San Diego CityBeat • May 9, 2018

2 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

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UP FRONT | FROM THE EDITOR

Community standards

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“We feel that KUSI is slamming the MAAC s someone who’s historically written about the arts and covers politics, I center and displaying false disgust in order get pumped when the two intersect. to incite anger from conservatives and get There’s something to be said when we can ratings,” one of the organizers told me over have a nuanced discussion about both with- email on Monday. “Never mind that the presout getting too in our feelings about either sure caused by the supposed outrage could cause a 10-year-old event that benefits chiltopic.

When the two do clash, however, it’s im- dren’s education to be shut down for good.”

There’s a saying that I always come back portant that the media at least try to remain objective. Well, when it comes to TV news— to when it comes to art. Readers will forgive where the rule of thumb will always be “if me for forgetting who said it (Aristotle? it bleeds, it leads”—the least they can do is Ricky Gervais?), but I find it to be an importry to get the perspective of both sides. It tant thing to remember whenever I begin to can be tempting to run with a rushed, half- question the validity or value of a piece of sided story in fear that another media outlet art: “Why is it art? Because you didn’t do it.” might scoop the story, but @MRS.MEX / INSTAGRAM It’s a simple enough sentiment and one that I find at least the reporter and to be particularly spotthe station can look back on whenever someone is and say they did their due looking at a piece of art diligence. and saying something to That was not the case the effect of, “oh, I could when KUSI broke a story on have done that.” Sure, Wednesday about a Chula maybe they could have.

Vista mural—which happens to be on a sidewall of a public charter But they didn’t and that’s what makes it art. school—that depicts an Aztec warrior spear- The same goes for art that we find to be moring the head of President Trump. The story, ally or politically repugnant. The fact that first reported by Ashlie Rodriguez, quickly people think it should never have been made went viral and outrage ensued. By the time in the first place is also what makes it art.

Was the painting in poor taste? Probably, Rodriguez even went down to MAAC Charter School to report on it, administrators were but it doesn’t make it any less poignant. already in the process of covering the mural, Should it be on the side of a school? Again, but that didn’t matter. The damage had been probably not, but I can guarantee every single one of those kids is exposed to much done.

What is often lost in these types of sto- more graphic images on a daily basis.

And therein lies the real rub. Those who ries is the exploration of a cornerstone question in journalism: Why? KUSI mentioned in are outraged will vent and demand action, passing how the mural was created in the and then they’ll move on to the next outrage. first place (it was the result of a charity art Many of them don’t live in that community event called Battlegroundz, which raises or know any of the children they’re supposmoney for at-risk children and teens), but edly so concerned about. But because of that didn’t bother to interview the organizers or outrage and lack of dialogue, an event that even the artist who created it. And while the does a lot of good for a lot of children may mural is gone now, people will likely only re- be done. member the scandalous nature of the story —Seth Combs and not the real-world people who might be affected by sensationalistic reporting.

Write to seth.combs@sdcitybeat.com This issue of CityBeat is pleased that Childish Gambino will no longer be confused as being the son of actor Marco Gambino.

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MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 3

UP FRONT | LETTERS

WOE TO THE REPUBLIC Dear Citizen Kemp, Your outrage about California spending billions on expenses related to illegals and “using our taxes and draining legitimate business interests” suggests possible acute cognitive dissonance [“Letters,” May 2]. Are you equally outraged about trillions of taxpayers’ money being drained for a 15-year war that has achieved nothing other than causing massive geo-political instability and devastating conflicts that range from Libya to Pakistan? An article in the Wall Street Journal, Nov. 8, 2017, points to a study by the Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs at Brown University, which calculates that, “U.S. wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan have cost American taxpayers $5.6 trillion since they began in 2001. According to the study, the accumulated interest expenses on the future cost of borrowing money to pay the wars could add an additional $8 trillion to the national debt over the next several decades... The Brown University study indicates ‘each taxpayer has incurred nearly $24,000 in expenses.’” Does this outrage you, Citizen Kemp? I suspect it doesn’t given your career choice. I suspect that, given your career choice, your belief system, i.e., the stories we tell ourselves to define our personal sense of reality, accommodates this contradiction, ergo, cognitive dissonance. And please don’t insult our intelligence by attempting a rational justification, blathering on about patriotism, national security, democracy, freedom, American exceptionalism, terrorism, etc. Five star General of the Army and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler gave us all the explanation we need. It’s about a military-industrial complex that serves only the interests of corporate capitalism’s unbridled profit incentive. In Butler’s words, “I spent most of my time being a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism.” Does this outrage you, Commander Kemp?

6 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

Gregory S. Shroyer North Park

UP FRONT

WE WANT FEEDBACK Did you read a story in San Diego CityBeat that made your blood boil, or caused you to laugh so hard you pulled a stomach muscle? If something inspires you to send us your two cents we welcome all letters that respond to news stories, opinion pieces or reviews that have run in these pages. We don’t accept unsolicited op-ed letters.

Email letters to editor Seth Combs at seth.combs@sdcitybeat. com, or mail to 3047 University Ave., Suite 202, San Diego, CA 92104. For letters to be considered for publication you must include your first and last name and the part of town where you reside.

Note: All comments left on stories at sdcitybeat.com will also be considered for publication.

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 CityWeek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Spin Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Backwards & In High Heels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Well That Was Awkward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

FOOD & DRINK World Fare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Anatomy of a Cocktail Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Revenge of the Beer Nerd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

THINGS TO DO The Short List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16

ARTS & CULTURE Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 FEATURE: The Summer Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-38 Film. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-41

MUSIC FEATURE: Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Notes From The Smoking Patio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 About Last Night. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 If I Were U. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Concerts & Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47-49

IN THE BACK Astrologically Unsound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 CannaBeat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 7

NEWS | OPINION

HAM OF THE WEEK

By Torrey Bailey and Seth Combs

THE ISSUE: Just two weeks after the caravan of Central American refugees arrived at the Tijuana border, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited Border Field State Park on Monday to meet with officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. He also announced that the Department of Homeland Security would have a “zero tolerance” policy for people who attempt to cross into the U.S. illegally, even those claiming political asylum. There were also veiled threats that children of those crossing illegally would be separated from their families. “We will prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you,” said Sessions. “If you don’t like that, then don’t smuggle children over our border.”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: “Dear Mr. Sessions: With all due respect, we don’t want you in our district. We are a proud community of immigrants & kids of immigrants & friends of immigrants & refugees. Peddle your hate and bigotry elsewhere. Please. #AD80” —Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, via Twitter.

“Criminalizing and stigmatizing parents who are only trying to keep their children from harm and give them a safe upbringing will cause untold damage to thousands of traumatized families who have already given up everything to flee terrible circumstances in their home countries.”

—Amnesty International Americas Director Erika Guevara-Rosas, to Associated Press.

“Why are you doing this? Do you have a heart? Do you have a soul?...

You’re an evil, evil, evil man! Get out of my state!”

—William Johnson of Backbone San Diego, who yelled at the Attorney General at his appearance using a bullhorn.

OUR TAKE: Within an hour of First Lady Melania Trump announcing her new “Be Best” program for children—which emphasizes children having every “opportunity to enjoy their innocence”—her husband’s attorney general was announcing that the U.S. would begin enforcing a policy of forcibly removing children from parents and incarcerating the parents in the guise of border security. Make no mistake: The official U.S. policy is literally to rip children from the arms of their parents and lock them up. However, it’s important to remember this is hardly a new policy. Lost in many of the narratives and cable news diatribes was that over 700 children have already been taken from their parents since October, according to a recent article in the New York Times. Just last week, a federal judge in San Diego heard arguments in an ACLU class action suit that challenges the separation of an asylum seeker from her seven-year-old daughter. The only thing that has changed is that now the administration, seeing an opportunity to throw some red meat to their base, is now openly vocalizing a disgusting policy that will do nothing to deter illegal immigration.

NEWSY BITS 5/2

Coming down the pipe Previews of the important or idiotic items possibly coming to a ballot or legislature near you.

One of the propositions appearing on the June ballot is Prop 68, or the Parks, Environment and Water Bond. Approval of Prop 68 would allow the state to sell $4.1 billion in general obligation bonds to fund natural habitat conservation ($1.5 billion), parks and recreation projects ($1.3 billion) and water-related projects ($1.3 billion), including flood protection, groundwater clean up and potable water.

Of those funds, the greatest portions would go toward state conservancies and wildlife conservation ($767 million) and creating parks in communities that lack them ($725 million), according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Repayment is estimated to take 40 years at $200 million per year, which would be collected through general tax revenues. However, the LAO also expects the bonds to save local governments several tens of millions of dollars every year for several decades on such environmental projects.

So far, there’s overwhelming support for Prop 68, which was authored by Senate President Kevin de León (D-24). Supporters include Governor Jerry Brown and the California Democratic Party, plus a long list of organizations such as the California State Parks Foundation, Sierra Club California and The Nature Conservancy. They argue that Prop 68’s funding is but a drop in the California debt bucket, while providing uncontested benefits. If it passes, the LAO expects annual spending on debt to remain below 5 percent through 2025.

There is little opposition to Prop 68 and zero dollars donated to the campaign against it. Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, argues that the funds aren’t sufficient to cover deferred park maintenance and the allotted money would be unfairly distributed to “politicians to spend on their pet projects.” In a March U-T editorial, he also noted that many parks promised to underserved neighborhoods in a 2006 bond have yet to be completed.

While it leaves future generations with the bill, Prop 68 would also leave them with enhanced natural resources—an undoubtedly worthy investment in a time when the federal government is waging war on the environment.

All the seriousness, silliness and stupidity of the past week

5/3

5/4

5/5

Assemblymember Todd Gloria requests state audit of city and county response to Hepatitis A outbreak.

5/6 San Diego Housing Federation awards Sen. Toni Atkins a 2018 Ruby Award, which recognizes leadership, innovation and impact in affordable housing and community development.

BEST DAY EVER!

ACLU of San Diego joins lawsuit of a 61-year-old transgender woman who was denied use of women’s facilities at Crunch Fitness gym in El Cajon.

Wouldn’t it be great if every time we did something unethical, we could just tell the local media something like whoops, my bad?

That seems to be the continuing logic of County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk (and Carl Fredricksen look-alike) Ernest Dronenburg, who seems to be basically counting on voter ignorance or disinterest in his primary race despite the fact that since he’s been in office he’s a.) attempted to block gay marriages back in 2013; b.) spent $90,000 of taxpayer dollars on sometimes dubious trips; c.) bought stock in a real estate developer a few months after being sworn in as the person in charge of setting property taxes, and, most recently; d.) failed to disclose a $5,000 contribution from the GOP (the office is technically non-partisan).

Last of the asylum seekers with the Pueblo sin Fronteras caravan entered the U.S…

5/7

5/8

San Diego jury finds Allstate Insurance liable for $18 million in damages to employee that was terminated after he’d been arrested even though all charges were dropped.

4.5 pre-dawn earthquake in Riverside County felt in San Diego.

… But it’s estimated that many will be denied political asylum

FML

San Diego County pays more than $400,000 to two women who claim to have been sexually assaulted by a Sheriff’s deputy. 13 other women have rejected settlement offers.

8 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

Pentagon report says 2000 troops deployed on border to cost $182 million.

Hitler-praising, antiSemitic U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Little posts YouTube video claiming he was kicked out of State Republican Convention.

Story in Washington Post reveals gentrification, rising housing prices and lack of affordable housing in California’s coastal communities has led to the largest homeless population in decades.

Three deadly shootings all in the same day, including two men in Mountain View and a third man in Logan Heights.

More shootings.

This time five people shot and injured in the East Village.

SeaWorld first quarter attendance way up.

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JOHN R. LAMB

UP FRONT | OPINION

SPIN

CYCLE

JOHN R. LAMB

Summer of discontent It is the greatest of all advantages to enjoy no advantage at all.

—Henry David Thoreau

T

en months into the job, interim San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan seemed to possess all the comforts of virtual incumbency as she steamrolled toward the June 5 election.

But as the campaign clock begins to wind down, Stephan has developed a cold shot-selection pattern (hey, it’s NBA playoff season). It can happen when a 7-footer suddenly enters the game with minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Not something one wants to plan for, particularly when champagne sits chilled, ready for popping.

When George Soros, the billionaire most reviled by the right wing, takes aim at unseating someone, it’s perfectly understandable to get some back up. But there would be

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a graceful way to handle that—say, rely on near-three decades of prosecutorial experience to craft a vision of judicial fairness for all. Unfortunately, Team Stephan has opted for tossing hand grenades instead.

We’ve come to expect fearmongering in our political battles, but what San Diego has experienced in this race in the last week might even get ol’ red-baiter Joe McCarthy to peer out of his grave in appreciation.

Not typically reticent to boast of his own self worth, Stephan’s campaign guru Jason Roe last week was positively subdued when asked about an especially odious website (threattosandiego.com) that his team had just erected. Upon entering the site, bold white letters appear against a backdrop of patrol-car lights screaming, “SAN DIEGO PUBLIC SAFETY IS UNDER ATTACK.” Scrolling down, an image of

a seated Soros—eyebrow cocked, fingers poised like a Bond villain—floats over a darkened photo of black-masked Antifa protesters with the words “Anti-Law Enforcement $$$ is Coming to San Diego” hanging over the liberal billionaire’s head.

“Billionaire Social Activist George Soros has brought his war against law enforcement to San Diego,” the website proclaims, as if channeling Chicken Little, “and he’s spending more than $1 million to support anti-law enforcement candidate Geneviéve Jones-Wright for District Attorney.”

Scroll down further through the red-pill rantings about Soros and a 30-second ad appears, warning that San Diego County’s low crime rate would be threatened with the “dangerous choice” of Jones-Wright, a local deputy public defender who, the ad claims, would “legalize sex crimes,” “end bail for criminals” and “close jails and prisons.”

Retired San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, a rumored future City Council candidate, even makes an appearance toward the end of the digital screed, all smiles as doom merchant while she warns, “Don’t let the outside money of George Soros take away the tools our local law enforcement leaders need to keep all of our neighborhoods safe by letting dangerous criminals off the hook.”

Republican campaign strategist Jason “Dr. Strangelove” Roe has interim DA Summer Stephan sipping from the conspiracy bottle.

Never mind the awkwardness of that sentence, but Roe didn’t want to talk last week about the website when a San Diego UnionTribune reporter inquired whether the campaign was linking Soros with an anti-fascist militant group.

“That’s just your impression,” was his response.

And, of course, that would be the impression he hopes you come away with, because that’s what fearmongering is all about. Odd the veteran dark-sider wouldn’t brag about it.

It’s been reported that Stephan recently lamented that the District Attorney post is an elected position, which isn’t surprising given how this job was gift-wrapped for her last year by an antiquated county Board of Supervisors that is about as modern-thinking as a Leave It to Beaver episode.

Even Sunday’s Union-Tribune endorsement of Stephan rang hollow, running all of six paragraphs as compared to a more-detailed endorsement of supervisorial candidate Omar Passons over his party-endorsed competitors, Nathan Fletcher and the “underwhelming” former DA Bonnie Dumanis.

While the U-T urged JonesWright to “remain active” in the local fight for criminal justice, “we believe Stephan has significantly more potential to be an aggressive, effective problem-solver…”

Twenty-nine years of experience and nearly a year into the top-prosecutor job, and we’re still talking about “potential”?

Andrea St. Julian, an appellatecourt attorney and vice president of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, which works to diversify the local legal community and is backing Jones-Wright, has found Stephan’s efforts in the past year “deeply disappointing.”

“How Summer has been able to go out and campaign and say things on the campaign trail, yet not implement any of the things

she’s saying in the actual day-today workings of the DA,” St. Julian told Spin, her voice trailing off.

She pointed to Stephan’s recent decision that a sheriff’s deputy was justified in the killing of 24-yearold Jonathan Coronel, who was shot 22 times while a witness said he was lying on the ground.

“What’s bothersome to communities across the country is a failure of district attorneys to hold police accountable for their actions,” St. Julian explained, adding she had hoped Stephan “would bring a new vision to that issue.”

On bail reform, “an incredibly important issue,” St. Julian said Stephan has done little to apply the wisdom of the so-called Humphrey decision, a court ruling that says prosecutors must take a person’s financial situation into consideration when setting bail. “When you are kept in jail pending your trial, you are much more likely to plead to an offense you did not commit because of the pressure of being in jail,” she said.

In addition, St. Julian said Stephan, rather than providing politically expedient “lip service,” could have been at the forefront on the issue of de-escalation rather than holding a recent symposium on the matter. “A symposium looks like lip service,” she said.

For Jones-Wright, none of this is surprising. “From writing briefs against propositions that overwhelmingly passed to not showing up to forums in communities most impacted by her policies,” she told Spin, “my opponent has shown repeatedly through the last year that she doesn’t respect the will of the people.

“It’s unfortunate that someone who is supposed to represent the entire county is stirring fear, hatred, anti-Semitism, and feels so comfortable dog whistling.”

Spin Cycle appears every other week.

Write to johnl@sdcitybeat.com.

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 9

UP FRONT | OPINION

AARYN BELFER

BACKWARDS & IN

HIGH HEELS

Giving up on family dinners

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frozen block of chicken chili is defrosting in my sink right now. In an hour, I’ll squeeze the cold, brown slush from the Ziploc Freezer Bag it’s been stored in for the last month and into my slow cooker. I’ll try not to get tomato splatter all over my new Ear Hustle t-shirt. I’ll set the life-altering, albeit unsexy, appliance to high and ensure that when I set a bowl of the stew before her tonight along with a piece of buttered cornbread (from a box, I’m no hero), so that my Queenager will have a healthy homemade meal to appraise and sniff at with disgust before reaching for a bowl of cereal.

No good deed goes unpunished, unpraised, unappreciated or unvalued when you have a middleschooler in your midst. High school is gonna be totally lit.

Parenthood, for me, really just boils down to a series of assessments and journey of degrees. I assess situations and determine to what degree I care about them. When my daughter was little, I cared deeply about a.) keeping her alive; b.) keeping her from harming herself, her friends, household pets and bugs; c.) keeping her healthy, and; d.) providing her with rituals.

I double- and triple-checked I hadn’t left her on the roof of the car before driving away from the grocery store. I taught her that the stove is hot, and that hitting kids, pulling dogs’ tails, and stepping on spiders were not acceptable behaviors. I fed her organic blueberries, organic broccoli, organic fillin-the-blank. And dinner, eaten at the dining room table as a family every night, included a round of Roses and Thorns, a family sharing session of our days’ high and low points.

I was uncompromising when it came to family dinners. We’d have takeout on occasion, but there would be no television trays (I am not Roseanne). Many years ago, my husband read that the singular common trait shared among all Rhodes Scholars was participation in family dinners. That little data point stuck and I clinged to it until recently, when my nails were peeling away from their beds and I was forced to finally let go.

Dinners are a whole different beast when it comes to having an almost-eighth grader. She’s not a girl, but not yet a woman. Thank you, Britney Spears. My daughter is what I like to call a Ladybaby: an adultlooking human female who is 85-percent little girl pretending to be an adult human female. As she’s changing, so are the things I prioritize. Here’s what I care about today: 1. Did you do your homework? Yes? Cool.

2. Did you turn in your completed homework?

Yes? Victory! (Praise. Praise.)

3. Were you respectful to all adults in your life?

Yeah? It’s out that counts. (More praise.)

4. Did you brush your teeth? No? We do this every damn day. Twice. It’s non-negotiable.

5. Did you give it all your best effort? No? Please

do better tomorrow.

6. Did you clean your roo... wait...

Assessment: Will it matter in six years if I go to the mat over her dirty bedroom today? Nope. Degree of caring? Registers only if my mother-in-law is coming to visit. If the Ladybaby wants to leave chocolate wrappers laying around like used tissue or let dirty laundry pile up in her closet then that’s on her. I don’t have to live in there with the fruit flies.

All of this being said, my march toward parental freedom no longer includes regular sit-down dinners, and I’m still in the last stages of coming to terms with that. The Ladybaby has track now, and that takes up three nights each week and most of our weekends.

We roll in from practice after eight o’clock on weeknights, and on weekends we’re all toast by the time it’s over. Who has the gumption to sit down at the table, let alone set it? After a shower and before homework, we all need a little flatlining. If my child is going to be a Rhodes Scholar, she’ll be the outlier who ate Cup of Noodles in front of the television with her feet up on the coffee table.

There’s also the eternal Groundhog Day scenario of exhausting and mundane steps to meal preparation. The once amenable����������������������� , I’ll-eat-anything Ladybaby hates vegetarianism, fish, meat and vegetables that aren’t lettuce and tomatoes. Her father and I eat clean. Choosing what to make and how to please all takers is one more thing I’ve assessed and determined that the degree to which I care is lower than I fucking don’t. So she can eat the crockpot meals I’ve painstakingly prepared and stockpiled or not. IDGAF. I’ve given all the way up on family dinner.

I do have pangs of inadequacy over this cultural shift in my home. The Ghost of Dinners Past lingers as we each make a plate and settle in to the couch, our laps as tray tables (I am still not Roseanne).

Together, we watch old episodes of Parks and Recreation or catch up on Black-ish. And we do have the structure of BLT night when we watch Grown-ish, Ladybaby’s new fave. Assessment: This show is our new Roses and Thorns. Degree to which I care: All of the caring.

Thanks to Kenya Barris and Yara Shahidi, and over a meal made from organic love, the three of us now have conversational topics—about binge drinking, drug use, sexting and sexual identity—that makes Ladybaby roll her eyes and sniff with disgust. We can, I remind her in those moments, always sit at the table.

If my child is going to be a Rhodes Scholar, she’ll be the outlier who ate Cup of Noodles in front of the television with her feet up on the coffee table.

10 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

Backwards & In High Heels appears every other week.

Write to aarynb@sdcitybeat.com.

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UP FRONT | VOICES

RYAN BRADFORD

WELL THAT WAS

AWKWARD

That’s it, no more edibles

I

can’t seem to find the pizzas that I want in this grocery store. I look in other sections to see if maybe they’ve scattered the pizzas throughout the store.

I want to have something to offer to my friends when they arrive—two good chums are driving down from Carpinteria to watch the livestream of Coachella, and they’re bringing their young daughter.

I decide to abandon the pizza quest and focus on finding beer. This confusion certainly couldn’t be the result of a THC-laced candy I ate just an hour ago. I’m certain of it.

I pick up a 30-pack of Miller Lite because this is what my brain deems an appropriate amount and quality of beer for four responsible adults enjoying a low-key weekend with a two-year-old. I didn’t take the drugs because it’s 4/20. In fact, I hate the whole thing with 4/20. I hate every holiday that celebrates vices, because being a grown-up means you don’t need a special day to do anything. St. Patty’s Day, 4/20, Cinco de Mayo—all amateur hour.

No, I ate the weed candy because it was free.

The preceding week had been long—one of those weeks where I thought it was Friday on Wednesday. I decided to treat myself to a haircut at Barber Side in Normal Heights. It’s the type of place that offers each customer a beer upon entering, which seems to be pretty standard practice among most ye olde barber shoppes these days, but it still makes me feel like a tough guy.

But since it was 4/20, there was also a box of candies out on the table. Free drugs! Despite years of being warned by DARE officers that strangers are itching to give me free drugs, it was the first time that it’s actually happened. I couldn’t not take one. The package was a sinister little black and red thing with “CANDIES” printed in inconspicuous, large font across the front, and then “Indica—50mg THC” underneath. Honestly, it looked like something you’d buy at a gas station for a better boner or something, and for that reason, I didn’t take it very seriously.

I ate the candy. It was watermelon-flavored. I sat silently during my cut, which could’ve either been the drugs kicking in or just my natural aversion to conversation (I constantly dream of owning a business called Quiets™ which provides barbers, rideshare drivers and dentists—all of whom won’t talk to you).

Now, at the grocery store, I chalk up my confusion to tiredness, not a free weed candy. Finding a pizza shouldn’t be this hard. Actually, it’s the store’s fault,

not mine. For shame, grocery store and your tricky layout.

At home, I remove the vegetables from the crisper in the refrigerator to put the beer in, which seems like a normal thing to do. No reason to tell anyone I’m high—not my wife, not my friends, nobody. I’m amazed at how well 30 beers fits in there. This awe does not feel like a symptom of being high, but my own spatial ingenuity.

Then, the candy kicks in. Hard. And three successive events send me into a shame spiral. First, I have trouble connecting the computer to the TV. (Wires.

Too. Confusing.). Then, I find out that Coachella isn’t even streaming the second weekend. Then, I get a text from my friends: They’re only an hour away.

I sit down to watch Dateline, a ridiculous show even without drugs. On the screen, two people are talking to each other, and my wife asks if I think they’re in the same room, or filmed separately and edited together.

“No, they’re probably talking to stuffed animals,” I say. Oh God, why’d I say that? Who would ever say such a thing. I confess: “I’m high. I ate an edible at the barber shop.”

“Good job,” she says. “You knew that our friends and their two-year-old were coming, right?”

Our friends arrive, and it’s the first thing I say: “I’m high.”

They’ve driven four hours in the night to be with us. I know I should be social, but all I really want to do is retreat into a dark space. I tell stories, which fizzle out when I get distracted by my shoes. I try to talk about CityBeat’s recent reggae-appropriation article controversy, but end up making reggae guitar sounds: wick-ah, wick-ah, wick-ah. When my friends tell me that at least my haircut looks good, I say: “Yeah, but the barber was being so precise!”

When their daughter starts talking about her imaginary friends, I imagine them at our front door and thoroughly creep myself out. It’s all too much. I know it’s drug-induced projecting, but I can see the regret in my friends’ eyes from bringing their child into this drug haven. I excuse myself and go to bed, where I lie alone like a vampire, and wonder if my friends are actually at our house or if I had dreamed the whole thing. I remember the scary imaginary friends and cover my head with the blanket. I fall asleep breathing through a little hole in my blanket cocoon—a protective maneuver against monsters that I haven’t done since I was a child.

When their daughter starts talking about her imaginary friends, I imagine them at our front door and thoroughly creep myself out. It’s all too much.

@SDCITYBEAT

Well, That Was Awkward appears every other week.

Write to ryanb@sdcitybeat.com

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 11

UP FRONT | FOOD

BY MICHAEL A. GARDINER

THE WORLD

FARE

Reason to cross the street

T

here are people who would walk a mile uphill for chicken wings. I’ve never been one of them. It’s just not a church at which I worship. I’ve been told it’s because I’m not from the South. I’ve been told it’s because I haven’t spent enough time in Buffalo. That all may be true, though as far as I’m concerned I’ve spent more than enough time in Buffalo.

Still, I’ve come to believe the real reason I didn’t love wings might have been because I hadn’t yet tasted the Korean fried chicken wings at Cross Street (4403 Convoy St.) in Kearny Mesa’s Convoy District.

Korean fried chicken features a thin, crunchy, clean and nongreasy skin with a moist, savory interior. The trademark skin of this KFC is the result of a process that’s importantly different from the version in America’s south. For one thing, it’s double fried. They pull the wings from the Fryolator part way through the cooking process, which allows the chicken to cool and the oil to return to a temperature at which, when the wings are dropped in again, the skin crisps dramatically.

The other main differences from your daddy’s KFC are the fact the chicken is seasoned after cooking, rather than before, and the batter includes both cornstarch and baking powder, giving it a lighter feel.

Cross Street offers six styles of wings, each of which are offered either bone-in or boneless. Other than laziness there is literally no reason to get boneless. Bone-in means flavor-in.

My favorite is the Seoul Spicy. The early, preopening accounts of it weren’t promising, but it’s a different story now. The wings feature a stickysweet sauce with a definite kick that may not knock customers’ socks off, but also makes them stand up in those socks and take notice. The incredible thing

12 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

is that the skin somehow manages to stay crisp under that sauce. There are very few wings anywhere that I’ve tried that are as good, much less better, than the ones at Cross Street.

The OG is Cross Street’s version of the classic Korean fried chicken, and it does not disappoint. It has that comforting, familiar feel. It has that thin and crunchy, salty crust with that moist interior and bit of a bite. A bonus is that customers won’t need nearly as many napkins to get through it.

MICHAEL A. GARDINER

Seoul spicy wings

Cross Street has several non-wing choices of which the Chicken & Waffles is a particularly good rendition of the non-Korean classic. The Chicken Sliders are competent, but it almost seemed to be trying too hard, and the potato buns just weren’t sturdy enough to hold up to the Seoul Spicy sauce.

Of the sides, Cross Street’s kim chi is a particularly fish sauce-forward version of the Korean staple, and the pickled daikon cubes offer a welcome acidity that accompanies most of the wings well.

Even after my excellent experience at Cross Street, I’d be fibbing if I said I’m prepared to walk a mile uphill for wings. But I’ll definitely drive to the Convoy District, even through rush hour traffic.

The World Fare appears weekly.

Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.

@SDCITYBEAT

UP FRONT | DRINK

ANATOMY OF A COCKTAIL SCENE

BY IAN WARD

#31: Paying full price at Nolita Hall

given the choice between free or not free, the majority of the populace opts for the former. Hell, that’s to be expected in alomeone challenged me to make a most all situations. It takes something Montenegro tiki cocktail,” says cock- exceptional to move people to pay for something when they are also being given tail consultant Brian Prugalidad. something equally as enjoyable It is one of the christening for free. It better be fucking phenights of the newborn Nolita Hall nomenal or that would just (2305 India St., Little Italy), a pizbe a silly thing to do. za-centric modern beer hall with Phenomenal is what a beautiful, big bar that is very Prugalidad’s drink menu at much focused on Italian spirits, or Nolita Hall is. Or, from what as Prugalidad puts it: “AmaroI’ve experienced, that menu focused but approachable. is thoughtful, focused and exBased heavily on classics, citing. so people can recognize the There’s a gorgeous Garibcocktails, but with enough of aldi variation with fluffy ora twist that people that drink ange juice and an elegant classics regularly can find Rome With A View cocktail something interesting.” that soothes you into any of the It’s a hosted night so there pizzas that crosses your path. is plenty of complimentary However, the Full Montenegro food, beer and wine, but cockwas the one off of his menu that tails were non-gratis. In spite inspired me. It’s easier to make of this, when I look around the a menu of classics that you’ve majority of glasses in the room been inspired by, but it’s truly seem to be cocktails. Now, I’m impressive to take that and then not much of a believer in huinspire others based on your manity at large, but I have The Full Montenegro inspiration. found that most people in It was one thing for Andrea these types of parties are incredible frugal. I believe that, having gone through Del Vecchio to inspire Leonardo Da Vinci’s several restaurant openings myself, that art, but it was quite another for Da Vinci to in turn influence the Wright brothers.

Inspiration comes from all places, especially when you’re challenged.

THE FULL I’m glad Prugalidad was challenged to MONTENEGRO make this tiki cocktail with Montenegro. as prepared at Nolita Hall It’s absolutely delicious. Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut and wine and amaro 1 1/2 oz. Montenegro 3/4 oz. Coco Lopez Amaro Cream of Coconut with lime. Who knew? It also showcases all of those things. Creamy and tropical, 1 oz. pineapple juice Generous float of Lambrusco but with a long bitter, almost strong tea1/2 oz. lime juice like finish and a drying wine component.

It’s delicious and inspired, and is well Combine all ingredients except Lambrworth paying for. usco in a shaker tin with pebble ice. Whip

S

IA N WAR D

“

and transfer to a Collins glass. Finish with a float of Lambrusco. Garnish with pineapple fronds and a cherry.

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Anatomy of a Cocktail Scene appears every other week. Write to ianw@sdcitybeat.com.

BY DAVEY LANDEROS

REVENGE OF THE BEER NERD Blazing trails

unique vessel that is open, flat and facilitates specific cooling rates to promote a t’s been a little over two years since menagerie of wild micro flora growth. opening, and Burning Beard (785 Ver- Coolships are gaining some traction in non Way, burningbeardbrewing.com) the U.S., but it is still rare. Burning Beard has been making a lot of noise. The El Ca- joins Beachwood and Phantom Carriage, jon-based brewery’s Czech pilsner, Norm- two other So-Cal breweries that own and core, was voted best lager earlier this year operate a coolship.

“We want to express something in West Coaster’s “Best of San Diego Beer Reader’s Choice Awards.” The brewery unique. It needs to be authentic and true also brought home three medals from the to style,” says Wiederkehr, as he flashes me the weather app on his phone. “BeL.A. International Beer Competition.

Despite the success, owners Jeff Wie- cause I’m superstitious, I always know derkehr and Mike Maass show no signs what the weather is in Belgium.”

The sour program will be an extension of slowing down. First up is the “Distinguished Delinquents,” which Maass de- of what the two owners call the “Beard scribes as essentially a beer club that will Ethos.” That is, it’s grounded in tradition be “limited to 250 members in its inau- while still pushing the envelope. Though gural year” and that will bring together they hope to have the sour facility operabeer lovers from all walks of life. The club tional in the next year, there are no plans to rush anything. I am told that the coollaunches on June 1.

I was also eager to hear about their in- ship has been installed and that the space tentions to open a sour production facility. is about 75-percent complete.

As I peppered Wiederkehr with more DAVEY LANDEROS questions of their sour plans, I discovered that they’ve also been experimenting with East County terroir and already have a proprietary wild yeast known as Brulanta Metio. Esperanto for “burning craft,” it is the house yeast strain for the Beard’s Wild Ale program. The yeast was most recently featured in a mixed-culture saison, Song of Orpheus, which debuted at the brewery’s two-year anniversary party, and was recently made available on Burning Beard draft in the Beard tasting room.

I was lucky enough to taste Song of “It’s always been our plan since day Orpheus and was pleasantly surprised to one,” says Wiederkehr.

The current facility houses 90 wine find notes of rosewater, jalapeno flesh, barrels and two 30 BBL oak foeders (large strawberries and cream, and hints of vawooden vessels) designed for aging beer. nilla and oak.

“We know we’re aiming high. We’re One was pitched with commercially availbound to fuck something up and it will able Brettanomyces and bacteria, while the other houses a culture harvested from probably be this,” chuckles Wiederkehr.

Well, so far, so good. a piece of wood from Belgium.

I

Ultimately, the new sour facility will integrate the use of a coolship, a traditional Flemish tool that is used in the production of old world sours. It’s a

Write to Davey at daveyl@sdcitybeat.com or check him out on Instagram at @daveythebeernerd.

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 13

EVENTS

SHORTlist

the

THREE YOU HAVE TO SEE

COORDINATED BY SETH COMBS

DOWNTOWN

CHILD’S PLAY When The New Children’s Museum (NCM) relocated and reopened 10 years ago, people knew it was a game-changer. The three-story, Rob Quigley-designed building was a marvel in and of itself. What’s more, the Museum wasn’t simply offering a nice place for kids to run around wild, but rather immersive, educational experiences created by contemporary artists.

Now, a decade later, NCM is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Downtown location (200 W. Island Ave.) with a year’s worth of events and celebrations. First up is the reimagined reopening of Brian Dick’s No Rules Except…, one of the more popular exhibitions.

Originally commissioned in 2008, No Rules Except… (also known as “The Mattress Room”) became something of a legend, with many patrons and parents asking if it would ever return.

“In my six-plus years at the Museum, No Rules Except…, aka the ‘Mattress Room,’ has been one of the most affectionately talked about and remembered pieces,” says Deputy Museum Director Tomoko Kuta. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 10 years as The New Children’s Museum than to recreate that experience for a new generation of visitors.”

For those unfamiliar, No Rules Except…—which reopens Saturday, May 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.—showcases Dick’s commitment to using recycled materials in his art. The highly interactive exhibition features 40 mattresses installed on the floor and walls, as well as 165 silkscreened tire cushions. The result is something like the world’s largest area to COURTESY OF THE NEW CHILDREN’S MUSEUM jump from bed-to-bed, with additional areas that are perfect for hide-and-seek and toddlers. There’s even pathways for those in wheelchairs so everyone can join in on the action.

There will be additional anniversary events at NCM throughout the year, including Mass Creativity Day (June 23) and camps nearly everyday throughout the summer teaching kids everything from printmaking and dance, to ceramics and cooking. Admission ranges from free for babies and members, and $10-$14 for adults and kids. thinkplaycreate.org No Rules Except...

14 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

ART

NORTH PARK

BLOCK ARTY Two decades is a long run for any festival, but the SDCCU Festival of Arts in North Park just seems to get bigger and better every year. Held over nine square blocks, the 22nd annual fest features over 100 artists working in every conceivable medium, as well as local crafts, four stages of live music (The Heavy Guilt and Spooky Cigarette are just a few of our favorites), a Waypoint Craft Beer Block area and a Kids Art Block. For us, highlights include the drag queen karaoke performances and the Live Art Block, which features local street artists transforming everyday objects into art as crowds look on. Best of all, it’s free. It all happens Saturday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out the full lineup of events, performers and activities at northparkmainstreet.com.

MARIA WILES

HGaps in the Record: Vanguard Print Culture in San Diego at San Diego History Center, 1649 El Prado Ste 3, Balboa Park. An exhibit exploring the convergence of visual art and the written word in mid-century San Diego. Opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 11. Free. 619-2326203, sandiegohistory.org HSan Diego Art Prize at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The San Diego Art Prize spotlights established San Diego artists together with emerging artists. The 2017 winners will be showcased at this show: Cy Kuckenbaker with Rizzhel Mae Javier and Fu/ Rich (Victoria Fu and Matt Rich) with Alexander Kohnke. Winners for 2018 will also be announced. Opening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May. 11. Free. 858-4545872, ljathenaeum.org HNo Rules Except… at The New Children’s Museum, 200 W. Island Ave., Downtown. A reimagined reopening of Brian Dick’s popular exhibition, originally commissioned in 2008, which features 40 mattresses installed on the floor and walls, as well as 165 silkscreened tire cushions.

From 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12. $10-$14. thinkplaycreate.org Masks at Thumbprint Gallery, 920 Kline St., La Jolla. A mask-inspired exhibit featuring new works by 25 artists within the Strange Dreams Surreal Artist Collective. Opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 12. Free.

858-354-6294, thumbprintgallerysd.com

Festival of Arts North park SOUTH PARK

ARM-IN-ARM Despite good intentions, philanthropic events can sometimes be a bore.

But then there’s TWAT, or rather, The Women’s Arm-Wrestling Tournament. The eliminationstyle competition pits female business owners against each other for the sake of charity. More than 15 local shops are participating in the inaugural TWAT, including owners from The Rose, Little Dame, Community Coffee, Gossip Grill and Graffiti Beach. All the proceeds of the night will be donated to The San Diego Rescue Mission in support of its emergency and long-term shelters for women and children. The competition goes down Thursday, May 10 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Rose (2215 30th St.) and tickets cost $5 each.

Shopping at the participating stores the weekend of the event will also benefit the cause. twatsd.com

Shut Up and Eat! at CM Curatorial, 2070 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. A group show that celebrates food as an artistic muse and existential tormentor. Plus music by Tijuana soundmakers Delta Sine, iOB and MDL. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 12. 858-361-9052, facebook.com/ events/1689044324497470 BAM: Barrio Art Mart at La Esquina Barrio Logan, 2222 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan.

A monthly art market presenting local barrio artists, makers and designers in a curated show of fine art, photography, jewelry, sculpture and home goods. From 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 12. Free. facebook.com/events/212692595982636

BOOKS HThings We Haven’t Said Panel at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. Three contributors to the new anthology, Things We Haven’t Said: Sexual Violence Survivors Speak Out, will discuss recovery, stigma and their hopes for the future. At 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 10. Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com

H = CityBeat picks

@SDCITYBEAT

EVENTS EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 Paula McLain at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The bestselling author of The Paris Wife will sign and discuss her new book, Love and Ruin. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10. Free. 858454-0347, warwicks.com HTessa Fontaine and Julia Dixon Evans at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont.

The two authors will discuss their respective new books, The Electric Woman (Fontaine) and How to Set Yourself on Fire (Evans). At 7 p.m. Friday, May 11. Free.

858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com HSuzy Fincham-Gray at The Book Catapult, 3010-B Juniper St., South Park. The veterinarian and author will sign and discuss her new book, My Patients and Other Animals: A Veterinarian’s Stories of Love, Loss, and Hope. At 7 p.m. Friday, May 11.

Free. 619-795-3780, thebookcatapult.com

off-menu specialties—and even beer pairings—restaurants such as Cali “O” Burgers, Crazee Burgers, Beerfish and more pay tribute to the hamburger. Various times through Saturday, May 12. sdcitybeat.com/burgerweek HMama’s Day at Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Enjoy music and dine on distinctive dishes prepared and served by executive chefs from dozens of San Diego’s top restaurants and hotels. Proceeds benefit Mama’s Kitchen’s food delivery programs. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 11. $150$250. 619-233-6262, mamaskitchen.org Avenue Amps & Ales at Memorial Park, 373 Park Way, Chula Vista. The annual event celebrates the growing craft brewery scene in Chula Vista with unlimited

samples of more than 50 beers. Plus, live bands, food and proceeds benefitting the Chula Vista Police Foundation. From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 12. $40-$55. thirdavenuevillage.com HBrews and Grooves at Riverwalk at Riverwalk Golf Club, 1150 Fashion Valley Road, Mission Valley. Enjoy beer tastings while partaking in free golf lessons at this annual event. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 12. $45-$65. 619-296-9528, riverwalkgc.com HEmpty Bowls San Diego at La Jolla United Methodist Church, 6063 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. San Diego area potters and local students make and donate hundreds of ceramic bowls, and restaurants fill them up, all to raise money for local homeless charity, the Third Avenue Chari-

table Organization. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 12. $25 suggested donation. 858-454-7108, tacosd.org HChocolate Festival at San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Enjoy dozens of chocolate tastings, demonstrations, a chocolate fountain and more at this family-friendly event.

From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12. $8-$14. 760-436-3036, sdbgarden.org San Diego Paella, Wine & Beer Festival at Embarcadero South Marina Park, 200 Marina Park Way, Downtown. Teams compete to be the best paella in the region. Plus, tapas, Spanish wines, beers and live Flamenco dancing. Benefits the Urban Corps San Diego County. From 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 12. $25-$98.

619-565-7015, paellawinefest.com

HBalboa Park Pow Wow at Southwest corner of Park Blvd. and Presidents Way, Balboa Park. The San Diego American Indian Health Center’s annual event will feature dancing, performances, handmade jewelry, pottery, basketry and other crafts and wares. Food venders will be selling a variety of food items, including fry bread and Indian tacos. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13. Free. sdaihc.org

MUSIC Barber, Bernstein, Beethoven at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., Downtown.

The program features the three artists’ works, opening with Barber’s Adagio for

EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

HMysterious Galaxy Birthday Bash at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. An entire day of activities, food and author appearances to celebrate the 25th birthday of the indie book store. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 12. Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com HRichard Fox at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. As part of Warwick’s ongoing Weekend with Locals program, the bicycle enthusiast will discuss his new guidebook, enCYCLEpedia: Southern California. At 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13.

Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com HSebastian Abbot at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The former Associated Press bureau chief will sign and discuss his new nonfiction book, The Away Game: The Epic Search for Soccer’s Next Superstars. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15.

Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com

DANCE HCarmina Burana at Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, Downtown. City Ballet of San Diego closes its season with a 100-voice choir and a ballet set in New York during the 1929 crash of the stock market and the beginning of the Great Depression. At 8 p.m. Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13. $25-$75. cityballet.org Mark Morris Dance Group: Pepperland at Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., Downtown. A choreographed tribute to the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The performance includes an original score interspersed with classics from the album. At 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12. $16.50-$71.50.

619-570-1100, sandiegotheatres.org

FILM H Reel Science Film Series at San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park. The first in a series of Sci-fi film screenings, audiences will watch the cult classic Phase IV and then participate in a scientific discussion with Dr. Michael Wall.

At 7 p.m. Friday, May 11. $12. sdnhm.org HSan Diego Surf Film Festival at Misfit Gallery, 565 Pearl St., Ste. 100, La Jolla.

This annual festival features dozens of international surf films, workshops, surfboard demos and a showcase of featured artist Wade Koniakowsky. Various times through Sunday, May 12. $10-$125. sdsurffilmfestival.com

FOOD & DRINK HCityBeat Burger Week at various locations. $6 burgers from San Diego’s best burger joints. From gourmet blends to

@SDCITYBEAT

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 15

EVENTS EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Strings, followed by Bernstein’s Jeremiah Symphony and closing with Beethoven’s Emperor piano concerto. At 8 p.m. Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13. $20-$98. 619235-0800, sandiegosymphony.org HEAVY dancing at Helmuth Projects, 1827 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill. A night of electronic music provided by Ingemar & Snapghost, Trax Vexler and Trip Advisor.

From 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday, May 12. facebook.com/events/361253517700151 Priti Gandhi at California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido.

The sopranist performs alongside pianist Ines Irawat for a program of classical selections as part of the Center’s Intimate Classics series. At 4 p.m. Sunday, May 13. $13-$40. 800-988-4253, artcenter.org HDreaming Without Walls at San Diego Museum of Art Rotunda, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. Art of Élan premieres a new piece from Tijuana-based composer and double-bassist Andrés Martín called “Bruja,” along with additional performances from SACRA/PROFANA and Missy Mazzoli. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 15. $40$50. 619-692-2081, artofelan.org Jumping Jack Flash at Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The Rolling Stones tribute band kicks off the outside Green Flash Concert series. Admission also includes entrance to all aquarium exhibits and parking. From 5:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, May 16. $33-$44. 858-5343474, aquarium.ucsd.edu

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD HThings They Left Behind at Partner-

ship for the Advancement of New Americans, 4089 Fairmount Ave., City Heights.

The Mingei Museum and PANA team up to host an evening of spoken word and storytelling, featuring writings that connect the performers’ works with objects from the Museum’s permanent collection.

From 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 11. Free.

619-239-0003, mingei.org

SPECIAL EVENTS HRaise Your Glasses at The Lafayette Hotel & Swim Club, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park. Urban Optiks Optometry celebrates its 10th anniversary with a vendor trunk show. Patrons can peruse glasses frames with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Vision of Children Foundation, a local non-profit based in Del Mar. From 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 9. $10. uoosd.com/raise HThe Women’s Arm-Wrestling Tournament at The Rose Wine Bar, 2215 30th St., South Park. An elimination-style competition that pits female business owners against each other for the sake of charity.

All the proceeds will be donated to The San Diego Rescue Mission. From 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 10. $5. twatsd.com HGator By The Bay at Spanish Landing Park, North Harbor Drive, Downtown.

Enjoy 10,000 pounds of crawfish, dancing and cooking demonstrations, and live music at this annual Cajun inspired festival.

From 6 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, and 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13. $20-$200. gatorbythebay.com HTikiBeat at Bali Hai Restaurant, 2230 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. CityBeat’s annual start of summer kick-off party

features DJs, Polynesian dancers, fashion shows, burlesque performances and music from CREEPXOTICA and The Upshots.

From 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 11. $20-$25. 619-296-2101, sdcitybeat.com Mother’s Day Sale at Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. A three-day sale at The Collectors’ Gallery in honor of Mother’s Day. Everything in store, including ceramics, textiles, jewelry, books and more, will be 10 percent off for non-members and 15 percent for members. From 10 a.m. Friday, May 11 through 5 p.m. Sunday, May 13.

Free. 619-239-0003, mingei.org HSDCCU Festival of Arts in North Park at University Avenue, North Park.

Held over nine square blocks, the 22nd annual fest features over 100 artists, crafts, four stages of live music, a craft beer area and a Kids Art Block. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 12. Free. northparkmainstreet.com Summer Bazaar at Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth Ave., Downtown. A one-day market featuring jewelry and small works by local artists. Vendors include Alexandra Hart, Monica Hui Hekman and more. From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 12. Free. 619-6961416, sparksgallery.com Kite Festival and Off Street Fair at Ocean Beach Athletic Area Robb Field, 2525 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Now in its 70th year, the fair includes live music, food, kite demonstrations, kite making and kite flying. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12. oceanbeachkiwanis.org HThe Annual Historic Home Tour in Coronado at Coronado Historical Association, Museum of History and Art, 1100 Orange Ave., Coronado. The tour visits seven local homes admired for architecture, interior design and gardens. This year’s theme is “History is in the Details.” From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 13. $35-$118. 619435-7242, coronadohistory.org

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS HNature and Culture’s Beer for Bears at Border X Brewing, 2181 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. Conservationists Alexander More and Fabián Rodas López will discuss their project to protect the habitat of Andean bears in South America.

Tickets also include three tacos and four beer tasters. From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12. $50-$60. facebook.com/ events/436198060168353 HOn View Artist Talk: Salvador Roberto Torres at Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave., Logan Heights. The artist, who’s best known for his work in Chicano Park starting in the 1970s, will speak about his efforts as an activist and muralist.

Some of his work will also be on display in the gallery. At 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12. Free. 619-851-4083, facebook.com/ events/741235682933570 HKatherine Boo at San Diego Central Library Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., East Village. Steve Clemons of The Atlantic sits down with the Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist, who has spent 25 years reporting on poverty and is the author of the bestseller, Behind the Beautiful Forevers. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16. extension.ucsd.edu

WORKSHOPS HHow To Make Block Prints with McHank at The Studio Door, 3750 30th St., North Park. A step-by-step lesson on making block prints including proper knife techniques and tips for carving. Plus participants can create their own rubber stamp. From 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 16. $42.63. 619-255-4920, facebook.com/events/192858511508507

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THEATER ADRIANA ZUNIGA-WILLIAMS

Smokey Joe’s Cafe

Ageless oldies

I

ts songs may seem old (they are), but the longest-running Broadway musical revue ever is still blessed with the endurance and exuberance of youth. The 39-tune celebration of composers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller is returning to New York in July for a much-anticipated engagement at Off-Broadway’s Stage 42. That’s 23 years after it opened on the Great White Way and ran for more than 2,000 performances. But Smokey Joe’s Café is open for business locally right now, at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista where it’s directed and choreographed by Shirley Johnston, who is also a member of the nine-person cast.

Officially titled Smokey Joe’s Café: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, this two-act show is a jukebox musical in the purest sense. It’s 100-percent sung through, with no spoken book, and its tunes are not strictly connected in any discernible theme.

In the first act, for example, the comedic “Poison Ivy” is sandwiched between the torchy “Fools Fall in Love” and the vampy “Don Juan,” while in Act 2, “Jailhouse Rock” (complete with the ensemble in prison stripes) bisects the jazz-inflected “Some Cats Know” and the swooning “Spanish Harlem.”

But continuity is less important than the Leiber and Stoller songs themselves, which over the course of two hours also include classics like “Kansas City,” “There Goes My Baby,” “On Broadway,” “Hound Dog,” “Young Blood,” “Yakety Yak,” “Love Potion #9” and the unifying finale “Stand By Me.” OnStage Playhouse’s cast is mostly young, and they are talented and sincere in their renderings.

Standouts include Dominique Dates, Raymond Stradford III and the versatile, aforementioned Johnston. Her choreography is industrious and contributes added dimension to what otherwise would be an oldies concert. Consequently, the group numbers, which sometimes features the entire cast in dance mode, are Smokey Joe’s Café’s high points.

The solo vocalizations in general are overwrought.

A six-member band, which includes 15-year-old Alvin Paige on saxophone, cranks out the tunes with gusto. While the narrow confines of the Onstage theater makes entrances and exits from the wings awkward, the spry and multi-costumed (courtesy of Pam Stomply-Ericson) cast never misses a beat.

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Smokey Joe’s Café runs through June 9 at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista. $25; onstageplayhouse.org

—David L. Coddon

Theater reviews run weekly.

Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com.

OPENING: Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure: The famous detective takes on one more case just as he’s about to retire.

Presented by Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department, it opens May 10 at the Stagehouse Theatre in El Cajon. grossmont.edu Steel Magnolias: Five Louisiana women bond over love and mortality in Robert Harling’s classic play. Directed by Lynn Wolsey, it opens May 11 at the PowPAC Community Theater in Poway. powpac.org A Thousand Splendid Suns: The So-Cal premiere of Ursula Rani Sarma’s stage adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s novel about three generations of Afghan women. Directed by Carey Perloff, it opens May 12 at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. theoldglobe.org The Madres: When a young Argentinian woman goes missing, her mother and grandmother will stop at nothing to fight her. Based on the true story of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in ’70s Argentina, it opens in previews May 13 at the MOXIE Theatre in Rolando. moxietheatre.com The Wind and the Breeze: A young hip-hop MC is challenged to a battle by his closest mentees in this world premiere play from Nathan Alan Davis. Presented by Cygnet Theatre, it opens in previews May 16 at the Old Town Theatre. cygnettheatre.com

NOW PLAYING: Hairspray: The hit musical about a social outcast who becomes an overnight sensation after going on a ’60s dance show. Presented by JCompany Youth Theatre, it runs through May 13 at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre in La Jolla. sdcjc.org How the Other Half Loves: Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s biting comedy about three couples whose lives are about to get a whole lot closer. Directed by Geoffrey Sherman, it runs through May 13 at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org

For complete theater listings, visit sdcitybeat.com

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This summer, it’s time to get out and experience all the things we’ve always wanted to do... but never did.

To be honest, we were thinking about calling this issue “Cliché Summer.” After all, CityBeat readers have come to expect features that aren’t about the more obvious attractions that make us such a tourist-friendly destination. We much prefer to showcase the underground places, people and things that would otherwise never get any press. However, there’s something about embracing some of the more iconic and well-known places San Diego has become known for.

What’s more, while our writers have lived here for years, we found that there were still plenty of places we had always wanted to visit but, for one reason or another, had not gotten around to it yet. Some might be tempted to call it a local “bucket list,” but it was more about us getting out there, getting out of our comfort zone and embracing things we might otherwise never try.

After all, isn’t that what summer’s all about?

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SETH COMBS

latter paired with the coconut tequila “Beach Break” cocktail (my date described it as “summer in a glass”) beats the hell out of popcorn and soda any day of the week.

—Seth Combs

Wasting away in Old Town

The deep end

The Pearl Hotel

I remember when the The Pearl Hotel (1410 Rosecrans St., thepearlsd.com) revamped and reopened back in 2007. It became something of a mid-century modern destination for all the cool people in town, especially given the cool, poolside bar and restaurant. And for as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to go to one of the Pearl’s Dive-In Theatre movie screenings where patrons come on a Wednesday night and watch a classic flick by the pool. As if an upgraded screen and a showing of the ’80s classic Labyrinth weren’t enough to get me out, the hotel restaurant (previously known as EAT) just got a new menu and is now called Charles + Dinorah, an homage to the property’s original owners. The menu has a little bit of everything, but I’d recommend the curry fried Jidori chicken and the addictive mango and chili ceviche. The

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Old Town is filled to the salted rim with exhausted, childwielding parents begging for margaritas after a long day at the California State Park. That’s not really my crowd, but I’d always heard that some of the margs were worthwhile.

Deterred by Old Town’s chain restaurants, I hit up the classics. First was Cafe Coyote (2461 San Diego Ave., cafecoyoteoldtown.com). They’re killing it in the kitschy ambiance department, and with al fresco dining and lights strung overhead, it oozes with charm. But like the decor, the La Luz Margarita was a bit sweet for my taste. Next, I turned to Old Town Mexican Cafe (2489 San Diego Ave., oldtownmexcafe.com), which felt dystopic in comparison. It’s dim and worn to the bone. But what Old Town Mexican Cafe lacked in looks, it made up for in its skinny margarita. Simple and straight to the point with a generous pour by a no-frills bartender. That marg, plus fresh tortillas, might be enough to bring me back to Old Town.

—Torrey Bailey

it felt. The new “Africa Rocks” exhibit is a marvel of design, where the enclosures feel open and blend seamlessly into one another. It’s worth the price of admission alone, and features elephants, pumas, gangs of roaming apes and even penguins (love those lil guys!). The educational emphasis of the place cannot be overstated—and every enclosure reminds us how endangered each animal is. It’s a good reminder of the obligatory, preservational role of the zoo.

—Ryan Bradford ROBERT LANG

Zootopia

I hadn’t been to the San Diego Zoo (2920 Zoo Drive, sandiegozoo.org) in the nine years I’ve lived in this city. For me, it’s too easy to get caught up in the ethical deliberations of keeping animals in captivity—and I know the zoo isn’t the same as SeaWorld’s old circus-y whale shows, but for me at least, this dilemma was just enough for me to stay away.

However, I received a season pass for Christmas. When I finally went, I was totally won over by how non-exploitative

Organ trail

Spreckels Organ

On weekends, Balboa Park isn’t exactly quiet. It’s teeming with thousands of visitors, many of whom often flock to watch a bevy of magicians, buskers, dancers and the like.

But on a Sunday afternoon, amid the other sounds rising

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SUMMER GUIDE CONT’D FROM PAGE 20 up throughout the park, it was hard for me to miss the majestic drone of the Spreckels Organ (2125 Pan American Road East, spreckelsorgan.org), the world’s largest pipe organ in an outdoor venue. The 100-year-old organ is one of the more interesting attractions in San Diego, not just because of its record-breaking historical significance, but also because of the utterly massive sound of the thing. Civic organist Raul Prieto Ramirez—succeeding longtime organist Dr. Carol Williams, who performed several David Bowie tributes and a collaboration with Drive Like Jehu—gives free concerts every Sunday at 2 p.m. They don’t always include local icons or the music of rock legends, but if my experience proved anything it’s that the monolithic sound of the organ is all the reason anyone needs to check it out

—Jeff Terich

GREG TUTTLE

Hodad’s addition to their reputedly perpetual line out the door—is why I’ve never tried San Diego’s famous, Guy Fieri-approved Hodad’s (5010 Newport Ave., hodadies.com). Until now. I arrive on a Thursday, just after the lunch rush, and somehow avoid waiting in line. I’m starving, so I order the double cheeseburger.

I’m not ready for the mountain of meat and cheese that appears before me, but I finish the very tasty beast and contemplate whether I’m going to suffer a very tasty heart attack. “I usually tell people not to go for the double,” manager Jeremy Diem later tells me. “Unless you have nothing else to do that day.” He’s right: I spend the rest of the day in some minimally conscious food coma, but it’s worth it.

Stone age

Catamaran Sailing on Mission Bay

Come sail away

“At any given time there are 100,000 people in the square mile around Mission Bay,” my friend Greg says, rigging an old catamaran he owns and regularly sails. “And you’re the only one out there.” Mission Bay feels egalitarian about sailing, with many affordable rental options. Suck it, yacht club culture. Greg keeps his Hobie Cat 14’ out there, using an actual bike lock. Catamaran Sailing on Mission Bay is a cold, wet sport, not for boating shoes, fine hats, and certainly not idle passengers. Greg often shouts to move!/duck!/grab this rope! It’s fast and scary, but the bay makes any danger seem bite-sized (just get out before the motor boats rev up after 5 p.m.). I trail my fingertips in the water, the wind whipping at the sails, and I whisper ah this is the life.

—Julia Dixon Evans

Who’s your Hodaddy?

I’ll push grandmothers down if there’s an opportunity to eat a good burrito or slice of pizza, but burgers? Not so much. For me, burgers just aren’t very exciting, which—in

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—Ryan Bradford

I’ve never finished an entire beer, much less an IPA. It’s not that I’m better than drinking beer, it’s just that it tastes a bit like puke. I consult Stone Brewing’s (2816 Historic Decatur Road #116, stonebrewing. com) menu for the most cliché IPA. Tough call but I settle on the Stone IPA. I cheat a little and order a 10-ounce pour. The first sip induces a grimace, but it’s rich. By the time I’m five ounces in, I’m either numb to it or a bro now, because it basically tastes like nothing. I now see how people might like beer! If I drink more often by these idyllic pond-side gardens, I’ll soon be ordering IPAs of my own volition. I wolf down Stone’s amazing soft pretzels and even dip them in mustard because apparently everything is delicious now. Sitting next to the turtles and koi, I declare, out loud, “The more you drink, the less gross it gets.”

—Julia Dixon Evans

Bay watch

I go to a lot of live shows, most of which are held in small clubs or dive bars. This partially fuels my aversion to sunshine, but living in a city with a climate like San Diego means that it can be a missed opportunity not to take advantage of being outdoors on a balmy evening, ideally watching one of my favorite bands. And there are certainly a handful of venues to do just that in San Diego, though none as picturesque as Humphreys Concerts by the Bay (2241 Shelter Island Drive, humphreysconcerts.com).

It’s right there in the name: It’s by the bay, which means whoever’s onstage also has to compete with the pleasing sight of San Diego Bay. In fact, the venue’s infamous for attracting passing-by kayakers, who’ll some-

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SUMMER GUIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 times try to catch the show from the water (though they’re not allowed on the grounds to use the restroom unless they buy a ticket). That Humphreys also attracts big-name touring acts means that however nice the surroundings, it’s still likely to be a performance to remember.

—Jeff Terich

Tai one on

There’s perhaps no more legendary of a drink than the Mai Tai at the Bali Hai Restaurant (2230 Shelter Island Drive, balihairestaurant.com). I’ve never been particularly averse to trying one. Yeah, rum is definitely not my spirit of choice and drinks served in a goofy mug with a bunch of flair have never been something I’ve been inclined to order, but I still felt like I missed out on some kind of San Diego rite of passage. After all, they’ve been serving them up for over 60 years. So first thing’s first: That Mai Tai is sweet AF. Like diabetes nightmare sweet. This makes it decidedly drinkable and dangerously so, as it’s also an extremely boozy drink with two kinds of rum that the bartender pours in with gusto. If the drink is legendary for any other reasons, it’s because it will get you drunk. One minute I was like, “oh, that wasn’t so bad” to “oh shit, I’m a little faded.” I’m not sure I could have handled another, but glad I finally tried just the one nonetheless.

JULIA DIXON EVANS

Under the sea

Selfie worthy

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The Birch Aquarium

SeaWorld used to be the obvious choice for aquatic fanfare, but now that we all know better, The Birch Aquarium (2300 Expedition Way, aquarium.ucsd.edu) is the move.

My recent visit revealed several perks, the first being the seahorse exhibit. There are leafy sea dragons, long snout seahorses and many other kinds that are all damn cute. But where the Birch Aquarium excels most is its focus on climate change. Issues such as endangered coral reefs, global warming and melting ice caps were broken down into easyto-understand exhibits. In Trumptopia, these lessons are vital. The aquarium also has a secret weapon though: the breakfast burrito at its Splash Cafe. I saw every employee at the cafe order it, and I gave in—eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage and French fries dripping in grease and wrapped up in

—Seth Combs

“Hurry up. This is weird,” says the girl standing in front of the butterfly wings painted on Seven Grand in North Park. Her mother insists on taking her picture in front of

TORREY BAILEY

the Instagram-baiting mural while a group—myself included—gather around, either as spectators or waiting for our own photo-op. And yes, it is weird. But man, San Diegans love taking selfies in front of the many murals throughout the city. As I get older, uglier and less photogenic with each passing day, the idea that people actually want their photo taken seems elusive to me—especially when it comes to posing in front of one of North Park’s popular murals. But after my turn against the wing mural, I look at the result and think, hey that doesn’t look half bad. Same goes for the pink shades on Pigment’s exterior, the large dino on (future) Target Express, and the vibrant “You Are Radiant” mural on Artelexia. Who knew that a little bit of paint could make me so much more photogenic?

—Ryan Bradford

Selfies at Pigment

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a tortilla. I was shook. It was the best breakfast burrito I’d had in recent memory.

Piano men

—Torrey Bailey

On paper, The Shout! House (655 Fourth Ave., theshouthouse.com) sounds like my kryptonite. If there’s one thing that is the complete opposite of my jam, it’s the idea of a dueling piano bar in the heart of the Gaslamp.

And, yes, it’s a little uncomfortable when me and a group of friends arrive on a recent Sunday night. The performers are

—Beth Demmon warming up, slinging piano standards (Billy Joel, Don McLean) to an indifferent audience, so we order novelty drinks with Back in my college Oceanography class, ridiculous names like “Liberace LemonI had the opportunity to attend a grunion ade” and “Phil ‘Cucumber’ Collins.” But run for some extra credit, but I passed at some point during the night—perhaps it up because that was precious time I when my strong Liberace kicks in—shit could have been sleeping. I’ve now come gets lit. The musicians kill it, especially to regret that decision, not because of my the multi-talented drummer/pianist Megrade but because of the experience. Durlissa Alcazar, who can gently drag the ing the spring and summer months, these drunk bros in the audience one minute USS Midway Museum little, five-inch-long fish come flooding to and perform a fiery piano solo in the next. the California coastline to spawn, and it’s a pretty spectacuAs I pump my fist to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” alonglar natural phenomenon. Grunion run groups are scheduled side a bunch of strange tourists, I realize that maybe Shout! around midnight at La Jolla Shores through Birch Aquarium House is my jam. (aquarium.ucsd.edu), and while the darkness makes it a lit —Ryan Bradford tle tricky to see them, that first sight of a small fish squirming out of the sand to leap back in the water is pretty thrilling. When they come in greater numbers, you’ll forget about In the past, I’ve pooh-poohed California’s “history” as the sleep you’re not getting. laughably youthful compared to the Civil War battlefields

—Jeff Terich and Smithsonians I grew up near in Virginia. But I’ve come

Run the pools

Midway in the middle

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WALHALLA / FLICKR

to realize my mistake. Ready to shed my naïve notions of what constitutes as “real” history, I finally stepped aboard the USS Midway Museum (910 North Harbor Drive, midway.org). The retired aircraft carrier is a fascinating dive into post-World War II naval aviation. I spent several hours poring over first-hand accounts, winding through cramped corridors and watching grainy films of ASHTON IVEY fighter jets making hair-raising landings on the flight deck on which I was standing. The Midway may be parked near some of San Diego’s most stereotypical tourist traps, but it’s far from one of them.

Cheap thrills

The Giant Dipper

Belmont Park (3146 Mission Blvd., belmontpark.com) is the closest thing San Diego has to the Santa Monica Pier.

There are rides, an arcade and fair food all adjacent to the beach. While I was never particularly interested in the bumper cars and the nausea-inducing tilt-a-whirl, I’d always wanted to ride the Giant Dipper roller coaster. It’s basically Belmont Park’s Beyoncé—seemingly overrated until you give it a go.

A former CityBeat employee recently turned me on to the Giant Dipper. She lived nearby and said she spontaneously rode it when she was having a bad day. It’s a surprise this rickety, wooden beast is still in use considering it was built a whopping 93 years ago. But it’s aged well. The creaking timber heightened the terror factor of each curve it lurched around. The ride was over all too quick, but with a $6 admission price, it’s a cheap thrill to revisit when I need a life boost.

—Torrey Bailey

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Club goin’ up

Despite the collective shade thrown on The Gaslamp Quarter (roughly Broadway to Harbor Drive, First to Sixth Ave.), I relished the chance to explore the belly of the beast of San Diego nightlife and finally get some quality ass shaking in with my friends. My industry friend scored us a spot on the list for the Oxford Social Club (435 Fifth Ave., theoxfordsd.com) which claims on its website to be “a new revolution in partying.” This place is exactly what I picture when I think of “the club”; an amalgamation of pop music video vibes, bottle service, thumping bass, low-lighting and hetero-normative conformity. But at the end of the day, I much preferred the low-key, hospitable atmospheres of Havana 1920 (havana1920.com) and Prohibition Lounge (prohibitionsd.com). Both spots (in the same building at 548 5th Ave.) have incredible live music and the impetus to booty shake, but without the pressure to spend a billion dollars or dress like a Kardashian.

—Rachel Michelle Fernandes

Trolley good, sir!

I’ve meandered around this strange and beautiful city for over three years and still don’t know as many nooks and crannies as dear ol’ Scotty, the trolley bus driver for San Diego Trolley Tours (4010 Twiggs St., trolleytours.com/sandiego). Apparently, Old Town is the most visited historic park in the country. That explains why finding parking is a nightmare. Also, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is 46 feet, the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. Since when has there been a lighthouse in Point Loma? But it’s not half bad, being able to ride a fancy streetcar around places like the Gaslamp and Seaport Village, getting to know the buildings I’ve passed

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by a hundred times but knew nothing about. Locals also get discounts on tickets, which typically cost $39. And try not to wear a hat, because it’ll definitely fly off while driving over the 200-foot Coronado Bridge.

—Victoria Davis VICTORIA DAVIS

Heart of a Lyon

It’s a great night for people watching: moms’ nights out, birthday parties, unassuming drop-ins and relatively chill regulars. Sit back, sip something strong and listen to some classic rock crooning, crotchety keyboard-style.

Passage to Indio

San Diego Trolley Tours

Before I set foot inside Imperial House (505 Kalmia St., imperialhouserestaurant.com) for the first time, I’m told that the legendary Rick Lyon has been playing his floppy disk-powered keyboard there for 30 years. Fact check: he’s been playing there since 2002, which is still admirably resilient, but it doesn’t matter. It really does feel like he’s always been there. Lyon’s binders of floppy disks are quaint, but his intolerance of dumb suggestions and under-tipping is a bit cringe-worthy and keeps me in my seat. The drinks, however, are nice. I try the bartender’s best approximation of a Vieux Carré. The whole place feels no-nonsense and old timey, not really floppy disk old timey, but that’s okay.

—Julia Dixon Evans

El Indio Mexican Restaurant (3695 India St., elindiosandiego.net) is famous for a whole number of reasons. It’s been around since the 1940s(!) and has an iconic neon façade featuring a Native American. And while it has a devoted following among Mission Hills locals, I’d say I have more acquired, discerning tastes when it comes to Mexican fare.

El Indio is safe, which is precisely why I’d never bothered with it, but when someone recently mentioned that it was the birthplace of the SETH COMBS rolled taco (taquitos, to all you gringxs out there), I was intrigued and while the claim of having invented it is hard to verify, I am happy to report that El Indio does have some of the best rolled tacos I’ve ever tried. First of all, they’re made fresh and sold individually (that is, customers don’t have to order three or more at a time). The crunchy-

Rolled tacos at El Indio

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SUMMER GUIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 to-chewy ratio was perfect and while I don’t usually like salsa verde, it was the perfect accompaniment to the tacos.

Who’s to say if these really were the way rolled tacos tasted when they were first invented, but they are the way they should all taste now.

—Seth Combs

Plant base

Balboa Park boasts its share of attractions, from the various museum exhibits to productions at the Old Globe Theatre and cocktails at Panama 66. But it is a park, and like any park worth its salt, it’s flush with plant life. And some BALBOA PARK CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP of the most fascinating of that plant life can be found inside the Botanical Building (1549 El Prado, balboapark. org/gardens/botanicalbuilding), adjacent to the Timken Museum of Art. It’s a hard building to miss; a large lily pond faces its entrance, giving it the appearance of a sacred Taj Mahallike space. The inside is even more interesting, though, as it houses more than 2,000 plants including orchids, ferns and various types of carBotanical Building nivorous plants, such as

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Venus flytraps and pitcher plants. It’s a quiet getaway when the crowds get pretty big and a nice shaded haven during the hot, summer months. Plus, you know, there are plants that eat bugs.

Black’s and mellow

—Jeff Terich

Black’s Beach in La Jolla is where local nudists hang, which may sound sexy until, well, you actually go. Most people are packing junk you’d rather not see. Luckily, people were respectful of each other’s space. On my first and only outing at Black’s Beach, a few brave souls approached my friends and me. Normally, I have little patience for pickup lines, but watching guys try to spit game while maintaining eye contact with topless women gave me faith in the opposite gender. That is, until one invited me on a date to watch “midget wrestling.” But there’s a lot more to see at Black’s Beach than what would get flagged on Instagram.

The beach’s southside is renowned for its impressive swells and there are also views of the famed Mushroom House.

The circular structure can only be accessed during low tide though. I didn’t plan accordingly, but the hunt to find it is much more appealing than an even tan.

—Torrey Bailey

We all scream

San Diego consistently ranks among the healthiest cities in the U.S. Various water activities, hiking trails, easy access to healthy foods and the luxury of being able to spend time outside in the winter surely contribute to that distinction.

That being said, when it’s hot, there’s nothing more satisfying than a double-scoop of ice cream in a waffle cone. And as I recently found out, Mariposa Ice Cream in Normal Heights (3450 Adams Ave., mariposaicecream.com) has a

Mariposa Ice Cream stellar reputation for a reason. Though boutique ice cream parlors such as Salt and Straw and Hammond’s have opened in recent years, Mariposa doesn’t mess with the classics.

Since 2000 it’s been scooping homemade flavors such as white chocolate raspberry, Mexican chocolate and coconut.

And though it occasionally serves up a seasonal favorite like pumpkin, its standard flavors packed into a crunchy cone will always taste like summer to me.

—Jeff Terich

Village people

I’d heard Seaport Village (849 W Harbor Drive) was a tourist trap. And let’s be honest, it is. Yes, the restaurants have stunning bay views, but I’ve lived near the beach long enough to learn the food usually isn’t worth it. The retail is bizarrely specific—socks, hammocks, hats and specialty hot sauces, all clearly marketed to out-of-towners and conven-

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SUMMER GUIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 tion-goers. Not to mention there’s an obnoxious amount of San Diego-themed t-shirts and dad hats. Everything seemed to try so hard to sell itself. Except for the Captain Hunt Tobacconist. Outside there were gimmicky pirate fortuneteller booths and penny compressors, but the inside did not give a damn. Miscellaneous cigarette and cigar brand decor hung above dusty glass cases of pimp-worthy wooden pipes. There were barrels of flavored tobacco and more than 100 types of cigars to choose from. But it was all just sort of thrown together alongside tamarind candy and Advil packets. And just as I was starting to appreciate Seaport Village’s Disneyland-like appeal, I was swindled into buying a caramel apple for $9.

—Torrey Bailey

Bridge to somewhere

Whether or not anyone cares to admit it, people tend to plan their vacations based on how Instagram-friendly the destinations are. For me, some of the most locally popular places are a little off the beaten path, specifically the many pedestrian bridges. The Spruce Street Bridge and Quince Street Bridge are two that I always wanted to check out.

It was nice to find that they’re within walking distance of each other in Bankers Hill, which would certainly explain their share of Instagrammers. On a suspension bridge like the Spruce Street one, there’s also a good amount of swinging and swaying. But because they cover the expanse of canyons, it’s best to take one’s time and get a good view of the landscape below anyway. Hashtag blessed.

—Jeff Terich

Cruising together

Spruce Street bridge

I’ve only experienced a harbor cruise during CityBeat’s Besties party and I was way too busy juggling multiple plates of food samples to really take in the experience. Wanting to see the skyline by day, I booked a Hornblower (970 N Harbor Drive, hornblower.com) Champagne Brunch. On this particular Saturday, I was all shades of hungover, but this was the remedy. The buffet was stacked with breakfast goodies such as French toast and eggs Benedict, but also lunch favorites like mac ‘n’ cheese to grease away my prior night’s boozing.

Yet the real savior was the endless champagne. The other cruisers were a mix of families, frat bros and girl groups all guzzling down mimosas simultaneously. The waiters did not let a single glass reach half empty for long, which resulted in top tier people watching on the upstairs deck. We watched the girls’ Instagram selfies flow as unabashedly as the champagne. With the addition of a live band or DJ, Hornblower could truly compete with any brunch or day party.

—Torrey Bailey

Surf’s up

I moved back to San Diego from New York City a few years ago and decided that, if I was going to stay here, I simply had to learn to surf. When in Rome, right? Surfing very well may be the most difficult sport on the planet, not to mention highly unpredictable and often terrifying.

Despite its challenges, I couldn’t recommend it more. To start out, if readers lack natural upper body strength like I do, I suggest choosing a beach break like Tourmaline Surfing Park in La Jolla. It’s easy to jump off the sandy bottom onto the board in the whitewater (that is, already broken waves) and practice standing on the board while avoiding the exhaustion from paddling. Once a bit more paddling strength Surfing is built up, there are several great reef breaks that are gentle and easy to learn on, such as Cardiff Reef. Surfing can be intimidating, especially when territorial bros get all hostile. Don’t sweat it.

Surfing is for everyone.

—Rachel Michelle Fernandes

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Dude, you’re getting a Del

I can’t think of a more iconic structure in San Diego than the Hotel Del Coronado (1500 Orange Ave., hoteldel. com)—the red roofs and Victorian grandiosity give our skyline an old-fashioned elegance and a sense of history that no other buildings can. For that reason, I had never thought about spending the night—I just expected a stuffy, uncomfortable experience. It just felt a little too much like staying in a museum. However, a recent overnight stay twists the old-timey prejudices right out of me: The room is gorgeous. Tall ceilings and antique door knobs are elegantly Victorian, but the mid-century furniture gives it a distinctly modern feel. It also has a Keurig!

The only drawback is I’m not visited by one of the hotel’s famous ghosts (admittedly, this is only a negative for me).

Locals may balk at the idea of staying at a hotel in their own backyard, but for a history (or ghost) aficionado, the adventure is unforgettable.

bar, Level2 (1520 Prospect St., georgesatthecove.com). Naturally, it’s gorgeous—the bar opens right up to a panoramic ocean view. But what makes it worth staying a little longer is its cocktail program (guided by head bartender Stephen Kurpinsky), which features 24 drinks inspired by neighborhoods in San Diego. The San Ysidro and Little Italy in particular are magical elixirs. Just watch how fast they STEPHEN KURPINSKY disappear.

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—Seth Combs MICHAEL A. GARDINER

—Jeff Terich

Get on the bus

I hardly think I’m the only one who has never used public transportation in San Diego, but I may be one of the few people who’s ashamed to admit that.

We love our cars. I remember visiting a friend in London about a year ago and watched her shake her head in shame when I told her I drove my car to the CityBeat office, which is barely a mile away from my house. I recently decided to take the trolley to the border, but wanted to do the full MTS (sdmts.com) experience. I downloaded MTS’s Com —Ryan Bradford pass Cloud app and bought a Regional Day Pass for $5, but the Trip Tools function on the app didn’t work. I tried anNobody comes to San Diego without George’s at the Cove other address to start from. Nada. Frusplanning on having a meal or a round of drinks by the water. Nobody. Even my parents, who live about trated, I just ended up using Google Maps and that worked an hour away from here, don’t pass up the opportunity for fine. All in all, it was a great experience. The bus into Downseaside dining. I can’t say I blame them—if you have the op- town and the trolley to the border were clean and on time, tion to relax with a coastline view, why pass it up? And few and the trip only took a little over an hour. I really want oceanfront spots are as renowned—both for the menu and to use MTS more now, but I’d love to see the app function the scenery—as George’s at the Cove, and its mezzanine a little better and, perhaps, an introductory or discounted

King George’s

monthly rate for the more casual rider, as the current prices ($2.50-$5 a day or $72 a month) seem steep.

Et tu, Caesar

Caesar salad

The zonkeys and free margaritas are but two examples of clichéd reasons to visit Avenida Revolución in Tijuana. But the best reason to hit La Revu is for the Caesar’s salad at the place it was invented: Caesar’s Restaurante Bar (Revolución at 5th). I’d wanted to go for decades and, in December, I finally got there. It felt like the end of a minor quest, and I take such pleasure in reporting that it was glorious.

From the show of the salad being prepared tableside on an elaborate service cart, to the care in building it backwards, step-by-step: dressing first, then each ingredient whisked

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MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 33

together seriatim before whole romaine boats were tossed in that dressing and garnished with a single garlicky crouton. It’s a cliché that’s justified by how damned good the thing itself really is.

—Michael Gardiner

It’s always Sunny

Swimmable caves are known to puncture La Jolla’s winding bluffs. But I learned that Sunny Jim’s Cave is the only one in California that’s accessible by land. And of all places, the entrance is located within a gift shop. Walt Disney would be proud, I thought. The gift shop itself is called The Cave Store (1325 Coast Blvd., cavestore.com). Inside, there’s a man-made tunnel shoveled out by two men in 1902 and has more than 140 wooden steps to descend. At the bottom, the cave opens to the ocean and, well, it basically looks like any other cave. But looking from the right spot, the opening resembles the face of Sunny Jim, a 1920s British cereal mascot. And it was The Wizard of Oz author Frank Baum who first noticed and named it that. I found such legends and tales of prohibition-era smuggling to be what made the price point ($5) worthwhile more than the view.

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JULIA DIXON EVANS

Kare-O-ke

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—Torrey Bailey

I was raised singing in choirs, jazz bands and performing in musicals, so singing is one of my favorite outlets, but these days it’s often at a karaoke night. One of my friends has been raving about a Tuesday karaoke night at Del Mar dive bar/party spot Jimmy O’s (225 15th St., jimmyosdelmar.com) for over a year. I finally made it there and am happy to report it’s my new favorite karaoke spot in San Diego. The “stage” is on the mezzanine above the bar, which made me feel like a superstar, as did the crazy lighting and fog machine. The song selection is pretty extensive and the grub is fairly cheap, but it’s the cast of regulars that is unrivaled. Go NICOLE CHO / FLICKR for the karaoke, stay for the intense people watching, which might even include royalty (Prince Harry and his entourage were there in 2011).

—Rachel Michelle Fernandes

Chip shot

Instagram has turned Ramona’s Potato Chip Rock into an internet celebrity, which is a pretty good reason for any crowd-averse hiker, such as myself, to avoid it. But, hell, it’s such a unique natural feature, and given its signature shape, who knows how long it’ll last? I decide to hike to the rock from the Ramona Sunny Jim’s Cave side, which isn’t really a trail, but a paved road. The road switchbacks between gigantic, bountiful boulders that look like butts (sorry, I’m 13 years old at heart). Once at the top, it’s hard to miss the famous landmark, given the amount of people

Potato Chip Rock waiting around to take their photo on it. Let me tell you: standing on that thing is fucking scary. Just a thin, jutting rock keeps you from falling to your assured death. Major props to everyone who’s ever pulled a yoga move on it for an Instagram photos. I have a new respect for the Chip.

—Ryan Bradford

Head for the Hill

I’ve never been a huge bruncher, but Hob Nob Hill (2271 First Ave., hobnobhill.com) in Bankers Hill is something of a brunching rite of passage. Open since 1944, the diner and bakery serves up American breakfast classics such as pancakes, waffles and every iteration of eggs possible. Still, in the 17 years I’ve lived here, I had never visited. When I finally did recently, I think the thing that struck me the most

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MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 35

SUMMER GUIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 was that it had a fanciness I wasn’t expecting. Sure, the servers were the no-nonsense type one would expect at a diner and the “Hibiscus Mimosa” was just sparkling wine and cranberry juice, but the place still had an air of old-school cool that was palpable. As for food, the Belgian Waffle stuffed with bacon and pecans spoke to my Southern soul, while the filet mignon and eggs were perfectly prepared. It’s simple, comfort food done well and while hardcore brunchers will probably scoff at the lack of lavenderbottomless whatevers, Hob Nob Hill devotees couldn’t care less.

—Seth Combs

I’m on a boat!

I’m usually always down for a nautical adventure, so I felt a sense of confusion when I realized recently that I had never taken the ferry to Coronado. Perhaps a symptom of San Diego car culture or a perverse affection for driving over that scary-ass bridge, locals don’t tend to hop aboard the vessel (run by Flagship Cruises and Events, flagshipsd.com), which is a shame because boat rides rule.

Of course I had to bring my favorite day-tripping partner, my 95-year-old grandma, who is also always down for a nautical adventure. Grandma and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the changes that have been made on the water-

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CANDICE ELEY

front. The Broadway Pier and its surrounding area are full of well-planned public space to enjoy, including a public art installation at the end of the pier.

SETH COMBS There’s also a special charm to being surrounded by tourists from all over the world who are experiencing San Diego for the first time while gently voyaging across the harbor.

—Rachel Michelle Fernandes

Busting makes me feel good!

Wanting to scare up excitement in my humdrum life, I took my son and his friend on Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours (4041 Harney St., hauntedsandiegotours.com) a tour of local homes, hotels and cemeteries that paranormal enthusiasts believed to be spooked. We didn’t see any ghosts, but it’s still a spirited two-hour peek at the city’s paranormal past, including stops at the legendary Whaley House and cemetery in Old Hob Nob Hill Town (with a lot of grisly tales of people who died in sad and miserable ways), as well as Villa Montezuma, a bizarre Victorian-era mansion in Sherman Heights.

It’s not just about ghosts, though. During the Gaslamp part of the tour, our guide Dante went into the sordid details about when the neighborhood was chock full of brothels. The ghost stories are great, but my son’s friend had questions. “What’s a prostitute?” he asked on the way home. My son helped me avoid a teachable moment by telling him, “Something you can look up on the internet when we get home.”

—James Vernette

Stop! Maritime!

San Diego Maritime Museum

I’ve walked San Diego’s Embarcadero plenty of times and marveled at the various vessels—some of them seaworthy, some of them decommissioned—and most of them boarded by large groups of people. Just a little bit north of the cruise ship terminal is the San Diego Maritime Museum (1492 North Harbor Drive, sdmaritime.org), which I found is essentially a docked collection of historic boats, ships and submarines that chronicles the maritime history of our city. Among the vessels worth viewing are the Star of India, which was originally built in 1863 and is the oldest active sailing ship in the world. There’s also the San Salvador, a replica of explorer Juan Cabrillo’s ship, as well as the B-39, a Soviet diesel submarine that was commissioned during the Cold War (that one is really cool, if not a bit claustrophobic).

In fact, to call it a “museum” is a little misleading; it’s more

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MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 37

SUMMER GUIDE CONT’D FROM PAGE 36 like a time machine. Each vessel represents a specific sequence in San Diego maritime history, and I found it thoroughly fascinating.

—Jeff Terich

Seal Team

JON LEE CLARK / FLICKR

La Jolla remains one of my favorite local places to visit, but up until late last year, I had kept my distance from the Children’s Pool beach (850 Coast Blvd. and Jenner Street). It was part conservation protest (I hate that it’s open to the public) and part mental preservation (I knew I was going to get triggered watching asshole tourists try to touch the seals and sea lions that congregate there). And boy, was Children’s Pool I triggered. As I just tried to sit and relax on the beach, I watched people attempt to ride, touch, chase and pose for selfies, all while the seals were just trying to sunbathe on the beach. The controversy over public access to the beach remains in legal limbo (it’s currently closed half the year for pupping season and reopens this month), but if everyone just treated the beach for what it is—a majestic natural wonder that we should respectfully share with our seal brethren—then the experience would be so much more magical.

—Seth Combs

Cliff notes

I’ve lived in San Diego a long time but I am not adept at beach activities like surfing or snorkeling. However, watching a sunset at Sunset Cliffs (Ladera Street) is one I knew I could manage. I parked in the neighborhood of mansions bordering Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in Point Loma and jaywalked across the road to Sunset Cliffs, a range of jagged cliffs overlooking the ocean. Since it was spring, the sun was due to set at 7:53 p.m. I found my two friends and we set up camp with blankets away from the yoga class downward dogging and the girl vlogging earnestly with a selfie stick. The warm orange and pinks of the setting sun made me forget about the brisk evening air. I marveled the sunbeams reflecting on the endless ocean while hopefully watching for the Green Flash. Sometimes my lack of tan makes me feel like I should live somewhere with more clouds and rain, but moments like these remind me of why San Diego is a beautiful place to live.

—Lara McCaffrey

Downward doggy

RYAN BRADFORD

When I text my yogasavvy friend for his favorite beach yoga instructor’s name, his reply makes me think, Oh, this is why I’ve never tried beach yoga before.

The name? NamaSteve. If there’s one name that could perfectly encapsulate every bad stereotype of yoga, it’s NamaSteve Yoga (namasteveyoga.com). But here’s the catch: NamaSteve has beach yoga locked down. I attend the 10 a.m. Sunday session, NamaSteve Yoga and it’s like church: Pacific Beach’s Palisades Park is filled with nearly 100 yoga practitioners fighting for space in the congregation. I can’t think of a better place to practice yoga than the luscious patch of grass overlooking the ocean, and even though NamaSteve’s constant utterings of “all right, downward dog, y’all!” can feel a little silly, I leave the session both emotionally centered and satisfyingly sore. I’m not really a spiritual guy, but savasana-ing above the vast ocean is more humbling than any church service I’ve been to.

—Ryan Braddog

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MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 39

CULTURE | FILM

Fast track

Racer and the Jailbird

Matthias Schoenaerts woos Adèle Exarchopoulos in this messy gangster film

by Glenn Heath Jr.

I

This is the third film collaboration between Rosf I could ask any of cinema’s fictional gangsters why they do what they do, I like to think most kam and Schoenaerts, whose previous work (Bullhead, might answer simply: the adrenaline. Power, influ- The Drop) is far grittier and physically bruising. Inence and money are surely part and parcel with the stead of packing a gut punch, Racer and the Jailbird classic hoodlum existence, but it’s flirting with death goes for the heartstrings in the most old-fashioned that keeps a thug’s life interesting. Many crime films of ways. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have teeth. examine the cost of embracing such a destructive arc, One impressive set piece depicts a daring freeway but Michaël R. Roskam’s surprisingly moving Racer heist worthy of John Frankenheimer. Lavish party and the Jailbird confronts the flipside scenario: what scenes exude the smooth surface decadence found in happens when the rush of robbing banks pales in Soderbergh’s Ocean’s films.

All the while Gigi and Bibi attempt to transition comparison to the allure of everyday romance.

For a film with such an impersonal title, Racer their steamy love affair into a full-fledged relationand the Jailbird is an unabashedly personal work, ship. Many obstacles stand in their way, the most obpushing aside conventional genre tropes to focus on vious being all the fibs he must tell to keep his crimithemes of intimacy and disappointment. Chapters nal past a secret. Bibi’s father lays it on thick during are titled after the character’s doting nicknames— a pep talk with Gigi: “Real men don’t lie.” More imthe kinetic first half is devoted to Gigi (Matthias portantly, real men know when to walk away, and film history is riddled with bodies of Schoenaerts), the suave leader gangster characters that didn’t. of a close-knit robbery crew Roskam again subverts our with Flemish roots, while the RACER AND expectations by forcing Gigi blatantly melodramatic second to experience the pain of his THE JAILBIRD part focuses on Bibi (Adèle Exbad decisions instead of wavarchopoulos), a young racecar Directed by Michaël R. Roskam ing goodbye in a hail of bullets. driver he falls in love with and Starring Matthias Schoenaerts, Bibi’s future, once literally and whose family owns a prosperAdèle Exarchopoulos figuratively on the fast track, ous construction business. and Jean-Benoît Ugeux comes apart at the seams. The Dividing up the narrative decision to trust in Gigi ends up Rated R in such a way is a somewhat bleeding dry all of her passion misleading aesthetic choice, as and talent for the sake of love, both Gigi and Bibi play pivotal roles throughout the film. But doing so allows Ros- yet, if the final moments are any indication, it was kam to sneakily address the cause and effect of their worth the sacrifice.

It’s fascinating to consider that Racer and the Jaildecision-making, and how loving someone can suck you down a legal rabbit hole by mere association. Such bird (opening Friday, May 11, at the Ken Cinema) adcircumstances are stretched to their breaking point, dresses issues of trust, often so crucial to the gangster with Racer and the Jailbird infusing its core unrequited genre’s treatment of death, in ways completely sepalove story with traces of the prison drama, action and rate from acts of monetary or emotional betrayal. If anything, these characters are snake bit by loyalty, chase film, and ultimately Shakespearean tragedy.

With this many competing tones, Racer and the enamored with hope, and ultimately ill suited for this Jailbird often turns into a messy mishmash. Unneces- capitalist world. Maybe fittingly so, Roskam’s “everysary subplots and derivative character flaws (Gigi is thing but the kitchen sink” approach is, more often afraid of dogs) are repeated haphazardly for dramatic than not, beautifully melancholic and deeply moving, effect. Wacky reversals of fortune twist the narrative and much more more reminiscent of Chinese master like a pretzel. Nevertheless, both Schoenaerts and Ex- Feng Xiaogang’s Youth than any European or Ameriarchopoulos exude chemistry reminiscent of classic can counterpart.

Hollywood that solidifies the film’s emotional center.

While this rise and fall may seem predictable, the de- Film reviews run weekly. tails are uniquely poignant.

Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com

40 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

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CULTURE | FILM Breaking In: Don’t mess with Gabrielle Union in this home invasion thriller about a mother trying to save her children from brutal criminals.

Disobedience: Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz star in this drama about the intersection between faith and sexuality in London’s Jewish Orthodox community.

Opens Friday, May 11, at the Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas.

Life of the Party: Melissa McCarthy stars in this comedy about a woman who decides to return to college after her husband asks for a divorce. Directed by Ben Falcone.

Disobedience

Faithfully yours

F

or years, Rachel McAdams’ career was synonymous with lonely, vulnerable characters in mainstream comedies (Wedding Crashers) and romances (The Notebook). It wasn’t until Brian De Palma cast her as a vindictive advertising executive in 2012’s Passion that audiences finally got to see a more complex actor at work.

This trend continued when she portrayed a blade-wielding Los Angeles detective in the unfairly maligned second season of HBO’s True Detective.

Sebastián Lelio’s Disobedience, a deathly serious drama that considers the intersection between sexuality and faith within London’s Jewish Orthodox community, once again casts McAdams against type. As Esti, she plays a woman torn apart by repression and whose hidden sexual identity rises to the surface when former lover Ronit (Rachel Weisz) returns from exile.

On paper, this kind of conflicted character would be perfectly suited to McAdams’ talents.

The film’s first act achieves a subtle level of tension that dissolves rather quickly. Ronit’s mere presence inspires discomfort in most parishioners, while only Esti’s rabbi husband Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) is more welcoming.

Here, Lelio begins a disconcerting

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trend of explaining internal emotions rather overtly when Esti and Ronit reignite their affair.

With cut-and-dry moral stakes spelled out from the get go, Disobedience equates religious intolerance with disapproving looks, closeddoor gossip and passive aggression.

Often a filmmaker of great visual energy, Lelio becomes slave to the depressing winter aesthetic of the film’s surroundings, draining the film of any passion or style.

More than any other character, Esti is depicted simplistically; a slave to both her desires and the religion that gives her spiritual structure. McAdams does her best to transcend these limitations, but it’s Nivola’s experiences as a man of god that leave an impression.

Otherwise, Disobedience (opening Friday, May, 11, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas) is an incredibly dour attempt at representing the social contradictions inherent to modern day religious doctrine.

—Glenn Heath Jr.

OPENING American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs: This documentary looks at the life and influence of the American union leader, whose ideals addressed income inequality and changed politics forever. Opens Friday, May 11, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Lou Andreas-Salomé: The Audacity to be Free: Lou Andreas-Salomé, the woman who enraptured 19th century Europe’s greatest minds, recounts her life to Ernst Pfeiffer in this German film directed by Cordula Kablitz-Post. Opens Friday, May, 11, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Lu Over the Wall: A gloomy middle school student meets a mermaid in this charming anime from director Masaaki Yuasa. Opens Friday, May 11, at the Angelika Carmel Mountain—Film Center.

Measure of a Man: During one pivotal summer, a bullied teen learns to stand up to those who seek to do him harm.

RBG: An intimate documentary portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that explores both her professional and private life. Opens Friday, May 11, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas.

Racer and the Jailbird: Michaël R. Roskam’s roving gangster film concerns a bank robber (Matthias Schoenaerts) who decides to change his ways after meeting a beautiful racecar driver (Adèle Exarchopoulos). Opens Friday, May 11, at the Ken Cinema.

Revenge: French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat’s debut film is a blood-soaked, razor sharp revenge thriller about a woman seeking retribution against the men who brutalized her. Opens Friday, May 11, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Zama: An officer of the Spanish crown (Daniel Giménez Cacho) stationed in present day Paraguay anxiously awaits for a transfer and in the meantime embarks on a journey to capture a notorious criminal.

Opens Friday, May 11, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

For complete movie listings, visit Film at sdcitybeat.com.

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 41

MUSIC

OSCAR ARANDA

From left: Sean Slingerland, Matt Donnert, Chris McQueen and Blaine Slingerland or someone looking in from the outside, a band having a do-it-yourself (DIY) ethic probably seems exhausting. Employing the services of a label, a booking agent, a manager and a publicist can be a convenient luxury, saving so much precious time for the more glamorous part of the job—actually making music.

But viewed another way, taking a DIY approach can be liberating. There’s no need to rely on anyone else to make things happen, and while it might take a little more work, those things can happen a lot faster.

For local hardcore quartet Therapy, the past nine months have been a whirlwind. After playing their first show in August of 2017, the band has been moving at a relentless pace, having released a seven-track cassette and played a West Coast tour all before hitting their first-year anniversary.

There’s also the countless other local shows they’ve played.

Even for a band of hardcore veterans, Therapy’s been progressing in seemingly record time.

“Me and [guitarist] Sean [Slingerland] were both in Age of Collapse, which was this growing monster that kept getting bigger,” says bassist Blaine Slingerland on a Tuesday evening at Rancho’s North Park. “We wanted to do something where we just hit the ground running and had a more

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definitive idea of what we wanted to do from the start. It’s only been eight months, but we’ve already recorded and done a tour—things that probably would have taken another band a longer period of time to get to.”

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that the music Sean and Blaine Slingerland, vocalist Chris McQueen and drummer Matt Donnert play is suitably loud, fast and intense. Therapy’s seven-song Demo, released at the beginning of February, totals eight minutes in length and wreaks a hell of a lot of havoc in that short span. The tracks are consistently heavy and loud, moving at a breakneck pace, with an old-school sensibility that recalls the likes of pioneering d-beat band Discharge. (In fact, all four members of Therapy confess to owning the same Discharge t-shirt.) It kicks ass and doesn’t waste a single moment in doing so.

When the band formed, there were some deliberate discussions about what the band is or isn’t. For instance, the Slingerland brothers’ former band, Age of Collapse, had much longer songs that expanded into more complex arrangements, which neither of them wanted to do with this band. The goal, instead, was to streamline and simplify their approach.

“We talked about our influences before we even started,” says Sean. “Me and Blaine even gave ourselves rules for what we can and can’t write. No metal shit, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but that was our comfort zone with Age of Collapse. We’re really trying to do something deliberately. And keeping our techniques more old school. It’s like a puzzle: How do you make a cool song from very simple elements. It’s like trying to crack a code.”

“Having the simplicity established from the beginning is really nice, because it’s helped us not overthink stuff too much,” adds McQueen. “I especially feel like punk music and hardcore music, keeping it simple and having an expiration date on it, keeps things interesting and keeps it going for a while.”

Therapy is part of an increasingly more active hardcore scene in San Diego, which includes like-minded bands such as Heat and Karbonite. And with regular events like the monthly Punk’s Not Dead at The Whistle Stop, there’s growing visibility for more bands within the scene. But one of the things that has been holding it back, the band says, is a shortage of allages venues. Before moving to San Diego, each of them grew up going to all-ages punk shows—McQueen in Toronto and the other three members in Hawaii—and they share concerns about the health of a scene that grows too old.

“Punk is more or less a young scene,” says Sean. “And so if kids can’t even find out about punk, how is that going to perpetuate itself?”

“If I started going to punk shows when I was 21, I probably wouldn’t have the energy to keep doing it,” adds McQueen. “I started going to shows when I was 13 and 14 years old. Having those all-ages spaces are so important and integral to a punk scene. Because the people involved in it grow up going to shows early. And you do a disservice to a scene if you let it get to old, and not let new blood into it.”

With more DIY venues and unconventional spaces such as bike shops putting on shows, there are signs things are changing for the better. And Therapy are doing their part to make the scene more exciting. Yet as intense and as heavy as their music is, not to mention how much work they put into it, they’re quick to point out that it’s easy putting in this much effort into something they enjoy. Not just because the music is rewarding, but because they genuinely like each other as people. And that, in turn, makes the hard work feel a little less daunting.

“We hang out as pals,” says McQueen.

“This is one of the first bands in a long time where we all hung out outside of practice together. It’s great playing in bands with friends. You can maybe be a little more honest when it comes to songwriting. We all go on a bike ride once a month with our friends.

Touring was such a breeze. I’ve been on tour before, and it hasn’t gone as smoothly as it did this time.”

“Being in a band is like being in a relationship,” says Donnert. “You hang out with each other that much and you spend money together and make decisions together. It makes it so much easier when you like each other.”

Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com. Follow him on Twitter @1000TimesJeff

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MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 43

MUSIC

AFTER HOURS: ABOUT LAST NIGHT

NOTES FROM THE SMOKING PATIO LOCALS ONLY

each event heavily features local bands, Ramirez and Gonack in 2016, when dancey post-punk group Glass zalez often invite bands from Los Angeles and Baja CaliSpells were getting ready to release their self-titled fornia. The spring edition caters more toward the “disco” album, the band was looking for a way to set the aspect, but not every band needs to be disco or goth.

“We wanted to be open to multiple genres,” Ramirez show apart from other live music events. Inspired by a review of an early single on SoundDiego that used both says. “Like, we can get a cool rock band or a cool synth band. We just want to make it different from other shows “gothic” and “disco” to describe their MITCH WILSON / LUNARMAPS PHOTOGRAPHY happening in town. Almost more sound, the band came up with the like a mini-fest like All My Friends term “Disco Goth,” and lined up a in Tijuana.” showcase of similarly moody and Disco Goth was once a one-time dancefloor-friendly bands, along with event but now happens with greater some gold, metallic decor and inflatfrequency, at least quarterly, with able disco balls. the past couple nights taking place Since then, Disco Goth has become around Halloween and New Year’s. a regular occurrence for Glass Spells’ Ramirez says there’s no set schedAnthony Ramirez and Suz Gonzalez, ule, though he’s wary of letting it even if their band isn’t playing, and grow too fast too soon. the latest installment takes place at “I wish we could book all of the Blonde on Thursday, May 10. bands that wanted to play,” he says.

“When we were trying to organize Twin Ritual “It’s a lot of work putting on these our record-release party, we wanted to make it a party, not just a regular show,” he says. shows, though. I don’t want to aim too high and book a bunch of bands and then drop the ball.”

“Something special.”

B

The next Disco Goth features Twin Ritual (Ramirez’s new band), MRCH, The Slashes and Bidi Cobra, and while

ALBUM REVIEW Teenage Burritos Something To Cry About (Volar)

T

he operative word in Teenage Burritos’ name is “Teenage.” The local punk/garage outfit has a spunky, youthful streak that informs most of what they do. They’re energetic, sometimes obnoxious, a little snotty and a lot of fun. They have a tendency to write 40-second songs about tambourines and cover Black Flag, but also managing to swap out Henry Rollins’ angst for a more giddy burst of noisy guitars and defiant chants.

Which is to say, Teenage Burritos should appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in punk rock. Less a straightforward group of power-chord pushers than the likes of The Ramones, Teenage Burritos are too twitchy and restless a group to put two songs of a similar style next to each other on new album Something To Cry About.

All of the songs certainly sound like the same band, in large part because of Kirsten Gundel’s manic vocals and

44 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

—Jeff Terich

Kevin Gist’s nasty, unpolished guitar tones. That being said, there’s a wide variety of approaches the band takes within that raw, lo-fi punk rock sound, which range from explosive to accessible.

The first track on the album, “Flytrap,” throws the listener into the deep end right off the bat, sparking up an aggressive, no-wave punk burst that is both abrasive and well-executed. It’s as much a warning as it is a test. Those who stick around long enough to hear the rest won’t endure anything quite that intense again, but it’s not a bad introduction to what Teenage Burritos are capable of. They can make a hell of a lot of noise when they feel like it, but they’re just as likely to show off their pop skills. The tambourine-shaking “No Reward” is classic power pop without the studio polish, and “Prom Song” finds the catchiest way to be antagonistic, with its chorus of “Hey hey, I hate you.”

Something To Cry About is the kind of record where smoothing over the rough edges would probably ruin its energy and intensity. And for that matter, it might not be as fun. Make no mistake, Teenage Burritos play good songs. The fact that they make a mess of it in the process is just part of the charm.

—Jeff Terich

Day Breaks

JOHN AUDLEY

C

onsidering San Diego has more than 250 days of (at least partly) sunny weather per year, it’s eyeroll-worthy that day parties are largely reserved for the House2Ourselves summer season. But mid-May breaks the hibernation cycle. For those interested in body shots and crowded pools, please move along to the Hard Rock Hotel’s SUNBURN Pool Party. For those actually looking for good music, particularly in the house and techno variety, here are some upcoming parties being resurrected for the summer.

First up is the return of House2Ourselves’ monthly rooftop parties on Sunday, May 13 at Spin Nightclub (2028 Hancock St.). To headline, House2Ourselves booked Doorly, who’s released tracks under Claude VonStroke’s renowned Dirtybird record label, which means bass-heavy house music. House2Ourselves’ parties, and the Spin rooftop in general, has become known for eccentric decorations and sequined attire, so expect freak flags to be flying.

The following weekend offers two choices. On Saturday, May 19, Spin Nightclub will also be hosting the comeback of Sundown, another rooftop get-down synchronized with the sunset. This sequence of Sundown lends itself to a moodier lineup. There will be performances by Ricoshëi, an electronic duo who often brings in guitars, keyboards and other live instruments to complement their vocals. There’s also SAAND, whose melancholic beats are reminiscent of DJ legend Lee Burridge.

Simultaneously on Saturday, May 19, local collectives Reptile Society and Muted Noise are hosting their first-ever rendition of Fieldnotes. There will be performances from a handful of local minimalist DJs, including Halo Varga and Ra.Mod, who are known for a darker take on techno. This one takes place outside at Spanish Landing Park (4300 N. Harbor Drive), which is one of the few remaining public parks in town that allows open containers. There will also be a donation-based bar, which will raise money for Give Direct Inc., a non-profit helping families living in extreme poverty in East Africa.

Last but not least is Souleil’s Season 8 Opening Party on Sunday, May 27. The house music party-throwers start off their weekly series with San Francisco-based DJ and producer Miguel Migs, who’s primed to lend a funky, deep house set.

This event will be taking place at the WorldBeat Cultural Center (2100 Park Blvd.).

Check online for specific prices and times, but the majority of these parties only go till 10 p.m., allowing for decompression before the Monday blues roll in.

—Torrey Bailey

About Last Night appears every other week. Got a cool nightlife tip? Email Torrey Bailey at torreyb@sdcitybeat.com.

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC

JEFF TERICH

IF I WERE U A music insider’s weekly agenda WEDNESDAY, MAY 9

PLAN A: Built To Spill, The Afghan Whigs, Ed Harcourt @ Observatory North Park. I might not have initially thought Built to Spill and Afghan Whigs were a good match for a co-headlining tour, but it kind of makes sense. They’ve both been around a long time, have solid catalogs throughout and plenty of underground hits. PLAN B: Nox Novacula, Traag @ SPACE. Of course a band called Nox Novacula is goth AF. It even rhymes with Dracula. And their harsh, gloomy, death-rock sound is worth leaving your own personal catacombs to go check it out.

THURSDAY, MAY 10

PLAN A: Poptone, Automatic @ Belly Up Tavern. Poptone is Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins of Bauhaus, Love and Rockets and Tones on Tail. And their live shows feature a solid mix of those three bands, with a heavy emphasis on Tones on Tail, who haven’t done anything in 35 years. Now’s a

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good chance to catch up with them. PLAN B: Vagabon, Julie Byrne @ The Casbah.

This show features two young, excellent indie singer/songwriters that have been doing cool things lately. In particular I’m a fan of Julie Byrne, who plays warmly intricate folk that’s utterly gorgeous. BACKUP PLAN: TV Girl, Wished Bone, Shindigs @ Soda Bar.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

PLAN A: Hot Snakes, Le Butcherettes @ Observatory North Park. Anyone who missed out on Hot Snakes’ show at The Casbah in March might be regretting that decision. It was bonkers. But the local legends are returning at an even bigger venue, so there’s more room for everyone. You might even say there’s, uh, plenty for all. PLAN B: Matthewdavid, PBDY, Callie Ryan, Tar Crew @ SPACE. For something a little more chill, seek out this selection of beatmakers headlined by L.A.-based Matthewdavid, who blends soothing atmospheres with wonky

PAUL RAE

beats. BACKUP PLAN: American Pleasure Club, Special Explosion, Bad Kids @ Queen Bee’s.

SATURDAY, MAY 12

PLAN A: Joshua White 4tet plays Herbie Hancock @ Dizzy’s. Jazz pianist Joshua White was highlighted in our “Best Of People” last year for his musical achievements. And at this show he’s taking the opportunity to highlight a jazz legend. PLAN B: Leeway NYC, Rhythm of Fear @ Soda Bar. Metal matinee? Hell yeah.

Crossover thrash band Leeway NYC plays fast, loud and heavy, and they’ll trash the place well before curfew.

SUNDAY, MAY 13

PLAN A: Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Schoolboy Q @ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre. I mean, I don’t think I need to explain why Kendrick Lamar is Plan A. Dude won a Pulitzer.

MONDAY, MAY 14

PLAN A: Cough, Grime, Trapped Within Burning Machinery @ Soda Bar. True to their name, Virginia’s Cough make doom metal that’s extra stoney and with fuzz that sounds like a thick layer of weed smoke. It’s heavy shit. PLAN B: Nada Surf @ Belly Up Tavern. I’m still impressed with how Nada

Poptone Surf went from a one-hit wonder to indie power-pop darlings. They’re celebrating the 15th anniversary of their album Let Go, which remains a fun, catchy listen after all these years. BACKUP PLAN: El Vez, Stephen El Rey @ The Casbah.

TUESDAY, MAY 15

PLAN A: Misery Ritual, Monochromacy, Ritual Chair, Those Darn Gnomes, The Flowers @ Kava Lounge. On Tuesday night when the workweek starts to drag, there’s nothing more cathartic than going out to see a noise show, and this one’s loaded with amazing stuff. At the very least it’s an intense way to spend a night out.

PLAN B: Ezra Furman, Shannon Lay @ The Casbah. For something more tuneful and upbeat, Ezra Furman has a catalog full of catchy, weird and unusually arranged pop songs. It’s fun, smart and quirky stuff.

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 45

46 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

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MUSIC

CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!

The Wild Fires (Soda Bar, 6/16), Dirty Sweet (Casbah, 6/22), Opia (Casbah, 7/12), Vacationer (Casbah, 8/4), ‘X-Fest’ w/ Beck, Death Cab for Cutie (SDCCU Stadium, 8/11), Summer Salt, Hot Flash Heat Wave (Che Café, 8/15), J. Cole (Viejas Arena, 8/22), Pivit (BUT, 8/25), Samantha Fish (Casbah, 9/5), Jade Bird (Casbah, 9/8), First Aid Kit (Observatory, 9/25), The Wombats (HOB, 9/28), America (Humphreys, 10/5), Roky Erickson (Casbah, 10/5), Allen Stone (Humphreys, 10/20), Simple Minds (Humphreys, 10/22), Joshua Hedley (Soda Bar, 10/29), Tokyo Police Club (Casbah, 11/16), Lil Xan (HOB, 11/16), Gallant (Observatory, 11/17), The Buttertones (Irenic, 12/6).

GET YER TICKETS Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Observatory, 5/22), The Wonder Years (HOB, 5/22), Madeleine Peyroux (BUT, 5/28), Xavier Rudd (BUT, 5/29-30), Lord Huron (HOB, 5/31), Ray Lamontagne, Neko Case (Open Air Theatre, 6/2), Iceage (Casbah, 6/5), Sunflower Bean (Che Café, 6/13), ‘A Ship In the Woods Fest’ w/ Built to Spill, Shabazz Palaces, Bill Callahan, No Age (Felicita Park, 6/1617), Donavon Frankenreiter (BUT, 6/20), Janelle Monae (Open Air Theater, 6/20), Warped Tour (SDCCU Stadium, 6/22), Seu Jorge (BUT, 6/24), Fear (Observa-

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tory, 6/28), Quiet Slang (Soda Bar, 6/29), Cold Cave (Music Box, 6/29), Counting Crows (Mattress Firm, 7/10), Neurosis, Converge (Observatory, 7/14), Chris Isaak (Humphreys, 7/17), Toad the Wet Sprocket (BUT, 7/17-18), Paramore (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 7/19), Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks (Casbah, 7/20), Wye Oak (Soda Bar, 7/20), Logic (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 7/24), Joe Bonamassa (Humphreys, 7/26-27), The Decemberists (Humphreys, 7/30), American Football, Phoebe Bridgers (Observatory, 8/3), Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam (Open Air Theatre, 8/3), Hop Along (Irenic, 8/5), Willie Nelson (Humphreys, 8/10), Chris Stapleton (Mattress Firm, 8/16), Deafheaven (Brick

by Brick, 8/17), Red Fang, Elder (Brick by Brick, 8/20), The Alarm (BUT, 8/23),Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 8/24), Smashing Pumpkins (Viejas Arena, 9/1), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Copley Symphony Hall, 9/1), Leon Bridges (Open Air Theatre, 9/5), The Original Wailers (BUT, 9/6), Ms. Lauryn Hill (Open Air Theatre, 9/9), Jason Aldean (Mattress Firm, 9/20), The Eagles (Petco Park, 9/22), Deep Purple, Judas Priest (Mattress Firm, 9/26), Loudon Wainwright III (BUT, 9/27), Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band (Humphreys, 9/27), Natalie Prass (Casbah, 9/30), Courtney Barnett, Waxahatchee (Observatory, 10/3), The B-52’s (Humphreys, 10/6), Ozzy Osbourne (Mattress Firm, 10/9), Mew (Observatory, 10/9), D.R.I. (Brick by Brick, 10/20), Fleetwood Mac (Viejas Arena, 12/8).

MAY WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 Built to Spill, The Afghan Whigs at

Observatory North Park. Katelyn Tarver at Soda Bar. Brent Cobb and Them at The Casbah.

THURSDAY, MAY 10 Vagabon at The Casbah. Poptone at Belly Up Tavern. TV Girl at Soda Bar.

FRIDAY, MAY 11 The Midnight Pine at The Casbah. Hot Snakes at Observatory North Park. Sparta at Soda Bar (sold out). The Chainsmokers at Mattress Firm Amphitheatre.

American Pleasure Club at Soda Bar.

SATURDAY, MAY 12 Weird Al Yankovic at Humphreys by the Bay (sold out). Dirty Projectors at Music Box. Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Observatory North Park (sold out). Aghori at Brick by Brick. Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite at Belly Up Tavern (sold out). Frenship at The Casbah.

SUNDAY, MAY 13 Kendrick Lamar, SZA at Mattress Firm Amphitheatre. Franz Ferdinand at Observatory North Park (sold out). Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness at Humphreys by the Bay. Steven Wilson at House of Blues. Cat Pierce at Soda Bar. Born Ruffians at The Casbah.

MONDAY, MAY 14 Nada Surf at Belly Up Tavern. Cough at Soda Bar.

TUESDAY, MAY 15 Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite at Belly Up Tavern (sold out). Stuyedeyed at Soda Bar. Ezra Furman at The Casbah.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite at Belly Up Tavern (sold out). Mushroomhead at Brick by Brick. Trash Can Sinatras at The Casbah.

THURSDAY, MAY 17 Con Brio at The Casbah. Tricky at Music Box. Pedro the Lion at Belly Up Tavern.

Danko Jones at Brick by Brick. ‘La Escalera Fest’ at various venues.

FRIDAY, MAY 18 Dirty Heads at Mattress Firm Amphitheatre. Horse Feathers at The Casbah.

Celtic Woman at Civic Theatre. Midnight at Brick by Brick. Tim Allen at Copley Symphony Hall. Vaud and the Villains at Belly Up Tavern. Cults at Soda Bar. Earth, Wind and Fire at Harrah’s SoCal. A Perfect Tool at Music Box.

at Brick by Brick. The Wonder Years at House of Blues. Geographer at The Casbah. Here Lies Man at Soda Bar.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 Angelic Upstarts at The Casbah. Ocean Alley at Soda Bar. The James Hunter Six at Belly Up Tavern.

THURSDAY, MAY 24 Phantogram at Open Air Theatre. Rufus Wainwright at Belly Up Tavern (sold out).

GBH at Observatory North Park. Colouring at Soda Bar.

FRIDAY, MAY 25 Primitive Man at Soda Bar. Cash’d Out at Belly Up Tavern. Jesse Dayton at The Casbah. George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at Music Box.

SATURDAY, MAY 26

SATURDAY, MAY 19 Peter Hook and the Light at House of Blues. The Brothers Comatose at Belly Up Tavern. Mating Ritual at Soda Bar. Smokepurrp at SOMA. Bar1ne at Music Box.

The Posies at Soda Bar. Palberta at SPACE. The Glitch Mob at Observatory North Park. Kimbra, Son Lux at Belly Up Tavern. The Winehouse Experience at Music Box.

SUNDAY, MAY 27

SUNDAY, MAY 20 Pond at The Casbah (sold out). The Lighthouse and the Wailer at Soda Bar.

MONDAY, MAY 21 Death Eyes at The Casbah. The Slashes at Soda Bar.

TUESDAY, MAY 22 Godspeed You! Black Emperor at Observatory North Park. The Head and the Heart at Open Air Theatre. Life of Agony

J Boog at Belly Up Tavern (sold out). Sofi Tukker at Observatory North Park. MC Chris at Soda Bar. Through the Roots at Harrah’s SoCal.

MONDAY, MAY 28 Subhumans at The Casbah. Tory Lanez at Observatory North Park. Madeleine Peyroux at Belly Up Tavern. Todd Albright at Soda Bar.

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 47

MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 TUESDAY, MAY 29 Lauren Ruth Ward at Soda Bar. Xavier Rudd at Belly Up Tavern. SUR at The Casbah.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30 Xavier Rudd at Belly Up Tavern. Cloud Catcher at Brick by Brick. John Mayall at Music Box.

THURSDAY, MAY 31 Lord Huron at House of Blues. D.O.A. at Brick by Brick. Dead Milkmen at Belly Up Tavern. WAND at The Casbah. Lead Pony at Soda Bar. Eli Young Band at Harrah’s SoCal.

JUNE FRIDAY, JUNE 1 Anvil at Brick by Brick. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at Observatory North Park (sold out). Mark Farina at Music Box. Greg Laswell at Belly Up Tavern. The Paladins at The Casbah. Noah Cyrus at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Lord Huron at House of Blues. Beekeeper at The Merrow.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2 Ray Lamontagne, Neko Case at Open Air Theatre. Curtis Harding at The Casbah.

Dr. Dog at Observatory North Park. Betamaxx at Music Box. Alex Lahey at Soda Bar. Sugarland at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

SUNDAY, JUNE 3 Calexico at Belly Up Tavern (sold out).

U.S. Bombs at Soda Bar. Josh Rouse at The Casbah. Power Trip, Sheer Mag at SOMA. Tomorrows Bad Seeds at Music Box. Authority Zero at Brick by Brick.

The Monkees present The Mike and Mickey Show at Humphreys by the Bay. Kabaka Pyramid at Harrah’s SoCal.

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Wed: Open mic. Thu: Karaoke. Fri: Strictly Skunk, The Originators. Sat: FUNKeDELiC. Sun: Karaoke. Tue: The 23’s.

Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘Hip Hop’ w/ TramLife, DJ Root, Kamzilla, Tec. Thu: ‘Retro Box’ w/ DJ 1979. Fri: ‘House Music’ w/ DJ Matthew Brian. Sat: ‘Juicy’ w/ Mike Czech.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: Taimane Gardner, Jimmy and Enrique, Reiko Obata. Thu: Poptone, Automatic. Fri: Easy Wind, Santanaways. Sat: Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite (sold out). Sun: Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite (sold out). Mon: Nada Surf. Tue: Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite (sold out).

Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., City Heights. Thu: Uptown Rhythm Makers. Fri: Dethsurf, Gorm. Sat: The Gift Machine.

Blonde, 1808 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. Wed: ‘Dance Klassique’. Thu: ‘Disco Goth’ w/ Twin Ritual, MRCH, The Slashes, Astral Touch, DJ Bidi Cobra. Fri: Yeah Yeah Yeahs live tribute. Sat: ‘80s TRON New Wave Party’. Tue: ‘T is 4 Techno’.

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave., Carlsbad.

Fri: ‘Club Musae’.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Wed: Jimmy O. Yang.

Thu: Shayne Smith. Fri: Shayne Smith.

Sat: Shayne Smith. Tue: Open mic.

Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., Bay Park. Sat: Aghori, Squirrelly Arts, Eken is Dead. Sun: Hemlock, SevidemiC, 1001, The Flood.

The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Wed: Karaoke. Fri: The Sometimes Island, Johnny Kahn, The 40 Ouncers, The Pawns, Offset. Sat: Roadside Coyotes, El Consumption, Your Friendly Bartender.

Tue: Karaoke.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Middletown. Wed: Brent Cobb, Savannah Conley. Thu: Vagabon, Julie Byrne. Fri: The Midnight Pine, Jake Najor and the Moment of Truth, Stephen El Rey. Sat: Frenship, Yoke Lore. Sun: Born Ruffians, Little Junior. Mon: El Vez, Stephen El Rey. Tue: Ezra Furman, Shannon Lay.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St., Downtown.

Fri: Pan + Pot, Lee K. Sat: Vindata, Electric Mantis.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., North Park.

Wed: ‘Shock’ w/ DJ Old Man Johnson.

Fri: League of Liars, Falling Doves. Sat: DJs Old Man Johnson, Switch. Sun: Normandie Wilson. Tue: Alvino and the Dwells.

Beaumont’s, 5665 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Wed: Sutton Papanikolas. Thu: Mark Fisher. Fri: Part Time Model. Sat: Slower.

48 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

Che Cafe, UCSD campus, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Fri: Fashion Jackson, Duuns, Rubenstein Drive-By, Mr. Mumble. Mon: Backtrack, Mizery, Regulate, Soul Power, Hangman. Tue: Drug Control, Regional Justice Center, Wise, Bayonet.

Dirk’s Nightclub, 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove. Fri: FX5. Sat: CRS.

Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, Bay Park. Sat: Joshua White Quartet.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown. Fri: DJ Kaos.

Sat: Bootleg Kev. Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Eric Bellinger. Fri: Pretty Ricky. Sat: Tony Touch.

Hooley’s, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa. Fri: Tony Cummins. Sat: Ron’s Garage.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Grupo Niche. Fri: Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, Just Juice, Joey Cool, King ISO, Mackenzie Nicole. Sat: Zoe, Dorian.

Sun: Steven Wilson, Ninet Tayeb. Mon: Red Wanting Blue, Liz Brasher.

Humphreys Backstage, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. Wed: Bayou Brothers. Thu: Rosy Dawn. Fri: Detroit Underground, Y3K. Sat: Full Strength Funk Band. Sun: Cerissa McQueen. Mon: Mercedes Moore. Tue: Backwater Blues Band.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., Middletown. Thu: ‘Techsposure’. Fri: ‘Digital Cocoon’ w/ Memo Rex. Tue: Misery Ritual, Monochromacy, Ritual Chair, Those Darn Gnomes, The Flowers.

Loft @ UCSD, Price Center East, La Jolla.

Fri: ‘Biohazard’.

Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave., Coronado. Wed: Goodall Boys. Thu: Stilettos. Fri: Pat Ellis and Blue Frog Band. Sat: Never 2L8. Sun: Gonzology. Tue: JG Duo. Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: Mary Bridget Davies.

Thu: ‘An Evening with Patsy Cline’ w/ Bonnie Kilroe. Fri: Andy Anderson, Nathan, Don L. Sat: Anthony Fedorov and Shelley Segal. Sun: Ria Carey and Don L. Mon: Andy Anderson and Nathan Fry.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: Sameland, Mobilities, Function Ensemble. Thu: Fast Heart Mart, The Kathryn Cloward Band, Tennessee Tina. Sat: ‘Club Sabbat’. Tue: Sleeping Jesus, Total Recluse, Trapdoor Social, Sweet Myths.

Mother’s Saloon, 2228 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Thu: DJ Dub B. Fri: Fiore Giorgianni.

Mr. Peabody’s, 136 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas. Thu: Jim Allen Band. Fri: Tower7.

Sat: Sonic Tonic, Jerome Dawson. Sun: Tony Ortega jazz jam.

Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy.

Wed: The Weepies, Sweet Talk Radio.

Thu: Ekolu, Hazmatt, Pali Roots, DJ Carlos Culture. Fri: Echosmith, The Score, Jena Rose. Sat: Dirty Projectors.

The Office, 3936 30th St., North Park.

Wed: ‘1,2,3’ w/ DJ EdRoc. Thu: ‘No Limits’ w/ DJ Myson King. Fri: ‘After Hours’ w/ DJs Adam Salter, Ikah Love. Sat: ‘Strictly Business’ w/ DJs Kanye Adada, Ikah Love.

Tue: ‘Trapped’ w/ DJ Ramsey.

OMNIA Nightclub, 454 Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Cheyenne Giles. Fri: Rusko.

Sat: Savi.

Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park.

Wed: Gilbert Castellanos. Fri: The Mad Hat Hucksters. Sat: Miss Erika Davies.

Parq, 615 Broadway, Downtown. Fri: Zaytoven. Sat: Scene.

Proud Mary’s, 5550 Kearny Mesa Road, Kearny Mesa. Wed: Mark Augustin. Thu: Tomcat Courtney. Fri: Ben Powell. Sat: Give Me Back My Wig. Queen Bee’s, 3925 Ohio St., North Park.

Fri: American Pleasure Club, Special Explosion, Bad Kids.

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

@SDCITYBEAT

BY CHRISTIN BAILEY

ASTROLOGICALLY UNSOUND Weekly forecasts from the so-called universe ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Close your eyes and imagine you are in a serene field of tall grasses when, in the distance, the grasses start to shake… as though something is! coming! straight! for! you!!!

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22):

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): This

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): It is important to remember that no one’s life is fair, and no one’s life is easy with the exception of guinea pigs, who live everyday like goddamn kings.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): The color red will bring your creditors lots of luck this week. For you, however, things don’t look to be going quite so well.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 December 21): Taking time out of your day to judge others on the choices they make in their own lives is about as useful as anything else you do. That is, not very.

week you’ll use all that trigonometry that you learned in middle school “for no reason,” and you’re really gonna have to take back all those mean things you said about it.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): The boomerang returning to you when you throw it is a result of simple physics… The reason why you’re alone playing with a toy that fundamentally cannot leave you is much more complex.

This week, an old familiar smell will trigger distant and long-forgotten memories. How you end up floating in amniotic fluid after that is anyone’s guess though.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19): Foraging is just another word for robbing squirrels blind! What do you need to take those mushrooms for? That’s their food! Just go to the supermarket!

LEO (July 23 - August 22): There’s going to be a moment this week when you think to yourself, “It’s just one more bag and I don’t want to make another trip,” and you know what? You’re gonna be right.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Everything’s great. Honestly? It’s sort of boring how little is going on for you right now. Like you can just go on a nature walk. Listen to the birds.

Whatever. Must be nice.

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22):

PISCES (February 19 - March 20): Yeah, everybody knows that all the Skittles have the same flavor—but did you know that your life turns out basically the same no matter what choices you make?

I know the saying, but if you were to literally jump out of the frying pan it’s likely you’d just land on the stove and from there it’s a clean getaway.

Astrologically Unsound appears every week. Follow Christin Bailey on Twitter at @hexprax.

MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Mitch Dodge, Arielle Z, Susio, Delos. Sat: Sabo, Tor, Justin Campbell. Sun: Doorly.

The Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. Fri: ‘Hip Hop Fridayz’. Sat: ‘Sabado en Fuego’ w/ DJs XP, KA, K-Swift. Mon: ‘Manic Monday’ w/ DJ Junior the Disco Punk.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Paul Gregg.

Rich’s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest.

Wed: DJs John Joseph, Kinky Loops.

Thu: DJs Moody Rudy, CasaNuova. Fri: DJs Dirty Kurty, Moody Rudy. Sat: DJs KSwift, Taj. Sun: DJs Cros, Danger Duran.

Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz’ w/ Jason Hanna. Thu: Chloe Lou and Davies. Fri: The Goldettes. Sat: Bedbreakers.

Rosie O’Gradys, 3402 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: Karaoke. Fri: OrchidMantis. Sat: Three Chord Justice.

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave., North Park. Wed: Red Fox Tails. Thu: Jimmy Ruelas. Fri: Soul Ablaze. Sat: Captain Morgan Lee. Mon: ‘Makossa Monday’ w/ DJ Tah Rei. Tue: Trio Gadjo.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Thu: Gutter Demons, The Cat Chasers. Fri: The Gears, Spent Idols, The Dogs, The Widows. Sat: Cursed Moon, Raw Dögs, New Skeletal Faces.

Sun: Pants Karaoke.

Tin Roof, 401 G St., Downtown. Wed: Pat Hilton. Thu: Jake and Corey. Fri: Coriander, Kenny and Deez. Sat: Coriander, Kenny and Deez. Sun: Chad and Rosie.

Mon: Jake and Corey. Tue: Jake and Corey.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., Bay Park. Thu: Tommy Price and the Stilettos. Fri: The Siers Brothers. Tue: Jukebox Kings.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., City Heights. Wed: Cartoon Chaos Cabaret.

Thu: DFMK, Doc Hammer, Contact, Russian Tremors. Fri: Petty Saints, Batlords, Christ Killer, Inciting Riots.

U-31, 3112 University Ave., North Park.

Wed: ‘Yes Lawd’. Thu: ‘Boom Boxx Thursday’. Fri: DJ Senema. Sat: DJ Kid Wonder. Mon: ’31 Flavors’.

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park.

Wed: The Applebrown Jazz Ensemble, Fistfights With Wolves. Thu: Bosswitch, Blood Ponies, Geese. Fri: ‘Death by Dancing’ w/ DJ Jon Blaj. Sat: ‘Booty Bassment’ w/ DJs Dimitri, Rob. Mon: ‘Electric Relaxation’.

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Wed: Layne Tadesse, 7 Seal Dub Band, DJ Carlos Culture. Thu: Fayuca, Brewfish, Audic Empire. Fri: Poor Man’s Whiskey, Hunter and the Dirty Jacks.

Sat: Cubensis, Lust for Life, The Shenanigans. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: Philthy.

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: Katelyn Tarver, Ezla. Thu: TV Girl, Wished Bone, Shindigs. Fri: Sparta, NALGADAS (sold out). Sat: Leeway, Rhythm of Fear. Sun: Cat Pierce, Swimsuit Issue, Ba Bête. Mon: Cough, Grime, Trapped Within Burning Machinery. Tue: Stuyedeyed, Modern Bummer.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway.

Thu: YFN Lucci. Fri: Ignant Benches, The Extrangers, Retra, Effe Emme, Beyond My Afterlife, Violent Dreams. Sat: CardBoard Boxer, The Industry, NES, Split Track, Suburban Park.

SPACE, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights.

Thu: Fashion Jackson, Common Ivy, Chill Nickleson. Fri: Matthewdavid, PBDY, Callie Ryan, TAR Crew, Adamas1080p. Sat: Whereisalex, JR Jarris, PRVDNT, Luis-Travels. Tue: Karaoke.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St., Middletown. Fri:

@SDCITYBEAT

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 49

IN THE BACK

BY LARA MCCAFFREY

CannaBeat Ad state of affairs

T

he cannabis industry is growing now that recreational sales are legal, but some local cannabis businesses are finding it difficult to advertise to consumers.

The challenges are a combination of regional laws, as well as internal regulations at online platforms and media companies.

Amber Myers, operations manager at cannabis testing lab Pharmlabs, said her industry needs to be careful when it comes to advertising.

“You kind of always have to be on your toes,” said Myers. “Knowing that you can then spend the money and then immediately just throw away the work that you've done.”

PharmLabs, which has a San Diego location, removed the cannabis leaves from its logo on a new billboard along Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.

The company took this cautionary step in order to be compliant with California law restricting cannabis advertising to people under 21.

PharmLabs thinks laws like these are socially responsible, although it adds challenges to advertising.

“You have to run the risk to have that billboard installed and that's an expense

50 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 9, 2018

that if we find out we can get a cease and desist letter... that money has gone to waste if you have to have it removed,” said Myers.

Although PharmLabs could put up a billboard on PCH, other highways and freeways aren’t fair game. California law restricts cannabis businesses from advertising on billboards alongside interstate freeways. For example, cannabis billboards cannot be placed on Interstates 5 or 8 since they cross into Oregon and Arizona respectively. A billboard on state route 94 is legal because it ends within California.

Virginia Falces, communications director at cultivation facility Outliers Collective (OutCo), said advertising on social media applications and online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube has been challenging.

“Cannabis is prohibited from advertising or even existing on almost virtually all social media platforms because basically they're taking the stance of cannabis being illegal in the states,” said Falces.

Falces says OutCo has lost its Instagram and Facebook accounts multiple times due to the applications’ guidelines for cannabis-related content. This, he says, limits its ability to reach new customers.

To avoid its social accounts being shut down, Falces says OutCo employs the live

THOMAS HAWK / FLICKR

feature on Instagram and uses Snapchat a lot. Its reasoning being that the footage taken during live streams and Snapchat isn’t readily available after it ends.

Dallin Young, executive director of Association of Cannabis Professionals, has also had problems with online promotion.

Meetup doesn’t allow his nonprofit to post events anymore, and Facebook and Instagram are problematic as well.

Promoting the Association’s CannaVillage at the Earth Day Festival at Balboa Park last month proved particularly troublesome.

“Facebook actually killed our ability to boost our event pages because our event was called the [CannaVillage],” said Young.

Like social media companies, media companies also have their own internal guidelines for advertising cannabis. Young said that cannabis businesses have the most luck getting ad space in alternative weeklies and trade magazines.

Zach Lazarus, founder and CEO of

dispensary A Green Alternative, said it’s easier to advertise on locally owned radio stations like 91X and Magic 92.5 FM rather than corporate owned stations.

“Certain radio stations won't accept our advertising dollars,” said Lazarus. “For instance, iHeartRadio. We were the first to go on iHeartRadio. Then they pulled the plug a couple of weeks later.”

Jessica McElfresh, a local attorney specializing in cannabis issues, said she doesn’t get a lot of calls from her clients regarding government regulations on advertising. When she does, it’s usually regarding clarification on audience makeup.

Advertising near schools is obviously wrong she notes, but other areas aren’t as clear.

“That's kind of like been the question,” said McElfresh. “How do we determine that and how do we manage it? And the truth is I don't know exactly how to determine that other than some of these common sense ideas.”

Lazarus thinks that advertising might become easier as the industry matures.

“I think that it's kind of like we just sent the man to the moon sort of mentality and now we're here,” said Lazarus. “It's time to go back and do all other exploration things that we need to do.”

For the latest cannabis news and lifestyle trends, please pick up our sister magazine CULTURE every month or visit culturemagazine.com.

@SDCITYBEAT

MAY 9, 2018 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 51