match: Patrick Stewart stars in this tense drama about a Julliard professor who’s interviewed by a woman who’s researching the history of dance. Screens through Feb. 12 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Mommy: In the not-so-distant future, when people can sign away their parental rights to the government, a struggling mother tries to raise her rowdy teenage son.

Screens at Reading Gaslamp Cinemas.

National Gallery: Frederick Wiseman’s sweeping documentary about London’s famous art museum is both a probing procedural and an illuminating exploration of the creative process. Screens at Reading Gaslamp Cinemas.

San Diego Jewish Film Festival: Narrative features, documentaries, short films and panel discussions, each addressing the shifting identities and perspectives of Jewish communities in the United States and abroad. Runs Feb. 5 through 15 at various theaters. See our feature on Page 20.

Seventh Son: Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore team up in the craziest sequel to The Big Lebowski that you could possibly imagine.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of the Water: “Making waves in our world.” That tagline says it all, really.

Still Alice: Columbia University professor Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and must come to grips with her own fading memory and mortality.

El Verano de los Peces Voladores: On vacation with her father in Chile, Manena realizes he’s obsessed with killing the carp in his artificial lagoon, angering the local Mapuche tribe. Screens through Feb. 12 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

One Time Only Some Like it Hot: Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis dress up in drag to escape threatening mobsters, only to fall in love with one of their traveling companions (Marilyn Monroe). Screens at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Arclight La Jolla.

Balboa Park: The Magic City: Jack Ofield’s documentary covers the historical significance of San Diego’s crown jewel.

Screens at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Lemon Grove Library.

stars Octavia Spencer and Gillian Jacobs.

Black Sea: Jude Law plays the commander of a submarine tasked with retrieving a load of stolen gold from the bottom of the ocean.

Brahmin Bulls: A young man gets suspicious when his estranged father suddenly shows up in Los Angeles, asking to mend their relationship. Ends Feb. 5 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

The Loft: Infidelity turns to murder in this thriller involving five men who decide to secretly share a loft to carry out trysts unbeknownst to their significant others. Karl Urban and James Marsden costar.

Oscar Nominated Short Films 2015: Animation: The nominees for Best Animated Short include A Single Life (The

Netherlands), Feast (U.S.), Me and My Moulton (Canada / Norway), The Bigger Picture (U.K.) and The Dam Keeper (U.S.).

Screens at the Ken Cinema.

Oscar Nominated Short Films 2015: Live Action: The nominees for Best Live Action Short Film include Aya (Israel / France), Boogaloo and Graham (U.K.), The Phone Call (U.K.), Butter Lamp (France / China) and Parvaneh (Switzerland). Screens at the Ken Cinema.

Project Almanac: When some teens disregard every cautionary tale and travel back in time, their lives are turned upside down. Shocker.

Song of the Sea: Merging folklore and fairy tale, Tomm Moore’s gorgeous animated film tells the story of a brother

and sister who get swept up into a fantasy world of selkies, sprites and giants.

Screens at Reading Gaslamp Cinemas.

R100: Hitoshi Matsumoto’s wild sex comedy follows a lonely father who gets caught up in a hilariously bizarre world of S&M. Ends Feb. 5 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

For a complete listing of movies, please see “F ilm S creenings” at sdcit yb eat.com under the “E vents” tab.

No Evidence of Disease: A rock band made up of six GYN surgeons travels around the United States, trying to bring awareness to cancers that affect women.

Screens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Edwards Rancho San Diego.

Groundhog Day: Everything’s repeating. Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

The Grand Budapest Hotel: Ralph Fiennes plays the stalwart concierge at an Eastern European hotel that hosts a number of eccentric personalities on the eve of World War I. Screens at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6 and 7, at Cinema Under the Stars in Mission Hills.

Men, Women, & Children: Jason Reitman directs this modern-day tragedy about the evils of the Internet, starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner and Rosemarie DeWitt. Screens at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Point Loma / Hervey Branch Library.

Cabaret: Liza Minnelli won an Oscar for her turn in Bob Fosse’s big-screen musical about a club entertainer operating in the Weimar Republic era immediately before the rise of Nazism. Screens at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 8, at Arclight La Jolla.

What If: A young man (Daniel Radcliffe), burnt out from a number of failed relationships, develops a friendship with a new woman (Zoe Kazan), then realizes she might be his soul mate. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at the San Diego Central Library in East Village.

The Good Lie: Three refugees from Sudan try to adapt to life in Kansas City with the help of Reese Witherspoon’s counselor. Screens at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Point Loma / Hervey Branch Library.

American Beauty: The floating plastic bag is life. Get it? Screens at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Arclight La Jolla.

Ghost: The Swayze strikes at Demi Moore’s heart from beyond the grave as Whoopi Goldberg provides mystical support. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Arclight La Jolla.

Sixteen Candles: John Hughes’ classic teenage film revolves around a pivotal birthday party that goes terribly wrong.

Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

Now Playing All this Mayhem: Tas and Ben Pappas are brothers who rise up together in the world of professional skateboarding, only to get consumed by fame, drugs and ego. Ends Feb. 4 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Black or White: Kevin Costner plays a grieving widower who’s caught up in a custody battle for his granddaughter. It co-

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 21

Deep wounds Jane Ch ard

iet

Pharmakon taps into real-life horrors for her industrial drones • by Jeff Terich

P

harmakon doesn’t make music for the faint of heart. It’s discordant, punishing stuff, built from mangled structures and distorted melodies.

Songs by the Brooklyn industrial artist are sometimes punctuated by unsettling screams or chest-rattling booms. “Overwhelming” is one way to describe it; “terrifying” is another—I even included her 2013 song “Crawling on Bruised Knees” in my recent extra-scary playlist for Halloween.

The menacing throb of Pharmakon can be so overwhelming, in fact, that it’s easy to forget that the music is created solely by one fragile human being, made of skin, bones and blood. That human, Margaret Chardiet, learned—firsthand—just how delicate these mortal flesh vessels are when she underwent emergency surgery last year. Chardiet had developed an internal cyst that caused one of her organs to collapse. She had both the cyst and the organ removed, leaving her bedridden for several weeks as she recovered from

the procedure.

A health scare of this magnitude can be horrifying enough, but in the aftermath, Chardiet was forced to put her performances as Pharmakon on hold for several weeks.

“It made me have to cancel a lot of things I had planned,” she says. “I was about to leave on this insane, almost two-monthlong European tour four days after it happened. And when it first happened, I said to the doctor, ‘I’m supposed to go on tour in four days,’ and he was, like, ‘That’s absolutely not going to happen.’ It was really hard, because I was so excited—that was supposed to be my first real European tour.

And it was just completely shattered.”

As scary and dispiriting as the ordeal was, Chardiet found a kind of artistic inspiration in the experience. Just weeks after being hospitalized, she began working on what would become Bestial Burden. The seventrack album, released in October via Sacred Bones, is a dark and ominous exploration of physical and psychological trauma created by a body’s own war against itself, complete with some short transitional tracks built around breathing and coughing.

Yet, Bestial Burden is compositionally

22 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

more accessible than its predecessor, nightmarish feelings onstage, the result 2013’s Abandon. Chardiet still heavily can be even more intense than the album. employs dissonance and screaming A Pharmakon live show is somewhere bein her compositions, but they take tween a traditional rock show and perforon some unexpectedly beauti- mance art. She doesn’t buzz through a set ful forms—if not traditionally so. list so much as invite the audience into a “Body Betrays Itself” buzzes with primal-scream therapy session as filtered low-end synth drones and discor- through the textures of industrial pioneers dant stabs of chords that wouldn’t like Throbbing Gristle and Cabaret Volbe out of place on the soundtrack taire. In 2013, Chardiet performed a jawto The Shining. The title track is one dropping set at The Void in City Heights of the quieter moments on the record, that found her head-butting someone’s if perhaps the most terrifying, with high- chest and wrapping up several audience frequency noises shrieking like hospital members in a microphone cable. equipment and Chardiet delivering a deChardiet says that not everyone responds lay-heavy spoken-word lyric with the re- positively to her performance style, but as frain, “I don’t belong here.” long as the reaction is honest, she’s happy.

For Chardiet, the album serves as a kind “I think that the most important thing to of catharsis, but one that requires her to go me is that I’m present in the moment,” she back to some uncomfortable places. says. “If it’s real, and it’s palpable for me in “That was a way of dealing with, under- that moment, then it’s the same for the other standing it… coping with it,” she says. “I people in the room. I don’t want to be an enwas starting to try to develop a lot of the tertainer in the sense of just doing something songs. I was able to go on the second half onstage, regardless of where I am or the auof the tour, and... that was a really dience. I want to have more of a contense process. Like playing a nection to the people that are show and then realizing, Oh, there. I want to transform the you popped a stitch and it’s space into something else.” bleeding. I couldn’t physiBy tapping into the exFeb. 12 cally lift my gear onto perience that led to the the stage and still needcreation of Bestial BurThe Hideout den, Chardiet is not only ed help. But it was a way adding an extra layer of to work through it, and it sacredbonesrecords. intensity for the audiwas cathartic. com/collections/ ence, but for herself, as “A lot of times the way pharmakon well. But getting that all out I think about art is in the onstage does help her breathe sense that it’s a reflection of a little easier off stage. your consciousness,” she con“It’s not easy,” she says. “It’s physitinues. “What’s going on in your mind and your ideas that you’ve cultivated. You cally and emotionally demanding.

“But… the fact that it can exist in that can sort of look back and hear them out.

Catharsis is the right word, but I think space means that it’s not weighing me people oversimplify it. It’s not that direct. down the rest of the time.”

It’s not entirely good for me to be sort of Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com dwelling on it, night after night.”

When Chardiet does tap into those and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Pharmakon

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 23

notes from the smoking patio Locals Only

Bil Zelman

Journals also coincides with Bit Maps’ debut album, There’s about to be another published novelist in which will come out a few weeks later. It’s looking the San Diego music scene. Drew Andrews, the like it’ll be a busy spring for Andrews, but he’s exsinger and songwriter behind Bit Maps—and for- cited about finally realizing a longtime goal. mer member of Via Satellite and The Album “I’m already neck-deep in getting Leaf—has announced that he’s releasing a my album released, so this is exnovella this spring. The book is called citing for me,” he says. “For The Shepherd’s Journals, and it’ll be a lot of people, getting a released on March 15 via Portlandbook published is somebased Blue Skirt Productions. thing to put on their Andrews tells CityBeat that the bucket list. Being a book has been a long-term project published author for that came together piecemeal beme is the bucket list.” tween musical projects.

—Jeff Terich “I’ve been ticking away at it for a number of years,” he says.

“It’s not like I’ve been sitting at my computer every night working on it. But as it kind of developed, I’d work on it for a while, and then I’d go on tour, and then on long van rides I’d use that time to kind tick away at it some more.”

The book is written as a series of diary entries by a character known as The Shepherd. Andrews describes it as an “urban prophet’s descent into madness.”

“The big thing for me was to capture the authenticity of this person,” he says. “I tried to make it like this is the voice of this character as much as possible.”

There’ll be a release party for the book in Portland on March 15, and Andrews says he’s planning Drew Andrews a local event as well. The release of The Shepherd’s

Music review Retox Beneath California (Epitaph) Retox don’t need that much time to inflict an incredible amount of damage. Much like The Locust, Justin Pearson’s previous band, hardcore stagewreckers Retox make their mark by delivering blasts of aggression in highly compact packages. The band’s second album, Beneath California, runs a concise 23 minutes, and the average track on the record is about a minute-anda-half long. For most listeners, this might seem thin or slight, but you’d be surprised at how many twists, turns, throttles and thrills Retox can pack into 90 seconds.

From the moment that a squeal of feedback opens first track “Die in Your Own Cathedral,” Beneath California drops a brick on the accelerator and then drives that fucker straight into oblivion. It’s less an album than a relentless force of energy and destruction, and as dangerous as it might be to put oneself in its path, it’s just as exciting to see what the band is capable of doing with a baseline intensity level of 11.

For a band that offers few moments of calm, Retox

24 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

deliver a surprising amount of diversity on Beneath California. In all of 54 seconds, “Die in Your Own Cathedral” transitions between pile-driving power-violence and a strange, eerie permutation of The Twilight Zone theme’s main riff, collapsing in another shriek of feedback and noise. And the effects-laden guitar work of “We Know Who’s the Prick” finds guitarist Michael Crain injecting a touch of prog into the song’s chugging hardcore assault.

Every now and again, some surf-rock riffs make their way into the mix, and the result is invariably awesome, whether it comes in the form of cool, dark grooves (“Death Will Change Your Life”) or menacing doom punk (“Wooden Nickels”). And while there’s no such thing as a slow song for Retox—or a Pearson vocal style other than seething bark—“Strong Wrong Opinion” drops the tempo a bit, which goes a long way with a band this gnarly.

Retox have shown a lot of growth in just a few short years, and Beneath California is their best recording yet. It might only be 23 minutes long, but none of those minutes is wasted.

—Jeff Terich Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com or editor@sdcitybeat.com.

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 25

if i were u

BY Jeff Terich

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Francos, The Kabbs @ The Casbah. It’s not really enough to be a garage-rock band anymore. You can get by, but it won’t make the music all that interesting, particularly since it’s getting on in years as a genre.

Hanni El Khatib makes up for that by adding touches of soul and orchestration to his guitar jams that turn them into something else entirely. BACKUP PLAN: Deep Sea Thunder Beast, Barrows, Bhorelorde @ Til-Two Club.

PLAN A: Juice Box, Kingdom of Lights, Flakes, Hand Drawn Tree @ Soda Bar. A lot of us were beyond stoked when D’Angelo finally released his new album, and I’m guessing we can probably count local group Friday, Feb. 6 Juice Box among those eager fans. They PLAN A: Ross Karre @ Bread and Salt.

The Fresh Sound concert sehave a soulful groove in their ries brings us another unusual sound that reminds me, at percussion performance featimes, of D’Angelo’s Voodoo, turing Russ Karre, who prowith a jazz-fusion glaze, and it duces both video installations goes down nice and easy. and music. This one, however, will feature an emphasis on Thursday, Feb. 5 found objects, which promisPLAN A: You Blew It!, Tiny es to make for a fascinating, if Moving Parts, Rozwell Kid unconventional, show. PLAN @ House of Blues Voodoo B: Body of Light, Some EmRoom. Last week, Peter Holsber, Din @ The Hideout. lin profiled Florida band You Body of Light are from AriBlew It!, who combine clever Hanni El Khatib zona, but their synth-heavy and introspective lyrics with post-punk sound might lead great, high-energy melodies. They’ve been you to believe they were transported here called “emo revival,” but great indie rock from the United Kingdom in the early ’80s. with passion behind it arguably never went And coming from me, that’s a pretty huge away—there are just younger dudes making compliment. Dress in all black and feel the it now. PLAN B: Hanni El Khatib, Shady gloom. BACKUP PLAN: Amerikan Bear,

26 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

The Burdens, Desert Stones, DJ Cline- to get here—the least you could do is drive to Hillcrest to greet ’em. bell Express @ Til-Two Club.

Saturday, Feb. 7

Monday, Feb. 9

PLAN A: Earthless, Arctic, Loom, Operation Mindblow Light Show @ The Casbah. Spend your Saturday night surfing some heavy cosmic waves when Earthless bring their psychedelic hugeness to The Casbah. Their shows usually entail some dazzling feats of instrumental interplay, and this one will feature the living-lava-lamp aesthetics of Operation Mindblow, so tune in and rock out. PLAN B: Excel, Rotting Out, Xibalba, Nomads @ Soda Bar. Excel are a band of hardcore old-schoolers from Venice, California, and if you’re looking for an education in some intense power-chord blasts, then look no further. Get there a little early for Xibalba, who spice up their hardcore with a touch of death-metal ugliness.

BACKUP PLAN: Trashaxis, Healers, Man Vs. Man, Thief’s League @ Tower Bar.

PLAN A: Heavenly Beat, Emerald Rats, Chill Pill @ Soda Bar. Heavenly Beat is John Pena, who also performs with indierock group Beach Fossils. And if you like that band, you’ll dig this one—it’s an ethereal and pretty mix of beats, synths and gorgeously restrained guitar licks. And it’s also not a bad way to start out the week.

BACKUP PLAN: P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S., The A-Bortz, Pilgrims @ Til-Two Club.

Tuesday, Feb. 10

PLAN A: Retox, Whores, Ghetto Blaster, The Long and Short of It @ The Casbah.

This week, I reviewed Beneath California, the reliably brutal new album by local hardcore badasses Retox. They make one hell of a ruckus, and one of the best ways to experience it is in person. Brace yourself for something loud, fast and raw—just what hardcore Sunday, Feb. 8 is supposed to be. PLAN B: Migos @ ObserPLAN A: Catfish and the Bottlemen, vatory North Park. In their breakout single Wild Party @ The Merrow. There’s noth- “Versace,” Atlanta rap group Migos say the ing particularly groundbreaking about the word “Versace” so many times, it has to break kind of indie rock that Catfish and the Bot- some kind of record. But it also bumps hard, tlemen play. But credit where it’s due: The and the group is one reason why Atlanta is U.K. group have a knack for catchy melo- the hip-hop city to watch right now. BACKdies, and they have more than enough of UP PLAN: Mariel, The Paper Thins, Sulthose to fill a set. They traveled a long way len Ray Villaintine @ The Hideout.

HOT! NEW! FRESH! Eric Andre (Casbah, 2/11), Crocodiles (The Hideout, 3/2), Nahko and Medicine for the People (Observatory North Park, 3/7), Craig Wayne Boyd (BUT, 3/9), John Doe, Exene Cervenka and Robyn Hitchcock (BUT, 3/22), The Ting Tings (HOB, 3/23), St. Lucia (Observatory North Park, 4/13), Father John Misty (Observatory North Park, 4/14), Lady Lamb the Beekeeper (Soda Bar, 4/22), The Sonics (BUT, 5/10), Shakey Graves (BUT, 5/18), Acid Mothers Temple (Soda Bar, 5/18), Natalie Prass, San Fermin (Casbah, 5/18), Mae (Irenic, 5/27), Xavier Rudd (BUT, 5/27-28), The Weepies (BUT, 6/10), Joe Bonamassa (Humphreys, 8/26).

CANCELED Hundred Waters (Casbah, 2/11).

GET YER TICKETS Gregory Alan Isakov (The Irenic, 2/22), David Cook (BUT, 2/23), Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (Viejas Arena, 2/25), Cold War Kids (Observatory North Park, 2/25), Taking Back Sunday (HOB, 2/26), Deap Vally (BUT, 2/26), Theophilus London (BUT, 3/1), Swervedriver (Casbah, 3/4), Viet Cong (Soda Bar, 3/7), Cheap Girls, Restorations (The Hideout, 3/7), A Place to Bury Strangers (Casbah, 3/11), Hurray for the Riff Raff (BUT, 3/11), Bleachers (HOB, 3/12), Twin Shadow (BUT, 3/13), Ani DiFranco (HOB, 3/16), Pete Rock and Slum Village (Porter’s Pub, 3/24), Tweedy (Balboa Theatre, 3/24), George Benson (Balboa Theatre, 3/26), Blue October (HOB, 4/9), Andrew Jackson Jihad (The Irenic, 4/10), D.I. (Brick by Brick, 4/11), Built to Spill (Irenic, 4/14), Toro y Moi (Observatory North Park, 4/15), Ratatat (Casbah, 4/16), Marina and the Diamonds (Observatory North Park, 4/18), Waxahatchee (Casbah, 4/26), The Decemberists (Observatory North Park, 4/30), OK Go (HOB, 5/1), They Might Be Giants (BUT, 5/3), The Growlers (Observatory North Park, 5/9), NKOTB, TLC, Nelly (Viejas Arena, 5/11), The Wombats (HOB, 5/13), Lana Del Rey (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 5/16), Train (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 5/24), Sufjan Stevens (Copley Symphony Hall, 6/2), Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 8/8), Diana Krall (Humphreys, 8/24), The Who (Valley View Casino Center, 9/14).

February Wednesday, Feb. 4 Vonda Shepard at Belly Up Tavern.

Thursday, Feb. 5 Kenny Wayne Shepherd at Belly Up Tavern. You Blew It! at House of Blues Voodoo Room. S at Bar Pink.

Friday, Feb. 6 Generationals at The Casbah. Juan Gabriel at Viejas Arena. Aziz Ansari at Valley View Casino Center.

Saturday, Feb. 7 People on Vacation at Porter’s Pub. Earthless at The Casbah. Excel at Soda Bar.

Sunday, Feb. 8 Lil Eazy E at Porter’s Pub.

Monday, Feb. 9 Botanica Chango at The Casbah.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 Migos at North Park Theatre.

Wednesday, Feb. 11 Motion City Soundtrack at House of Blues. Lily and Madeleine at The Loft.

Jessica Lea Mayfield at Soda Bar. Eric Andre at The Casbah.

Thursday, Feb. 12 Cro-Mags at Soda Bar. Pharmakon at The Hideout. Unwritten Law (acoustic show) at Brick by Brick.

Friday, Feb. 13 Juicy J at North Park Theatre. James Iha at The Hideout.

Saturday, Feb. 14 The Dodos at The Casbah. LOGIC at North Park Theatre. Ozomatli at Belly Up Tavern. Trash Talk at Epicentre.

Sunday, Feb. 15 Enabler at Tower Bar. Ozomatli at Belly Up Tavern. Swami John Reis and the Blind Shake at The Casbah.

Monday, Feb. 16 Otep at Soda Bar. The Midnight Pine at The Casbah.

Tuesday, Feb. 17 Over the Rhine at Belly Up Tavern. Over the Rhine at Belly Up Tavern. Eddie Spaghetti at The Casbah.

Wednesday, Feb. 18 Meghan Trainor at House Of Blues (sold out). Lotus at Belly Up Tavern. The Young Wild at The Casbah.

Thursday, Feb. 19 Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake at House of Blues. Taj Mahal Trio at Belly Up Tavern.

Friday, Feb. 20 Alan Jackson at Valley View Casino Center. Steve Aoki at Soma. Kina Grannis at Porter’s Pub (sold out).

Saturday, Feb. 21 Mac Sabbath at The Hideout. Steve Poltz at Belly Up Tavern. Wild Child at The Casbah. Gilby Clarke at Brick by Brick. August Burns Red at House of Blues. The Parlor Mob at Soda Bar.

Sunday, Feb. 22 Gregory Alan Isakov at The Irenic. The Mary Onettes at Soda Bar. Lucinda Williams at North Park Theatre (sold out). Zap Mama and Antibalas at Belly Up Tavern. Cursive at The Casbah (sold out). Hurricane Chris at Porter’s Pub.

Monday, Feb. 23 In Flames at House of Blues. David Cook at Belly Up Tavern.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 Brett Dennen at North Park Theatre (sold out).

Wednesday, Feb. 25 Cold War Kids at North Park Theatre.

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band at Viejas Arena.

Thursday, Feb. 26 Celtic Thunder at Balboa Theatre. Taking Back Sunday at House of Blues.

Deap Vally at Belly Up Tavern.

Friday, Feb. 27 Griever at Soda Bar.

Saturday, Feb. 28 The Church at The Casbah. Six Organs of Admittance at Soda Bar. Craft Spells at The Hideout. Pine Mountain Logs at Belly Up Tavern. Fifth Harmony at House Of Blues.

March Sunday, March 1 Theophilus London at Belly Up Tavern.

Monday, March 2 Crocodiles at The Hideout.

Tuesday, March 3 Don Williams at Balboa Theatre. Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience at Belly Up Tavern. Milk Music at The Hideout.

Wednesday, March 4 Swervedriver at The Casbah.

Thursday, March 5 Enslaved, YOB at Brick by Brick. Umphrey’s McGee at House of Blues.

Tweak Bird at Soda Bar.

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach. 710bc.com. Wed: Open mic.

Thu: Live band karaoke. Fri: Eminence Ensemble. Sat: Rhythm and the Method, Marujah, Making Movies. Sun: Karaoke.

98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd. Ste. 110, Little Italy. 98bottlessd.com. Fri: The Four, Pat Kelley. Sat: The Fuss. Sun: The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio.

Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St, Normal Heights. airconditionedbar. com. Wed: ‘Breezy Bliss’ w/ DJs Arran Lee, Red Ranger, Volz, JoshthebeaR, Just Sven, Gianna, Viking. Thu: DJs Ivan Gregory, Matthew Brian. Fri: DJ Junior the Disco Punk. Sat: Mike Czech. Sun: DJs John Reynolds, Karma.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave, Downtown. americancomedyco. com. Wed: Open mic. Thu: Miracle Joke Elixir. Fri-Sat: Pete Holmes. Sun: Full Throttle.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St, Downtown. facebook.com/BangBangSanDiego. Fri: Eelke Kleijn.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St, North Park. barpink.com. Wed: DJ Grand Masta Rats.

Thu: S. Bassmnt, 919 Fourth Ave, Downtown. bassmntsd.com. Thu: Bobby Puma. Fri: Thomas Gold. Sat: Myon and Shane 54.

Beaumont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla. brocktonvilla.com/beaumonts.html.

Thu: Adam Block Duo. Fri: Scratch. Sat: Funk Junkies. Sun: Sando.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. bellyup.com. Wed: Vonda Shepard, Luke Williams. Thu: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Hamish Anderson (sold out). Fri: The Pettybreakers, Thunder Road. Sat: Dead Man’s Party, Betamaxx. Sun: Jim Brickman. Mon: ‘Battle

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 27

of the Chef Bands.’. Tue: Granger Smith feat. Earl Dibbles Jr., Sam Shupak.

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave, Carlsbad. boarcrossn.net. Thu: Red Wizard. Fri: ‘Club Musae’.

Brass Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave, Hillcrest. thebrassrailsd.com. Thu: ‘Muscle’. Fri: ‘Hip Hop Fridayz’. Sat: DJs XP, KA. Sun: ‘Soiree’. Mon: ‘Manic Monday’ w/ DJs Junior the Disco Punk, XP. Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave, Bay Park. brickbybrick.com. Thu: Brett Scallions, Christopher Dale. Fri: Big Smo, Haden Carpenter. Sat: The Night Owl Massacre, Hula Guns, Gunslinger. Mon: ‘Metal Mondays’. Tue: Ultimate Sin, Holy Dio. Comedy Store, 916 Pearl St, La Jolla. lajolla.thecomedystore.com. Fri: Cort McCown.

Croce’s Park West, 2760 Fifth Ave., #100, Bankers Hill. crocesparkwest.com.

Wed: Scott Roberts. Thu: Josh Nelson Trio. Fri: Teagan Taylor Trio. Sat: Charlie Arbelaez Quartet. Sun: Choro Sotaque.

Mon: Lorraine Castellanos. Tue: Steph Johnson and Rob Thorsen.

Dirk’s Nightclub, 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove. dirksniteclub.com. Fri: Relax Max. Sat: DJ Dizzy D. Epicentre, 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd, Mira Mesa. epicentreconcerts.org. Fri: Washington, Light Years Ahead, Logan Wolf, Angel Guts, D Young.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown, Downtown. f6ixsd.com. Fri: Tantrum. Sat: DJ Fingaz.

Sun: Decon.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave, Downtown. fluxxsd.com. Thu: Salva. Fri: Pierce Fulton.

Sat: DJ Karma.

Gallagher’s, 5040 Newport Ave, Ocean

Beach. 619-222-5303. Wed: KL Noise Makerz. Thu: So Cal Vibes, DJ Reefah, TRC Soundsystem. Fri: Wild Side, DJ R2.

Sat: Vibes Up Strong, DJ Chelu. Mon: ‘Strictly Hip Hop’.

Henry’s Pub, 618 Fifth Ave, Downtown. henryspub.com. Wed: The Fooks. Thu: DJ Antonio Aguilera. Fri: ‘Good Times’.

Sat: DJs E, Yodah. Mon: Mike Myrdal.

Tue: Big City Dawgs.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave, Downtown. houseofblues.com/sandiego. Wed: Rocco Deluca, J III, Old Man. Thu: You Blew It!, Tiny Moving Parts, Rozwell Kid (Voodoo Room); RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons. Fri: Escape the Fate. Sat: Hello From Montauk.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. kavalounge.com. Thu: Psilo. Fri: ‘Tribal’. Sat: ‘Ascension’. Sun: Jess Jones. Mon: Promdate. Tue: ‘High Tech Tuesday’.

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave, Kensington. 619-284-2848. Fri: Marujah, Amigo, Kitty Plague.

Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd, Hillcrest. numberssd.com/.

Thu: ‘Throwback Thursday’. Fri: ‘Uncut’. Sat: ‘Bear Night’.

Tue: Karaoke Latino.

Onyx Room / Thin, 852 Fifth Ave, Downtown. onyxroom.com. Fri: Martin Kache.

Sat: ‘Onyx Saturdays’. Tue: ‘Neo Soul’.

Patricks Gaslamp, 428 F St, Downtown. patricksii.com. Wed: The Rayford Brothers. Thu: The Bill Magee Blues Band.

Fri: Len Rainey’s Midnight Players. Sat: Mystique Element of Soul. Sun: Johnny Vernazza. Mon: The Groove Squad. Tue: Paddy’s Chicken Jam. Porter’s Pub, 9500 Gilman Dr., UCSD campus, La Jolla. porterspub.net. Sun:

28 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

Lil Eazy E. Rich’s, 1051 University Ave, Hillcrest. richssandiego.com. Wed: DJ John Joseph.

Thu: Von Kiss. Fri: DJs Dirty Kurty, Will Z. Sat: DJs Taj, K-Swift. Sun: DJ Hektik.

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

Wed: Westside Inflection. Thu: Second Cousins. Fri: Johnny Deadly Trio. Sat: Baja Bugs.

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave, North Park. sevengrandbars.com/sd. Wed: Gilbert Castellanos jazz jam. Mon: ‘Makossa Monday’ w/ DJ Tah Rei. Side Bar, 536 Market St, Downtown. sidebarsd.com. Thu: DJ XP. Fri: Epic Twelve, Jason Whitmore. Sat: DJ Dynamiq.

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. sodabarmusic.com. Wed: Juice Box, Kingdom of Lights, Flakes, Hand Drawn Tree. Thu: Ocelot, James Dean Band, The Uncertainties. Fri: Magic Giant, Hills Like Elephants, G Burns Jug Band. Sat: Excel, Rotting Out, Xibalba, Nomads. Sun: Kate Voegele, Leroy Sanchez. Mon: Heavenly Beat, Emerald Rats, Chill Pill. Tue: Heyrocco, Young Wants, Model Talk, The Colour Monday.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd, Midway. somasandiego.com. Sat: RL Grime.

Somewhere Loud, 3489 Noell St, Midtown. somewhereloud.com. Sun: Excision.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St, Midtown. spinnightclub.com. Fri: ‘F.A.B. Friday’. Sat: Clique XIII. Sun: ‘Reggae Sunday’.

Stage Bar & Grill, 762 Fifth Ave, Downtown. stagesaloon.com. Thu: Superbad.

Fri: Disco Pimps, DJ Slynkee. Sat: Hott Mess, DJ Miss Dust. Mon: Karaoke.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., San

Diego, Normal Heights. sycamoreden. com. Wed: Return of The Macrame. Thu: Josh Damigo, Christian Taylor. Sun: The Big Decisions.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. casbahmusic.com. Thu: Hanni El Khatib, Shady Francos, The Kabbs. Fri: Generationals, Rose Quartz. Sat: Vinyl Junkies Record Swap. Sat: Earthless, Arctic, Loom, Operation Mindblow Light Show. Sun: Mustard Plug, The Toasters, Oceanside Sound System. Mon: Botanica Chango, Hail Hail, Chateau. Tue: Retox, Whores, Ghetto Blaster, The Long and Short of It. The Hideout, 3519 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. thehideoutsd.com. Fri: Body of Light, Some Ember, Din. Sat: Aempire, Sinflood. Tue: Mariel, Paper Thins, Sullen Ray Villaintine.

The Irenic, 3090 Polk Ave, North Park.

Fri-Sat: School of Rock.

The Loft @ UCSD, Price Center East, La Jolla. theloft.ucsd.edu. Wed: Tony Furtado, The Western Collective.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave, Hillcrest. theMerrow.com. Wed: Street Gypsies, The Trunk Slammers, Mike Wojniak.

Fri: Bondurant, Lion and the Lady. Sun: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Wild Party.

Mon: Open mic. Tue: Lexington Field, Brick Top Blaggers, Quel Bordel.

The Office, 3936 30th St, North Park. officebarinc.com. Wed: ‘Friends Chill’ w/ Walker. Thu: DJ Myson King. Fri: DJ Beatnick. Sat: ‘Strictly Business’ w/ DJs EdRoc, Kanye Asada. Sun: ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ w/ Tribe of Kings.

The Tin Roof, 401 G Street, Gaslamp. tinroofbars.com/Home/SanDiego. Wed: ‘Power Hour’ w/ Pat Hilton. Thu: Who Is BC?. Fri: CLAMR, Who Is BC?, Clint

Westwood Duo. Sat: Who is BC?, Tommy Mitchell Show, Clay Colton Band. Sun: ‘G Street Sessions’. Tue: Zig Zag Jones.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. tiltwoclub.com. Wed: Al Dual Trio, Ambur Rockwell. Fri: Amerikan Bear, The Burdens, Desert Stones, DJ Clinebell Express. Sat: Space Wax, The Lumps, Himalays, The Great Electric Quest. Mon: P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S., The A-Bortz, Pilgrims.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St, Bay Park. tioleos.com. Thu: Charles Burton Band. Fri: Karaoke. Sat: Detroit Underground. Sun: BLUSD jam. Tue: Michele Lundeen.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave, City Heights. thetowerbar.com. Wed: DJs Mikey Ratt, Tiki Thomas. Thu: Kids In Heat, Streetlight Fight, Moonshine. Fri: ‘Hip Hop vs. Punk Rock’ w/ Tenshun, Babelfishh, Batlords, Idols Plague. Sat: Trash Axis, Healers, Man vs. Man, Thief’s Lineage. Sun: Al Dual.

Turquoise, 873 Turquoise St, Pacific Beach. theturquoise.com/wordpress.

Wed: Tomcat Courtney. Thu: The Jade Visions Jazz Trio. Fri: Gabriela Aparicio, Afro Jazziacs. Sat: Vera Cruz Blues (4 p.m.); Son Pa Ti (9 p.m.). Sun: Sounds Like Four (5 p.m.); Blue44 (7 p.m.). Mon: Open mic. Tue: Grupo Global.

Ux31, 3112 University Ave, North Park. u31bar.com. Wed: Saffies of the Sea, Gonejah, LSD. Thu: DJ Saul Q. Fri: DJ Bacon Bits. Sat: Lee Churchill. Mon: DJ R-You. Tue: Karaoke.

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St, Ocean Beach. winstonsob.com. Wed: Open mic. Thu: The Eminence Ensemble. Fri: The Routine, AJ Froman. Sat: Naive Melody.

Sun: ‘Face of Temptress’ pin-up pageant.

Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: Meeting of the Meyends.

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 29

Brendan Emmett Quigley

Applying pressure Across 1. Arrive at 6. Hourly payment 10. State after a head injury, sometimes 14. Indie rock band with the 2014 album “Rips” 15. Nailed, as an exam 16. Foot, e.g.

17. Mage’s casting 18. Narc’s assignment 19. “Eat-Clean Diet” series author Tosca ___ 20. Getaway spot with three points?

23. Stirring about 24. Candy from a dispenser 25. Small giggle 26. Toupee 27. Logrolling competition roll 29. “Adios, I’m ghost” 31. Bottoms of big hills 33. “Two names ought to do it,” briefly 34. Blow out of the water 35. Place to pick up a blonde (in more ways than one) 36. Hip-hoppers from Dallas?

42. In between 43. Beat test: Abbr.

44. Wet dog, e.g.

45. “Boyhood” star Hawke 48. R&B artist with the 2015 single “Coming With You” 49. Exactly 50. Like a wallflower 51. A/S/L datum 53. Parts of a chain: Abbr.

55. Legal document that sets up confidentiality between the parties, for short 56. What some cheapskates give in lieu Last week’s answers

30 · San Diego CityBeat · February 4, 2015

of bills at a strip club?

60. Mindlessly parrot 61. One of Seth’s brothers 62. Half-serious group?

64. Barely made (out) 65. Overflowing (with) 66. Contains 67. Department store department 68. “Why not?”

69. Purple hue

Down 1. Some appliances 2. Hurry up 3. Dr. Seuss classic that takes place in Thneedville 4. Blab 5. Yellow flower 6. Poland’s capital, in Polish (listen, you know how much I love Bowie and he’s got a song on “Low” with this title) 7. Berry in some protein shakes 8. Kimono wearer 9. “The Theory of Everything” actor Redmayne 10. Biceps strengthening exercise 11. Tied, as in a low-scoring soccer game 12. ___ Mouse 13. Fighting (with) 21. Old gate-crashing bomb 22. Four-door car 23. Cut the electricity to the bank, say 28. Spitting pack animal 30. Crow’s nest?

32. Professional slang 35. Haters 37. Peninsula that’s a perennial hotspot 38. Delta’s frequent flyer program 39. Jay Pritchett’s portrayer on “Modern Family” 40. Beer enjoyed while driving 41. Malaga miss: Abbr.

45. Hold in high regard 46. “Blurred Lines” singer 47. One of two in a Social Security number 48. Tyro 52. Knotty protuberance 54. TV journalist Lesley 57. Fixes golf divots 58. Test the weight of 59. Pope succeeded by Hilarius (Hilarius! What a name!)

63. Sch. where Pete Carroll coached

February 4, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 31