San Diego CityBeat • May 27, 2015

MUSIC

Spoon dishes up its soul

NEWS

Lifeguards stew over benefits

2 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

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May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 3

Up Front | From the editor

Save the world, class of 2015

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e’re smack in the middle of the college graduation season. University of San Diego just held its ceremony. San Diego State University pushed droves of grads out of the nest earlier this month, and UC San Diego seniors get the ejector seat in mid-June.

Without the pomp and circumstance of a commencement speech, and unassisted by a selfie stick, here are some observations and words of advice for Greater San Diego’s class of 2015.

All we need is a miracle. But don’t freak out first.

The job market has been worse. At some point after crossing the stage in your cap, gown and flip-flops you’ll look down at your diploma and wonder: Is this expensive piece of paper going to get me a job?

And, will I have to shave my beard off to get it?

A recent study might seem like a bummer for grads looking to save the world rather than continue to spin it, bilk it and polarize it into opposite-end political echo chambers. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) polled 260 employers (large and small) on what majors they’re looking for in potential employees among the class of 2015. NACE’s top three for bachelor’s and master’s degrees: finance, accounting and computer science. For the doctorate level: three kinds of engineering—chemical, electrical and computer.

Despite post-collegiate poll downers like this one, social science and humanities majors need not despair. As reported in Forbes, companies are still looking for psychology, political science/international relations and sociology majors. And SDSU communications majors, listen up. If you want to go into media you may not have to fall back on your public relations or far-right opinion/ editorial writing classes to land a job at The San Diego Union-Tribune. They could be hiring reporters again. Granted, there are only 15 jobs left in all of San Diego in actual print reporting. But if you’ve got a Twitter account, you’re seemingly already qualified to practice media in town. Show your enterprise reporting chops with a tweet series.

Economics majors: Seen anything on Facebook about the San Diego Chargers stadium proposal?

This could be a bonanza for you. Right now, the city of San Diego needs people who can count, and who know the dictionary definitions of words and

phrases like tax, public subsidy and high-stakes bluff. Down side: Any economics/finance positions in this arena might be short-term.

USD law students, listen up! Sure, there’s always work for attorneys who handle divorce cases, construction liability and class-action litigation.

But veteran legal eagle Mike Aguirre has created a cottage industry out of suing projects that involve local pro sports teams. It’s been reported he’s gathering an anti-trust team to litigate if the Chargers go ahead and try to make a move to Carson. Even if you don’t make partner in this effort, get in on the ground floor and you’ll have great stories to tell the diehard football fans on Sunday afternoons at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Political footballs your thing? See if you can get hooked up with a job at the San Diego Convention Center (the place where they hold Comic-Con).

Communications majors can try to keep city leaders informed on matters like when the convention center chairman is going to OK defaulting on loan payments on land proposed for a center expansion. The fresh-faced new hire that comes in and figures out how to keep Comic-Con in San Diego without spending a dime or moving a brick will be the hero at the next Gaslamp Quarter Zombie Walk.

New grads, you can always go into politics. There’s always a campaign going on. We’re just finishing May 2015, but the race for the 2016 Presidential started before last year’s winter finals. Your Congressman never stops fundraising. And a special election is seemingly always a day away.

None of this your cup of tea? Hallelujah. Maybe there is hope for civilization. Put your entrepreneurial-minded leadership to use and get a flash mob of your friends focused on the endless cycle of homelessness. Build an app that fosters better race relations. Produce a play about the glass ceiling for women in the workplace and perform it at Maker’s Quarter. Write a song about government spending money wisely on public education and sing it at Quartyard.

No pressure, class of 2015. But put “Save The World” on your electronic to-do list. And you can keep the beard.

—Ron Donoho Write to rond@sdcitybeat.com

This issue of CityBeat is dedicated to Ireland’s fabulous new rainbows.

Volume 13 • Issue 42 Editor Ron Donoho Music Editor Jeff Terich Arts Editor Kinsee Morlan Staff Writer Joshua Emerson Smith Web Editor Ryan Bradford Art director Carolyn Ramos Columnists Aaryn Belfer, Edwin Decker, John R. Lamb, Alex Zaragoza

Contributors Ian Cheesman, David L. Coddon, Seth Combs, Tiffany Fox, Michael A. Gardiner, Glenn Heath Jr., Peter Holslin, Dave Maass, Scott McDonald, Jenny Montgomery, Susan Myrland, Jim Ruland, Ben Salmon, Jen Van Tieghem, Amy Wallen Production Manager Tristan Whitehouse Production artist Rees Withrow MultiMedia Advertising Director Paulina Porter-Tapia

Senior account executive Jason Noble Account Executives Beau Odom, Christina MacNeal, Kimberly Wallace Marketing Intern Drake Rinks Accounting Kacie Cobian, Sharon Huie, Linda Lam Human Resources Andrea Baker

Advertising inquiries Interested in advertising?

Call 619-281-7526 or e-mail advertising@sdcitybeat.com. The advertising deadline is 5 p.m. every Friday for the following week’s issue.

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Vice President of Finance Michael Nagami Vice President of Operations David Comden Publisher Kevin Hellman

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

4 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

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Up Front | Letters

OPENING EYES I loved Aaryn Belfer’s column [“Bail setting is racially imbalanced,” May 13], as well as her previous work.

My white eyes were opened on the subject of racism in the late ’60s when I took a pair of classes at San Diego State University while trying to appear to be enough of a student to avoid the draft.

From Dr. Winslow’s Criminology class, I learned from factual studies that the vast majority of white kids nationwide who were caught in a car that did not belong to them, were cited with the misdemeanor of “joy riding.” Conversely, the vast majority of black kids in the same circumstance were booked for felony car theft.

From Dr. Gillette’s sociology class, which was primarily experiential, we learned about racism firsthand. With two white partners of the opposite sex answering classified ads for apartment vacancies, the vast majority were shown the apartment and given the option of renting it. When a mixed couple answered the same ad, they were invariably told the apartment had been rented and was no longer available.

As a youngster growing up on C Street in Golden Hill, there were no black families in the immediate area because of “red lining” by realtors and lenders who determined that black families would be limited to homes south of Market Street.

During a time when I wrote for a local daily, I observed that local sports pages were, in a de facto way, limited to a single black and a single female on their staffs.

Thanks for tackling the issue with honesty and facts, things that much of my white America ignores on the issues of racism in this country.

Jim Brown, Tierrasanta

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On the

Cover New CityBeat art director Carolyn Ramos gets kudos for the cover two weeks in a row. She read Michael Gardiner’s feature story about how local restaurants are considering using flat service charges instead of traditional tipping for servers. Ramos conceptualized the idea of spelling out words with real, folded dollar bills, and even came up with the double-entendre that became the main cover line (“Just The Tip”). At restaurants, Ramos tips by doubling the tax. “I add a little extra if I get cocktails at my table,” she says. “I think that’s OK? This is where I find out I’m a terrible tipper. The less math I have to do, though, the better.” To see more of her work, go to somaramos.com.

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 5

Up Front | News joshua emerson smith

had such protections only for skin cancer.

State law has also required that public safety employees who qualify for workers’ compensation receive their full salary untaxed for up to one year, as opposed to the two-thirds payout for other employees. This compensation extends up to five years after retirement, including coverage of medical costs.

Such payouts have been defended as ethical, as well as criticized as costly and prone to abuse. While union officials have argued that their roughly 320 full- and part-time employees wouldn’t significantly increase the city’s liability, the mayor’s office has yet to release a cost estimate.

The issue first came up several years ago when the city denied multiple employees workers’ compensation claims for meningitis.

“It’s just a matter of time before we get another case where a lifeguard comes down with meningitis or one of the other presumptive protections, and we’re going to be in a position to be able to litigate that…or go to the state and have it legislated so our lifeguards are protected,” said Chester Mordasini, president of Teamsters Local 911.

That might not be an idle threat. In 2009, the lifeguards significantly beefed up their political muscle after leaving the city’s

by JOSHUA EMERSON SMITH white-collar union, the Municipal Employees Association, and organizing their own Lifeguard Marc Brown starts his day at a station in Mission Beach. bargaining unit under the Teamsters.

In 2013, the union secured, through a hen lifeguard Marc cantly raises levels of bacteria in the ocean. looking at you or saying ‘hi’ to you.” state bill, full salary disability payments for Brown pulled up around With its 100 year-round employees, the deAfter Harris left office, the council ap- its San Diego members, which were already 8:45 p.m. in his red, city- partment also routinely makes rescues in proved a lease extension with operator enjoyed by other public safety employees. issued pickup truck, flood- the polluted Tijuana River Valley.

Pacifica Enterprises. However, the political With cliff, river and drive rescue teams, ing at the intersection of Rosecrans Street In large part, that’s why a five-year labor row caught the attention of public-interest harbor patrol duties and the ability to issue and Midway Drive had trapped a pregnant deal, unanimously approved by the City attorney Cory Briggs, who filed a lawsuit citations and make arrests, the department woman in her car. It was Thursday, May Council in 2013, included for lifeguards the earlier this month challenging the deal. is one of the largest and most prominent in 14, and the first storm in months dumped implementation of “presumptive medical The mayor’s the country. more than an inch of rain in 10 minutes on coverage”—a statewide provision for pub- office declined However, before an area around Liberty Station. lic safety employees that makes it easier to to comment for union officials apWith four more emergency calls coming qualify for workers’ compensation. this story, citing peal to Sacramento in over his radio from police dispatchers, In exchange for cuts to retirement pay, the ongoing lalawmakers, the City the athletic 46-year-old quickly jumped lifeguards agreed to a deal that included pay bor negotiations.

Council will take a into waist-high, moving water and made his increases, as well as a stipulation to “develop At the same stand on the issue, way out about 20 feet to the crying woman. a plan to provide permanent lifeguard staff time, Faulconer which is now be“She’s in a hysterical state because her the same or similar presumptive medical cov- walked back a ing discussed behind campaign pledge car’s filling up,” said the career lifeguard erage as that of fire and police personnel.” closed doors.

However, Mayor Kevin Faulconer is for transparency, and San Diego native. “The water’s all the “My understandnow backing out of the deal as political re- cutting off acway up to the seat and rising.” ing is the presumptive Water from the street repeatedly taliation for a separate issue, according to cess to city staff Ed Harris, spokesperson for the lifeguards’ issue has been continsloshed over Brown as he muscled down the lifeguards’ union, Teamsters Local 911. for CityBeat reunion, in front of Belmont Park. ued in closed session “Six weeks ago, they walked in and for garding basic questions, such as how many until it’s determined what the costs would a jammed window and forced open the woman’s car door. After carrying her to the first time ever, they said, ‘The mayor’s total city employees have presumptive be,” Mordasini said. safety, he continued responding to calls not supportive of this,’” said Ed Harris, medical coverage.

If the council approves the new labor spokesperson for the lifeguard’s union. “In Instead, the city’s newly revamped protection, the mayor’s office could veto late into the night. communications department issued this the decision. In order to override such a When reflecting on his 22-year vocation, our opinion that’s a bait and switch.”

Embroiled in labor negotiations with statement: “The City of San Diego is cur- move, the Democrats on council would what has scared him the most about such situations is not the immediate danger but the city, Harris said the mayor’s office is rently in active negotiations with Team- need a vote from one Republican to get the what it could mean for his long-term health. specifically targeting him for his political sters Local 911 over lifeguard presump- required two-thirds majority.

Flooding on city streets is a nasty cocktail, actions as a former councilmember. Har- tives. The City does not discuss on-going That would put conservative hardliner mixing everything from car oil and radiat- ris said he made enemies at City Hall last negotiations and can’t address questions Lorie Zapf, who represents oceanfront coming fluid to fecal matter and other sewage.

September after he led council Democrats about the current presumptive medical munities from Point Loma to Pacific Beach, “It could be metastasizing in my system to reject the terms of a lease extension for coverage as long as it is in negotiations in a tough spot. Zapf had no comment. right now, Hepatitis C or whatever, liver Belmont Park, the oceanfront amusement with any bargaining unit.”

“Lorie Zapf is going to have to come to damage, and I’m leaving my two kids at park in Mission Beach.

Right now, under state law, the city’s realization that she represents the beach [three- and five-years old],” he said.

“I believe that my relationship with roughly 3,000 police officers and firefight- communities,” Mordasini said. “In the past, Performing between 4,000 and 6,000 the mayor’s office after that deal has a lot ers have presumptive medical coverage. she has given lifeguards huge praise from the rescues a year, San Diego lifeguards re- to do with it,” he said. “I can tell you that That means that to qualify for workers’ pulpit, so is she going to tell the beach comspond to a wide variety of calls, even in- when I opposed the Belmont Park deal, compensation, they don’t have to prove munities that lifeguards are not important? cluding after heavy rain when beach swim- the relationship with me and the Repub- certain illnesses are work-related, such as That’s what it’s going to come down to.” ming is supposed to be restricted for 72 licans changed overnight. When you don’t cancer, meningitis, pneumonia and tuberhours because storm-water runoff signifi- go along with the program, they stop even culosis. Under state law, lifeguards have Write to joshuas@sdcitybeat.com.

POLITICAL RIPTIDE

Lifeguard union claims Mayor Faulconer nixed labor deal as payback

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6 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

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Up Front | opinion

Spin

John R. Lamb

Cycle “It’s go time” for Mayor Quote-o-Matic After an era of confrontation, the time has come for an era of negotiation.

—Richard M. Nixon

A

local sports-radio commentator recently asked—rhetorically—when Mayor Kevin Faulconer planned to put on his “big-boy pants” in the fight to keep the San Diego Chargers from leaving town.

Faulconer is by all measures, at least physically, a big boy. So the inquiry by the talking radiohead seemingly had less to do with a tailoring miscommunication than a lingering perception that this mayor flinches at any sign of confrontation.

Has any mayor in San Diego’s

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history had an easier time of it in their first year of office, gleefully doling out the largesse from a resurging economy at endless scripted media events, like Robin Hood in reverse?

But now the mayor enters that phase of the game where not everyone in the room will have a smile permanently tattooed to their mugs. (“It’s go time,” as the mayor recently told The San Diego Union Tribune.)

That’s not to say Dean Spanos, ruling prince of the Chargers realm, and his right-hand man, Mark Fabiani, aren’t capable of flashing the pearly whites like most hot-seat professionals can in the face of a challenge.

Like they say in those antiperspirant ads, “Never let them see you sweat,” right?

But NFL football is a veritable tableau of sweat, blood and grimaces, beamed out in all its

sparkling high-definition glory to fawning, growling fans. For teams, seeking an edge over one’s opponent is as intrinsic to the sport as stuffing is to turkey.

So when Mayor Faulconer, upon last week’s unveiling of a stadium financing plan by his appointed Citizens Stadium Advisory Group, threw down a June 1 date preference for the start of negotiations, might that have been a bit of “I’m in charge now” showmanship?

All Fabiani would say later about the timing of negotiations is, “I’m sure we will meet with the city’s experts sometime soon.”

Faulconer, in a carefully crafted statement issued via Facebook, deemed the plan: 1) “a framework,” 2) “tangible,” 3) “achievable,” and 4) “won’t raise taxes.” The mayor could have also added, 5) “comes with a cherry AND whipped cream at no extra charge” for all that his pronouncements mean at this stage, but he did express his “continued commitment” to a public vote on a plan “if we reach a stadium agreement with the Chargers.”

The mayor has long said San Diegans “deserve a good and fair deal,” as he repeated again in his statement. Since then (at least as of midday Tuesday), there hasn’t been a peep on social media from Hiz-

John R. Lamb

Mayor Faulconer channels Izzy Mandelbaum of “Seinfeld” zoner, a rarity. Spin Cycle checked in with the mayor’s office to see if he had moved into the Cone of Silence Negotiating Cave, but his people would not comment.

Faulconer has garnered some pushback for holding to his public-vote promise, most notably in an op-ed piece last week penned by former mayoral contender, port commissioner and Downtown-redevelopment honcho Peter Q. Davis. A retired banker, Davis is no green-visor slouch.

He helped negotiate the deal for Petco Park. But he argued that Faulconer “was voted into office to make the tough decisions…He should state that there will be no stadium vote.”

His argument is not unfamiliar, that since raising taxes for a stadium is off the table now, so, too, should the idea of an electionday “advisory” vote head into the dustbin of political promises.

“Instead of a public vote, the mayor should remind the citizens that they still will have a chance to vote—in the next mayoral election, if they do not like the results of his decisions,” Davis wrote, adding that the prospect of such a vote would give the Chargers “wiggle room” to reject the plan by claiming “such a vote will fail, or take too long to hold…”

Sure, it’s easy for an armchair, one-time mayoral wannabe to be so bold, but boldness is not what makes the Faulconer frame tick.

Perhaps the mayor has taken the last week to immerse himself in boldness training. Again, who knows? His peeps aren’t peeping.

About the only new thing his plan masters have found to make hay of is Mick Jagger’s throwaway line during the Rolling Stones’ tour-kickoff concert Sunday night. Mick told the crowd, “We are having such a great time in San Diego. It’s so beautiful here.

Why would anyone want to leave?

Especially the Chargers.”

Any time a major rock star has something nice to say about one’s hometown, it’s a day to celebrate.

But come on, do NFL owners care what a spry, aging rocker has to say about a deal that incorporates the word “billion” into the discussion? (No mention of the band’s decision to play “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” as an encore on its set list.)

In the meantime, it appears the demise of the bayfront expansion of the San Diego Convention Center—extolled by many in the media shark tank—has been exaggerated, at least temporarily.

The corporate board running the center has called for a special meeting Thursday to consider, according to the agenda, “approval of Fifth Avenue Landing extension.” As Spin Cycle readers will recall, the San Diego City Council recently expressed shock that the corporation had decided to default on a May 6 balloon payment of more than $13 million to purchase the lease on a 7-acre stretch of property earmarked for contiguous center expansion.

Details were sketchy at press time, but it appears the lease extension could run a year and be covered by corporation funds. At the extension’s end, however, the city would have to find a funding stream for the actual leasehold purchase.

To make this happen would require some political capital by the mayor. On this one, the mayor’s office directed inquiries to convention center folks. “The final deal points have not been agreed to, because our board has to agree to them,” says center spokesman Steve Johnson. He added the port and City Council would also chime in.

Tough decisions requiring bigboy pants indeed. But the devil’s in the details—no sympathy there.

Spin Cycle appears every other week.

Write to johnl@sdcitybeat.com.

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 7

Up Front | Opinion

Aaryn Belfer

Backwards & in

high heels

The renovation will not be on HGTV

I

t was sometime during the early- to mid-’80s when my mother took our kitchen down to the studs. I was between the ages of 12 and doorslamming angst, which, come to think of it, may or may not be all that temperamentally different than the me of today. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

The total renovation has come to be known in family lore as the Summer of Domino’s: A bittersweet season in which a six-week enterprise turned into a six-month calamity. We were already in perpetual upheaval following my father’s exit a couple years earlier. Now, our gutted and discombobulated house was the physical embodiment of what was happening in our hearts. I distinctly remember whipping up Stouffer’s Frozen Dinners and Betty Crocker Stir and Frost cakes in a microwave that had come to live on a bookshelf in the living room.

But that “summer,” my shattered little family subsisted on a preposterous number of pepperoni pizzas. To this day, it is comfort food.

I’ve tried to prepare myself emotionally as my husband and I embark on our own kitchen renovation. Like becoming a parent, this experience is giving me an enormous appreciation for what my mother accomplished, and with so little.

We haven’t even knocked down the first wall but the breathtakingly expensive act of purchasing a sink and all the accoutrements has caused me to phone my mother (previously referred to in these pages as The Gaydi Project), to repeatedly apologize.

In so many conciliatory tones, I offer my deepest regret for having drummed like Sheila E. with a steel kitchen knife against the brand-new, chrome, swan-neck faucet my mother had installed.

Of course, I lied about having made the hundreds of tiny scratches that ignited her fury, little reminders that she couldn’t own anything nice with kids around. I would let my brother take the blame for those marks for more than 20 years.

Anyway. It was while she was raising three kids and working as many jobs, that The Gaydi Project became the general contractor for the massive overhaul of my childhood home. I had an epiphany recently that I am going to have my very own Summer of Domino’s as one thing (the need to frame out a space for new cabinets) leads to another (must move the water heater), leads to another (moving the water line), leads to another (purchase of a tank-less water heater), leads to another (is there power on that side of the house?). Let me just tell you that an electrical panel upgrade ranks right up there with new bras on the Expenditure vs. Gratification line graph.

“You have seen The Money Pit, haven’t you?” my mother asked when I told her about the salesguy-in-reverse at Standard Plumbing who talked us out of buying anything at his store. Or about the absurd process of obtaining anything that’s been backordered at IKEA. Or about our uncountable visits—made exponentially greater thanks to the back-order issue—to that awful place where there is no shortcut to the kitchen area. (Believe you me, I’ve tried every possible path and never failed to end up following the white arrows, skulking along behind the Duggars and their 19 children slurping soft serve and gliding aimlessly while stopping to touch All Of It. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO TOUCH ALL OF IT?) And then...then there are the IKEA kitchen experts. What to say about them?

Those salespeople have no fucks to give. Not one. They do not care about the fact that the CAD system is down. They do not care that their colleague told you yesterday the exact opposite of what they are telling you today. They do not care about any of the middle-aged ladies in their lip gloss and over-priced jeans arguing with their grey-goateed husbands in their Tommy Bahama shirts.

After my eleventeenth trip to that paradise, I couldn’t help but wonder how many kitchen upgrades have been ditched in favor of a trip to the divorce lawyer instead.

Fortunately, during the Summer of Domino’s, my mother was already divorced, a status that freed her from such renovationinduced marital conflicts. It also freed her to sleep with her contractor, who moved in, lived with us for two years, and was never late for work. (For the record: He was awesome and I adored him.

Also for the record: I won’t be sleeping with you, Sean. Please do a solid job, anyway, okay?)

The kitchen reno, as it’s called in contemporary circles, wrapped up mere moments before Thanksgiving that year, when the long-delayed stove arrived just in time for turkey baking. (The stove was its own mini-drama and had to be powder coated at the last minute.) We did not have Domino’s pizza for dinner any more that year, or the next, a reality quickly noted by the local store manager. My mother received a concerned letter from him asking what they’d done to cause such a sudden and precipitous drop in orders from our house, which was now whole and functional, just like my mother, my brothers and I hoped to be some day.

“

We were already in perpetual upheaval following my father’s exit a couple years earlier.

“

8 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

Backwards & In High Heels appears every other week.

Write to aaryn@sdcitybeat.com.

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Up Front | Food

by michael a. gardiner Michael A. Gardiner

nished with chives. Their soy-vinegar-chili dipping sauce was the perfect accompaniment.

If the Korean sui mai were comfortable, the boiled dumplings with pork and kimchi were less so. The shape was unfamiliar, a rounded package with ridged lips around one side. The flavor profile was different, too, the kimchi bringing an acidity and hint of spice to the dumplings. These, I thought to myself, definitely did not feel Chinese. And yet, despite the distinctive presence of the kimchi, they weren’t exactly Korean either.

They disappeared quickly.

While the tubular form of the Small steamed dumplings with pork and shrimp spicy, steamed-roll dumplings (with pork and shrimp) was different, the dumpling’s flavor profile was reminiscent of shark-fin dumpling (yu chee gow). But the chilipaste dipping sauce took it in a new direction.

Still more interesting was the mandu guk, a beef dumpling soup with a broth that took on the flavor of the julienned nori seaweed garnish.

But the glory of Myung In—indeed, the glory Fusion with no confusion of Korean dumplings—is the wang mandu (king dumplings). Myung In offers two wang mandu, t’s easy to rip on “fusion” cuisine. For one filled with pork and vegetables and the other every Wolfgang Puck, Ming Tsai or Jeanwith pork and kimchi. The former is very good, George Vongerichten there are dozens of but the latter is nothing short of great. The wang chefs who lack the skill and grounding to use the mandu looks like Chinese char siu bao—large genre’s freedoms wisely. Instead, they take fusion fluffy white buns filled with goodness—on steas a license to commit innumerable, unspeakable roids. They are significantly larger than char siu and inedible culinary crimes. Fusion, though, can bao and instead of a Western-friendly filling of be organic. National cuisines aren’t immutable, barbeque pork, the pork and kimchi is far more and as people bump up against each other their challenging, layered and subtle. The minced pork foodstuffs tend to fuse. Creole cuisine is one exprovides a savory base, the kimchi a fermented ample; Southwestern another. acidity and bit of heat all wrapped in the yeasty And so it was with Yu Jin, the owner of Myung bun. It may get the “king” moniker because of its In Dumplings (4344 Convoy Street), the new size but it deserves the name for more than that.

Kearny Mesa outpost of a small Los Angeles-area At Myung In, it is sometimes hard to see where “chain” that was featured in the Koreatown epithe Korean stops and Chinese starts. Or is it vice sode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. Born versa? Fusion cuisine, like Prog Rock, may have in Northern China to Korean parents, Jin takes become something of a pejorative term, but when mandu (Korean dumplings) that are themselves properly grounded and organically tied together part of a Chinese-inflected class of Korean dishes the fusion of two culinary traditions need not proand gives them a further fusing. duce confusion. At Myung In it does not.

Perhaps the best starting point is with Myung

the world

fare I

In’s steamed dumplings with pork and shrimp.

Essentially a Korean take on sui mai, this version’s shaped a bit more like a “beggar’s purse” and gar-

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The World Fare appears weekly.

Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 9

Up Front | Drink

bottle

By Jen Van Tieghem

Rocket A showcase of stellar San Diego wines

T

he rustic charm of Bernardo Winery, the oldest operating vineyard and winery in San Diego, was an idyllic setting for this year’s San Diego County Vintner’s Association Wine and Food Festival. Though a fancy-sounding name, I was happy to find a welcoming environment more about educating wine lovers than snobbery or high-pressure sales.

More than 20 wineries poured tastes of two of their wines, with offerings ranging from sweet samples to hearty reds and everything in between.

While I didn’t have a chance to try everything, I did sample many, finding highlights along the way. I managed to escape with only two bottle purchases, but more on that later.

First, my runners-up, so to speak: Shadow Mountain Vineyards and Winery from Warner Springs served up one of the only Viogniers—its 2012 was crisp and light with hints of apricot, the first to please my palate.

On the opposite end of the spectrum was Altipiano Vineyards and Winery from Highland Valley, with its 2012 Estate

10 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

Brunello Sangiovese, which got rave reviews all day. The woody and rich wine did not disappoint.

From the up-and-coming Vinavanti Urban Winery (soon to relocate from Sorrento Valley to Hillcrest), the 2011 GSM was an unexpected gem with notes of smoke and brown sugar.

Another approachable red came from Bernardo itself, in the form of a 2013 Petite Sirah, which had an intoxicating essence of black pepper on the nose, and blended with raspberry on the tongue.

Following this trend of reds led me to a favorite: the 2011 Blue Cuvee by Blue-Merle Winery; a unique blend of Zinfandel, Carignan and Nebbiolo that balanced bold, lasting flavors and rich fruits.

Coming full circle, I found my other favorite of the day back in a white from Domaine Artefact Vineyard and Winery, also located in the Highland Valley area of Escondido. I enjoyed both of this winery’s offerings—its Grenache Rose holding some light minerality. But the bottle I took home was their 2012 Les Beaux Blancs. This blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul managed to possess a light creaminess that didn’t compete with its splashes of lemon and spice.

The SDCVA’s event left me with a long list of wineries to revisit someday soon.

Bottle Rocket appears every third week.

Write to jenv@sdcitybeat.com.

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May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 11

Up Front | Food

by jenny montgomery jenny montgomery

and sake cocktails.

The Bikini Bottom cocktail is screaming to be downed on a summer day, with sweet brown sugar and the warmth of fivespice powder and jalapeños, all muddled with fresh mint, cilantro and pineapple juice.

Sounds yummy and dangerous.

Don’t shy away from the fried options. The tempura mushrooms were phenomenal, drizzled in a sticky, sweet orange glaze that perfectly complemented the toothsome ‘shrooms. I’m not a huge fan of veggie-eaters trying to convince me that a nice mushroom is just as good as a ribeye, but I will say these big, BLVD Chinese Kitchen’s fried shrimp beefy knobs of fungus were hefty and hot (good God, that sounds filthy) and I couldn’t get enough.

The fried shrimp were so lovely, coated in an incredibly thin batter that stayed shatteringly crispy with each bite, never deflating into a sad, doughy coating. The shrimp popped hot and fresh, not overdone, and the plate was dressed BLVD Chinese Kitchen with a luscious cream sauce and a sprinkling is funky and smart of candied walnuts. This was a simple dish, with minimal ingredients, but it hit flavor and texture notes in a surprising and refreshing way. hen I moved to a deep corner I worried the dish wouldn’t be enough (it doesn’t of North County (the kind of place come on rice or noodles), but with a small side of where friends get lost trying to visit), roasted broccoli, it was quite filling.

I lamented the loss of easy access to food-scene The broccoli deserves its own bit of praise. bright spots like Little Italy and North Park. And Roasting the happy little trees always brings out though the big city is still where it’s at for dining, sweetness, and at BLVD they bring the sugars out every week Oceanside gives me one more reason and then blast them with a confident sprinkle of to feel a little less blue about the eating options up salt all over. I love a kitchen that doesn’t shy away here. I’ll keep repeating it: The north end of the from salting their food with gusto.

101 is blowing up in terms of great places to eat.

For a quick and hot blast of fresh flavor, go for Oceanside continues its domination of the the chow fun noodles. They were on our table in North County food scene with a dark, wee corner less than five minutes and were a tangle of textural of Coast Highway called BLVD Chinese Kitchen contrasts; flat noodles were knotted up with crispy (514 S. Coast Highway). The small dining room bean sprouts, with everything tied together by a is across the patio from artsy favorite Hill Street mellow house sauce and tender bits of chicken.

Café, and while the yellow-sided Hill Street is pleasant and traditional, BLVD Chinese Kitchen is The next time somebody gets lost on their the funky, tattooed neighbor slinging smart plates way to my house, I’ll make it up to them with a with a Chinese influence. trip to BLVD. BLVD may be a fairly spare and small shop, but the cooking being done in its kitchen is fun North Fork appears every other week. and confident, with noodles, seafood, tempura Write to jennym@sdcitybeat.com.

north

fork W

12 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

#SDCityBeat

Up Front | TECHNOLOGY

no life

offline

by dave maass

The essential podcast collection

B

efore I get into it, first some personal news.

Usually at the beginning of fall each year, I devote an entire column to the new podcasts that pounded my eardrums over the summer.

This week, I’m moving this column up several months because, by the time autumn rolls around, this column will have ended.

It’s not as tough a choice as I anticipated. It’s been two years since I left San Diego to join the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco.

Each column since has been increasingly more difficult to write. I’m working on an unbelievable amount of fascinating issues as a full-time Internet freedom activist. I sometimes struggle to find fascinating issues related to the Internet to write about where I don’t have a conflict on some level.

Even just recommending podcasts, I’d be remiss if I didn’t disclose that several of my coworkers just saved podcasting as a medium by busting the so-called “podcasting patent” that a trollish intellectualproperty company has been using to shake down podcasters for bullshit licensing fees. As you can imagine, separating my personal views from my employer is becoming less and less tenable.

So, the next No Life Offline column will be my last, at least until I decided to revive it yet again eight years from now.

Thanks for reading.

Audio Cartels Podcasts are undergoing a whole new phase of growth. For years, podcasts have largely been stand-alone shows, either recorded out of someone’s garage or introduced as a peripheral product attached to another news magazine or TV show.

Now, however, we’re seeing the rise of podcast cartels. The Earwolf Podcast Network was one of the progenitors of the model, but now Slate has bundled all of its podcasts under the Panoply umbrella, Gimlet Media has just launched its third podcast, and many of the public radio affiliates have begun re-conceptualizing their shows as podcast packages (such as Radiotopia) rather than just syndicated radio content.

Womencasters Podcasts are also becoming a format where female and minority voices are enjoying new prominence. The iTunes charts don’t really support this claim, so I have to admit it may be due to my own bias: In the last few months I have actively sought out media generated by voices other than my own.

Sarah Koenig’s Serial and Lulu Miller and Alix Spiegel’s Invisibilia are probably the two most significant podcasts of the last year. Since they’ve both reached the ends of their seasons, now is the perfect time to go binge-listen. As for ongoing shows, I’m addicted to Panoply’s DoubleX Gabfest, a reg-

#SDCityBeat

ular panel show featuring Noreen Malone, Hanna Rosin and June Thomas, which was one of the first media outlets to find a crack in Rolling Stone’s nowdiscredited feature on campus rape. Criminal, the podcast by aptly-named Phoebe Judge, provides a new take on the real-crime genre, while Manoush Zamorodi’s New Tech City is pushing the envelope of tech reporting by combining compelling minidocumentaries with ongoing interactive exercises to help listeners improve their productivity.

But if you’re only going to listen to one episode of a podcast today, I must recommend #46 of On the Media’s now-cancelled spin-off, TLDR, in which reporter Meredith Haggerty faces off with Silicon Valley pundit Vivek Wadhwa. Haggerty retracted an earlier podcast in which she attacked Wadhwa about his seemingly inconsistent views on women in the tech industry, without seeking comment from Wadhwa himself. Once she gets the mea culpa out of the way, the conversation becomes exhibit A in the case to expose institutional misogyny in the tech sector.

On the subject of minority groups in America, Panoply’s new podcast, Our National Conversation about Conversations About Race, hosted by Baratunde Thurston, and featuring Raquel Cepeda and Tanner Colby, follows the same format as the other “Gabfest,” titles but with a lot more personal passion about the issues. Four-and-a-half episodes in, and I feel like this is the most important podcast on my device, as protests over police killings rock the country.

ER in Space I guess, in a way, all those podcasts I just mentioned are vegetables in my podcast diet—delicious, deep fried and candy-glazed vegetables, but healthy perspective-expanding listening nonetheless. So, let me wrap this up with a bit of dessert.

EOS 10 is a full-cast, science-fiction, audio comedy series dreamed up by former CityBeat contributor Justin McLachlan (full disclosure: he also published a mini-collection of my short stories and CityBeat’s flash-fiction anthology).

Following the misadventures of a medical crew on a space station, the show isn’t just alien penis gags (though there are a few), but an emotionally engaging narrative that deals with issues of drug addiction and alcoholism. I love it so much, that I’m now a (small) supporter of McLachlan’s Patreon campaign.

So, I’m paying a couple bucks for EOS 10 each month so you can get it for free. Don’t squander my generosity.

No Life Offline appears every third week.

Write to davem@sdcitybeat.com.

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 13

EVENTS

SHORTlist

ART

the

Three you have to see

COORDINATED BY

SETH COMBS

COURTESY OF MICHIEL THOMAS

topical, the doc follows two athletes (transgender MMA fighter Fallon Fox and college basketball player Terrence Clemens) who are coming out, and the struggles they face throughout the process. Originally from Belgium, Thomas went through a similar struggle while playing pro basketball in his home country.

“I’m gay, myself, so those two worlds growing up were very hard for me to bring together,” says Thomas. “I just thought, let me make a project about this to break all these stereotypes and educate the public, because there’s so much that comes with being Terrence Clemens in Game Face LGBT in sports culture and in American culture in general.”

Other highlights from the fest include a “Best For nearly two decades, FilmOut San of LGBT Shorts” showcase on Saturday, as well Diego has done a stellar job of spot- as foreign features throughout the weekend. Anlighting under-the-radar, LGBT-fo- other highlight from Saturday includes Andrew cused cinema that may have otherwise never been Putschoegl’s romantic comedy, BFFs, about two seen on the big screen. And it’s the annual LGBT lifelong female friends who are so desperate for a Film Festival where patrons really have the op- vacation that they pretend to be lesbians so that portunity to see those indie gems. From docs and they can go on a couples retreat together. Naturally, short films, to features and foreign entries, there’s hijinks and catharses follow. Putschoegl says the a little something for everyone at the three-day fest film will appeal to any audience.

“The film has been tremendously well-received (Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31. The Observaat both mainstream and LGBT film festivals around tory North Park, 2891 University Avenue).

“San Diego was the first film festival to accept the world,” says Putschoegl. “Our first screening in the film,” says Michiel Thomas, a first-time film- Santa Barbara was filled with local retirees and they maker whose documentary, Game Face, is one of loved it just as much as the audience at Outfest in the “Festival Spotlight” features, and is making its Los Angeles. We’re really excited about screening California debut at the festival on Saturday. Highly in San Diego since it’ll likely be our last festival.”

1

OUT AT THE MOVIES

BRIAN SKARIN

2

AMPED UP

Arts & Amps

All you really need for a good party is music and beer—that much we learned in high school, at least before the cops showed up. But when there’s better beer, better music and no legal retribution, it’s, well, even better. Karl Strauss is launching a new event, Arts & Amps, which features live performances by bluesy locals Blackout Party and Low Volts, and new brews from Karl’s experimental sour lineup, such as Queen of Tarts and Under the Stairs. Meanwhile, Thumbprint Gallery artists will display custom tap handles and beer coaster artwork. Arts & Amps happens on Saturday, May 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Karl Strauss in Pacific Beach (5985 Santa Fe St., karlstrauss.com). No cover. Ages 21 and up.

Sorry, high schoolers.

14 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

3

S-P-E-L-L T-H-A-T W-O-R-D

Most folks like to think they’re smarter than the average fifth grader. Traveling Stories, a local literacy charity, invites you to find out for sure on Thursday, May 28, at the fourth annual Spellapalooza. Held the day of the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals, patrons can gather at Waypoint Public in North Park from 5 to 8 p.m. to watch the live broadcast on ESPN. Guests can bet on a kid, and once a victor is crowned onscreen, those who guessed the winner correctly get a prize. Stick around after to participate in an actual spelling bee where the rules aren’t as, well, magisterial. Feel free to bribe judges for your spelling chops (or lack thereof ), as all gambles, bribes and hush money will benefit Traveling Stories’ local literacy efforts. So don’t hesitate to drunkenly stumble over a word or two. After all, it’s for the kids. travelingstories.org/spellapalooza

Murals of La Jolla Walking Tour at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The Athenaeum will host this walking tour led by project curator Lynda Forsha. View murals by Kim MacConnel, Ryan McGinness, Kelsey Brookes and Mel Bochner’s newest addition, “Blah, Blah, Blah.” At 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27. Free. 858-4545872, muralsoflajolla.com Present Present at Adam D. Kamil Gallery, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla. UCSD undergraduate artist Victoria Lungerich presents a solo exhibition that attempts to blur the boundaries between sculpture and painting. Opening from 5 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27. Free. 858-5342230, visarts.ucsd.edu HShore Thing at MCASD, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Enjoy free admission every Thursday night throughout the summer.

Includes tours of Dear Nemesis, Nicole Eisenman 1993-2013, music from Roots Factory DJs, a cash bar, and a BYOP (bring your own picnic) option. From 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28. Free. 858-4543541, mcasd.org Augenblick Photography Exhibit at Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Rd., Poway. A retrospective exhibition of H. Montgomery-Drysdale’s photographic work that includes Hollywood film stars, jazz legends and everyday events. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 28. Free. 858-748-0505, facebook.com/events/1583914578531055/

regional artists Dave Ghilarducci, Rizzhel Javier, and Margaret Noble. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Free. downtowngallery.sdsu.edu We are where we are not at Disclosed unLocation, 1925 30th Ave., South Park.

Last chance to see this new body of work from artist Kim Garcia comprising sculpture, installation, and video. Closing reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Free. 619-578-9097, facebook.com/ events/460353297474169/ HWhat Remains: Debris and Detritus in Fine Art at San Diego Art Institute, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. Curated by local artist Bridget Rountree, an exhibition that combines the work of both youth and professional artists created during SDAI’s “Dare to Reuse” workshops. Opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30. $5. sandiego-art.org J.Hinos Live Art Exhibit at Trinitea Tea Hillcrest, 3865 5th Ave., Hillcrest. Postmodern artist J.Hinos will be painting live alongside an art exhibit of dozens of local artists curated by Dolphin and Hawk.

Opening from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Free. 619-431-5120, dolphinandhawk. com Wild Graces at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor’s Center, One Father Junipero Serra Tr., Mission Trails. An exhibition featuring two award-winning photographers, Jodie Hulden and Robert Treat, who specialize in evocative landscapes. Opening from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Free.

619-668-3281, mtrp.org

HA Cohesive Cognitive Dissonance at Red Pig Video, 1878 Main St. Suite E, Barrio Logan. A pop-up exhibition exploring the cultural constructs that define existence in the 21st century. Local artists include Spenser Little, Olivia Parkes, Jason Huffer and more. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m.

Thursday, May 28. Free. 619-354-8801, acohesivecognitive.wix.com/accdsd15

Centennial Members’ Exhibition at Gallery 21, 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park. The San Diego Museum of Art’s Artists Guild celebrates their centennial year with a members exhibition featuring the work of Vicky DeLong, Ellen Dieter and over 30 more. Opening from 4 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, May 31. Free. 619-222-1034, sdmaag.org

Pan Gongkai: New Paintings for The San Diego Museum of Art at San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. Six new paintings created specifically for the Museum by acclaimed contemporary Chinese artist Pan Gongkai, who uses classical brush and ink techniques and format in a contemporary context.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 28. Free. 619-232-7931, sdmart.org

HBil Zelman: Isolated Gesture at Sparks Gallery, 530 6th Ave., Gaslamp. A solo show from the Southern Californiabased photographer known for his candid portraits. This show will feature some of the thousands of black-and-white portraits he took over a period of 12 years. Opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 31.

Free. 619-696-1416, sparksgallery.com

Body Vulnerable/Body Protected at UCSD SME Building, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla. New works from Nao Bustamante, whose videos and performances will underscore her particular skill with technologies of mediation. Opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28. Free. visarts. ucsd.edu HConquest | Control | Confinement at A Ship in the Woods, 1660 Lugano Lane, Del Mar. New art from the De la Torre Brothers and Beliz Iristay, as well as musical performances from Prayers and Other Bodies. Opening from 6 to 11 p.m.

Friday, May 29. $8 suggested donation. shipinthewoods.com Augenblick Photography Exhibit at Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Rd., Poway. A retrospective exhibition of H. Montgomery-Drysdale’s photographic work over the last 50 years. Her work includes capturing Hollywood film stars, jazz legends and everyday events. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Saturday, May 30.

Free.

858-748-0505, facebook.com/ events/1583914578531055/ Playful Interactions at SDSU Downtown Gallery, 725 West Broadway, Downtown. An exhibition sharing the work of three San Diego artists who use interactivity as a way to engage visitors. Curated

by Chantel Paul, the exhibition features

Art Stash Big Event at Art Stash Supply and Gallery, 5575 Baltimore Dr. #107, La Mesa. The art supply store celebrates a year in business with a show featuring 15 local artists and six different manufacturers doing product demonstrations. Artists include Mike Hefner, Lois Simmons, Brenda Vargas and more. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31. 619-460-0368, theartstash.com Once Upon A Time: Fairy Tales, Fables and Myths at The Studio Door, 3750 30th St., North Park. Christine Knoke, Director of Exhibitions and Chief Curator at the Mingei International Museum, juries this exhibition exploring stories that have entertained generations. From noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. Free. 619-2554920, thestudiodoor.com Per•spek•tiv at TPG2, 1475 University Ave., Hillcrest. Local street photographer Mikesumoto and artist Victor Villa present new works showcasing their aerial and linear perspectives of the urban landscape through photography, paintings, and mixed media. Opening from 5 to 10 p.m.

Wednesday, June 3. Free. 619-2036030, tpg2.net GMONIK at Graffiti Beach, 2220 Fern St., South Park. The local painter showcases works that were inspired by his travels in Southeast Asia and the effects of the consumer culture on the people there. Opening from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 3.

Free. 858-433-0950, shopgraffitibeach.com

H = CityBeat picks

#SDCityBeat

EVENTS and Saturday, May 30. $12. 619-9870709, maxine.vcpusd.org

FASHION A Walk through Time: 200 Years of Women’s Clothing at Women’s Museum of California, 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 16, Point Loma. A vintage clothing show which features live models wearing over 60 vintage outfits ranging from the 1700s to the 1960s. At 5:30 p.m. Sunday, May 31. $36. 619233-7963, womensmuseumca.org

FILM HSan Diego LGBT Film Festival at Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., North Park. A festival that

celebrates the best of LGBT cinema, including San Diego premieres of narrative, documentary and short films. See website for schedule and times. Friday, May 29, Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31. $10-$125. 619-239-8836, filmoutsandiego.com

FOOD & DRINK Dragonette Cellars Winemaker Pouring at Kettner Exchange, 2001 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. Kettner Exchange’s sommelier, Jonathan Brennan, leads a tasting of five wines from Dragonette Cellars with John Dragonette. Price includes five tastings with pairings from The Cheese Store. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. $25.

619-255-2001, kettnerexchange.com HInternational Paella and Wine Festival at Embarcadero Marina Park South,

111 W. Harbor Drive, Downtown. This inaugural fest includes paella chefs from around the globe, wineries from the Baja California and Napa/Sonoma regions, local craft breweries and live music. From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30. $20$175. 619-544-1343, sdpaellafest.com Fiesta del Sol at Fletcher Cove, 111 S. Sierra, Solana Beach. A free, two-day music and arts festival features headliners Donavon Frankenreiter on May 30 and Super Diamond on May 31. Plus, plenty of vendors, food and a kids’ area.

From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31. Free. 858755-4775, solanabeachchamber.com BAKE! Class: Delicious Knock-Offs at Bake Sale, 815 F St., Downtown. Chef Kath-

EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

“Seven Young People, 1996” by Bil Zelman is on view in Bil Zelman: Isolated Gesture, opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at Sparks Gallery (530 6th Ave.).

BOOKS HMichael Perry at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The radio host, songwriter, and bestselling author will sign and discuss The Jesus Cow, a comical novel about a cow whose fur has a pattern that resembles Jesus. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. Free. 858454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com Bonnie ZoBell at Del Mar Library, 1309 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar. The local author reads from her new collection of stories, What Happened Here, about the wildly different people living in a single block in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. Free. sdcl.org M.P. Cooley at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The mystery writer will sign and discuss Flame Out, the second book featuring FBI agent-turned-local cop June Lyons. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com Brandon Webb at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The former Navy SEAL and author of The Red Circle will talk about and sign his newest book, Among Heroes: A U.S. Navy Seal’s True Story of Friendship, Heroism, and the Ultimate Sacrifice. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks. indiebound.com Peter Orullian at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The fantasy novelist and musician will sign and discuss Trial of Intentions, the second volume in his Vault of Heaven series. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28.

Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com Steve Martini at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The acclaimed novelist will discuss and sign The Enemy Inside, his 13th Paul Madraini legal thriller. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 29. Free. 858-2684747, mystgalaxy.com Trowa D. Cloud at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. As part of the ongoing Weekend with Locals Program, Warwick’s will host the creator of the sci-fi books The Curseborn Saga Novella I: Fade to Black and Novella II: Cheaters Never Prosper. At 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com Matt Coyle at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The local writer will stop by to promote his latest, Night Tremors, about a La Jolla P.I. investigating the eight-year-old case of a young male convict. At 2 p.m.

#SDCityBeat

Saturday, May 30. Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com Joanie Connell at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The local author will promote her book, Flying Without a Helicopter: How to Prepare Young People for Work and Life. At noon.

Sunday, May 31. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com HGreg Proops at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The stand-up comic best known for his appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway? will be promoting his book, The Smartest Book in the World: A Lexicon of Literacy, a Rancorous Reportage, a Concise Curriculum of Cool. At 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Free. 858-2684747, mystgalaxy.com Ed Cozza at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The Beverly Hillsbased novelist will sign and discuss his latest, Near Somewhere, about a man in the early stages of a midlife crisis. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. Free. 858-4540347, warwicks.indiebound.com Peter Clines at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The sci-fi thriller novelist will be promoting his newest offering, The Fold, about a man investigating a mysterious organization that may have discovered interdimensional travel. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com Louise Mathews at Del Mar Library, 1309 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar. The San Diego author and retired Chief of Food Services for the San Diego Sheriff’s Department will read from her book, Jailhouse Cuisine. At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. Free. sdcl.org

COMEDY HThe Kids in the Hall at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Downtown. The groundbreaking five-man sketch comedy troupe, discovered by SNL’s Lorne Michaels in the late ’80s, are reunited and bringing their new live show to town. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. $47. 619-5701100, sandiegotheatres.org

DANCE Transformation: A Journey of Change at Maxine Theater, 31322 Cole Grade Rd., Valley Center. The Valley Center High School Dance program will include 24 dances and highlight a variety of styles like tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. At 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 28, Friday, May 29,

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 15

EVENTS

KEN JACQUES

THEATER

Judy Bauerlein and Andrew Oswald in “The Whale.”

Super-sized drama at Cygnet Theatre

S

AMUEL D. HUNTER’S The Whale is an uneasy spectator experience: two hours without intermission in the presence of a 600-pound character, Charlie, who’s been eating himself to death in the aftermath of his lover, Alan, having starved himself to death.

Charlie (Andrew Oswald) is a sympathetic but devastating figure, marking the days he has left on this unkind mortal coil, fighting to breathe but more so fighting to forge one enduring bond with his pissant of a teenage daughter, Ellie (Erin McIntosh).

There’s shock value to the sight of this desperate, cerebral behemoth, but that feeling effectively wears off in Hunter’s highly literate drama, now on stage at Cygnet Theatre, and the focus becomes not on the body but on the soul.

This emotionally taxing play strains for metaphors (right down to its title) as surely as Charlie strains to move across the room, leaning on his walker. And the snarky correspondences from the college students he teaches online are formula teen-speak. It’s the intense character relationships that elevate The Whale, and not merely the obvious Charlie/Ellie dynamic. Charlie’s toughon-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside nursefriend, Liz (Judy Bauerlein) feeds him fast food at the same time she’s trying to keep him alive.

Trying to save Charlie, too, but in a spiritual way, is a nobly intentioned but mixed up young Mormon missionary, Elder Thomas (Craig Jorczak).

What, after all, is salvation? It’s one of many questions The Whale proffers.

There’s no question that director Shana Wride’s star is up to the physical demands of the role. Oswald bears the burden of the fat suit well, and his underplaying approach gives Charlie considerable dignity. (Thankfully the audience is spared any graphic eating sequences.) Oswald’s scenes with Bauerlein ring truest, manifesting the affection between Charlie and

16 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

Liz, good friends facing the inevitable.

The Whale is an ominous affair rife with moments when you won’t know whether to laugh or take an anxious breath. While its psychological wanderings and literary allusions complicate matters, it’s really a simple tale if you let it be, one of connections lost and found, to yourself and to others.

The Whale runs through June 14 at the Old Town Theatre. $39 and up; cygnettheatre.com

—David L. Coddon

Theater reviews run weekly.

Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com.

OPENING The Underground New Play Festival: UCSD undergraduate playwrights, actors and directors present five original short plays at this annual showcase. Opens May 28 at the Arthur Wagner Theatre at UCSD. theatre.ucsd.edu Come From Away: The world premiere of the rock-inspired musical about 38 passenger planes that had to detour to Newfoundland following the events of 9/11. Directed by Christopher Ashley, it opens May 29 at La Jolla Playhouse. lajollaplayhouse.org Wrenegades: An Ecological Adventure: A new production about a depressed man struggling to save an endangered bird, told through music, puppetry and dance. Presented by Circle Circle dot dot, it opens in previews May 31 at the Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse. circle2dot2.com Theophilus North: A professional reading of the play that was adapted from Thornton Wilder’s autobiographical novel of the same name. Presented

by Carlsbad Playreaders, it happens June 1 at the Schulman Auditorium at the Carlsbad Library. carlsbadplayreaders.org Betrayal: The balance of power shifts throughout Harold Pinter’s classic play of a love triangle gone awry. Opens in previews June 3 at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org

For full listings,

please visit “T heater ” at sdcit ybeat.com

#SDCityBeat

EVENTS EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 leen will share her recipes for house made versions of Ding Dongs, Ho-Hos and Oreos, along with a few other Hostess-esque treats.

From 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. $75.

619-515-2224, bakesalesd.com

bles perform a concert featuring selections from Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Shostakovitch and Rodrigo. At 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 31. $10-$25. 619-2333232, sdys.org

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Peter Sprague at Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon. The local jazz guitarist and composer will play a concert of standards and originals. At 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 2. Free. 619-660-5370, sdcl.org/locations_RD.html

Bike to Work Day Join thousands of bike riders throughout the region to bike to work and stop by one of the pit stop locations to pick up t-shirts, snacks and encouragement. Originally scheduled for May 15, but postponed due to rain. From 6 to 9 a.m.

Friday, May 29. Free. icommutesd.com

HSufjan Stevens at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., Downtown. The acclaimed singer-songwriter comes to town in support of his stripped-down new album, Carrie & Lowell. At 8 p.m.

Tuesday, June 2. $45. 619-235-0804, ticketmaster.com

Creative Aging Fair at Taylor Branch Library, 4275 Cass St., Pacific Beach. The fourth annual fair features a concert by the Mission Bay High School Jazz Band, health screenings, an art workshop, refreshments, and educational presentations for seniors. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 30. Free. 858-581-9934, pblibraryfriends.org

WOW First Wednesdays: Semisi & FulaBula at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido.

Hailing from the South Pacific islands of Tonga, San Diego-based musician Semisi Ma’u mixes Polynesian rhythms with other musical styles to create what he calls “Bula Music.” At 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. Free-$12. 800-988-4253, artcenter.org Adam del Monte at Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside. A virtuoso guitarist whose work finds the Sephardic soul of flamenco music, Adam del Monte has studied classical and flamenco guitar in Israel, Spain and England. At 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 3. $18. 760-4353720, oma-online.org

OUTDOORS Thursday Family Fun Night at San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Each Thursday throughout the summer, Hamilton Children’s Garden will have live, kid-friendly entertainment. See website for schedule and details. From 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28. $8-$14. 760-436-3036, sdbgarden.org

PERFORMANCE Lola Demure’s Burlesque & Variety Show at House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. The local burlesque troupe performs an all-new show featuring a brand new cast and special guest host Patrick the Bank Robber. At 9 p.m. Saturday,

May 30. $25-$35. 619-299-BLUE, facebook.com/events/1553053541645601/

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD Graduating MFA Readings at UCSD Visual Arts Facility Performance Space, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla.

Nearly a dozen graduating MFA writers will read personal selections. Writers include Maria Flaccavento, Jose Antonio Villaran Gonzalez-Ortega, Brett Zehner and more. From 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27. Free. 858-5342230, literature.ucsd.edu

EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

MUSIC Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon After Party at Whiskey Girl, 600 Fifth Ave., Downtown.

Whiskey Girl will offer specials to participants and friends of participants throughout the 2015 Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon and 1/2 Marathon race weekend. From 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, May 28, Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Free. 619236-1616, whiskeygirl.com/runrocknroll Steven Copes, Alexander Kerr, Jonathan Vinocour, Efe Baltacigil, and Jon Kimura Parker. Mainly Mozart’s 19th Winter-Spring Spotlight Chamber Music Series closes with a program that includes selections from Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann. Takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at The Auditorium at TSRI in La Jolla and 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe. $55-$70. 619-239-0100, mainlymozart.org/spotlight/ HStay Strange: Blind:Deaf III at MOXIE Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Rolando.

Musicians live score experimental video.

Includes performances from Hot Nerds, PRGRM, Scorn Reflection and more. At 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30. $6. 858-5987620, staystrange.com Selections from Porgy and Bess at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. This concert version of the classic operatic folktale will be performed with a full symphony orchestra comprising local musicians and the Center Chorale. At 3 p.m. Sunday, May 31. $30-$55. 800-988-4253, artcenter.org HIrving Flores Latin Jazz at Pacific Beach United Methodist Church, Thomas Ave. & Ingraham St., Pacific Beach. Local trumpet virtuoso Gilbert Castellanos presents a concert tribute to pianist, composer, and arranger Irving Flores in support of ArtsBusXpress and ArtReach. At 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 31. $10-$20. 917-596-9359, bodhitreeconcerts.org A Wandering Feast at Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown.

Part of the Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, Todd Salovey and Yale Strom perform a concert of Klezmer music featuring an all-star cast of musicians. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 31. $15. 619-544-1000, sdrep.org San Diego Youth Symphony at Qualcomm Hall, 5775 Morehouse Drive, Sorrento Valley. The young musicians in SDYS’s orchestras and wind ensem-

#SDCityBeat

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 17

EVENTS HVAMP: Parasites at Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St, South Park. So Say We All’s monthly live storytelling show will feature stories of parasites both microscopic and human-sized. At 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28. $5 suggested donation. 619284-6784, sosayweallonline.com

POLITICS & COMMUNITY Day of Action to Stop Border Brutality. A national day of reflection and protest where participants can organize a public event (vigils, rallies or marches) or simply participate on social media in order to draw attention to border violence. All day. Thursday, May 28. 858-581-9934, revitalizenotmilitarize.org

SPECIAL EVENTS

check out the bands at this annual marathon, 1/2 marathon and 5K. At 11 a.m.

Friday, May 29, 7 a.m. Saturday, May 30, and 6:15 a.m. Sunday, May 31. runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-diego Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival. The annual event features entertainment, wine tastings, arts and crafts, a food court and, of course, hot air ballon rides.

Takes place at the Lake Skinner Recreation Area (37701 Warren Rd. Winchester, CA 92596). From 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 29, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 30, and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31. $20-$400.

619-231-6664, tvbwf.com Julian Gold Rush Days at Julian Town Hall, 2129 Main St., Julian. This annual fest offers a weekend of entertainment including gold panning, historic skits, candle dipping, an arts and crafts market, food and drink, a petting zoo, children’s pioneer games, and much more. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31. Free. juliangoldrushdays.com

HSpellapalooza at Waypoint Public, 3794 30th St., North Park. Known as the “Official Scripps National Spelling Bee Watch Party for Adults,” guests can cheer on kids before competing in a spelling bee themselves. At 5 p.m.

Thursday, May 28. Free. 916-9346364, travelingstories.org/spellapalooza

Turista Libre: Tijuana Waterpark at San Ysidro Port of Entry. Day trip to El Vergel, Baja California’s largest waterpark. Tickets include roundtrip border transportation, park admission, en-route libations and complimentary artillery for the water gun fight on the bus. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 30. $30. turistalibre.com

HCulture & Cocktails: Divine Desire at San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. Enjoy themed snacks, desserts and Campari-infused signature cocktails, as well as DJs, live musical performances and special activities during this artsy, Romanthemed toga party. At 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28. $20-$25. 619-232-7931, sdmart.org

Autism Fundraiser at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, 2816 Historic Decatur Rd #116, Point Loma. An evening benefitting Cynthia Norall’s Autism charity, the Hoaloha Foundation. Ticket options include a dinner and beer package, entertainment, and live and silent auctions. From 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30. $25-$55. 760-207-3802, facebook.com/events/452969164851580/

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon at Balboa Park.

Run to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, cheer on runners or just

Bike Month Bash at Lafayette Hotel, 2223

18 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

El Cajon Blvd., North Park. Go on a 15-mile bike tour around North Park, City Heights and College Area with rest stops at some of San Diego’s renowned businesses. End with a pool party at the Lafayette. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30. $40.

619-630-7518, bikesandiegoculture.org HD6 Night Market at Mira Mesa Community Park, 8575 New Salem St., Mira Mesa. The inaugural event features food and beverage stands, commercial vendors, entertainment, beer and beverage gardens and more. From 4 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, May 30. Free. 858-538-8122, d6nightmarket.com Middle Eastern Day at Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon. There will be Arabic and Kurdish music, singing, a performance

by Fouad Sawa’s Peace Band, food, and special activities for the children. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Free.

619-660-5370, sdcl.org HArts & Amps at Karl Strauss Pacific Beach, 5985 Santa Fe St., Pacific Beach.

A new event featuring live performances from Blackout Party and Low Volts, new brews from Karl’s experimental sour lineup, and Thumbprint Gallery artists displaying custom tap handles and beer coaster artwork. From 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Free. karlstrauss.com Barrio on a Roll at Sushi On A Roll, 1620 National Ave., Downtown. A free, family-friendly community event, featuring sushi, local craft beer and live entertainment, with all proceeds going toward Huntington’s Disease research. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Free.

619-702-1468, facebook.com/curehuntingtonsnow Nature Fest: A Celebration of San Diego’s Urban Birds at World Beat Cultural

Center, 2100 Park Blvd., Balboa Park. Participants will learn about San Diego’s city birds, conduct bird counts for science, and engage in urban greening efforts. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Free.

619-230-1190, events.worldbeatcenter.org

SPORTS Turista Libre: Lucha Libre Ringside in Tijuana at San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Masked men in stretchy pants throwing down body slams and trash talk en espanol. Tickets include transport from the border to Tijuana’s Auditorio Municipal, gelatinous en-route libations and a lucha libre souvenir. At 7 p.m. Friday, May 29. $35-$50. turistalibre.com San Diego Polo Club Opening Day at San Diego Polo Club, 14555 El Camino Real, Rancho Santa Fe. SDPC kicks off its 29th season with divot stomps, fashion shows and a Chukker After Party. Oh, and there’s two polo matches as well. From 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 31. $10$65. 858-481-9217, sandiegopolo.com

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS Design @ Large Lecture Series: Sheldon Brown at UCSD Atkinson Hall, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla. The UCSD Visual Arts Professor and Director of the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination will present a lecture entitled, “Agencies of Art and Audience.” At 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. Free. 858-822-4998, designlab.ucsd.edu The History of the Silk Road at San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. Jim Richter, chair of the Museum’s Asian Arts Council, will discuss how

vital the Silk Road was to the transmission of ideas and religious beliefs across Eurasia. At 1 p.m. Thursday, May 28. $8$12. 619-232-7931, sdmart.org Introduction to Electric Bicycles at SDG&E Innovation Center, 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. This course provides an overview of electric bicycles, including how to operate an e-bike, charging the battery, maintenance tips, repair highlights, and comfort and safety tips. From 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28.

Free. seminars.sdge.com HAre We Alone? at Calit2 Auditorium, Atkinson Hall, UCSD campus, La Jolla. The final Showcase of the “Are We Alone?” themed discussions, performances, and presentations that encourages students to ask fundamental questions about what it means to be human as individuals and as a species. From 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. Free. imagination.ucsd.edu

WORKSHOPS Youth Photo 101 at Outside the Lens Media Lab, 2750 Historic Decatur Rd,, Barracks 15, Studio 103, Point Loma. In this fun one-day workshop, a pro photographer will teach kids the ins-and-outs of a DSLR camera and to venture off of the “Auto” mode. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 30. $39. 805-807-8461, outsidethelens.org So You Want To Write at The Church at Rancho Bernardo, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Ct., Rancho Bernardo. Local author Susan Meissner will share tips and trade secrets at this special writing workshop for anyone who wants to harness the power of the written word. From 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 3. Free. 858-5922434, thechurchrb.org

#SDCityBeat

Culture michael gardiner

He does note that diners from non-tipping cultures see a “service charge on credit card forms and don’t know what it means.”

Thomas and other waiters say having a fixed service charge would help them make more money when serving tables filled with diners from cultures that traditionally don’t tip even as much as 10 percent.

Many diners assume that when they leave a tip the money stays with the waiter.

The reality is different. Nearly all restaurants implement some sort of “tip pool” or “tip-out” system under which varying portions of the tips are pooled and redistributed among front-of-the-house staff. The systems vary, but the net effect is that a difference in 5 percent of the check in tip may only amount to $1.50 to $2 in the waiter’s pocket. Critics of the tip system often point to the notion that a diner’s theoretical power to reward good service or punish bad is illusory. Others point to the fact that in reality, cultural norms mean diners “punish” bad service minimally.

One of the leaders of the anti-tip movement is Jay Porter who, until 2013, ran both The Linkery and El Take it Easy restaurants in North Park. At The Linkery, Porter added an 18 percent “service charge” to each check and forbade wait staff to accept tips.

At the latter, however, he employed a conventional tip system. Porter believes this provided a laboratory environment with which to evaluate the comparative merits of the two approaches.

Restaurants are experimenting with flat “service charges” on checks Writing about the experiment, Porter concluded that at The Linkery, “our food improved, probably because our cooks

by MICHAEL GARDINER were being paid more and didn’t feel taken for granted.” Business, he says, improved Delivering the check at Davanti Enoteca. and servers were making more money than t’s a ritual restaurant din- Saison, Atelier Crenn, Coi, The French agrees, saying it works particularly well before, primarily—if counter-intuitively— ers experience regularly: The bill Laundry and more have added a “service at “places like here, because it’s mostly “because eliminating tips makes it easier to provide good service.” At El Take it Easy, arrives and it’s time to calculate the charge,” “guest-experience fee” or simply expense accounts.”

Porter contends there were struggles on all michael gardiner tip. But how? Should it be 10, 15 or 20 folded the cost of additional compensacounts (but particularly quality of service) percent? And a percentage on what: Before tion into the menu prices. It’s happening and tipping was the difference. or after tax? What about wine? in New York at Per Se, Dirt Candy, Sushi But even Porter does not see elimination Yet restaurant diners could soon expe- Yahada and Chef’s Table. And it’s happenof tipping as a one-size-fits-all solution. rience this conundrum less frequently. ing at Alinea in Chicago, and restaurants When asked whether he intends to impleOver the last several years, restaurants in Philadelphia, Austin, Washington, D.C., ment a no-tip system at Salsipuedes, his across the country have begun to question and more. new restaurant in Oakland, Porter replied: the tip system. Many are experimenting So why do we even have a tip system? We “We’re waiting to see how the three comwith alternative systems that would do circulated that question around San Diego. peting models [tipping, service-charge or away with tips altogether.

Davin Waite, chef-owner of Wrench tip-included] develop in the market before Diners, waiters, cooks and restaurant own- and Rodent Seabasstropub in Oceanside we commit to any one of them.” ers find themselves negotiating a deceptively sees tips as “a primary motivation for most At Bracero in Little Italy, Van Horn is restaurants’ front-of-the-house employees, complex, culturally ingrained landscape. implementing a hybrid system. While a It began as a straightforward attempt to and up to half their income.” portion of each server’s tips will be dediCarnitas Snack Shack’s Hanis Cavin solve a legal problem. While most restaucated to a tip pool, the server will keep the rants’ reputations turn in large part on food agrees: “That is what pushes service to a majority. “That friendly competition is exquality, it was illegal in most of the country higher level in my opinion.” actly what we want,” he says.

Woody Van Horn, general manager of for a restaurant to require tip sharing beWhat about the kitchen staff? Van Horn tween servers and cooks. The result was a Little Italy’s Bracero Cocina de Raiz, sees recalls a saying from his Navy days: “Choose great disparity between the compensation tips as essential to align the interests of the your rate, choose your fate.” He notes that of front-of-the-house (waiters, bartenders, restaurant owner and front-of-the-house in restaurants there are different motivabussers) and back-of-the-house (cook and staff, analogizing the operation to that of tions for deciding between careers in the a car dealership: “What incentive to sell dishwasher) staff. front and back of house.

At the legendary Chez Panisse in Berke- would a car salesman have if he wasn’t givAt present, there’s no consensus on ley, Alice Waters addressed this problem en a percentage?” compensating various staff. But the moderWait staff often see it similarly. Edoardo by adding a “service charge” to customers’ ate confusion diners feel when faced with a checks, enabling her to direct more com- Laquiz-Bianco, a top waiter at Del Mar’s check and tipping is a factor that could be pensation to the chefs without changing Davanti Enoteca, says it’s essential that taken out of their hands. diners retain the power to reward good the menu price of dishes.

Now, in addition to Panisse, prominent service. “It’s what motivates us,” he says.

Did the smiley face on her Corey Thomas at Arterra Restaurant Northern California restaurants Benu, check increase the tip? Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.

Should the tip system be toppled?

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#SDCityBeat

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 19

Culture | Art

Seen Local

“You never know how things will unfold, especially in art nonprofits, but the vision and intention from the beginning has always been to create a community where elevated discussions can be had outside of institutional formats and within a domestic environment,” he says. But Brooks maintains that A Ship in the Woods will continue, and is already lookship out n an otherwise quiet street on the ing for a new house.

“We’re in the process of locating a permanent border of Del Mar and Solana Beach, 1660 Lunew home. We’ll have some transitional period over gano Lane is, once again, a bustle. Things seem the summer but our shows will continue.” relatively quiet on the outside, but inside, Baja-based In the meantime, Brooks and the gang will hold a artists the De la Torre brothers (Einar and Jamex) are frantically unwrapping hundreds of homemade trinkets that are part of a large sculptural installation called “Quemando las Naves,” which deals with European conquistadors.

“We’re going to put this material over the windows so that the place looks like it’s burning,” says Einar, pointing to the windows of the house. “Quemando las naves means burning ships.”

Burning ships. A fitting description considering the show the brothers are participating in, Conquest, Control, Confinement, will be the second to last show at A Ship in the Woods house (shipinthewoods.com). For nearly five years, the house has not only served as a compound for Ships’ main players (cofounders RJ Brooks and Dan Fauchier, A Ship in the Woods (from left): Lianne Mueller, Addison Stonestreet and RJ Brooks. curator Lianne Mueller, and assistant director Addison Stonestreet), but also as a silent auction to raise funds for future shows on Satgallery space that emphasizes creative freedom.

“They told us over a year ago that they were go- urday, June 27 just before the final house show on ing to take it over and we had until the next month,” July 17. Conquest, Control, Confinement, which opens says Mueller, referring to the owners of the property. May 29 from 6 to 11 p.m., will also feature art from “They were generous in that they kept extending it. Turkish artist Beliz Iristay and a performance from buzz-band Prayers.

They finally gave us until the end of July.”

“The [De la Torre] brothers have some ideas of ways It does seem tragic on the surface. A Ship in the Woods has been a consistent force in a North County they can collaborate with the Prayers,” says Mueller.

“Maybe we’ll sacrifice a chicken,” jokes Einar. scene that’s not exactly known for experimental art Everybody laughs. “As long as you clean it up,” shows. Brooks, who has been here since the beginning, says Ship has never strayed from its motto of replies Brooks.

—Seth Combs being “a vessel for cultural capital.”

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ART ADVENTURES

T

Chris Fessenden

he Artist Odyssey (TAO) founder Chris “Chris had been working on this for two years Fessenden is more than aware that, when it before we came on board,” says Barbarella Fokos. comes to video these days, a lot of people ex- “When he approached us with the idea, we were pect to get it for free. So no one is going to pay $5 a very eager to get involved.” month to watch videos of artThe docs on TAO will ists and musicians taking the be customizable so that viewer through their artistic subscribers can stream parprocess, right? Um, right? ticular parts of the video “This is the way televithat are of interest. There sion is going,” says Fessenwill also be an artist residen, when asked why people dency program at the TAO studio in Encinitas, as well should subscribe to TAO, as an arts curriculum to be an “artist documentary netintroduced into classrooms work” that aims to produce with the help of an educa60 short- and long-form films The Artist Odyssey shoots a doc tional advisory board. And a year when it launches in November. “The subscription model has been prov- while the initial docs will have more of a local focus, en. People will pay if it’s premium content, it’s high- Fessenden says the team has a global vision.

“It’s global, but with a specific local impact,” he quality and it’s ad-free.”

In a way, Fessenden, who has a background in video says. “We already have a director in San Francisco production, is banking on an it-takes-a-village sense of and we’re in talks with teams in New York and Auscommunity to get the $25,000 Kickstarter funding for tin. This is very much going to be a global program. the initial 20 TAO docs, but it helps that he’s recruited We’re going to shoot overseas and deliver content a Who’s Who of local arts and music names to either there as well.” serve as consultants or work directly on the video conFokos adds, “But wherever it goes, it begins tent. Husband-and-wife team Barbarella and David here first.”

Fokos previously worked on the Art Pulse TV series

—Seth Combs and will serve as executive producers on TAO.

20 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

#SDCityBeat

Culture | Voices

There she

alex zaragoza

Goz

Molding young minds is exhaustingly fulfilling ’m just trying to teach you something, chimed their honor. I immediately got a massive at“ goddammit!” tack of the feels. They then honored Ms. Willis and she screamed hoarsely through a

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flood of exasperated tears. “Why do you make everything so difficult?”

My seventh grade English teacher Ms. Adams had snapped. That would turn out to be just the first meltdown that school year. Seeing her in the midst of a full-blown ugly cry while 13-yearolds were picking on her relentlessly was brutal. I wasn’t one of them, but in no way did I attempt to defend her. Are you kidding? Teenage girls are the planet’s cruelest creatures! I didn’t want to incur their wrath.

Years later, I’d realize Ms. Adams was long over the job by that point. I never got the impression that teaching was her passion, and maybe that didn’t help her reach her students. It made me realize one thing: I never wanted to be a teacher. It seemed like the scariest job in the world.

Eighteen years later, I was standing in front of a classroom of juniors at Gompers Preparatory Academy doing my best impression of Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds. My good friend, Michelle (not Pfeiffer), teaches English at Gompers. One night over drinks we talked about me leading a lesson on journalism for her students. “That would be super fun!” I said, in the throes of a wine buzz. Once I sobered up panic kicked in. Oh, God. Are they going to Adams me?

Gompers has a history of gang activity and moderate graduation rates.

Situated in an underserved community made up of mostly Latino and black people, it’s a school that desperately needs people who believed in these kids, and support from the district. It eventually got both, and has become a prep academy with a 100-percent graduation rate.

(This is your cue to well up in tears.)

Michelle and I created a lesson plan that would be informative, interactive, and most importantly, interesting enough to hold a bunch of teenagers’ attention. I’m not sure what that means anymore.

Talk about Drake? Is Drake cool? I mean, I like Drake. I’m cool, right? Right?

Michelle assured me that her students were sweet and we’d get along wonderfully, but I was still nervous. High school has a way of leaving you with lifelong PTSD. I brought the students mini notepads and pencils (a journalist starter pack, if you will) as a gift, which in hindsight seemed like handing out toothpaste at Halloween or condoms at a fertility clinic.

“Alright, everyone,” called out Michelle, or Ms. Willis as she’s known in those parts. “It’s time to honor. Who’s going to lead?” A young man named Jose volunteered. The students all tucked in their shirts and Jose said aloud, “Everyone please make eye contact with Ms. Zaragoza and repeat after me, ‘Good afternoon, Ms. Zaragoza.’” The students

their other teacher, Mr. Suh. Michelle told me they do this at the beginning and end of every class to instill the importance of respect.

Despite my nerves and a pool of sweat building up on my back (Gompers is last in line with the district for AC units so the room was about 90 degrees), I spoke to the students about the vital role of the journalist, why it’s not only necessary but also fun to observe the world around you and share what you find; how a journalist can affect change and all that other stuff that keeps us journos trudging on despite the shit pay. More than anything, I wanted them to know that their voices matter. I also told them a story about getting attacked by geese when I was a kid, which got a collective response of “cool story, bruh.”

Writers and teachers aren’t too different. Teachers grind every day to educate and inspire, for little financial reward. We do this work because we believe it matters. We start off wanting to make the world better, and some eventually get tired and stop caring. I can’t speak for everyone, but Michelle and I never want to reach that level of resignation. During my lesson, one kid remarked to Michelle that, “teaching is easy.” She laughed and I let him know that I’ve been there for 45 minutes and am already exhausted.

I asked the students to write two short pieces—an unbiased report on an event or hobby, and an opinion piece on the same topic. Many struggled to come up with something to write about. When asked what they do for fun they’d shrug and say “nothing.”

Teenagers, right? With a little prodding and coaching though, they not only had interesting stories to tell but also shared them openly.

It was awesome.

Then I lost them. By fifth period, they were falling asleep, succumbing to the overbearing heat in the classroom. You can’t blame them. I would have taught the lesson from the inside of a kiddie pool filled with ice-cold, $8 chardonnay, but apparently that’s frowned upon.

At the end of my lesson, a kid named Bryan came up to me holding the little notepad and pencil I’d given out, and said he thinks he’d like to be a journalist. He asked for my email so he could ask me questions, and I gave it to him. A few days later, Michelle would tell me the kids were still carrying the notepads. A week after that I got thank you cards in the mail that were incredibly sweet. One note especially touched my heart. It read: “You’re so cool and stay away from geese! Love, Tony.”

I don’t think teaching is scary anymore.

There She Goz appears every third week.

Write to alexz@sdcitybeat.com.

“

It seemed like the scariest job in the world.

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#SDCityBeat

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 21

22 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

#SDCityBeat

Culture | Film

Maniac cops Corruption rules in this documentary about 1980s NYPD

by Glenn Heath Jr.

The Seven Five

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YPD detective Michael Dowd sin- where the villains just happen to be cops. Except it’s gle-handedly subverts the talking heads doc- real. The filmmakers manage to sustain a consistent umentary form during The Seven Five. Usual- energy and pacing throughout, providing the viewer ly, subjects of a non-fiction film reside quietly in their with a mosaic of history and detailing the personalities chairs when being interviewed; that’s not the case behind many of the most egregious offenses. We hear with the corrupt cop at the center of Tiller Russell’s how Michael and his main partner Kenny Eurell shook gripping procedural that unravels a decade’s worth of down the competition, planned intricate burglaries corruption in Brooklyn’s 75th precinct. Sometimes, and subverted their own superiors in the process.

“I get worked up telling these stories,” says the when a question is lobbed his way Dowd manages to stand up and use his entire body to answer in the way excited Dowd during a particularly amped moment in the film. The guy gets off on remembering the an actor might during a stage production.

By exhibiting a heightened level of performance when and why. During interviews with Dowd’s forthroughout The Seven Five, Dowd confirms his per- mer criminal co-conspirators, they all tell a similar sona as an abrasive, stalwart, old-school vaudevillian story about his adrenaline-fueled desire for danger. who lived his professional life by a code of contradic- He made it a point to coin “good cops” as those who tion. Along with a squad of equally compromised of- would never rat out their brothers despite whatever ficers, he robbed, cheated and manipulated criminals misconduct was taking place. It’s a very arrogant to feed extracurricular gambling habits and various story of the American dream gone south.

Stylistically, The Seven Five functions as an enother vices. Then they would preach a no-tolerance rule toward innocent cops who might otherwise gaging and dynamic portrait of organized crime that rivals anything the greatest break the thin blue line of seminds in Hollywood could crecy. It was the perfect scam. produce. As the centerpiece, In the early goings, Russell the seven five Dowd continuously dominates uses archival footage of Dowd Directed by Tiller Russell the story, putting his stamp on being questioned by The MolStarring Michael Dowd, Ken Eurell, this particular version of hislen Commission in 1993 afand Walter Yurkiw tory that suits him best. Still, ter finally being indicted for Russell comes out ahead, countless serious crimes. The Rated R successfully addressing the defendant initially expresses a sweeping scope of a corrupt resistance to sensationalizing the depravity of his crimes. Within the context of the police unit unchecked by management or political film, Dowd seems content to rambunctiously recall oversight. The 1980s seem to be akin to the 1840s, his exploits post prison sentence, fondly describing Wild West style.

By the end of The Seven Five, which opens Friday, the intimate details of his criminal past. There’s still May 29 at the Ken Cinema, Dowd confesses his regret a lot of gangsta in his heart.

The Seven Five centers on Dowd and his team’s toward disavowing his promise to protect and serve ambitious attempt to sustain an organized crime for a life of lawlessness. But his mea culpa is far less racket for more than a decade under the veil of hero- convincing than the previous tirades wherein he diism, making money on the side by protecting Domin- vulged exuberance for living life on the dark side. Inican gangs with inside information and to steal from stead of letting Dowd off the hook, Russell rightfully competitors. What’s most shocking is the way they takes him to task, taking back the power from a bully effortlessly gain the respect of gangsters by exhibit- who’s sustained control for so long. ing similarly brutal tactics as the people they were supposed to be putting behind bars.

Film reviews run weekly.

In this sense, The Seven Five is a classic crime film Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com.

A boy’s life

I

ndian filmmaker Satyajit Ray began his career by making one of the great triptychs of all time. The Apu Trilogy, which consists of 1955’s Pather Panchali, 1957’s Aparajito and 1959’s The World of Apu, is a moving portrait of human endurance and growth under the pressure of generational and social divide.

Traversing the life of Apu (Subir Banerjee) from his younger years as a mischievous child to a tumultuous adulthood, Ray’s trilogy functions both as an extensive portrait

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of Indian history and a tender summation of universal themes like dignity, endurance and joy. Ravi Shankar’s haunting sitar score provides a consistent musical interlude despite all of the change in Apu’s life.

Pather Panchali remains one of the best debut films in cinema history.

Its rhythmic style is in tune with the protagonist’s inquisitive view of the world, and at odds with the way real world problems constantly thwart

Pather Panchali economic and familial growth.

Ray introduces the important image of the locomotive, which will become the trilogy’s central visual motif.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 23

Aparajito picks up when Apu is entering young adulthood, and now the tragedies of life begin to hit home harder. It’s a stunning film about the tenuous relationship between a teenager and parent, showing how each reacts to the changing nature of the family dynamic and the consequences/ benefits of their mutual evolution as human beings.

The World of Apu follows Apu as he enters adulthood, experiencing the trials and tribulations of getting married, raising children, and coming to grips with failure.

Despite the ups and downs, Ray ends the film with a hopeful reflection about endurance.

Restored prints of The Apu Trilogy will play for one week at the Ken Cinema beginning Friday, May 29. See them and get a glimpse of what compassion looks like.

—Glenn Heath, Jr.

Opening 24 Days: A young Jewish man is kidnapped for ransom in Paris, leaving his parents in a grip of fear as the police try to negotiate with the anti-Semitic perpetrators. Screens through Thursday, June 4, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Aloha: Cameron Crowe tries to resuscitate his career with this long-delayed (not a good sign) drama about a military man based in Hawaii trying to rediscover love.

17th Annual San Diego LGBT Film Festival: Presented by FilmOut San Diego, this three-day film festival showcases the best in LGBT content, provides Q&As with filmmakers, and hosts engaging discussions about relevant social issues. Runs Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31, at The Observatory in North Park.

San Andreas: “What a disaster.” - Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

The Apu Trilogy: Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1957) and The World of Apu (1959) make up this stunning cinematic achievement from one of India’s greatest filmmakers, Satyajit Ray. Screens through Thursday, June 4, at the Ken Cinema.

The Seven Five: In the drug-riddled landscape of New York City in the 1980s, a group of corrupt cops take advantage of the chaos. This documentary tells their story. Screens through Thursday, June 4, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

One Time Only Fading Gigolo: John Turturro stars and directs this romantic comedy about a 50something who decides to make some side money by becoming a gigolo for older women. Screens at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at Mission Valley Public Library.

Sleep Dealer: Alex Rivera’s sci-fi film tells the story of a world hindered by an immigration police destined for failure. Screens at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at The Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at UCSD. Pray the Devil Back to Hell: This documentary covers a group of women that rise up to bring peace to Liberia and help bring to power the country’s first female head of state. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at the Women’s Museum in Liberty Station.

The Heat: Sandra Bullock and Melissa Mc-

24 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

Carthy star in this buddy cop movie with a feminist spin. Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

Can’t Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police: Andy Summers’ journey from his early days in the psychedelic ’60s music scene, when he played with The Animals, to chance encounters with drummer Stewart Copeland and bassist Sting, which led to the formation of the punk trio, The Police. Screens at 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 28, at the Reading Town Squares Cinema in Clairemont.

Suspicion: Joan Fontaine marries Cary Grant (because who wouldn’t!) and then realizes he might be trying to kill her. Alfred Hitchcock was one messed up filmmaker. Screens at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 28 and 29, at Cinema Under the Stars in Mission Hills.

The Sound of Music: The hills are alive with the sound of child singers melodically fighting against those pesky Nazis.

Screens at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, June 1, at Cinema Under the Stars in Mission Hills.

My Week With Marilyn: A young industry professional (Eddie Redmayne) falls in love with the iconic screen star played by Michelle Williams. Screens at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at the Point Loma / Hervey Branch Library.

The Spectacular Now: A teenage alcoholic (Miles Teller) romances a fellow student (Shailene Woodley) and then realizes the difficulties of hatching a relationship. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at the San Diego Public Library in East Village.

Almost Famous: A young rock journalist gets his first taste of the business in this great dramedy from Cameron Crowe.

Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma.

now playing In the Name of My Daughter: André Téchiné’s melodrama is set in the South of France and follows the sordid relationships of a casino owner (Catherine Deneuve) and her daughter.

Poltergeist: In this remake, the youngest daughter of a suburban family is captured by ghosts, leaving her family scrambling for ways to rescue her.

The Hand that Feeds: This documentary follows deli employee Mahoma López and his co-workers as they rally together to fight for fair wages and improved working conditions against their ruthless employer. Screens through Thursday, May 28, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Tomorrowland: George Clooney and Britt Robertson star in Brad Bird’s space adventure about a young girl who finds a ring that opens up an alternate universe.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Jumped Out the Window and Disappeared: An elderly man escapes his nursing home immediately before his 100th birthday hoping to rekindle his sense of adventure.

Opens on Friday, May 15, at the Reading Gaslamp Cinemas.

Felix and Meira: Two lost souls attempt to find a romantic connection despite the obstacles presented by the neighborhood they inhabit.

Mad Max: Fury Road: George Miller’s infamous policeman-turned-road-warrior returns to the big screen in what looks like one long bonkers chase through a dystopic desert. Tom Hardy reprises the role made famous by Mel Gibson.

Saint Laurent: A strange and beguiling biopic about the famous French fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent, portrayed

with unflinching vulnerability by Gaspard Ulliel. Bertrand Bonello directs.

About Elly: While on a picnic in the north of Iran, a kindergarten teacher disappears, leaving her friends distraught with panic. From director Asghar Farhadi (A Separation).

Black Souls: Based on Gioacchini Criaco’s novel of the same name, this gripping mafia tale explores the tension and conflict between three brothers fighting for control of an Italian crime family.

Far From the Madding Crowd: Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts star in Thomas Vinterberg’s adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s sweeping romance about a fiercely independent woman who struggles to choose between three suitors.

Hot Pursuit: An uptight cop played by Reese Witherspoon tries to protect the vivacious widow of a Mexican drug boss while being pursued through Texas by a collective of bad guys..

Noble: A feature film based on the true story of Christina Noble, an Irish children’s rights campaigner who traveled to Vietnam to make a difference.

The D Train: Jack Black and James Marsden are quite a pair in this dark comedy about the head of a high school reunion committee who travels to Los Angeles, hoping to convince the most popular guy from his graduating class to attend the event.

Welcome to Me: A psychotic woman (Kristen Wiig) wins the lottery and decides to stop taking her meds and creates her own talk show. Opens Friday, May 8, at the Reading Gaslamp Cinemas.

Avengers: Age of Ultron: The brood of Marvel superheroes are back to battle the nefarious Ultron, who has plans to take over the world.

Clouds of Sils Maria: A middle-aged actress decides to star in a reboot of the play that made her famous 20 years before. Starring Juliette Binoche, Kristin Stewart and Chloë Grace-Moretz.

Dior and I: Documentary that takes you behind the scenes of the storied world of the Christian Dior fashion house.

Ex Machina: Set in the near future, Alex Garland’s sci-fi film tells the story of an Internet mogul who convinces one of his employees to conduct a Turing test on his newest A.I. creation.

Little Boy: With his father away in WW II, a young boy goes to great lengths to restore stability to his family.

The Age of Adaline: Rendered ageless after a fateful accident, a young woman born at the turn of the 20th century lives a lonely life of immortality until she finally meets a stranger who may be worth dying for.

The Road to Juarez: An ex-con recruits his friends to pull off a daring heist against a powerful Mexican drug cartel.

The Water Diviner: After the battle of Gallipoli, an Australian man travels to Turkey hoping to locate his three missing sons.

Desert Dancer: An ambitious young man risks everything to start a new dance company despite the politically volatile climate of his home country of Iran.

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter: A young Japanese woman travels to America searching for a briefcase full of cash that was hidden in the snow during 1996’s Fargo.

For a complete listing of movies, please see “Film Screenings” at sdcitybeat.com under the “Events” tab.

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Music

tom hines

Spoon goes back to basics Long-running indie rock group finds its soul

by BEN SALMON

E

From left: Alex Fischel, Britt Daniel, Eric Harvey, Jim Eno and Rob Pope.

ven the best bands need to take a step back The battle against Transference had long-ranging efsometimes. When Spoon released their seventh fects on Spoon. At the end of the album’s touring cycle, the album, Transference, in 2010, the sound of the reAustin-based band, which had been releasing albums and touring consistently since the mid-1990s, was “burnt out,” cord—wiry, caustic, self-produced and stripped according to Daniel, and agreed to take a significant break. down to expose its jagged edges—stood, immediately, in During that time off, Daniel formed a new band called Distark contrast to the slightly slicker and more soulful feel vine Fits with his friend Dan Boeckner (of Wolf Parade of the band’s previous two albums, 2005’s Gimme Fiction and Handsome Furs) and went to work reacquaintand 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Those two earlier records were easier to love, ing himself with the simple joys of being in a as evident by the breakthrough success of singles rock ‘n’ roll band. like “Sister Jack,” “I Turn My Camera On” and When it was time to return to Spoon— “The Underdog.” Transference, on the other and returning to Spoon was never in doubt, Daniel says—he brought with him hand, is more of a challenge. It’s like trying to June 2 hug the Tin Man in a lightning storm. some old lessons he’d uncovered in DiThe Observatory As it turns out, that album was a chalvine Fits’ new light.

North Park “The biggest thing I got was, ‘Shit, it’s lenge for its makers, too. fun putting together a band and playing with “We couldn’t reproduce [Transference] in spoontheband.com a way that we liked,” Spoon founder and frontpeople that you love and this is the way it should man Britt Daniel says in a telephone interview. feel.’” Daniel says. “I knew I was going to come “You do tend to be more excited about new material… back to Spoon…but when I did, I thought, ‘Hey, y’know, because it’s a new experience. The songs are fresh. And guys, look: I’ve seen this. Everybody can get on stage and it that one, it was a different kind of record. It was more of can be fun. Why should we do it any other way?’”

The “lonely” (Daniel’s word) process of self-producing a headphones record and more of a slightly, indulgently Transference also led to the decision to work with two bigdifficult record.”

SPOON

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name producers for its follow-up, They Want My Soul, which Spoon released last year through Loma Vista Recordings after putting out five albums on venerable indie label Merge Records. Joe Chiccarelli, known for his work with the White Stripes, My Morning Jacket and The Shins, among others, produced half the album, and longtime Flaming Lips associate Dave Fridmann produced the other half and mixed the whole thing.

The two men brought not only ears and knob-twiddling know-how to the creation of They Want My Soul, they also brought their own ideas to the process, which pushed Spoon in new directions and gave the album a more fully developed feel, Daniel says.

“I like it when a couple different aesthetics come together. I feel like if you can make something work for both of those aesthetics, then usually it’s going to be better than just one,” he says. “That kind of collaboration, I think, is good for art in general.”

Daniel calls the songs on They Want My Soul “a bit more universal” and it’s easy to hear what he’s talking about. The lead track, “Rent I Pay,” is a classic Spoon rumbler, powered by hyper-rhythmic guitar riffs and pockmarked with noisy doodads. “Inside Out” is a lush, well-lit pop strut built atop a rubbery bass line and a hiphop beat. “Rainy Taxi” and “Do You” bring back some of the swagger and sinewy soul that permeated Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Later in the album, the title track finds Daniel setting one of his most engaging melodies against a sea of razor-sharp guitar jabs. And the band explores a grimy disco vibe on the pulsating “Outlier,” a song that Daniel’s bandmates wrote while he was wrapping up Divine Fits obligations—a method that had never produced a song before, and one that Daniel hopes to revisit.

“I think they were actually somewhat skeptical when I asked them to work on songs without me, because I think I’ve made that request before,” he says. “But I really love that track and I know it’s something I would not have been able to come up with on my own. It’s another example of the combining of aesthetics.”

As a whole, They Want My Soul features all of the band’s peculiarities and bizarro pop savvy stretched tightly across 10 songs and 37 minutes. In other words, it’s unmistakably a Spoon record­—one with an extroverted personality spurred, at least in part, by its prickly predecessor.

“I wanted to do (an album) that would be fun to go out and play and tour on for a year,” Daniel says. “There’s a lot I like about good old-fashioned radio songs and I wanted to make some songs like that. I wanted them to be the kind of songs that invite people in.”

To hear a track, go to sdcitybeat.com and search for “Spoon”

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 25

Music

notes from the smoking patio Locals Only

L

ast year, Sledding With Tigers announced that it would release an album about Space Jam if a tweet linking to a petition to save the Che Cafe reached 1,000 retweets. And now, 12 months after that fateful tweet reached its goal, Sledding With Tigers singer/songwriter Dan Faughnder says that his concept album about the 1996 Looney Tunes basketball movie is finally happening.

In an interview at North Park’s Coffee and Tea Collective, Faughnder says he never actually expected to get the response that he did—and that his tweet reached its seemingly unreachable goal “literally overnight.”

“It was not supposed to get 1,000 retweets,” Faughnder says. “I figured if I said 1,000, I’d get 10.”

Faughnder made good on his promise of making the effort to work on the Space Jam album, but it took him a while to actually finish it. He wrote the first song a week after posting the tweet, and then spent six months without even thinking about it.

“I didn’t have any ideas,” he says. “And then every time I posted anything on social media, there would be this parenthetical statement—‘still hasn’t done Space Jam album.’”

Faughnder ended up writing seven more songs

Sledding With Tigers in one night, put together some quick demos, and called it finished at eight songs. The songs range in length from 15 seconds to 5 minutes, and each one has a unique, specific focus.

“Every song is sung from a different character’s perspective,” Faughnder says. “All of the stuff is what the characters are saying in their heads. It’s my interpretation of their internal monologue.”

Tracking for the album was finished on Monday, May 25. Faughnder anticipates that the album will be available for release in July, and it’ll be out on cassette and digital formats.

—Jeff Terich

Album review Buddy Banter I Am Nothing EP (Self-released)

G

arage rock trio Buddy Banter’s debut album Paradise Thrillz arrived two years ago, loaded with energy and promise. In my review, I noted the group’s “tendency to rip through catchy alt-rock tunes with... velocity and recklessness,” and that was largely its appeal.

They still had some distance to go before their songwriting matched up with their energy, but the trio at least made some major strides from being a scrappy live band into something much more than that.

I Am Nothing, their follow-up EP to that raw, rowdy debut, is where the band makes that muchneeded step up to something more sophisticated. It almost sounds like an entirely different band. With I Am Nothing, Buddy Banter makes the surprising, though inevitable transition toward shoegaze and dream pop. The band always had traces of effectsladen psychedelia in their punk-leaning pop, but rarely gave in fully to those impulses. Here, they have, and it’s a good look for them.

Leadoff track “Cheers” whooshes in with the rush of classic Ride or Swervedriver, tinted with

26 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

the sunny glow of late-’80s jangle pop and the melancholy sparkle of classic 4AD Records bands.

The combination of influences, poured into this one song, comes across not so much as derivative, but as a tasteful and successful reinterpretation of existing sounds. And that it’s actually quite catchy only helps its case.

The group slows down a bit on the murky, heavier “Hello, Goodbye,” but they maintain a similar aesthetic, layering on heavy doses of guitar effects and fuzz, as well as what sounds like a cello, which turns up the elegance a bit. The closest thing to the Buddy Banter of old is probably “Let Me Go,” which is one of the simplest and most angst-filled tracks of the EP, loaded with lines like “I don’t want to go out anymore.” And yet, it’s not that close to their last album at all, which only shows how far the band has traveled since that first outing.

Buddy Banter started off with promise and potential, but after two years and a pretty major transition, it seems they’ve ultimately come to live up to it on I Am Nothing.

Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com.

—Jeff Terich

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May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 27

Music

Jeff Terich

If I were u A music insider’s weekly agenda Wednesday, may 27

Palms have an ’80s aesthetic in the best way—think less Olivia Newton-John, more Nick Cave. They’re a mix of reverb-heavy garage rock, post-punk and goth, with some great melodies to back it all up. PLAN B: Stalins of Sound, Crunk Witch @ Bar Pink. You know it’s a great week when there’s not one, but two free shows in a row in this column. The Stalins of Sound are one of this town’s noisiest, albeit most fun, punk bands, and they’re headlining a show that also features Maine’s Crunk Witch. No cover, no bullshit.

PLAN A: Dead Heavens, Lowlands, Other Bodies @ Soda Bar. I’m a huge Quicksand fan, so I’ll vouch for any of Walter Schreifels’ new projects without hesitation. His new band is called Dead Heavens, features members of Youth of Today and White Zombie, and has more of a classic rock sound. Oh, and this show is free. Evening planned. PLAN B: Ciara @ House of Blues. Maybe you’d rather opt for R&B instead of something more rocking, and that’s not a bad choice (though this show isn’t free). Ciara’s made a name for herself through sultry singles like “Body Party,” and whether she’s bringing beats or slow jams, there’s gonna be a party happening here. BACKUP PLAN: Little White Friday, may 29 PLAN A: Will Butler, Jo Teeth, DJ Rob Crow @ Whistle Stop.

Firestone @ The Casbah.

Will Butler’s full-time gig is with MontreThursday, may 28 al indie rock heroes Arcade Fire, but he’s PLAN A: Burning Palms, Amerikan Bear, launched a new solo career with his first Subtropics @ Soda Bar. Tucson’s Burning album, Policy. His songs aren’t quite as ear-

28 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

nest and heroic as that band’s, but they’re still damn good. PLAN B: HoneyHoney, John Isaac Watters @ Soda Bar. I found out about this band from CityBeat reporter Joshua Emerson Smith, who recommended them after catching their set live at The Observatory. Indeed, this country-folk duo has some great chops, and if you like it simple and raw, they’ll give it to you good.

BACKUP PLAN: Bit Maps, Oh Spirit @ Seven Grand.

Sunday, may 31 PLAN A: Gloomsday, Miserable Friends, Winterbloom @ Tower Bar. Of all of the two-person bands out there in the world, for me, Gloomsday ranks near the top. They make the most of their simple set up by playing the hell out of their instruments. And it doesn’t hurt that they can write a great song.

Monday, june 1

PLAN A: Hookers, Black Wizard @ Soda Bar. Monday’s a good time to go to a cathartic PLAN A: Diarrhea Planet, Left & Right, rock ‘n’ roll show with lots of reckless, ampliMuscle Beech @ The Casbah. About fier-blowing energy. Louisville’s Hookers are once a year, I tell people they need to go somewhere between AC/DC and Motorhead, to Diarrhea Planet, and the look of dis- and they’ll kick your case of the Mondays in gust and confusion never gets old. But re- the ass. ally, Diarrhea Planet plays anthemic punk rock with four guitars(!).

If you need to rock, you Tuesday, june 2 need to be here. PLAN PLAN A: Spoon, Sweet Spirit @ ObservaB: The Crawdaddys, Los tory North Park. This is Spoon’s second night Sweepers @ Til-Two in town, since the first one sold out (and this Club. The Crawdaddys one probably will too). Before you go, read Ben formed way back in the Salmon’s feature (page 25) in this week’s issue. late ’70s, but the groove- PLAN B: Superheaven, Diamond Youth, heavy garage rockers are Rozwell Kid, Outlook @ House of Blues. still making a wonderful Philadelphia’s Superheaven balance the earWill Butler racket. Their jams are nest immediacy of emo with the beefy, crunchy made for dancing, so don’t bother if you’re guitar sound of ’90s alternative bands like Failnot planning on shaking it. (Well, you ure and Smashing Pumpkins. The end result should still go, just put a pin in the whole is both catchy and powerful, and you owe it to yourself to hear how hard they rock. dancing thing.)

Saturday, may 30

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Music

Concerts HOT! NEW! FRESH!

Cattle Decapitation (Brick by Brick, 7/11), Coliseum (Soda Bar, 8/2), !!! (Casbah, 8/10), Screaming Females (Soda Bar, 8/17), Arch Enemy (HOB, 8/21), Snow tha Product (Observatory, 8/22), Ducktails (Casbah, 9/6), Krisiun, Origin (Brick by Brick, 9/15), Paul Weller (Observatory, 10/6), Madonna (Valley View Casino Center, 10/29), Against the Current (HOB, 11/7).

GET YER TICKETS The Rentals (Irenic, 6/4), Unwritten Law (HOB, 6/6), ‘X-Fest’ w/ Pennywise, Cold War Kids, Public Enemy (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 6/7), Joey Bada$$ (Observatory, 6/11), King Sunny Ade (BUT, 6/12), Lupe Fiasco (Observatory, 6/15), Jonathan Richman (BUT, 6/16), Jungle (Observatory, 6/22), Slayer, King Diamond (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 6/26), Best Coast (Observatory North Park, 6/26), Mac Sabbath (Brick by Brick, 7/3), Jurassic Five (Humphreys, 7/8), Brian Posehn (HOB, 7/8), The Aquabats (HOB, 7/9), Built to Spill (BUT, 7/17), Charli XCX, Bleachers (Observatory North Park, 7/21), Soul Asylum, Meat Puppets (HOB, 7/23), The Adolescents (BUT, 7/23), Melt Banana, Torche (Casbah, 7/28-29), Spank Rock (Soda Bar, 7/31), Stephen Stills (BUT, 8/1-2), Bill Maher (Humphreys, 8/2), Milky Chance (Soma, 8/3), Hurray For the Riff Raff

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(BUT, 8/5), Echo and the Bunnymen (Humphreys, 8/6), The Alabama Shakes (Open Air Theatre, 8/12), Buddy Guy (BUT, 8/12), Nicki Minaj (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 8/13), Toadies, Fuel (HOB, 8/14), The B-52s (Humphreys, 8/15), Raekwon and Ghostface Killah (HOB, 8/16), Jill Scott (Humphreys, 8/25), Lee “Scratch” Perry (BUT, 9/1), The Psychedelic Furs, The Church (Observatory, 9/9), Ariana Grande (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 9/9), ZZ Top (Humphreys, 9/13), The Who (Valley View Casino Center, 9/14), Future Islands (Observatory, 9/2223), Foo Fighters (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 9/24), Death Cab for Cutie (Open Air Theatre, 9/25), Florida Georgia Line (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 10/3), alt-j (Open Air Theatre, 10/13), Luke Bryan (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 10/16), ZZ Ward (HOB, 10/18), My Morning Jacket (Open Air Theatre, 10/19), Mudhoney (Casbah, 10/24), ), Gerard Way (HOB, 10/24), Tobias Jesso Jr. (BUT, 10/28), John Waters (Observatory, 11/30).

May Wednesday, May 27 Mae at The Irenic. Ciara at House of Blues. Xavier Rudd at Belly Up Tavern.

Dead Heavens at Soda Bar.

Thursday, May 28 Xavier Rudd at Belly Up Tavern. Saxon at Brick by Brick. Neutral Milk Hotel at Observatory North Park (sold out). Transfer at The Casbah.

Friday, May 29 Chris Robinson Brotherhood at Observatory North Park. Pinata Protest at The Hideout. Bubba Sparxxx at Brick by Brick.

rudemusic / flickr

Saturday, May 30 Strung Out at House of Blues. PigPen Theatre Company at Soda Bar. Everlast at Belly Up Tavern.

June Monday, June 1 Spoon at Observatory North Park (sold out).

Tuesday, June 2 Todd Rundgren at Belly Up Tavern (sold out).

Superheaven at House of Blues. Spoon at Observatory North Park. Sufjan Stevens at Copley Symphony Hall (sold out).

Wednesday, June 3 Walk Off the Earth at Observatory North Park. Ghoul at Soda Bar. Kids in the Hall at Balboa Theatre. Awolnation at House of Blues. Ron Sexsmith at The Casbah.

Stranger at Belly Up Tavern.

Thursday, June 4 Miami Horror at Soda Bar. Crowbar at Til-Two Club. Eddie Izzard at Civic Theatre. The Rentals at The Irenic. ‘June Gloom’ w/ Innerds, Tron, Zsa Zsa Gabor at The Hideout.

Friday, June 5 Mrs. Magician, Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects at Soda Bar. July Talk at The Hideout. Dustin Kensrue at The Irenic.

Friday, June 6 Brad Paisley at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Unwritten Law at House of Blues.

Common Sense at Belly Up Tavern.

Flavor Flav of Public Enemy Sunday, June 7 ‘X-Fest’ w/ Pennywise, Cold War Kids, Public Enemy at Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

and Etana at Observatory North Park.

King Sunny Ade at Belly Up Tavern. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at The Casbah.

Goatwhore, Ringworm, Black Breath at Soda Bar.

Saturday, June 13

Monday, June 8 Zella Day at The Casbah.

Wednesday, June 10 The Weepies at Belly Up Tavern.

Thursday, June 11

1349 at Brick by Brick. Jedi Mind Tricks at Observatory North Park. Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Belly Up Tavern. Zero Boys at Til-Two Club. Ceremony at Legend Records.

Sunday, June 14

Joey Bada$$ at Observatory North Park.

The Warlocks at The Hideout.

Robin Trower at House of Blues. UK Subs at Soda Bar.

Friday, June 12 Steel Panther at House of Blues. Anuhea

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 29

Music Monday, June 15 Motopony at The Casbah. Lupe Fiasco at Observatory North Park.

Tuesday, June 16 Jonathan Richman at Belly Up Tavern.

Brit Floyd at Civic Theatre.

Wednesday, June 17 The Original Wailers at House of Blues.

James McMurtry at Belly Up Tavern.

Thursday, June 18 Dead Feather Moon at Belly Up Tavern.

Jen Kirkman at The Casbah. The Slackers at Observatory North Park. Death Valley Girls at The Hideout.

Friday, June 19 J Boog at Observatory North Park.

Saturday, June 20 Surfer Blood at The Casbah.

Monday, June 22 Gang Green at Soda Bar. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at Belly Up Tavern.

Jungle at Observatory North Park.

Tuesday, June 23 Ed Sheeran at Valley View Casino Center.

Wednesday, June 24 Joseph Arthur at The Casbah. Leo Kottke at Belly Up Tavern.

Friday, June 26 Best Coast at Observatory North Park. Wild Wild Wets at Soda Bar.

30 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

Slayer, King Diamond at Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

Saturday, June 27 Bootsy’s Rubber Band at Belly Up Tavern. Nickelback at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. John Doe at The Casbah.

Sunday, June 28 Mono at The Casbah.

Monday, June 29 Big Business at The Casbah.

July Wednesday, July 1 Jacco Gardner at The Casbah. Don Most at Belly Up Tavern.

Thursday, July 2 John Mayall at Belly Up Tavern. Sannhet at Soda Bar.

Friday, July 3 Mac Sabbath at Brick by Brick. The Appleseed Cast at Soda Bar.

Tuesday, July 7 Bleak at Soda Bar.

Wednesday, July 8 Veruca Salt at Soda Bar. Jurassic Five at Humphreys by the Bay. Brian Posehn at House of Blues.

Thursday, July 9 One Direction at Qualcomm Stadium.

The Aquabats at House of Blues.

Friday, July 10 Lady Antebellum at Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

Saturday, July 11 Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman at House of Blues. Cattle Decapitation at Brick by Brick. Porcelain Raft at Soda Bar. Cherry Glazerr at The Irenic. Needtobreathe at Humphreys by the Bay.

Sunday, July 12 Anjelah Johnson at House of Blues. Go Betty Go at Soda Bar. Keb’Mo’ at Belly Up Tavern.

Monday, July 13 Keb’Mo’ at Belly Up Tavern. Memory Tapes at Soda Bar.

Tuesday, July 14 Kevin Fowler at Belly Up Tavern. Barrington Levy at Observatory North Park.

Thursday, July 16 Sublime with Rome at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Dick Diver at Soda Bar.

Friday, July 17 The Helio Sequence at The Casbah.

Chappo at Soda Bar. George Lopez at Harrah’s Resort. J. Cole at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Built to Spill at Belly Up Tavern.

Saturday, July 18 Third Eye Blind, Dashboard Confessional at Harrah’s Resort.

Tuesday, July 21 Imagine Dragons at Viejas Arena.

Charli XCX, Bleachers at Observatory North Park.

Wednesday, July 22 Between the Buried and Me at Observatory North Park.

Thursday, July 23 The Adolescents at Belly Up Tavern.

Soul Asylum, Meat Puppets at House of Blues.

Friday, July 24 Katchafire at Belly Up Tavern. Eukaryst at Soda Bar.

Saturday, July 25 The Lonely Biscuits at Soda Bar. Iration at Open Air Theatre. Pokey Lafarge at The Casbah.

Sunday, July 26 The Ataris at House of Blues. Bruce Cockburn at Belly Up Tavern. Jim Gaffigan at Humphreys by the Bay.

Monday, July 27 Ky-Mani Marley at Belly Up Tavern.

Tuesday, July 28 Melt Banana, Torche at The Casbah.

Thursday, July 29 Melt Banana, Torche at The Casbah.

Andrea Gibson at Belly Up Tavern. Say Anything at House of Blues.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

#SDCityBeat

Music

rCLUBSr

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

Thu: Live band karaoke. Fri: The Calphonics. Sat: ‘Pacific Beach Jamfest’.

Sun: Karaoke.

98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd. Ste. 110, Little Italy. 98bottlessd.com. Sat: SoCal7.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave, Downtown. americancomedyco. com. Wed: Open mic. Thu: Janeane Garofalo. Fri: Janeane Garofalo. Sat: Janeane Garofalo. Sun: Greg Proops.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St, Downtown. facebook.com/BangBangSanDiego. Fri: AFFKT, Freddy Be. Sat: Prince Fox. Bar Pink, 3829 30th St, North Park. www. barpink.com. Wed: ‘Funked Out’ w/ DJ L. Thu: Stalins of Sound, Crunk Witch. Fri: DJ Grandmasta Rats. Sat: Madly. Sun: ‘Rat Sabbath’.

Bassmnt, 919 Fourth Ave, Downtown. bassmntsd.com. Fri: Mimosa. Sat: Arty.

Beaumont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla. brocktonvilla.com/beaumonts.html. Thu: Adam Block Duo. Fri: Scratch. Sat: Rare Form. Sun: Sando.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. www.bellyup.com. Thu: Xavier Rudd and the United Nations (sold out). Fri: Donavon Frankenreiter, Second Cousins Duo (sold out). Sat: Everlast, Big B. Sun: Rising Appalachia, Shae Freedom. Tue: Todd Rundgren (sold out).

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave, Carlsbad. boarcrossn.net. Thu: Burning Wave. Fri: ‘Club Musae’. Sat: The OSS. Brass Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave, Hillcrest. thebrassrailsd.com. Fri: ‘Hip Hop Fridayz’.

Sat: ‘Sabado en Fuego’ w/ DJs XP, KA. Sun: ‘Soiree’. Mon: ‘Manic Monday’ w/ DJs Junior the Disco Punk, XP. Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave, Bay Park. brickbybrick.com. Wed: Cult Vegas, The Tortured, The Roman Watchdogs.

Thu: Cage, Symbolic, Sentinel. Fri: Bubba Sparxxx, DJ STRIZZO, Nat-Z, Sloat Dixon, DJ Artistic, Lucky Lucifer, Ross May. Sat: Julie’s Rubbish, Open Arms, Aerosmyth.

Mon: Devils of Loudun, Ashen Earth, Lurid Memory, Hideous Rebirth. Tue: RDG, Joseph Caroll Band, Martin Coughlin Band, Rick Elliot.

Cafe Sevilla, 353 Fifth Ave, Downtown. cafesevilla.com. Fri: Joef and Co. Sun: Aire.

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

Wed: Jerome Salazar. Thu: Peter Sprague Quartet. Fri: Matt Savage, Rob Thorsen and Richard Sellers. Sat: Gilbert Castellanos and the Park West Ensemble. Sun: Patrick Berrogain Trio. Tue: Ruby Duo. Dirk’s Nightclub, 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove. dirksniteclub.com. Fri: FX5. Sat: DJ Kool T. Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay. dizzyssandiego.com. Fri: Rebecca Jade. Sat: Allison Adams Tucker.

Epicentre, 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd, Mira Mesa. epicentreconcerts.org. Fri: The Strive, The Roman Watchdogs, Words, American Rust, The Dead Blue.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown, Downtown. f6ixsd.com. Fri: DJ Decon. Sat: Mo Beatz.

Sun: Craig Smoove.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave, Downtown. fluxxsd.com. Thu: Yogi. Fri: DeeJay Al. Sat: DJ Karma.

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

Thu: Piracy Conspiracy, DJ Reefah. Fri: River Uphill. Sat: Revival, DJ Chelu.

Henry’s Pub, 618 Fifth Ave, Downtown.

#SDCityBeat

www.henryspub.com. Wed: AOK Musik.

Thu: DJ Junior the Disco Punk, Johnny Tarr. Fri: ‘Good Times’. Sat: DJs E, Yodah.

Mon: DJ Antonio Aguilera, Keokoa. Tue: Big City Dawgs.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave, Downtown. houseofblues.com/sandiego. Wed: Ciara. Thu: Northern Faces. Fri: Tori Kelly.

Sat: Lola Demure’s Burlesque & Variety Show. Sat: Strung Out, La Armada, Red City Radio, Pears. Sun: Chunk! No Captain Chunk!. Tue: Superheaven, Diamond Youth, Rozwell Kid, Outlook.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. kavalounge.com. Wed: ‘Massive’.

Thu: ‘SUBDVSN’. Fri: ‘Wiggle’. Sat: ‘Seria Star’. Sun: DJ Swamp.

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave, Kensington. 619-284-2848. Fri: The Burdens, Sycamore, Wang Dang Daddies.

Sat: Behind the Wagon, Santa Ana Knights, Diamond Lakes.

Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave, Normal Heights. lestats.com. Thu: Choro Sotaque and Choro Bastardo.

Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave, Coronado. mcpspub.com. Wed: Jackson and Jesus. Thu: 4-Way Street. Fri: In Midlife Crisis. Sat: 4-Way Street. Sun: Ron’s Garage.

Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd, Hillcrest. numberssd.com/. Thu: ‘Wet’. Fri: ‘Uncut’. Tue: Karaoke Latino.

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

Patricks Gaslamp, 428 F St, Downtown. www.patricksii.com. Wed: The Rayford Brothers. Thu: Myron and the Kyniptionz.

Sat: Mystique Element of Soul. Sun: Johnny Vernazza.

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

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

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

Wed: Westside Inflection. Thu: Israel Maldonado. Fri: Exquisite Corps. Sat: Rio Peligroso. Tue: Karaoke.

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave, North Park. sevengrandbars.com/sd. Wed: Gilbert Castellanos jazz jam. Thu: Small Disaster. Fri: Bit Maps, Oh Spirit. Sat: Jimmy Ruelas. Mon: ‘Makossa Monday’ w/ DJ Tah Rei. Side Bar, 536 Market St, Downtown. www.sidebarsd.com. Wed: Epic Twelve.

Thu: ‘Divino Thursday’ w/ Vince Delano.

Fri: ‘S-Bar’ w/ Chris Cutz. Sat: DJ Dynamiq. Sun: ‘Five/Ten’ w/ Schoeny.

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. sodabarmusic.com. Wed: Dead Heavens, Lowlands, Other Bodies. Thu: Burning Palms, Amerikan Bear, Subtropics. Fri: Honeyhoney, John Isaac Waters.

Sat: Pigpen Theater Co., Pearl and the Beard, Goodnight Texas. Sun: Teenage Bottlerocket, The Copyrights, Sic Waiting, Western Settings. Mon: Hookers, Black Wizard. Tue: The New Assembly, The Aura and Ovation, Sun Chased.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd, Midway. somasandiego.com. Sat: Earth Mover, Always The Understudy, NSA, Victimized, Midnight Track, Strangely Strange.

Somewhere Loud, 3489 Noell St, Midtown. somewhereloud.com. Fri: ‘Rave is Not a Crime’.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St, Midtown. www. spinnightclub.com. Fri: ‘Mandapa: Origin’. Sat: Shaded, Chad Andrew, Halo.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave, Normal Heights. sycamoreden.com. Thu: Lightworks, Astral Touch, DJ Gajits. Sun: Fantino, Miles Wide.

The Balboa, 1863 Fifth Ave, Bankers Hill.

619-955-8525. Fri: Kooties, Splavender.

Sat: The Wild Fires, Natalie Emmons Band.

The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Rd, Spring Valley. 619-469-2337. Wed: SKSS, PCP, B and B. Thu: ‘Darkwave Garden’. Fri: Starcrossed, The Touchies, Killer Party. Sat: Uncle Leo, The Areas, El Cucuy and the Cochinos. Sun: Hexa, Steve Flato. Tue: Oblio.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. casbahmusic.com. Wed: Mystic Braves, Muscle Beech, The Creation Factory. Thu: Transfer, Wild Wild Wets, Madly, The New Kinetics. Fri: Will Butler, Jo Firestone. Sat: Diarrhea Planet, Left and Right, Muscle Beech. Sun: The Knocks, Phoebe Ryan.

Mon: Mother Mother, The Verigolds. Tue: Courtney Barnett, Chastity Belt, Darren Hanlan (sold out).

The Hideout, 3519 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. thehideoutsd.com. Sat: Lady Dottie and The Diamonds.

The Loft @ UCSD, Price Center East, La Jolla. theloft.ucsd.edu. Fri: Blackbird Blackbird. Sat: Freedom Fry, The Brevet, Vida Blue.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave, Hillcrest. theMerrow.com. Wed: Haw Band, Hindsight, Melanie Taylor. Thu: ‘Glyphics’.

Fri: Skadonna, Darlington. Sat: Raise the Guns, Dark Measure, Imbalanced, Cowgirls from Hell. Tue: Sundrop Electric, Echo Park Social Club, Sandy Cheeks.

The Office, 3936 30th St, North Park. officebarinc.com. Wed: ‘Friends Chill’.

Thu: ‘No Limits’ w/ DJ Myson King. Sun: ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ w/ Tribe of Kings.

Mon: Velvet Club, Pleasure Fix, DJs Jeremiah BZ, Mike Delgado.

The Tin Roof, 401 G Street, Gaslamp. tinroofbars.com/Home/SanDiego. Wed: Pat Hilton and The Mann. Thu: Kemeline Band. Fri: DJ Kam, The Jonathan Lee Band. Sat: The Cassie B Project, Tyler Parks. Sun: ‘Jazz Brunch’ w/ Normandie Wilson. Mon: Warped Tour battle of the bands. Tue: Trini West.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. tiltwoclub.com. Sat: The Crawdaddys, Los Sweepers.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St, Bay Park. www. tioleos.com. Thu: Missy Andersen Band.

Fri: D’Mac. Sat: Full Strength Funk Band.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave, City Heights. thetowerbar.com. Wed: ‘The Ratt’s Revenge’ w/ DJs Mikey Ratt, Tiki Thomas. Fri: Dinosaur Ghost, Zex, Crime Desire, Diatribe. Sat: The Beat Rockets, Chango Rey, The Cardielles. Sun: Gloomsday, Miserable Friends, Winterbloom. Mon: Redbush.

Ux31, 3112 University Ave, North Park. u31bar.com. Wed: DJ Mo Lyon. Thu: ‘Throwback Thursday’. Fri: Lee Churchill.

Sat: DJ R-You. Sun: Piracy Conspiracy, Johnny Love.

Whiskey Girl, 600 Fifth Ave, Downtown. www.whiskeygirl.com. Thu: Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon After Party. Fri: Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon After Party. Sat: Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon After Party. Sun: Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon After Party.

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St, South Park. whistlestopbar.com. Wed: Little White Teeth, DJ Rob Crow. Thu: VAMP: Parasites. Fri: Midnight Rivals. Sat: ‘Booty Bassment’ w/ DJs Dimitri, Rob. Winstons, 1921 Bacon St, Ocean Beach. www.winstonsob.com. Wed: Something Like Seduction, I-Ways, DJ Carlos Culture. Thu: Jefferson Jay Band, Key of Bri, Guiro Grass. Fri: Psydecar, Sister Speak.

Sat: ‘Ocean Boogie’. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: Aceyalone, 2 Mex, King.

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 31

Last Words

Brendan Emmett Quigley

Across

Chants encounters

1. “Fake” things underclassmen have 4. Oliver, e.g.

10. Puncher’s target 13. Grp. interested in keeping the piece 14. Took a lot of classes that Dad wasn’t too keen on paying for, but you wanted to take, say 15. In the style of 16. Fishy line of makeup?

18. ___ favor 19. “Return of the Jedi” setting 20. [Turn the page, lazy]: Abbr.

21. Laff-a-minute 22. “Big” star’s philanthropy?

25. The Loop loopers 26. After all the $@$^!!$ taxes were taken out 27. Play records 30. Bird feed that helps you go?

37. “Me, me, me!”

38. Tax collectors 39. “Turn that A/C down” 40. Any old dude named after McCartney?

45. Website with the rhyming Valet service 46. Director DuVernay 47. Sick as a dog 49. Caesar losing his mind?

57. Ironic t-shirt slogan, e.g.

58. Ritz alternative 59. Ground breaker?

60. #50 on a table 61. Vegan, to an omnivore?

63. Articles written about you, e.g.

64. Takes care of the gums 65. Golfer Se Ri Last week’s answers

32 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

66. Afterthoughts (seriously, just rewrite the note) 67. Borrowed, for a while 68. Chicken general

Down 1. Estuary area 2. Clog cleaner 3. It can keep you tied up for a while 4. Self-help guru Ferriss 5. Kind of sweater 6. Some stewbums 7. Long-armed primate 8. Poem form that ends with an envoi 9. 61-Down scores 10. Its anthem is “Kimigayo” 11. “Moving ___...”

12. Guarded 14. End of a story with animals 17. Bravo personality Andy 21. Teens often pop them 23. Kiting letters 24. Bother 27. Superior’s title 28. Playing tonsil hockey on the street, briefly 29. Free electron, e.g.

31. Ring’s spot 32. “Who Said It: Dumbledore ___ Philosopher” (BuzzFeed quiz) 33. East Lansing sch.

34. Pull back 35. Ace’s stat 36. Opposite of 41-Down 41. Opposite of 36-Down 42. Biologist’s eggs 43. Way underground?

44. “I wasn’t looking at porn”, e.g.

45. Cartoon character with a shotgun 48. Some howls 49. Archaeologist’s spots 50. Pen noises 51. David who created “The Wire” 52. Treasure holder 53. Sunday dinner 54. Not capable 55. March Madness, with “the” 56. Gordon who said “Lunch is for wimps” 57. A Tribe Called Quest rapper 61. Roger Goodell’s org. (get rid of this guy, please?)

62. Jazz producer Macero

#SDCityBeat

#SDCityBeat

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 33

34 · San Diego CityBeat · May 27, 2015

#SDCityBeat

#SDCityBeat

May 27, 2015 · San Diego CityBeat · 35