San Diego CityBeat • Feb 11, 2015

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Slow the wheel’s roll What is it all of a sudden with all these proposals for amusement-park rides in downtown San Diego? First there was county Supervisor Ron Roberts’ idea for an aerial gondola carting tourists from Downtown to Balboa Park, which we’ve dubbed The Aeriola™. Then came something far more disturbing: a series of proposals for enormous Ferris wheels or huge spires piercing the sky with gondola tracks snaking round and round and up and down, and it’s all giving us a serious headache.

Maybe we’re a bunch of killjoys, and we hate fun things, but these ideas just come across as obnoxious and gaudy and kind of cheesy.

Clearly, they’re aimed at enhancing the tourist experience, not the resident experience, and they also seem to be attempts to create a legacy, particularly in the case of Roberts’ Aeriola.

Roberts’ idea doesn’t bug us that much, but it’s neither terribly imaginative nor completely necessary. What bugs us a little is that $75,000 of public money is being used to conduct a feasibility study of the idea. That money had already been taken from the county’s general fund and snuggled into Roberts’ Neighborhood Reinvestment Program account, a sort of slush fund for supervisors to spend as they see fit. From there, it was transferred to SANDAG, the region’s transportation agency, which hired a firm to do the study, which will be ready for public review in April or May. We’d have preferred that money be spent on beefing up social services for the needy, but that’s just whistling in the wind, we realize. Alternative transportation is absolutely needed, but if that’s the goal, we should investigate the most efficient ways to move people around rather than look only at one particular idea and one particular route.

Now, if The Aeriola is goofy on a small scale, the Port of San Diego’s consideration of unsolicited proposals for Ferris wheels and sky towers on the waterfront is goofy on a massive scale. A good place to go for some needed perspective on those ideas is Bob Nelson’s Jan. 16 commentary in U-T San Diego.

In it, Nelson, a member of the port’s Board of Commissioners, says that a gigantic Ferris wheel might turn out to be a great idea, but he says the process is all wrong. And he’s right.

A handful of proposals have come to the port, unsolicited, while the agency, which is charged by state law with overseeing waterfront land use around San Diego Bay, is in the process of updat-

How do you like this? ing its long-term master plan. When large chunks of land are planned properly, approved uses are based on holistic blueprints of the area that have undergone robust public vetting. That way, individual projects conform to a broader scheme and make sense with one another. What you don’t want is piecemeal approval of major projects that aren’t necessarily consistent with the master plan that’s not yet complete.

Part of this story might be moot by the time this issue of CityBeat hits the streets. The Board of Commissioners was scheduled on Tuesday afternoon to listen to pitches from five private companies—four that want to build an “observation wheel” and one that wants to build a sky tower with a restaurant on top. Our hope is that commissioners will have sobered up and told the proponents that their ideas will be kept on file and reviewed later for compliance with the master plan.

We’re worried here that San Diego’s public officials feel like they have to catch up to other waterfront cities like Seattle, New York and Orlando that have big wheels and tall towers—and, oh my god, San Diego doesn’t have those things! We want those things! We need those things!

In our opinion, San Diego’s waterfront doesn’t need an entertainment complex with a ginormous, observation wheel awash in neon light. It doesn’t need inelegant tourist magnets. What the waterfront needs are parks and recreation amenities for residents. The tourists will be there no matter what. Yes, it’s nice to have projects that will generate revenue, but making money should be a byproduct of making a beautiful, serene waterfront that locals want to enjoy and take pride in, rather than avoid because it’s noisy, brash and overrun with tourists.

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

Reading this issue of CityBeat is totally consensual and will feel so good, baby.

Volume 13 • Issue 28 Editor David Rolland Associate Editor Kelly Davis Music Editor Jeff Terich Arts Editor Kinsee Morlan Staff Writer Joshua Emerson Smith Web Editor Ryan Bradford Art director Lindsey Voltoline

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

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San Diego CityBeat is published and distributed every Wednesday by Southland Publishing Inc., free of charge but limited to one per reader. Reproduction of any material in this or any other issue is prohibited without written permission from the publisher and the author. Contents copyright 2015.

4 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 5

Highlighting humanity I have mostly appreciated your editorials since I moved to this town a decade ago and found your weekly. Early on, CityBeat seemed to lack focus, being, I’m guessing, a kind of street-scene music rag. Since then, I found your editorial commentary and the direction CityBeat moved toward worthwhile. And then, more worthwhile, because, with exceptions, your endorsements of candidates in the political scene were worth respect.

David Rolland, your Jan. 14 “Editor’s Note” is the most honest, straightforward I have seen, from any source—Internet, multiple newspapers (I do not watch TV crap). I just want to thank you for revealing yourself and, in so doing, revealing the best thing we have going: our humanity.

Bonnie Bekken, Normal Heights

Not the right job for you Regarding your Jan. 14 “Editor’s Note”: You’re making this way too complicated. And sorry to react harshly, but free speech is the essential element of your magazine—of your enterprise. So, if you’re not willing to take risks inherent to the job, which include inappropriate, unfair, mean, crazy, stupid or even perhaps homicidal reactions, which is, of course your prerogative, then this isn’t the right job for you. Ditto the folks who work with you who should be permitted the same choice. Ditto firemen.

Mike Angello, Normal Heights

Fear and courage I read your Jan. 14 “Editor’s Note” and was relieved to hear someone else put voice to my own thoughts.

I have had death threats twice in my life, one when I was on the San Diego City Council. For one week I had bodyguards 24/7. That week was one of the longest and scariest times in my life. It had to do with a vote that a crazy man didn’t want

me to make. Anyway, many of the things you said struck home for me, including concern for staff, no religious beliefs and standing up for a cause, but, like you, to be honest, I was just plain scared and did not want to die.

The question of freedom of speech and the press presents really difficult questions for me, as well. Of course it is supposed to be an essential thread in the tapestry of what America is all about, and we need to protect those threads. Sometimes, however, even for me, some lines are crossed. Having been subjected to a couple of very ugly cartoons during my tenure on the council, I know the personal pain, humiliation and emotional suffering those seemingly innocuous pieces inflicted in my life.

I have spent a great deal of time living in France during the last several years and I have witnessed the growing problems for all sides due to the dramatic shift in demographics and the accompanying adjustments or lack of adjustments that must be made. A friend of mine who has French press credentials said that Charlie’s work often was “over the top” but there is no excuse for the response they received.

I fear that we will see a growing number of violent acts as more and more people feel disenfranchised and frustrated with their lives. We all have to face up to our individual national problems—violence and fear are not the answers.

Thanks for the courage—yes courage— to write your own personal thoughts. I almost never write responses, but I wanted you to know that I appreciated what you had to say.

Valerie Stallings, Downtown

Rolland’s a coward Concerning the Jan. 14 “Editor’s Note”: I have to respect you for your honesty.

It is not often that anybody openly ad-

6 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

mits to their cowardice. Bravery is the rarest of virtues, yet it is the one virtue that makes all the others possible. And it is as hard to find as gold, especially in these days of mass and instantaneous communication through the Internet and social-media sites.

The Charlie Hebdo event shows the fragility of freedom of speech when its supposed guardians are so eager to abandon it. It’s a very efficient form of terrorism: Kill eight cartoonists and millions of journalists, newspaper and magazine editors and television executives around the world are intimidated into self-censorship. Even here, in sleepy, right-wing San Diego, protected by distance, and the presence of Navy and Marine personnel, you can’t bring yourself to show the cartoons that cost your fellow journalists their lives.

And you seek justification in solidarity with all those millions of media types who exercised their editorial prerogatives to shut up and cower before Muslim violence. “They aren’t cowards,” you said. But that’s exactly what they are.

They engaged in a massive outpouring of cowardice on a global scale.

And you even tried to provide cover for them with a completely gratuitous and unsupported accusation that Charlie Hebdo occasionally lapses into racism: Racism, the Swiss army knife of accusations—good for a thousand and one uses, including justifying cowardice.And then you blame religion—all religions, not just the Muslim killers—as if the Quakers, the Amish, the Yazidis, the Baha’i and the Lubavitchers all equally have blood on their hands.

But be of good cheer. Time will pass.

The current outrage will fade in memory, and you will be able to crawl out from under your desk and resume your career of bashing Republicans. At least you know they won’t kill you.

It’s late, and after a tantalizing conversation on Twitter about turning off notifications for posts and the importance of Pinterest to farmers markets, I decided to wind down my evening with a quick read through CityBeat. I’ll admit that, normally, I flip directly to the arts section, add a few events to my calendar and maybe drool over a food review before closing up shop and heading to the mattresses.

However, tonight I found your column first. Damn you for including the Adam and Eve photo in your layout.

All fun aside, I commend you for admitting to not being ballsy enough to die in the face of free-expression. It’s OK to not have those kind of cajones. Not everyone does. Not even me.

I will ascertain, however, that being Charlie in the proverbial sense isn’t so much that we’re willing to stand up and take a bullet for our words but that we shouldn’t have to in the first place. Although I will be the first to go on record to say that though freedom of speech might give one the right to say something, it does not, however, protect one from the consequences of saying it (forgive my ending with a preposition); that is, unless, one is yelling fire in a crowded room. All bets are off. I will also be the first one to defend one’s right to do so whether I like what is being said or not.

You may not, personally, in your “older, increasingly existential” self, believe yourself to be Charlie, but the reality is that by publishing what you and your staff believe to be true, you are, in fact, Charlie. CityBeat continues to be a source of relevant information in San Diego, not only providing the cursory food reviews and band schedules, but also shedding light upon the issues that continue to beat up on our great city. CityBeat and its editorial staff provide a voice that may otherwise be unheard, and we can only hope that, even without a fundamentally slanted cartoon, CityBeat will continue to do so.

Rob Houghton, El Cajon

Brandon A. Smith, North Park

CityBeat is Charlie

Joshua Emerson Smith

ment Corporation Executive Director Ken Grimes said, “There really wasn’t any substantial discussion of a community-benefits policy that would specify the kinds of benefits that we’re looking for.”

Unless the City Council steps in, such a conversation may never take place.

The community-benefits policy won’t outline or mandate any particular project requirements, Civic San Diego President Reese Jarrett told CityBeat. “It won’t get into that kind of specificity,” he said. “The policy will talk about the kinds of things that neighborhoods have indicated are important to their communities.”

At the public meetings, Jarrett said, he heard a very different message. “They don’t want us to impose a community-benefits policy on their neighborhoods,” he said.

“Obviously, we’re getting several messages, but that seems to be the overriding theme.”

A longtime local developer, Jarrett was appointed last July by Mayor Kevin Faulconer to head Civic San Diego after former President Jeff Graham left to work for a Andrew Phillips, chief operating officer (left) and Reese Jarrett, president of Civic San Diego private real-estate company. Under a proposal spearheaded by Graham and backed

by Faulconer, Civic San Diego has planned to significantly expand its ability to not only fund but also plan and permit land-use deals with little city oversight. policy that would spell out when developdubbed the “community benefits consenAfter the dissolution of statewide redeAdvocates blast ers would be responsible for requirements sus project,” which included talks by land- velopment in 2011, the Centre City Develsuch as a living wage, affordable housing use professionals followed by question- opment Corporation (CCDC) was rebrandCivic San Diego’s and local hiring. and-answer sessions. The reaction from ed as Civic San Diego. The nonprofit conpublic-outreach effort For more than a year now, Civic San Di- advocates and many community groups tinued to permit development Downtown ego and a majority of its nine-person board has been unequivocal dissatisfaction. but no longer had the benefit of doling out of directors have consistently avoided at“We, as a coalition, were looking for- new redevelopment financing.

by Joshua Emerson Smith tempts to create a policy with any such ward to working with Civic San Diego to In an effort to replace this lost funding, With plans to invest tens of millions of dol- teeth. The issue came to a head last Sep- develop a collaborative community-bene- Civic San Diego successfully applied for lars in underserved neighborhoods, the tember when members of the City Coun- fits policy that works for all of us, but af- about $58 million in federal new-market tax city-funded land-use nonprofit Civic San cil, led by Councilmember Marti Emerald, ter attending all of the consensus-project credits, which are required to be used in lowDiego has faced one major question: What directed the nonprofit to draft a policy and events, it was very clear that there was not income communities. However, unlike redeare the agency’s priorities? report back in March. going to be any space for discussion on an velopment money, allocating these tax credits Using a number of funding sources, “I have heard the concerns community actual policy there,” said Samer Naji, Com- doesn’t require approval by the City Council. including federal tax credits and money members have shared regarding possible munity Budget Alliance organizer with the At the same time, Jarrett has continued from large banks, the quasi-governmental future development by Civic San Diego in Center on Policy Initiatives think tank. to push Graham’s plan to expand Civic San agency plans to strike deals with develop- their neighborhoods,” Emerald said. “It’s Outreach wasn’t geared toward average Diego’s permitting and planning authority ers who wouldn’t otherwise build in low- understandable that they, as leaders in residents, said Josefina Garcia, a communi- from Downtown to include large commerincome parts of the city. Just what those their neighborhoods, are doing their best ty organizer with tenants’-rights nonprofit cial swaths of City Heights and Encanto. deals will look like and what exactly will be to ensure that Civic San Diego understands Asociación de Liderazgo Comunitario. “It Using tax credits and bank loans, Civic San built has been the subject of much debate. what they define as a community benefit was supposed to be to get input from the Diego has started putting together a $100In response to concerns, a coalition of and that their ideas are incorporated in the community, but it’s hard to get input when million investment fund to finance develneighborhood groups called the Commu- planning process.” you have a panel using language that regu- opment that it could then have the ability to nity Budget Alliance has asked city leaders In response, Civic San Diego last month lar residents wouldn’t understand.” to adopt a so-called community-benefits concluded a series of six public meetings City Heights Community DevelopCONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Whose community benefits?

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 7

permit and approve.

What that development will look like, and how much open space, affordable housing or local labor it would include, will depend on the needs of the community, Jarrett said.

“The priorities in Encanto are going to be different from the priorities in City Heights,” he said.

“Those are the kinds of things that we’re getting feedback on as we go out and talk to people about what are the needs of their neighborhoods—and then there’s the reality of the marketplace, what things can happen.”

8 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

However, this potential authority to dramatically engineer the future of neighborhoods with little supervision from elected officials has raised concerns.

“Not understanding exactly what this entity is, or how to make sure there’s oversight, means people really want the City Council to take the lead in defining that, and developing a process that protects the taxpayer and the citizen,” said Kyra Greene, a policy analyst at the Center on Policy Initiatives In designated areas, under the proposal, community plans—complex zoning documents that go

through rigorous public vetting— could be altered to loosen requirements, such as on-site parking, building heights and density. Proponents have argued this would promote transit-oriented development and spur economic growth.

However, what kind of public process would accompany any zoning changes remains vague. If the city grants this planning authority to Civic San Diego, under the proposal, residents would likely be allowed to comment. But it’s uncertain how or if residents could appeal decisions made by the Civic San Diego Board of Directors.

In California, there are three other community-development entities besides Civic San Diego that received new-market tax credits. In Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland, decision-making boards are composed of highranking government officials.

The Civic San Diego Board of Directors is different. With the mayor appointing eight of the nine members of the board and the City Council controlling one seat, the current board of directors is made up largely of land-use lawyers, real-estate professionals and registered lobbyists.

Despite challenges from a few directors, the overwhelming consensus of the board has been that adopting clear community-benefit requirements would prevent at least some development.

“Primarily [Civic San Diego] staff and a portion of the board of directors believe that any investment is better than no investment, and that’s debatable,” said former board director Susan Riggs, now deputy secretary for housing policy under Gov. Jerry Brown.

“Certainly from the community’s perspective, that’s debatable.”

More than a year ago, while on the board, Riggs, then the executive director of the San Diego Housing Federation, initiated the push to adopt a community-benefits policy.

“If Civic wants to be relevant when it reaches out to other communities, it has to put on a different face,” she said. “It has be an advocate for the community and not for the development community.”

However, Riggs’ attempts to adopt a policy were repeatedly stonewalled by senior management and then-board chair Cynthia Morgan, a land-use attorney and registered lobbyist for law firm Higgs Fletcher and Mack. In October, Morgan unsuccessfully proposed a gag rule that would have prevented board directors from talking to members of the City Council.

Morgan didn’t respond to CityBeat’s request for comment.

The only members of the current board who agreed to speak on the record for this story were Murtaza Baxamusa, director of planning and development for the San Diego Building Trades Family Housing Corporation, and Michael Jenkins, a land-use mediator, attorney and former professor at San Diego State University.

In an attempt to move a community-benefits policy forward, Jenkins said he also hit roadblocks under Graham’s leadership.

“The president at the time said, ‘If you have some thoughts on the matter, send me your thoughts.’

And I prepared a draft, which I presented to him. But that never saw the light of day.”

Not only would Jenkins like to see a strong community-benefits policy; he also supports exploring City Council oversight of certain board decisions, including funding allocations.

“There’s different ways to structure it,” he said. “I could see every project going before the City Council for review. I mean, that’s the way it worked with redevelopment, and it didn’t seem to work too badly then.”

Civic San Diego would accommodate the City Council if it wanted oversight of funding allocations, Jarrett said. “We’re very comfortable with the system that’s set up now,” he said. “As a policy decision, should it change then, we would facilitate whatever changes would occur.”

The role and authority of Civic San Diego is still far from determined. Required negotiations with the Municipal Employees Association—the union that represents the city’s white-collar employees—have yet to kick off

over whether Civic San Diego staff can take over permitting and planning responsibilities from city employees. In the end, Faulconer and the City Council will have the final say.

Officials with Civic San Diego are scheduled to appear before the council’s Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. While Jarrett said it’s not certain that a draft communitybenefits policy will be completed by then, the meeting is shaping up to be contentious.

“Civic San Diego has assured me, and members of my committee, that dialogue between communities and the agency would happen, and that proactive measures would be taken to better understand the needs of our communities,” Emerald, who chairs the committee, said. “While reports of attendees feeling angry and ignored concern me greatly, I want to respect the process that Civic San Diego has initiated.”

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

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 9

by michael a. gardiner Michael A. Gardiner

ing. The overwhelming impression is of deeply savory meatiness featuring fivespice and hoisin flavors. The BBQ version—with fat more thoroughly rendered because of the butterflying—is somewhat leaner. Where the roast duck reminds you of everything anyone ever liked about fat, the BBQ duck is all the meatiness along with a promise that you’ll be safe without your cardiac defibrillator.

For many, Chinese barbecue is synonymous with char siu pork. The meat is The BBQ pork chow fun seasoned with a blend of honey, five-spice powder, hoisin, dark soy sauce, red fermented bean curd, xioxshing wine and red food coloring that yields deep flavor and an almost fluorescent red ring on the outside of the meat. The resulting flavor profile crosses and blends the savory, sweet and umami lines.

Yes, Chinese barbecue Sieu Sieu’s meats are more than competent takes on the originals. How can you question Ask 10 people about the best barbecue in the a menu that includes “Roasted Pig” at $218 for world and you’ll probably get at least 11 answers. the “Big” one and $188 for “Medium.” But Sieu It’s likely that none of them will say “China.”

Sieu’s barbecued meats are most interesting—if There’s a word for that: ignorance. A harsh innot best—in the restaurant’s noodle dishes. The dictment? Perhaps. Reality? No doubt. One trip to char siu pork chow fun was enjoyable, the roast Sieu Sieu BBQ and Noodle House at the north duck lo mein nearly as good. Both starred those end of San Diego’s Convoy District in Kearny roasted meats amid an array of noodles and vegMesa will make you a believer. etables. In both, the noodles were bathed in copiThere is nothing fancy about the place (7420 ous quantities of fat. Healthy? Not on your life.

Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 112). The only Tasty? Absolutely. But about that defibrillator. adornments are a formerly backlit menu left over Sadly, I feel compelled to mention the lessfrom the space’s previous occupant—a Hawaiian than-great service. Two of my trips spawned isjoint—and glass warming cases. These cases dissues ranging from minor discourtesies to more play the real reason I came: gorgeously roasted serious practices, such as seating parties at tables ducks. Hanging seductively as you enter the reswith office papers strewn about instead of cleantaurant, these birds make it hard to imagine that ing otherwise empty tables. These issues defianything inside isn’t tasty. nitely detracted from the experience Sieu Sieu offers two types of duck, a classic But the bottom line is that the food is enjoyCantonese version and a “BBQ” take that’s butable. If not unique in San Diego, it certainly was terflied before roasting. The former is parboiled, unusual and undoubtedly delicious. It’s not what spice-rubbed and then thoroughly dried before most of us think of when we think about barbecue, but it ought to be added to the list. seeing the inside of a hanging oven. The duck emerges with spectacularly crispy skin and inWrite to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com credibly moist meat that results from a wet mariand editor@sdcitybeat.com. nade sewed into the duck’s cavity before roast-

the world

fare

10 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

By Jen Van Tieghem

bottle

Rocket Your new favorite wines

One of my worst habits is laziness. From laundry piles to idle Sunday mornings, it rules my life. It even affects my drinking. I know the varietals and regions I like, plus accessible, affordable brands. I get stuck in a rut and lose sight of the wider world of wine. So, I need to put in some legwork—er, mouth work?

Being lazy, I use wine app Delectable as a research short cut, tracking what others are drinking and recommending. That’s how I came across Idlewild Wines from Healdsburg, California (idlewild wines.com). Its lineup had a few familiar varietals but also many that were new to me.

A local distributor of the wine opened some for me to explore further.

Idlewild’s wines focus on many Italian varietals as the winemaker works to expand California’s often-narrow preferences to include these foreign favorites. The resulting style presents intricate wines that are full of flavor.

The first I tried, the 2013 Arneis, walks the line between the flavor profiles of two popular

whites; the wine is rich without the heaviness of a long-oaked Chardonnay and has a refreshing side full of bright citrus and floral notes, reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc.

Another welcome surprise was the 2013 Vin Gris, a style with which I was unfamiliar.

Made from red Grenache grapes, it sees little maceration (time with skins, stems and seeds), leading to a lovely faint blush color. A pungent strawberry scent can also be detected softly in the taste. Though aged in oak, the wine remains light and crisp, making it fine refreshment at the end of a long day.

Idlewild’s wines have a nice food-friendliness, especially the reds. My favorite was the 2013 Carignan; I was familiar with the grape, but I never had a strong opinion of it. The seemingly endless flavors developed as I sipped, swirled, smelled and sipped again. Its earthiness is punctuated by sharp anise; the recommendations for food pairings—lamb, duck or blue cheese—had my mouth watering.

After my flirtation with Idlewild, I asked where I could dive in deeper: The answers were Bottlecraft in North Park, The Rose Wine Pub in South Park and 3rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro in Ocean Beach—see you there!

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

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 11

by Mina Riazi mina riazi

interest in the restaurant’s behind-the-scene workings.

Guy Fieri visited Blue Water in Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. One of the ownerbrothers was shown slapping a 40-pound halibut onto a counter before applying clean, surgeon-like incisions. The halibut was soon reduced to a careful stack of fish slabs.

The menu’s soups-fromscratch include lobster bisque, seafood soup and New England clam chowder, which is glorious, especially on a cold day. The chowder Blue Water’s halibut sandwich and tilapia salad was hot and nearly steaming in its cup. All it required was a sprinkling of saltines to break up the creaminess and adjust the flavors.

Other menu standouts include the sashimi appetizers, served with avocado and teriyaki sauce. A cioppino plate is also an instant attention-grabber: Fresh mussels and clams join scallops, shrimp and Big fish red snapper. The lot is sautéed in a homemade marinara and served with toasted sourdough.

There’s something fishy about Blue Water Grill.

Sometimes, though, the dishes that reveal the Maybe it’s because the seafood market and grill most about a restaurant are the most basic. I suronly doles out fish. You won’t find a token cheeseveyed the specials list during my last Blue Water burger or pork chop on the menu. Order anything visit and decided on the halibut flavored with a from soft-shell crab or tilapia to shark, then delemon-butter marinade and served in a sandwich. cide whether you want it served on a salad, in a A chubby, toasted bolillo roll slathered with sandwich, as tacos or alongside rice and salad. homemade tartar sauce arrived minutes later, Blue Water (3667 India St. in Mission Hills, stuffed with a flaky, buttery slab of halibut. Avocabluewaterseafoodsandiego.com) sits closer to do slices, chopped lettuce, red onion and tomatoes Interstate 5 than the deep blue, but the seafood completed the first-class sandwich. My only comis consistently fresh. The no-frills restaurant plaint? The lemon-butter marinade did nothing to has been a San Diego establishment for roughly enhance the halibut’s flavors—in fact, I could bare10 years. Rather annoyingly, your food will be ly even taste it. The mild fish would have definitely served on plastic plates—my clam chowder was benefited from a firm kick of acid. spooned into a Styrofoam cup. Forking a $10 slab The grilled tilapia arrived next, gracing a simple of seared Ahi with a plastic utensil might seem salad. Not as resplendent as the halibut, the tilastrange, but it also contributes to Blue Water’s pia’s lemon-garlic-butter marinade had not done low-key, relaxed vibe. much for its flavor. The generously portioned, On a recent Saturday, I was craving grilled fish 6-ounce piece of fish was also rather dry. But I and knew my freezer’s offerings wouldn’t hit the consider these minor slipups in the grand scheme spot. Unsurprisingly, Blue Water was comfortably of things—Blue Water is still one of the city’s most reliable spots when you’re craving fresh fish. busy, with a few tables still available for the taking.

I appreciate the quick, no-nonsense apWrite to minar@sdcitybeat.com proach the kitchen staff seems to embrace. and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Waiting for my food, I couldn’t help but take

One Lucky

Spoon

12 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 13

the floating

library

by jim ruland

Two ways of looking at a woman’s body In You Who Read Me with Passion Now Must Forever Be My Friends (Siglio Press), a collection works by artist Dorothy Iannone and edited by Lisa Pearson, sex is both everywhere and nowhere.

Iannone’s work combines text and image in arresting fashion. While her figures are typically clothed, or at least ornamented, their genitalia are almost always on display. While the text describes erotic scenes, it’s seldom vulgar—more Marguerite Duras than Anaïs Nin—and more often then not, the words are used to convey stories, recipes, anecdotes and aphorisms of a nonsexual nature.

The result is something that appears at first blush to be as shocking as Raymond Pettibon, only more poetic and much more polite.

For instance, “An Icelandic Saga” purports to tell the true story of how Iannone fell in love with artist Dieter Roth while on a trip to Reykjavik with her husband James Upham. In many of the illustrated scenes, Roth is depicted with an enormous penis while Iannone is almost always shown in a state of undress, wantonly available.

When reading the story, it comes as something of a surprise to discover that Iannone and Roth did not consummate their love until after she went home to New York, declared her intentions to her husband and returned to Iceland.

In an essay about Iannone’s practice, one of several texts about her art included in the collection, Trinie Dalton writes, “To experience her artwork as merely an exploration of sexual pursuits is to miss her message of ecstatic unity.”

In Iannone’s work, the truth of things is laid bare. For instance, Dieter is often shown with a fish under his arm. This was his gift for the Americans when they arrived in Reykjavik. One presumes that the fish was purchased at a fishmonger’s and wrapped in paper, but in Iannone’s paintings and illustrations, the fish is always a fish.

Heaving breasts, erect penises, swollen vulva, naked fish. In Iannone’s oeuvre, desire is never under wraps.

Iannone’s early art projects incorporated the texts of other writers, from Shakespeare to Henry Miller to Wallace Stevens. Born in Boston in 1933, she traveled widely and became a staunch opponent of censorship when books she brought back from Europe were seized by customs, and she was determined not to let it affect her own development as an artist.

Because of the frank and open nature of her work, and due to the fact that she’s lived most of her life in Europe, Iannone has only recently

14 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

started to receive attention in the United States.

You Who Read Me with Passion Now Must Forever Be My Friends is certain to win her many more admirers.

Thankfully it’s not too late for her to enjoy this attention. The octogenarian is still writing, still making art that some deem dangerous.

•••

Female beauty, not sex, is the subject of Sarah Gerard’s debut novel, Binary Star (Two Dollar Radio), which chronicles the dysfunctional relationship between a astronomy student with an eating disorder and her alcoholic, trustfund boyfriend.

“The week before we’re set to leave, I spend the night at a friend’s house on Jones Beach, cramming for a final. I call John at two in the morning, speeding on Adderall, and tell him that I weigh 98 pounds, which is true at the time. I had weighed myself several times during the night. Then I’d become afraid.”

It’s not giving away too much to say that these two aren’t great for each other. John’s narcissism and the narrator’s bulimia make for a couple with poor impulse control. Their addictions are compatible in that they are both capable of disappearing inside themselves for long stretches of time, barely noticing the other. But as soon as one of them veers out of his or her self-destructive path, it disrupts the other.

“The tops of my thighs almost touch. My lower stomach extends past my hipbones. My upper arms look flabby. I can’t see my chest bones without pushing my shoulders forward. My collarbone looks okay but my breasts sag.”

The story is propelled by Gerard’s prose, which mirrors the narrator’s sleep-deprived, thoughtaccelerated state. The sentences accumulate with manic intensity, painting a portrait of a young woman who’s incapable of seeing things clearly and has a better understanding of stars that are light years away than of the workings of her own body.

•••

What I’m looking forward to: Oh! You Pretty Things (Dutton Books) by San Diego writer Shanna Mahin.

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

the

SHORTlist

COORDINATED BY KINSEE MORLAN

and multimedia works by both artists and architects. A catalogue of the event also includes fiction inspired by bygone buildings written by local authors.

“Each artist was asked to imagine their building in some new reality and create a new work of art to express that,” Fox said. “The idea of this is interdisciplinary cross-pollination, to allow contemporary artists and historic preservationists to enlighten each other.”

Architect and artist Roy McMakin designed the theme of the show and will display his work along with local artists Mathieu Gregoire, David Ju“Carnegie Library” by Jean Lowe rist, Jean Lowe and Roman de Salvo.

Also participating are architects Jennifer Luce, James Enos and James Brown, as well as writers Emily Hicks and Bruna Mori.

It’s no secret that San Diego has al“Part of it is to highlight historic preservation in a lowed the demolition of some gorgeous way that’s not typically done—let contemporary crearchitecture in favor of some question- ative professionals interpret and express something able development. In homage to those noble fallen about historic buildings,” Fox said. soldiers, the La Jolla Historical Society will host an The show opens Saturday, Feb. 14, and runs art show, What Was Is, dedicated to 24 structures through May 17 at La Jolla Historical Society Wistethat would’ve likely become historic if not for the ria Cottage Galleries (780 Prospect St.). The gallery wrecking ball. is open noon to 4 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday. Ad“I hope to generate a dialogue in the community mission is free. lajollahistory.org about the importance of historical old buildings and how they contribute to the cultural context of the city,” said Heath Fox, the society’s executive direcBeing a drag queen isn’t easy, which is tor. “I hope that people who don’t normally think why the Tantrums & Tiaras: Battle of too much about historical preservation will see it in the Bar Queens event is so damn entera new light.”

The show includes paintings, photos, sculpture taining. While a few of the contestants have drag experience, most are just recognizable bartenders, handpicked from local gay bars like Flicks and The Eagle, who’ve never so much as put on a dress, let In Ramona, the 1910 silent short movie alone danced around a stage in full regalia. The directed by D.W. Griffith and based on amateur drag pageant, which raises funds for the the 1884 book by Helen Hunt Jackson, San Diego LGBT Community Center, will happen screen legend Mary Pickford is the title character, at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at The Observatory North a young, mixed-race woman in 19th-century South- Park (2891 University Ave.). This year’s host is the ern California who falls inimitable queen of queens, Babette Schwartz. And in love and marries as most drag-show-goers know, it’s a good idea to Alessandro (Henry B. bring cash to tip the hardest-working ladies. $25Walthall), the son of a $150. tantrumsandtiaras.bpt.me CALI GRIEBEL PHOTOGRAPHY Native American tribal chief. The couple then endures terrible hardship, fueled by bigotry and greed, in the aftermath. The film, which helped shape Old Town as a tourist mecca, will be screened at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Adobe Chapel in Old Town (3963 Conde Mary Pickford St.), the original structure of which happens to be where the marriage in Jackson’s book took place. Los Californios will provide musical accompaniment. Admission is $5; advance purchase is suggested. sohosandiego.org Hillary Honkin Tonk

1

WAS, NOT WAS

3

2

DOIN’ IT IN DRAG

OLD TOWN, BIG SCREEN

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 15

ART HReshaping the 2%: Contemporary Ceramics at Mesa College Art Gallery, 7250 Mesa College Drive, Clairemont.

Ceramics by artists with a novel interpretation of the medium. Opening from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. 619-388-2829, sdmesa.edu/students/artgallery 2SWEET at Nomad Donuts, 4504 30th St., North Park. Works from local artists dabbling in sweet themes. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. 619-4315000, thumbprintgallerysd.com HA Helping Hand at Remington Tattoo Parlor, 3436 30th St., North Park. An art show and fundraiser for autism charities, featuring work from Maggie Ivy, Dan Pryor, Pamela Jaeger and dozens more.

Opening from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. 619-795-8915, remingtontattoo.com

ing from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. facebook.com/ChicanoArtGallery

ing from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. thumbprintgallerysd.com

projections. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $5. 619-265-6842, helmuth-projects.com

Till Death III at Left Hand Black, 1947 Fern St., South Park. The love-themed show features tattoo art, paintings, taxidermy and sculpture. Artists include Eric Wixon, Jamie Lee Parker, Neko and nearly 50 more. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14. 546-6555, lhblk.com

Paul Lotz at Exclusive Collections Gallery, 568 Fifth Ave., Downtown. The bronze sculptor’s works pays homage to the great masters of the Renaissance.

Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. 800-204-0062, ecgallery.com

HWhat Was Is at Wisteria Cottage, 780 Prospect St., La Jolla. This new exhibition brings artists and historic preservationists together for artistic renderings of local historic buildings that’ve been lost or destroyed. From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. lajollahistory.org

Inflorescence at ArtHatch, 317 E. Grande Ave., Escondido. A solo exhibition of Kari-Lise Alexander’s paintings, best described as dreamy and surreal with nature themes. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. arthatch.org

HRay at Night along Ray Street, North Park. A special Valentine’s edition of the monthly art walk. Includes live street performances, food and more. From 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. rayatnight.com

Con Amor at Border X Brewing, 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. A Valentine’s Day-themed art show featuring new works from Joe Hernandez, Marisol De Las Casas and more. Opening from 6 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14. 619-787-6176

HPower of Love at Chicano Art Gallery, 2117 Logan Ave., Ste. 1, Logan Heights.

Couples display individual and collaborative pieces. Artists include Liz Flores, Marlon Guzman, Kristin Rice and more. Open-

HFine Print at Thumbprint Gallery, 920 Kline St., Ste. 104, La Jolla. New works

by Matthew Steidley and JC Carino, who specialize in highly detailed pen and pencil works of the surrealist variety. Open-

Arts Alive Banner Unveiling See origi������ nal works of art on lampposts from La Costa Avenue in Leucadia to Cardiff’s Restaurant Row and the Seaside Market Plaza.

From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. artsalivefoundation.org Ditches and Buddy Banter at Helmuth Projects, 1827 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill. The two local psych-rock bands play a special Valentine’s show that will include artful

Cereal Killers at Basic, 410 10th Ave., Downtown. Local artists will be showcasing custom cereal boxes, paintings, and illustration. Opening from 7 to midnight. Tuesday, Feb. 17. 619-531-8869, thumbprintgallerysd.com

BOOKS Kristin Hannah at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Hannah will sign and discuss her new epic love story and family drama set at the dawn of World War II, The Nightingale. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. 858-4540347, warwicks.indiebound.com Patricia Bracewell at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave. Ste. 100, Clairemont. The fantasy author will sign and discuss The Price of Blood, set in 11th century England. At 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 11. mystgalaxy.com HMelissa Pimentel at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The author will host a “Stupid Cupid Cocktail Party” to promote her new comical novel, Love by the Book. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. warwicks.indiebound.com Victoria Aveyard at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave. Ste. 100, Clairemont. The local author will discuss and sign her debut, Red Queen, a dystopian fantasy for young adults. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. mystgalaxy.com Celebrity Dr. Seuss Readings at San Diego History Center, Balboa Park. Former Mayor Jerry Sanders and his wife Rana Sampson read from their favorite Seuss books in conjunction with the History Center’s Ingenious! The World of Dr. Seuss exhibition. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $6-$10. sandiegohistory.org Tom Davis and Martin Frost at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The former congressmen will be presenting their new book, The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. warwicks.indiebound.com Thanhhà Lại at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Lai will sign and discuss her coming-of-age novel, Listen, Slowly. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17.

858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com HAmanda Eyre Ward at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla.

Ward will sign and discuss her timely novel inspired by immigrant children, The Same Sky. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. warwicks.indiebound.com

COMEDY HLaugh-in Live at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. The Museum of Contemporary Art presents this one-off show in conjunction with its Laugh-in exhibition featuring stand-up from Eric Andre, Neil Hamburger, Byron Bowers and more. At 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. $20. 619-232-HELL, mcasd.org HDemetri Martin at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Downtown. His blend of wry and penetrating humor landed him a correspondent job on The Daily Show and eventually his own show on Comedy Central. At 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. $35.

619-570-1100, sandiegotheatres.org Cupid’s Comedy Spectacular at Brooks Theater, 217 North Coast Hwy.,

16 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

Oceanside. Tim Lee, Paul Morrisey, Kellen Erskine and Alli Breen joke about love, relationships, dating and more. At 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $29-$49. brown papertickets.com/event/1008340 HTrailer Park Boys at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Downtown. The guys from the Canadian mockumentary TV series stop by on their “Still Drunk, High & Unemployed” tour. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. $44-$65. 619-570-1100, sandiegotheatres.org

DANCE HLove Songs For The __ Hearted at White Box Theater, 2690 Truxtun Road, Point Loma. GETDOWN/PICKUP Dance Co. presents this unabashedly physical take on love, sex and relationships. At 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. $20-$25.

760-753-2671, site.getdownpickup.org HBeyond the Barre at David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. California Ballet Company presents an evening of classic and contemporary dance works by San Diego choreographers. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $15$30. 858-362-1348, lfjcc.org Black Grace at Mandeville Auditorium, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The Black Grace dancers perform highly physical work, rich in the storytelling traditions of the South Pacific. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. $12-$46. 858-534-TIXS, artpwr.com

MUSIC 1st Marine Division Band Annual Concert at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. A program focusing on the history of the 1st Marine Division and the history of wind band music over the last 100 years. At 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 11-12. 800-988-4253, artcenter.org Arias & Songs of Love at La Jolla Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Some of Southern California’s top opera singers perform a Valentine’sthemed show. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. $10. ljcommunitycenter.org HJeannie Cheatham at Geisel Library, UCSD campus, La Jolla. The jazz legend presents a treatise on Kansas City Blues, featuring live music, storytelling, and video. At 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. libraries.ucsd.edu/blogs/ Elizabeth Podsiadlo’s Sweet Nothings at PowPAC, 13250 Poway Road, Poway. San Diego’s “Opera Singing Chef” joins her musical friends for an evening featuring songs and poetry. At 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14. $20.

858-679-8085, PowPAC.org Rotterdam Philharmonic at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., Downtown. A rare appearance from the Dutch orchestra performing selections from Ravel and Prokofiev. At 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. $27$97. 619-235-0804, ljms.org HBilly Childs Quartet at Athenaeum

Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Childs on piano and an all-star quartet playing their critically acclaimed improvised jazz. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. $21-$26. ljathenaeum.org/jazz HTribute to the Reggae Legends at Balboa Park Cultural Plaza, 2100 Park Blvd., Balboa Park. The annual event features two stages of top reggae bands and artists. From 5 to 11:55 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15. $60-$115.

TributetotheLegends.com This Is Jazz! at Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad.

This four-part lecture/performance series focuses on American jazz, with musical guests and lively discussions. At 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14. carlsbadca.gov Dover Quartet at Conrad Prebys Music Center, UCSD campus, La Jolla. The chamber-music foursome will play a program that includes Mozart, Shostakovich’s and Beethoven. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $12-$54. artpwr.com HDramas y Caballeros at Centro Cultural Tijuana, Paseo de los Heroes, Zona Rio. Madame Ure y Sus Hombres performs with the Orquesta de Baja Califonia with artist Aldo Guerra providing visuals. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $13.50-$20.50.

664-687-9638, cecut.gob.mx Peter Gach at Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad. The classical pianist performs a special concert benefitting the museum’s educational

programs. Includes wine and dessert. At 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $35-$45. 760438-5996, museumofmakingmusic.org Harlem Gospel Choir at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Contemporary gospel with a touch of jazz and blues. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. $21-$40. 800988-4253, artcenter.org Les Voix Humaines at St. James by-theSea, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. A program featuring music from 17th-century England for voice, archlute and viols. At 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16. $23-$30.

858-459-3421, sdems.org HJean-Charles Francois Trio at Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave., Logan Heights.

The Fresh Sound Music Series presents the experimental French trio. At 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18. $10-$15. fresh soundmusic.com HArt of Elan Showcase at Lux Art Institute, 1550 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas.

Live chamber music performance in the Lux studio, surrounded by the works of resident artist Julian Kreimer. At 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18. $30-$40. 760-4366611, luxartinstitute.org

PERFORMANCE Arlequin! at Mission Bay Park, 3000 E. Mission Drive. Circus Vargas presents this

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 JIM CARMODY

THEATER

Darrell Hammond wrestles with demons Technically, Darrell Hammond’s worldpremiere stage production at La Jolla Playhouse is a one-man show. But he’s not alone out there. The specter of Bill Clinton, Hammond’s most famous impression, lurks over one shoulder. Over the other, a presence far graver, are the specters of Hammond’s harrowing childhood—an impenetrable father who prided himself on being a Nazi killer, an abusive mother and recurring mental illness.

Sounds side-splitting, right? There are actually lots of laughs in The Darrell Hammond Project, written by Hammond and Elizabeth Stein and directed by the Playhouse’s Christopher Ashley: impressions, standup snippets, a re-creation of Hammond’s audition for Lorne Michaels and Saturday Night Live. But if you’ve read Hammond’s 2011 memoir, God, If You’re Not Up There, I’m F*cked: Tales of Stand-Up, Saturday Night Live and Other Mind-Altering Mayhem, then you already know that he’s been to hell and back, multiple times over.

Crack. Booze. Self-mutilation. Psychiatric hospitalization. Shrinks, 40 of them. If you haven’t read the memoir and this is all new to you, then hold on to your Playhouse seat.

With the aid of archival SNL footage, personally historical photos (Hammond and exPadres manager Bruce Bochy on the same youth baseball team) and music, Hammond riffs a little and testifies a lot about a life that’s been no laughing matter. That he’s had a successful career during his most difficult trials is remarkable. If he tried to cope by hiding himself in his comedy and his characters, that wasn’t enough. How the right doctor—finally!—helped Hammond see the path to recov-

ery and address the abuses done to him is the foundation of the fast-moving one-man show.

The Darrell Hammond Project is neither a riot act nor a pity party; it’s something in between: 90 minutes with a troubled talent who’s survived to tell a helluva tale and who throws in enough spot-on Clintons, Dubyas, Regis Philbins and Sean Connerys to remind us why we’re glad he’s survived.

On opening night, Hammond seemed visibly nervous, but who could blame him? His are not easy stories to share. This is no SNL sketch, but it’s live and it’s real and it’s often unsettling—just how meaningful theater ought to be.

The Darrell Hammond Project runs through March 8 at La Jolla Playhouse. $15 and up; lajollaplayhouse.org.

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

OPENING The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Adult actors play quirky middle-school students in a musical comedy about a spelling contest. Presented

by Intrepid Shakespeare Company, it opens Feb. 13 in the Performing Arts Center at San Marcos High School. intrepidshakespeare.com The Addams Family: A musical version of the creepy and kooky ’60s TV series has daughter Wednesday all grown up and bringing her new love home to dinner. Presented by Star Repertory Theatre (all-youth), it opens Feb. 13 at the Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza, Downtown. starrepertorytheatre.com DNA New Work Series: La Jolla Playhouse hosts two weeks’ worth of workshopped plays and staged readings of new material by emerging writers, giving the public a chance to see how these pieces are devel-

Darrell Hammond oped. Opens Feb. 16. lajollaplahouse.org San Diego, I Love You: Circle Circle Dot Dot takes you on a site-specific theatrical journey around the UCSD campus, where you watch a love story between two students unfold. Opens Feb. 14, starting at the Hopkins Parking Structure at UCSD. circle2dot2.com Sondheim on Sondheim: A revue of the legendary composer’s work, featuring two-dozen classic tunes.

Presented by Moonlight Stage Productions, it opens Feb. 12 at Avo Playhouse in Vista. moonlightstage.com Talley’s Folly: A one-act play about a man who shows up uninvited in 1944 to ask a woman he’d met the previous summer to marry him. Opens Feb. 13 at Point Loma Actors Theatre. pointlomaactors.com The Twenty-seventh Man: It’s 1952, and Stalin has jailed 26 luminaries of Yiddish literature. The story truly begins when No. 27 arrives behind bars. Opens Feb. 14 at The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. theold globe.com West Side Story: It’s pretty much Romeo and Juliet, but in 1950s New York City—and there’s singing and dancing. Presented by San Diego Musical Theatre, it opens Feb. 13 at Spreckels Theatre, Downtown. sdmt.org You Can’t Take it with You: Zany characters abound, and kooky things keep happening, in the home of Paul and Penny Sycamore. Opens Feb. 13 at Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado. lambsplayers.org

For full listings,

please visit “T heater ” at sdcit ybeat.com

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 17

new show which they describe as “aerialists, acrobats, clowns and the ballyhoo of nostalgic Americana.” Various times through Monday, Feb. 23. $15-$70. 877468-3861, circusvargas.com HDon Giovanni at San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., Downtown. San Diego Opera presents Mozart’s timeless tale of a pompous and lustful man stalking a beautiful young bride, only find that his past is coming back to haunt him. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, and Tuesday, Feb. 17. $45-$235. sdopera.com A Community of Voices at Women’s Museum of California, 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 16, Point Loma. There will be two stage plays, a surprise musician, an open-mic session and more to bring awareness to violence against women.

From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $15.

619-233-7963, womensmuseumca.org Music and Dance of South India at Smith Recital Hall, 5500 Campanile Drive, College Area. Part of SDSU’s Spring 2015 World Music Series, there’ll be performances from the Arpana Dance Company and more. At 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16. $12-$15. music.sdsu.edu

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD Fred Moten and Michael Palmer at UCSD SME Presentation Lab, Voigt Drive and Matthews Lane, La Jolla. UCSD’s New Writing Series presents a reading from the author of In the Break: The Aes-

thetics of the Black Radical Tradition (Moten) and poet Palmer (The Laughter of the Sphinx). From 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. literature.ucsd.edu HPoetry International MFA Anniversary at San Diego Art Institute-Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park. San Diego performance artists Chris Mosher, Shannon Perkins and musician Nathan Hubbard will present spoken word and music followed by an open-mic. At 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 13. $5. sandiego-art.org

SPECIAL EVENTS HLunar New Year Festival at Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road, Mission Valley. Celebrate the Year of the Goat with Asian delicacies, carnival rides, en-

tertainment, a cultural village, firecracker and lion dance shows and more. From 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. $4-$5. 619362-6066, lunarnewyearfestival.org HHuge Frocking Sale at Frock You, 4121 Park Blvd., University Heights. Vintage clothing and accessories on sale by guest vendors La Loupe, Black Moon Sky, TaTa Lane and more. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Feb. 1315. 619-220-0630, frockyouvintage.com HKuumbaFest at Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown. San Diego’s longest running celebration of AfricanAmerican culture and heritage. From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14, and 1 to 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 15. $12-$60. 619-5441000, kuumbafest.com Travel Adventure Show at San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Drive, Downtown. Over 150 exhibitors representing some of the world’s most soughtafter destinations and travel experiences.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. $16-$25. travelshows.com/sandiego HBrewbies Festival at Bagby Beer Co., 601 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside. Enjoy beer from all over the country including specialty beers from regional breweries at this annual fest benefitting Keep A Breast.

From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $40-$75. 760-840-9036, brewbies.org Great Train Show at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Model railroads, train dealers, collectors, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, workshops and more. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15. $7-$9. 858-755-1161, greattrainexpo.com East Village Bike AfFAIR The familyfriendly fair at 841 14th St. in the East Village will feature free informative sessions and a fitness expo on all things cycling.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.

858-755-1161, EastVillageSanDiego.com HTantrums & Tiaras: Battle of the Bar Queens at Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., North Park. The annual drag pageant where contestants with little-to-no experience try to strut around in stilettos and not fall over. Benefits the San Diego LGBT Community Center. At 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. $25-$150. 619239-8836, tantrumsandtiaras.bpt.me HHillcrest Fat Tuesday at University Avenue between First and Fourth avenues.

An outrageous masquerade parade followed by a carnival-themed block party featuring an outdoor night club. From 6 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. $10-$75.

HillcrestFatTuesday.com San Diego Mardi Gras at Gaslamp Quarter, Downtown. Fifth Avenue transforms into a carnival fest featuring five stages of music, masks, floats, stilt walkers, dancing and beads, beads and more beads. From 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. $30-$120. sdmardigras.com

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS Drones & News Orgs at U-T San Diego, 350 Camino de la Reina, Mission Valley.

Panel discussion featuring experts from the local journalism, drone and legal communities to discuss the growing interest and availability of drones for newsgathering and reporting. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. 800-533-8830. meetup.com/ONA-San-Diego Barry Edelstein in Conversation with Nathan Englander at The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park.

18 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and award-winning playwright Nathan Englander will discuss the new play, The Twenty-seventh Man. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. $7-$10. theoldglobe.org

VALENTINE’S DAY Valentine’s Benefit Concert at La Jolla Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Singers from San Diego Opera Chorus will present an evening of love songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Donizetti, Puccini and more, along with wine tastings and dessert to benefit San Diego Opera. At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. $30. ticketriver.com/event/14246 Mythical Maidens: A Burlesque Saga at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., Bay Park. Hell on Heels Burlesque Revue presents their annual Valentine’s Day show. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $15$20. mythicalmaidens.eventbrite.com House of Pink Boombox at The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. A Valentine’s party featuring burlesque, fetish, circus, theater, a dance party and art. At 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $10-$50. pinkboomboxproduction.blogspot.com Night of Opulent Burlesque at Queen Bee’s, 3925 Ohio St., North Park. Drop Dead Dame’s annual Valentine’s Day burlesque show features performances by your favorite dames. From 7 to 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14. $15-$35. 619-255-5147 Shakespeare Sonnets Reading at Upstart Crow, 835 West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village. Join the San Diego Shakespeare Society to hear some of the greatest expressions of love ever written. Anyone is welcome read a sonnet or just listen. From 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. sandi egoshakespearesociety.org Couples Cooking Class at Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, 2505 N. Ave., National City. Take a tour of the garden, harvest herbs and then Chef Christina Ng will show you how to make tasty tapas and homemade soda. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $45. 619-434-4281, olivewoodgardens.org Taste, Smell, Love at Art Produce Gallery, 3139 University Ave., North Park. A chocolate, beer and wine tasting featuring Nibble Chocolates, Chocolatl, Monkey Paw Brewing, Thorn St Brewery and more.

From 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $5$10. 619-584-4448, sugarmuseum.org Valentine’s Stories & Songs at San Dieguito Methodist Church, 650 Second St., Encinitas. An evening of words and music on the theme of romance. Performances from bands The Lovebirds and Mockingbird, and spoken word from Marilyn McPhie and Sarah Saulter. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $18. sdfolkheritage.org Sweetheart Sail at Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown. A three-hour tour of the bay aboard the tall ship America. Ticket price includes keepsake photos, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. From 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $48-$70.

619-234-9153, sdmaritime.org Poolside at Moniker Warehouse, 705 16th St., East Village, East Village. The L.A. DJ duo will spin “daytime disco” at this special Valentine’s show that also features burlesque, cocktails, a kissing booth and live art. From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14. $20. ticketfly.com/ purchase/event/778621

For full listings,

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

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 19

20 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

Kinsee Morlan

Seen Local Ray at Night revamp Like any arts district in an older urban neighborhood that’s undergoing gradual revitalization, North Park’s Ray Street has struggled to keep its vibe alive.

As numerous art galleries have opened and closed on Ray Street over the years, Ray at Night, the art walk that launched in 2001, has remained constant. The monthly event is a reminder that Ray Street has people behind it who are dedicated to making sure the place lives up to its official “arts and culture district” tag. For nearly 14 years, that revolving team of folks has been creating at least one night a month when people can experience diverse visual art in one place.

Most recently, Ray at Night’s been run by a nonprofit-affiliated organization, North Park for the Arts, which is powered by business owners. Tee Taylor, owner of Ray Street business OH MY Dog! Photography, has been leading the efforts. Especially over the past few years, she says, Ray at Night has become too much for the small team of volunteers.

“It had really outgrown what we could handle,” Taylor wrote in an email.

Entrepreneur Brian Beevers stepped up to help.

He runs a handful of farmers markets around the county and owns Simply Local, a shop that sells items handmade by San Diegans. He opened his second Simply Local location in North Park in November and, as soon as he heard about the need for new blood flowing through Ray at Night, he happily offered his time.

“I’m an event planner by trade; that’s what I do,” Beevers says. “It just makes sense for me to do it.”

Beevers, who put on his first Ray at Night last month, says he’s making the event a for-profit venture so that he can pay for the permits and other costs. He’s bringing in prepared-food booths (as opposed to just food trucks), more local artists and artisans and is planning other subtle changes.

So far, so good, he says, citing vendors and others who called the January Ray at Night the best one in years. His next Ray at Night will be from 6 to 10 p.m.

Brian Beevers Saturday, Feb. 14.

Ray Street itself, however, is undergoing an ebb as a notable home for the arts. There’s currently just one fulltime art gallery and studio (both San Diego Art Department and Positive Space Art Gallery have closed in the last six months), two vacancies and other non-arts-related small businesses, some that participate in Ray at Night and some that don’t.

“There’ve been a lot of changes on Ray Street itself,” Beevers acknowledges. “But it doesn’t mean we can’t have a great art festival in the streets.”

Beevers says he’s interested in keeping the street’s visual-arts going. He made a point of encouraging artists to apply to rent a booth at Ray at Night online at rayatnight.com, but he says his definition of art includes artisans, as well—anybody making high-quality, handmade things. He says he’ll curate the vendors and try to turn the monthly event into a more diverse festival that he hopes will have a wider appeal.

Gustaf Rooth, one of the founders of Ray at Night who used to run a gallery on Ray Street, says he thinks Beevers’ changes could be just what the long-running event needs.

“Ray at Night needed to be revived somehow,” Rooth says. “Barrio Logan’s taken up the lead on the visual-art scene right now anyway…. North Park is just kind of shifting, and Brian seems like he’s just shifting with the tide.”

—Kinsee Morlan

Low moves to Barrio Logan Meegan Nolan, who runs the gallery with partner Doug Trieschman, says the move is partly financial and partly a response to changing demographics.

“We wanted a bigger space and cheaper rent,” Nolan says. “And I like what’s going on in [Barrio Logan]. It seems like North Park just keeps on getting more and more beer bars…. It’s just, like, the footballwatching neighborhood. That’s how it started to feel, anyway. A lot of the art stuff has been moving out.”

Kinse e Morl an

Low Gallery is joining the ranks of art spaces that are moving to more-affordable Barrio Logan.

Located in a small retail space on 30th Street in North Park for a little less than a year-and-a-half, the contemporary-art space is setting up shop at 1878 Main St. inside an old building accessible through an alleyway off Cesar E. Chavez Parkway. The building is the former home of The Roots Factory, which has set up its art and screen-printing studio at Bread & Salt in Logan Heights. The next show at Low Gallery’s new location will be held on Feb. 28, during the monthly Barrio Art Crawl.

Meegan Nolan

—Kinsee Morlan Write to kinseem@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 21

e v o L x e S issue The

and

P.23

Tiffany Fox sees for herself what’s so hot about Encinitas MILFs

P.24

Ryan Bradford decides it’s time to start sexting his wife

22 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

P.26

Kinsee Morlan writes about one impact of Fifty Shades of Grey

P.27

Edwin Decker dispenses advice to a dude who just wants one-night stands

P.28

Seth Combs meets a real-life pussyologist

Your mom’s got it goin’ on The meteoric cultural rise of the MILF • by

I

f there’s one thing all Americans can agree on, it’s our love for moms. And, truth be told, by “moms,” we mean MILFs. MILF, for the uninitiated, is an acronym that starts with “Mother” and ends with a word she’d prefer you not use in polite company. Though MILFs have been a cultural concept since the time of Sophocles (and much later, The Graduate), the term first emerged in ’90s Internet chat rooms and gained increasing traction with the film American Pie and the pneumatically lipped and hipped screen siren known as “Stifler’s mom.” A MILF is the hot mom on the block, the fuel of adolescent fumblings for tissue boxes in the dark. The way she sips her latte. The way she loads the lacrosse sticks into her minivan with that slight arch in her back.

Every town’s got a few, but North County surfer-yoga-mom mecca Encinitas is so replete with MILFs they’ve even got their own YouTube arena-rock anthem, “Encinitas Moms.” We spoke with a few in the MILF’s natural habitat: a happy-hour book club held at a wine bar just down the street from suburban Encinitas Village.

We wanted to know what MILFs thought about the MILF phenomenon, which has manifested in one very telling statistic: According to pornography search engine PORNMD, “MILF” is the No. 1 porn search term in North America.

The overriding sentiment of MILFs about MILFs is one of confusion. Like so much sexual terminology, when removed from the funhouse mirror of porn and held up for more objective scrutiny, the strict definition starts to waver and fade. Let’s start with the most obvious question: Is “mother” the operative word here?

“Are men into it specifically because you’re a mom or because you’re an older woman?” asks Lauren, a 33-year-old MILF with a last name we’ve dropped—as with all

Tiffany Fox

the last names in this story—to protect their children from mortal embarrassment.

“It’s not like there are baby toys and diapers lying around on porn sets,” adds 42year-old Jessica, also a mom of two.

She has a point. The only thing that tends to differentiate MILF porn from run-of-themill porn (if there is such a thing) is that MILF porn features fit, shapely women between the ages of 35 and 50, which reflects the ages of the MILFs we interviewed.

Still, some women pegged as MILFs both in porn and reality look more like teenagers with babies strapped to their hips, and even among the older fetishized women of pop culture, there’s nary a stretch mark or Cesarean scar in sight. It’s a sanitized version of motherhood that possibly hints at the angst of young males over the process of settling down and having children. Chin up, boys— you might get lucky and she’ll stay hot for life!

Bridget Herrin, an associate professor of psychology at MiraCosta College, says MILF love might have evolutionary underpinnings “We know that males find youth and physical attractiveness signs of good reproductive success,” she notes. “But even better is the proof that a woman already has kids. It could be a sign she’s reproductively healthy. Now that women are having children later in life, we might see this happening at even older ages.”

“It’s flattering to think men are attracted to moms, especially since we’re always being told it’s the younger women who are attractive,” says Kristin, a 36-year-old mom of two. “Still, I don’t think boys are into moms with National Geographic boobs and stretch marks, so that’s not something we’re going to see reflected in reality.”

But that raises another question: Is it really only boys chasing after MILFs? For an increasingly Internet-savvy generation of baby boomers, porn starring a 40-year-old MILF might be the equivalent of the Barely

Legal set. More middle-aged fathers staying home to care for their children means more interactions with MILFs on the playground.

Even among young boys newly flown from the nest, is it an Oedipal desire, a longing for nurture and care, or something more reflective of changing socioeconomic times?

Melissa, 47, says that a number of the families on her block in Encinitas Village include 20-something males still living at home, casualties of the failure-to-launch reality of the millennial generation.

“They’re at home all day with these other moms living around them,” she adds.

“You hear the kids talking, ‘So-and-so’s mom is so hot.’ Maybe it’s a competition for them, too. A mom who’s loyal, who has kids—she’s a challenge.”

“Yeah, and chances are, if you’ve had kids,” deadpans Lauren, “you’ve had sex a few times.”

That “experience factor” is no doubt a draw for MILF-lovers of all ages, both for the implied promise of hot sex—which, as the fantasy goes, is made even hotter by the harried, sexually repressed MILF’s utmost gratitude—and for the concomitant confidence that comes with her age and maturity.

MILFs, in other words, don’t derive their self-worth from the number of likes they have on their Instagram bikini shots. They’re too busy taking care of business. And maybe there’s a sexual draw in that notion, too.

The MILF phenomenon “is a fetishizing of the female at an age where she is typically at the peak of her career or financial stability or independence,” says Herrin, who teaches courses on human sexuality.

“We’re in a shifting society where feminism is on the lips of millions of Americans, and women are being empowered to be independent, to make their own choices, and that can be attractive.”

Still, they all admit that even though they don’t need attention from men to feel worthy, it’s always nice to be the object of desire for men other than their husbands, who are bound by unspoken marital law to find them

Lindsey Voltoline

attractive (or at least to pretend to).

That notion hit home for Jen, a 41-yearold mom of two boys, when she took a girls’ trip to Palm Springs a few years ago.

“Some younger guys were all over us all night long,” she recalls. “They wanted to dance with the moms. Maybe we were safe, I don’t know. But I’ll tell you: That night kept me going for a long time. Sometimes it feels like my husband only sees me as a mom. It’s nice to be seen as a MILF. So keep liking us. It’s working. Give an old lady a thrill, won’t you please?”

Write to editor@sdcitybeat.com.

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 23

Love and Sex

ryan

Well, That was awkward

Bradford Love in the age of dick pics I don’t mean to freak anyone out, but a couple weeks a woman. Also, by this time, I’d given up on my origago, my wife and I had sex. inal mission of finding research and just wanted to On a Tuesday. fuck with people. So, taking a cue from “Ghost Sex” In both positions. guy, I posted a Casual Encounter as “Horny Ghost.”

Now that I’ve (hopefully) grossed out friends “Dead and dying for it,” I wrote in the body of and loved ones enough to keep them from reading the posting. I didn’t even include a picture, certain any further, I want to clarify that we haven’t always that it was such an outrageous posting that no one been so freaky-deaky in the sheets. As anyone who’s would be interested. been in a long-term relationship will tell you, you I got more than 50 responses in an hour. have to figure out ways to keep things spicy. My big“I’m interested” and “I’m not scared” and “I gest fear is turning into one of those couples that wanna ghost fuck that spirit pussy” were all pretty simply tolerate each other because of logical surcommon responses, but my favorite was from a guy vival necessity, emotional codependency and/or named T-Rex who promised “loving that’ll make a because they share a Netflix account. dead girl cum.” He also sent two pictures labeled Which is why, one night during dinner, I de“suit” and “chill” showing the respective states of clared: “I’m going to start sexting you.” My wife formality in which he was dressed. shrugged and said something similar to “Hey, it’s a And, of course, there were the dick pics. Just, free country.” like, so many. There was little variation: Most bros We’ve been together—either either stood in front of full-body married or boyfriend / girlmirrors—often flexing—with their friend—since before the first wieners at half-mast, as if to say, “Apparently, not even iPhone came out, before the “There’s more where this comes death will keep a dude ubiquity of social media. While I from, ladies.” Apparently, not take smug pride in never having even death will keep a dude from from wanting to show had to court someone through wanting to show you his junk. you his junk.” the annals of virtual existence, I But the more I thought about also feel like I’ve missed out on it, the more the dick pic seemed something that will define relalike the ultimate sext. There must tionships in the future. I have never sexted anyone be a way to make it classy, and romantic. As long as I before, and I was thrilled by the idea. didn’t follow the same formula as all the other guys, But I needed to do some research first.

I wouldn’t come off as a total creep, right?

Here’s the part where Ryan becomes distracted by Here’s the part where Ryan looks like a creep: No his “research” and nearly forgets the task at hand: Cergirl’s ever asked for a dick pic. Ever. I know this, and tainly there are gentlemen on the Internet who could after seeing what guys send, I can understand why. show me how to woo a woman with a clever and seWhat I do know is that women are (perhaps steductive, yet ultimately respectful, message, right? reotypically) more contextually aroused than men, I decided that, to get the most honest experience, who, I think, are more visually stimulated. In our I’d pose as a woman on Tinder to see what guys are minds, we assume that a close-up of a penis—floatdoing, seduction-wise, and what techniques I could ing and disembodied—is, like, The Hottest, when in truth it’s actually frightening and Cronenbergian. steal from them. I used a haunting, black-and-white “Context is everything” was the mantra I had in picture of French writer Marguerite Duras, because mind when composing my dick pic. I lay in bed— what’s sexier than a French writer? our bed—basking in the morning sun, which was The excitement and novelty of being somesoftened by our curtains. I messed my hair, turning one else on Tinder lasted approximately 10 rightit from “disheveled” to “playful” and, well, took a swipes. I guess it’s not very profound to discover couple pictures. The mise-en-scene was incredible. that dudes are boring; their common characteristic I tried adhering to the photography law of thirds: was that they were “into beer.” “subject” in the foreground, POV from below, with One guy wrote, “I like your picture. It’s creepy.” my face in the background, turned away in what I And because I wanted to spark some discushoped looked like the throes of lust. sion, I wrote back, “It’s the only picture I have from “Thinking about you,” I typed, and hit send. when I was alive.”

When she got home from work that evening, I “Lol,” he typed. Then, two hours later: “Wanna was like a frantic puppy dog awaiting her approval. have ghost sex?” ”Did you get my text?” I asked.

Swipe right.

She smiled. “Yeah.”

My forays into Tinder were depressing, and I “I mean, don’t worry,” I said, before she could suddenly had sympathy for anyone attempting the continue. “They’ll get better in the future.” intricate dance of online flirting, but I didn’t have Her smile faded. A look of abject horror crossed time for this. I turned to Craigslist. her face. “Wait, you’re going to do more?”

Now, I may be naïve in the world of sexting, but I’m no dummy—I know there are dudes on CraigWrite to ryanb@sdcitybeat.com slist, shaking, roiling with boner in hand, ready to and editor@sdcitybeat.com. send a picture to anything that remotely resembles

24 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 25

Love and Sex

The Fifty Shades of Grey effect Oceanside sex educator braces for the inevitable increase in interest in BDSM subculture

by Kinsee Morlan

“W

ant me to turn the heat on?”

Tessa Ayden is dressed all in black, wearing spike-toed combat boots, fishnet gloves and 3-inch finger claws carved from bone. Things are about to get steamy in her Oceanside apartment, so Ayden, a 40-something professional dominatrix, wants to make sure her submissive partner for the night is warmed up and ready.

“Probably a touch,” answers V (not her real name), a 53-year-old massage therapist. “You know, 80 degrees is my perfect flogging weather.”

The scene that unfurls before me is far from the rough-and-tumble BDSM fantasy I’d imagined. The first 10 minutes are spent in conversation, Ayden expertly walking V, a relative newcomer to the erotic practices

of BDSM, through a long list of the night’s possibilities—options like spanking, flogging, poking and the use of special toys like vampire gloves. V responds by listing things she’s open to and things she isn’t.

The duo then quickly review V’s body, making sure to set limits in terms of where Ayden can and can’t leave visible marks.

They also discuss their “safe words”; when Ayden asks V “where you at?” V is instructed to respond with the words “green,” “yellow,” “red or “purple” (“purple” meaning the action should stop and deep emotional trauma has been inflicted).

“Are you thinking you might want to sit down at work tomorrow or will you be standing?” Ayden asks just before the two begin.

“I’m standing most of the day, but I can sit down no matter what happens to my ass,” V answers coyly.

“Is that a challenge?”

Ayden’s eyes light up as she stands in front of her nearly $5,000 worth of BDSM toys. She starts with smaller, sensation-type devices meant to stimulate and confuse V’s nerves. But by the end of the 20 minutes of BDSM “play,” she’s whipping V hard across her ass with a huge, buffalo-hide flogger. V lets loose an “Ow!” every now and then, but she’s clearly enjoying herself.

The session overall is much more sensual than sexual. The two giggle a lot and act more like good friends than lovers. The whole thing appears to be therapeutic, appeasing their inner desires to play the roles of dominance and subservience.

“A lot of people think BDSM is just foreplay to sex, and it’s really, really not,” Ayden had explained to me before the session with V begins. “BDSM is really a way to be deeply connected to someone else, incredibly intimate with them, and then anything else on

26 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

changed almost overnight when the erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey gained popularity. Suddenly, high-school students and grandmothers alike were coming in, looking for whips and bondage gear.

“I would say at least two or three people every night would come in because of that book,” she says. “And now, the Fifty Shades of Grey movie was the No. 1 viewed trailer of 2014. More people saw that than the new Star Wars trailer. They’re expecting it to be huge, but the biggest problem is, it’s a great misrepresentation of what BDSM really is.”

Ayden tells anyone with a new interest in BDSM that some of the most important aspects are getting consent and setting boundaries. Fifty Shades, she says, glosses over and twists and bends those basic rules.

“We don’t touch anyone without knowing what’s off-limits, what’s a hard limit, what’s a soft limit, where we can play and making sure there’s full consent,” she explains, referencing a 13-page, printable BDSM boundary list she often has her subs fill out in detail. “In Fifty Shades of Grey, there’s no consent…. Basically, everything in that book, it falls into the category of abuse.”

Inspired by the increased interest in BDSM Tessa Ayden but worried about newbies with the potential to damage its already-shaky reputation, Ayden has recently taken on the role of sex educator and personal couples coach. Currently, she’s holding BDSM classes at Ducky Waddle’s Emporium in Encinitas (her next classes are Feb. 21 and March 14; to register, email zsadist24@gmail.com).

“It’s not hard to get hurt in BDSM if you don’t know what you’re doing,” she says.

“It’s a good thing that more people know about it and talk about it and want to explore their own sexuality, but it’s not a good thing that people are using that book as a recipe for how to be involved in BDSM….

The idea that all you need is a safe word, that’s just not adequate.”

top of that, after you build trust, is a bonus.

But BDSM, for all intents and purposes, is not foreplay to sex. It is its own thing. I mean, sometimes it is sex, but it just depends on where you’re at with that person.”

Ayden stumbled onto the BDSM scene when she was just 16. She spent years as a “sub,” or submissive, before finally finding out that she felt most comfortable holding a whip and telling other people what to do.

She joined the military and kept her secret BDSM lifestyle going, playing the dominant role mostly for men who enjoyed the rare chance to give up control.

Ayden eventually got married and didn’t engage in BDSM for years, but she never completely stopped thinking about it.

A medical researcher by day whose main field was in human sexuality, she stayed connected to BDSM by looking into the psychology behind it, laying the groundwork for her future as a dominant who’s noted for her expertise in the more psychological BDSM practice of humiliation, degradation and objectification.

“People seem to think that the most dangerous thing we do in BDSM is the blackand-blue marks or people who play with needles or knives or something like that,” she says. “My opinion? The most dangerous thing we do is the mind play—the mind fuck—because you poke somebody with a needle wrong by accident, those things heal and you can fix it. With any kind of emotional issue and emotional trigger, that takes work by both people who are involved.”

Six years ago, on a whim, Ayden finally worked up the nerve to quit her job. She started working at a sex shop and rejoined the BDSM community as an “out” and active member. A few years into her new role in the BDSM community, she watched in Write to kinseem@sdcitybeat.com awe and trepidation as her sex-shop clients and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

edwin

sordid tales

decker How to tell her you only want a one-night stand The following email was intended to be answered during the “Ask Your Dumbass Question” segment of “Sordid Tales: The Podcast!” However, I thought it would be fun to use it for CityBeat’s Love and Sex Issue.

sexual), she’s not going to want a second encounter.

I know this is contrary to our man-centric intuition, but when it’s all said and done, generally speaking, the woman is the decider. It’s she who decides which of her suitors gets to do what, and when, and how often, and to presume that it’s you, the man, Dear Sordid Tales: I am a male in my late 20s who who decides is to go against her instinctive, primorwas recently jilted after a six-year engagement. Now dial disposition. that I’m single again, I’m not interested in anything You’re going to put her off is what I’m saying. serious. However, I’m not interested in being cruel or You: “Listen, sugar, you need to know, this is deceptive, either. All I want to do is submerge myself only going to be a one-time thing.” in a bunch of meaningless one-night stands without Her: “First of all, cupcake, don’t call me ‘sugar.’ hurting anyone. Here’s my dumbass question: Let’s Second, what makes you think I even want to see say I meet a woman in a bar and she agrees to go you again? back to my place. How do I let her know it’s only So, no—that tactic ain’t gonna fly. And to all the going to be a one-nighter without scaring her away? women out there reading this thinking, Gee, I would Sincerely, Done with Love totally hump a man who was being that honest, I say, “Hooey!” May I remind you of the Cross Dresser’s Wow, Done with Love, now that is a conundrum.

Revelatory Rule of Female Self-Deception? The Trying to inform a woman that you’re interested CDRRFSD refers to the movie Tootsie, in which only in a one-night stand without blowing the deal Jessica Lange laments to a cross-dressed Dustin is like a hitchhiker trying to tell the motorist who Hoffman (who she doesn’t know is a male) that she pulled over that he’s the Roadside Strangler withjust wished for once a man would drop his pickup out blowing the ride. lines and say, “I find you very Which is another way of interesting and would like to saying, “It can’t be done.” make love to you.”

May I remind you of However, you didn’t write Jessica is totally believto hear the word “can’t,” now able in this scene, and as a the Cross Dresser’s did you? And one thing I man, you can’t help but say, Revelatory Rule of know for sure is that you can “Ain’t that some shit? The Female Self-Deception? do anything that you put your honesty-tip. Why don’t I do mind to—except, of course, that more often?” the things you can’t do—and, Yah, right. let’s be honest, that’s a lot of Because a few weeks later, fricking things. I mean, you can’t flap your arms when Dustin sees her at a party (no longer in a feand fly, you can’t breathe underwater and you cermale disguise), he approaches and says, “I find you very interesting and want to make love to you,” to tainly can’t win a Republican nomination without which she responds by throwing a drink in his face. any Koch money.

So, no, I don’t recommend direct honesty. Better Now, the good news is, there’s compelling evito indicate your intentions indirectly. For instance, dence that women are increasingly receptive to the make sure to say that you recently escaped a relaidea of a no-strings hookup. Largely because an tionship, that it was suffocating and you are excitincreasing number of women are finally standing ed to play the field again. Don’t bust this language up and saying, “Enough is enough, bitches! We’re right out of the gate. Wait until you’ve laid some gonna bang who we want to bang and don’t give one groundwork and she’s showing the universal signs rotten rutabaga what anyone thinks about it.” of attraction—lots of arm-touching, eye contact and It’s also partly due to the fact that an increasresisting the urge to recoil in terror when you crow ing number of men are coming out of the dark ages. over your World of Warcraft exploits.

More and more of us are realizing that women— When these signs are evident, go ahead and newsflash—are sexual beings, too, and we’re not drop a series of one-night-stand code words, such quite as quick to slap a scarlet H(ussy) on anyone’s as how you don’t want to get “serious” with anyone, sweater. We’ve come a long way, too, babies. and that you’re just looking to have “fun.” Oh and So, yeah, Done with Love, the possibility of finddon’t forget to throw in all the important Lonesome ing women who are into one-night stands is better Traveler of Life-type phrases, like how you’re a “free now than it ever was. However, that doesn’t make spirit” with a “wandering soul” and a “lover on evyour other hurdle any easier to hurdle. I’m talking ery continent.” If, after all that, she still expects an about your honorable, albeit problematic, desire to invitation to dinner with your parents, then, by God, forecast your no-strings intentions. son, you did your best. Let the post-coital bullshitHere’s the thing: For many women—and, as you ting commence! probably know, I’m not a woman, so I’m basically pulling this out of my ass—most sexual encounters Write to edwin@sdcitybeat.com begin as a one-night stand. By this I mean, unless and editor@sdcitybeat.com. the male exhibits value (emotional, intellectual and

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 27

Love and Sex Derek Plank

Eyes of the tiger Hypnotist, seducer, vagina mechanic—a crash course from a self-proclaimed master of the female orgasm

by Seth Combs

“H

old on just a second. I got to get the tape off this damn—uh, I cover it up so the NSA can’t watch me while I’m spanking bitches.”

It’s with this line and his disarming smile that Steve Piccus, aka Steve P., aka Steve DeAmore, officially introduces himself from his place in La Mesa. We’re on a face-to-face Skype call, and while I can hear him just fine, his face doesn’t appear on my iPhone until he removes the tape he was using to cover the camera on his computer. I laugh at the NSA remark, not sure if he’s kidding. He later says he’s actually “never thought too much about” NSA spying, but I imagine that in Steve’s world, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

For a week or so, I’ve been watching Steve’s instructional five-DVD set, White Tiger Tantra: Awakening & Releasing Powerful Female Orgasms. I’d learned about these DVDs where men often learn about such things: at a bar. A male acquaintance had them in his possession and described them as “funny,” “cringe-worthy” and “disturbing,” but also “fascinating.” Naturally, I was interested, so I borrowed them. After a week of sporadic viewings of Steve, usually wearing a tie-dyed shirt and jorts, doing what I can describe only as somewhat complicated and highly penetrative fingering techniques on oily vaginas, I decided that I really needed to interview this guy.

I tracked down an email from the website (whitetigertantra.com), and after some back-and-forth with his assistant, I was finally on Skype with the man himself.

To say Steve is verbose on this call and in all our conversations since is a grand understatement. In this initial interview, I don’t think I ask one question in more than an hour. To say he’s passionate about vagi-

nas is an even bigger understatement. He throws around words like “twat,” “pussy” and even the c-word with abandon and often refers to himself and his coaches as “vagina mechanics.”

“You’re hitting sometimes pressure points, sometimes trigger points. You hit here and you stack it there and then release it—all of a sudden it starts cycling through their body,” Steve explains when we meet up a few days later at a coffeehouse in South Park (yes, it was awkward talking about this in a coffeehouse). “They start shaking like a dog shitting peach seeds.”

Steve’s been at this for more than a decade. He’s lived in San Diego most of his life and has studied to be a holistic-health practitioner (“a fancy name for giving a massage,” he says), but didn’t want to devote his life to it because he didn’t like to massage hairy guys. He’s made most of his living since the ’70s working as what he calls a “master hypnotist” and has taught classes on everything from “Becoming a Powerful Man” to seduction techniques.

The latter landed him a prominent role in Neil Strauss’ bestseller, The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists.

“I’m not a pick-up artist, even thought they wrote about me in that book,” says Steve, who acknowledges that a lot of what he teaches men can be used to pick up women. “You have to be careful about what you teach, even though it’s their karma.”

These facts alone could make for an entirely new article on Steve, but we’re here to focus on White Tiger Tantra, so I often have to reel him back in.

“It’s about humans. The human interaction is really what it’s all about,” he says.

“We’re in the—and this sounds real mushy,

28 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

Steve but we’re in the business of helping love grow, not hijacking lovers.”

Whether someone’s learning Steve’s techniques from the DVDs or from private seminars that he says he charges up to five figures for, his mission seems straightforward: He wants to teach women how to move on from what he calls “adolescent orgasms” (aka clitoral) that last two to eight seconds to orgasms that last 30 seconds, one minute, even 30 minutes if they keep at it. Most of these techniques are also meant to produce female ejaculation. When fluid builds up in the Skene’s gland, Steve claims that, with practice, a woman can have multiple orgasms, “teargasms” and/or sustained orgasms. One of the women in the testimonial portions of the DVD describes her experiences using the techniques as “amazing,” “awakening” and “a lot more squirty.” And lubrication, preferably in the form of grapeseed oil, is a must.

To achieve this, Steve teaches what he calls “sensual enhancement massage,” which starts out as an external massage (he calls it “warming the kettle”), but then moves to an internal massage (read: inside the vagina using eight distinct hand-andfinger techniques) that’s meant to stimulate the G-spot, A-Spot and all sorts of pressure points in between. (He prefers to call these places “sacred release points.”)

Still, to call Steve a feminist is a bit of a stretch. He’s arrogant, brash and while I wouldn’t consider myself a prude, I found his descriptions and generalizations about women, lesbians and even men to be jarring.

Not to mention the fact that he often brazenly refers to himself as a “pussyologist,” “twat freak” and “vagina mechanic” (he even has the latter registered as an internet domain name). However, I did find his intentions to be, to some measure, honorable.

He claims he’s turned down offers to sell his techniques for millions of dollars, because “they wanted to turn it into a porn thing.”

He won’t say who’s made those offers, but the fact that he’s turned them down speaks to his intentions: He really does want to help people. Brash as he is, he maintains that people get too fixated on the sexual nature of White Tiger Tantra and don’t focus enough on the sexual empowerment aspects that are at its core.

“I teach them how to help themselves, because that way it becomes empowering,” Steve says. “So I give them the power of how to do this, then if they go off to be with a girl or a guy, they have it. I’ve taught women and they start teaching other women about warming the kettle. It’s crazy.”

Write to editor@sdcitybeat.com.

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 29

What I say In Peter Strickland’s beguiling romance, love gets kinky

by Glenn Heath Jr. Adventurous San Diego filmgoers will have the option of seeing two S&M-themed movies this weekend (yay!). One of them you know about: Fifty Shades of Grey was a literary phenomenon for repressed housewives everywhere and will get plenty of audience play at the box office. But the kinky cinematic escapade you should see on Valentine’s Day is British filmmaker Peter Strickland’s wildly elusive The Sidse Babett Knudsen (left) and Chiara D’Anna Duke of Burgundy, a beguiling and gorgeously shot love story between two women set in a forested more traditional visual framework. She’s growing alternate universe where men don’t exist. It feels out of this phase while her significant other is only transported directly from the projection booth of a falling deeper into the void. broken-down 1970s art-house cinema.

As Evelyn’s taste for theatrics grows more exViewers familiar with Strickland’s previous film, treme, Strickland represents her perspective the Giallo-inspired horror oddity Berberian Sound through the sensory-fueled montages of voyeurism Studio, will recognize the freeze frames, rapid-fire and seduction. Psychedelic shifts in perspective cutting and flashy stylistics at the forefront of The turn sweaty sex scenes into potential nightmares.

Duke of Burgundy’s opening sequence. Images flut- These women are entangled on a level that could ter in furious succession as Evelyn (Chiara D’Anna) be dangerous if misinterpreted by one or the other. rides her bike through the lush countryside while the That’s exactly what happens when Cynthia turns haunting score by Cat’s Eyes offers a perfectly men- increasingly weary and Evelyn keeps pushing the acing musical echo. Lens flares give way to close-ups envelope. The result is a tangled web of sensual imof worms and other insects rotting away in the soil. agery colliding with the hard reality of two people There’s nothing like a little decomposition to get the slowly growing apart. juices flowing.

Humiliation replaces all other Fast and furious, these dynammotivations, as witnessed in a late ic compositions mirror the wings The Duke of sequence where Cynthia finally of the exotic moths that play a turns the tables on Evelyn. Here, Burgundy symbolic role later in the film.

Strickland reveals just how askew Directed by Peter Strickland When Evelyn arrives at the rustitheir romantic expectations have Starring Chiara D’Anna and cally posh house of Cynthia (Sidse become. The Duke of Burgundy Sidse Babett Knudsen Babett Knudsen) to perform comes to this point not through Not rated cleaning services, their erotically spite or anguish but repetition; charged exchange hinges on the the salaciousness of their activity fantasy of submission. Something was never really salacious at all, is amiss between these two, and Strickland plays with simply a means to an end for emotional survival. our expectations for a good amount of time. It evenThis is where Strickland’s 2009 drama Katalin tually becomes clear that this is all a performance, Varga feels like an indirect influence on The Duke of some kind of structured foreplay to incite a rush of Burgundy, which opens Friday, Feb. 13, at Hillcrest excitement in their romantic relationship. But one of Cinemas. Both films, albeit in very different ways, these players needs it more than the other. deal with a woman’s struggle to retain power and Despite its seemingly exotic setup, The Duke of identity despite having it stripped away through acts Burgundy resembles many other melodramas about of sexual manipulation. Whatever the relationship, couples experiencing the daily frustrations of an un- someone always compromises her true self in order even power structure. The older of the two, Cynthia to make her lover feel complete. Like Cynthia, one suffers from back pain and appears exhausted by must decide whether or not the subterranean heartthe games that Evelyn loves so much. Like an actor ache is worth it. who’s forced to read the same lines again and again, her flair for the dramatic turns stale and wanting. Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com Whenever Cynthia’s onscreen, Strickland favors a and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Half-life

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

30 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night gets right down to business. The world is fucked, especially for the citizens of Bad City, a town that may or may not be caught in the middle of a dystopic Iran. Every person who roams the abandoned streets seems to be caught in a haze between addiction and

lust. A mass grave resides under the bridge on the outskirts of their ghost town. Class division is in full effect, but no one seems to care.

Low-level washout Arash (Arash Marandi) takes care of his drug-addled father, who owes money to a freewheeling dealer named Saeed (Dominic Rains).

Their lives are upturned when a mysterious unnamed Nosferatu

(Sheila Vand) appears, wearing traditional garb, stalking misbehaving males who’ve taken advantage of their privileged place in society. Jugulars get slashed and veins are drained.

Shot in striking black-andwhite, Amirpour’s eccentric vampire western unfolds entirely in Persian. This stands in contrast to many of the English-language musical references and American pop-culture imagery that play crucial roles. When we first see Arash, he’s standing on the corner in denim jeans and a white T-shirt, as if he were appearing in a Calvin Klein commercial directed by Jim Jarmusch. It seems here all of the world’s cultures have collided.

Amirpour develops a unique

Opening A Girl Who Walks Home Alone at Night: Set in the dystopic town of Bad City, a young vampire tries to find solace in the arms of a drug dealer. Screens at Reading Gaslamp Cinemas. See our review on Page 30.

Boy Meets Girl: A trio of young adults living in Kentucky tries to reconcile extreme feelings for each other. Screens at Reading Gaslamp Cinemas.

Fifty Shades of Grey: The perfect Valentine’s Day present for your masochistic

perspective on the volatility of relationships. Much of the plot revolves around the interactions between Arash and his undead love interest, a character Vand inhabits with a sense of melancholy. Their courtship often hinges on unspoken compromises, a pleasurable development thanks to the actors’ ability to convey a range of emotions sans dialogue. The patriarchal society that surrounds them spews propaganda at every turn, but somehow they persevere.

Amirpour’s debut film, which opens Friday, Feb. 13, at Reading Gaslamp Cinemas, depicts feminism and equal rights as an instinct rather than a cause. For that, it’s pretty remarkable.

—Glenn Heath Jr. significant other.

Humpback Whales: Experience the awe-inspiring and diverse world of the humpback whale, which 50 years ago was on the verge of extinction. Screens at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

Kingsman: The Secret Service: Colin Firth leads a team of British secret agents against a maniacal bad guy played by Samuel L. Jackson.

Red Army: Documentary about the Soviet Union’s famed Red Army hockey team, as seen through the eyes of the

squad’s leader.

The Duke of Burgundy: Two lovers try to reconcile the sadomasochistic habits that might push their relationship into the void. See our review on Page 30.

White Rabbit: When a bullied teenager begins having visions of a white rabbit that he killed when he was a teenager, bad things start to happen at his school.

Screens through Feb. 17 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

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

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

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

Garibaldi’s Lovers: When a struggling artist falls in love with a widowed, workingclass father, she must convince his children that she’s for real. Screens at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12, at La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Scripps Ranch Library.

Bonnie and Clyde: Warren Beauty and Faye Dunaway star in Arthur Penn’s classic film about a young couple who embark on a brutal crime spree in the late 1930s.

Screens at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 at The Headquarters (789 W. Harbor Drive).

Laggies: Keira Knightley plays a woman who experiences a life crisis when her boyfriend proposes, drawing the attention of a teenager who lives with her world-weary

single dad. Screens at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14, at Cinema Under the Stars in Mission Hills.

Ramona: A love story unfolds between a tribal chief and a beautiful, mixed-race foster child in this silent film set in Southern California post-Mexican-American war. Screens at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Adobe Chapel in Old Town.

Jerry Maguire: “Who’s coming with me?” Screens at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at Arclight La Jolla.

My Old Lady: A bitter story of inheritance turns fuzzy when Kevin Kline encounters the charms of Kristin Scott Thomas.

Screens at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Point Loma / Hervey Branch Library.

Postcards From Fair: Jack Ofield’s documentary about the 1935-36 Balboa Park exposition uses vintage photographs and eyewitness accounts to tell its story. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Lemon Grove Library.

An Officer and a Gentleman: Nobody messes with Louis Gossett Jr., not even young hot shot Richard Gere. Screens at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Arclight La Jolla.

The Kings Surrender: When two police offers are killed during an operation gone wrong, S.W.A.T. team members take to the streets to exact revenge on the gangs responsible. Screens at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Polyester: A distraught housewife (Divine) with a philandering husband and lewd children finds hope of a new life when she encounters a hunky art-theater manager played by Tab Hunter. Screens at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Hill-

crest Cinemas.

Dirty Dancing: Does it get any sexier than The Swayze and Jennifer Grey getting down to hot dance music? We think not. Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

Now Playing Jupiter Ascending: Have you ever hoped to experience Channing Tatum in full eye shadow and Mila Kunis as a world-saving goddess? Andy and Lana Wachowski’s long-delayed sci-fi opus will be your chance.

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

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

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

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

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 31

Juicy J’s

Joseph Cultice

secrets to success Juicy J has a gold-plated toilet. He takes naps in a Bugatti. As he says in his song “So Much Money,” he’s “thumbin’ through so much money, I need three hands to count it.” This may sound like an exaggeration—and it could very well be one—but there’s no denying that the 39-year-old rapper is a man of great achievements. He’s recorded alongside Katy Perry on her 2013 single “Dark Horse.” He won an Oscar for the 2006 song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.” And as a co-founder of the Memphis rap outfit Three 6 Mafia, he helped lay the foundations for Southern trap music, a style of hip-hop named after a slang term for a location where drugs are sold, featuring heavy sub-bass and 808 drum-machine beats.

Born Jordan Houston, Juicy grew up in poverty but now has homes in Tennessee and Los Angeles, boasts nearly 2 million Twitter followers and plays shows in cities as far away as Abu Dhabi. His lavish rhyme schemes are plentiful, but his delivery is crisp and clear, as are the motivational messages contained within his songs about living large, smoking weed, stealing girlfriends and administering the occasional beatdown.

I recently spoke with Juicy over the phone, and he imparted some hard-earned lessons that are certain to help us all find success in this fast-changing world.

Lesson 1: Take no vacations: “Make money / no vacation”—those are the opening lines to “Stop It,” the opening track off Juicy’s 2013 album, Stay

32 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

Trippy. Though he enjoys hitting the strip club in his off hours, he’s constantly in the studio working on new projects—anything from solo mixtapes to collaborations like “Shell Shocked,” a supercharged rap anthem featuring Wiz Khalifa and Ty Dolla $ign from last year’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. “I write songs all the time.

I might wake up in the middle of the night and write a song,” Juicy tells CityBeat. “I just work, man. I make music. If you’re the type of person who really likes something you like, you’ll move forward with that.”

A step-by-step guide to achieving fame and fortune from the godfather of trap

by Peter Holslin rainy day. “You gotta be smart in this business,” he says. “You don’t want to wake up the next morning and you don’t know where your cash is at. That’s like a nightmare come true.”

Lesson 4. Buy a strip club: But when you finally do have money, what do you do with it? Juicy makes sure to diversify his assets by investing in friends’ companies while running his own publishing venture. “I got stuff everywhere, man.” In 2012, he even released an online strip-club video game to go with his hit single “Bandz a Make Lesson 2: Learn to multitask: Juicy often Her Dance.” He doesn’t own an actual seems to be doing multiple things at once. club himself, but when I propose the idea You might hear him bragging about dou- of opening one, he agrees that could be a bling-down on intoxicants (see his song: “A smart move, considering the revenue you Zip and a Double Cup”) or getcould make on drinks, cover ting close with one lady while charges and premium talent. keeping another on retainer “Nine times out of 10, you prob(“Got a New One”). On tour, he Thursday, Feb. 12 ably gonna win, especially right often brings along a portablenow,” he says. “That might be a studio setup, letting him record The Observatory good investment.”

North Park and mix in his hotel rooms. In fact, he gets most of his partyLesson 5. Follow your pasThejuicyj.com ing done while on the job. “At sions: Juicy doesn’t take much the end of the day, I’m still in that studio. for granted. Even today, with all his sucThe music is more important to me than cess, he still keeps his nose to the grindjust kicking it,” he says. “I can turn up and stone—thus, you get the title of his upcomroll weed and smoke all day in the studio ing solo album due out later this year, Pure and get the vibe right in the booth.”

THC: The Hustle Continues. “When I get tired of doing it, I think I’ll know. But I just Lesson 3: Save your money: Juicy got like doing music,” he says. And loving your his start with Three 6 Mafia back in the work might be the most important of all. “I early ’90s, and after a fruitful run that saw feel like if I go in the studio and stay in the them bag that Academy Award and release studio for the next two, three months, and two platinum-selling albums, he eventu- work, work, work, work, work, even out of ally pursued a solo career. The recording hotels and whatever I gotta do, I’ll come industry has weathered a lot of radical out with at least 15, 16 good records that changes since then, but rather than blow can be for whatever: my album, a mixtape, all his hard-earned cash on bottle-service a movie—who knows.” bacchanalia—as some music stars might— Juicy made sure to set funds aside for a Write to editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Juicy J

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 33

34 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

notes from the smoking patio Candice Eley

Locals Only The Tin Can is becoming The Balboa. After a three-month hiatus from live music, the Bankers Hill venue is undergoing a rebranding and will reemerge in March with a new name and a new concept.

The bar has been in a state of transition for several months, since coowner Patrick Conway left San Diego for Portland and his former partner, Justin Rodriguez, dissolved his stake in December, after the final Tin Can Country Club showcase. Now, owner Tommy Logsdon, who also runs inhouse eatery Doods Foods, is taking over and making a few changes.

“It’s kind of been a long time coming,” Logsdon tells CityBeat. “We had to step back and focus on where we wanted to go.”

The Balboa (facebook.com/thebalboasd) will continue to have live music, which is being booked

by Jackson Milgaten, best known for playing as a member of Cuckoo Chaos and Deadphones. Milgaten says there’ll be shows every Friday and Saturday, and they’ll mostly feature local acts.

“The San Diego scene is vibrant in a lot of ways, but somewhat small in a lot of ways,” he says. “When I first moved here, there were barely any clubs. Now, there are a lot of options. We just want to recognize the people in town who make great music. We’re not trying to create a market—we’re just going to offer live music in Bankers Hill.”

Milgaten’s also developing a new cocktail menu

Tag It and Bag It If you search for albums tagged “San Diego” on Bandcamp, you’ll find some interesting stuff. In this semiregular column, we sift through recent postings and report on our findings.

Celestial Frequency Shifter by Anakin: What with the pop-culture-referencing band name, the space helmet on the cover and the crunchy, grungy guitar sound, you might think Anakin walked through a wormhole from the ’90s. Not that this is a band thing, necessarily; their meaty power chords, melodic hooks and kinda-sorta emo vocals make for a lot of alt-rock fun.

Jealous Mind by Three Eyes: I constantly find copious amounts of bedroom-produced instrumental hip-hop on Bandcamp, and it’s usually quite nice, if not life-changing. Three Eyes is just such an artist,

Tiger Milk Imports at The Tin Can for the bar, which will phase out its canned-beer concept. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean the bar’s going to be adopting some recent upscale trends.

“We’re not trying to get too crafty,” he says. “The primary focus is on classics.”

The first show at The Balboa will feature Ed Ghost Tucker and Idyll Wild on Friday, March 6.

And Milgaten says that most of March is already booked. Yet, while the bar will start a new life under a new name—inspired by the location’s past life as a storage unit during the Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park in 1915—Logsdon has nothing but positive memories of The Tin Can. “I look back at The Tin Can fondly,” he says. “I love the small, strange intimacy of the whole place.”

—Jeff Terich

mixing downtempo beats with cinematic, psychedelic soundscapes. A fine soundtrack for lying in the grass and staring at clouds.

Endless Night EP by Elegiac: Black metal has its share of mysterious loners releasing lo-fi music from their basement crypts, and San Diego can apparently claim one of them! Elegiac does murky, doom-leaning black metal in the style of Xasthur, with just the right balance of melody and harshness. Plus, there’s an Emperor cover, so that’s pretty cool.

Exposed by Coco B.: Coco B.’s Bandcamp page name-drops Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliot in the description of her music. That’s a little misleading; her laid-back West Coast style isn’t as innovative or versatile as those MCs, but it’s certainly loaded with chill production, boom-bap beats and the occasional one-liner.

Night by Jesus Gonzalez: This release is tagged with “Spiritual” and “Meditation,” and it makes perfect sense. The gentle plucks of acoustic guitar and ambient vocals make this album sound like it was written specifically for a yoga class.

It’s nice, pleasant listening for the purposes of relaxation, but I can’t imagine ever putting this on for any other reason.

—Jeff Terich Anakin

Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com or editor@sdcitybeat.com.

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 35

if i were u

about the weird, traumatic experiences that go into this artist’s abrasive industrial sounds. She’s an intense live performer, so you won’t want to miss the chaos firsthand.

PLAN B: Barbarian, Fever the Ghost,

BY Jeff Terich Idyll Wild, Mystery Cave @ The Casbah.

I included Barbarian’s new album, Night Blooms, on my list of favorite local albums Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 2014, but they waited until now to do PLAN A: Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Mid- a proper release show. They’ve got some night Pine @ Soda Bar. Jessica Lea May- other great local acts, like Idyll Wild and field’s music walks a fine line between emo- Mystery Cave, joining them, so it should be tionally fragile and totally badass. She rocks a good show all around. BACKUP PLAN: hard, and her songs feature some great gui- Juicy J @ Observatory North Park. tar work. But you get the impression that these songs would work pretty well as ballads, too, which seems to me like the sign Friday, Feb. 13 of a great songwriter. PLAN B: Brownout PLAN A: iD the Poet @ presents Brown Sabbath, The Earful @ JT’s Pub & Grill. Local MC Belly Up Tavern. There are a few Black iD the Poet just released Sabbath tribute bands hitting San Diego Work Epic p.1, the first of a this month, and this week it’s Brownout— series of cassette-EP releaas Brown Sabbath—who take Sabbath’s ca- ses this year, and what I’ve talog of metal classics and sprinkle it with heard of it sounds pretty a dose of Latin funk. It’s kind of amazing. damn good. Check him BACKUP PLAN: Lily and Madeleine, out live and pick up the tape in person, if there are any left. PLAN PAPA @ The Loft.

B: James Iha (DJ set), Glasmus, Flaggs, Bidi Cobra @ The Hideout. You might Thursday, Feb. 12 not realize this, but there actually were PLAN A: Pharmakon, Die Mißbildun- members of Smashing Pumpkins other gen Des Menschen, Ev of Isis, Identity @ than Billy Corgan. Shocker, I know. ForThe Hideout. If you didn’t have a chance to mer Pumpkins guitarist James Iha is doing check out my feature on Pharmakon in last a special DJ set on this Valentine’s Day eve, week’s issue, then give that a read to learn with a handful of other solid local groups

36 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

rounding out the bill. BACKUP PLAN: Boy (no joke!)—make crusty, melodic hardWeight of the Sun, Born to Rise, Bad core that puts most others to shame, and they just happen to be joined by a similarly and the Ugly @ Brick by Brick. raucous act in Call of the Void. Add local heavyweights Griever and you have yourself Saturday, Feb. 14 one badass evening. PLAN B: Swami John PLAN A: Trash Talk, Ratking, Lee Ban- Reis and the Blind Shake, Creepxotica, non @ Epicentre. The Epicentre can so- Secret Samurai, Alvino and the Dwells @ metimes be an awkward place to see a show, The Casbah. I don’t know how John Reis but a diverse lineup featuring hardcore ba- does it. This year, he’s playing shows with dasses Trash Talk, abstract hip-hop group Rocket from the Crypt, the newly reunited Ratking and drum ’n’ bass producer Lee Drive Like Jehu and his new surf-rock band, Bannon is worth making the trip to Mira Swami John Reis and the Blind Shake. If it’s Mesa. PLAN B: The Dodos, Springtime groovy, ’60s-style surf licks you seek, Reis is Carnivore @ The Casbah. The ready to take you to the beach.

Dodos are one of the few bands that can make an impressively full sound despite being a duo, Monday, Feb. 16 and they’ve been keeping it PLAN A: Slutever, Lisa Prank @ The Hiup for nearly a decade. deout. First of all, Slutever and Lisa Prank are They just dropped their two of my favorite new band names. And Slunew album, Individ, so tever also happens to have the benefit of some give that a listen and hear great, fuzzy punk tunes, which come loaded what this duo can really with hooks. They’re sure to be fun live. do. BACKUP PLAN: DitThe Dodos ches, Buddy Banter @ Tuesday, Feb. 17 Helmuth Projects.

PLAN A: The Major Minus, Cult Vegas, The Verigolds @ Soda Bar. The Major MiSunday, Feb. 15 nus, like quite a few San Diego bands, play PLAN A: Enabler, Call of the Void, Grie- melodic indie rock that won’t harsh your ver, Debt Ritual @ The Tower Bar. There mellow on a Tuesday. But they also add in are hardcore shows, and then there are jaw- some funk and electronic elements to flesh dropping blowouts like this one. Enabler— out that sound a little more, making for a who once featured a member of Fall Out unique but highly accessible style.

HOT! NEW! FRESH! T.I. (Fluxx, 2/22), Kevin Seconds (Bar Pink, 3/15), Jeremy Enigk (The Irenic, 3/28), Peelander-Z (Soda Bar, 4/10), Three Days Grace (HOB, 4/10), The Underachievers (Observatory North Park, 4/11), Lord Huron (Observatory North Park, 5/14), Ex Hex (Casbah, 5/16), Spoon (Observatory North Park, 6/1), Brad Paisley (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 6/6), UK Subs (Soda Bar, 6/14), John Mayall (BUT, 7/2), Imagine Dragons (Viejas Arena, 7/21), Diana Krall (Humphreys, 8/24), Chayanne (Viejas Arena, 9/13), Ricky Martin (Viejas Arena, 9/20).

GET YER TICKETS Gregory Alan Isakov (The Irenic, 2/22), David Cook (BUT, 2/23), Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (Viejas Arena, 2/25), Cold War Kids (Observatory North Park, 2/25), Deap Vally (BUT, 2/26), Theophilus London (BUT, 3/1), Cheap Girls, Restorations (The Hideout, 3/7), A Place to Bury Strangers (Casbah, 3/11), Hurray for the Riff Raff (BUT, 3/11), Bleachers (HOB, 3/12), Twin Shadow (BUT, 3/13), Ani DiFranco (HOB, 3/16), John Doe, Exene Cervenka and Robyn Hitchcock (BUT, 3/22), Pete Rock and Slum Village (Porter’s Pub, 3/24), Tweedy (Balboa Theatre, 3/24), George Benson (Balboa Theatre, 3/26), Blue October (HOB, 4/9), Andrew Jackson Jihad (The Irenic, 4/10), D.I. (Brick by Brick, 4/11), St. Lucia (Observatory North Park, 4/13), Father John Misty (Observatory North Park, 4/14), Built to Spill (Irenic, 4/14), Toro y Moi (Observatory North Park, 4/15), Ratatat

(Casbah, 4/16), Marina and the Diamonds (Observatory North Park, 4/18), Iggy Azalea (Valley View Casino Center, 4/23), Waxahatchee (Casbah, 4/26), The Decemberists (Observatory North Park, 4/30), They Might Be Giants (BUT, 5/3), The Growlers (Observatory North Park, 5/9), The Sonics (BUT, 5/10), NKOTB, TLC, Nelly (Viejas Arena, 5/11), The Wombats (HOB, 5/13), Lana Del Rey (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 5/16), Train (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 5/24), Xavier Rudd (BUT, 5/27-28), Sufjan Stevens (Copley Symphony Hall, 6/2), Nickelback (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 6/27), Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 8/8), Diana Krall (Humphreys, 8/24), The Who (Valley View Casino Center, 9/14), Foo Fighters (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 9/24).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday, Feb. 22 Gregory Alan Isakov at The Irenic. The

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February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 37

Mary Onettes at Soda Bar. Lucinda Williams at North Park Theatre (sold out). Zap Mama and Antibalas at Belly Up Tavern.

Cursive at The Casbah (sold out). Hurricane Chris at Porter’s Pub. T.I. at Fluxx.

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach. 710bc.com. Wed: Open mic. Thu: Live band karaoke. Fri: Lizzie Shipton and the Village Squares, The Tarr Steps, Flight of Ryan. Sat: The Devastators, Thrive, Ital Vibes. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: DJ Royale.

98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd. Ste. 110, Little Italy. 98bottlessd.com. Fri: Innerscape. Sat: The Benedetti Trio. Sun: The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio.

Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St, Normal Heights. airconditionedbar.com.

Wed: ‘Electric Martini’ w/ DJs Jeneration, Electric Honey. Thu: DJs Ala, Mikeytown.

Fri: DJ Junior the Disco Punk. Sat: ‘Juicy’ w/ Mike Czech. Sun: DJs John Reynolds, Karma.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave, Downtown. americancomedyco.com. Wed: Open mic. Thu-Sun: Affion Crockett.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St, Downtown. facebook.com/BangBangSanDiego. Fri: Huxley, Corey Sizemore, Lee K. Bar Pink, 3829 30th St, North Park. barpink.com. Wed: Taurus Authority, DJ Greyboy. Thu: ‘Thursday Night Mass’ w/ Husky Boy All Stars. Fri: The Creepy Creeps, The Widows. Sat: The Milkcrates DJs. Sun: ‘Rat Sabbath’ w/ DJ Ratty.

Mon: ‘Motown Monday’. Tue: ‘Tiki Twos Day’ w/ Adrian Demain, Susanna Kurner.

Bassmnt, 919 Fourth Ave, Downtown.

38 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

bassmntsd.com. Thu: Jochen Miller. Fri: Stafford Brothers. Sat: Audien.

Beaumont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla. brocktonvilla.com/beaumonts.html. Thu: Pat Dowling. Fri: Modern Day Moonshine.

Sat: Stratos. Sun: Todd Pyke.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. bellyup.com. Wed: Brownout presents Brown Sabbath, The Earful. Thu: Zion I, Vokab Kompany, Locksmith, Key Choice, J. Lately. Fri: ALO, T Sisters. Sat: Ozomatli, New Beat Fund. Sun: Ozomatli, El Conjunto Nueva Ola. Tue: Over the Rhine, William Fitzsimmons.

Brass Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave, Hillcrest. thebrassrailsd.com. Thu: ‘Muscle’. Fri: ‘Hip Hop Fridayz’. Sat: DJs XP, KA. Sun: ‘Soiree’. Mon: ‘Manic Monday’ w/ DJs Junior the Disco Punk, XP. Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave, Bay Park. brickbybrick.com. Wed: RapScallions, The Montell Jordans, DNT. Thu: Unwritten Law, Lindsay Perry, Ottopilot.

Fri: Weight of the Sun, Born to Rise, Bad and The Ugly. Sat: Mythical Maidens: A Burlesque Saga. Sat: Hell on Heels Burlesque. Mon: ‘Metal Monday’.

Cafe Sevilla, 353 Fifth Ave, Downtown. cafesevilla.com. Thu: Malamana. Fri: Joef and Co. Sun: Oscar Aragon, Bruno Serrano.

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

Wed: Anthony Hanna. Wed: Anthony Hanna. Thu & Sun: Todo Mundo. Fri: Sue Palmer. Sat: Gilbert and Lorraine Castellanos. Tue: Nina Francis.

Bay. dizzyssandiego.com. Fri: Bertram Turetsky. Sat: ‘Tribute to Pops and Ella’.

Sun: Rez Abbasi.

Epicentre, 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd, Mira Mesa. epicentreconcerts.org. Fri: Saffies (of the Sea), Fifth Son, Tactical Forces, Dirty Ruckus. Sat: Trash Talk, Ratking, Lee Bannon.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown, Downtown. f6ixsd.com. Fri: Aleks Exact. Sat: DJ Bamboozle. Sun: LB1.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave, Downtown. fluxxsd.com. Thu: Erick Diaz. Fri: ‘Red Bull DJ Championship’. Sat: Sid Vicious. Sun: Zeds Dead.

Gallagher’s, 5040 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach. 619-222-5303. Wed: Pali Roots.

Thu: Revival, DJ Reefah, TRC Soundsystem. Fri: Destructo Bunny. Sat: Pool Party, DJ Chelu. Sun: DJs R2, Lya. Mon: ‘Strictly Hip Hop’.

Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave, Downtown. hardrockhotelsd.com. Thu: Screamin Yeehaws, DPI. Fri: Fashen.

Sat: Locks, Keys, and Singles Masquerade Party. Sun: Benny Benassi.

Henry’s Pub, 618 Fifth Ave, Downtown. henryspub.com. Wed: The Fooks. Thu: DJs Junior the Disco Punk, Antonio Aguilera. Fri: ‘Good Times’. Sat: DJs E, Yodah.

Sun: Karaoke. Tue: Big City Dawgs.

Dirk’s Nightclub, 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove. dirksniteclub.com. Fri: FX5.

Sat: DJ Dizzy D.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave, Downtown. houseofblues.com/sandiego. Wed: Motion City Soundtrack, Hellogoodbye, Driver Friendly. Thu: Hail the Sun, Stolas. Fri: Chippendales. Sat: ‘Club Cosplay’. Sun: SAYWECANFLY, Catchingyourclouds, The House On Cliff, Danielle Prou. Tue: Mardi Gras: Crossroads. Tue: Kalin and Myles.

Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, Mission

Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shel-

ter Island Drive, Point Loma. humphreysbackstagelive.com. Sat: Keiko Matsui.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. kavalounge.com. Thu: ‘Connectivity’. Fri: ‘Junglist Friday’. Sat: Nikroma.

Tue: ‘High Tech Tuesday’.

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave, Kensington. 619-284-2848. Fri: Masteria, Batboat, The Fighting Able, Badabing, DJ Doktor Zaius.

Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave, Coronado. mcpspub.com. Wed: Jackson and Jesus. Thu: Northstar. Fri: Manic Brothers. Sat-Sun: Ron’s Garage. Tue: Gene Warren.

Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd, Hillcrest. numberssd.com. Thu: ‘Throwback Thursday’.

Fri: ‘Harness’. Sat: ‘Club Sabbat’. Sun: ‘R&B Divas’. Tue: Karaoke Latino.

Onyx Room / Thin, 852 Fifth Ave, Downtown. onyxroom.com. Fri: ‘Rumba Lounge’. Sat: ‘Onyx Saturday’. Tue: ‘Mardi Gras Madness’.

Patricks Gaslamp, 428 F St, Downtown. patricksii.com. Wed: The Upshots. Thu: The Fuzzy Rankins Band. Fri: The Johnny Vernazza Band. Sat: WG and The G-Men. Sun: Christina. Mon: The Groove Squad.

Tue: The Bill Magee Blues Band.

Porter’s Pub, 9500 Gilman Dr., UCSD campus, La Jolla. porterspub.net. Sat: ‘Anti Valentine’s Day Party’ w/ DJs Kia, Saman, Fareed.

Queen Bee’s, 3925 Ohio St, North Park. queenbeessd.com. Sat: Burlesque ���� performances.

Rich’s, 1051 University Ave, Hillcrest. richssandiego.com. Wed: DJ Marcel.

Thu: DJ K-Swift. Fri: DJs Mike, Ben. Sat:

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February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 39

DJs Dirty Kurty, K-Swift. Sun: DJ Cros.

Tue: DJ John Joseph.

Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave, La Mesa. rivierasupperclub.com. Wed: Westside Inflection. Thu: V Tones. Fri: Lady Star. Sat: Hot Rod Trio. Tue: Karaoke.

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave, North Park. sevengrandbars.com/sd. Wed: Gilbert Castellanos jazz jam. Mon: ‘Makossa Monday’ w/ DJ Tah Rei. Side Bar, 536 Market St, Downtown. sidebarsd.com. Wed: DJ Slowhand. Thu: Vince Delano. Fri: Craig Smoove with Amanda Wirtz. Sat: Decon.

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

Wed: Jessica Lea Mayfield. Thu: Cro-Mags, Bumbklaat, Nerve Control, DJ Heather Hardcore. Fri: Saints of Valory, Jessarae.

Sat: Dirt Dress, The Buttertones, Rum for Your Life, Causers. Sun: The Steepwater Band, Kid Wilderness, Graham Nancarrow. Mon: Otep, Terror Universal, Thira, Downfall 2012. Tue: The Major Minus, Cult Vegas, The Verigolds.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd, Midway. somasandiego.com. Sat: Mod Sun, Dillon Cooper, Blackbear, KR Karizma, DJ Gnash. Tue: The Garden, Groms.

Somewhere Loud, 3489 Noell St, Midtown. somewhereloud.com. Fri: ‘Scream’.

Sat: ‘Heart Beats’. Sun: ‘Sweet N Loud’.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St, Midtown. spinnightclub.com. Fri: ‘Brazilian Carnaval’.

Sat: ‘Ego Trip’. Sun: ‘Reggae Sunday’.

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

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

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave, Nor-

40 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

mal Heights. sycamoreden.com. Thu: The Heart Beat Trail, The Gift Machine.

Sun: The Liquorsmiths, Trailduster.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. casbahmusic.com. Wed: Eric Andre, Byron Bowers, Neil Hamburger, Ever Mainard, Dynasty Handbag. Thu: Barbarian, Fever the Ghost, Idyll Wild, Mystery Cave. Fri: The Stone Foxes, Shake Before Us, Coo Coo Birds. Sat: The Dodos, Springtime Carnivore. Sun: Swami John Reis and The Blind Shake, Creepxotica, Secret Samurai, Alvino and The Dwells.

Mon: The Midnight Pine, Rio Peligroso, Listening to Rocks. Tue: Eddie Spaghetti, O, Grampa Drew.

The Hideout, 3519 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. thehideoutsd.com. Wed: Corners, Shady Francos, Buddy Banter. Thu: Pharmakon, Die Mißbildungen Des Menschen, Ev of Isis, Identity. Fri: James Iha (DJ set), Flaggs, Glasmus, Bidi Cobra. Sat: ‘Smiths night’. Mon: Slutever, Lisa Prank.

The Loft @ UCSD, Price Center East, La Jolla. theloft.ucsd.edu. Wed: Lily and Madeleine, PAPA. Fri: Joshua White and Polyphase, Rebecca Jade and Jeff Parker, Stevie and the Hi-Staxx.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave, Hillcrest. themerrow.com. Wed: Liber’arte.

Thu: The Bloodflowers, Organic Alliance, Nutstache. Fri: DJ Mateo Segade. Sat: Pink Boombox Burlesque. Mon: Open mic. Tue: Big Bad Buffalo, Adult Films.

The Office, 3936 30th St, North Park. officebarinc.com. Wed: ‘Friends Chill’. Thu: ‘No Limits’ w/ DJ Myson King. Fri: ‘After Hours’ w/ DJs Kid Wonder, Saul Q. Sat: ‘Strictly Business’ w/ DJs Kanye Asada, Gabe Vega.

The Tin Roof, 401 G St, Gaslamp. tinroof-

bars.com. Wed: Rock Out Karaoke. Thu: Still Ill, Faux MD. Fri: CLAMR, Betamaxx.

Sat: Bachelor Auction, Daniel Bonte and The Bonifide. Sun: ‘G Street Sessions’.

Tue: A.O.K. Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. tiltwoclub.com. Fri: Weekender, Western Settings, No Talent, Sic Waiting, Smalls. Sun: Open mic. Mon: Karaoke.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St, Bay Park. tioleos.com. Thu: Missy Anderson. Fri: The Wild Side. Tue: Sue Palmer.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave, City Heights. thetowerbar.com. Wed: ‘The Ratt’s Revenge’ w/ DJs Mikey Ratt, Tiki Thomas. Sun: Enabler, Call of the Void, Griever, Debt Ritual. Mon: Hopeless Jack and the Handsome Devil, Telling Lies, Philosopher’s Ray Gun. Ux31, 3112 University Ave, North Park. u31bar.com. Wed: Soft Lions, Boychick, Rabbit Fever. Thu: DJ Kid Wonder. Fri: DJ Ayla Simone. Sat: DJ R-You. Sun: DJ Kid Wonder. Mon: Lee Churchill. Tue: Karaoke.

West Coast Tavern, 2895 University Ave, North Park. westcoatstavern.com.

Thu-Fri: DJ LB1. Sat: N-Vious. Sun: DJ Clean Cut. Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St, South Park. whistlestopbar.com. Thu: ‘Recommended Dosage’ w/ DJs Mike Turi, Mark Garcia.

Fri: The Darrows, Manuok. Sat: ‘Booty Bassment’ w/ DJs Dimitri, Rob Moran.

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St, Ocean Beach. winstonsob.com. Wed: Raiz Muzik, DJ Carlos Culture. Thu: ‘Ocean Beach Hip Hop Social’. Fri: Tumbleweed Wanderers, Erik Canzona and the Narrows. Sat: Todo Mundo, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble.

Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Electric Waste Band.

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 41

Brendan Emmett Quigley

Across

Let’s get together

1. Roth’s replacement in Van Halen 6. Maid’s nightmare 9. Outcome of any of the Bills’ Super Bowl appearances 13. Writer Calvino 14. Latin 101 verb 16. Stake that might get you jacked up?

17. Festival whose first headliner was Jane’s Addiction 19. “Democracy is the road to socialism” writer 20. Put down 21. One taking a lot of drugs, perhaps?

23. Maker of Mauvelous and Unmellow Yellow colors 26. Dog-breeding grp.

27. “Edge of Tomorrow” craft 28. Slick stuff 29. Making no sense 32. Like a strong drink 34. Protective cup location 35. Hairy mountain beast 36. Lout 38. “This can’t be good” 42. Actress Grossman of “American Horror Story” 44. Big name in watches 45. Sealed, as a deal 50. Make a mistake 51. Altar in the sky 52. Judge who heard arguments from Shapiro 53. Kigali resident 55. Chocolate-filled cookie 57. One collecting thoughts on the record 58. Cote d’___ 59. Getting it on, or a hint to this puzzle’s theme Last week’s answers

42 · San Diego CityBeat · February 11, 2015

64. Boring way to learn 65. Quick drink 66. Some Facebook clicks 67. Change for a five 68. Temperamental one with bad face piercings, maybe 69. Approving words

Down 1. Queen’s home 2. The Hawks, on an ESPN chyron 3. Miss 4. “Luck Be ___” 5. Demarcate, as a V.I.P. section 6. Assorted 7. NFL analyst Aikman 8. “Only You” synthpop band 9. Doner kebab meat 10. Streaking 11. Shoot from high above 12. Rabbit, e.g.

15. Guitar effect played with the mouth 18. Org. that’s against abusive debt collection 22. Healthy berry 23. Snug and comfortable like a cashmere jumper 24. Confirmation, e.g.

25. Returned to earth 26. The world’s largest one has a circumference of 4’ 4” 30. Classic pizza order 31. Show room?

33. Ticket number?

36. Some BDSM participants 37. “Just saying here,” briefly 39. Got out of here but quick 40. Fried seedpod 41. “Get him on the ___!”

43. Serving upside 44. Covered in sequins 45. Classic sports car 46. Sprint competitor 47. Base gesture?

48. Hitchcock classic that takes place in San Francisco 49. Country singer Jake ___ 54. “Swear to God!” 56. War god 57. 2% alternative 60. Stun 61. Approvals 62. #22 in a series 63. #19 in a series

February 11, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 43