San Diego CityBeat • May 15, 2019

2 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

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UP FRONT | FROM THE EDITOR

Doing the right thing

A

s this issue was going to press, the over 118 speakers who showed up to a city council session to voice their support for State Assembly Bill 392—which would update standards statewide on when police officers are allowed to use deadly force—were still going strong.

I wanted to use this space to commend those who came out to urge the council to support AB 392. For weeks, I feared that the council, despite having a 6-3 Democratic majority, would not vote to support the resolution, which was introduced by Councilmember Monica Montgomery. That the resolution would ultimately fail, despite the fact that the public testimony was largely in favor of supporting it.

Ultimately, they did the right thing and voted to support AB 392, also known as the California Act to Save Lives. This despite the fact that police organizations and even San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit (who was unanimously appointed by the council) spoke for 10 minutes against the resolution, calling the bill “flawed” and “misleading.” Chief Nisleit’s logic was roughly the same as just about every police chief before him: Just trust me, trust us, to do the right thing.

To his credit, Nisleit has spoken openly in support of police department reforms that would hopefully prevent officer-involved shootings and the use of lethal force.

But the logic that a police officer can’t do their job unless death is an option is even more illogical.

And in the end, the voice of Chief Nisleit was drowned out by the countless politicians, ministers, activists, attorneys, public defenders, nurses, doctors, white people, Black people, Asian people, Brown people, Muslims, Christians, veterans and civilians who came out to collectively tell the council that the time had come for change.

For those who don’t know, the California Act to Save Lives is an officer use-of-force bill that would reform, or rather, update the language in which officers can use lethal force from “reasonable” to “necessary.” For

many—including the bill’s author, local Assemblymember Shirley Weber—the bill is common-sense reform to an all-too-common tragedy: The disproportionate amount of people of color who are unnecessarily dying at the hands of police officers.

“We are still having this conversation that if we are doing something to make people safer, then we are against police and that is not the case,” said Councilmember Montgomery.

“Most of those killed are [people] of color, and many are disabled, and we need to update our standards,” added Councilmember Jennifer Campbell.

“I hear the pressures from everyday citizens—that just holding a cell phone or a pen or even keys at the wrong time in the wrong light in the wrong place, that it could be a deadly mistake. What is that?,” said Councilmember Chris Ward.

Councilmember Scott Sherman did his best to make the case that such a resolution has “no bearing” and is “nonbinding” and wouldn’t sway state assemblymembers and state lawmakers either way. He cited his past “no” votes on similar council resolutions and that he’s been against all supportive resolutions even if he agreed with them.

He voted against the resolution, but did add that he was “reluctantly” doing so.

I’ll at least give Sherman credit for standing by his priciples. Fellow Republican Councilmember Chris Cate didn’t even vote and newly independent Mark Kersey, like Sherman, ultimately voted “no,” but without offering immediate reasons as to why he did so.

“This [bill] is about transpancey and accountability,” said Council President Georgette Gomez, just before the 6-2 vote in favor of passing the resolution. “It’s just the right thing to do for California… I do think it matters.”

The city council absolutely did the right thing.

—Seth Combs

Write to seth.combs@sdcitybeat.com

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MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 3

4 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

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UP FRONT | LETTERS

SHOWING TEETH

I have an idea on how to screw-up visual communication by redefining an established gesture [“Fight for your right to use the OK symbol,” Sordid Tales, May 1]: The showing of teeth while smiling could be taken to mean you want to dine on my flesh, and we should require people to smile without showing teeth if they mean to show appreciation for a person’s joke, or appearance.

Howzat?

Saul Harmon Gritz Hillcrest

WHO’S THE BRO, NOW?

It is extremely important that a journalist can acknowledge that the Democratic party, like the GOP, has a wide range of aims, policies, etc. within itself. Yet, for Seth Combs this is not true [“Progressives are intolerant,” From the Editor, April 24]?! He did not explain why that FACT should be ignored either! This is an editor? I guess so today, and presumably voting for drone campaigns is not really important, as long as they are a Democrat?! Who is the BRO NOW? Seth is wrong in an embarrassing way, I will let City Beat get sun bleached and water logged on the stand from now on.

Jack Ferro

WHAT ABOUT THE PENSION FUND?

Dear Mr. Combs This letter is prompted by your editorial in this week’s edition of CityBeat [“Summer goal:

@SDCITYBEAT

Get involved in the budget process,” From the Editor, May 8] and by the article in yesterday’s edition of the U-T re: the proposed new fiscal year proposed budget for the County. You suggested interested taxpayers should attend meetings with County representatives where the proposed budget will be discussed... but if ALL the facts are not in the public domain, how can we taxpayers have a meaningful meeting?

What else is “hidden” from us in all those big numbers?

I do not understand why the proposed budget had NO allocation of funds to make a payment on the big deficit in the County’s pension fund? Last I knew, the County’s pension fund (thanks to Dianne Jacob’s acts in 2001) had a deficit of approx. $2+ billion, which the County is required to make annual payments on to reduce that number. The City’s pension fund has a deficit in the same range as the County and it is required to make an annual payment in the range of $300 million/year. So, why then is the County not making such an annual payment?

If it is, where is that number “buried”? If the County has reserves, per the article, of “almost $2 billion,” why aren’t they making larger than required annual payments to reduce that humungous deficit? If the County were to make a pension fund payment of approx. $300 million, it would almost be in the top 3 “types of expenditures,” per the shown bar graph. I can’t believe that deficit no longer exists.

Isn’t the County presenting a less than fully accurate fiscal picture when it just leaves out this BIG required annual expenditure? We taxpayers are on the hook for that pension deficit,

so shouldn’t there be adequate coverage of that fiscal piece to the County’s budget?

Lou Cumming La Jolla

TABLE OF CONTENTS UP FRONT From the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Letters to the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 A Side-Eye of Sanity . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sordid Tales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

FOOD & DRINK World Fare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Final Draught. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

WE WANT FEEDBACK

THINGS TO DO

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.

The Short List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . . 11-12

ARTS & CULTURE The Floating Library . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Feature: South Bay art . . . . . . . . . 16 Seen Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19

MUSIC Feature: Negative Gemini . . . . . . 21 Notes from the Smoking Patio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 The Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 If I Were U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Concerts & Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . 24-26

IN THE BACK Astrologically Unsound. . . . . . . . 25 CannaBeat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 5

UP FRONT | NEWS

Yes in his backyard

more parking spaces in Balboa Park than there are trees?” Wang inquires after I ask him about his ideas for mass transit. “We don’t connect our transit to the Zoo, to the park, to SeaWorld, and so what that leads us to is having these gigantic, what we call, parking craters throughout San Diego when, in fact, an adequate transit system playful “soup sandwich” (a military could significantly reduce the need term used to describe something for parking. I complain about them that’s fundamentally useless and/ all the time. But at some point, I or will fall apart). These terms was like, ‘Hey, you can stop commight seem daunting for some, but plaining and do something about it.’”

So what does he want to do exactly? For starters, he says one of the first things he’d try to do once elected is to solidify “a defined policy” on how the city tackles urban planning. He envisions a similar approach to that which is already happening in places such as North Park, Little Italy and the Gaslamp.

“I want there to be a rethinking for how we take the right of way that we currently devote to roads and we can start converting streets Isaac Wang to something else,” says Wang.

“Literally anything other than deWang has a presence and affability voting it to parking or roads.” that has made him one of the leadThis isn’t a novel idea, but for ing local voices when it comes to many, it could be seen as too ideissues such as city planning, housalistic. And for District 5—which ing and mass transit. His ideas are includes neighborhoods such as bold and progressive, but he presRancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasents them to residents in a manner quitos, San Pasqual and Scripps that is accessible and exciting.

Miramar Ranch, among others— “Did you know that there are the idea of converting roads and

Isaac Wang enters city council race with a progressive vision for District 5

By Seth Combs

B

efore Isaac Wang even reaches out to shake my hand, he’s reaching for a campaign button. Given what little I know about Wang—veteran, tech head, urban planner and city council candidate—I can’t help but feel as if it’s a little early in the process for large campaign buttons. After all, he only recently declared his candidacy for the District 5 race and the primary is still 10 months away.

I look down at the button. It’s a YIMBY (“Yes in my backyard”) button from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

“I’m very new to politics. I’m completely trying to figure all this stuff out at the same time but maintaining my core message: urban planning,” says Wang, who is also a member of the YIMBY Democrats of San Diego County. “I definitely believe in transit-oriented development. I see the world from this lense of what I call ‘urban geometry.’”

Wang regularly throws around phrases like “urban geometry,” “agile methodology” and the more

6 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

San Diego communities in District 5 parking lots into public spaces could be viewed as even being problematic considering many of its residents are highly dependent on their automobiles to commute to their jobs. But Wang is confident it can work if the city reemphasizes its commitment to mass transit and building homes near what he calls “mobility hubs.”

“That’s actually one of the primary reasons why I’m running for office, because—and I have no problem admitting this—I’ve spent many years complaining about San Diego and the lack of transit,” says Wang, adding that he’d like to work on having bus-only lanes on roads and highways similar to the ones he’s seen in other cities. “That’s why your bus commutes are an hour and a half, even two hours depending on where you’re at… If you don’t give buses that bus-only lane, they’re never going to have the same advantage as a car.”

Wang grew up with this type of car-induced, sickening type of sprawl in Houston, Texas, a city known for its many freeways and high amounts of traffic. Like many San Diego residents, he ultimately ended up moving here when he was in the Navy, where he worked as a surface warfare officer on the USS Peleliu and the USS Benfold. After his active duty service, he stayed in San Diego and says he became more interested in urban planning and civic technology. He attended a summer program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, as well as a tech incubator for veterans and eventually became more involved with local architecture firms such as KTU+A. “It really helped me change how I saw the city and the purpose of cities and how to make them healthier and foster robust civic engagement,” Wang says.

Another plan of action for Wang

is using his technology background at the civic technology organization Open San Diego to streamline the relationship between government and citizens.

“We still have all these local governments who still have no idea what to do with technology.

They’re using these legacy systems that are 20 or 30 years old,” Wang says. “We’re so far behind the private sector in terms of using technology to manage government.”

Wang says he wants to minimize the “navigational path” to deliver constituents a functional means of getting city issues addressed.

“Whether it’s data on street repair or information on when is this housing development moving forward, how do we convey the end goals of information transfer to citizens. If [the city’s] website can’t do this, then it’s a soup sandwich.”

Wang’s progressive ideas are representative of a larger trend in both local and national politics, but he isn’t naïve to the idea that not only is he trying to flip a seat on the council (currently occupied

by Republican-turned-independent Mark Kersey, who is termed out), but he’s also trying to do so as a young, relatively unknown candidate.

But Wang, like many, sees the political winds turning in his district. He lives in Scripps Ranch, just off the 15 Freeway, and points out that his district’s demographics are rapidly changing, both racially and politically, and that younger voters are increasingly hungry for bold ideas when it comes to city planning.

“It is important that we try to have a new vision for how we see cities—how we see the purpose of cities and how we can move away from a car-centric environment.

That we can have a new vision for our relationship with our physical environment.”

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UP FRONT | VOICES

RHONDA “RO” MOORE

A SIDE-EYE OF

SANITY

Hollywood’s passive aggression

W

hen I’m not writing this column, I’m a film critic, so I’ve already seen a lot of films this year. In the last few, however, I’ve noticed something that’s making the back of my eyeballs itch: passive women.

And before the #notall crowd chimes in, let me be clear about something: I’m not implying that a female character must look, sound or act like me in order to be a legitimate portrayal of a woman (all things being fair, I’m a special kind of crazy so that would be hilarious but hella scary). I’m saying storytellers are kneejerking to comfortable, insipid and utterly basic versions of women, and I want to punch them in the face.

There’s been an uptick in stories in which passiveness is the dominate trait in the female lead’s personality.

Life’s happening to her rather than through her.

No, this isn’t about to be yet another down-withthe-patriarchy piece; I don’t lament or call for shit that’s never going to happen. Because at this point, it’s well established that, to paraphrase James Brown, this is a (white) man’s world—especially when it comes to the primary sensibilities being catered to morally, philosophically, theologically and legally. I try to avoid living in denial.

Readers can disagree if being dragged around by facts is what sparks joy, but when Georgia can codify the Christian-sensibility that life begins at conception into law and subjugate women to a man’s understanding of how female reproduction works (excluding all scientific/medical findings in an effort to destroy even the idea of a woman’s agency), I’m comfortable planting my flag on that hill and defending against all comers.

But that’s a whole other issue.

The point is, try me. I got time.

I love storytelling in all its forms. I think it’s a wonderful way to experience things outside one’s own sphere of influence. You know, how to learn stuff without making someone else responsible for the emotional labor often necessary to get one’s shit together.

I recently watched a film called The Souvenir. The lead is a young (early 20s) woman named Julia. Julia can usually be found behind a camera viewfinder. It swiftly becomes obvious Julia looks at the world with a filmmaker’s eye but doesn’t exactly articulate her thoughts well. But she has them feelings. She meets an older man at a party and is slowly wooed into a romantic relationship. He says her fragility is what’s most interesting about her… like it’s a compliment.

Julia drops her eyes and looks away demurely. My eye twitched.

From that point on, any time the story advanced, it was due to something the man put Julia through or because he dragged her life off-track. Julia simply accepts. No matter how unbelievable his excuse, Julia bends. No matter how often he exhibits toxic behavior, Julia accepts. I’m not exactly sure who would fall for

this homedude’s lukewarm game in real life, but this chick goes all in hook, line and most-ridiculous-coverstory-for-fuckboi-trash-ass-behavior ever. He never once had to pretend like gaslighting wasn’t his stock and trade.

Despite this story being about Julia (and her evolution), this trash-ass man and his shit (not just its impact on her) dominates. This asshole robbed her blind and Julia ultimately ended up wrong-footed and apologizing.

On the one hand, the mind’s eye view of everything shaping Julia’s life is informative. Her lack of overt complexity, however, disconnects from her character so completely that I felt nothing but disdain. There’s a difference between being a passive participant in your life and life kicking you in the teeth. Negative growth can only take a character arc so far before an audience checks out.

I suppose the writer/director felt, since the story ultimately circles back to Julia, that it doesn’t detract from the narrative that frames her journey through the lens of a man. But it is such a disservice to sideline her pain and bury it in passivity. It undercuts the emotional investment in Julia to stifle the activeness of her dysfunction. I will never understand why Hollywood keeps peddling passivity as a core component of womanliness.

As a story, The Souvenir is subtle and so amorphous that it’s almost a shock to realize how much time has passed in Julia’s life by the end of the film.

Her story arc doesn’t fall into the periphery, but not once does she ever actively move the story forward. She just takes this asshole’s shit. Time and again.

I’m a diehard advocate of calls for inclusivity and diversity, whether it’s in front of or behind the camera. But there are more subtle chains that hold us back, like this type of shit, and they hinder more divergent stories being seen and heard.

So long as these chains include certain archetypes, they will keep choking the life out of woman’s stories.

Perhaps this bothers me so much because it’s clear Julia isn’t a cypher. At one-point, she flat-out says she wants to experience more than what’s in her bubble.

We know she’s self-aware. But such unwavering capitulation, in the face of so many damn red flags, is just some unrealistic bullshit.

So, I’m likely to stay in my feelings about this resurgence of the passive-woman schtick going on in film. Mostly because it’s happening regardless of the gender of the writer/director. And that tells me too many women creatives don’t think their stories have a shot in hell being told if they pitch them differently.

It’s trying y’all and it’s very, very trying.

I will never understand why Hollywood keeps peddling passivity as a core component of womanliness.

@SDCITYBEAT

A Side-Eye of Sanity appears every other week.

Follow Ro Moore on Twitter at @BookBlerd.

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 7

UP FRONT | OPINION

EDWIN DECKER

SORDID

TALES

Pope Pederast XVI speaks

F

ormer Pope Benedict XVI thinks progressivism caused the molestation problem.

Wait, he said what? Really? And he wasn’t joking? Well give me a second to wipe the snot from my monitor to corroborate and, well—yup. As sure as shark shit slow surfers, the retired Pope Benedict actually claimed that the reason for the Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal was because of the Sexual Revolution of the ’60s.

“An egregious event occurred in the 1960s, on a scale unprecedented in history,” wrote the Pope emeritus, in an April 10 essay published in the Catholic World Report. “Among the freedoms that the Revolution of 1968 fought for was this all-out sexual freedom, one which no longer conceded any norms.”

He went on to claim—without citation of course— that the world’s child sex abuse problem did not become “acute” until after the revolution. Keep in mind, Pope Ratzo is 92, so I’m inclined to grant leeway in the nonsensical babble department. But this essay was republished in the Vatican News and authorized by the Vatican Secretary of State and Pope Francis. The point being, this isn’t just the mad yammering of an eccentric nonagenarian. This viewpoint is offically endorsed. And it blows the brains right out of the back of my head knowing how horribly these guys—the gaudy magnates of the Roman Catholic Church— continue to bungle this scandal.

Their refusal to accept and acknowledge blame only makes it worse—for them and the victims. They seem oblivious to the totally true truth that the Church’s rot came not from a changing society, but from within. Indeed, the Church is the rot, what with all its cover-ups and collusion.

“Part of the physiognomy of the [Sexual] Revolution of ’68 was that pedophilia was then also diagnosed as allowed and appropriate.”

Allowed and appropriate? Oh darn, more monitor snot to wipe—hang on a sec…

Ok, so where were we? Ah yes, the pope theorized that pedophilia was deemed “allowed and appropriate”—in other words, normalized—by the Sexual Revolution. This is an extraordinary statement which, as the axiom states, requires extraordinary evidence.

But hey, at this point I’ll take any evidence being that not a shred was provided in the pope’s article. In fact, Ratzatouille did not include a single quote from the 1960’s mainstream media calling for more and better diddling. His essay provided zero images of street protesters with signs saying, “Hooray for hebephilia!”

Nor did he block quote an activist group’s manifesto stating that consenting adults should be able to bugger children. Show me, Pope Ratzputin, any kind of mainstream advocacy of that kind of behavior and I’ll show you a confession booth that doesn’t light up like fireworks under a forensic UV inspection.

Honestly, when it comes to theories, this is the most asinine. Asininer even than the celibacy argument. For those who don’t know, there is speculation that the molestation problem is caused by the clergy’s vow of celibacy. The theory being that because priests are not permitted to have sexual relations, their desire to do so will intensify. It will continue to intensify until becoming so unbearable (a sort of ecclesiastical blue balls), they can no longer contain it. So they seek out special friendships with altar boys.

But I call horseshit. Even if it is true that a normal, emotionally healthy person—who for some reason could not have consensual, adult relations—would defy societal taboos, his own sexual proclivity and risk incarceration to molest a minor, it still doesn’t explain why a priest would do it. If The Thorn Birds taught us anything, it’s that women dig vicars. They are like rock stars to the religious and there is no shortage of men or women who will put out for them. In fact, about half, according to the National Catholic Reporter, have engaged in extraclerical intimacy. Some studies suggest even more.

So yeah, priests can, and pretty much do, shag adults regularly. Sure, it’s against the rules but, um, so is child rape. So why would any god-fearing clergyman leap from celibacy directly to child rape and skip over this relatively convenient step of banging horny preacher groupies? Well they wouldn’t. Not if they weren’t already inclined toward pederasty.

“Why did pedophilia reach such proportions?” writes the former Pope. “Ultimately, the reason is the absence of God,” adding that the Sexual Revolution made it “no longer possible to include responsibility to Christ as [our] guiding principle…”

Nice try Benedickhead. The only problem with that theory is that it was actually the world outside of the Church that moved away from god. Inside the Church, responsibility to Yahweh has always been the “guiding principle.” By his theory, the Church should have less degenerates than the general population. Clearly Jesus was not “absent” from it for the past 20 years otherwise who, if not Christ, was inside all those communion wafers they were doling out? The church plumber?

“And Jesus broke the bread and gaveth to them saying, ‘This is my plumber, he taketh calls on Sabbath.’”

No, Your Eminence, the reason it “reached such proportions” is because you let it. You and yours actively and directly conspired to insulate Father Fondlesalot from exposure. You kept their atrocities in the dark where child predators, like cockroaches, flourish. Just freaking take responsibility already. I promise it’ll go a lot better for you.

Show me, Pope Ratzputin, any kind of mainstream advocacy of that kind of behavior and I’ll show you a confession booth that doesn’t light up like fireworks under a forensic UV inspection.

8 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

Sordid Tales appears every other week.

Write to edwin@sdcitybeat.com.

@SDCITYBEAT

UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK

BY MICHAEL A. GARDINER

THE WORLD

FARE

Morocco meets Mexico

L

ocated just under the name on the façade of Medina (2850 El Cajon Blvd., medinakitchen. com) are the words “Moroccan Baja Kitchen.”

That same billing is on the North Park eatery’s website and most articles about the restaurant describe how it “fuses the cuisines of Morocco and Baja.” It’s a descriptor of dubious accuracy, because chef-owner Alia Jaziri’s food is so much more than that.

The idea of “fusing” Moroccan and Mexican cuisine isn’t a particularly novel concept.

Moroccan-born chef Bo Bendana Sein did so with great success for many years at Mi Casa Supper Club, which is located just north of Rosarito Beach in Baja. Mourad Lahlou is doing that same kind of fusion now at Amara in San Francisco. It makes sense. The climates of Baja and Morocco are similar. There are spots on the drive from Rosarito to Ensenada that could easily be mistaken for the Moroccan coast.

The dishes at Medina that come the closest to achieving a true fusion of Moroccan and Mexican cuisines are Medina’s bowls. Each is served on a bed of couscous topped with black beans, roasted corn, arugula, pickled onions, queso fresco and toasted pepitas. My favorite was the lamb bowl starring Morocco’s famous merguez sausage, which is made from lamb heavily flavored with cumin and harissa chili paste, along with some sumac, fennel, and garlic in the mix as well. The merguez utterly owns the dish and when combined with the couscous, it is those Moroccan flavors that dominate despite the Mexican ingredients.

Medina’s take on tacos are clearly intended to reflect Baja. The fact that the three taco options are served on pita is simply a visual reference to tortillas, because the flavors speak of the Mediterranean: Moroccan spices, preserved lemon, merguez and a tomato-cucumber take on pico. These tacos just end up feeling like pretty darned good Moroccan food served taco-style in a pita, rather than in its pocket. In the end, however, it’s not the Baja flavors that shine through.

@SDCITYBEAT

The Moroccan, though, definitely does shine through at Medina. Nowhere does it do so more so than with the single simplest thing on the menu: The ethereal Moroccan mint tea made of fresh mint and honey. There’s nothing fancy about it, but they do it perfectly.

Surprisingly, the best dish at Medina may be neither Moroccan nor Mexican. It’s shakshouka, eggs poached in a sauce of tomato, onions and sweet peppers (though hot ones sometimes join the party). The word “shakshouka” means “mixture” in Arabic. In that sense, it may be a particularly fitting signature dish for Medina. Shakshouka is originally a Tunisian dish, reflecting Chef Jaziri’s father’s North African heritage. Her mother is Chinese-Indonesian and Jaziri herself grew up in San Diego.

MICHAEL A. GARDINER

Shakshouka Medina offers shakshouka in a version that’s fairly true to the original, as well as one featuring the merguez. As much as I love merguez, get the original. It may be the greatest “breakfast-for-dinner” dish in the world.

Ultimately, the food at Medina is not so much a fusion as it is a mixture of Jaziri’s culinary and cultural sensibilities and influences. The word “fusion” in food has sometimes come to suggest confusion and Jaziri’s flavors are far too bright for that.

They defy categorization as one thing or another or a mash-up of any two. They may be a mixture but they are definitely their own thing.

The World Fare appears weekly.

Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 9

UP FRONT | FOOD & DRINK

BY BETH DEMMON

FINAL DRAUGHT Here comes Trouble Brewing

I

t’s hard to admit that something or someone you love is problematic. I have a Smiths tattoo, but now realize that Morrissey is kind of a douchebag. George Carlin can be irreverently hilarious, but his bit on rape crosses a line for me. I love locally made, independently owned craft beer, but am having an increasingly hard time getting past its many flaws that are often hidden under a thick layer of collective smugness.

I’m not the only one struggling with this, even if it seems like I am to the brewery owner who called me a “piece of shit” on Facebook after I called out his racist beer name. But more and more people are rallying to identify offenders in hopes of quashing sexism, misogyny and other hot-button issues plaguing the beer industry. I, for one, am thrilled to see that time’s up in this segment of America as well.

One of the newest voices joining the fight against the systemic issues in the local beer community is Audrey Olena. She’s the founder and voice behind Trouble Brewing, a podcast provided by the San Diego Chronicle, a local website.

“It’s going to be an exploration of everything that’s wrong with the San Diego craft beer scene: sexism, racism, wage issues, impending market saturation, price gatekeeping, the ‘will work for beer’ becoming a sad reality, etc.,” Olena told me in an email.

We later chatted over beers at California Tap Room, and she wondered: “Is independent craft beer really as good as it thinks it is, or is it really as good for people as it thinks it is?”

In an age where battle lines are drawn between independent beer and big beer, this is a controversial question. Macro beer companies utilize unquestionably sketchy tactics to unfairly crush competition from smaller breweries, but they also spearhead forward-thinking initiatives like AB InBev’s 2018 Diversity & Inclusion Policy. Billion dollar companies can offer better pay, better parental leave and better benefits. So who’s to say they aren’t a better option for workers?

“It’s high time we started talking about this,” Olena remarks.

Along with challenging the notion that craft beer is some sacrosanct space for everybody who

10 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

wishes to participate, Olena plans to empower listeners to not only recognize problematic behavior, but give them the tools to “aggressively challenge” antiquated mentalities and become what she calls “conscientious participants” in the industry.

“I don’t believe the people holding the power in the craft beer world are doing enough to make everyone feel welcome in craft beer spaces,” says Olena. “Just because a space accepts everyone, BETH DEMMON

Audrey Olena [that] doesn’t mean that everyone’s included, and it certainly doesn’t mean everyone’s respected. Those are three vastly different things.”

Olena hopes to release the first of six episodes by the end of the month. She’s cautiously optimistic about its reception.

“People probably aren’t doing bad things on purpose, they’re probably just uneducated,” she says.

“But I’ll see where the story takes me.”

Write to bethd@sdcitybeat.com or check her out on Instagram at @thedelightedbite.

@SDCITYBEAT

EVENTS

SHORTlist

ART

the

THREE YOU HAVE TO SEE

COORDINATED BY

SETH COMBS

SAN DIEGO

SUMMER ARTS

If we could swing it, we’d love to do a showcases abstract works from local artists such as Summer Arts issue in addition to our Fall Heidi Brar, Caitlin Carney, Ethos One, Jason Gould Arts issue. Whereas autumn is when many San Diego and more. Down the street, Swish Projects (2903 El arts orgs debut much of their new programming, the Cajon Blvd., Unit #2) will open a new show, Lobe SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART in Lines, which spotlights new gallery and museum scene often works from illustrator Nate Mounveils some great shows and exrales (aka Refinedacne). It also hibitions in the summer. opens from 6 to 9 p.m. on SaturThe one with a lot of buzz is day. More info about both shows Art & Empire: The Golden Age of can be found on the gallery’s reSpain, the San Diego Museum of spective Instagram pages.

Art’s (1450 El Prado, Balboa Park) But if we could choose just years-in-the-making exhibition of one artsy event to go to this over 100 classical works of art from weekend, it would have to be A leading Spanish masters dating Ship in the Woods Music Resifrom 1600 to 1750. The exhibition dency Benefit on May 18 from is the first of its kind in the U.S. 1 to 10 p.m. For those who’ve and includes names such as Diego never been, Ship is an amazing Velázquez, Peter Paul Rubens, El art space in Escondido (3007 FeGreco and many more. It opens licita Road) that’s holding a benSaturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to “Apparition of Saint Michael efit filled with art and music the 5 p.m. and admission ranges from on Mount Gargano” by entire day and evening. Visual free to $15 at sdmart.org.

Sebastián López de Arteaga at artists include Julian Klincewicz, For those who can’t make it Art & Empire: The Golden Age Lora Mathis and Akiko Surai, down to Chula Vista for the new of Spain while the all-woman music lineWeird Hues show (see page 15 up has Amy Cimini, Baby Bushka for that), Visual SD Gallery and Design (3778 30th St.) in North Park will be debut- and Dynasty Handbag, among others. Admission is ing Colorhythm on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. It $12-$20 at shipinthewoods.com.

LINCOLN PARK

VOICES RAISED This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York City, often considered to be one of the most important events of the modern LGBTQ movement.

To celebrate, the San Diego Women’s Chorus will debut the monumental Quiet No More: A Choral Celebration of Stonewall, a concert featuring original songs and choral takes on well-known classics. Artistic Director Kathleen Hansen describes the commissioned piece (also called “Quiet No More”) as weaving together music and spoken word that “will bring audiences through laughter, tears, and affirmation.” It happens at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and at 4 p.m Sunday, May 19 at the Lincoln High School Center for Performing Arts (4777 Imperial Ave.). Tickets range from $18 to $30 at sdwc.org.

SARAH SOTO PHOTOGRAPHICS

Kathleen Hansen and the San Diego Women’s Chorus @SDCITYBEAT

HLauryn Smith: As it Seams at Visual Arts Facility, UC San Diego, 252 Russell Lane, La Jolla. An exhibition exploring the idea of quilting as both a material and a subject through the mediums of sewn sculptural wall pieces and vinyl wall texts.

Opening from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17. Free. visarts. ucsd.edu HArt & Empire: The Golden Age of Spain at the San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. A years-inthe-making exhibition of over 100 classical works of art from 1600 to 1750 from leading Spanish masters including Diego Velázquez, Peter Paul Rubens, El Greco and many more. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18 through Monday, Sept. 2.

Free-$15. sdmart.org.

LIKE A FLASH We often associate the color blue with Birch Aquarium’s oceanic exhibitions, but the La Jolla institution is going for a different kind of “blues” for its 14th annual Green Flash Summer Concert Series. The newly announced 2019 lineup opens with a performance by bluesrock giant Tommy Castro & The Painkillers on Wednesday, May 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. The series will later feature performances from The Doors tribute band Wild Child (June 19), classic rock favorites Pine Mountain Logs (July 17), the more psychedelic sounds of The Mother Hips (Aug. 14), and closing out with alt-rock giants 10,000 Maniacs (Sept. 18). Tickets are $33-$44 and include entrance to the aquarium. This is especially cool since its new exhibition, Seadragons & Seahorses, opens on May 17. More info at aquarium.ucsd.edu.

JAYSON CARPENTER

David Putnam at Barnes & Noble/Bookstar Point Loma, 3150 Rosecrans Place, Point Loma. The author of the Bruno Johnson Thriller Series will discuss and sign his latest book, The Reckless. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. 619-2250465, stores.barnesandnoble.com Coffee with the Catapult at The Book Catapult, 3010 Juniper St., South Park. Informal discussion about what’s new in the world of literature, led by book buyer and co-owner, Seth and bookseller Vanessa.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19. Free. 619-795-3780, thebookcatapult.com

HA Ship in the Woods Music Residency Benefit at A Ship in the Woods, 3007 Felicita Road, Escondido. A benefit filled with art including Julian Klincewicz, Lora Mathis and Akiko Surai, with musical performances from Amy Cimini, Baby Bushka and Dynasty Handbag and more. From 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 18. $12-$20. shipinthewoods.com

Nick Agelidis at La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave., La Jolla. The Australian photographer will showcase pictures complementing the release of his new book, Mongolia: Beneath the Eternal Blue Sky, which he will also be selling at the event.

At noon Sunday, May 19. warwicks.com

HRoland Reiss: Unrepentant & Unapologetic Flowers, Plus Small Stories at Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way. Oceanside. This exhibition features the floral series Reiss, which attempts to move beyond the superficial meanings usually associated with flowers to explore expressive possibilities. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. oma-online.org

Wally Gilbert: From Science to Art at City Gallery, 1508 C St. AH 314, San Diego City College, East Village. The Nobel Prize winner in chemistry-turned-acclaimed artist is known for exploring color, form and the third dimension on two-dimensional surfaces. Opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. facebook.com/ events/434845327061194 HColorhythm at Visual SD, 3776 30th St., North Park. Artists Heidi Brar, Caitlin Carney, Ethos One, Jason Gould, Arturo Gonzales Maldonado and Paige Noelle Thacker present surreal art of various techniques and mediums in group exhibition. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. facebook.com/events/2389233921349163

BOOKS Ann Patchett & Robin Preiss Glasser at La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave., La Jolla. The prolific author and illustrator will discuss and sign their new picture book, Lambslide. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Free. lajollalibrary.org HMichael Wilken-Robertson at Mission Trails Regional Park, 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation presents the anthropologist and author of Kumeyaay Ethnobotany for a book-signing and lecture.

From 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16. $10. mtrp.org

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

HSarah Blake at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The New York Times bestselling author of The Postmistress will discuss and sign her new book, The Guest Book. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 16. Free. warwicks.com

HArt Supply Garage Sale at Bravo School of Art, 2963 Beech St., South Park. Pick up gently used or new art supplies including yarn, mosaic supplies, stained glass, tiles and paper.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. 619-223-0058, facebook.com/ events/568253143668272

HLobe in Lines at Swish Projects, 2903 El Cajon Blvd., Unit #2, North Park. A new show featuring works from illustrator Nate Morales (aka Refinedacne).Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. instagram.com/swishprojects

LA JOLLA

Dr. Stuart Jamieson at Geisel Library, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The endowed chair in cardiothoracic surgery will sign and discuss his memoir, Closer to the Sun, followed by a Q&A. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 16. Free. 858-534-0533, library.ucsd.edu

H = CityBeat picks

Alan Brennert at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The Emmy and People’s Choice award-winning author of Moloka’i will discuss and sign his new book, Daughter of Moloka’i. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 20. Free. warwicks.com Sue Hitzmann at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The exercise physiologist and renowned educator will discuss and sign her new book, MELT Performance. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. Free. warwicks.com HClaire Legrand at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The national bestselling author will sign and discuss the second book in her Empirium Trilogy, Kingsbane. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22. Free. 858268-4747, mystgalaxy.com HChelsea Clinton at UC San Diego Bookstore, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla.

The bestselling author of She Persisted will sign books along with Girl Scouts CEO Sylvia Acevedo, journalist Lynn Sherr and Sally Ride Science co-founder Tam O’Shaughnessy. Tickets are required and a book must be purchased at the book store. At 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22.

Prices vary. ucsandiegobookstore.com

DANCE HCONSTELLATION: Three works in movement at Molly and Arthur Wagner Dance Building, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Series of collaborative dance, music, voice and visual imagery by local artists, sharing themes of the female perspective. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19. $10$20. 858-220-3807, yolandesnaith.com

FOOD & DRINK HSaint Archer 6th Anniversary at Saint Archer Brewing Co., 9550 Distribution Ave., Miramar. The free, family-friendly event will feature live music from headliner King Tuff, The Schizophonics and The Anodynes. Guests can also enjoy food trucks, a kid’s area, brewery tours, and a

EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 11

BOOKS: THE FLOATING LIBRARY

EVENTS EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 special anniversary beer release. From 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. saintarcherbrewery.com HTaste of Julian at Julian Town Hall, 2129 Main St., Julian. The 11th self-guided tour of Julian faire that includes appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages provided by some of Julian’s finest dining establishments. From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18. $25-$35. visitjulian.com BoochFest at Liberty Station North Promenade, 2848 Dewey Road, Liberty Station, Point Loma. Celebration of kombucha, as well as health and wellness, with tastings, live entertainment, yoga classes, DIY workshops, art installations and more.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18. $30-$55. boochfest.com HSoCal Taco Fest at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy., Downtown. San Diego’s largest taco festival featuring over 25 local restaurants, along with live music, Lucha Libre wrestling and more. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 18. $30. tickets.socaltacofest.com Liquid City: Cheese Expo at BRICK, 2863 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station, Point Loma. Liquid City and AleSmith Brewing Company will host unique collaborations, presentations and demonstrations with expert cheesemakers from across the country in addition to showcasing a curated list of breweries, coffee roasters and more. From 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 19. $70. venissimo. com I Love Poke San Diego 2019 at Bali Hai Restaurant, 2230 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. The 10th annual tasting event and poke competition will include island-inspired cuisine made by dozens of the finest chefs and restaurants around San Diego. From 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. $65-$75. balihairestaurant.com Coast of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk at various venues, Pacific Beach.

The annual foodie event offers a variety of food samples from local restaurants, as well as special deals from retailers as you stroll past the shops. From 4 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21. $25. pacificbeach.org

MUSIC Michael Barenboim Plays Brahms at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Key members of the San Diego Symphony’s string and wind section will perform works by Janáček and Brahms with the acclaimed violinist. At 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19. $20-$65. sandiegosymphony.org

HQuiet No More: A Choral Celebration of Stonewall at Lincoln High School Center for Performing Arts, 4777 Imperial Ave., Lincoln Park. The San Diego Women’s Chorus, led by Artistic Director Kathleen Hansen, debuts this concert featuring original songs and choral takes on well-known songs that pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and 4 p.m Sunday, May 19. $18-$30. sdwc.org HImposter Syndrome at UC San Diego Conrad Prebys Music Center, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Musician Berk Schneider showcases his trombone talents in a program also featuring soprano Barbara Byers, flutist Alex Ishov and members of the ensemble SElectOr. From 7 to 8:15 p.m. Monday, May 20. Free. musicweb.ucsd.edu/concerts

POLITICS & COMMUNITY HBike to Work Day 2019 at San Diego County. Register for the 29th annual green event, which encourages thousands of commuters to commute by bike and pick up t-shirt and snacks along the way. From 6 to 9 a.m. Thursday, May 16. Free. icommutesd.com/events/bike-month

SPECIAL EVENTS Encinitas Cruise Nights at S. Coast Hwy. 101 and Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas.

Hot rods, foreign automobiles, classic cars and Woodies will line the streets alongside live music. From 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Free. encinitas101.com HUC San Diego Powwow at Marshall Field, 9500 Gilman Ave., La Jolla. Showcase of the culture and traditions of Native American communities from Southern California and around the country. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 16. powwow.ucsd.edu HFiesta del Sol at Fletcher Cove, 111 S. Sierra, Solana Beach. Arts and music festival lined with food and drink booths, live music performances, wine and beer garden, kids’ area with rides, games and more. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. Free. 858755-4775, fiestadelsol.net HOld House Fair at 30th Street and Fern Street, South Park. Celebration of the neighborhood’s art and architecture, including a historic home tour, bike tour, vintage home specialist exhibits and talks, art studio walking tour and more. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free$33. oldhousefairsd.com HKensington Spring Walkabout at Kensington Library, 4121 Adams Ave., Kensington. Participating Kensington busi-

12 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

True lies

I

read The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina, Frank Rich’s account of George W. Bush’s presidency, during the run up to the release of the heavily redacted Mueller Report. This was definitely not a good idea.

Donald Trump’s uniquely despicable personality makes him an easy target of, well, pretty much everyone who isn’t racist or rich. But Trump’s reality-warping presidency obscures the awfulness of Bush’s time in office.

The story of the Bush administration’s craven dissembling as they manufactured the case for the invasion of Iraq should still fill every American with rage. But they couldn’t have done it without the assistance of a compliant media. The bootlickers at Fox News fell in line, but so did so-called respectable media figures like Bob Woodward, Judith Miller and Robert Novak. They all rolled over for Rove, Rumsfeld and Cheney.

What was most disturbing to me about The Greatest Story Ever Sold was how the administration went after not just the dissenters, but anyone who exposed their lies. That included people in the CIA and the State Department.

Sadly, Bush’s playbook has been adopted by the current administration. At a time when massive spin machines churn out partisan talking points designed to keep us in front of our screens, The Greatnesses will be giving away freebies such as ice cream, assessments, product samples, discounts on food or drink and more.

From 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. kentalbiz.org

est Story Ever Sold is an antidote to the breathless reactions to tweets, speeches and press statements.

Rich lays out the facts in the administration’s own words. These assertions are bolstered by newspaper accounts and augmented with quotes culled from various media sources. It’s an outstanding example of contemporary history that everyone should read because we clearly haven’t learned our lesson.

Strangely, Rich doesn’t consider the cost to the Iraqi people in his accounting. Rich’s story is hyper-focused on American politicians, media figures and troops. Perhaps this decision was made to present the failings of the Bush administration in a context that would appeal to an American audience. But clearly, the Iraqi people paid the biggest price for America’s unprovoked attack on their nation, and that should be acknowledged.

While history will not be kind to the Trump administration, at least they haven’t started any wars—yet. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rove had war on their minds from the moment they set foot in the Oval Office. The blood of hundreds of thousands of people is on their hands, and they know it.

Sadly, not enough Americans do.

—Jim Ruland

The Floating Library appears every other week.

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS

HCabrillo Under the Stars at Cabrillo National Monument,1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, Point Loma. An elegant evening event featuring gourmet food, craft beer, local wine, a silent auction, and live music.

Proceeds benefit Cabrillo National Monument’s educational programs. From 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 18. $65$75. cnmf.org

HDispatches from the U.S.-Mexico Border at San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., East Village. Azam Ahmed— The New York Times’ bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean—will speak with national correspondent Jose A. Del Real about his experience reporting on migrants impacted my Trump’s immigration policy. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 17. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com

America on Main Street Event at 200 Main St., El Cajon. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, enjoy live music amusement rides, interactive zones, food, refreshments and more.

From 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Free. americaonmainstreet.org

Bloody Food Rackets: 1930s New York City at San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., Downtown. Andrew Coe will delve into notorious gangsters such as Joseph “Socks” Lanza, who fought bloody battles over artichokes, milk, eggs, flour and more. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 18. Free. culinaryhistoriansofsandiego.com HAxline Lecture: Trevor Paglen at Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will showcase acclaimed artist Trevor Paglen in this 19th annual lecture. From 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. Free-$15. mcasd.org/axline

WORKSHOPS HTransformed: A Jewelry Workshop with Maru Lopez at Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave., Logan Heights. Part of the Mingei Masters Workshop series, Lopez will guide participants through the process of transforming recycled materials into contemporary wearable jewelry. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and Saturday, May 25. $150-$175. mingei.org

@SDCITYBEAT

@SDCITYBEAT

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 13

THEATER DAREN SCOTT

Dueling yogis

T

he athleisure clothing biz gets a skewering in Moxie Theatre’s production of Yoga Play, which also purports to analyze cultural appropriation and gender dynamics. However, playwright Dipika Guha’s work, which premiered two years ago at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, is a high-level farce that relies primarily on stage antics and sight gags.

That’s not a problem. ��������������� Quite the opposite, actually. After a gabby first act, Yoga Play hits its comedic heights in the second act, notably in a scene in which a dippy yoga teacher (Tamara Rodriguez) is schooling the clothing company exec (Sri Chilukuri) who also happens to be posing in a ludicrously fake beard as a renowned yogi. This requires some explanation: When a public relations scandal hits, the new CEO of Jojoman (an obvious take on the athleisure outfit Lululemon) decides that the damage can best be minimized by having an authentic yogi speak for the company and its sincerest (wink, wink) intentions. When the yogi who is recruited (Matthew Salazar-Thompson, intoning like Peter Sellers in The Party) turns out to be a fraud with his roots in Santa Monica, CEO Joan (Jo Anne Glover) drafts colleague Raj for the job. It’s a contrived premise, but the Moxie cast, directed by Callie Prendiville, brings its “A” game to the stage.

14 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

OPENING: She Kills Monsters: The “Young Adventures Edition” of Qui Nguyen’s comedy about a young woman who picks up fantasy role-playing games after the death of her sister. Presented by the Theatre School @ North Coast Rep, it opens for four performances May 16 at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. northcoastreptheatreschool.org The Fantasticks: The classic musical take on Romeo and Juliet where one of the kids is white and the other is Latino. Directed by Jerry Pilanto, it opens May 17 at the Point Loma Playhouse. pointlomaplayhouse.com The Old Man and the Old Moon: PigPen Theatre Co.’s fantastical musical about a man who must leave his lunar duties behind in order to find his wife. Directed by Desha Crownover, it opens May 17 at the Coronado Playhouse. coronadoplayhouse.com

Yoga Play Chilukuri proves to be more than up to the task of transforming himself from one of Joan’s two trusted execs (the other being Fred, played by Albert Park) into the awkward faux-yogi he’s coerced into portraying. Naturally, Raj deems all of this to be offensive to his cultural heritage, but Chilukuri’s comic exasperation never wanes.

Fittingly, however, Raj facilitates the story’s consciousness-raising denouement.

Glover’s Joan is funniest when she’s fainting or on the verge of doing so, as is Park’s Fred when he’s recounting dreams, particularly one about a talking bird using foul (or is it fowl?) language. As for

Salazar-Thompson and Rodriguez, who are playing the broadest characters, each just goes for it.

Silly as it can be at times, Yoga Play successfully sends up the corporatization of mindfulness and the commercializing of dressing right—and at the right price—to achieve it.

Yoga Play runs through June 2 at Moxie Theatre in Rolando. $18-$44; moxietheatre. com

—David L. Coddon

Theater reviews run weekly.

Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com.

Venus in Fur: The lines between acting and reality blur in David Ives’ erotic drama about a playwright who falls for his lead actress. Directed by James Darvas, it opens May 17 at the OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista.

Pride and Prejudice: In the stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s iconic novel, the outspoken and independent Elizabeth Bennet ponders marriage with the aristocratic Mr. Darcy. Presented by Cygnet Theatre, it opens May 18 at the Old Town Theatre. cygnettheatre.com

For complete theater listings, visit sdcitybeat.com

@SDCITYBEAT

ANDREA LOPEZ-VILLAFAÑA

CULTURE | ART

Luis Garcia and Mauro Doñate estled in an otherwise quiet office park in an industrial area of Chula Vista is the art studio Weird Hues. The subfloor and parts of the ceiling are exposed and not all the walls and ceilings are the same color.

“It’s very DIY,” Mauro Doñate says with a laugh, but then points out the improvements they want to make to the space.

For the past four months, Weird Hues’ founders Doñate and Luis Garcia have been hosting exhibitions by South Bay artists at the Chula Vista space. Every month, a different artist has the opportunity to work on their craft at the studio followed by a threeweek solo exhibition. It’s an opportunity Doñate says is uncommon for young, emerging artists, much less local ones.

“Artists in San Diego get discouraged because they work really hard and they don’t get the recognition they deserve, so we want to make sure that, before they reach that point, we push them so they can keep going,” Doñate says.

Back in 2016, Doñate envisioned creating a project that encouraged a unified arts community in the South Bay. Garcia, who’s known Doñate since high school, was drawn to the project as well, and together they created Weird Hues, which eventually morphed into the studio.

Doñate says that despite there being a lot of talent in the region, cities like Chula Vista are lacking in spaces and galleries where artists who are not as established can grow their platform or improve their art. It’s for that very reason that they decided to create these opportunities by investing their money and time into Weird Hues. Their

@SDCITYBEAT

first show was in January and they now have other artists who are able to reach certain shows lined up as far in advance as Novem- places quicker or in a smoother way,” says ber. The response has been tremendous, as Martinez.

She is thankful that people like Doñate their openings are often packed with local artists and creative young people. The next and Garcia are offering this space for talentsolo exhibition at Weird Hues is on May 17 ed, diverse people who might not have those for artist Avia Rose. When we meet at the opportunities elsewhere.

“When you’re a working-class person of studio, Doñate and Garcia talk about getting ready to store the pieces from the past ex- color, art is a privilege and it’s also a necessity,” says Martinez. “When something is hibit to make room for the next.

“It’s always bittersweet getting rid of this a privilege that is also a necessity, you go through different lengths to work,” Garcia says looking COURTESY OF THE ARTIST pursue it and to have it.” at the 10-foot paintings on Still, Martinez doubts the walls. that larger local instituThe most recent show at tions will embrace the idea the studio was How Do You of increasing the visibilSee Me? by local cartoonist ity of diverse, working-class Fifi Martinez, which includartists, but places such as ed three 10-foot paintings, Weird Hues and The Front five murals and 50 framed in San Ysidro give her hope. comics. Doñate and Garcia Despite various obstacles, both helped her paint the Francisco Eme—gallery dienormous paintings, which rector at The Front, says is why they say they felt visibility of South Bay arta personal connection to ists has increased in the last them as well. year. The Front has been Martinez, who is a San open for over 12 years and Ysidro native, is a published is currently the only art galcartoonist who began her Fifi Martinez at Weird Hues lery in San Ysidro. work close to two years ago The Front is both a program and a buildand has since developed a large Instagram following. Weird Hues was her first solo ex- ing operated by the nonprofit Casa Familiar. hibition. Martinez says that the reality for a It aims to draw attention to the community lot of South Bay artists is that there are few and artists from both sides of the border, as opportunities to get into established gallery well as to allow emerging artists to show spaces or studios, especially for working- their work. class artists. Many have to work multiple “The movement in the South Bay is making jobs to fund their projects and often lack itself more visible and there are people who support from their families. are working hard to make sure there are spaces “We don’t have the same resources as [for artists] to show their artwork,” says Eme.

During the two years that Eme has been leading the gallery, he’s placed a lot of focus on exposing the youth to arts and collaborations with other arts organizations such as Weird Hues.

“Collaboration is key for every organization and people are realizing that so they are doing it more, so it’s not anymore about just you and it’s more about all of us,” says Eme. Collaboration is also something Chula Vista and other southern cities are recognizing is important. Lynnette Tessitore, cultural arts manager for the City of Chula Vista, says the formation of an arts network in South County is in the beginning stages.

She says arts organizations and cities can work together to possibly apply for state and federal grants. She adds that she works hard to find opportunities for artists in Chula Vista to show their work and believes that the formation of a larger network will help raise awareness to nontraditional spaces that artists can use as well.

In the meantime, DIYers such as Doñate and Garcia are taking matters into their own hands, but it has not come without sacrifices. They both say they have less time to work on their own art, but remain dedicated to helping the next generation of artists.

“I wish I had this when I was a lot younger,” says Garcia who goes by the alias of OOGLIOO. “A space like this where I was given the opportunity to work on my own work and exhibit—to create pieces that are larger than I would ever think of creating, that would’ve been amazing. But it’s also very beautiful to be able to facilitate that opportunity to other artists.”

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 15

16 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

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CULTURE | ART

SEEN LOCAL

ANDREA LOPEZ-VILLAFAÑA

BLANKET STATEMENT

W

hen Katie Ruiz was a little girl she wanted to have red hair, light skin and freckles. It didn’t matter to her that no one in her family had those features, but she now speculates that these feelings were likely brought on by watching the Disney Channel.

“Thank god I grew out of that,” says Ruiz letting out a big laugh. On the day we meet, the local artist was adding the finishing touches to one of the many paintings that will be on display at the upcoming Xicana exhibition at 1805 Gallery (1805 Columbia St., 1805gallery.com). The multimedia artist draws inspiration from the patterns of blankets made by the indigenous Otomi people of Mexico, as well as blankets from her childhood, which she keeps neatly folded at the gallery.

Ruiz is completing a residency at 1805 Gallery, which began on April 15 and runs through May 30.

She is using the opportunity to expand on work she’s made in the past to draw attention to her womanhood and xicana identity. An identity she says she embraced because when she was growing up, she felt as if she didn’t belong.

COURTESY OF 1805 GALLERY

Katie Ruiz “I am like a lot of people here, a mix of a lot of things, which is both good and bad,” says Ruiz.

“Sometimes you fit in and sometimes you’re not white enough [or] Brown enough.”

One piece that particularly highlights that is “Xicana,” which depicts a young person covered by a Mickey Mouse blanket with Otomi symbols on the walls. As opposed to traditional patterns of Otomi embroidery, they’ve morphed into the artist’s favorite things: tacos, a paintbrush and the pyramids in Mexico.

Ruiz began her series of blanket paintings in New York in 2014 and was motivated by exploring the intimacy and false sense of security, as well as the warmth and comfort that blankets provide. She was also interested in how different cultures use blankets, which is why she traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico to learn about the significance of Otomi symbols and weaving practices.

Ruiz sometimes worries she might be gentrifying Otomi blankets with her paintings, but she knows she is paying tribute to the traditions and, at the same time, bringing them to life through a different medium. Xicana will be on display from May 30 through June 22 with an artist reception on May 30 from 6 to 9 p.m.

“You want to always honor the people,” says Ruiz.

“And I hope that I am honoring the culture by also bringing it to light in a new way.”

“Xicana” by Katie Ruiz

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—Andrea Lopez-Villafaña

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 17

CULTURE | FILM

Nurturing nature

The Biggest Little Farm

Two Angelenos start their lives over as traditional farmers in new doc

by Glenn Heath Jr.

T

here’s a long tradition of personal documen- he momentarily questions the ambitious and expentaries in which the filmmakers themselves are sive design laid out by Molly’s farming mentor, Alan the subject. Ross McElwee spent years exam- York. One can sense some real resentment and anger ining his relationships with women, family and in his voice, but these doubts are glossed over in faAmerican history in seminal works such as Sher- vor of pretty, slow-motion shots of wild and domestic man’s March and Photographic Memory. His films are animals, as well as wide-angle drone perspectives that also very aware and critical of the adjacent proximi- further romanticize rural spaces.

The Biggest Little Farm goes to great lengths to ty between artist and subject, even revealing ways in which objectivity and non-fiction cinema make ten- show cycles of life and death that regularly occur on a farm. John and Molly’s attachment to certain aniuous bedfellows.

No recent film has tested the limits of this form mals, like Emma the pig and Greasy the rooster, prop quite like The Biggest Little Farm, a whimsically pretty up emotional connections destined to be shattered by portrait of organic endurance and resilience in the violence and suffering. It’s the classic Charlotte’s Web technology age. It is a film that doesn’t try to hide its narrative spun out in the form of proposed realism, which isn’t really that realistic, infatuation with personal and inafter all, considering the amount dustrial mythmaking and follows of editorial doctoring that has two successful Angelenos (John THE BIGGEST gone in to crafting the overall and Molly Chester) who ditch LITTLE FARM narrative. the hustle and bustle of city life Directed by John Chester Of more lasting interest is to own and operate a traditional Starring Molly Chester, the Chester’s ongoing battle farm in Moorpark, California. with natural pests and predaThe documentary begins with a John Chester and Alan York tors: the coyotes, gophers and relatable history contextualizing Rated PG birds ravaging their crops. John their drastic life decision. and Molly show a great deal of Almost immediately the film proves disinterested in dissecting the complexities or ingenuity finding natural, non-pesticide solutions, nuances of their shift to rustic living; John’s content and putting those plans into action makes for the with chalking it up to a promise they made their yappy film’s most intriguing scenes. There’s something very pound puppy, Todd. Maybe it was all that simple, but appealing about watching hordes of ducks plucking as a result, neither subject has much agency. Molly, a thousands of destructive snails from the trunks of personal chef and obsessive foodie, is given even less trees in an elaborate citrus orchard the couple dubs screen time to explain why it’s always been a personal “The Fruit Basket.”

The Biggest Little Farm always frames these diffidream to source her own ingredients.

Which feels strange considering The Biggest Little cult moments within a grander, more idealized view Farm is narrated, directed and shot by John him- of the journey itself. The Chester’s motivations and self (he previously worked in Hollywood as a nature desires are reduced to Hallmark Card simplicity, and cameraman). The focus of their film is obviously the in the final moments, this problematic trend becomes journey itself, and what that says about mankind’s re- downright obnoxious. It reveals an underlining corlationship with food and nature. The massive under- porate sensibility that has otherwise been hidden by taking of turning a nearly 200-acre plot of land rav- natural wonderment. John set out to create a nature aged by dead soil into a thriving, diverse ecosystem documentary relating to mankind’s quest for harmoin harmony with nature becomes a gigantic metaphor ny with nature. Instead, he made something closer to for the couple’s core values as businesspeople. a promotional video for his successful DIY farm.

As a result, the farm becomes the lead character, a massive, evolving entity that is equally beautiful Film reviews run weekly. and destructive. John is at his most vulnerable when Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com

18 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

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CULTURE | FILM every moment meant to convey emotional connection, and Zwick’s flat visual aesthetic seems to harken back to a time of bonedry Oscar prestige films.

By the time Texas Gov. Rick Perry condemns Willingham to lethal injection, the film has already begun to preach more overtly.

Trial by Fire (opening Friday, May 17) is trite from start to finish, and sadly continues the once reliable Zwick’s recent descent into complete irrelevance.

—Glenn Heath Jr.

OPENING A Dog’s Journey: Heartwarming family film about a dog that comes across a vast spectrum of human beings during its wayward travels across America. Opens Friday, May 17, in wide release.

All is True: Kenneth Brannagh stars as William Shakespeare himself living out his final days. Opens Friday, May 17, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas and Angelika Film Center Carmel Mountain.

Aniara: In this Sci-fi film from Sweden, a space ship headed toward Mars is knocked off course, forcing its passengers to become reflective about their extreme consumerism. Opens Friday, May 17, at Landmark Ken Cinema.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum: Keanu Reeves reprises his role as the lethal hit man who now finds himself a target of international killers. Opens Friday, May 17, in wide release.

Rafiki: Two young women fall in love despite the many social and familial challenges that face them in modern Nairobi.

Opens Friday, May 17, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

The Biggest Little Farm: This documentary focuses on John and Molly Chester, who leave behind their careers in Los Angeles to start a traditional farm.

Opens Friday, May 17, at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas and Angelika Film Center Carmel Mountain.

meets a charming poet in modern day New York City and discovers their connection is stronger than expected. Opens on Friday, May 17, in wide release.

Trial by Fire: Jack O’Connell plays a convicted death row inmate who was executed in Texas despite overwhelming DNA evidence that proved his innocence.

Edward Zwick directs and Laura Dern costars. Opens on Friday, May 17, in wide lease.

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

The Sun is Also a Star: A young woman

Trial by Fire

Presumed guilty

A

t a certain moment in time, Edward Zwick was Hollywood’s preeminent middlebrow filmmaker. 1990s hits like Glory, Legends of the Fall and Courage Under Fire showed how the former television director could successfully examine topics like race, trauma and military sacrifice within mainstream narrative storytelling.

Zwick continued choosing projects that were about “important” topics, like Jewish resistance fighters in WWII (Defiance), violent ideological and economic consequences of colonialism (The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond) and domestic terrorism (The Siege). That last one in particular, released three years before 9/11, was prescient to the reactionary fear mongering that would become commonplace in the Bush era.

So the tragic life of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was convicted and executed for the 1992 deaths of his three young children in a house fire despite new DNA evidence that contradicted the guilty verdict, would seem like a perfect fit for Zwick’s sentimental leftism. But Trial by Fire is an egregiously simplistic critique of capital punishment that wastes two immensely talented screen actors.

British performer Jack O’Connell takes on the role of Willingham, an aggressive, philandering drunk at the time of his arrest whose time in prison gives him an opportunity to become fully aware of the justice system’s failing processes. Toward the end of Willingham’s time on death row, he becomes acquainted with playwright Elizabeth Gilbert (a thoroughly bored Laura Dern) through a prisoner advocacy nonprofit.

Their burgeoning friendship is supposed to reveal an element of hope in a hopeless situation.

But Geoffrey Fletcher’s hackneyed script (based on David Gramm’s article for The New Yorker) flubs

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MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 19

GEORGE CLANTON

MUSIC

Lindsey French ith its cover-girl cheerleaders giving off serious Laura Palmer vibes, the video for Negative Gemini’s “You Weren’t There Anymore” draws obvious comparisons to both the comedic cheerleading movie Bring It On as well as to all things David Lynch.

Viewers might also get a whiff of Nirvana’s video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” which similarly features uncanny pom-poms and lyrics that seem indifferent.

“You didn’t care at all,” sings Negative Gemini’s Lindsey French in a cascading, drawn-out sigh, sounding as if she’s the one who cared the least.

20 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

Oh well. Whatever. Nevermind.

I could stop there. But talk to French for more than 10 minutes and one quickly learns she’s hardly apathetic. In fact, the solo artist has the drive and determination of a valedictorian who’s just getting started.

“I’m never satisfied,” she says from her home in Los Angeles. “I always want more, more, more.”

French chases ambition like a pop-star powerhouse who’s not focused on perfection. Her dreamy electronic music carries notes of shoegaze and whisper pop, as if 10CC and My Bloody Valentine got drunk and jammed, and then put out a single on

Soundcloud without attribution. It’s a hazy B-movie that doesn’t end well. In other words, a beautiful, Lynchian car wreck.

Chalk it up to a musical upbringing that celebrated trial and error. Some critics claim French benefited from easy access to digital tools and online streaming, implying she owes her trajectory to millennial privilege.

But that’s a lazy hot take.

I honestly don’t know how old French is and I really don’t care. I know she honed her chops like an artist who came of age pre-Internet, recording early song attempts over a Little Mermaid cassette tape and putting on shows for stuffed animals. She also played the flute and guitar, joined a rap group in high school and taught herself Garageband and LogicPro—the first of many self-guided lessons in audio engineering.

“When I first started recording music I had lots of ideas creatively but I didn’t know anything about mixing and working with EQs,” she says. “I’m still learning a lot technically.”

It’s that willingness to grow through failing that carried her through New York City where she and her boyfriend, musician George Clanton, scraped by like every starving artist ever, couch surfing across Brooklyn and staying in skin-crawling apartments. The sheer volume of talent packed in that city served as a proper wake-up call and French responded by upping her craft, particularly her onstage style.

“It is harder to translate electronic music into a live performance,” French says. “I never wanted to be this static thing behind a computer or feel like I was doing karaoke.

So right away, I performed with a sampler.”

Today, she uses a Roland SP-404 to keep things fresh and spontaneous at each show.

The sampler helps her capture the same energy that ignites her home studio recordings.

“I’m not writing things ahead of time and laying them down. I’m trying out different beats and melodies and synthesizers,” she says. “I start with a good drum beat and develop the whole track, then wait to sing on it.

Usually I improvise with whatever words pop into my head.”

Still, French is conscious of what she ends up saying. She thinks a lot about what message her lyrics might be sending, and who might be listening. She’s particularly careful to avoid violent language and visuals.

“I do see it as a little bit of an obligation as someone with any kind of platform to speak out for what I believe in.”

French also uses her relative power to

set up inclusive shows that feature multiple genres, and tends to play professional venues that honor her values.

“I get treated very respectfully now, but I did not used to—especially in the beginning,” she says. “I was constantly getting mansplained and talked down to in live settings by anyone around. That just wouldn’t fly anymore.”

Currently on tour in support of the second vinyl pressing of her 2018 EP, Bad Baby, French continues to record and promote new material, including the underwater pop jam, “Negative Hair Color.” She’s also developing songs slated to appear on 100% Electronica, the record label she and Clanton established in 2015.

“He had just finished an album and was thinking about who might want it, then decided, ‘Well, I’ll just put it out myself,’” she says. Since then, 100% Electronica has amassed a nice following and French and Clanton have added 10 artists, including Negative Gemini. “It’s certainly a lot to handle. We produce the vinyl records, fulfill all of the orders ourselves, do press for the albums, and help them tour. It’s a lot. But it’s rewarding.”

For French, it certainly beats her previous gig.

“I worked in the restaurant industry up until two years ago, making music during the day and serving at night. That’s all I did,” she says.

Finally, the music grind started to pay off and after quitting the server job during a family emergency, she never went back. Now she can fully support herself off of creative labor and will likely never let up. It seems at least a fraction of her insatiable ambition comes from too many thankless and relatable evenings in the service industry.

“My hatred of waiting tables propels me.”

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MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 21

MUSIC

BY SETH COMBS THE

NOTES FROM THE SMOKING PATIO

SPOTLIGHT

LIBBY ZANDERS

ERIKA NAKATANI

LOCALS ONLY

T

atsuya Nakatani has become something of a legend among fans of noise music in San Diego. A percussionist and sound artist from Osaka, Japan, he plays with gongs, drum toms and other percussion instruments. The result is vast waves of sound with incredible physicality.

“Tatsuya is breathing heavy and covered in sweat by the time he finishes his set,” says Esteban Flores of local drone metal project Monochromacy. “Maybe it’s because I have a background in labor jobs, but I have a special admiration for anyone who utilizes labor and physicality to make such huge, beautiful music.”

Nakatani—who’s lived in the U.S. since 1994—has played in San Diego multiple times, and he’s coming back to play at Bread & Salt (1955 Julian Ave.) on Sunday, May 19. He performed solo at his previous shows, but this time he’ll be using the help of a 14-member ensemble of San Diego artists assembled just for the occasion. Performing as the Nakatani Gong Orchestra, they’ll use bows to summon harmonics and drone tones from giant gongs.

“You can feel the vibrations, which is the amazing part,” Nakatani tells CityBeat, speaking by phone from his tour van in Washington state. “These harmonies and vibrations, they twist and they hit each other and they fill up the room.”

Nakatani travels with his wife across the country, using local talent in different cities to assemble a new version of his gong orchestra for each performance. Inspired by avant-garde composers like John Cage and Harry Partch, he takes on the role of a kind of guru, hosting a three-hour workshop where he teaches the ways of the gong before the orchestra assembles for their

ALBUM REVIEW OhCult Occult

(Self-released)

O

ne of the best things about San Diego’s music scene is that when bands go dark, they go really dark. There’s no lackluster evil here. It’s as if the relentless sun and good vibes accelerate the inner animosity and ferocity of those who hide in the shadows of this city. It brings me so much delight to think that, on any given night, vacationing families are applying aloe in Mission Beach while bands like Cattle Decapitation, Therapy and Author & Punisher are shredding throats and faces only a couple miles away.

Now, brace your sunburnt selves, because OhCult joins the ranks of San Diego’s darkest bands with their new four-song EP, Occult.

22 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

Nakatani Gong Orchestra final performance at the end of the night. The bows allow the musicians to produce long, sustained notes, creating harmonic overtones that grow more rich and complex with the addition of more gongs, which Nakatani says “is very powerful.”

“The audience will need earplugs,” Nakatani warns.

The San Diego show will feature Flores, Skrapez’s Jon Calzo and Tijuana-based electronic noise artist Haydeé Jiménez, as well as other local musicians and dancers, all of who will be on the gongs. Stay Strange’s Sam Lopez put the group together and says he expects a momentous occasion.

“Tatsuya specifically asked for this show to be at Bread & Salt.

I’ve had a few shows here before and I can see why he picked this spot,” Lopez says. “Those walls will hold the tones nicely.”

—Peter Holslin

Clocking in at under 10 minutes, Occult is the soundtrack to whiplash. The onslaught of thrash, punk and hardcore is simultaneously vicious and muscular, but also nervous and angular. The song “Cost of Living,” for example, alternates between the jarring, discordant tones of Converge, only to launch into early Metallica-esque thrash. “Shit Luck” starts off as the album’s first legit headbanger, only to intentionally hiccup to the tune of satanic mathcore. It’s been a long time since I’ve had an album consistently keep me on my toes like Occult.

Although the lyrics aren’t exactly subtle (“The cost of living’s going up! Can you pay the price?”), we don’t live in subtle times, and OhCult—who plays a record release show on Friday, May 17 at Black Cat Bar—is making music that feels like finding a blunt, powerful weapon after being forced into a corner.

Despite our sunny environs, we live in dark times, and thank Satan for bands like OhCult who are making the soundtrack to reflect that.

—Ryan Bradford

E

Shy Boys

very now and again, the stars align and something strange happens. An unexpected phenomenon, so bizarre and random, that scientists rush to their respective labs to study the mystery.

Such is the case this week when we realized that, on the same night (Thursday, May 16), two very different bands from two very different cities were playing at two different clubs. The catch in this instance was their names: one is called Shy Girls and the other is named Shy Boys.

How did this happen? A glitch in the concert-booking matrix? And how are we to know which type of shyness to choose? Boy shyness?

Girl shyness? Luckily, we’re here to help readers navigate this strange scientific anomaly.

Shy Girls is a one-man R&B project fronted by Portland musician Dan Vidmar.

Fans of synthy soul acts such as Rhye and Cigarettes After Sex will likely find Shy Girls’ sexy “Trivial Motion” to be perfect for a summer make-out session, while “Watercolor Dreams” sounds like something The Weeknd may have produced.

Kansas City quintet Shy Boys more than live up to their name. Their sophomore album, Bell House, is filled with relaxing vocal harmonies performed over short bursts of slackerpop a la Belle and Sebastian. One need look no further than the rainy-day jam “No Fun” for proof of their melodic melancholy.

But which one should readers go see on May 16? Shy Girls? Shy Boys? Sexy sadness or sad sexiness? The answer, we’re afraid, is in the stars.

Shy Boys play May 16 at Soda Bar and Shy Girls play May 16 at The Casbah.

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MUSIC

IF I WERE U

BY CITYBEAT STAFF

Our picks for the week’s top shows

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

PLAN A: Santigold, Amada Blank @ House of Blues. It’s nuts to think that Santigold’s self-titled debut came out over 10 years ago. Her current tour is celebrating this fact, so expect to hear classic jams like “L.E.S. Artistes” and “Unstoppable.” BACKUP PLAN: The Moondoggies, Kaylee Cole, Titus Haug @ Soda Bar.

THURSDAY, MAY 16

PLAN A: Boogie, KB Devaughn, R I L E Y @ Music Box. Not to be confused with Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Compton MC Boogie is great at traversing between lit bangers (“Oh My”) and affecting seriousness (“Nigga Needs”). His new LP, Everything’s for Sale, is a nice mix of both. PLAN B: The Velveteins, Miles Bandit, Shindigs @ The Che Café Collective. The Velveteins are what happens when three Canadian kids (Edmonton, to be exact) attempt to play garagey surf-pop. The result is surprisingly lovely. BACKUP PLAN: All Your Sisters, Terminal A, Blood Ponies @ SPACE. ALEXANDRA ADCOCK

SATURDAY, MAY 18

PLAN A: Brigid Dawson, Dynasty Handbag, Baby Bushka, and more @ A SHIP IN THE WOODS. A bunch of women-led bands for a good cause. See this week’s Short List section on page 11 for more on this event. PLAN B: Diners, Neutral Shirt, Dnll, Good Time Girl @ San Diego Content Partners. Tyler Broderick (aka Diners) is crafting beautiful, melancholy pop songs in the vein of The Moldy Peaches and Daniel Johnston. “Fifteen on a Skateboard” could possibly be the prettiest thing we’ve heard in a while. BACKUP PLAN: Trouble in the Wind, Jonny Wagon and the Tennessee Sons, Creston Lione, NATO @ The Casbah.

SUNDAY, MAY 19

PLAN A: Nakatani Gong Orchestra @ Bread & Salt. Check out Peter Holslin’s piece on Japanese percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani on the previous page. This show is going to be out there. PLAN B: Ryan Pollie, Will Fox @ Whistle Stop. Formerly known as Los Angeles Police Department, Ryan Pollie specializes in DIY pop that’s big on hooks and melancholy. He’s thankfully going by his real name now and his recent singles, such as “Raincoat” and the country-tinged “Get Better Soon,” are some of the best songs we’ve heard from him yet. BACKUP PLAN: Matador, Raito @ Quartyard.

MONDAY, MAY 20

PLAN A: Hexa, John Errol, E.s.t @ The Casbah. Hexa is one of the darkest, coolest, bad-assest bands in all the land. They melt faces and eat the remains. We’re pretty sure they’re witches and their spells are their gothy, Nick Cave-style rock songs. BACKUP PLAN: Johnny Marr @ House of Blues.

TUESDAY, MAY 21

Hana Vu

FRIDAY, MAY 17

PLAN A: Hana Vu, Katzù Oso @ The Loft at UCSD. It would be an understatement to call Hana Vu a prodigy. Her voice and musical skills are well beyond her 17 years, and one listen to the gorgeous “426” and the moody kiss-off jam “Shallow,” and we’re sure you’ll agree. PLAN B: OHCULT, The Gay Agenda, Secret Fun Club @ Black Cat Bar. Check out Ryan Bradford’s review of these local thrashers, who he called “the soundtrack to whiplash.” BACKUP PLAN: Dark Funeral, Belphegor, Incantation, Hate, Vale of Pnath, and Nightmarer @ Brick By Brick.

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PLAN A: Geographer, Manatee Commune @ The Casbah. For over a decade, Mike Deni has been busting out bleepy synth-pop under the name Geographer. And while the project may have an electronic heart, Deni’s latest release, Alone Time, is filled with plaintive bellows from the depths of the human soul. PLAN B: Black Taffy, Matthewdavid, Mystery Cave @ Soda Bar. The music of Dallas producer Donovan Jones, who goes

by Black Taffy, sounds like the RZA huffed a bunch of ether and tried to score a Spaghetti Western. Trippy, mind-altering beats that pairs well with the strain of your choice.

BACKUP PLAN: Skeletonwitch, Soft Kill, Wiegedood, Portrayal, Of Guilt @ Brick

by Brick.

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 23

MUSIC

CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!

If We Were Turtles (Soda Bar, 5/28), Radkey (Brick By Brick, 5/29), CHALI 2NA & The House of Vibe (Music Box, 6/6), Winnetka Bowling League (Soda Bar, 6/3), Siddhartha (HOB, 6/5), Vini Vini (HOB, 6/7), Merchants (Brick By Brick, 6/11), Desperado (BUT, 6/22), BAT! (Soda Bar, 6/22), Burritos: A Tribute to Sublime (BUT, 6/28), High Tide Society (Casbah, 7/4), Fuerza De Tijuana (Music Box, 7/5), Drug Hunt (Casbah, 7/5), Davilla 666 (Soda Bar, 7/12), Tower 7 & The Professors (BUT, 7/14), FEA (Soda Bar, 7/16), The Appleseed Cast (Soda Bar, 7/17), Infinite Floyd (Brick

By Brick, 7/21), Pouya (HOB, 7/23), Ric Scales (Casbah, 7/28), Alison Sudol (Soda Bar, 8/1), These Handsome Devils (Music Box, 8/2), Prince Daddy & The Hyena (HOB, 8/11), The Dollop (Observatory, 8/16), Dub Trio (HOB, 8/29), The Fooks (Brick By Brick, 8/31), Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers (BUT, 9/1), Hayden James (Music Box, 9/12), Small Town Murder (Observatory, 9/13), Flying Lotus (HOB, 9/19), Tijuana Panthers (Observatory, 9/21), The Iron Maidens (Brick By Brick, 9/21), Barns Courtney (HOB, 9/25), UB40 (Petco Park, 9/26), Lewis Capaldi (HOB, 9/27), Stiff Little Fingers (HOB, 10/2), IDLES (Observatory, 10/7), Jonas Brothers (Pechanga Arena, 10/7), Jon McLaughlin (Music Box, 10/8), Logic (Viejas Arena at SDSU, 10/11), The Waterboys (Observatory, 10/12), J Balvin (North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, 10/13),

Caamp (BUT, 10/19), Whitney (Observatory, 11/3), Hilltop Hoods (Music Box, 11/8), Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors (BUT, 11/12), Nahko (Observatory, 11/14), Tyrone Wells (Music Box, 11/21), Magic Sword (Casbah, 12/6).

ALL SOLD OUT IDLES (BUT, 5/21), NAV (HOB, 5/21), The Lemonheads (Casbah, 5/25), The White Buffalo (BUT, 5/24-25), Jenny Lewis (HOB, 5/26), A R I Z O N A (HOB, 5/28), Connan Mockasin (Casbah, 6/3), Oh Sees (BUT, 6/14), Local Natives (Observatory, 6/19), John Hiatt (BUT, 6/25), Sticky Fingers (HOB, 6/30), The Struts (Observatory, 7/12), Billie Eilish (Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, 7/13), The Psychedelic Furs (Observatory, 8/6), Death Cab For Cutie (Observatory, 8/9-10).

CANCELLED Ozzy Osbourne (North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, 7/23).

GET YER TICKETS Dead Boys (Casbah, 5/22), New Kids On The Block (Viejas Arena at SDSU, 5/23), FIDLAR (Observatory, 5/30), gnash (The Irenic, 5/31), Bryce Vine (Pechanga Arena, 5/31), Brad Paisley (North Island Credit Union Ampitheatre, 6/1), Jennifer Lopez (Pechanga Arena, 6/10), Toby Keith (Del Mar Fairgrounds, 6/14), Rebelution (North County Credit Union Amphitheatre, 6/15), Rob Thomas (Humphreys, 6/20), Khalid (Pechanga Arena, 6/23), Aly & AJ (Observatory, 6/25), Priests (Soda Bar, 6/26), Pouya

24 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

(HOB, 7/23), Blink-182, Lil Wayne (North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, 8/7), Carrie Underwood (Pechanga Arena, 9/10), The Who (Viejas Arena, 10/16), Judah & The Lion (Observatory, 10/17), Hozier (Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, 10/26).

MAY WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 Wild Belle at Belly Up Tavern. The Moondoggies at Soda Bar. Swingrowers at Music Box. Willie Nelson at Humphreys.

Deva Premal at California Center for the Arts. Dead Meadow at The Casbah. Ape Machine at SPACE.

THURSDAY, MAY 16 Shy Girls at The Casbah. 3rd Ear Experience at Brick By Brick. Boogie at Music Box. Shy Boys at Soda Bar. Tusk at Belly Up Tavern. Sebastian Maniscalco at Humphreys. The Velveteins at Ché Café Collective. Maddie Leigh at Petco Park.

Wolfmother at House of Blues.

FRIDAY, MAY 17 The Dandy Warhols at Observatory North Park. Dark Funeral at Brick By Brick. Pato Banton at Belly Up Tavern.

Mickey Avalon at House of Blues. Desert Dwellers at Music Box. Sebastian Maniscalco at Humphreys. Derek King at House of Blues. Emo Nite at The Casbah. Guana Batz at Soda Bar.

SATURDAY, MAY 18 Death by Stereo at Brick By Brick.

Trouble in the Wind at The Casbah. The Dickies at Soda Bar. Cowboy Junkies at Observatory North Park. Z-Trip at Belly Up

Tavern. Alejandra Guzman at Pechanga Arena. Chelsea Grin at SOMA. Yacht Rock Revue at House of Blues. Sitting On Stacy at Ché Café Collective.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 Maid of Ace at SPACE. Dread Mar l at Music Box. Spirit Adrift at Brick By Brick.

Brogue Wave at Belly Up Tavern. The Dodges at The Casbah.

MONDAY, MAY 20 Willie K at Belly Up Tavern. Johnny Marr at House of Blues. JoJo Siwa at San Diego Civic Theatre. Brushed at Soda Bar. Hexa at The Casbah.

TUESDAY, MAY 21 Skeletonwitch at Brick By Brick. Geographer at The Casbah. Alice Witt at House of Blues. Black Taffy at Soda Bar.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 Dead Boys at The Casbah. Conflict at Soda Bar. Capyac at Belly Up Tavern.

THURSDAY, MAY 23 Ocean Alley at The Casbah. Downtown Boys at Ché Café Collective. The Bright Light Social Hour at Soda Bar. Crime In Stereo at SPACE. New Kids On The Block at Viejas Arena at SDSU. The Exploited at House of Blues. Alicia Villarreal at California Center for the Arts.

FRIDAY, MAY 24 Teenage Bottlerocket at The Casbah.

Minnesota at Music Box. The Damned at House of Blues. Wisin y Yandel at Viejas Arena at SDSU. Jesse & Joy at California Center for the Arts. Little Feat

at Humphreys. Cristian Macelaru at Copley Symphony Hall. Negative Gemini at Ché Café Collective. Mad Sin at Soda Bar.

SATURDAY, MAY 25 Joy Again at Ché Café Collective. The Damned Things at Brick By Brick. Sloppy Seconds at Soda Bar. I Am Through Being Cool Fest ‘19 at The Irenic. Matisyahu at Music Box. Lee DeWyze at Humphrey’s. Cristian Macelaru at Copley Symphony Hall. Jaz Coleman at Vinyl Junkies Record Shack.

SUNDAY, MAY 26 The Steely Damned 2 at Music Box. Supersuckers at Soda Bar. Inter Arma at SPACE. Sleep at Observatory North Park.

Cash’d Out at Belly Up Tavern. Cristian Macelaru at Copley Symphony Hall.

Booty Bassment at The Casbah.

MONDAY, MAY 27 Lion’s Law at SPACE. The Viles at Ché Café Collective. Briana Marela at Soda Bar.

TUESDAY, MAY 28 Sacred Reich at Brick By Brick. Cloud Rat at Brick By Brick. Howe Gelb at The Casbah. Gadget at SPACE. Sylar at SOMA. If We Were Turtles at Soda Bar.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 The Undertones at The Casbah. The Hives at Observatory North Park. Freddie McGregor at Belly Up Tavern. Elle King at House of Blues. THICK at Soda Bar. Radkey at Brick By Brick.

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

@SDCITYBEAT

BY CHRISTIN BAILEY

MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 THURSDAY, MAY 30 Sego at Soda Bar. Helms Alee at The Casbah. Field Medic at Ché Café Collective. OrchidxMantis at Soda Bar. FIDLAR at Observatory North Park. Sights and Sages at Belly Up Tavern. Prong at Brick

By Brick. The Specials at House of Blues.

FRIDAY, MAY 31 Justin Moore at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Impending Doom at Brick By Brick. Wear Your Wounds at The Casbah. BETAMAXX at Music Box. Bryce Vine at Pechanga Arena. Kidz Bop Kids at Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheatre. Royal Thunder at SPACE. Channel 93.3 Summer Kick Off at Pechanga Arena. Red Not Chili Peppers at Belly Up Tavern. Branches at Soda Bar. George Benson at Humphreys. The Specials at House of Blues.

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Wed: Carvin Jones Band. Thu: ‘Bringing Back Rock ‘N’ Roll’. Fri: Tunnel Vision, Sensi Trails, Cydeways. Sat: Sofa King Bueno, Hall Pass, The Openers. Sun: Karaoke. Tue: Aveona, Little Life Crisis.

Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘#HipHopWeds’.

Thu: ‘Massflow’. Fri: ‘House Music Fridays’. Sat: ‘JUICY’. Sun: ‘Possession’.

Mon: ‘Organized Grime’. Tue: ‘Deep & Progressive’.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Michelle Wolf. Fri:

@SDCITYBEAT

Michelle Wolf. Sat: Michelle Wolf. Sun: Michael Quu. Tue: Open Mic. The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Wed: Karaoke. Thu: K-Skunk & T-Cronic, Sensi Trails, Strictly Skunk. Fri: Fisted, Jumped In, War Boy. Sun: Scenic Byway. Mon: Trivia. Tue: Karaoke.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St., Downtown.

Fri: BlackGummy. Sat: Mihalis Safras.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., North Park. Wed: Luna Bee, Jean Caffeine. Thu: Pinkeye, Walter Brothers.

Beaumont’s, 5665 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Thu: Dave Booda. Fri: Slower. Sat: Manic Fanatic.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: Wild Belle, Terri Terri.

Thu: TUSK. Fri: Paton Banton, Dubbest, Maka Roots. Sat: Z-Trip, MC Supernatural, DJ Buck Rodgers. Sun: Brogue Wave, Tony Cummins, Sara Petite, Sweet Tooth.

Mon: Willie K., Ken Garcia. Tue: IDLES, Fontaines D.C. (sold out).

ASTROLOGICALLY UNSOUND Weekly forecasts from the so-called universe ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Just as with building a house, you must first start with laying a foundation. But just like with laying a foundation, you have to know how to do it correctly or you’re screwed.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): This week, remember the salient truths you’ve learned from horror films: Sometimes the strange sound is better left unexamined.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): It seems unlikely that adopting seven exotic geckos as pets would somehow be a necessary step on the path to selffulfillment, but, then again… you never know.

Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., City Heights. Fri: OhCult, The Gay Agenda, Secret Fun Club.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You have to stop letting yourself get pushed around. Stand up for yourself and stop getting bullied into accepting the terms and conditions of the user agreement.

Blonde, 1808 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. Wed: ‘Dance Klassique’. Thu: ‘Chocolate: Afro House & Forward Thinking’. Fri: ‘WE ARE YR FRIENDS’. Sat: ‘Make Out Club’. Sun: ‘Spectrum: Diverse Dance Party’. Mon: ‘Blue Monday’.

LEO (July 23 - August 22): You were born into a world with Caribbean monk seals and you are reading this sentence in a world without them. Anything’s possible! Except bringing an animal back from extinction.

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

Sat: Big Dude.

Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., Bay Park. Wed: Ape Machine. Fri: Dark Funeral. Sat: Death by Stereo. Sun: Spirit Adrift.

Tue: Skeletonwitch.

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Just like being treated by the school nurse while malingering with an imaginary headache, you may find that just by sitting around, you’re being cured of something anyway.

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): This week, you will feel like a child who never finds their name on souvenir keychains, but who also knows their parents wouldn’t buy it for them even if they did find one.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Peeling the stickers off the Rubik’s Cube and putting them on is a solution and so is opening the Rubik’s Cube package and never scrambling it at all.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 December 21): You may discover the incontrovertible fact that luck is real, and the luckiest among us can weather any crisis just by meticulously preparing for all of them.

CAPRICORN (December 22 January 19): The limitations and possibilities of your world all change depending on your knowledge… so how about this: Pigeons produce milk.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): There is no point in asking people questions you already know the answer to unless you’re testing them for a concussion or you’re a schoolteacher.

PISCES (February 19 - March 20): You are just like a wild parrot; a part of your terrorizing, loud, unpleasant and almost unbearable presence always feels a little bit special and out of the ordinary.

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

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 25

MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Loft @ UCSD, Price Center East, La Jolla.

Fri: Hana Vu, Katzu Oso.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Wed: Dead Meadow, Drug Hunt.

Thu: Shy Girls, Akua. Fri: Emo Nite. Sat: Trouble in the Wind, Jonny Wagon and the Tennessee Sons. Sun: The Dodges, The Petty Saints, J. Hofstee. Mon: Hexa, John Errol, Est, DJ Jon Blaj. Tue: Geographer, Manatee Commune.

Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave., Coronado. Wed: Harmony Road. Thu: JG Duo. Fri: Manic Bros. Sat: Misty & The Moby. Sun: Bonniville 7. Tue: Steve Brewer.

Che Cafe, 1000 Scholars Drive S, La Jolla. Thu: The Velveteins, Miles Bandit, Shindigs. Fri: We Are One, PVKE, Suburban Park, RVRBOY, Ending Left, WIZÆRD. Mon: Low End, Stepping Stone, Dare, Abscense of Mine, Slow Decay.

Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, Bay Park. Fri: The Bendetti Ensemble. Sat: The Joshua White Trio.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown. Thu: ‘TakeOver Thursdays’. Sat: DJ Vision. Sun: Reggae Sundays.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave., Downtown. Fri: DJ Brees. Sat: DJ Shaffy.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Wed: Santigold. Thu: Wolfmother.

Fri: Mickey Avalon & Dirt Nasty. Sat: Yacht Rock Revue. Mon: Johnny Marr. Tue: Alice Witt.

Humphreys Backstage, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. Wed: Whiskey Ridge. Thu: Blue Largo. Fri: Detroit Underground. Sat: Groove Mercenaries.

Sun: The Dudes of San Diego. Mon: Fuzzy Rankins. Tue: Mercedes Moore.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Thu: ‘Acid Varsity’. Fri: ‘Tech Support’. Sat: ‘Umbrella Nights’.

Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Mon: Open Mic. Tue: Comedy Night.

26 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · MAY 15, 2019

Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest. Thu: Paige Turner.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Sat: DJ AbJo. Sun: In Concert Variety Show. Mon: ‘Playground Monday Night Dance Party’. Tue: Claustrofobia, Gravespell.

Mother’s Saloon, 2228 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Tue: Trivia.

Mr. Peabody’s, 136 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas. Thu: Steelehorse Country. Fri: Valentino Frankenstein. Sat: Dirty Taxi.

Sun: ‘Tony Ortega Jazz Jam’. Mon: Open Mic. Tue: Karaoke.

Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy. Thu: Boogie, KB Devaughn, Bobby Sessions, RILEY. Fri: Desert Dwellers, SAAND. Sat: One More Time, Eric Medina, Memo Rex. Sun: Dread Mar I, Onechot, DJ Julicio.

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

Wed: Karaoke. Thu: ‘Dig Deeper’. Fri: ‘After Hours’. Sat: ‘Strictly Business’. Sun: Tribe of Kings. Mon: ‘Motown on Mondays’. Tue: ‘Night Shift in The Office’.

OMNIA Nightclub, 454 Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: ‘Undone on Thursday’. Fri: Tyga. Sat: Niiko & Swae.

Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park.

Wed: ‘The Wednesday Jam Session’. Fri: Mochilero Allstars. Sat: Soul Scratch.

Sun: Walter Brothers.

Parq, 615 Broadway, Downtown. Fri: Karma. Sat: Konflikt.

Proud Mary’s, 5550 Kearny Mesa Road,

Kearny Mesa. Wed: Chris James & Patrick Rynn. Thu: Tomcat Courtney. Fri: Whitney Shay and the Hustle. Sat: Bayou Bros.

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

The Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. Thu: ‘Country Dance’. Sat: ‘Sabados en Fuego’. Mon: Trivia.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Thu: ‘Night Cruising’. Fri: PONCÉ, Takahashi Nation, Deep Yogurt. Sat: Homeless Sexuals. Sun: ‘PANTS! Karaoke’. Tue: Inciting Riots, Dog Company Splatter & Iggy and the Rough Riders.

Rich’s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest.

Wed: ‘Mischief with Bianca’. Thu: ‘#LEZ’.

Fri: ‘Dirty Pop!’. Sat: ‘Fuel’. Sun: ‘Discoteka’.

Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz’. Thu: Israel Maldonado. Fri: BoomTown Stingers. Sat: Doc Hammer. Tue: ‘Everything & Anything Jam’.

Rosie O’Gradys, 3402 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘17th Anniversary Party’. Thu: DJ Ratty. Fri: Jo James. Sat: Tori Roze & the Hot Mess. Mon: ‘Jazz Jam’.

Tue: Rebekkah Darling & Paul Tillery.

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: The Moondoogies, Kaylee Cole, Titus Haug. Thu: Shy Boys, Pavo Pavo. Fri: Guana Batz, The Delta Bombers, Hard Fall Hearts. Sat: The Dickies, Razor Nights. Mon: Brushed, Daytrip, Dead Perennials. Tue: Black Taffy, Matthewdavid, Mystery Cave.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway.

Sat: Chelsea Grin, Slaughter to Prevail, Traitor, Body Snatcher.

SPACE, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights.

Wed: Ape Machine. Thu: All Your Sisters, Terminal A, Blood Ponies. Fri: ‘Rollin’ Wit Tha Funk’. Sat: ‘Whips N Furs’. Sun: MAID OF ACE, Dee Skusting & The Rodents, Some kind of Nightmare, Mad Cow Disease. Mon: ‘Metal Mondays’. Tue: Karaoke.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St., Midtown. Fri: Monolink.

Tin Roof, 401 G St., Downtown. Wed: Chad & Rosie. Thu: Corey Gray & Jake Coco. Fri: DJ Ramsey. Sat: Cassie B. Band. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Lucky Devils Band.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., Bay Park. Wed: The Jazz Pockets. Thu: Gino and the Lone Gunmen. Fri: Funks Most Wanted. Sat: Bump City Brass. Mon: ‘Sexy Salsa & Sensual Bachata’. Tue: The Tourmaliners.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., City Heights. Thu: Highland Eyeway, Local Creature, Wanted Noise. Fri: POUNDER, Gygax, Monarch, Shotgun Sawyer. Sat: ‘Houserockin’ Dance Party!’. Sun: Turbulent Hearts, The Touchies, Them Cuts, Slum Summer. Mon: All Beat Up, Snakes, Florida Man. Tue: Killer Hearts, Nico Bones.

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

Thu: ‘BoomBox Thursdays’. Fri: DJ Freeman. Sat: DJ Grimm. Sun: DUB8, The Freecoasters, Erny Earthquake. Mon: ‘#31 Flavors’.

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park.

Wed: ‘Super Sonic: Old School & Funk’.

Thu: Pall Jenkins, Kenseth Thibideau. Fri: ‘FITB: Britpop Dance Party’. Sun: Ryan Pollie, Will Fox. Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach.

Wed: ‘Club Kingston’. Thu: After Funk.

Fri: Diggin Dirt. Sat: Maoli w/ Lelandy, Tflatz, DJ Akrite. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: Scenic Byway.

@SDCITYBEAT

BY LARA MCCAFFREY

IN THE BACK

CannaBeat

Unfair grounds

I

t’s around 4 p.m. at the Mission Tower venue at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and a cannabis education event called GoodLife Cannabis Seminar Series is winding down, but still lively. Speakers such as Chef Luke Reyes and cannabis attorney Kimberly Simms lecture on either side of the room, while patrons examine nonmedicated cannabis samples.

Before it came to fruition, however, this seemingly mellow event was embroiled in a years-long battle with the fairgrounds’ board over whether cannabis products would be allowed on-site. Such disagreements aren't uncommon, but GoodLife is just a more recent example of how the cannabis industry is still at the mercy of local jurisdictions despite cannabis’ statewide legalization.

“We signed the contract two years ago to put on an event with cannabis,” says GoodLife organizer Lawrence Bame.

“When one [Fairgrounds] board member changed his mind—or never read in the first place—he called for a meeting to revoke our permit.”

Bame and the Del Mar Fairgrounds

@SDCITYBEAT

first signed a contract in 2017, which was later rescinded over concerns of on-site cannabis. After the fairgrounds’ operators, the 22nd District Agricultural Association (DAA), approved a Cannabis Interim Event Policy, a revised contract with GoodLife was approved on Nov. 14, 2018.

The contract stipulated that GoodLife wouldn’t be allowed to have cannabis products on-site, including paraphenalia or hemp-derived CBD, which is federally legal. Cannabis companies tabling the May 11 event had displays with products’ empty packaging or non-medicated samples.

Despite the fairgrounds’ cannabis policy, Bame remained set on hosting GoodLife at that location rather than seeking another venue.

Matthew Shapiro, a San Diego lawyer specializing in cannabis law, says GoodLife’s disagreement with the fairgrounds highlights a broader issue at play in California.

“The people passed Prop 64 to legalize cannabis. However, so much authority was granted to local jurisdictions, which are generally run by city councils,” says Shapiro. “The people who make up the city councils aren't usually the demographic of

the people that passed Prop 64. So you have people in the decision-making seat who are really opposed to cannabis.”

Although the fairgrounds is managed by the state (more specifically, the 22nd DAA), its board can still enact its own LARA MCCAFFREY

GoodLife Cannabis Seminar Series cannabis policies. The 22nd DAA declined to comment for this article but did provide CityBeat with its “Cannabis Interim Event Policy,” which was approved on Aug. 14, 2018.

“The 22nd District Agricultural Association will not permit, allow, encourage, promote, or solicit the possession or use of any ‘Controlled Substance’ and/or any

‘Drug Paraphernalia’... including cannabis on the premises,” reads the policy.

It goes on to say that the 22nd DAA wants to phase in with cannabis education events, but not until Jan. 1, 2020 when the board will consider on-site medical use of cannabis. The city of Del Mar itself forbids commercial cannabis activity.

Shapiro says cannabis events pre-Prop 64 weren’t as tightly regulated as they are now and it wasn’t uncommon to see illegal sales and public consumption of cannabis.

And with the drug legalized in the state and California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control formed, it’s interesting that there are still instances such as the one experienced by GoodLife.

Other state fairgrounds have prohibited commercial cannabis activity at events.

Concentrates expo Abra Ca Dabs at the San Bernardino Fairground on March 23, 2019 is a recent example. Still, Shapiro says he considers Abra Ca Dabs and GoodLife to be among the lucky ones.

“I've even seen instances where events were outright canceled altogether because of resistance from the local municipalities and their city council.”

CannaBeat appears every other week.

MAY 15, 2019 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 27