2 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
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UP FRONT | FROM THE EDITOR
All eyes on S.D.
I
n all likelihood, I was writing this editorial just steering committee and an immigration affairs office. “San Diego’s economy, workforce and future as Trump minion Stephen Miller was putting the finishing touches on the president’s State of the growth are connected to our ability to welcome new Union speech. A speech that, in all likelihood, evis- Americans into our community,” Faulconer said. Individually, these are small shots across the bow, cerated any goodwill between Congress and the president; one that has put the issue of immigration and but they are shots nonetheless. And collectively, it reTrump’s delusional border wall (or his metal slats or ally means something, especially considering that the his “human wall” or whatever he’s calling it this week) San Diego region is likely to remain ground zero in any stand off with the Trump administration. front-and-center yet again. This is not an issue that is going away anytime As this issue went to press, it was being reported that Trump would not, in fact, use his speech to declare soon. This will still be the issue that Trump will want a national state of emergency at the border. For once, to hang his red hat on come Nov. 2020. And while it’s hard to fathom a scenario in which the situation Trump may see the writing on the wall. So to speak. But whether or not Trump decides to use his execu- could get any worse, San Diego and its leaders need to tive powers to declare a state of emergency, now or in prepare themselves for more illogical federal policies the future, California state lawmakers also see the writ- that will affect our region for years to come. Governor Newsom’s proposed budget pledge of ing on the wall. It’s no coincidence that state assemblyANDREA LOPEZ-VILLAFAÑA $25 million to assist the remembers, city councilmemgion’s rapid response probers and even Governor Gavin gram will surely help. Many Newsom all showed up in San have already forgotten about Diego last Thursday to anthe Trump administration’s nounce their support for not decision to end ICE’s “safe only a new temporary migrant release” programs, essenshelter, but to also discuss tially making it federal poliplans for statewide initiatives cy that ICE would not assist that would serve to support anyone released from their these migrants. custody. This has prompted “We can sit here and play the need for more organizathe jurisdictional whack-amole and say it’s not our job Governor Gavin Newsom tions such as the San Diego Rapid Response Network. and not our responsibility, And now comes the administration’s new policy but we choose differently,” said Newsom on Thursday. “This is a community that has stepped up. This is a that asylum seekers will be sent back to Mexico while community that has taken account and taken respon- their asylum cases are pending. Either Trump is trying to prevent a potential conflict with California when it sibility for the human condition.” State lawmakers and city councilmembers aren’t comes to ICE simply dumping migrants in the state the only ones. Newly elected House member Rep. (complete with ankle monitors) or he’s passing the Mike Levin chose to bring Lucero Sanchez, a UC San buck back to Mexico in hopes that future migrants Diego student and a Deferred Action for Childhood will be dissuaded from trying to cross (remember, this Arrivals (DACA) recipient, as his guest to the State of was the logic behind the epic failure of taking children away from their parents). the Union address. Levin didn’t mince words. More conflict is coming and local and state leaders “Our nation is stronger when we welcome immigrants and treat them with dignity. Instead, this presi- cannot back down or let themselves be bullied by the dent has demonized them, put them in cages, sepa- White House’s inhumane and illogical policies. “Here in San Diego, we have local leaders coming rated their families, and pushed them away,” Levin together in a bipartisan way,” said Supervisor Nathan said in a statement. Even Mayor Kevin Faulconer, a Republican, has Fletcher on Thursday. “My friend [Supervisor] Greg been surprisingly outspoken when it comes to the is- Cox, myself—standing along folks in labor, the busisue. Standing alongside Supervisor Nathan Fletcher ness community, law enforcement, immigrant rights and Council President Georgette Gomez, the mayor groups and nonprofits—all saying together that huannounced on Tuesday a new plan called the Welcom- manity has no borders.” ing San Diego Strategic Plan on Immigrant and Refu —Seth Combs gee Integration, which would include a bipartisan Write to seth.combs@sdcitybeat.com This issue of CityBeat can be used as kindling for a small charcoal grill operated by Japanese BBQ fingers.
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FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 3
UP FRONT | LETTERS
IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT So it’s a struggle of biblical proportions to address the migrant and homeless issue even when it is demonstrated to our Board of Supervisors that there is a temporary solution that costs local government and taxpayers nothing [“Here, take my money,” From the Editor, Jan. 30]? There are several words that come to mind when I contemplate this, many of which would not be suitable for young people reading this to see, but the ones that I can use safely include selfish, heartless and just plain mean! These Board members are not really concerned about costs, or “vetting” of the migrants, but rather they just don’t care about the issue or the people who find themselves in such circumstances. I have said this before, and I will say it again: The only way these insensitive and heartless attitudes on the issues of migrants seeking asylum and homelessness in our city and county governments will change is for the voters to make their voices heard on this! Hold our elected officials accountable and responsible. If our elected officials refuse to care, then the voters must force them to or vote them out!
A.F. Kaplan via sdcitybeat.com
THERE’S NOTHING TO APOLOGISE [SIC] FOR The students were there for a completely unrelated issue [“The system always works for white boys,” Backwards & In High Heels, Jan. 30]. Nathan Phillips approached THEM, not the other way around. I hate Trump as much as anyone else, but other than them being Trump supporters, these high school kids did not victimize anyone. They were there for a pro-life rally (ok not something I support) but that’s their right. Society did not teach them to never be sorry. The author of this article was put on this Earth to be a punching bag for the amusement of others. Sherry via sdcitybeat.com
WHATEVER THE CONTEXT There was a solid post-mortem on NPR of this story and how it changed through the media as more video emerged [“The system always works for white boys,” Backwards & In High Heels, Jan. 30]. I can’t see any right wing news outlets taking that kind of dive into how they report or cover stories. But whatever context the rest of the video shows, the boys still did the tomahawk chop while chanting mocking “Indian war cries” and wearing MAGA hats that repre-
4 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
sent a politician who is inarguably a loud and frothing racist, sexist and religious bigot. Drew Douglas via Facebook
WE WANT FEEDBACK
Did you read a story in San Diego CityBeat that made your blood boil, or caused you to laugh so hard you pulled a stomach muscle? If something inspires you to send us your two cents we welcome all letters that respond to news stories, opinion pieces or reviews that have run in these pages. We don’t accept unsolicited op-ed letters. Email letters to editor Seth Combs at seth.combs@sdcitybeat. com, or mail to 3047 University Ave., Suite 202, San Diego, CA 92104. For letters to be considered for publication, you must include your first and last name and the part of town where you reside. Note: All comments left on stories at sdcitybeat.com will also be considered for publication.
TABLE OF CONTENTS UP FRONT From the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Letters to the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A Side-Eye of Sanity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sordid Tales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
FOOD & DRINK World Fare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Final Draught. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
THINGS TO DO The Short List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
ARTS & CULTURE Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Feature: The Love & Sex Issue . . . . . . . 15-19 Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
MUSIC Feature: Genitorturers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Notes from the Smoking Patio . . . . . . . . . 22 The Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 If I Were U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Concerts & Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-29
IN THE BACK Astrologically Unsound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 CannaBeat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
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ANDREA LOPEZ-VILLAFAÑA
UP FRONT | NEWS
Declaration of independence Court decision has unintended consequences on local strip clubs, dancers By Andrea Lopez-Villafaña
R
ows of gray storage lockers—many decorated with stickers, rhinestones and colorful tape—line the walls of the large dressing room inside Déjà Vu Showgirls. General manager Daniel Davies says he bought crafting supplies so that the dancers at the Midway District strip club could make each locker unique. “We recently put in new floors,” he says as he walks through the empty dressing room on a weekday afternoon. Despite the club losing more than half of its performers over the last three months, Davies hopes that the remaining dancers will see the investment being put into the club as a sign that it’s not closing. Exotic dancers have been traditionally paid as independent contractors by clubs. However, a California Supreme Court decision in a civil lawsuit against same-day delivery company Dynamex over employment misclassification has inadvertently set a new standard
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for whether or not certain workers can be paid as independent contractors. While this decision wasn’t intended to affect strip clubs, businesses like Déjà Vu are choosing to comply in order to avoid potential litigation. Those in the industry say it could have a severe impact on clubs and dancers across the state. Under the new standard, referred to as the “ABC test,” the worker can be classified as an independent contractor if the hiring company establishes that the worker meets all the parts of the test. Civil litigation attorney David Peer says it’s the “B” part of the ABC test—“that the worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business”—that makes it difficult to argue that dancers aren’t crucial to a business that provides nude entertainment. Since the court’s decision is from a civil case, as opposed to criminal, companies can decide to
settle any lawsuits that come their way and continue to operate under the current business model. Peer does not see this as “the end of the industry” but does speculate that smaller clubs could close. The Dynamex decision particularly impacts the gig economy (Uber drivers, hair stylists, truck drivers and exotic dancers). In early December, the legislature introduced two competing bills; one that would apply the decision to most areas of employment (AB-5), and another that would nullify the court’s ruling altogether (AB-71). At Déjà Vu, the few dancers working are using a smaller room in the club. Jamie Farthing, who goes by the stage name “Kennedy,” is sitting in the patio area waiting for customers to roll in. Farthing has been a dancer for 21 years, the majority of which she has danced at Déjà Vu as an independent contractor. She says the change to employee is not something many of the other dancers
Jamie Farthing are happy about. As employees, the dancers are being paid minimum wage by the club, working less hours and instead of going home after shifts with cash tips, they have to wait for a bi-weekly check. Davies says that dancers are leaving to work somewhere else since there are other clubs that still pay dancers as independent contractors. “Why would anyone want to just be a minimum wage employee in (this) kind of industry?” Farthing says. “You take your clothes off in public. You want cash, you want money that’s not something you do $11 an hour.” [Editor’s note: minimum wage in San Diego is $12] Farthing, 41, has been dancing at Déjà Vu since the age of 19. She says she’s already been making less money because of her age and now, as an employee, she is earning even less. Still, she doesn’t see herself working anywhere else. “A lot of ladies left because they don’t want to be employees, and I don’t blame them, but, again, that’s my home, as weird as that sounds.” Attorney Edi Thomas, who represents Déjà Vu affiliated night clubs, says that all clubs became compliant to the new standards by mid-November of last year. Following several misclassification lawsuits from former dancers, Thomas says it was in the interest of the company to make the dancers employees. Other clubs like Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club, Pacers Showgirls International and Fantasy Shots continue classifying their dancers as independent contractors. Melissa, who asked to only be identified by her first name, was fired form Déjà Vu three weeks after the change to employee status. She is currently working at Cheetahs but is worried that they may soon apply the new standard there as well. “I don’t really think people care except for us in the industry,” Melissa says. As the sole provider for her family, Melissa is currently seeking other employment opportunities, but having worked in this industry
for eight years, she’s concerned future employers won’t want to hire her. She adds that this is a common concern among other dancers as well. Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez introduced AB-5 last year and is set to go before its first committee hearing in mid-March or April. Gonzalez says certain sectors will be exempt from the new standard, such as doctors, or any profession where an independent contractor earns a lot of money and has more employment options. Gonzalez says she’s aware of the concerns dancers have, but she believes club owners are mischaracterizing the law simply because they could be paying dancers more than minimum wage. She says she wants dancers to have an many protections as possible, which is what being an employee provides. “The work these women are doing is dignified,” says Gonzalez. “All work is dignified, so they should have the same rights as anyone who works as an employee.” However, a growing coalition of dancers is advocating for dancers to continue choosing their employment classification status. Stormy Daniels tweeted out her support for the movement and dancers in the industry hope that legislators will take the time to listen to them. “If all dancers are forced to become employees, it will disrupt the business model and eliminate the independence that many strippers, especially working moms and students, completely depend on,” Daniels wrote in an email to CityBeat. Back at Déjà Vu, Farthing thinks that if she were to be let go as a result of new regulations, she thinks she’d be done with the industry. She worries for her dancer friends, however, and is not confident that those in power will necessarily fight for dancers. “Because of the nature of the business, it will be looked down on,” Farthing says, “ I don’t labor under any delusion that people think we’re terrible people and that we’re gutter and not worth their time.”
FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 5
6 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
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CULTURE | VOICES
RHONDA “RO” MOORE
A SIDE-EYE OF One of us
L
SANITY
ately, there’s been plenty of bad news to keep me on my judgy toes. There’s the current administration showing its collective ass by shutting down the government (again). There’s the Fyre Festival documentaries on Netflix and Hulu, exposing the millennial iteration of the old-fashioned con man. There’s Tom Brokaw’s epic display of prejudice on Meet the Press and Fox’s tragic version of the musical Rent. As we roll into February, it’s rather obvious that too many folks are still on some 2018 bullshit. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m already battling some serious fatigue. My favorite January moment, however, came courtesy of rapper Cardi B. Weeks into the shutdown, Cardi B posted a video expressing her feelings about the situation. She was hilariously plainspoken and dead on point. Immediately after, Tomi Lahren, the racist pundit and mouth-breathing example of the dangers of not disciplining your children, aimed vitriol in Cardi’s direction on Twitter. I think Lahren’s hope was that she’d malign the messenger and thereby destroy the message. With enviable ease and skill, Cardi B told Lahren to leave her alone or be dog-walked. It’s one of those clap-backs that forever changes the nature of the insult game. Lahren slithered back into the toxic crevasse where she and all the other sanctimonious bigots like to marinate. In the spirit of not-all-heroes-wear-capes, there’s no reason to ignore when a celebrity uses their platform just right. Cardi’s succinctly phrased disdain snatched wigs, spawned memes and heavily influenced political imagery depicting Pelosi’s handling of Trump. Plenty of folks took shots at Cardi’s speech patterns, implying she was uneducated. They then inferred her opinions were unintelligent and unworthy of mention. When that tactic failed, others tried to discredit her by claiming her unabashedly sexual image undermines feminism. In another pithy Twitter exchange, Cardi shut that shit down with a reminder that being empowered is about choosing your image, owning your behavior, being free to flaunt your sexual nature, and “no” still meaning no. Cardi B is the latest bombastic personality to leverage her left-of-center antics into a highly lucrative career. She embodies the hustle-until-you-hit work ethic. Even if her brand image may not be to everyone’s taste, Cardi’s version of telling-it-like-it-is and being unafraid to struggle in public is still highly relatable. She’s brash, unafraid to embrace her notso-inner stripper and gleefully lives at a level many will never achieve. I’m currently biased in her favor, but I’m not blind, so I must note that Cardi and her opinions are often problematic as hell, too. Just not the way some pseudo-feminists, racists and tonepolicing Christians would have their followers believe. It’s very telling how quickly people sought to tear her down to detract from the highly relevant things
she had to say. We could spend all day slamming the patriarchy as being to blame for the efforts to cast her in the role of worthless woman. We could take it a step further and spend weeks dissecting the blatant misogynoir directed at her attempts to use her position in Black culture, as well as her overt femininity and sexuality, as grounds to call her intellect into question. But the problem is bigger, and more basic, than that. The response to Cardi speaking out exposes something we all need to stop tap-dancing around (at least if we ever want a shot at being a real collective whole): assimilation demands and respectability politics are forever on some bullshit. White and white-presenting people (and yes, even the progressive ones) still wholeheartedly believe that the characteristics, attitudes, evangelical tendencies and image they prefer are the ones all other races, ethnicities, and yes, religious practitioners must embody or adhere to if they want societal acceptance and respect. Like their predecessors, they’ve centered whiteness and will do anything and step on anyone to keep it there. • Want so be taken seriously? Then use proper diction, craft your image to conform with white beauty standards, and have an acceptably white-washed life story. Anything else is unprofessional. •Want to be entitled to the protections of your station? Then agree to comport oneself in adherence to a certain moral standard. Anything else is uncouth. • Want to have an opinion? Then agree to express it in accepted ways, in expected arenas, and to stick to an agreed upon agenda of important things. Anything else is unacceptable. These days, folks talk about it in terms of needing walls, laws, morals and community standards. But that’s one more way to enforce conformity to whitedefined boundaries. Complexity, duality and independence are fine, laudable even, just so long as they run parallel to the recognized paths and within the established power structure. Those who deviate will suffer. The single most lasting ill-effect of colonialism on the oppressed is the oppressors’ unfettered belief that they were right. It shapes how people are described, events are remembered, and how lessons are passed down from generation to generation. But static concepts of integration built around whiteness will be the death of us all if we’re not careful. Think I’m off base? Then someone explain to me how, in 2019, Jessie Somellet, a gay Black man, gets doused with an unknown substance and has a noose tied around his neck (while also having racist and homophobic epithets hurled at him), but, somehow, we’re still undecided if this kind of attack should be considered a hate crime. I’ll wait.
Complexity, duality and independence are fine, laudable even, just so long as they run parallel to the recognized paths and within the established power structure.
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A Side-Eye of Sanity appears every other week. Follow Ro Moore on Twitter at @BookBlerd.
FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 7
UP FRONT | OPINION
EDWIN DECKER
SORDID
TALES
An open letter to our Mob Mentality
D
ear Mob Mentality, I must say, I am impressed. The way you triggered thousands of people into attacking those Covington kids after only viewing a short video clip is some of your best work. The clip to which I refer depicted a stare down between a drum-beating American Indian named Nathan Phillips, and a high school student named Nick Sandmann. It was Sandmann who was observed—oh the horror!—standing and smirking! Because of that, and a smattering of MAGA hats, your mobby minions saw what they wanted and were off to the disgraces. And yes, Mob Mentality, at first glance, the clip looked bad. But so does guacamole! No matter though. Sandmann had committed a posture infraction, a couple of face misdemeanors and an unforgiveable headwear felony. For these Orwellian crimes, your hateful hordes skittered to their social pages like spiders to a mayfly festival. It got so bad a person couldn’t get two clicks into a news source without running into a death or doxing threat. Such as the one by Kathy Griffin who famously tweeted, “Name these kids. I want NAMES. Shame them.” This is no small accomplishment, MM. After all, it seems like only yesterday when Griffin herself was the subject of a massive mob flaying. Your holier-than-thou hordes had decided she too was guilty of a facedemeanor, as well as one count of comedy treason when she released photos of… oh, you know what she released photos of. And you know how your minions responded and the hell they put her through. But what is truly awe-inspiring is how you are able to compel journalists to pile on. You know, the people presumably tasked to factcheck and corroborate stories. You even get them to pile on children like when the right wing media eviscerated the Parkland School survivors. And the left wing media berated the aforementioned Covington Boys, and did so even after the uncut video revealed that Phillips lied. He lied repeatedly. Which is why I say that man should be called out as a fraud, fired from his job, shamed, blamed, deplatformed and… wait… God daaamn MM, you are good! You got me so whipped up, I didn’t notice my own mobby meltdown. Truth is, I have no idea what kind of man Phillips is. And I don’t know what he experienced that day. Being present at an event almost always trumps watching video of it. Of course, being there doesn’t guarantee clarity either. It depends on where a person is standing, what they see, smell or hear, etc. This is why everybody— especially journalists—need to compile as much possible evidence, from as many possible sources, before launching warheads, if ever.
I do know one thing. Even if these kids are bigots; even if they did mock Phillips; even if they shouted, “You’re a big, dumb doofus and your drumming sounds like a woodpecker pub crawl,” the response was flat-out fucked. Not only because it defies the universal, moral precept that we should protect children, but also because mob justice rarely delivers it, justly. Its inherent rabidity manifests blind spots and causes collateral damage. Such as we saw with the Salem and McCarthy inquisitions. Such as we saw during the 1980’s witch hunts for pedophilic daycare establishments. Such as we saw with Dale Akiki, Richard Jewell, Luis Torres, Steve Bartman, The Ford Heights Four, Dixmoor Five and the Anne Frank Eight. Oh, and let’s not forget the 4,743 Black souls who were lynched between 1882 and 1968. It does not matter a good gosh darn a person’s age, gender, color, religion, sexual preference, class or political affinity. Mob Mentality, you are in us all. I’ll never forget the first time, circa 1983, you sent your troglodytes after me. It was an extraordinary moment as I learned what it’s like to be targeted for being gay. No, I am not gay, but I was rumored to be after the queer, regional supervisor of our company promoted me to a swanky new store. On my first day, he stopped by to congratulate me and shook my hand. It was a prolonged, awkward shake. So much so that the employees who witnessed it assumed there was something between us and that my promotion was a reward for sexual favors. I was instantly outcast. My new coworkers welcomed me with mockery and harassment. Several tried to sabotage my employment. But it was my in-store manager—yes manager—who committed the most revolting offense. It happened while I was working on the floor and he and about five other male employees were in the breakroom. According to a co-worker, the manager took my thermos off the shelf, pulled out his phallus and—while everybody laughed and pointed— urinated into it. Had it not been for my brave co-worker—who witnessed and thought, “enough is enough”— I most surely would have drank it. And all this because I had committed a handshake clock violation. In your defense, MM, I know you mean well. I know that it was you who helped humanity survive the early years of man’s existence—that our tendency to distrust other tribes kept our prehistoric asses alive. But times have changed, so ease up on the maniacal tribalism. Take a little time off to reflect. May I suggest a cooking class? Or yoga? Anything that might get you to chill out a little.
For these Orwellian crimes, your hateful hordes skittered to their social pages like spiders to a mayfly festival. It got so bad a person couldn’t get two clicks into a news source without running into a death or doxing threat.
8 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
Sordid Tales appears every other week. Write to edwin@sdcitybeat.com.
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UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK
BY MICHAEL A. GARDINER
THE WORLD
FARE T
A fresh alternative he restaurant industry pretty much hates Valentine’s Day. Of course, the restaurant industry doesn’t hate it so much that they’d ever consider actually closing for the occasion. No. Instead, they passiveaggressively stuff butts in seats (albeit at 2-tops, not 4-tops), charge a premium for “special” Valentine’s-themed menus, cash in and prepare for the next time they’ll have to do this (Mother’s Day brunch). So what’s to be done? Suck it up and fight for reservations for an overpriced meal? Play chef and cook a Valentine’s Day tasting menu at home and hope for the best? The former sounds dismal and good luck with the latter. Neither sounds like a particularly good way to focus on the love of one’s life. And ordering from Postmates, GrubHub, UberEats or the like hardly embodies romance. But what alternatives are there? Good answers to that question can be discovered at Assenti’s Pasta (2044 India St., assentispasta.com) in Little Italy. Founded by brothers Roberto and Luigi Assenti in the early 1980s, Assenti’s originally supplied their parents’ Isle of Capri restaurant using their mother’s handmade pasta recipes. As modern equipment replaced classic hand tools and expansion led to the company moving to larger quarters a few blocks north on India Street, the Assenti’s business grew to encompass a wholesale fresh pasta operation, as well as a retail specialty Italian food storefront. On almost any trip to Assenti’s, the pasta rack will include freshly made pappardelle, linguine, fettucine (plain and spinach), spaghetti, angel hair, bucatini and a selection of extruded pastas like penne and rigatoni. Lemon basil pastas, or versions with porcini or squid ink, aren’t unusual and the rack will even occasionally include fresh-filled pastas like Gorgonzola ravioli. Fresh lasagna sheets are always available. There’s more than fresh pasta at Assenti’s. The
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freezer case sports a number of stuffed pastas and housemade sauces and meatballs. In addition to the usual suspects like sausages, prosciutto, salami and olives, the deli case includes such relative rarities as speck (think smoked prosciutto). There’s an open case with fresh Italian cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano as well as fresh Italian ingredients. Assenti’s also has a selection of good Italian wines representing a number of the country’s regions. My choice? Spinach pasta with marinara sauce from the frozen case and some great Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (and a few leaves of parsley from our garden). Oh, and a truly excellent Vino Nobile de Montepulciano from Tuscany. Assenti’s fresh pasta cooks up incredibly easily; a few minutes in boiling water (how long depends on the shape) is MICHAEL A. GARDINER
Spinach ravioli with marinara sauce all it takes. Over the years, I have never been disappointed by the results. The beauty of this approach to Valentine’s Day is simple: it’s high quality, delicious and genuinely easy. Boiling pasta isn’t tough. Heating sauce is easy. Plus, mixing it all and plating it isn’t much tougher, and making it rain cheese from above is hardly complex. Honestly, getting the cork out of the wine bottle is probably the most trying task. The entire exercise hardly takes an ounce of attention away from where our attention should be on Valentine’s: our significant other. And there’s a whole restaurant industry of people who probably wish they could do the same. The World Fare appears weekly. Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.
FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 9
UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK
FINAL
BY BETH DEMMON
DRAUGHT
Love at first pint
“This was Max’s lifelong dream and I wanted to help him achieve his dream, [but] working with love my husband. But I would, without doubt your partner is very challenging and stressful,” says or hesitation, rip his face off with my teeth and Lawson. “First, in order to succeed you need to have dance on his mutilated corpse if a vision and be able to share that COURTESY OF DUCK FOOT BREWING I had to share an office with him same vision. Next, you need to for more than a day or two. have a solid relationship with the Thankfully, the local brewing person. Do you trust them comindustry doesn’t share my animospletely? You need to know what ity when it comes to working with each other’s strengths and weaka romantic partner. I’m sure beer nesses are and respect that you helps soothe tensions when the goboth are different and be willing ing gets tough. With that in mind, I and able to compromise. There’s a asked a handful of brewery-owning lot of that. Lastly, you need to have Suzy Pessutti and an agreement that work stays at partners: “What on earth made you Brett Goldstock work and home and family stays decide to open a brewery togethCOURTESY OF INDIAN JOE BREWING at home. You can’t bring your perer?” and “What advice do you have for someone thinking about worksonal stuff to work; that is probing with a partner or spouse?” ably the most challenging thing we deal with on a regular basis.” Duck Foot Brewing Company (Miramar and East Village, Second Chance Beer Company duckfootbeer.com) (Carmel Mountain Ranch and Brett Goldstock (chief fermentaNorth Park, secondchancebeer. tion officer) and Suzy Pessutti (vice com) president of retail operations) have Co-founders Virginia Morrison Geri Lawson and Max Moran (CEO/“The Boss”) and Marty Menbeen married (almost!) 27 years. COURTESY OF SECOND CHANCE BEER diola (COO/brewmaster) have been “We were no strangers to working together, as this is our fifth partners for 10 years, and married job together,” says Pessutti. “One for six years. challenge is that the lines between “A brewery was something Marty work life and home life are pretty and Curtis [Hawes, third co-founder well blurred… be sure you get of Second Chance] talked about along really well and know how years before I came on the scene,” you each handle stressful situasays Morrison. “Once Marty and I tions. It’s important to communistarted dating, though, I offered my cate with your spouse/partner in a Marty Mendiola and legal expertise, business acumen professional manner and setting. Virginia Morrison and connections to co-found the You should adopt two distinct brewery. I never intended to work communication styles—one for work and one for with my husband [but] quite simply, this behemoth home. Uncomfortable conversations between part- is just too much for two of us. We make a great triad!” ners can also affect staff who might overhear and “Summer [Nixon from Brew Hop Tours] told me make for a hostile workplace.” Marty and I should strive to treat each other as we would other colleagues in the workplace,” Morrison Indian Joe Brewing adds. “It is not always easy observing those bound(Vista, indianjoebrewing.com) aries, but it is damn good advice.” Geri Lawson (vice president/general manager) and Max Moran (president/brewmaster) have been Write to bethd@sdcitybeat.com or check her out on partners for 26 years. Instagram at @thedelightedbite.
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10 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
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FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 11
EVENTS
SHORTlist
ART
the
THREE YOU HAVE TO SEE
COORDINATED BY
SETH COMBS
SAN DIEGO
HLooking Back, Looking Forward at Mesa College Art Gallery, 7250 Mesa College Drive, Clairemont Mesa. The inaugural exhibition for the new gallery space features the work of 47 alumni accompanied by music from the San Diego Mesa College Music Department. Opening rom 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7. Free. facebook. com/events/441024506432864
OUR FUNNY VALENTINES Whether it’s the first date or the 50th date, Valentine’s Day plans can be tricky. The restaurant is all booked, the movies are sold out and any real romance will take a backseat to spending time together out of obligation. So we’d like to offer readers a few alternatives to the standard Valentine’s excursions. The types of events that offer real experiences instead of the typical dinner and candies. What’s better, none of them take place on Valentine’s Day so (bonus), no crowds to deal with. First, there’s the Secret Society of Adultologists, the Natural History Museum’s (1788 El Prado) 21plus, semi-monthly party event that includes craft cocktails, beer, interactive activities and the opportunity to see the Nat’s cool exhibitions without having to deal with a bunch of youngsters. Naturally, the theme is “red” so dress to impress. It happens Friday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25 at sdnhm.org. We’re all about openness and sharing, so So Say We All’s Long Story Short, with its theme of “Just Lust,” is just the type of open mic night to let your romantic partner know just how high your freak flag flies. Everyone is invited to share short, lustful tales on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Kava Collective (1731 University Ave.) in Hillcrest. Admission is $5 and more info at sosayweallonline.com.
SAN DIEGO
REEL TIME For nearly three decades, the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival (sdcjc.org) has provided a range of educational and entertaining films. Whether it’s documentary or narrative films, there are dozens to choose from with themes ranging from social activism to romance and comedy. The opening night showing of It Must Schwing: The Blue Note Story promises an entertaining insight into jazz history, and the centerpiece film, Who Will Write Our History, turns documentary into historical thriller. There’s even a Brews and Views event, where patrons can view five short films while enjoying some craft beers. The festival opens Thursday, Feb. 7 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 17 at venues throughout San Diego, including MOPA and the Garfield Theatre in La Jolla. Times vary and ticket prices range from $15.25 for individual tickets to $275 for allaccess festival passes.
HSD&TJ: Art in the Transborder Region at Scripps Cottage, San Diego State University, Campanile Park, College Area. A presentation and discussion of transborder artists with appearances and work from Paola Villaseñor, Daniel Peña and David Peña. From 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6. instagram.com/lasso.sdsu
Secret Society of Adultologists Also in the spirit of sharing is New Village Arts’ Cupid’s Cabaret, a night of poetry, comedy, music and dance from some of San Diego’s best performers. It happens at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the New Village Arts Theatre (2787 State St.) in Carlsbad. Tickets are $28 at newvillagearts.org. And while we’d never suggest that chocolate is a requisite gift on Valentine’s Day, there is a pretty cool event that we think everyone can embrace. That’s the For the Love of Chocolate Escondido Chocolate Festival, a tasting event that includes beer, wine, horse-drawn carriages and, naturally, chocolate. It happens Saturday, Feb. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. in Downtown Escondido. Passes range from $25-$50 at downtownescondido.com.
ESCONDIDO
SHEN AND NOW It’s like everywhere we look, there’s an ad for Shen Yun, the theatrical, bombastic and historical touring performance that was created by a group of Chinese artists who wanted to share their heritage with an international audience. So what is it exactly? Well, it’s like a dance, theatre and music performance all rolled into one. It explores 5,000 years worth of Chinese history using authentic costumes, orchestral music and classical Chinese dance, all of which is performed meticulously. It opens Thursday, Feb. 7 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (340 N. Escondido Blvd.) and stays for 10 more performances through Sunday, Feb. 17. Tickets range from $80 to $210 at artcenter.org. COURTESY OF SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS
HDark at Southwestern College Art Gallery, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista. The exhibit takes inspiration from Bruce Nauman’s sculpture “Dark,” which will be on display. The exhibit features a group of minimalist artists, all of whom are from San Diego. Opening from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7. Free. swccd.edu HYear of Queer Art Show and Fundraiser at The Brown Bag, 4133 Poplar St., City Heights. A showcase of portraits of queer San Diegans captured by photographer Lauren Perkins as part of the #HelpKrysBeatMS fundraiser. From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8. $10-$25. facebook.com/ events/2314593502103391 HMetonymies: A Dialogue with Twentieth-Century Works from the Sonnabend Collection at Timken Museum of Art, 1500 El Prado, Balboa Park. Selections from the collection of Ileana Sonnabend, which features works from Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Jeffrey Koons and more. From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 through Sunday, April 28. Free. timkenmuseum.org Courtney Mattison at Lux Art Institute, 1550 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas. The artist-in-residence discusses her work and artistic process for her new coral reefinspired exhibit. The reception will feature live music and light refreshments. Opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8. Free$10 luxartinstitute.org HTangible Memories: La Jolla Pioneer Women at La Jolla Historical Society, 780 Prospect St., La Jolla. The lives of 10 women pioneers are examined and artistically interpreted by 10 contemporary local artists. From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Free. lajollahistory.org HSanctuary Print Shop Activation at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 1100 Kettner Blvd., Downtown. Join others at this series of workshops from artists Sergio De La Torre and Chris Treggiari as they transform the museum into a space for collaboration, dialogue, and to create protest posters. From noon to 1:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Free. 858-454-3541, mcasd.org HModern Dryads at Distinction Gallery, 317 E. Grand Ave., Ste. A, Escondido. New works from June Stratton, who specializes in paintings of imagined blends of beauty and nature that are inspired by dreams. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Free. distinctionart.com Urban Eyes at Thumbprint Gallery, 920 Kline St., La Jolla. New paintings and photographs depicting urban environments. Artists include Aaron Moore, Monique Jenkins, Nonie Cruzado and more. Opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Free. thumbprintgallery.com HMezcla: Stirring It Up at La Bodega Gallery, 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. Five unique artists will present art on themes of Pre-Colombian, Native American, New Mexico and Chicano culture.
Who Will Write Our History 12 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
Shen Yun
H = CityBeat picks
Artists include Hector Villegas, Jamie Chavez, Ricardo Islas and more. Opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Free. facebook.com/events/2104836512907880
BOOKS HAri Seth Cohen at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The creator of the highly successful blog Advanced Style will sign and discuss his new photographic book, Advanced Love. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6. Free. warwicks.com HJohannes Lichtman at The Book Catapult, 3010 Juniper St., South Park. The debut novelist from Stockholm will discuss and sign his new novel, Such Good Work. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12. Free. 619-795-3780, thebookcatapult.com HR.D. Kardon at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave. Ste. 100, Clairemont. The local pilot, lawyer and writer will sign and discuss her new novel, Flygirl, based on her integrating an all-male flight department. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12. Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com
DANCE American’t Dream at City Heights Performance Annex, 3795 Fairmount Ave., City Heights. The critically acclaimed and award-winning Kidz Danz Kompany will present their annual teen dance concert. At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday Feb. 9. $8-$19. 619-758-8112, visionarydancetheatre.org
FASHION HValentine’s Day Pop-Up at Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. Create sweet DIY bouquets guided by local florist, Huntress Florals, or choose from a curated selection of bouquets, all while browsing the latest pieces from Maru Lopez Jewelry. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Free. 619-2390003, mingei.org
FOOD & DRINK HBrewbies Festival at Bagby Beer, 610 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside. The annual afternoon of specialty pink craft beers, live music and food to benefit the Keep a Breast Foundation. From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. $55-$75. bagbybeer.com HFor the Love of Chocolate Escondido Chocolate Festival at Historic Downtown Escondido, 243 S. Escondido Blvd, Ste. 701, Escondido. The annual tasting event that includes beer, wine, horsedrawn carriages and, naturally, gourmet chocolate and pairings. From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. $30-$50. facebook. com/EscondidoChocFest
MUSIC HDeep Roots at Mandeville Auditorium at UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The La Jolla Symphony and Chorus performs the works of Philip Glass and Anton Bruckner and hosts the world premiere of a piece by composer LJ White. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10. lajollasymphony.com HI Love Africa at Copley Plaza at The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. Zimbabwe-born musician and vocalist Piwai will perform a family-friendly concert followed by an African-dance and drumming workshop with Nana Obrafo Yaw Asiedu. Part of the Globe’s free AXIS performing art series. At 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Free.619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
PERFORMANCE HCircus Vargas at Westfield Mission Val-
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BOOKS: THE FLOATING LIBRARY
EVENTS EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 ley, 1640 Camino del Rio N., Mission Valley. The legendary circus celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new show features top aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, magicians, clowns and more. Various times. Thursday, Feb. 7 through Monday, Feb. 18. $15-$72. 877-468-3861, circusvargas.com HShen Yun at California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Performances of traditional Chinese dance accompanied by animated backdrops, hand-made costumes, acrobatics, and live orchestra music. Various times. Thursday, Feb. 7 through Sunday, Feb. 17. $80$210. 760-839-4190, artcenter.org HRigoletto at San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., Gaslamp. San Diego Opera presents Verdi’s classic tragedy about a jester who gets caught up in the trials of a womanizing duke. At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10. $21$302. 619-533-7000, sdopera.org HCupid’s Cabaret at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St., Carlsbad. A night of poetry, comedy, music and dance from some of San Diego’s best performers. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13. $28 newvillagearts.org
POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD HLong Story Short: Just Lust at Kava Collective, 1731 University Ave., Hillcrest. Improvised storytelling show in which participants can tell a true fiveminute story centered on the theme of lust. From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7. Free-$5. sosayweallonline.com HQuincy Troupe at D.G.Wills Books, 7461 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The renowned poet
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will read from his new books Ghost Voices: A Poem in Prayer, and Seduction: New Poems, 2013-2018. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. 858-456-1800, dgwillsbooks.com
SPECIAL EVENTS HSecret Society of Adultologists at the San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park. This 21-plus, red-themed party features live entertainment, craft tables, cocktails and interactions with museum scientists. From 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8. $15-$25 sdnhm.org San Diego Tet Festival at Mira Mesa Community Park, 8575 New Salem, Mira Mesa. Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration featuring games, authentic Vietnamese food, lion dancing, a cultural village, musical acts and more. Times vary. Friday, Feb. 8 through Sunday, Feb 10. Free. 858-215-4838, sdtet.com HHey Sailor! A Valentine’s Bachelor Auction-off at Amplified East Village, 1429 Island Ave., Downtown. Eligible bachelor bartenders will be auctioned off for a Valentine’s date to benefit Surfrider Foundation. From 7 to 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11. Free. facebook.com/ events/794239301070997
TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS HMaking it as an Artist at You Belong Here, 3619 El Cajon Blvd., Normal Heights. The closing reception for The Art of Belonging ��������������������������������������� exhibition will include a panel discussion on how to make it as an artist that includes names such as Lauren Siry, Sarah Stieber and local curator Kara West. From 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12. Free. facebook.com/youbelongheresd
The light at the end of the time machine
T
ed Bundy is hot again. Or, depending on your feelings and fetishes for serial killers, he’s still hot. The Shining Girls, a novel from South African writer Lauren Beukes, provides an antidote to the media storm around Bundy with a murderer who is repugnant both inside and out. Harper Curtis is a Depression-era drifter with a sociopathic streak a mile wide. Early in the novel, he murders a blind woman in front of her young son. As a result of this heinous crime, Harper is rewarded with a key to a house that serves as a kind of portal that permits him to travel forward in time. Harper may possess the key to the house, but the house possesses him, and it sends the drifter on a maniacal mission to kill “the shining girls.” “Time-traveling serial killer” is the kind of can’t-miss elevator pitch that electrifies agents, editors, and movie producers. Many writers would take this high concept conceit and turn it into an improbable slasher with pithy quips such as, Time’s up, Harper is coming! But Beukes is an award-winning science fiction writer and isn’t interested in that. It’s what she does with her characters that is truly remarkable. Instead of making Harper some inter-dimensional
super stalker, she focuses on the victims: an African-American factory worker, a dancer who douses herself in radium as part of her act, a KoreanAmerican housing activist, to name just a few. They aren’t quick sketches, but meticulously crafted set pieces that reveal the hopes and dreams of these women during a difficult period in Chicago’s history. She centers them in the narrative, and in a manner that makes her novel a kaleidoscopic work of historical fiction. When Harper comes along to dispatch these women, which he does with brutal efficiency, the murders always feel like a disruption and a loss. Harper is no Ted Bundy. He appears in his shabby drifter clothes and walks with a limp that allows him to hobble through time unseen and unremarked upon. His infirmity causes others to underestimate him—until it’s too late. The Shining Girls is a fast-paced love letter to Chicago’s underbelly and it’s ultimately Beukes’ passion for history that stands out in her breakthrough novel. And if serial killers aren’t your thing, there’s always Beukes’ next book, Motherland, a dystopian adventure set to be published in May. —Jim Ruland The Floating Library appears every other week.
FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 13
THEATER JIM CARMODY
Of family and food
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usings on the association between food, memories and emotions are nothing new. Nor are ruminations on death. In this sense, Julia Cho’s Aubergine doesn’t exactly explore uncharted territory. Still, in spite of its familiarities, this dignified play about a dying father and his disconnected but dutiful son attending to him (with the help of a philosopher-king hospice nurse) is a graceful, ruminative piece. Toward its conclusion, Aubergine (the word means eggplant) postulates that, among other things, “death is food.” The two, one tangible the other anything but, are woven into the story of Ray (Brian Kim) and his father (Dana Lee) at the San Diego Repertory Theatre. Director Todd Salovey oversees a production that, while heavy on platitudes (most of them coming from the hospice nurse played by Terrell Donnell Sledge), relies on the lyricism of Cho’s writing and earnest performances from its ensemble, which also includes Audrey Park, Yong Kim and Amanda Sitton. While the audience-facing monologues interspersing Ray’s story feel manufactured, their messages are heartfelt. Aubergine runs through Feb. 17 in the Lyceum Space in Horton Plaza, downtown. $25-$69; sdrep.org
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•••
ales about planning for a wedding, with all the requisite chaos and familial infighting, can be trite whether on the screen or on the stage. Familiar is not trite. That’s because actor-playwright Danai Gurira’s wedding story onstage at the Old Globe Theatre is both sensitive and substantive. Heritage and tradition are at odds with assimilation and Midwestern comforts in the home of Donald and
14 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
OPENING: The Wedding Singer: The stage adaptation of the film about a ’80s wedding singer who falls in love with an engaged woman. Presented by OB Theatre Co., it opens Feb. 7 at the OB Playhouse in Ocean Beach. obtheatrecompany.com Life is a Dream: Pedro Calderón de la Barca’s masterpiece about a prince who is imprisoned and later freed… but was it all a dream? Presented by UC San Diego Theatre, it opens Feb. 8 for five performances at the Mandell Weiss Forum in La Jolla. theatre.ucsd.edu The Hour of Great Mercy: In Miranda Rose Hall’s world premiere play, a gay Jesuit priest leaves the church and travels to Alaska in hopes of reconciling with his estranged brother. Directed by Rosina Reynolds, it opens Feb. 9 at the Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. diversionary.org
Aubergine Marvelous Chinyaramwira (Danny Johnson and Cherene Snow), whose daughter Tendi (Zakiya Young) is about to be married. Encouraged by her fiercely traditional Auntie Anne (Wandachristine), Tendi has opted for a pre-wedding Zimbabwean ritual. The consternation that ensues, mainly from Marvelous, results in a lot of shouting and many genuinely funny lines. Familiar even boasts its moments of physical comedy, the most physical of all coming at the very end of Act I. The play, directed by Edward Torres, does turn solemn in the second act, when a big reveal completely alters the tone, yet allows Johnson and Snow to deliver the show’s two most impassioned orations. Familiar runs through March 3 at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. $30 and up; theoldglobe.org
Theater reviews run weekly. Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com.
—David L. Coddon
Tiny Beautiful Things: The West Coast premiere of Nia Vardalos’ (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) play that follows the complicated life of an advice columnist and the many readers she advises. Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, it opens Feb. 9 at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. theoldglobe.org
CLOSING SOON: Moon Over Buffalo: This wacky comedy from Ken Ludwig centers on two washed-up actors who just might get a break when they hear Frank Capra is coming to town to see their play. Directed by Matthew Wiener, it runs through Feb. 10 at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org And Then There Were None: Agatha Christie’s classic mystery where nine strangers on a deserted island must figure out which one of them is a murderer before another drops dead. Directed by Keith Anderson, it runs through Feb. 10 at the Lamplighter’s Community Theatre in La Mesa. lamplighterslamesa.com
For complete theater listings, visit sdcitybeat.com
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CULTURE
AR we ready?
A look into the exciting and frustrating world of augmented reality porn By Ryan Bradford
A
nyone who’s spent any amount of time on the internet knows that we’re all just one unintentional keystroke, typo or misguided mouse click away from seeing sex. For better or worse, the digital world we spend so much time in—the one that most people younger than me grew up in—is inundated with easy-to-find porn. And with that saturation comes an overwhelming sense of sameness and fatigue. I’m not saying porn will ever stop being titillating, but can it ever really feel new? Augmented reality (AR) porn seems to be the industry’s answer to this conundrum (cumundrum? Sorry.). AR is an interactive experience that takes the user’s real-life environment and alters it, often visually. The most popular example is Pokémon GO, so AR porn is like Pokémon GO, but with naked people instead of cute, animated creatures. The biggest problem with AR porn—so far—is the glaring lack of it. This is largely due to the fact that porn companies don’t make apps for the iPhone since Steve Jobs was a notorious hater and banned anything that could be considered pornographic from the Apple Store. This means that those wanting to test AR porn must have an Android device, not to mention the patience to search through tons of shady looking websites. Luckily, the San Diego-based adult entertainment company Naughty America recently put out their own app, which seems to be lauded throughout the adult industry. But finding an Android is much harder than I expect. I borrow a friend’s tablet, but it’s too old to run the app (Naughty America AR). I text my neighbor, asking if he has an Android phone that I can use to test an app. We’ve only hung out a couple times, so I keep the request vague. “What’s the app?” he asks. Uhh...
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BRIAN STRAUSS
Testing out Naughty America AR I buy a fucking burner phone, but it turns out to be incompatible with AR Core—the app required to look at AR porn. When I return the phone to Target, I don’t give them a reason. This might be the first time I’ve ever had difficulty finding porn. Nay, it might be the first time anyone in the universe has ever had a hard time finding porn. I practically beg my friend Brian Strauss to help me out, and thankfully, he’s game. We meet at Black Cat Bar on a Sunday afternoon. He has everything already downloaded, that mensch, and hands the phone to me.
“Have at it,” he says, which feels strangely paternal, like a father handing over his old nudie mags. I fire it up. Because we’re not paying for the service, we only get to play the demo with underwear models. A woman appears in the center of the bar. She dances around a pole. Come on, you know you want it, she says. She shakes her butt at me. Brian’s phone battery heats up in my hand. The image freezes. I know you want it repeats from tiny speakers like a broken record. It’s a little frightening. I try again, this time with the mod-
el on her knees. It’s difficult to keep her centered, and she eventually floats out of screen. “She’s ghosting us!” says Brian’s friend Zack. After restarting the app many times, I get the gist and give the defiled phone back to Brian. Honestly, the graphics are janky and there was too much effort required to make AR worthwhile. Naughty America is planning an upgrade in the near future, so it’s probably too soon to make final judgement on this new technology. So, for now, I’m happy to keep it old-fashioned.
FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 15
16 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
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A Lesson on Consent
The difference between writing and BDSM is... kind of a lot By Julia Dixon Evans
D
espite living mere blocks from a sex shop, I’d never been inside. Until one sweltering evening this past summer, when my writer friend, Elle, invited me to a “Scene Building 101” class hosted by Pleasures & Treasures (2525 University Ave., pandtstore.com). It sounds like a writing class, we joked. Let’s go learn a thing or two! But, no, it was not a writing class. This was a BDSM class. “Scenes” and “play” are what we plebes lump into the cliché umbrella of roleplaying, but to the BDSM community this sort of thing is fundamental. Scene Building 101, taught by Bikkja Amy, is considered a “soft skills” class. Hard skills, on the other hand, are things like spanking and mummification. (I’ll save you the private browser googling session: Mummification is wrapping your sub entirely in plastic wrap for an escape scene or for sensory deprivation.) Elle, it turned out, had been to a Pleasures & Treasures class before (FYI it was a hard skills class). I learned this as we went around the room for introductions. Everyone was asked to identify themselves as a top, a bottom or a “switch,” and whether it was our first time at a class. It was hard for me to focus on everything I had just discovered about Elle, but I was up next. “I’m Julia. I’m–” Oh god. I didn’t want to out myself as a nothing, nor did I want to pretend. I also didn’t want to out myself as a writer because it felt just as incriminating to
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either be a journalist or a wannabe BDSM novelist who was there to gather material. For the love of God don’t say, “I’m a writer,” I thought. “Just say you’re a switch,” Elle whispered. “I’m a writer,” I said. The class was primarily structured around where to find new ideas, and how to start and configure a “play date.” Seated in folding chairs in a circle, it was less instruction and more of a brag-adjacent discussion. I wrote in my notes, I think this class could really benefit from narrative and character elements! I also wrote down some of the zingers: “I saw someone with a fishnet outfit and people cutting it off with a knife. And I was like, gonna try that!” one woman said. “I like to light people on fire and throw them in the pool,” someone else said. As the class progressed, I was so busy marveling at the sheer variety of previously unfathomable BDSM kinks that I almost didn’t notice the bulletproof lesson on consent rippling quietly beneath the surface. Everyone here had braved a stuffy evening discussing
pervy stuff with near-strangers to master the “ask,” and to learn how to lay groundwork. Scene building in the BDSM community is not about developing relatable characters with a full narrative arc ahead of them. It’s laying out expectations, boundaries and, most importantly, consent. “If I didn’t mention it [beforehand], those things are off the table. It is the stupidest thing on the planet to say you have no limits,” the instructor explained. A woman spoke up, in a weirdly chill voice: “So, I’m a masochist? And I don’t want to top from the bottom.” Her concern was that spelling out her boundaries ahead of time can sometimes feel like “topping,” but the instructor was steadfast. Set the boundaries and exchange consent, all the time, and every time, they told us. Find creative ways to do it, but definitely do it. It wasn’t the place I expected to hear such a clear message on something so wholesomely universal. I think I found my kink.
FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 17
COURTESY OF MANGIA GHANJA
Mangia Ghanja Your Heart Out
Cannabis-infused dinners are a little offbeat, but a great way to bond By Jackie Bryant
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sing cannabis had never been a dating requirement for me. In the past, all I cared about was that whomever I was seeing didn’t mind that I used. Recently, though, I’ve made it a point to only date cannabis users. This is brand new territory for me in more ways than one. I separated from my exhusband about a year ago and subsequently re-entered the dating world. That means re-entering singledom with an open mind geared toward new experiences. So, weed and dating? Sign me up. For stoners looking to get off the couch and into the world come date night, cannabis-infused dinners are an excellent idea. Several people in the cannabis industry insisted I check out Mangia Ghanja (mangiaghanja.com). So I booked an infused dinner for two and drove up to a quiet and upscale cul-de-sac in Scripps Ranch with my new dude.
“Are we going to get killed? This is how scary movies start,” I said as he and I walked up to a large suburban home and rang the doorbell. Anne opened, welcomed us into her home, and led us straight into the kitchen where her husband, Ivan, was preparing our dinner. I knew it would be fun but we weren’t prepared for how thoughtful and customized were all of Mangia Ghanja’s bells and whistles. For approximately two seconds, it was pretty awkward being on a date in someone else’s home, but our hosts quickly diffused any weirdness by serving us wine, CBD water and pre-rolled joints—which they invited us to smoke in their well-appointed backyard. What followed was an expertly prepared five-course meal that included carrot soup, scallops, filet mignon (with confit potatoes), grilled zucchini and dulce de leche mousse with ganache for dessert. All in all, about 20 milligrams of THC had been in-
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Mangia Ghanja dinner fused into our dinner via meticulous dosages and prepared with Rick Simpson Oil, a type of high-THC, high-quality concentrated cannabis oil that is favored in the medical marijuana community for its purported disease-fighting qualities. Back in date land, we were having an absolute ball. The food was excellent and the high was mellow, body-centric and glowing. Eating is already a primal and somewhat sexual act. Many of the hormones released when pleasured by food are the same as those released during sex. Both my date and I love cooking and dining out, so we bonded over that aspect as well. By the time we ended up back on the patio for our second mid-meal joint, we were sitting closer and giggling up a storm.
After finishing, we retreated back to my apartment to crack open a bottle of wine and watch a movie. I am always worried that infused dinners cause one person to get way too high, but we both felt great—not bogged down, not too stoned, very warm, fuzzy and perfectly relaxed. We did all of the aforementioned activities, smoked a couple of more joints, and had truly electric, connected sex. Offbeat, new experiences are the best for dates because they give couples something to bond over. Going to Mangia Ghanja’s cannabis dinner in a suburban San Diego home certainly counts as offbeat. Still, we didn’t get killed, we had a great time and we got pleasantly lifted on top of it all.
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Love never dies
Exploring the appeal of San Diego’s many emo nights By Seth Combs
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his is the longest line I’ve ever seen at The Casbah. Seriously, it’s probably more than a hundred people deep. What’s more, the people in this line, most in their earlyto-mid twenties, are simply here to see a couple of L.A. dudes play songs off their laptops. “It’s so cool. It’s like a movement, I swear,” says Ashley Doty, who is working the merch table. She shows me her Fall Out Boy tattoo. “I don’t know if you know this, but nostalgia is really in right now,” Doty adds. I do my best to maintain my nearly-40 composure as a barely-20-something tells me that “nostalgia is really in.” The irony of blink-182’s “What’s My Age Again?” playing in the background is not lost on me. Welcome to Emo Nite San Diego, one of the many local club nights devoted to playing the somewhat obscure subgenre of indie-rock. All around me, young people are mulling about. “Just wait,” says Alan Cruz, who helps organize Emo Nite San Diego. “In a few hours, it’s going to be fucking madness.” He’s right. Within an hour, The Casbah
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dancefloor and even the stage are flooded with people jumping, dancing and singing along to every single lyric of songs such as My Chemical Romance’s “Helena” and Panic! at the Disco’s “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” I witnessed a similar scene a few months before when I attended The Office’s monthly residency for Death Cab for Karaoke, a band SCOTT LARSON
Death Cab for Karaoke that specializes in playing live renditions of popular emo songs for attendees to sing. “All of the shows have been really insane,” says James Forbes, one of the members of Death Cab for Karaoke, who have been performing since May and will be at the
Office again on Feb. 20. “There are bands doing this all over the country… We’re always adding new songs.” Just as with any genre of music, the parameters of what makes a band “emo” are debatable. The broadest definition includes a lot of popular ’90s and ’00s bands, or what Forbes calls “emo-adjacent” bands like The Killers, blink-182 and Paramore. Purists would argue for more indie, underground bands such as The Promise Ring and Christie Front Drive. Sometimes there’s a more punk and glam-rock sound and sometimes it’s acoustic based, but an element that most seem to agree on is that the lyrics have to be heartfelt and filled with themes of longing, love and forlornness. Earnestness and emotionality are a must. The genre’s influence can be seen in a crop of current musical artists, from big-name acts like Lana Del Rey and Drake, to newcomers such as Billie Eilish and Robert DeLong. Emo-rap is also a thing. And Emo Nite San Diego and Death Cab for Karaoke are not anomalies. There’s the touring Emo Night Brooklyn (at House of Blues on Feb. 15), as well as Everything Is Alright, a more straightforward monthly karaoke night at Whisky Girl in the Gaslamp (the next one is on Feb. 11). From my experiences at Emo Nite and Death Cab for Karaoke, I get the sense that people who attend one of these events aren’t so much reveling in the music they loved when they were young, but the fact that
ALISON CUMMINGS
Emo Nite San Diego they’re finally getting to meet all the “weird” kids they never met in high school. More importantly, they’re getting to dance around to the music they listened to in their childhood homes, but likely never heard at, say, their high school proms. “Emo music is not all about sadness… I feel like the lyrics are about things that everyone can relate to. Especially in your teenage years,” says Cruz. “I just think everything comes back full circle. The subject matter of the songs, it’s just something that we can relate to forever.”
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CULTURE | FILM
Weekends
The short list Academy Award-nominated films open at two theaters in San Diego by Glenn Heath Jr.
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or decades, the nominated films in the Academy Award shorts categories (Live Action, Animation, and Documentary) were difficult to see outside of screenings made available to Oscar voters. In the last decade, however, independent distribution companies and theatrical chains like Magnolia Pictures and Landmark Cinemas have given audiences the opportunity to view them in advance of the big night. Billed as a way to get the upper hand in your Oscar pool, the shorts programs nevertheless provide a unique showcase for new filmmaking talent whose work isn’t always beholden to the same conventions and expectations of their feature length brethren. Still, the level of quality runs the gamut just like any other Academy Award category. Animation offers a mostly mixed bag of selections. Those who saw Incredibles 2 over the summer are already familiar with Domee Shi’s Bao about a Chinese mother experiencing a crisis of motherhood by way of culinary allegory. Despite its Pixar polish, the film remains a moving testament to how quickly life can pass us by. One Small Step also looks at the sacrifices of parenting, but from the vantage point of a child. Obsessed with all things outer space, a young girl dreams of becoming an astronaut while her hardworking father does his best to financially and emotionally support those dreams. Directors Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas trace victories and tragedies without the crutch of dialogue, but still manage to paint in broad, sentimental strokes. Continuing the theme of adolescent uncertainty is Trevor Jimenez’s Weekends, which is told from the perspective of a boy navigating the push-pull of divorce and joint custody. Its minimalist 2-D sketches are sobering and surreal, a shape-shifting monument to the protagonist’s growing anxiety. Speaking of stress, every mammal, insect and bird in the cloying Animal Behavior suffers from compulsive behavior. Written, directed and animated by Alison Snowden and David Fine, this comedy of unbridled rage and ego unfortunately relies far too heavily on cliché for laughs. The category’s tonal and narrative outlier is Late Afternoon, in which an elderly woman suffering from
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Alzheimer’s has her memory triggered by familiar experiences. Louise Bagnall’s film is modest by design and somewhat simplistic, but its heart is in the right place. The Live Action Short category has even more extreme discrepancy between its best and worst titles. Starting with the dredges, Detainment turns a horrific true crime story into a brutally trite, slow-motion-obsessed portrait of banal evil. The brutal murder of toddler James Bulger by two boys in Ireland made headlines around the world in 1993, but director Vincent Lambe’s only goal is to sensationalize the lingering ambiguities that surround the killer’s motives. Guy Nattiv’s Skin also simplifies a ripped-fromthe-headlines tragedy, but at least has a sense of it’s own ridiculousness. White supremacists lead by Johnny (Jonathan Tucker) party, shoot guns and posture aggressively. When the racist’s son shares an innocence smile with a black man at the supermarket, it leads to a heinous hate crime. Little does the perpetrator know that the victim has a gang of his own, and in this film, vengeance is best served with tattoo ink. The theme of children in distress seems to be a popular one amongst Academy voters. Madre (Mother) by Rodrigo Sorogoyen unfolds in a handful of long takes depicting every parent’s worst nightmare. Panic grips one Spanish mother after she receives a frantic phone call from her son who’s been left alone on a desolate French beach while on vacation with his father. Very few answers emerge, leaving only the devastating feeling of helplessness lingering in the air. Rounding out the tetralogy of suffering children is the French Canadian entry Fauve from director Jérémy Comte. Two boys roughhouse and talk shit while exploring abandoned trains at a massive rock quarry only to encounter the uncaring strength of Mother Nature. With bleak, dystopic locales reminiscent of Tarkovsky, this elemental study of power and regret is a stunner. With all that tween terror it’s easy to lose track of the delicate, sincere Marguerite, the story of an elderly woman’s friendship with her home nurse. Marianne Farley’s drama considers the long-gestating, po-
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CULTURE | FILM Gym Cinema will present the Documentary Shorts beginning Friday, Feb. 8. Film reviews run weekly. Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com
OPENING
Black Sheep
2019 Oscar Nominated Documentary Short Films: A program presenting the five non-fiction films vying for the Academy Award. Topics include social justice, health care and racism. Opens Friday, Feb. 8, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.
2019 Oscar Nominated Live Action and Animation Short Films: This year’s Academy Award-nominated shorts cover a range of topics from children in distress to the fading memories of an Alzheimer’s patient. Opens Friday, Feb. 8 at the Landmark Ken Cinema. Cold Pursuit: Liam Neeson plays a snowplow driver who takes revenge on his son’s killers in this remake of the Norwegian thriller In Order of Disappearance. Opens Friday, Feb. 8 in wide release. San Diego Jewish Film Festival: The 29th annual event showcases the latest in Jewish cinema from around the world. Opens Thursday, Feb. 7 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 17 at various venues throughout San Diego. For more information visit sdcjc.org.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part: Batman (Will Arnett) and the rest of the Lego crew face a new challenge when alien invaders start wrecking structures faster than they can be rebuilt. Opens Friday, Feb. 8 in wide release. What Men Want: Exiled from the maledominated profession of sports representation, Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) gains an edge on her counterparts after discovering she can hear men’s thoughts. Opens Friday, Feb. 8 in wide release.
For complete movie listings, visit Film at sdcitybeat.com.
FILM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 tent emotions felt by closeted gay people who suffered in silence for decades. On the whole, the films in the Documentary Shorts category are challenging and mesmerizing, and by far the most worthy of your attention. Marshall Curry’s A Night at the Garden compiles archival footage from an America First rally in 1939 that eerily echoes Trump’s own vile propaganda machine. This is pure hate on open display. Black Sheep from director Ed Perkins examines the psychological ripples of said hatred in the life of a Nigerian man looking back on his teenage years spent living in Essex. Facing daily discrimination, Cornelius Walker decides to befriend the very racists who’ve so gleefully made his life a living hell. Told through a stirring first-person interview with the main subject, it makes for an apt companion piece to Yance Ford’s Strong Island. Rousing and brave, Rayka Zehtabchi’s Period. End of Sentence. champions the efforts of activists living in a rural Indian community outside of New Delhi. They provide quality feminine products for those in need and fight the social stigmatization of menstruation in a country riddled by gender inequality. The heartbreaker of the bunch, End Game, imbeds itself in the Palliative Care Unit at UCSF Medical Center and other end-of-life programs in San Francisco. Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, it’s as emotionally devastating as it sounds. Finally, Skye Fitzgerald’s Lifeboat follows a vessel owned and operated by a German nonprofit that patrols the seas off North Africa trying to save migrants attempting to make the dangerous journey to Europe. While wellmeaning, the film pales in comparison to Gianfranco Rosi’s superior Fire at Sea. Landmark’s Ken Cinema will screen the Live Action and Animation Shorts programs, and Digital
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FEBRUARY 6, 2O19 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 21
JAIME SHAHEEN
MUSIC
Genitorturers efore she embarked on a 33-year (and counting) career as the frontwoman of the provocative industrial-punk band Genitorturers, Gen Vincent was a pre-med student at a well-to-do liberal arts college in a small Florida town about 20 miles north of Walt Disney World. And if you know anything about Vincent or her band, it probably goes without saying that she didn’t exactly fit in. “(In 1986), Rollins [College] was a real hoity-toity school. Kids were driving Lamborghinis and stuff like that. Everyone was wearing pink Izod shirts and boat shoes and plaid shorts, and I showed up with this huge, bright blue mohawk,” Vincent says with a loud laugh. “After I was there for a while, one of my professors said, ‘You know there’s another one of you here.’” The other punk at Rollins was a woman named Marisa Demeio. She and Vincent became best friends throughout college and eventually started a band. At first, the band was just to counteract the stress and seriousness of their studies. “I was taking organic chemistry, biology, physics (and) spending a lot of time in lab, so I had a lot of time to think, ‘What am I going to do to get my ya-yas out?’” Vincent says. “I think I was just cooped up and smelling too much benzene in the lab or something. So I figured, ‘You know
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what would be really funny? I’m going to start a band based around genital torture.’” With Vincent on bass and Demeio singing, Genitorturers was born. They found the name during one of the duo’s excursions to a local gay club. (“We weren’t gay,” Vincent says, “but we felt accepted there.”) Their sound was rooted in Vincent’s long-standing interest in early punk rock like Black Flag and The Germs. And their live show quickly took
on some of the aesthetic aspects of the punk scene—live body piercing and lots of leather, for example—before blossoming into one of the most unique rock ‘n’ roll spectacles on the road. From the jump, Genitorturers were a DIY juggernaut. They practiced in the basement of a campus chapel, thanks
to a cool professor who gave them the key. They started a student takeover of the college’s radio station so they could play their music. They published a zine so they could promote their band to the outside world. And they ramped up their show to incorporate fetishism, bondage, S&M and other sexual themes that appealed to the open-minded folks in the punk and LGBTQ communities. “Back then, you were already so out-of-the-box based on how you looked and the music you listened to, so everything was just more accepted in that scene when it came to sexuality as well,” Vincent says. “We were bringing that whole lifestyle to the stage, which at the time was really, really radical.” In 1993, the band’s work ethic paid off when Miles Copeland—music industry lifer and manager of The Police— discovered Genitorturers and signed them to his label, I.R.S. Records, where they joined huge bands like R.E.M. and The Go Go’s. That year, the band released its debut album, 120 Days of Genitorture, a set of scuzzy, salacious songs that sit somewhere near the intersection of punk, the rumbling altrock of the day and a circus sideshow. “Take my body for your own play,” Vincent snarls in “Jackin’ Man” over a groove that sounds like Primus meets Van Halen. “Torch my soul/Fill it how you wish/To see you bleed is what I need.” Genitorturers have only recorded a couple full-length albums since. Then again, the studio is not necessarily where Vincent and her band mates excel. Instead, they’re road warriors who’ve created not only a must-see live experience, but also a community of loyal fans who may not otherwise have a place where they can go and feel comfortable being themselves. Vincent tells the story of a longtime transgender fan who started coming to Genitorturers concerts as a man and eventually transitioned into a woman. Now, she’s an elected official in a Southern state, Vincent says. “Early on, she confided in me. ‘This is how I feel,’” she says. “The next tour, she wore a little makeup. Next tour, she wore girlier clothes. I watched this over time and it’s really interesting because that’s someone who said, ‘Well, you’re the only person I could say this to.’” Just as Vincent found acceptance along her journey— from Demeio, from the professor who snuck her a key, from the gay club where she got her band’s name—she hopes Genitorturers has served the same purpose for others who exist outside society’s mainstream. “I think I’ve always felt that I had something to share with people who already had those interests to help them along, to become more comfortable with themselves and with expressing themselves,” she says. “We’re very blessed that we have a live show that people not only want to come see, but they want to come be a part of our big weird family.” That big weird family’s favorite band will roll into San Diego as part of the “Pretty in Kink” tour, with headliners Lords of Acid and fellow opening act Orgy. “We’re sharing a tour bus with Orgy, which will be interesting,” Vincent says, chuckling. “You try to explain that to people that ‘we’re on the Orgy Genitorturers bus’, and you get some funny looks.”
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MUSIC
NOTES FROM THE SMOKING PATIO
BY RYAN BRADFORD THE
SPOTLIGHT
LOCALS ONLY
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or better or worse, San Diego has always been a haven for white guys playing reggae. But the bar band scene in neighborhoods like Pacific Beach seems to have turned a corner. According to Lucas Rohm and Brendan McCourt of local partyrockers Chugboat, more and more musicians have been straying from the reggae path in pursuit of other feel-good sounds. “The reggae and/or reggae-rock scene has been a very defining characteristic of San Diego’s music scene and culture for a long time,” Rohm says. “Among the musicians we know, I think there’s this thought that there’s more music than just that.” Rohm and McCourt cite bands like The Routine, Rhythm and the Method and Chief Nasty as purveyors of “groove rock,” which combines heavy riffs with funky rhythms. They also mention locally-based Brazilian songwriter Mario Marauk, who boasts Afro-Brazilian sounds like bossa nova and samba. Meanwhile the region is also home to yacht rock tributes like High Tide Society and Yachty By Nature. And let’s not forget Gary Seiler, once hailed by BuffettWorld.com as “the very first and longest running Jimmy Buffett tribute entertainer on the west coast.” Chugboat started in 2016 as a bluegrass-oriented group, but now the five piece is a grab bag of many different sounds and
ALBUM REVIEW Jay James when all is said and done (Self-released)
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very music critic has a story about a band or an artist they slept on. I’m speaking figuratively, of course. A band or artist that just seemed to slip past our otherwise far-reaching eyes and ears until, one day, they’re playing a sold-out show to thousands of fans and we’re all like, “wait, when did this person get big?” Jay James released his debut LP, when all is said and done, in March of last year. Listening to it now, it’s hard not to kick myself. So many questions: Who is this guy? Where did he come from? How have I not heard him before? Why haven’t more people heard of him? I have some of the answers, albeit from what little info is out there about him. He’s originally from Ghana, and has been playing
styles. Their songs “Full Davis” and “Papaya” mix folksy mandolin solos, Ron Burgundy-esque flute runs and Farmer’s Market references with upbeat Latin rhythms. On Feb.14, they’ll release an instrumental version of their recent Hi, Welcome EP, along with a karaoke music video of the title track. “It’s just a matter of playing to your strengths as a group in general,” Rohm says. “The more variety of BPM.PHOTO styles and the higher versatility of players, that might open more opportunities just based on different needs.” Does this mean the reign of San Diego’s dreadlocked, reggae-playing white boys will finally come to a close? It’s not likely. Chugboat still have an abiding love for reggae and horn player Andy Geib from Slightly Stoopid even played on Hi, Welcome. And while they’re familiar with criticisms of white people appropriating Chugboat Jamaican music, they have no interest in spreading bad vibes. “We don’t want to trash any white guys that are playing reggae,” says McCourt. “It’s hard to be a purist about styles, because we’ve been listening to lots of different things that come from people of all colors.”
—Peter Holslin
multiple instruments for nearly 20 years. The LP’s opening tracks, “mourning prayer” and “supersonic,” set the template for what’s to come: a hauntingly stark piano melody (think Nils Frahm at his most moody) is overlain with blips and bloops of synthy textures before seguing into a sexy, spirited beat that’s as atmospheric as anything Clams Casino has ever produced. When James does bring in some vocalists to sing over his songs—like on “damaged” and the beautiful “overnight”—the results are as magical and as catchy as anything on the iTunes charts. There are moments on the record where James borders on easylistening, such as on the track “agitated,” but just when you’re thinking things are getting a little too Quiet Stormy, he switches it up and hits the listener with a low, sexy beat. Sometimes, he’ll drop most of the instrumentation altogether and simply lets a few piano chords flutter around a dash of droning synths. This is an excellent debut and while I’m kicking myself for having only discovered it now, it just means (hopefully) I won’t have to wait too long for Jay James’ next project.
—Seth Combs
JEN ROSENSTEIN
KISS
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here are a lot of reasons to dislike KISS—they’re outdated, cheesy, etc.— but there’s one, big, fat, over-the-hill reason to despise them: Gene Simmons. The outspoken co-founder has aged about as well as a glass of milk left out in the sun, and has proven time and again that the arrogance and chauvinism that may have worked well for him in his 20s doesn’t hold the same power at 106 (or however old he is). Plus, anyone who tells Terry Gross, "If you want to welcome me with open arms, I'm afraid you're also going to have to welcome me with open legs" must be insane, because nobody fucks with Terry. Hear that, Gene?? NOBODY. But, also, KISS rules. What other band packaged the evils of rock ‘n’ roll into such an accessible package? Even if their name didn’t actually stand for Knights in Satan’s Service, the fact that so many scared parents believed that makes the band all the more legendary. Also, they wrote some undeniable bangers, including “Detroit Rock City,” “Heaven’s On Fire,” and “I Stole Your Love” (Ace Frehley’s “New York Groove” is an all-time personal favorite). Even if you don’t know the songs, the show is bound to be a spectacle and it’s the reason renowned pop-culture writer/ metalhead Chuck Klosterman touts them as his favorite band. KISS plays Thursday, Feb. 7 at Pechanga Arena.
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MUSIC
IF I WERE U
BY CITYBEAT STAFF
Our picks for the week’s top shows
ERIC COLEMAN
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6
PLAN A: Efrim Manuel Menuck, Pall Jenkins @ The Whistle Stop. We won’t lie, the music of Efrim Manuel Menuck is pretty damn weird, but, then again, he’s the co-founder of Montreal weirdos Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and anyone who’s familiar with those bands knows to expect some weirdness. For those who aren’t, just expect to hear some challenging, droning, but nonetheless beautiful indie-rock. BACKUP PLAN: Quaker City Night Hawks, Eric Tessmer @ Soda Bar.
THURSDAY, FEB. 7
PLAN A: Fashawn, Stro, Ezri, Cantrell, 070 Phi @ House of Blues. This is a really great lineup of under-the-radar hip hop acts. Fresno MC Fashawn’s 2009 debut, Boy Meets World, remains an underground masterpiece, while Albany, Georgia rapper Cantrell seems destined to make waves with the Soundcloud rap crowd. PLAN B: TV Girl, George Clanton @ The Irenic. Dream-pop trio TV Girl have come a long way since starting out in San Diego back in 2010. Now based in L.A., their 2018 release, Death of a Party Girl, is filled with catchy, chilled out tunes that sound as if they were made for a Wes Anderson film set in ’60s Paris. BACKUP PLAN: Cumbia Machin @ Manhattan Bar.
FRIDAY, FEB. 8
PLAN A: Via Satellite, Hexa, Nicely @ Whistle Stop. If readers didn’t catch the gorgeous reunion set from local indie-rockers Via Satellite at The Casbah a few weeks ago, here’s your second chance. Our editor called their new album, A Thousand Mountains, a “beautiful” eulogy to their late drummer Tim Reece. PLAN B: Steve Gunn, Meg Baird, Mary Lattimore @ The Casbah. On any other night, this would be a Plan A. Fans of Kurt Vile are likely already familiar with Steve Gunn, who was a longtime guitarist in Vile’s band, The Violators. But his solo stuff is very impressive, especially the recently released The Unseen In Between, which is filled with folky, almost alt-country songs in the vein of Nick Drake and early Van Morrison. BACKUP PLAN: GRMLN, Balms, Yujin @ CHe Café Collective.
SATURDAY, FEB. 9
PLAN A: Mndsgn, Stage Kids, Jay James, Chico, Prvdnt, Cold Juice @ The Quartyard. Not a bad band on this bill. Mndsgn (pronounced “mind design”) is the one-man project from San Diego-born Ringgo Ancheta. While he might be more well known for producing hip hop and soul projects, his own tracks brilliantly thread together hip hop, funk and even soft-rock elements. And look for Jay James, whose debut is reviewed
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Mndsgn in this issue. PLAN B: The Woggles, The Schizophonics, The Two Tens @ The Casbah. The Woggles are like The Hives 15 years ago and the Hives were like The Stooges before them who were like The Sonics before them... Yeah, it’s vintage garage rock with a punk attitude, and sure, it’s derivative, but it’s damn fun. BACKUP PLAN: Tijuana Panthers, Fun Country, Spooky Cigarette @ Soda Bar.
SUNDAY, FEB. 10
PLAN A: Lee “Scratch” Perry, Boostive @ House of Blues. At 82-years-old, the legendary Perry isn’t as animated as he once was, but the man practically invented modern reggae music and has never stopped experimenting with the sound. So, yeah, go see him while you still can. BACKUP PLAN: Joshua Radin, Cary Brothers, Lily Kershaw @ Belly Up Tavern.
MONDAY, FEB. 11
PLAN A: The Holy Knives, Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin, Lunar Hand @ Soda Bar. San Antonio duo The Holy Knives specialize in moody, melodic and downright sexy rock that sounds like the score of a dystopian thriller set in the desert. Bring your boo and groove out to tracks like “Switchblade Heart” and “Loose Tooth.” BACKUP PLAN: Free Paintings, Lefties, Beverage @ The Casbah.
TUESDAY, FEB. 12
PLAN A: Imagery Machine, The Havnaughts, Super Buffet @ The Casbah. A solid lineup of local bands. Imagery Machine specialize in theatrical indie rock complete with Bowie-esque makeup, and pop-punkers The Havnaughts graced our cover and released one of our favorite albums of 2018. BACKUP PLAN: The Abstracts, Cardboard Boxer, Subspecies, Saving The State @ Soda Bar.
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MUSIC
CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!
Malachi Henry and the Lights (Soda Bar, 2/25), Tyler Carter (HOB, 3/6), Black Midi (SPACE, 3/6), Monsterwatch (Soda Bar, 3/12), MOSSS (Soda Bar, 3/14), Rhett Miller (Soda Bar, 3/16), The Downs Family (Soda Bar, 3/17), WAND (Soda Bar, 3/19), Messern Chups (Soda Bar, 3/29), Anthem (Brick By Brick, 4/5), Combichrist (Brick By Brick, 4/8), Matisyahu (BUT, 4/10-11), Flipper with David Yow (Casbah, 4/14), Ufomommut (Brick By Brick, 4/21), Psycroptic (Brick By Brick, 4/26), Passion Pit (Observatory, 5/1), Omar Apollo (The Irenic, 5/4), The Faint (Observatory, 5/5), Amanda Seales (Observatory, 5/9), 3rd Ear Experience (Brick By Brick, 5/16), CONFLICT (Soda Bar, 5/22), The Bright Light Social Hour (Soda Bar, 5/23), The Undertones (Casbah, 5/29), Rufus Wainwright (BUT, 6/9), Oh Sees (BUT, 6/14), The Winehouse Experience (Music Box, 6/29), Lord Huron (Humphreys, 8/5), Queen Nation (BUT, 8/30).
CANCELLED Radar State (Casbah, 2/10).
GET YER TICKETS Louis XIV (Casbah, 2/15), Panic! At the Disco (Valley View Casino Center, 2/16), Justin Timberlake (Pechanga Arena, 2/21), Albert Hammond Jr. (BUT, 2/24), Sharon Van Etten (Observatory, 2/28), Saves the Day (Observatory, 3/2), CRSSD Festival (Waterfront Park, 3/23), Waxahatchee (Soda Bar, 3/3), Muse (Pechanga Arena, 3/5), Band of Horses (Observatory, 3/6), Hatebreed (HOB, 3/7), YG (Pechanga Arena, 3/7), Action Bronson (HOB, 3/13), Cold Cave (BUT, 3/19), Boy Harsher (Casbah, 3/20), Mike Doughty (Soda Bar, 3/23), Queensrÿche (Casbah, 3/27), Black Moth Super Rainbow (BUT, 3/31), Vince Staples (Observatory, 4/2), Anvil (Brick By Brick, 4/4), San Holo (Observatory, 4/5), Taking Back Sunday (Observatory, 4/6-7), Meat Puppets (Soda Bar, 4/7), T-Pain (Observatory, 4/9), David Archuleta (California Center for the Arts, 4/17), Passion Pit (Observatory, 5/1), Priests (Soda Bar, 6/26).
FEBRUARY WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6 The Quaker City Night Hawks at Soda Bar. North Mississippi Allstars at Belly Up Tavern.
THURSDAY, FEB. 7 KISS at Viejas Arena. Marc Anthony at Valley View Casino Center. Joan Osborne at Belly Up Tavern. Passafire at Music Box.
FRIDAY, FEB. 8 Tijuana Panthers at Soda Bar. Atmosphere at Observatory North Park (sold out). Katchafire at Music Box. AJ Mitchell at The Irenic. Groundation at Belly Up Tavern. Steve Gunn at The Casbah.
SATURDAY, FEB. 9 Tijuana Panthers at Soda Bar. The Woggles at The Casbah. Radar State at The Casbah. Iration at Observatory North Park. Tainted Love at Belly Up Tavern. Art Laboe at Pechanga Arena. Foxtide at SOMA. The PettyBreakers at Music Box.
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SUNDAY, FEB. 10 Radar State at The Casbah. Lee “Scratch” Perry at House of Blues. Danko Jones at Observatory North Park. Joshua Radin at Belly Up Tavern. 2CELLOS at Pechanga Arena.
MONDAY, FEB. 11 The Holy Knives at Soda Bar.
TUESDAY, FEB. 12 Ottmar Liebert at Belly Up Tavern. Imagery Machine at The Casbah.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13 Dreamgirl at Soda Bar. Cuco at Observatory North Park (sold out). Broncho at The Casbah.
THURSDAY, FEB. 14 Hockey Dad and Hunny at SOMA. Elizabeth Cook at The Casbah. Daniel Romano at Soda Bar.
FRIDAY, FEB. 15 Mike Krol at Soda Bar. Louis XIV at The Casbah. The Expendables at Observatory North Park. The Soul Rebels at Music Box. Dead Man’s Party at Belly Up Tavern. Powerman 5000 at Brick By Brick. Ja Rule, Ashanti at SOMA. The Marias at The Irenic.
SATURDAY, FEB. 16 Panic! At the Disco at Valley View Casino Center. Pedro the Lion at The Irenic. ALO at Belly Up Tavern. CANCELLED! at Soda Bar. Louis XIV, The Slashes, Demasiado at The Casbah. Caifanes at Observatory North Park. The Grinns at SOMA. Red Not Chili Peppers at Music Box. The Three Tremors at Brick By Brick.
SUNDAY, FEB. 17 Kongos and Fitness at Music Box. Los Lonely Boys at Belly Up Tavern. Jake “The Snake” Roberts at Brick By Brick. Post Animal at The Casbah. Awakebutstillinbed at Soda Bar.
MONDAY, FEB. 18 The Red Pears at The Irenic. Dalton & the Sheriffs at Soda Bar. Cherry Road at The Casbah.
TUESDAY, FEB. 19 Half Waif at Soda Bar. The Paragraphs at The Casbah.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20 Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel at Observatory North Park. Smoking Popes at Soda Bar. Justin Nozuka at Music Box. Secret Lynx, Veronica May, Nate Donnis Trio at Belly Up Tavern. Spear of Destiny at The Casbah.
THURSDAY, FEB. 21 Houses at Soda Bar. Amy Grant at California Center for the Arts. Kimmi Bitter at Belly Up Tavern. Leftover Crack at Brick By Brick. Justin Timberlake at Pechanga Arena. Bob Seger at Viejas Arena. Kolars at The Casbah. iDKHOW at Music Box.
FRIDAY, FEB. 22 Mother Hips at Belly Up Tavern. Aurora at Observatory North Park. Brasstracks at Music Box. King Tuff at The Casbah. The Black Queen at Brick By Brick.
SATURDAY, FEB. 23 Thumpasaurus at House of Blues (sold out). King Tuff at The Casbah. Lords of
Acid at Brick By Brick. Madball at Soda Bar. The Como La Flor Band at Music Box. Kaleena Zanders, Friendz, SiLVA at Music Box. Banding Together, The Shift at Belly Up Tavern.
SUNDAY, FEB. 24 Private Island at Soda Bar. Crumb at Soda Bar. Albert Hammond Jr. at Belly Up Tavern. Aziz Ansari at Copley Symphony Hall. Un at Brick By Brick. Abbey Road’s George Harrison Celebration at Music Box. MDRN HSTRY at The Casbah. John 5 at Brick By Brick. Body Void at SPACE.
MONDAY, FEB. 25 Graveyard Witch at The Casbah. Malachi Henry and the Lights at Soda Bar.
TUESDAY, FEB. 26 Red Dragon Cartel at Brick By Brick. Joy Williams at Belly Up Tavern. DJ Artistic’s Hip Hop Battle Bot at The Casbah. Robert DeLong at Music Box.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27 Coco Montoya, Tinsley Ellis at Belly Up Tavern. Darlingside at Music Box. Nights Like Thieves at The Casbah. Lil mosey at SOMA.
THURSDAY, FEB. 28 Sharon Van Etten at Observatory North Park. Mushroomhead at Brick By Brick. The Wood Brothers at Belly Up Tavern. Bryce Vine at SOMA. Bob Mould at The Casbah. Gina Chavez at California Center for the Arts.
MARCH FRIDAY, MARCH 1 Lettuce at Observatory North Park. Junior Brown at The Casbah. Sarah Brightman at Viejas Arena. Stepping Feet at Music Box. Zomboy at House of Blues. Men I Trust at Soda Bar. Clairvoyants at California Center for the Arts. Trappist at Brick By Brick.
rCLUBSr
710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Fri: A Perfect Tool, Township Rebellion. Sat: Casual Yak, Electric Elms, The Corderman Detail. Tue: Highland Steppers, Maka Roots. Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘#HipHopWeds’. Thu: Jonathan Lestat. Fri: ‘House Music Fridays’. Sat: ‘JUICY’. Sun: ‘Kpop’. Mon: ‘Organized Grime’. Tue: ‘Cardio Hip Hop’. American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Bryan Callen. Fri: Bryan Callen. Sat: Bryan Callen. Tue: Open Mic. The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Wed: Karaoke. Thu: Fire & Flesh, Bush Whackers, MANIC. Fri: Bossfight, United Defiance, 08 Orchestra, The Rough. Sat: Trying To Get By, Apathy Cycle, Midnight Track, Delma. Mon: Trivia. Tue: Karaoke. Bang Bang, 526 Market St., Downtown. Sat: Ardalan, Sepehr. Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., North Park. Wed: ‘Kocktails with Katrina’. Thu: ‘Some Kind of Kick’. Fri: Dream Burglar. Sat: DJ Mike Delgado. Sun: Rat Sabbath. Mon: Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres. Tue: ‘Tiki Tuesday’.
MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 27
BY CHRISTIN BAILEY
MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 Beaumont’s, 5665 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Thu: Jared Sjoblom. Fri: dB Jukebox. Sat: The Rhythmatics. Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: North Mississippi Allstars. Thu: Joan Osborne. Fri: Groundation, Ginger Roots, the Protectors. Sat: Tainted Love, Metal Street Boyz. Sun: Joshua Radin, Cary Brothers, Lily Kershaw. Tue: Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra. Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., City Heights. Fri: The Widows, Beehive & The Barracudas. Sat: Russian Tremors, Post Elvis, Good Time Girl. Blonde, 1808 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. Wed: ‘Dance Klassique’. Thu: ‘Hype Beatz Party’. Fri: ‘WE ARE YR FRIENDS’. Sat: ‘Mirage’. Sun: ‘Rooftop Roots’. Mon: ‘Blue Monday’. Tue: ‘Techno Tuesdays’. Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave., Carlsbad. Thu: ‘Club Musae’. Sat: Big Dude. Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., Bay Park. Sat: Manic, Shield of Snakes, Psycho Mantis, Vanguard. The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Wed: Braggers, Ohcult, Mezzoa. Thu: Alex Cameron & Roy Molloy. Fri: Steve Gunn, Meg Baird & Mary Lattimore. Sat: The Woggles, The Schizophonics, The Two Tens. Sun: Radar State, Odd Robot. Mon: Free Paintings, Lefties, Beverage. Tue: Imagery Machine, The Havnauts, Super Buffet. Che Cafe, 1000 Scholars Drive S, La Jolla. Wed: On the Cinder, Bitter Kiddoes, Infinite Signal, Deep Yogurt. Fri: GRMLN, Balms,
MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 29
28 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
ASTROLOGICALLY UNSOUND Weekly forecasts from the so-called universe ARIES (March 21 - April 19): It is important to be kind to everyone you meet this week. Just be aware of the locations of all the security cameras.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You know what they say: Too much toad venom and you die, but not enough and you’re just going to be bored for the next six hours.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): In order to have a pleasant week you’ll either need to learn to run 15.1 miles per hour or you can simply leave the beehive undisturbed and not have any problem.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Before you get jealous of the news that someone found a large sum of money on the side of the road, remember what it really means: that person was stupid enough to have told someone.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): If someone you don’t know starts referring to you and them as “we,” they’re either trying to sell you a timeshare or murder you. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): The shampoo always runs out before conditioner. Banks make money by stealing money from broke people. These are the two axes of our reality. Everything else is negotiable. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Be patient before you act. Stop, drop and roll is a good strategy if someone yells “fire,” but by the time you hear them finish the sentence with “ants,” it’ll be too late. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): It is important to be flexible this week, kinda like the chewing gum stuck in the hair of the kid who sat in front of you in elementary school.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 December 21): After every ending comes the beginning, like the looping music of a DVD menu playing in the other room. It’s irritating but not quite enough to get up and go turn it off. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19): “Measure twice and cut once”? Where’s the adventure in that? The mystery? The fun? The excitement? Where is the—oh, you just ruined that. You’ll need to get another one. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): The universe is made up of billions of little critters doing their own critter things. This means it’s perfectly acceptable, maybe even necessary, to do whatever little critter things you like. PISCES (February 19 - March 20): Momentum builds like a penny dropped from the roof of the Empire State Building, which amounts to basically nothing by the time it reaches rock bottom.
Astrologically Unsound appears every week. Follow Christin Bailey on Twitter at @hexprax.
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MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 Yujin 13. Sat: DZR, Egg Drop Soup, Jinx. Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, Bay Park. Fri: John Reynolds Quintet. Sat: The Benedetti Ensemble. F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown. Fri: DJ Scooter. Sat: ‘ShowOut Saturdays’. Sun: ‘Reggae Sundays’. Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave., Downtown. Sat: Dre Sinatra. House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Mass Appeal. Fri: Badfish. Sun: Lee “Scratch” Perry. Humphreys Backstage, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. Wed: Tradewinds. Thu: Lady Dottie. Fri: Funk’s Most Wanted. Sat: The Groove Mercenaries. Sun: B-3 Four. Mon: Nathan James. Tue: Mercedes Moore. The Irenic, 3090 Polk Ave., North Park. Thu: TV Girl, George Clanton. Fri: AJ Mitchell. Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Thu: Beverage, Mint Hole, The Rinds, Half Eaten. Sat: ‘Umbrella Nights’. Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Thu: ‘Thursday Writers Poetry Karaoke’. Fri: Hello Existence, Will Caleb Band, Andrew Barrack. Sat: VAVA, Aaron Bowen, Josh Lane. Mon: Open Mic. Tue: ‘Comedy Night’.
Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Thu: Michael L Walters. Fri: ‘No Cover Charge Entertainment’. Sat: ‘No Cover Charge Entertainment’. Sun: ‘No Cover Charge Entertainment’. Mon: ‘No Cover Charge Entertainment’. Tue: ‘Stars of the Future’. The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Thu: ‘The In-Town Show’. Fri: King Whisker, The Rightovers, Polux. Sat: ‘Club Sabbat’. Sun: ‘In Concert Variety Show’. Tue: Deep Yogurt, Weep Wave, Brushed. Mother’s Saloon, 2228 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Thu: DJ Dub B. Tue: Trivia. Mr. Peabody’s, 136 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas. Fri: Flipside Burners. Sat: Tower 7. Mon: Open Mic. Tue: Karaoke. Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy. Thu: Passafire, Psydecar and The Originators. Fri: Katchafire, Jordan T, Swells. Sat: The PettyBreakers & Desperado, The Black Crowes Revival. The Office, 3936 30th St., North Park. Wed: ‘Instant Crush’. Thu: ‘No Limits’. Sat: ‘Strictly Business’. Tue: ‘Trapped in The Office’. OMNIA Nightclub, 454 Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: ‘Undone on Thursday’. Fri: Steve Aoki. Sat: Justin Caruso. Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. Wed: ‘The Wednesday Jam Session’. Fri: The Mad Hat Hucksters. Sat: Tim Norton. Sun: ‘Funk Jam’.
Loft @ UCSD, Price Center East, La Jolla. Wed: Quincy Troupe.
Parq, 615 Broadway, Downtown. Fri: Soulja Boy.
Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave., Coronado. Wed: JG Duo. Thu: Fish & JG. Fri: In Midlife Crisis. Sun: Ron’s Garage. Tue: Glen Smith.
Pour House, 1903 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside. Wed: Open Mic. Fri: The Loons. Sat: Nihilist. Sun: The Night Howls. Mon: Trivia. Tue: DJ Lexicon Devil.
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Proud Mary’s, 5550 Kearny Mesa Road, Kearny Mesa. Wed: ‘Blues Jam’. Thu: Tomcat Courtney. Fri: Bayou Brothers. Sat: Charles Burton. The Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. Thu: Trivia. Fri: ‘Finesse Fridays’. Sat: ‘Sabadoes En Fuego’. Rich’s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: ‘Mischief with Bianca’. Thu: ‘#LEZ’. Fri: ‘Electro-POP!’. Sat: ‘Gay As Fuck Party’. Sun: ‘Discoteka’. Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz’. Thu: ‘Swing Thing’. Fri: Vinyl Pirates. Sat: TikiTronic. Tue: ‘Everything and Anything Jam’. Rosie O’Gradys, 3402 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Karaoke. Thu: DJ Milky Wayne. Mon: ‘Jazz Jam’. Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: Quaker City Night Hawks, Eric Tessmer. Thu: Dreamers Delight, Guggenz. Fri: Tijuana Panthers, Matt Lamkin, Blacks Beach Boys. Sat: Tijuana Panthers, Fun Country, Spooky Cigarette. Mon: The Holy Knives, Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin, Lunar Hand. Tue: The Abstracts, Cardboard Boxer, Subspecies, Saving The State. SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway. Sat: Foxtide, The Kabbs, Los Pinche Pinches, Havnauts, Nite Lapse, Constellara. SPACE, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Thu: Elnuh, Battery Point, Racketgirl. Fri: ‘BrokenBeat’. Sun: Former, SMiiLE, Runner. Tue: Karaoke. Spin, 2028 Hancock St., Midtown. Fri: Destructo. Sat: ‘Leather & Lace’.
Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Paul Gregg. Sun: Jonathan Walsh. Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Fri: Clear Soul Forces ft. Noveliss. Sat: Black Sky Nectar, Koda Sounds, Hurrican Kate. Sun: ‘PANTS karaoke!’. Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., Bay Park. Wed: ‘Hoots Is Home Wednesdays’. Thu: Tommy Price & the Stilettos. Fri: The Siers Brothers. Sat: Detroit Underground. Mon: ‘Sexy Salsa and Sensual Bachata’. Tue: Big Time Operator Orchestra. Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., City Heights. Thu: Jennie Cotterill & Stacey Dee, Jen Razavi & Poli van Dam, Gillian, Beebs and Her Money Maker, Jen Carlson. Fri: Roman Watchdogs, Midnight Block, Delma, Late for Life. Sat: Shriners Club, Tap and Die, Ursula, Gut Punch. Sun: The Sun and the Mirror, The Mandoshanks, Blind Mountain Holler. Tue: Seth Anderson, Sammy Kay, Brian Wahlstrom, Ricky Schmidt. U-31, 3112 University Ave., North Park. Wed: DJ Ukeim. Thu: ‘BoomBox Thursdays’. Fri: DJ Freeman. Sat: DJ Bacon Bits. Sun: Twisted Relatives, Dylan Keawe, DJ Daddy. Mon: ‘#31 Flavors’. Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park. Wed: Efrim Manuel Menuck, Pall Jenkins. Thu: Winter, Triptides. Fri: Via Satellite, Hexa, Nicely. Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Wed: ‘Club Kingston’. Thu: Eldorado Slim & the Commodore Hotel Orchestra. Fri: Brothers Gow. Sat: Cubensis. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: DJ Williams’ Shots Fired.
FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 29
BY LARA MCCAFFREY
IN THE BACK
CannaBeat Getting cannabusy
U
sing cannabis to enhance one’s sexual experience isn’t a new concept, but there sure are plenty of new products on the market to help people get down. Still, customers can’t always be certain which type of product—inhalables, edibles, topicals, etc.—is best for sexy time. What’s more, like most of the scientific studies on cannabis’ benefits on sex, evidence that certain products work better than others is anecdotal at best. Bay Area-based Kikoko (kikoko.com) makes various cannabis-infused teas including Sensuali-Tea, a product meant for enhancing sex and connection. Kikoko communications director, Jenny Le Coq, says that Sensuali-Tea is comprised of herbs with known medicinal benefits including hibiscus (an antioxidant), lavender (for relaxation) and cloves (for circulation)—all ingredients that could be beneficial to sex. So, will Sensuali-Tea help you have more sex? Eh, maybe? “We work primarily off of the feedback that we get from women who are drinking our tea,” says Le Coq. “And, overall, [it’s] extraordinary—the experience that women
are having, not just sexually, but just engaging with their partner. Just having deeper, more meaningful conversations, which oftentimes leads to sex.” Quim Rock (quimrock.com), also in the Bay Area, makes cannabis-infused intimate oils meant to enhance sex and make the act less painful. “THC, when absorbed vaginally, works COURTESY OF KIKOKO
Sensuali-Tea from Kikoko as a vasodilator,” says Quim Rock cofounder Cyo Nystrom. “It's going to open up your blood vessels and increase flow of
30 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · FEBRUARY 6, 2019
blood to that area, which can help augment natural lubrication, meaning you have to use less of other types of traditional lubricants. So it'll help sustain your natural lubrication throughout coitus.” Nystrom says research on cannabis’ benefits for sex is limited because of its federal distinction as a Schedule 1 drug. Quim Rock has also gathered its own anecdotal information (read: surveys from customers) and found that 90-percent achieved orgasm using their intimate oils. San Diego-based sexologist Dr. Nick Karras has long advocated for couples to use cannabis for bettering their sex lives, but thinks that inhalables are better than edibles or topicals, especially for newbies to cannabis. There’s a couple reasons for this: Smoking makes it easier to control dosages and men especially should take smaller dosages for sex. Karras mentions a University of Texas study that concluded cannabis affects men’s testosterone in two phases. “When [men] smoked a lot of [cannabis], testosterone went up,” says Karras. “But then, 20 or 30 minutes later, it dropped below baseline. So [men were] actually were less sexual.” As for topicals like cannabis-infused
COURTESY OF QUIM ROCK
Quim Rock’s Oh Yes! Latex-Safe Serum lube and intimate oils, Karras says those kinds of products might work, especially for those that experience painful intercourse. However, it won’t alter one’s mindset like inhaling and getting high will. The high from the THC can give the illusion of time slowing down, enhance empathy and spur creativity—all factors that can help couples connect intimately, he says. “The high doesn't necessarily have to chill you out,” says Karras. “It can be used to change your mood and mood enhancement.” CannaBeat appears every other week.
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FEBRUARY 6, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 31