San Diego CityBeat • July 2, 2014

Larger LIFE than

The late architect

Graham Downes

created waves that continue to ripple through San Diego

by Kinsee Morlan • P. 20

Dumanis P.4 Fulton P.7 Found P.13 Snowpiercer P.23

2 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 3

Time for Dumanis to come clean “It makes me angry that I would be mentioned in Dumanis’ assertion that she doesn’t know Azano the same breath as people who went to such excould be further undermined by a Sept. 28, 2012, lettreme lengths to violate the law. It makes me outter of recommendation that she wrote—on districtraged and if the allegations are true, they should be attorney letterhead—for Azano’s son, who wanted held accountable.” to attend the University of San Diego. The existence That’s San Diego County District Attorney Bonof the letter became known on June 2, when it was nie Dumanis, quoted in a Jan. 24, 2014, story in U-T described in vague terms in a court hearing, but the San Diego, referring to José Susumo Azano, the judge refused to make it public. wealthy Mexican businessman at the center of a CityBeat, among other media, filed a request campaign-finance scandal involving several recent with the District Attorney’s office to provide a copy local campaigns and a federal race, including Duof the letter under the California Public Records manis’ failed 2012 bid for mayor of San Diego.

Act—the state law that requires most documents Dumanis has worked hard in the press to dispertaining to the people’s business to be provided tance herself from Azano, whom federal prosupon request—but the DA’s office declined to reecutors have accused of illegally contributing lease it, arguing that it’s not a public document. $600,000 to local campaigns, including $200,000 Representatives of numerous local media orgato help get Dumanis elected mayor—foreign nanizations disagree and are mounting a challenge. tionals aren’t allowed to donate to political camEven the U-T San Diego editorial board, which enDavid Rolland paigns in this country. dorsed Dumanis for reelection before Dumanis has claimed that she she prevailed on June 3 with 54.9 didn’t know that Azano had made ilpercent of the vote amid low turnout, legal contributions on her behalf. He published an editorial on June 24 that didn’t donate to her official campaign; said the letter “definitely is the pubhe allegedly laundered money through lic’s business.” an intermediary into a so-called indeFor argument’s sake, let’s say the pendent-expenditure committee—alletter isn’t a public document under so known as a super PAC. Such comstate law (but we believe it is). That mittees, by law, are run independently wouldn’t mean Dumanis can’t release of candidates’ campaigns. it. She can. So, why won’t she? Is it CityBeat broke the news of Azabecause it reveals a stronger relationno’s Dumanis donations in May 2012 ship with Azano than she’s admitted and even questioned their approprito? Would it establish what we’re Bonnie Dumanis ateness, given that Azano is a Mexialready suspecting—that’s she’s not can national. We were told, incorrectly, that it was telling the whole truth? kosher because he had a green card.

One thing we haven’t mentioned yet is that DuIn that Jan. 24 U-T San Diego story—about Dumanis has acknowledged long ties to Ernie Encinas, manis’ attendance at a 2012 get-together at Azano’s a former San Diego Police detective and close associCoronado home that involved roughly 10 people— ate to Azano, whom prosecutors say helped Azano Dumanis said she wasn’t sure if that was the only make his illegal donations. We now know Dumanis time she’d ever met Azano. But in multiple other met with Azano at least twice and that she wrote a U-T San Diego stories, Dumanis has said she’s only reference letter for his son. We also know that it’s met him once. next to impossible for a candidate to be unaware that That’s contradicted by a new revelation this someone has spent $200,000 on her behalf, particuweek, reported by Voice of San Diego, that Dularly late in a race in which the candidate is floundering, and particularly when it’s reported in the press. manis and San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore met If Dumanis wants us to stop mentioning her in with Azano on March 2, 2012, according to Gore’s the same breath as Azano, she should release the calendar. Voice reports that Kelli Maruccia, a fundletter and stem the slow trickle of new informaraiser for both Dumanis and Gore, set up the meettion about their relationship by coming completely ing. No one can ever remember what was discussed clean about it. at these meetings; Azano apparently doesn’t leave much of an impression, other than his affinity for What do you think? Write to editor@sdcitybeat.com. expensive cars and dropping names.

This issue of CityBeat is dedicated to the U.S.A., which can’t win a World Cup but can dominate women’s reproductive systems.

Volume 12 • Issue 47

Cover design by Lindsey Voltoline

Arts Editor Kinsee Morlan

Contributors Ian Cheesman, David L. Coddon, Seth Combs, Michael A. Gardiner, Glenn Heath Jr., Nina Sachdev Hoffmann, Peter Holslin, Dave Maass, Scott McDonald, Jenny Montgomery, Susan Myrland, Mina Riazi, Jim Ruland, Ben Salmon, Jen Van Tieghem

Staff Writer Joshua Emerson Smith

Intern Natalie Eisen

Web Editor Ryan Bradford

Production Manager Tristan Whitehouse

Art director Lindsey Voltoline

Production artist Rees Withrow

Columnists Aaryn Belfer, Edwin Decker, John R. Lamb, Alex Zaragoza

Vice President of Operations David Comden

MultiMedia Advertising Director Paulina Porter-Tapia

Publisher Kevin Hellman

Editor David Rolland Associate Editor Kelly Davis Music Editor Jeff Terich

Senior account executive Jason Noble Account Executives F. Scott Berman, Beau Odom, Kimberly Wallace Circulation / Office Assistant Giovanna Tricoli Accounting Alysia Chavez, Linda Lam, Monica MacCree 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.

Editorial and Advertising Office 3047 University Ave., Suite 202 San Diego, CA 92104 Phone: 619-281-7526 Fax: 619-281-5273 www.sdcitybeat.com

Vice President of Finance Michael Nagami

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 2014.

4 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 5

Close Cabrillo bridge Regarding your June 4 editorial: Why reopen the Cabrillo Bridge? Since closing, San Diego adjusted very well and had no problems accessing thousands of parking spaces in and adjacent to the park from the Park Boulevard side of Balboa Park. The tram system has worked very well to move people from their cars to the core of the park. The “awful” parking and traffic problems feared

by Bankers Hill (Sixth and Fifth avenues) residents and businesses never materialized.

Park museums and institutions on the west side have prospered with much greater pedestrian traffic, interest and attendance.

Some museums have claimed without a full release of their data that attendance has “declined.” In a pure example of “post hoc ergo propter hoc” reasoning, that asserted decrease is attributed to the bridge closure and not to any other variables.

This assertion of decreased attendance is worthless as data. It does not present statistics institution by individual institution; does not present paid admissions, free admissions and members’ admissions; and does not present historically similar results for identical prior months from prior years. There’s also no accounting for differences attributable to different displays, shows and promotions present in comparable prior months to the asserted decreased months. For example, the Museum of Man opened its heavily promoted torture exhibit last year but kept the same show open for many months. It’s natural that

6 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

attendance would tail off. This has nothing to do with the bridge closure.

For all one can tell, this asserted decrease is a decrease from the months immediately preceding the bridge closure—so, a decrease from the busy holiday season and two very well attended free nights during December Nights to the very quiet post-holiday months.

Again, it’s unrelated to the bridge closure.

Pedestrians and bike riders have fallen in love with the use and enjoyment of the grand walk and ride from Sixth Avenue to the core of the park, unencumbered with the hazards, noise and pollution of cars.

The repaired surface of Cabrillo Bridge could be a wonderful venue for art shows and sales, entertainment, farmers markets and talented buskers. The view from the bridge can be enjoyed without the distraction of auto traffic.

The months of CalTrans repairs gave San Diego a time to experiment with the effect of bridge closure. Have we learned nothing?

Keep it closed. At a minimum, keep it closed until public hearings can be held, hard facts can be reviewed and a fact-based decision whether to open or maintain closure can intelligently be made.

There’s no compelling rationale to mindlessly yield to some form of auto-pilot, opening the bridge without thoughtful process and decision-making.

David Lundin, Hillcrest

Get rid of ’em all—guns In response to your June 11 editorial about guns, all I can say is I never met a human being good enough to have a gun. So let’s just ban them altogether!

And the Second Amendment does not guarantee an individual the right to have a gun—only state militias. I don’t care what some attorneys say about it; I can read plain English while lawyers obviously cannot.

Go, non-violence!

George Blender, Ocean Beach

Get rid of ’em all—VA hospitals Regarding your May 21 editorial about the Veterans Administration: I have been passionately in favor of selling all VA hospitals to private ownership and municipalities since the Stone Age. I can think of no reason for them, except for keeping medical personnel occupied when not in wartime and to process injuries for ASAP transfer to a regular hospital—all hospitals having on-staff doctors and nurses experienced with battle injuries.

All veterans should have long ago been able to go to regular hospitals, just as insured civilians do. No difference.

“Make it so!” says Jean Luc Picard.

Saul Harmon Gritz, Hillcrest

Joshua Emerson Smith

City Planning Director Bill Fulton outside of City Hall

Driving change City Planning Director Bill Fulton wants San Diegans to take a walk

by Joshua Emerson Smith “In District 3, we don’t do ugly,” City Council President Todd Gloria said at a recent council meeting. With his off-the-cuff humor, he was referring to what architects and planners call the “built environment,” such as libraries, parks, apartment buildings, storefronts, even fast-food restaurants.

Whether it’s true that Gloria demands developers build only aesthetically pleasing and well-thought-out projects in his district, what’s clear is that politicians are realizing how much resonance such ideas have with voters.

When CityBeat quoted Gloria’s statement to San Diego Planning Director Bill Fulton in a recent interview, the nationally recognized urban planner let loose a hardy chuckle. For the 58-year-old advocate of socalled “smart growth,” it must be satisfying to find such principles in vogue.

“All over the country, people are saying, ‘How can we revitalize our downtown? How can we revitalize our older neighborhoods?’”

Fulton said. “And this is in small cities as well as large ones. ‘How can we create a more attractive walking environment for people who live and work in these places?’”

Hired last summer by then-Mayor Bob Filner as the city’s top planner, Fulton is building on an already interesting career,

including working as a news reporter after graduating from college in upstate New York, publishing several well-regarded books on planning and recently serving as the mayor of Ventura. In 2011, he joined a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group called Smart Growth America, for which he toured the country, speaking to local-government officials about how to create pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods where residents can spend less time stuck in traffic and more time running into friends on the sidewalk.

“Both millennials and aging boomers are interested in living in a more compact situation where they can walk more, where they’re not tethered to their cars so much,” he said.

Solving the puzzle of how to do this in San Diego is Fulton’s latest and perhaps greatest challenge. With little room left to sprawl, the city must increase density in at least some of its more suburban neighborhoods if it wants to accommodate population growth. But whether pressure to construct “urban infill” will lead to smart growth is far from determined, as is the question of where exactly that development would go.

“I thought this was a really great opportunity,” Fulton said. “San Diego’s at a very particular critical point in its history.

I think it’s the largest city in the country that’s at this juncture right now.”

In one sense, the city seems to be leaning toward the smart-growth principles of walkability, public transportation and architectural sophistication. In 2008, the city dubbed its General Plan “City of Villages”—

named for the development strategy enshrined in the document that calls for dense neighborhood clusters organized around public transportation.

Upholding the reversal of a 2011 policy during Jerry Sanders’ tenure as mayor that combined the Planning Department with the Development Services Department, Mayor Kevin Faulconer sent the message that city planners should be free to focus solely on making sure that growth is tasteful and well-organized. Most recently, in the approved fiscal year 2015 budget, Faulconer also boosted the number of planning staff to 76, adding 16 new jobs, including two urban designers and a historic-resources planner.

“In the context of our department and in the context of this new budget, we did very well,” Fulton said.

Faulconer declined to respond to questions from CityBeat regarding his commitment to smart growth.

However, a broader look at the city’s recent planning history may seem troubling for smart-growth advocates. First adopted in 2002, the city-of-villages strategy included five pilot projects that have never fully materialized. Uncompleted projects include “The Boulevard Marketplace,” which called for building several apartment complexes on El Cajon Boulevard between 38th and 40th streets and Central Avenue and Marlborough Street; and “Mi Pueblo,” located in San Ysidro along Interstate 805, which has yet to realize a plan that included more than 1,000 residential units, a public market and a community garden.

These largely forgotten projects are often seen as the result of budget shortfalls during the recent recession. With little money to pay for public infrastructure, such as water and sewer upgrades, needed

to keep pace with the proposed urban infill, the projects were largely put on the shelf.

“What happened was the city had no money,” said former City Architect Mike Stepner, who now teaches at the NewSchool of Architecture + Design in San Diego. “So the money that was needed was not there, and the neighborhoods were very concerned with new development coming in without the needed infrastructure.”

While these projects haven’t been completely abandoned, the city has few, if any, major examples to point to when trying to get residents on board with pedestrianfriendly urban infill, which over time could dramatically change their neighborhood.

Instead, poorly designed apartment complexes, islands of development with no connection to surrounding areas and crumbling streets have left an otherwise attractive city pockmarked.

“Right now, nobody trusts anybody,” Stepner said. “People don’t trust developers. They don’t trust government. And a lot of the stuff that’s been built over the years hasn’t been that great.”

The success of Fulton’s vision, to a large extent, will be determined by a series of longoverdue community-plan updates, many of which are decades old, some stretching back to the 1970s. The city has 52 of these community plans, which are developed by the Planning Department in conjunction with 41 community planning groups and a central Community Planners Committee.

With 10 community-plan updates slated to be completed by 2016 and dozens more thereafter, the fate of the city’s urban character remains largely unknown. This year, the City Council approved two communityplan updates, but one, Barrio Logan, was overturned in a well-financed referendum paid for by the shipbuilding and -repair industry. A controversial community-plan update for Ocean Beach was recently put on hold by the council for at least a month after the California Coastal Commission recommended dozens of changes.

On top of these challenges, Fulton has run into difficultly getting people to buy into smart growth. Recently, a proposed community-plan update in Clairemont Mesa hit a snag when members of the planning group and residents in Bay Park vocally opposed raising a 30-foot height limit around Morena Boulevard to accommodate several six-story buildings and an extension of the trolley line.

“I think it’s more than an aesthetic difference,” said Susan Mournian, who sits on the Clairemont Mesa Community Planning Group. “It’s a lifestyle thing. I thought my community was built out. I didn’t think it needed to be tweaked any further.”

However, despite widespread objections, the community may have bought into the idea had it been marketed better, Mournian added. For example, she said, the plan was too technical and didn’t fully address traffic concerns or the need for additional public infrastructure.

“He was not a person that could sell his plan—very arrogant,” Mournian said of Ful-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 7

ton. “That’s part of the problem.”

Clairemont Mesa Community Planning Group Chair Jeff Barfield—who recused himself from voting on the plan update due to a conflict of interest—said he wasn’t against the concept but agreed it hadn’t been properly explained to the public.

“There could have been an effort to show an example in another city,” he said. “Some people thought they were looking at a skyscraper.”

Acknowledging some of these concerns, Fulton said that if smart growth is to succeed, he has to improve his department’s community outreach, as well as

the design presentation.

“We have to give a better visual depiction of what the buildings are likely to look like,” he said. “We have to do a better job of showing and being sensitive to the relationship between the new development and the existing houses.”

In Encanto, the Planning Department has started holding “pop-up events” to improve community outreach, Fulton added.

“You go out to some location on a Saturday morning to where people are likely to be anyway, a farmers market-type situation, and you grab people as they walk by and you talk to them. That way, you

Joshua Emerson Smith

get people who are not likely to be at the typical evening planning meeting. We know that we definitely need to do more of that.”

Such outreach is designed to not only get feedback, but also build excitement about the potential for smart growth. During several public meetings, Bay Park residents expressed skepticism about the city’s ability to exact tasteful, well-planned architecture from the development community.

“That’s a very reasonable concern,” Fulton said. “That’s why I think that one of the things that we have to do in the communityplan updates and in the projects

A lot on El Cajon Boulevard slated for development as part of “The Boulevard Marketplace,” a never-realized smart-growth project henceforth is we have to up our game on urban design.”

However, the question remains: Where can smart-growth advocates get a strong win to provide an example to skeptical residents of a desirable project?

“The average homeowner says, ‘You’re doing a sales job on me, and I don’t trust you to deliver,’” said Joe LaCava, chair of the umbrella San Diego Community Planners Committee. “And there are a lot of bad examples out there. We see a lot of sad, lonely islands of mixed-use [projects] that don’t make anyone proud.”

However, LaCava is optimistic that smart growth in San Diego will eventually prevail.

“I think that people are coming around to the concepts,” he said. “People are talking about wanting things in their neighborhoods, having their kids walk to school. It’s up to the city to say, ‘Here’s how you get it.’ But people are coming around to the idea that something’s missing.”

If residents embrace the idea of living closer to each other, smart growth doesn’t have to be all that complicated, Fulton said. For example, changing parking requirements for developers can go a

8 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

long way toward promoting walkable neighborhoods. Traditionally, projects have been required to provide a certain number of parking spaces per parcel, per square footage. But under smart growth, parking is often consolidated in a garage, which can be more cost effective and allows mixed-use development to more easily provide street-level retail.

Concerns about parking are “perfectly reasonable,” Fulton said. “There’s a number of ways we can deal with that. One is the possibility of introducing residential permit parking, but if we make every property owner on Morena solve their own parking problem, that will make it very difficult for successful restaurants to stay in business.”

Despite recent rumors that Fulton might abandon the city midstride, as well as the obvious challenges of bringing smart growth to Southern Californians, he said he plans to see his vision through.

“I hear the rumor all the time that I’m about to leave, but it’s not true,” he said.

“This is a great job.”

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

aaryn

backwards & in high heels

belfer The relative depravity of soccer and Ann Coulter Four years ago last week, I wrote a piece in these ficials’ unwillingness to enact legislation to rein it pages about the World Cup in which I expressed in, even as the public increasingly, overwhelmingly, my enthusiasm for soccer and encouraged anyone favors it. hating on the sport to give it a go.

She’s not talking about the minors—including Though my vuvuzela has been decommis6-, 7- and 8-year-old children—flocking in unprecsioned, I’m even more entrenched this time edented numbers to our borders from South Ameraround. My girlfriends and I haven’t been able to ica all by themselves. (As a friend of mine wrote to watch the Cup together like we did in 2010, due to me, “Think about how insane things would have to our day jobs, but we’ve spent many of the games be at home for you to send your 8-year-old by himfuriously texting each other (sorry, day jobs). self traveling 1,000s of miles across Mexico to reach Aside from a spoiler suffered by one member of the US. Most kids here aren’t even allowed to walk our group who happened to be on a 10-second deto the corner store alone.”) lay while streaming an early match, our commuCoulter also isn’t talking about the hundreds of nications have been nearly as exciting and hilarimostly white Escondidians who missed Jeopardy! ous as the comments of the announcers. For sure, and braved the elements, crossing town in their airours have been more depraved. conditioned cars last week to sardine themselves Of course, we’ve texted about shots on goal, inside their City Council chambers for the express botched crosses, close calls, bad calls, lack of calls purpose of not-in-my-backyarding the proposed and the art of flopping (trophy to Brazil’s Ney96-bed shelter for such children. Nor is she talkmar) versus serious injury (Dr. Belfer diagnosed ing about the Escondido Planning Commission that Dempsey’s broken nose on instant-replay impact). voted unanimously to nix it.

But we’ve also done our fair share of ewwwing at Coulter, who is perhaps the Queen of the Dethe booger-eating German coach and objectifying praved, isn’t talking about the real signs of our the players. We’ve covered the hotness of the Nethnation’s moral decay. She is talking about fútbol erlands team; Mexico’s hero, because she can write her inane Ochoa (my God, Ochoa!); and flubberdeegubb with all the misMessi, perhaps the best player placed indignant outrage and still Is it so wrong that ever (I’d like to snuggle with Liobe syndicated. That alone irks me I’d like Coulter to nel at the top of a Ferris wheel at way more than the term “fútbol” dusk while feeding each other could ever irk her. make an earthly exit cotton candy). And, too, note has Is it so wrong that I’d like à la Joffrey Baratheon? been made of the slow-motion Coulter to make an earthly exit replays of flopping man junk, if à la Joffrey Baratheon? Or, baryou know what I’m saying. ring that, that I’d like her to walk Maybe Glenn Beck was right back in 2010, when across an endless desert all by herself? At the very he was blowing eyeball veins over soccer, a thing least, I’d like her to endure a future of wobbly resmore offensive and vulgar than public breastfeedtaurant tables, Internet videos that endlessly buffer ing or American-flag thong underwear worn inside and a perpetually scratched contact lens. out. Soccer, to him, is all things evil. And if by “evil,” There are many people who just aren’t feeling he means the retired Luis Figo, then I would have the soccer thing, who share Coulter’s view that to agree—one look at the man can fill a nun’s head soccer is a sport for wussies. “At what age do male with the sinfullest of sinful thoughts. soccer players spontaneously sprout a vagina?” was one status update that found its way to my The 2014 World Cup hasn’t received so much of Facebook feed, as if having a vagina is a symbol Beck’s ire that I’m aware of, but Ann Coulter filled of weakness. the void last week with a screed of her own.

It’s fine with me if Coulter and others want to In her retread of how the sport is shoved down dismiss soccer as silliness for wimps because evthe collective American throat, Coulter managed eryone “just runs up and down the field and, every to also take digs at girls, moms, Beyoncé, Hillary once in a while, a ball accidentally goes in.” Sort of Clinton, the metric system, public schools, Ted how golfers whack their clubs around and, every Kennedy’s 1965 immigration law and America’s once in a while, a ball accidentally falls in, right? changing demographics. She didn’t skewer any Clearly, these are the most stupid arguments in the puppies, but she did bemoan the lack of hockeyhistory of stupid arguments. like violence in the boring, ninny, no-individuality When it comes to the downfall of our nation, sport. Seeing as how Uruguay’s Luis Suarez has soccer doesn’t really matter because, even as the some free time on his hands, someone should set fan base grows, it’s still only a game. Even with her up on a date with him. Just warn him that he’d its inherent drama, on the spectrum of all things damn well better speak American before enjoying depraved and vile and lacking in humanity, soccer his fava beans and chianti. doesn’t even register.

“Any growing interest in soccer is a sign of the nation’s moral decay,” Coulter wrote.

Write to aaryn@sdcitybeat.com Now, she’s not talking about the issue of ramand editor@sdcitybeat.com. pant gun violence in our country or our elected of-

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 9

by michael a. gardiner Michael A. Gardiner

Another superb option at Nine Seas is the Campechana, a Mexican take on the seafood cocktail. Nearly every one of Mexico’s coastal regions has its distinct version of the Campechana, though, as its name suggests, it originated in the Mexican state of Campeche in the Yucatan. Nine Seas’ version features shrimp, oysters, octopus and fish, as well as finely chopped onions and peppers. But it’s the soupy sauce that makes the dish. The strong individual components— Nine Seas’ green ceviche shrimp lime juice, ketchup, Clamato (tomato-clam juice), hot sauce—meld to form a single flavor that’s at once sweet, sour, spicy and savory. The seafood bits, delicious as they may be, are just excuses to enjoy that sauce.

Nine Seas’ fish tacos are another highlight. Its shrimp Gobernador, octopus, fried and grilled Truck food at its best fish tacos are all good. The fried fish taco suggested the source from whence Ralph Rubio might Mariscos Nine Seas food truck isn’t listed at have nicked his idea. Yes, this was fish fried in sdfoodtrucks.com. It’s a curious omission, confat with a mayonnaise (which is to say, fat-based) sidering that Nine Seas (3030 Grape St. in South sauce on it, and yet it didn’t feel particularly fatty.

Park) not only offers some of the best MexicanIt was rich, yes, but also clean. style seafood in town but is also one of the best The grilled fish taco—swai (Vietnamese catlocal food trucks regardless of style. fish), if I don’t miss my mark—was surprisingly Nine Seas’ “Specials” menu describes its tasty. Swai is not a fish I often buy, nor one I pargreen-sauce ceviche (available with either fish ticularly like. Frankly, the more you know about or shrimp) as having “Avery Interesting Flavor.” swai, the less likely you are to want to eat it. But While the spelling may leave something to be deNine Seas managed to coax a lot of flavor out of sired, the flavors do not. Like most ceviches, Nine that beast of dubious provenance.

Seas’ features seafood “cooked” in acid (in this Perhaps the best of the tacos, though, was case, lime). Nine Seas’ version includes minced the octopus. The supple texture and deep, meaty onion, finely diced tomato, herbs and a generous flavor of the creature, which is almost always a chunk of perfectly ripe Hass avocado with chilefavorite of mine, was perfectly complemented by lime seasoning. the sweetness of the onions, the peppers and the But as good as all of that may be, it’s the ingrassiness of the celery. Nine Seas’ octopus tacos triguing green sauce that provides the unique are street food at its best. flavor. In this purée of herbs and aromatic vegIn fact, that statement can be taken a step furetables—likely including onion and garlic—it’s ther: Nine Seas’ food is street food at its best. the basil that surprises and delights. You don’t Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com expect that in Mexican cuisine and certainly not and editor@sdcitybeat.com. from a taco truck.

the world

fare

10 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

by ian cheesman

beer &

chees A twisted anniversary

The brewing scene in San Diego has something of a generation gap. It’s gotten to the point that venerable elders like Stone and Ballast Point just can’t keep up with all the whippersnapper brewers they have to shoo off their lawn. However, there’s a sprinkling of breweries well on their way to middleaged, like Twisted Manzanita Ales (née Manzanita Brewing) with four years of wisdom to share. President and CEO Jeff Trevaskis took a moment to discuss their journey and craft-brew futures and reassure that their new distilling operation, Twisted Manzanita Spirits, isn’t a product of midlife crisis: How has the craft-brew landscape changed since you opened Manzanita Brewing Company, both in Santee and at large?

We are seeing many states getting filled up with San Diego craft beer, but also local brands. We were one of about 50 breweries when we started in San Diego. This year we could break 100.

Even in Santee, in four years there will be four breweries and two distilleries. Many people see a bubble or a plateau, but the same was said when there were over 6,000 wineries in 2010, and now there are over 8,000.

How do the challenges of opening a new brewery compare to scaling an existing operation? Which proved more difficult?

A new brewery is always a fun, exciting adventure; you start with a clean slate, new equipment, lots of room. But the other side is the preparation, installation, training and outside forces. Along with inspections, plan reviews and, of course, getting people to buy your beer.

Updating and running an existing location is much less burdensome. The hardest part is where to put everything once you expand. It is amazing as we expand to our walls and ceilings how much stuff really can fit. We keep asking ourselves: When is a good time to get shipping containers or an offsite warehouse, only to find that we can stick 10 more pallets of boxes in here.

Do you foresee the same explosion in growth in craft spirits in the next four years that craft brew enjoyed?

I think it will be more so. Everyone has seen what happened in craft brewing (and many investors want in on that still), but they will not miss the boat with craft spirits.

Was there ever a time you had to worry about Manzanita surviving?

Wow, I still do. It does not keep me up.

I have total faith in God to lead us through. Times are always tough before 4,000 barrels; [however], we are expanding both within the United States and in several foreign countries. This year is truly a growing year for us.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in four years in the craft-brew business?

There are so many! Being a total workaholic is a good plus for the business. Pick a good city to work with. Santee has been a great home for us and has been supportive since the beginning.

What’s the next big thing for Twisted Manzanita Ales and Spirits?

Expansion! We are excited to have our beer and spirits in new areas both nationally and internationally. We also have a few more exciting things happening that will come out over the new few weeks. So stay tuned!

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

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 11

by jenny montgomery Jenny montgomery

Dragon in Boston no longer has the same walls in which the seeds of the Revolution were planted—that location was destroyed in 1854.

Like any good brunch place, you’ll find mimosas, as well as something called a “beermosa,” which is as sweet and gross as it sounds. Light beer and orange juice? It was not quite the sophisticated shandy we hoped it would be. My intrepid, beer-swilling fireman of a husband gave it a try, shook his head in dismay and then went ahead and finished it anyway, because, you know, beer.

The menu has plenty of nods to New England, including a few different takes on the classic lobster Green Dragon’s eggs Benedict roll. “The Patriot” is a tasty twist on the classic, with tender, chilled chunks of lobster on a sweet brioche roll, mixed with diced celery and bound by a yummy lemon anchovy aioli. There’s a “California” version with dried mango, avocado, bacon and cilantro, which I’m sure makes your average Mainer feel itchy and Solid yet unexciting indignant, but I love a good twist on a classic.

They do solid if unexciting versions of many faHave you seen the confusingly massive colonialvorites: French onion soup, clam chowder and my style building looming over Interstate 5 in Carlspersonal obsession, eggs Benedict. I’m still lookbad? That’s the Green Dragon Tavern & Muing for my Benedict nirvana, but the Green Dragon seum, a new outpost of dining and Revolutionary does crank out an exceptionally buttery hollandaWar curiosities in a town better known for sunise, which always puts a smile on my face. tans and Legoland. It’s a bit of a head-scratching Steer clear of the biscuits and gravy; the saucombination, but I do applaud the intention sage needed more spice and salt to complement of connecting our corner of the country to our the sweeter biscuits. This particular combo came friends back in the original 13. off as too cloying.

Don’t bother trying to get much helpful inforFor a sweet taste that doesn’t disappoint, go for mation from the website (greendragontavernca. the apple hand pie, a doughy, delicious turnover com)—it’s terrible, with slow-to-be-updated info with gooey apples, homemade vanilla ice cream (“Opening for Dinner on February 12, 2014”!). and a salted caramel sauce. Delightfully American.

What it won’t tell you is that it’s now serving The Green Dragon remains a bit of a coweekend brunch. nundrum to me. The curated collection in the Even though it was a soon-to-be-sunny Sunday museum is small, though fun to peruse for hismorning outside, it was so nice to be cozily tucked tory buffs. It’s a lovely, somewhat sterile locale next to a roaring—albeit gas-powered—fire. The that doesn’t know what it wants to be quite yet. sprawling, smells-like-knew complex (6115 Paseo Though not what I’d call a culinary destination, del Norte) does have a bit of a Disneyesque feel, it’s more on track with the food than it is with perhaps because of its odd San Diego County facts about the Founding Fathers. locale. This is not the old, small and dark Green Write to jennym@sdcitybeat.com Dragon Tavern in Boston upon which this verand editor@sdcitybeat.com. sion is inspired. By the way, the “original” Green

north

fork

12 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

urban

by Nina Sachdev Hoffmann

scout

Where can I find…

‘Odd doohickeys’ and ‘miscellaneous whatchamacallits’ With real estate what it is these days, pop-up shops are becoming more and more attractive to small, local retailers. The idea that you can set up in someone else’s space for a limited period of time with minimal overhead is making it easy for businesses to sell what they want to sell, when they want to sell it. It certainly makes sense for Mark Quint and Barry Bell, operators of the Found! pop-up shop (search for “Found” on Facebook)—the place to find what the longtime business partners call “rare and exotic objects, odd doohickeys, miscellaneous whatchamacallits and just plain stuff.”

At one of their recent pop-ups in the parking lot next to the Linda Vista-based Found Image Press, which Bell owns (Quint operates Quint Contemporary Art gallery in La Jolla), quite a few items caught my eye. Two worse-for-wear Mary statues greeted me at the entrance, and one customer couldn’t seem to decide between the two. He’d walk away, come back, walk away, come back. (He eventually settled on a painting very becoming of a manly cabin in the woods.)

There was an $800 Spanish chest (a steal considering it would retail for $2,400, Quint says) that looked interesting, but not as much as its contents: various fossils and animal teeth of all shapes and sizes. And I can only assume that either Quint or Bell (or both) are dog lovers, what with all the puppy portraits propped up throughout.

Yes, there was a lot of random stuff here. Quint acknowledged it was very much like a garage sale, though many of their pop-ups are carefully curated with way fewer items. In past pop-ups, Quint and Bell have sold items that reflect their affinity for natural history or collections of any kind. Here, Quint talks about his love of curio cabinets and cow skulls:

via facebook

Some of the goods for sale at Found’s April pop-up shop have a weakness for curio cabinets.

Barry and I are not doing this to make money. We love the hunt for interesting objects, buying, selling and trading and getting turned on to new pursuits.

So you and Barry have history?

We met 25 years ago. He was and is an artist who has a great eye for display, graphics and design.

Our [most recent] sale was our second Found! collaboration. I’ve personally held four previous pop-up shops under another name, Specimen.

What’s with all the fossils and bones?

You mentioned that you get a lot of People actually buy them? your items from flea markets. What draws you to this type of older, vinI’m not really big on the taxidermied tage stuff in the first place? After look, but I’ve liked bones ever since I all, you run Quint Gallery, which was a kid. I have a friend who actually focuses on contemporary painting sends me skulls from Colorado. Peoand sculpture. It’s an interesting One of Found’s ple buy them, especially if they’re coljuxtaposition, don’t you think? taxidermied critters lectors. Teeth are pretty popular.

I don’t see that much difference between looking at contemporary art and looking at vintage objects. I’ve been a collector since I was a kid, always compiling and organizing stamps, coins and your usual childhood interests, but I never specialized or became an expert in any field besides art. I’m a complete novice collector of many eclectic objects—more of an organized hoarder than a true authority on any subject. I love looking at objects, comparing different examples, and the art of displaying those objects. I also really

When and where will we see you again?

The next pop-up we have planned will be at surfboard shaper Tim Bessell’s shop in La Jolla this September. We will be focusing on paper: drawings, photographs, posters, prints, postcards and all types of ephemera.

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

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 13

the

SHORTlist

ART

COORDINATED BY KINSEE MORLAN

The “international” in the title refers to the fact that several performers are coming from overseas—like Haste Theatre Company, whose members are from the U.K. and Italy, and Wales’ Tin Shed Theatre. And, from Australia, Jon Bennett brings his comedy / storytelling show, “Pretending Things are a Cock.”

Fringe Fest executive producer Kevin Charles Patterson can’t recommend specific shows—“bad juju,” he says—but he does recommend an approach.

“Audiences should be ready for a complete experience and just throw themselves into things that they normally wouldn’t see,” he says.

“Be ready to take risks,” he adds later.

Tin Shed Theatre’s “Dr. Frankenstein’s “That’s part of the fun.”

Travelling Freak Show” The venues themselves are pretty exciting. The California Ballet will perform “Ballet 360” in the floor-to-ceiling-windowed Shiley Special Event Suite atop the new Central Library. Spreckels Theatre Executive Director Geoffrey Shlaes donated To appreciate the scope of the 2014 San Diego In- the use of all of Spreckels (the main stage will be conternational Fringe Festival, go to sdfringe.org and verted into black-box theater), including a small side find the schedule of performances. Then scroll. Take stage that’s being reopened for the first time in more it all in. It’s huge. than a dozen years and 3,000 square feet of retail From Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July space that Fringe will turn into a visual-arts gallery.

13, something like 70 acts will take the stage at a And that burlesque show? Head over to Les Girls dozen venues around San Diego, performing every- Theatre for a little “Courtesan Café.” thing from comedy and experimental theater to opAdmission to most shows is $10 (all proceeds go era and burlesque. to the artists), or you can purchase multi-show passBegun in Scotland in the 1940s, fringe festivals es. Some shows are free. Ticket purchase requires showcase unique, multidisciplinary, outside-the-box you to buy a $5 Fringe “tag” (it’s how Fringe covers performances that you wouldn’t likely see at estab- overhead costs), but with it you get steeply discountlished venues. This will be San Diego’s second Fringe. ed parking at Horton Plaza and coupons for Downtown stores and restaurants.

1

2

PERFORMANCE TO THE PEOPLE

SONG OF THE GEEK

You know Comic-Con is coming around the corner when an announcement for something called Geeks! The Musical hits your inbox. Indeed, after runs in Los Angeles and New York, the play is coming to San Diego, the summertime mecca of geekdom, for a run from Saturday, July 5, through Aug. 16 (with $10 preview performances on Thursday and Friday, July 3 and July 4) at BLKBOX Theatre in Hillcrest (3704 Sixth Ave.). The story honors and satirizes the geeks who flock to Comic-Con, following a handful of them into the huge annual convention as they search for rare comics, become infatuated and debate the intricacies of Dr. Who, singing and dancing all the way. Admission is $25, $15 for students.

Check geeksmusicalsd.com for showtimes.

ERVIN FANG

Jonathan Brett (left) and Tyler Coster

14 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

3

FOR SHORE

Ever catch a sunset through the big glass windows overlooking the ocean at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla (700 Prospect St.)? From 5 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, July 3, you’ll be given the chance when the museum launches its Shore Thing event series happening every Thursday evening through July and August. The museum stays open late with exhibition tours, music by The Roots Factory, pizza and cocktails. Romantics are invited to bring blankets and picnic food and enjoy the sunset while surrounded by art in the museum’s sculpture garden. Exhibitions currently showing include Line Involvements, a collection of midcentury-modern prints exploring the ways in which simple line work can create interesting visual effects. It’s free, but bring cash for cocktails and food. mcasd.org

Furnishing Lemon Grove at Parsonage Museum, 3185 Olive St., Lemon Grove.

See vintage furniture from historic Lemon Grove homes spanning the Victorian Era through mid-century. On view through Dec. 20. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. ci.lemon-grove.ca.us HShore Thing at MCASD La Jolla, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Back for a second year, the MCASD galleries will be open late every Thursday where guests can enjoy cocktails on the terrace, live music, tours of current exhibitions and more.

From 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3. 858454-3541, mcasd.org HVisual Fringe at Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway Circle, Downtown. Part of the San Diego International Fringe Festival, stop by to see visual art displayed (and for sale) on the second floor of the theater. From noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, through July 13. From noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. sdfringe.org

ing on murals, illustrations, and video projects during their travels in Vietnam, Mexico, California and Hawaii. Opening from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 6. shipinthewoods.com Creature Comforts at Basic, 410 10th Ave., Downtown. A collection of photography from local San Diego shutterbugs featuring intimate images of man and beast existing in their element. At 7 p.m.

Tuesday, July 8. 619-865-6210, face book.com/viz.cult Willie Baronet at The hART Lounge, 734 Park Blvd., Downtown. The artist will be displaying his “found” art projects—fascinating handwritten signs from homeless people that he buys usually for $10. When displayed, the signs represent a diversity of stories from throughout the country.

From 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 8. 619531-8869, care2.com

BOOKS

HSummer Solstice Review at Brokers Building, 402 Market St., Downtown. The closing reception includes an artist talk by Seth Angle, Dan Camp, Chobolits, Stacy D’Aguire, Joan Mathison, Marie Najera and Madeline Sherry. From 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 3. 858-222-9367, face book.com/thebrokersbuildinggallery

Tom Hom at San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, 404 Third Ave., Downtown.

A lecture and book signing by the former state Assemblymember and San Diego City Councilman who helped found the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum and campaigned to revive downtown San Diego. From 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 5. $4. 619-338-9888, sdchm.org

HFriday Night Liberty at NTC at Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma. A special daytime (Saturday) version of NTC at Liberty Station’s popular First Friday gallery and studio walk featuring open artist studios, galleries, shopping and entertainment throughout NTC’s arts district. From 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 5. ntclibertystation.com

George Galdorisi at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. The retired naval aviator stops by to sign his latest, Tom Clancy’s Op Center: Out of Ashes, about a covert force that’s reinstated after terrorists detonate bombs in sports stadiums throughout the country. At 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com

HLeucistic at Coffee & Tea Collective, 2911 El Cajon Blvd., North Park. An exhibition of EarthandBone’s (Kristy Nadine) sculptural pieces and jewelry that incorporate skulls, crystals and trinkets. At 7 p.m. Saturday, July 5. earthandbone tumblr.com

Luanne Rice at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The New York Times bestselling author will discuss and sign her new novel, The Lemon Orchard.

At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8. 858-4540347, warwicks.indiebound.com

HBryan Snyder at Culture Brewing Co, 111 S Cedros Ave, Ste 200, Solana Beach.

Snyder, a street artist creator of the popular and pervasive character “Doodle” will unveil an installation at Culture Brewing featuring 20-plus original paintings. Then, take part in a scavenger hunt around Solana Beach in search of Doodle artwork.

From 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 5. 858345-1144, carlsbadcrawl.com HStrictly Kings or Better at La Bodega Studios and Gallery, 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. The Crown Royals present a street art-inspired show with work from Armor, Brave, Brisk, Dyse and other street artists. Opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 5. facebook.com/la.bodega.1 HSpitting in the Wind: Art From the End of the Line at the Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside.

Curated by Dave Hampton, this exhibition brings together the mid-century artwork of John Baldessari, Bob Matheny, Richard Allen Morris and Russell Baldwin for the first time. On view through Nov. 2. Opens Saturday, July 5. oma-online.org San Marcos ArtWalk at 1020 San Marcos Boulevard. Over 30 local artists and arts organizations from all over North County come together on the first Sunday of each month to showcase their talents in a variety of mediums. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6. 760-518-8578, oldcaliforniarestaurantrow.com HTranscending Separation at A Ship in the Woods, 1660 Lugano Lane, Del Mar. New work from Aaron Glasson and Celeste Byers, who met in Sri Lanka last April and soon after began collaborat-

Charles L. Freeman at Malcolm X Branch Library, 5148 Market St., Valencia Park. The former San Diegan and music industry professional will discuss his selfpublished first novel, The Reunion, the tale of four friends attending their high school reunion who’ve come to grips with a past tragedy. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 8. 619-527-3405, sandiegolibrary.org Lynn Sherr at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The author and former ABC reporter will discuss and sign Sally Ride: America’s First Woman In Space. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9.

858-454-0347, warwicks.indiebound.com

COMEDY Matt Knudsen at Mad House Comedy Club, 502 Horton Plaza, Downtown. The comic and actor has appeared on Conan and The Late Late Show, as well the film, Gangster Squad. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 2. $15. 619-702-6666, madhouse comedyclub.com Jodi Miller at Reds Saloon, 4190 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach. Pacific Beach’s only country bar transforms into a comedy hotspot with Miller, who’s performed on Comedy Central, late-night talk shows and more. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 2. $5. 858-750-2513, thewoodgroupsd.com HJimmy Brogan at Comedy Palace, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont.

Part of Comedy Palace’s “Legends Series,” Brogan’s appeared on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, Late Night

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 15

For Iago, it’s good to be bad There’s almost a court-jester-like giddiness to the infernal scheming of Iago in The Old Globe’s Othello, being staged at the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. When Iago, the Moor of Venice’s ensign (Richard Thomas), is alone, sharing with the audience his cunning plans to undo the general he despises, his malevolence is more than boastful—it’s electrically charged. That the transparency of his plot and all its machinations can’t not be recognized by Othello, or by anyone else other than Iago’s wife, Emilia (and not until it’s too late), has always seemed to me an impediment to the potency of the play.

How could Othello be so duped? He did not

THEATER

“love wisely,” but did he even love “too well”?

That these questions persist nevertheless speaks to the resonance of this Shakespearean tragedy, which launches the Globe’s Summer Shakespeare Festival under the direction of Barry Edelstein. This is an aesthetically stunning production, with sublimely simple scenic design by Wilson Chin, timely percussive music from the rafters by Jonathan Hepfer and Ryan Nestor (music used to better effect here than in Edelstein’s The Winter’s Tale back in February) and a Desdemona (Kristen Connolly, costumed by Katherine Roth) who couldn’t look lovelier and more angelic.

JIM COX Thomas revels in his Iago-ing, certainly upstaging Blair Underwood’s Othello. Underwood’s mannered Act 1 orations as proud general and spellbound lover feel self-conscious, though like the character he inhabits, he comes alive when jealousy becomes unbalanced rage in Act 2.

One of the production’s quieter, yet most enduring, scenes is between Desdemona and Emilia (Angela Reed), taking place just hours before Desdemona is murdered. Connolly stills the Balboa Park night with her dulcet rendering of the “Willow, Willow” Richard Thomas (left) and song, while Reed sounds a strident feminist Blair Underwood note that is much needed in this tragedy

16 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

with David Letterman and in the movie Bridesmaids. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 2. $20. 858-573-9067, thecomedy palace.com

about men who can be and often are, foolish, vengeful and unworthy of love.

With the live music and moments of choreography, Edelstein’s Othello is for 2014, though blind jealousy and its inhumanity be timeless.

It runs through July 27. $29 and up. old globe.org

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

OPENING Bare: A Pop Opera: Life and love get complicated for the students at a Catholic boarding school. Opens July 2 at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. diversionary.org Geeks: The Musical: A satirical take on the nerds who flock to Comic-Con. Presented by Pysphi Productions, it opens July 3 at BLKBOX Theatre in Hillcrest. geeksmusicalsd.com The Orphan of Zhao: A reimagined version of an ancient Chinese play about a child who grows up only to learn about the awful tragedies that surrounded his infancy. Opens July 8 at La Jolla Playhouse. lajollaplay house.org

For full listings,

please visit “T heater ” at sdcit ybeat.com

Ryan Mirvis at Comedy Store, 916 Pearl St., La Jolla. The bearded redhead is known for his manic performance style and has appeared on Comedy Central and shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Weeds. At 8 p.m.

Thursday, July 3, and Sunday, July 6, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5. $20. 858-454-9176. lajolla.thecomedy store.com Fahim Anwar at American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Formerly an aerospace engineer at Boeing, he is a regular in the L.A. comedy scene. At 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, and Sunday, July 6, and 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5. $22. 619-795-3858, ameri cancomedyco.com HJono Zalay and Gordon Downs at Comedy Palace, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. Headliners Gordon Downs (San Diego) and Jono Zalay (New York City) will battle for coastal supremacy, joined by some of San Diego’s best local comedians. At 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3.

858-573-9067, thecomedypalace.com Bruce Jingles at Mad House Comedy Club, 502 Horton Plaza, Downtown. The smooth comic and actor has starred on Showtime specials, VH1, NuvoTV, TMZ and the movie Driving Bill Crazy. At 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Thursday, July 3, and Saturday, July 5. 619-702-6666, madhousecomedyclub.com HDom Irrera and Jim Tavare at Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. The world-famous Laugh Factory’s new summer home will feature perfor-

mances from the two well-known comedians. At 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, and Saturday, July 5, and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 4-5. $35. 619-7026666, laughfactory.com Home Cooked Comedy Tour at Comedy Palace, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. A kick-off and party for four local comics who are about to hit the road to tour. Performers include Lauren O’Brien, Jeff Bilodeau, Dewey Bratcher and Jesse Egan. At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, July 4-5. $20.

858-573-9067, thecomedypalace.com HJay Larson at American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Part of ACC’s Breakout Artist Series, this comic and actor has appeared on TOSH.0, The Late Late Show, Conan and his own half

hour special on Comedy Central. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9. $12. 619-7953858, americancomedyco.com Dan Levy at Mad House Comedy Club, 502 Horton Plaza, Downtown. The comic has appeared on Premium Blend, Chelsea Lately, The Late Late Show, as well as MTV shows like Spring Break. At 8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 9. $15. 619-702-6666, madhousecomedyclub.com

FOOD & DRINK HBig Bite Bacon Fest at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Feast on unlimited bacon samples created by 35 of the best chefs in San Diego. At noon and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5. $45-$85. 858-755-1161, big

biteevents.com

FOURTH OF JULY Independence Day Celebration at New Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., East Village. There’ll be children’s and teen activities and crafts, a performance by the Navy Southwest Brass Quintet, an ice-cream sale and more. From 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3. 619-236-5800, sandiegolibrary.org 51st Annual Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Spectacular at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Salute Lady Liberty with local and regional bands, the Marine Band San Diego, a light show, children’s activities, food vendors, a com-

munity art sale and a fireworks display.

From 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 4. 760-8394186, artcenter.org Big Bay Boom What’s the 4th of July without a huge fireworks display? Fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from barges placed around the San Diego Bay, off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero North, Seaport Village and more. At 9 p.m. Friday, July 4. big bayboom.com Spain Celebrates July 4th at House of Spain, Balboa Park. A party celebrating Spain’s strategic, military and financial support of the colonies enabling eventual independence from England. From noon to 4 p.m. Friday, July 4. 619-615-3188, casadeespanasd.com

HStar Spangled Pops at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 111 W. Harbor Drive, Downtown. Celebrate Independence Day with principal pops conductor Bill Conti, who’ll lead a patriotic extravaganza featuring all-American hits complete with John Philip Sousa marches, a tribute to the military and a fireworks display. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6. $22-$79. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org Old Town 4th of July at Old Town Historic Park, 2454 Heritage Park Row, Old Town. An old-fashioned Independence Day featuring a parade, crafts fair, wagon rides, food specials and more. From 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. 619-491-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 17

“Science Under Sails” by Celeste Byers and Aaron Glasson is showing in Transcending Separation, opening from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at A Ship in the Woods (2720 Via de la Valle, Del Mar).

0099, oldtownsandiegoguide.com San Diego County Fair 4th of July Celebration at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. An all-day celebration featuring a patriotic opening ceremony, a Hometown Heroes Parade at 7 p.m., concerts and culminating with a fireworks display. From 9:30 a.m. to midnight. Friday, July 4. Free-$14. 858-7551161, sdfair.com

Athenaeum Summer Festival at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The Athenaeum’s Summer Festival returns with celebrated pianist Gustavo Romero’s four-part concert series celebrating Beethoven. At 4 p.m.

Sunday, July 6. $35-$192. 858-4545872, ljathenaeum.org

Red White & Brew PubCrawl at Taste, 1243 University Ave., Hillcrest. Over a dozen venues in the Gaslamp will offer drink specials and promotions at this annual pub crawl. At 2 p.m. Friday, July 4. $10-$60. 619-683-2306, pubcrawls.com

R. Jelani Eddington at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. The Summer International Organ Festival continues with this award-winning theatre organist who’s toured the world. At 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 7. spreckelsorgan.org

San Diego Bay BBQ at Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown. Gather on the observation deck of the museum’s historic 1898 steam ferry Berkeley for a spectacular view of the fireworks show over San Diego Bay. A BBQ dinner will be provided at two seatings. From 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. $18-$35. 619-234-9153, sdmaritime.org

H#HACKINGIMPROV at Space 4 Art, 325 15th St., East Village. Composer and performer Blair Robert Nelson explores over a century of audio technology alongside violinist Kristopher Apple that attempt to reveal our relationship with musical memory and how we adapt to emerging discoveries. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9. $10. 619-269-7230, sdspace4art.org

HThe Morning After Mess Surfrider Foundation hosts the annual beach cleanups at four locations throughout San Diego. This year’s locations include Oceanside Pier, Crystal Pier, South Mission Beach, and Ocean Beach Pier. From 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5. 619-2349153, surfridersd.org

HOpera Wednesdays at La Jolla Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Southern California’s top operatic artists perform in this new series. The artists consist of past and present Metropolitan Opera Competition Winners, active San Diego Opera performers and guest artists. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9. $10 suggested donation. 858-4590831, ljcommunitycenter.org

MUSIC 145th Street Band at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. This contemporary blues band will perform as part of the Twilight in the Park Summer Concert series. At 6:15 p.m. Thursday, July 3. balboapark.org HJazz 88.3 Happy Hour at Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., Downtown. Kick off the weekend with some jazz music from the B-3 Four Band with Aubrey Fay and featuring Larry Streaty on Hammond B-3 organ. At 5 p.m. Friday, July 4. $10.

619-388-3759, jazz88.org Summer Chamber Music Festival at Shiley Theatre, USD campus, 5998 Alcala Pkwy., Linda Vista. The final two concerts for the ninth annual festival take place at

18 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 5-6. $12. sandiego.edu

PERFORMANCE HFringe Festival Performances, ranging from theater to music to art and more, at this one-of-a-kind event that gives artists the opportunity to perform in a festival setting. See website for show times, locations and prices. Takes place from July 3 through July 13. $10-$72. 619-4376000, sdfringe.org HPerception: See Beyond the Illusion at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park. The Science Center and magician Jason Latimer have teamed up for a one-of-a-kind show that combines magic and science. At 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6 with performances through Aug. 31. $19.95-

$27.95. 619-238-1233, rhfleet.org The Midtown Men at Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista.

Four stars from the original Broadway production of Jersey Boys perform a soulful concert of 1960s hits from groups like the Beatles, The Rascals, Four Seasons and more. At 8 p.m. Saturday, July 5. $35-$65. vistixonline.com HYour Song, Your Story at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., Downtown.

The completion of a two year San Diego Symphony project where more than 300 artist submissions were narrowed down to 18, culminating in a powerful performance piece that highlights San Diego’s diversity. Performers include Kumeyaay Youth Bird Singers, Mariachi Garibaldi and Malashock Dance Company. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9. 619-235-0804, yoursongyourstory.org

HSoCal Etsy Guild Market at The Headquarters at Seaport District, 789 West Harbor Drive, Downtown. Handmade-artisan vendors will show off their wares in the Headquarters’ outdoor courtyard. There will also be live art, music and free children’s activities. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 5. 619-235-4014, theheadquarters.com HKNSJ Radio Fundraiser at Mission Trails Regional Park, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. San Diego’s non-commercial, community radio station celebrates its first year by hosting a fundraiser with entertainment that includes Native American flute players, local bands, comedy acts and more. From 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 5. $19-$24. knsj.org Air Show San Diego at Gillespie Field,

1960 Joe Crosson Drive, El Cajon. Historic aircraft, military re-enactors, paratroopers, mock battles, jet vs. car races and more at this annual aviation fest. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, July 7-8. $10-$50. ag1caf.org

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS HProgress of Man: The 1935 Exposition Walking Tour at San Diego History Center, Balboa Park. This hour-long, easy-paced walking tour reveals how Depression-era San Diego pulled itself up to create a spectacular world showcase.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 2. $12. 619232-6203, sandiegohistory.org

Global Classroom: Water Systems at World Resources Simulation Center, 1088 Third Ave., Downtown. Part of a 12-week program addressing strategies to handle global and local concerns regarding the escalation in carbon emissions. From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3. $10 suggested donation. 619-234-1088, wrsc.org

WORKSHOPS Geoff Ryman Discusses the Writing Process at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont.

The Clarion Writers’ Workshop, where Ryman’s an instructor, is widely recognized as a training ground for aspiring writers of fantasy and sci-fi. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 2. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com

Banfield Future Vet Program at New Children’s Museum, 200 W. Island Ave., Downtown. This interactive presentation provides a unique opportunity for kids and families to learn more about veterinary medicine. From 11 a.m. to noon.

Saturday, July 5. thinkplaycreate.org Paint Your Pet: Pop Art at Fred’s Mexican Cafe, 2470 San Diego Ave., Old Town.

Bring a headshot of your pet and learn how to paint him/her pop-art style. All materials included. From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 5. $35. inspiredstudio.com

For full listings,

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

Circus Hilarious at Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, 2130 Pan American Rd., Balboa Park. Animal Cracker Conspiracy uses life-size puppets and shadow theater for a story about circus traditions where friendship is the true path to fame and fortune. At 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9. Free-$5. 619544-9203, balboaparkpuppets.com

SPECIAL EVENTS 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at New Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., East Village. Join others for an exploration of the monumental legislation.

The event is open to the public and will include music, art and guest speakers.

From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2. 619-236-5800, alliancesd.org HMOPA Remix Nights: Le Ra at Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park.

Each Thursday (with a few exceptions), MOPA will stay open late and feature a mix of entertainment. This week, it’s the musical stylings of Le Ra, an indie-pop band formed in Tijuana/San Diego with major influences from Brit-pop, rock en Español and jazz. From 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 3. $6-$8. 619-238-8777, mopa.org Dash & Dine Gaslamp 5K at Gaslamp Quarter, Downtown. This inaugural twilight race offers a unique 3.1-mile course through the Gaslamp. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Armed Services YMCA’s programs at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. At 7 p.m. Thursday, July 3. $40-$45. 619-233-5227, gaslamp.org/5K HTony Gwynn Day at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. In celebration of the life of Gwynn, the Fair will offer free admission to anyone with a Padres 2014 home game ticket stub. There’ll also be a memorial to Gwynn where guests can visit, share photos and memories. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday, July 3. sdfair.com HRoots in the Barrio at Roots Factory, 1878 Main St., Barrio Logan. The Roots Factory presents this reggae summer series happening every first Sunday of the month through September. There will be art, food, vendors and live music from Maka Roots, Melapelus and BinaryElements. At 4 p.m. Saturday, July 5, facebook.com/events/689430651094012 Urban Mobile Market at The Headquarters at Seaport District, 789 West Harbor Drive, Downtown. Food trucks, fashion trucks and other mobile businesses come to The Headquarters every Friday.

There’s also outdoor games, musicians, pop-up places for you to sit and enjoy your food, and more. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 4. 619339-9314, urbanmobilemarket.com

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 19

Larger than

Life

The late architect Graham Downes created waves that continue to ripple through San Diego

by Kinsee Morlan

A

one-sided fight that lasted about 15 minutes—that’s how a neighbor described the attack he witnessed on Juniper Street in Bankers Hill during the early morning hours of April 19, 2013.

By the time police arrived, the two men involved were laying on the street next to each other.

“That’s my boss,” said Higinio Salgado, sitting up, noticeably drunk and covered in blood. The police used two pairs of handcuffs to restrain the 320-pound man, who later claimed he had no idea how he and his boss ended up outside.

Graham Downes, his face pale as he lay on the street in front of his home, didn’t move.

Two days later, Downes, 56, a wellknown architect, developer and rugby player, succumbed to his brain injuries and died. A year later, a jury found Salgado, a property manager for Downes, guilty of second-degree murder. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, July 8, and faces 15 years to life in prison.

As the hearing draws near, family and close friends have been tasked with writing about their loss. Their statements will be read aloud in court before the judge sentences Delgado.

“It’s the hardest letter I’ve had to write,” says developer Brett Miller, looking out at the ocean view from the bar inside Tower 23, the slick boutique hotel Downes helped him design. “I’ve started and stopped a few times, and I always write down the same words: ‘I’m lost.’ There are just no words

20 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

that could describe what all of us have lost.”

I

n this computer-aided world, not all architects can draw. Downes, though, was known for his ability to sketch by hand, skillfully picturing not only the architecture of a place, but also the people who would eventually fill it.

“When he would draw and sketch, the little details he added would bring it to life,” says Maria Carrillo, who worked with Downes for 16 years.

A magnetic man who knew how to have a good time, Downes shone brightest when designing for the hospitality industry—the eye-catching designs of Tower 23, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s interior, Basic, Chive and Hotel Palomar are often mentioned when he and his work are discussed.

“He had a strong interest in making sure people had a lot of fun,” says Andrew Duncan, one of Downes’ closest friends. “He wanted to make sure people had a great environment in which to play.”

Duncan, who, like Downes, grew up in South Africa, has stacks of his friend’s sketches. He’s currently working with the NewSchool of Architecture + Design on an exhibition of the drawings set to open later this year. Meanwhile, Carrillo’s working on publishing a book of Downes’ drawings.

“It’s just such a lost art,” Carrillo says.

“Graham could draw and design anything on the back of a napkin.”

G

raham Downes Architecture, Inc. was a firm that attracted designers and ar-

chitects from around the world. Every few months, Carrillo says she had fun counting the number of languages the staff could speak. The international workforce, she says, was drawn to the firm’s commitment to the clean, minimalist-design philosophies advocated by the German Bauhaus art school. Downes attached the suffix “haus” to everything he could—Blokhaus was the name of both his office and the development and leasing arm of his firm.

Throughout his career, he never veered from the design philosophy.

The “Once a Blokhead, Always a Blok-

Graham Downes’ sketch of Hotel Palomar in Downtown San Diego.

head” Facebook group has 36 members, mostly young, up-and-coming architects and designers; the group is just a small selection of people who’ve worked alongside and been influenced by Downes. Michael Soriano, Don Hollis and Armando Hurtado are among the more recognizable names who’ve gone on to shape the look of San Diego and beyond.

Gregory Strangman, a developer who worked with Downes on projects like the Downtown nightclub Thin, laughs as he describes Downes as having “a little Steve Jobs in him.” The hard-nosed man, Strangman explains, pushed and argued with his employees and even his clients over issues as seemingly unimportant as painting a room stark white or cream—details Downes believed would genuinely impact a project. His tough approach wasn’t always appreciated—he lost clients and employees—but friends say he had the ability to pull the best out of people.

“People who went in the door came out better designers and better architects because of Graham,” Carrillo says. “He asked a lot of me and everyone else, but he was always able to fire up the troops, get us amped up.”

While the firm’s designs of new buildings are notable, Downes also had a knack for breathing new life into old buildings.

He was selected as the architect to help with the revitalization of the outdated Uptown District Shopping Center in Hillcrest anchored by Ralphs and Trader Joe’s. The revamp will likely be his last-ever realized

man, Hollis and Jonathan Segal. The itinerary always included architectural tours and meetings with architects along with the debauchery and fun.

“He brought an international flavor to San Diego and inspired others to do so, too,” says Leslee Schaffer, former executive director of the San Diego Architectural Foundation. “I think San Diego really benefitted from him. We really needed that.”

T

Downes in front of his revamped office in Barrio Logan. design. A spokesperson for the project says that great care is being taken to honor the design’s intent and integrity.

“When the first phase opens in the fall, you’ll definitely be able to recognize Graham’s fingerprint,” says Hollis, who teamed with Downes on the project.

A

fter founding his firm in 1994, Downes moved his office from his Pacific Beach apartment to Second Avenue and Island Street, Downtown, and then to East Village and finally to Barrio Logan—each time making the jump years in advance of major redevelopment.

When Downes purchased an old brick building on National Avenue in Barrio Logan, Carrillo remembers walking into the space and thinking that, this time, her boss had lost it—the beaten-up building looked beyond repair. But by the time the firm unveiled its hip, new office with an exposed roof and airy central atrium, Carrillo and most everyone else was convinced that Downes’ risky move was a smart, even inspirational, one. It was the first development of its kind in Barrio Logan, and others have since followed. Strangman says he’ll soon move his company’s offices to the neighborhood.

“It’s just amazing how we were always on the cusp of the wave, and Graham had

the foresight to know that,” Carrillo says, noting that Downes had set his sights on Bankers Hill soon before he died. “He was always searching for the next place; where’s the next place we can make our mark?”

A

t the recent Graham Downes Memorial Golf Tournament, Andrew Duncan straightened one of five bottles of wine emblazoned with a black-and-white portrait of a smiling Downes. He stood back, quickly wiped away a tear and snapped a photo of the bottles, which were up for auction. The annual fundraiser is put on by KwaZulu Old Crocs Rugby, a club co-founded by Downes, who most teammates called “Basher.”

“I’m judging by all the hooting and hollering out there that you had a good time, right?” said Bill Shrimpton, another Old Crocs founder, standing behind a lectern.

“At one point, I heard a really boisterous roar, and I thought, That sounds like Basher. Alas, it wasn’t.

“We will miss you,” Shrimpton said, raising a glass.

The Old Crocs have raised thousands of dollars through the tournament and auction. The money will help finance three new, annual scholarships in Downes’ memory: Two architectural scholarships for students at Woodbury University and NewSchool of

Downes playing rugby for the KwaZulu Old Crocs Architecture + Design and one for a rugby player who’ll earn a trip to South Africa for intensive training with the Sharks, a worldclass team for which Downes once played.

“Graham was passionate about his rugby, and he was passionate about his architecture,” Duncan said, wearing Downes’ No. 1 Old Crocs jersey as he took to the podium to introduce David Garcia, the first-ever recipient of one of the architectural scholarships. Later, Ben Pinkelman was announced as the first rugby scholarship recipient.

John Hex, an Old Crocs member who coached Downes when he was in high school, said the architect didn’t stand out on the rugby team at first, but he pushed himself and became one of the best.

“He worked hard for what he got,” Hex said. “That applied to his career in architecture as well.”

D

ownes had a reference library in his office filled with thousands of photos he’d taken while traveling. He loved to see the world, not only for entertainment, but also to stay fresh and inspired.

He regularly rallied the local architecture-and-development crew, traveling with different groups of friends and colleagues, including Miller, Duncan, Strang-

he night of April 19, 2013, started with Downes, Salgado and a handful of others holding a happy hour at the firm’s office.

Downes was in a good mood, celebrating the general upswing in the economy and talking about an upcoming trip to Tijuana to look at development opportunities. The firm had a handful of projects in the pipeline and was ready for more.

Downes was hit hard by the economic downturn of 2008, but friends say that 2013 marked the most energy they’d seen in him in years. Ready for the next big thing, he called up one of his former employees, Simon Terry-Lloyd, to talk about future prospects.

Salgado didn’t like Terry-Lloyd. According to court records, Terry-Lloyd, Salgado’s former supervisor, told police that he caught Salgado allegedly stealing leather chairs from the company, drinking on the job and otherwise shirking duties. By the time the happy hour migrated from the office to a bar and eventually to Downes’ home, witnesses told police, people were drunk and Salgado started angrily telling Downes how much he hated Terry-Lloyd.

Fueled by booze—Salgado’s attorney argued a “blackout drunk” defense—that anger eventually boiled over into the brutal 15-minute attack that ended a life that’s touched and transformed dozens of people and places.

“Graham helped put San Diego on a path,” says Hollis who, like most of Downes’ friends, has struggled to write his sentencing-hearing impact statement, because the loss of Downes’ personality and charisma has left such a void.

“His death changed that trajectory, but San Diego is different and better because he was here.”

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

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 21

Kinsee Morlan

Seen Local It’s about time Independent curator Dave Hampton is earning a reputation as one of the few people in San Diego who are interested in researching the city’s historical art-andcraft movement. He’s the guy who pieced together the thoughtful San Diego’s Craft Revolution exhibition at Mingei International Museum in 2011, and he’s always researching and exhibiting past important work made in San Diego and beyond through Objects USA (objectsusa.com), the website and occasional pop-up shop he cofounded.

Hampton’s latest diggings have focused on Richard Allen Morris, John Baldessari, Bob Matheny and Russell Baldwin. The resulting exhibition, Spitting in the Wind: Art from the End of the Line, opens at the Oceanside Museum of Art (704 Pier View Way, oma-online.org) on Saturday, July 5. It marks the first time anyone’s organized a group show featuring work made by these four friends during the 1950s and ’60s.

Sitting at a table at Influx Café in Golden Hill, Morris and Hampton describe the climate of what Hampton, in the exhibition catalogue, calls “San Diego’s preUCSD, pre-Interstate 5 art community.” As the name of the exhibition suggests, support for the arts in the city back then wasn’t terribly enthusiastic.

“The title is accurate,” Morris says. “It expresses the frustration of the times, which were pathetic, as Kinsee Morlan

Steve Gibson

Bookmark-worthy blog

Dave Hampton (left) and Richard Allen Morris they are now. It hasn’t changed. This is not a vigorous art community at all.”

The artists faced what they saw as indifference to their work and to the edgy, progressive ideas and art movements they were introducing to San Diego, Hampton later explains. Baldessari had to leave San Diego before making it big in the art world. The others stayed and, Hampton says, never got the recognition they deserved, because San Diego is so often overlooked by the international art world. As the catalogue notes, the four artists “did more to advance the field of contemporary art in San Diego during the 1960s than is remembered today.”

“People just don’t understand this period in San Diego very well,” Hampton says. “I mean, why hasn’t anyone come along to do this show already? Why is it me doing this now?”

—Kinsee Morlan

the work [on the blog] that can be traced back to my work, and therefore becomes a kind of notebook for me, referencing what I think works in a painting,” Gibson explains.

For each image he posts, Gibson includes the title, date, media, dimensions and the artist’s or gallery’s website. Sometimes he’ll write brief captions describing why he likes the work.

“It gives me the opportunity to pay back the people I like and help give them more exposure,” he says.

“Maybe they get something; maybe they don’t. It depends on how many eyeballs see it.”

The blog—updated every other day or so—serves as an educational resource for people to see what’s happening in contemporary painting. Though Gibson showcases the work of other artists, he’ll occasionally post an image of his own work.

Few people leave comments, but some are responding. In addition to making connections and sparking online conversations with other artists, Gibson’s blog inspired a new role for himself—online exhibition curator.

Max Presneill, director and curator at The Torrance Art Museum, asked Gibson to curate the museum’s first-ever online exhibition. The result, Intersection: Contemporary Abstraction and Figuration, included several artists whom Gibson had discovered online during his daily web searches.

“The blog has become my contact with the outside world of artists and galleries that I would not have otherwise had access to,” he says. “All I can do is put what I think is important out there and see who responds.”

Steve Gibson has spent his life making art. And since 2012, he’s been posting online about art, too, at his blog, Mockingbird (mockingbirdthoughtz.blog spot.com). The site isn’t a pulpit—Gibson doesn’t critique or analyze here; rather, he shares images of contemporary painting and two-dimensional works that he likes.

“I’m basically proselytizing my aesthetic,” says Gibson, who, for his own art, primarily paints abstract works that play with color, lines and shapes.

A San Diego native with a long résumé, Gibson spends the bulk of his time creating in his La Mesa studio—he’s currently working on large-scale oil paintings on linen and drawings on Mylar. But he also devotes about an hour a day to combing the web for images to post, ranging from non-objective ab—Claire Caraska straction to figuration to narrative works, and conWrite to kinseem@sdcitybeat.com tacting the artists for their permission.

“There is a thread that weaves its way through and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

22 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

Unstoppable Bong Joon-ho’s thrilling train ride into a frozen future

by Glenn Heath Jr. In Snowpiercer, a self-sustaining high-speed train carries what’s left of the world’s population on a track that spans the length of the globe. Each car has a function and class distinction, with the well-to-do inhabiting the head sections and the poor living in squalor Chris Evans (center) wants an upgrade to first class. at the tail. There’s only ice beyond the locomotive’s steel skin, the rest of the globe frozen by counter-attacking. a crippling cooling agent dispersed 17 years before Other action scenes stand out for Bong’s mastery to reverse global warming. To this point, there have of timing and movement. A bathhouse sequence uses been two attempts at revolution. There’s about to be steam to mask a sense of direction, whereas a longa third. range shootout between Curtis and Wilford’s main Curtis (Chris Evans) leads this latest insurgency goon takes place between two separate sections of with quiet determination, exploding violently only the train hundreds of feet away. Bong manages to when the situation calls for it. He’s a strategist and make each new space feel dynamic, especially the a brute, essentially a modern version of an archetype opulent rooms where the wealthy indulge on sushi, that Lee Marvin used to play. Advised by friend and booze and a drug called Kronol. The insurgents’ rage mentor Gilliam (John Hurt), Curtis and his dirty- is momentarily interrupted when they come in confaced soldiers storm the guards and begin making tact with elements of normal life once thought extheir way to the front, where the train’s creator Wil- tinct: Chicken, champagne and hardboiled eggs are ford (a talky Ed Harris) oversees the engine. To open just a few revelations. the reinforced cargo doors that connect each car, the Snowpiercer—which opens Wednesday, July revolutionaries recruit a prisoner named Namgoong 2—progresses onward at an alarming rate but slows Minsoo (Song Kang-ho), the seto nearly a crawl in the final curity specialist who designed moments, allowing for necesall the locks. sary subtext and hidden trauma Snowpiercer Directed by Bong Joonto fill in the blanks of the story.

Directed by Bong Joon-ho ho, the South Korean auteur Some critics see these scenes Starring Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, known for melding genres with as bloated, too metaphorical Tilda Swinton and John Hurt efficient ease, Snowpiercer is a amid their insistence on placRated R sci-fi bruise. It’s as visually acing meaning on all the bloodcomplished and morally amshed. But as with his previous biguous as Bong’s serial-killer work, Bong is fascinated with masterpiece, Memories of Murder, but also steadfast the sudden emotional crash that follows adrenalineand fleet like his monster-movie mash-up, The Host. packed scenarios. The moment where Curtis conAs Curtis and his legion propel forward, each car fesses a damning sin to Nam while smoking the last holding different challenges and adversaries, Bong cigarette on Earth proves to be a potent reminder of amps up the urgency and human cost, never shying the soul residing behind the blood-caked face. away from the brutality of hand-to-hand combat.

For all the propulsive chaos that erupts within The most ambitious example of Snowpiercer’s Snowpiercer, it’s a film with a reflective and yearnfierce aesthetic comes midway through the film, ing center. It doesn’t have plot holes as much as inwhen Curtis’ ranks face off against Wilford’s hooded teresting narrative mysteries that are mentioned but thugs carrying axes and spears. Not since the open- never resolved, suggesting even more depth beyond ing scene of Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York has the action façade. Bong might be a master of creating there been such a ferocious close-contact battle. Lim- the tumultuous now, but his kinetic filmmaking style ited space in the train car makes the proximity of the is all in service of pushing these tortured characters fighters feel even more merciless, and the audience toward a future solace in the icy world beyond. feels every pummeling blow. Bong uses slow motion to trace Curtis’ individual charge forward, dodging Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com sharp objects by mere inches before remorselessly and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Thumbs up

Life Itself

If you’re a film lover of a certain age, odds are Roger Ebert played a pivotal role in shaping your view of the medium. Steve James’ excellent documentary Life Itself explains why in meticulous detail, examining Ebert’s ascent from young journalist to senior film critic at the Chicago SunTimes and co-host of At the Mov-

ies with Gene Siskel, the wildly popular television program that changed film criticism forever.

In print, on television and later online through his blog, Ebert provided a populist voice on cinema, which inevitably dovetailed into other subjects like politics, economics and social interaction. He spent his life champion-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 23

ing independent directors (Errol Morris, Ramin Bahrani) and expressing his disdain for what he thought were morally repugnant films (his pan of Blue Velvet remains a classic).

But Life Itself is about the man, not the legend. In 2006, Ebert lost the ability to speak after having surgery on his jaw to remove cancerous tissue. Most of James’ documentary takes place in 2013, right before Ebert died on April 4. So we see him in the hospital, battling to stay positive, with his wife Chaz by his side, dictating notations to the camera with surprising pizzazz.

If Ebert’s everlasting strength and spirit is on display in these candid, sometimes painful moments, his lasting impact on film history is felt in the interviews with filmmakers, friends and colleagues. Each shows a different side, providing the audience with a well-rounded picture of a person who had plenty of hidden demons.

One conversation with Martin Scorsese illuminates Ebert’s candor and compassion, while another with Werner Herzog displays his Herculean strength.

Despite ending with the sorrow felt by Ebert’s death, Life Itself—which opens Friday, July 4, at Hillcrest Cinemas—prides itself on cherishing the joy of a life defined by positive accomplishments and formidable prose.

—Glenn Heath Jr.

Opening America: From the mastermind behind 2016: Obama’s America comes another hyperbolic documentary that imagines a scenario where the United States lost the Revolutionary War and America did not come to exist.

Deliver Us From Evil: A New York City police officer (Eric Bana) and an unconventional Catholic priest (Edgar Ramirez) team up to solve a series of supernatural crimes terrorizing the city.

Earth to Echo: The found-footage film has finally found its way to the children’ssci-fi genre in this adventure about an alien who recruits a group of friends to help it return home. I’m sure E.T. is suing for copyright infringement.

Los Insolitos Peces Gatos (The Amazing Catfish): A young woman meets a sickly matriarch in the hospital, only to become close with her family after embarking on a road trip together. Screens through July 10 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Life Itself: A documentary portrait of Roger Ebert, legendary film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times who revolutionized television with his popular review show with Gene Siskel. See our review on Page 23.

Snowpiercer: In a frozen post-apocalyptic future (is there any other kind?), the only human survivors live aboard a highspeed train with distinct class boundaries and brutal restrictions. A revolt by the im-

24 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

Screens at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at Coronado Village Theatre.

The Lorax: A grumpy creature helps a young boy win the affection of the girl of his dreams in this animated film based on the popular Dr. Seuss book. Screens at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Point Loma’s Liberty Station.

Deliver Us From Evil poverished tail section threatens to shift the balance of power. See our review on Page 23.

Tammy: Melissa McCarthy stars as a fast-food employee who hits the road with her alcoholic grandmother (Susan Sarandon) after losing her job and leaving her husband.

Yves Saint Laurent: Biopic about the famed French fashion designer who battled addiction during his rise to fame in the late 1950s. Screens through July 10 at La Jolla Village Cinemas.

One Time Only Raiders of the Lost Ark: Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) races to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant from the clutches of Nazi scum in Steven Spielberg’s great action adventure. Screens at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6, at Cinema Under the Stars in Mission Hills.

Akira: This classic 1980s anime envisions a future where a biker-gang member is turned into a mind-bending psychopath who threatens Tokyo. Only a group of equally talented psychics can stop him.

Screens at midnight on Saturday, July 5, at the Ken Cinema.

The Immigration Paradox: Director Lourdes Lee Vasquez spent seven years attempting to find out why immigrants risk their lives to immigrate to the United States. The results are shocking. Screens at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, and 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 8, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Beast Wishes: Bob and Kathy Burs have been labeled “the goodwill ambassadors of sci-fi and horror fandom,” and this feature documentary explores why they love film so much. Screens at 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 6, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

And So it Goes: Michael Douglas stars as a egomaniac Realtor who’s suddenly tasked with taking care of his estranged grandchildren. Directed by Rob Reiner and co-starring Diane Keaton. Presented by the New York Film Critics Circle, with a taped Q&A projected after the movie, it screens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Now Playing Citizen Koch: Documents the trail of campaign funding behind the Tea Party’s rise to power. Screens at Reading Gaslamp Cinemas.

Half of a Yellow Sun: Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Thandie Newton, this drama set in 1960s Nigeria follows two sisters as they watch a country become ravaged by civil war. Screens through July 3 at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Korengal: Taking unused footage from his previous film, Restrepo, Sebastian Junger looks even deeper at the fighting men waging war in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan.

Third Person: A successful writer (Liam Neeson) going through a mid-life crisis begins writing his next book only to find his novel splitting off in different directions.

Transformers: Age of Extinction: Boom!

Under the Electric Sky: Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz take viewers behind the scenes of the Electric Daisy Carnival, the largest dance-music event in North America. Screens at AMC Mission Valley.

Violette: Emmanuelle Devos stars as a woman who befriends Simone de Beauvoir, inciting an intense relationship based on the quest for freedom.

Jersey Boys: Clint Eastwood adapts the popular Broadway play about the rise of musical group The Four Seasons.

Obvious Child: A sassy stand-up comedienne gets dumped by her loser boyfriend and then has a one-night stand with a stranger, which results in an unwanted pregnancy.

Getting Back to Abnormal: A documentary about race, politics and culture in New Orleans five years after Hurricane Katrina changed the landscape forever. Screens at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 7, at the San Diego Public Library in East Village.

The Rover: In the Australian outback, ten years after society collapses, a determined nomad (Guy Pearce) hunts down the three men who stole his car. It co-stars Robert Pattinson (Twilight). Ends July 3 at Hillcrest Cinemas.

Margin Call: Drama that intimately scales the walls of Wall Street to look at the 24 hours leading up to the initial bubble burst that began the latest financial crisis.

Screens at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at the Point Loma / Hervey Branch Library.

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon: Directed by actor Mike Myers and Beth Aala, this documentary goes inside the crazy life of Hollywood insider Shep Gordon.

A Brony Tale: Watch how a Vancouverbased voice artist named Ashleigh Ball becomes an Internet phenomenon for a fan base of middle-aged men obsessed with My Little Pony. Screens at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, July 8, at Hillcrest Cinemas.

Travis: A Soldier’s Story: Documentary about U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, who lost portions of both arms and legs in an IED attack during his third tour in Afghanistan. There’ll be a post-screening Q&A with Mills and actor Gary Sinise, whose foundation is presenting the film.

Think Like a Man Too: Kevin Hart and Michael Ealy once again star in a mosaic of couples behaving badly, this time set in Las Vegas. It’s a sequel to the 2012 comedy Think Like a Man. For a complete listing of movies, please see “F ilm S creenings” at sdcit yb eat.com under the “E vents” tab.

ryan

Well, That was awkward

Bradford Craft beer and loathing Four hours into our journey, the tension was high. fancy burgers. Winning your way into your wife’s My wife Jessica and I were driving from San Diego group of friends is difficult when your internal to Paso Robles to attend the Firestone Walker Inmonologue is just a constant Urkel-voice saying, vitational Beer Festival. However, a SNAFU with “Was that me?”

Apple maps had taken us on a three-hour detour After dinner, we sat around the table and talked through Los Angeles County. We weren’t talking— about breweries, whales (rare beers, i.e. “Whales, the only sound was the tinny Rage Against the Mabro,” which roughly translates to “That’s a rare beer, chine coming from the car’s speakers. The adultgood sir”) and took turns telling tales of beer fests angst was definitely not helping the situation. past. Apparently, the year prior had been one of the As we passed the Miller beer factory in Irwinhottest on record, resulting in at least one death. dale, I thought about how funny it would be to All this was going on while Lucien slept in his vibring a pack of MGD to a group of beer aficionados. brating chair at the center of the table, which made I pointed to it and said, “Wouldn’t it be funny if—.” the macabre conversation feel like some dark ritual.

Jessica screamed. I looked back at the road. We But then somebody announced a guilty pleasure of were flying 80 mph into stopped traffic. I stomped drinking Miller High Life and Jameson whiskey, and the brakes, felt the tires skid. “I’m sorry,” I said. The it seemed like even the baby wanted to kick his ass. car fishtailed into the carpool lane, dodging the car There’s no denying the overt masculinity that in front of us by mere feet. I felt adrenaline pulse still prevails in the craft-beer scene. Every beer through my veins, realized my last words could’ve fest I’ve been to is packed with walking tributes to been “I’m sorry,” which seemed to be an appropribeard and meat, out-sweating and outnumbering ate summation of my life. the ladies, two to one.

Later, when our Pandora lost signal in the desFor the most part, I let my severe lack of masculinert, Jessica and I resorted to singing murder ballads ity ride, but when you’re surrounded by hairy dudes to each other. who are vastly more knowlI like beer as much as the edgeable about beer than you Usually in those situations, next functioning alcoholic, are—in addition to your wife’s but sometimes San Diego’s lady-boner for a prominent I see how fast I can craft scene feels like the veiny beard—inadequacy reigns. get drunk to make the blob at the end of Akira—enUsually in those situations, compassing and swallowing I see how fast I can get drunk bad-bad feelings go away. everything in its path. I can’t to make the bad-bad feelings throw a rock on a weekend go away, but I silently resolved without hitting a beer festival (thereby ruining my to keep it cool and prove my worth to these beer weekend rock-throwing plans). San Diego even reguys. I also resolved to not puke, which I’ve learned cently crowned itself “America’s Craft Beer Capiis actually not the highest form of flattery to most tal.” While that popularity isn’t bad, per se, the elitbrewers, contrary to popular (my) belief. ism it produces is insufferable. So why risk life and I followed Sean through the lines, listening as he limb to make the harrowing trip up to Paso Robles? bestowed knowledge like he was my own personal The trip was organized by wife-and-husband Alibeer whisperer. He fielded queries from complete cia and Sean, who’ve been Jessica’s friends since high strangers who recognized him from Instagram and school. They also just welcomed twins into the world, revered him like a celebrity. He rubbed elbows with which I’m sure produces a certain chaos in their a group wearing similar “SARA’s Cellar” shirts—a household that must be remedied with guilt-free, drinking society so exclusive that I’m pretty sure babysitter-enabled binge-drinking once in awhile. one of the guys insinuated that I’d have to murder And we just got a new cat, so, you know, we’re someone to join. all super-busy. But vacations like these help sustain Halfway into my sophisticated assimilation into long-lasting, long-distance friendships. the elite crowd, my beer descriptions began rangWe stayed in a historic brick house with a pool ing from “great” to “great.” My mouth tasted like that Alicia had rented nearly half a year prior. the inside of a strawberry’s butthole due to all the Among other guests were our friends George and sours I was drinking. I coveted Jessica’s ex’s godJustine—also new parents who brought their baby damn lustrous beard. Serious public shaming and ridicule ensued each time a person dropped a glass.

Lucien and a babysitter—plus a roving cast of beer The crowd was losing it—Lord of the Ryes, amirite? enthusiasts who know each other from Instagram It was time to go. and Untappd, the Facebook for beer lovers.

I may not remember all (or any) of the beers I Jessica also informed me that her ex-boyfriend tasted, but if someone asks me, I can just lean back would be around. Yippee. and say, “Whales, bro.”

“But don’t worry, he’s got, like, three kids,” she Now, can someone get me a High Life and a shot said, as if this were somehow a good thing and not a of whiskey? reminder of my man-child inadequacies compared with the world of grown-ass men.

Write to ryanb@sdcitybeat.com That first night, I ruined dinner by insisting on and editor@sdcitybeat.com. manning the grill and ended up undercooking our

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 25

Shervin Lainez

ing on bass and vocals, while Stack took up synth duties.

The sound is still identifiably Wye Oak, but in an entirely new context, taking on a lighter, dreamier style through songs like the hypnotic title track, the pulsing and minimal “The Tower” and the gorgeously danceable “Glory.” For the duo, putting some distance between themselves and their previous album was necessary motivation to take on something new.

“It started to feel a little bit like this jukebox machine of that sound and that sort of style that we were playing,” Stack says. “It certainly isn’t that we don’t stand behind [Civilian], but I think we both have a lot of different interests in terms of the music we listen to and that we relate to, and in terms of the music we’ve always wanted to make.

“After a while of doing that, there was just a feeling like we needed to stretch out a little bit,” he continues. “It wasn’t in us to make another record like Civilian.”

Creating Shriek required unconventional thinking.

Some of it came out of a desire to throw out anything overly familiar. However, a lot of it was out of necessity; living on opposite sides of the country makes it a lot harder to organize weekly rehearsals.

Rather than carve out month to concentrate their songwriting, Stack and Wasner took a more open-ended approach, recording individual pieces of songs and sending them back and forth over an extended period of time.

“We never actually really set foot in a room together and played through the songs, or had any live, real-time version of any of the material until after the record was Jenn Wasner (left) and Andy Stack are united as a creative duo, even though they live on different coasts. completely finished,” Stack says. “I think we were sending files back and forth via email and talking about how we going to make another record at all after Civilian,” Stack wanted the record to be, but never in each other’s pressays. “This band’s been going for, oh, eight years, and we’ve ence. So, what that brought out was very individualistic both changed a lot in that time. And touring… is not the sessions of recording for each of us.” most natural thing for us, either. Over the course of about Stack contends that Wye Oak is still the band it’s always two years, we did probably 300 shows. When we finished been—Shriek is just a different aspect of it. And by tapping with that cycle, all we could do was step away from it.” into a different side of the band, taking on a radically difIn hindsight, the band’s hiatus was short-lived. When ferent approach and challenging the idea of what Wye Stack and Wasner came home after extensive touring Oak could be, they’ve erased doubts about the possibility in 2011 and 2012, they put Wye Oak on the backburner. of progressing. Stack says that he and Wasner are “enerStack, who’d up to that point been a lifegized” after the process of making Shriek, long resident of Baltimore, pulled up emerging much more optimistic about stakes and moved 3,000 miles away to what’s to come.

• by Jeff Terich Portland, Oregon.

“The stuff we’ve done in the past—it’s Last year, after eight years as a band and two straight years Under ordinary circumstances, this not like that version of this band is dead,” Wednesday, July 9 of touring behind their third album, Civilian, Wye Oak might disrupt a band’s creative process, he says. “We still really stand behind that needed a break. The Baltimore duo had grown weary of but for Wye Oak, it did the opposite.

Belly Up Tavern stuff. We still play the songs. But there’s the music they were making, exhausted in part by playing Within a year, they finished their fourth this whole other side. I think that feeling wyeoakmusic.com the same songs live hundreds of times and losing perspec- record, Shriek, which ended up being of opening up to new ideas and a new protive on how best to move forward. a dramatically different sound for the cess of writing is something that’s gonna In fact, they almost didn’t. Multi-instrumentalist Andy band. It’s a much more synthesizer-drivstay with us in the future,” he adds.

Stack tells CityBeat that he and songwriting partner Jenn en record, with the louder, ragged indie-rock sounds of “We’re really excited about the next thing.”

Wasner began to ponder whether or not they would con- their previous records stripped away in favor of a more tinue making records. atmospheric approach.

Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com “There was a lot of questioning about whether we were Wasner didn’t play guitars on the album, instead focus- or editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Di vide

and

conquer

Wye Oak use geographic obstacles to their advantage

26 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

Wye Oak

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 27

notes from the smoking patio Locals Only Psychedelic rockers JOY have announced that their new album, Under the Spell, will be released on Aug. 19 via prominent New York City-based hard-rock and heavymetal label Tee Pee. Tee Pee is home to a number of other likeminded bands, such as Witch, Nebula, Hopewell and San Diego’s Earthless, whom JOY guitarist Zach Oakley credits for helping make the deal happen.

“We were put in touch with Tee Pee through our friend [and Earthless bass player] Mike Eginton,” Oakley tells CityBeat in an email. “His band has been releasing records with them for a long time, and he knows a lot of the folks that run the label. He made the thing possible.”

Oakley says the band’s arrangement with the label is a lot less traditional than the typical recordlabel signing.

“We don’t really have a ‘contract,’” he says. “All of the folks over at Tee Pee keep it super real, and have been nothing but positive and supportive of our music.”

The album was mixed by Astra’s Brian Ellis, who also plays keyboards on the album. It features guest appearances by Radio Moscow’s Parker Griggs and heavy-psych legend Nik Turner, a founding member of Hawkwind, as well. Oakley says that much of the album came out of improvisational rehearsal sessions.

Music review Island Boy Basic Instincts (Rita) Richard Hunter-Rivera, the songwriter and performer behind Island Boy, spent more of his childhood traveling than your average American kid. A U.S. native, Hunter-Rivera moved to Italy with his family at a young age and then spent his teenage years in Puerto Rico before making his way back to San Diego.

It’s that Puerto Rican heritage and experience that partially defines Island Boy’s musical identity as a one-man, synth-based project incorporating elements of Caribbean music, such as SoCa and reggaeton. So, no, it’s not just a clever name.

That Caribbean influence plays a major role on the sound of Island Boy’s new album, Basic Instincts.

Its 10 tracks, with their danceable appeal, incorporate a much more diverse and vibrant set of sounds than the stereotypical full-length set of club jams. “El Dembo Me Salvó” swings and sways with calypso rhythms and dense layers of vocal effects. And a heavy Latin thump underscores the hypnotic, exotic pulse of “Hospital Bed.” Yet, there’s another, perhaps more important,

28 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

JOY “It’s super loud and live, and really psychedelic,” Oakley says. “It was such a blast making this record, I hope that’s the way it sounds to folks that hear it.”

•••

Head Wound City—a noise-rock super-group featuring Justin Pearson and Gabe Serbian of The Locust, Nick Zinner of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Jordan Billie and Cody Votolato of The Blood Brothers—have announced their first live shows in more than eight years. The group will play on Sept.

20 at Bedrocktoberfest in Los Angeles and at The Smell, also in L.A., the next day. The band’s only previous live show took place at The Epicentre in 2005.

—Jeff Terich island that appears to be a massive influence on Hunter-Rivera’s music: Great Britain. His vocals frequently recall the detached cool of Echo and the Bunnymen singer Ian McCulloch, even when the beats are turned up high enough to rattle trunks.

And perhaps it’s just the vintage analog synth sounds that make up the foundation of most of his songs, but Island Boy is steeped in classic new wave, coldwave and post-punk aesthetics, whether he’s pulling off some darkly orchestral manoeuvres on “Too Straight,” creeping into sultry goth-pop atmosphere on “Ashes” or trying his hand at gorgeously synthetic balladry on “16mm.”

More than a few elements of Island Boy’s approach seem familiar in some way or another, but the way that Hunter-Rivera combines such disparate influences offers something unusually novel. What makes it work is his subtlety; his vocals are never offensively hammy, nor his production too intense.

In fact, he might afford to stretch out and intensify some of his sounds, but it’s hard to hear Basic Instincts as anything but a successful experiment.

—Jeff Terich Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 29

if i were u

Talks to Rainbows, you know this is a show not to be missed. PLAN B: Wild Cub, Night Riots @ House of Blues. I have a lot of affection for dreamy-sounding bands with lots of synthesizers, but they still have to be good

BY Jeff Terich songwriters if I’m to actually give a shit.

Wild Cub’s songs, as it turns out, are pretty damn good. It helps that new album Youth Wednesday, July 2 has as much Prince influence as it does that PLAN A: Peter Murphy, Ringo Death- of OMD. BACKUP PLAN: starr @ Belly Up Tavern. Goth icon and Metalachi, Geezer @ The former Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy Casbah. has recently had some embarrassing runins with the law, but the man still knows how to work a crowd. Whether he’s res- Friday, July 4 urrecting some old post-punk classics or PLAN A: Barbecued simply playing newer solo material, he’s Ribs, Cans o’ Beer, got the charisma to dazzle all the creatures Blowin’ Shit Up @ Your of the night. PLAN B: Reigning Sound, House. There are a surThe Heartaches, International Dipshit prising number of clubs @ Soda Bar. Memphis’ Reigning Sound do open and hosting shows garage rock the old-school way—heavy on on the Fourth of July, but Hammond organ and dripping with sweaty, I’m hesitant to recommend something over meaty soul. It takes more than a fuzzbox to a good old-fashioned backyard barbecue make a good song, and this band knows that with some cold ones in the cooler and fireworks exploding in the sky. PLAN B: Ringo better than most of their peers.

Deathstarr, Hills Like Elephants, The Cardielles, Killer Hertz, Gloomsday @ Thursday, July 3 Soda Bar. But, hell, if a venue’s putting on a PLAN A: Ronnie Spector, DJ Claire @ good show, might as well check it out, right?

The North Park Theatre. Ronnie Spec- Ass-kicking shoegazers Ringo Deathstarr tor is a founding member of girl group The are headlining this lineup, which also feaRonettes, a pop-music legend and an all- tures some killer local bands. It’s only $4, around badass. Whether you know her from and Soda Bar promises pizza and barbecue, “Be My Baby” or her EP of punk covers, She which sounds like a win to me.

30 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

sibility that Leppard might play something from High ’n’ Dry. PLAN B: Foreign Suns, PLAN A: Amen Dunes, Axxas / Abraxas, Boychick, Future Age @ Soda Bar. The Octagrape @ Soda Bar. Amen Dunes is es- live-music calendar thins out a bit after the sentially one guy: Damon McMahon. But you 4th of July, but there’s ample opportunity wouldn’t necessarily know it from his richly for you to hear some good local music. Take, arranged psychedelic folk songs, which for instance, hard-rocking duo Foreign Suns, never sound impossibly dense, just warmly who milk plenty of noisy, albeit danceable, layered enough to feel like the work of four sound out of just guitar and drums. stargazing, desert-wandering weirdos. PLAN B: Grand Funk Railroad @ Monday, July 7 Del Mar Fairgrounds. PLAN A: Thunders, R.A. Rosenborg, You kids don’t know Grand Splavender @ Soda Bar. Chicago’s ThunFunk? The wild shirtless ders play a drunken, sleazoid style of punk lyrics of Mark Farner? rock that boasts hooks for days, even when The bong-rattling bass of it sounds like a total fucking mess. In fact, Mel Schacher? The com- that’s part of the appeal. These dudes make a petent drum work of Don lot of noise, but push aside some of the feedBrewer? Oh, man! BACK- back and empty pizza boxes and you’ll find UP PLAN: The Creepy some excellent melodies.

Ronnie Spector Creeps, Schitzophonics, Love Hungry Men @ The Casbah.

Saturday, July 5

Tuesday, July 8

Sunday, July 6 PLAN A: Def Leppard, Kiss, Kobra and the Lotus, Jake Dreyer @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Yes, a double bill of Kiss and Def Leppard is almost too much schlock rock to handle. And, yes, we’re about 30 years past either band’s prime—at least. But fuck it: Def Leppard and Kiss are playing together, and that’s a spectacle too good to pass up. It’ll be worth it for no other reason than the pos-

PLAN A: The Foreign Exchange @ Winstons. The Foreign Exchange is kind of like hip-hop’s version of The Postal Service.

Dutch producer Nicolay and American MC Phonte created a long-distance beats-andrhymes project that eventually turned into their 2004 debut, Connected. They never actually met in person until after the album was done, but the work they created still sounds fresh. They’ll prove it onstage with this 10thanniversary tour of that landmark album.

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 31

HOT! NEW! FRESH! The Muffs (Casbah, 7/26), Emily’s Army (HOB, 7/26), Thee Oh Sees (BUT, 7/28), David Kilgour and the Heavy Eights (Soda Bar, 8/3), Black Kids (Soda Bar, 8/14), Future Islands (The Irenic, 8/22), Buck-O-Nine (Casbah, 8/22), Built to Spill (The Irenic, 8/23), Atmosphere (HOB, 9/4), Buzzcocks (BUT, 9/18), Paolo Nutini (HOB, 9/29), The Felice Brothers (Soda Bar, 9/30), Cymbals Eat Guitars (Soda Bar, 10/3), Chromeo (SOMA, 10/8),

CANCELLED Venetian Snares (The Casbah, 7/6).

GET YER TICKETS The Antlers (BUT, 7/16), Chris Rock (Civic Theatre, 7/19), Doug Benson (HOB, 7/23), Au Revoir Simone (Casbah, 7/28), The Hold Steady (BUT, 7/31), Arcade Fire (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 8/5), Grouplove, Portugal the Man (Open Air Theatre, 8/17), The Zombies (HOB, 8/20), Jason Mraz (Civic Theatre, 8/21), Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 8/21), David Gray (Open Air Theatre, 8/31), Luis Miguel (Viejas Arena, 9/18), Andrew Bird (Humphreys, 9/19), Drake, Lil Wayne (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 9/20), Lykke Li (North Park Theatre, 9/22), Jason Aldean (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 9/25), Temples (BUT, 9/27), Foster the People (RIMAC, 9/27), Colbie Caillat (Humphrey’s by the Bay, 9/28), The Gaslight Anthem, Against Me! (HOB,

32 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

9/30), DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist (HOB, 10/1), Joyce Manor (The Irenic, 10/2), Twin Shadow (BUT, 10/9), The Horrors (BUT, 10/13), The New Pornographers (BUT, 10/18), Metronomy (BUT, 10/19), The Afghan Whigs (BUT, 10/24), Alt-J (SOMA, 10/24), Bonobo (HOB, 10/26), Delta Spirit (BUT, 11/1), The Black Keys (Viejas Arena, 11/9), The Misfits (HOB, 11/16), Psychedelic Furs, The Lemonheads (BUT, 11/17), Bastille (Viejas Arena, 11/19), Ira Glass (Balboa Theatre, 11/22), John Waters (North Park Theatre, 12/1), Fleetwood Mac (Viejas Arena, 12/2).

July Wednesday, July 2 Peter Murphy at Belly Up Tavern. Reigning Sound at Soda Bar.

Thursday, July 3 Ronnie Spector “Behind the Beehive” at The North Park Theatre. Wild Cub at House of Blues.

Friday, July 4

Wednesday, July 9 Silver Snakes at Soda Bar. Wye Oak at Belly Up Tavern. S. Carey at The Casbah.

Thursday, July 10 The Fray at The Open Air Theatre. Braid Paisley at Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

Quiet Riot at House of Blues. Jefferson Starship at Belly Up Tavern.

Friday, July 11 Cloud Nothings at Soda Bar. Cher at Valley View Casino Center. Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band at Humphreys.

The Reverend Horton Heat at Belly Up Tavern.

Saturday, July 12 Behexen at Til-Two Club. La Roux at House of Blues.

Sunday, July 13 ‘For the Fucking Kids Fest’ w/ Danny Tanner, Retox, The Frights at The Che Café.

Nipsey Hussle at House of Blues. Ringo Deathstarr at Soda Bar.

Saturday, July 5 The Creepy Creeps at The Casbah.

Amen Dunes at Soda Bar.

Sunday, July 6 Kiss, Def Leppard at Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

Tuesday, July 8 Kenny Loggins at Belly Up Tavern.

Goatwhore Tuesday, July 15 Goatwhore at Soda Bar.

Wednesday, July 16 Chris Isaak at Humphreys. The Antlers

at Belly Up Tavern. Robert Francis and the Night Tide at The Casbah.

Thursday, July 17 Planes Mistaken for Stars at The Casbah.

Friday, July 18 Dwarves at Soda Bar. Craft Spells at The Hideout. Jurassic 5 at Del Mar Racetrack.

Saturday, July 19 Dwarves at Soda Bar. Bob Log III at The Casbah. Wolves in the Throne Room at The Che Café. Rita Rudner at North Park Theatre.

Sunday, July 20 Natural Child at Soda Bar. X acoustic at Belly Up Tavern.

Tuesday, July 22 The Neighbourhood at Open Air Theatre. Doobie Brothers at Humphreys.

Cayucas at The Casbah.

Wednesday, July 23 Doug Benson at House of Blues. Matt Pryor at The Casbah.

Thursday, July 24 Tori Amos at Humphreys. OK Go at Belly Up Tavern. Boris at The Casbah. The Aquabats at House of Blues.

Friday, July 25 Goo Goo Dolls at Harrah’s Resort. Guttermouth at Soda Bar. Jason Cruz and the Howl at Porter’s Pub. The Cult at Del

Mar Racetrack.

Saturday, July 26 Say Anything at House of Blues. Donavon Frankenreiter at Harrah’s Resort.

Slightly Stoopid at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Kevin Gates at Porter’s Pub.

Sunday, July 27 Municipal Waste at The Casbah. Dierks Bentley at Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

Monday, July 28 Au Revoir Simone at The Casbah.

Tuesday, July 29 Foxy Shazam at Belly Up Tavern.

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach. 710bc.com. Wed: Open mic, open jam. Thu: Live band karaoke. Fri: Kid Wilerness. Sat: Sunny Rude, City Reef, Special Blend. Sun: Karaoke. Mon: Battle of the bands.

98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd. Ste. 110, Little Italy. 98bottlessd.com. Thu: John Reynolds Quintet. Sat: 145th Street. Sun: The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave, Downtown. americancomedyco. com. Wed: ‘For The People’. Thu-Sun: Fahim Anwar. Tue: Open mic.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St, Downtown. facebook.com/BangBangSanDiego. Thu: Penguin Prison.

Bassmnt, 919 Fourth Ave, Downtown. bassmntsd.com. Thu: Adrian Lux. Sat:

Norin and Rad. Beaumont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla. brocktonvilla.com/beaumonts.html.

Wed: Kayla Hope. Thu: Simeon Flick.

Sat: Funk Junkies. Sun: Sando.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. bellyup.com. Wed: Peter Murphy, Ringo Deathstarr. Thu: Okapi Sun. Fri: Stranger, Beyond I Sight. Sat: The Young Guns, DJ Hugh Janus. Sun: Dave Booda, Tolan Shaw, Chris Wilson, Endoxi. Tue: Kenny Loggins.

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave, Carlsbad. boarcrossn.net. Thu: Loose Nuts, Embalmers. Fri: ‘Club Musae’. Sat: Bad Neighborz, Brewfish.

Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd, University Heights. bourbonstreetsd.com. Wed: VJ K Swift. Thu: ‘Wet’. Sun: ‘Soiree’. Tue: Karaoke.

Brass Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave, Hillcrest. thebrassrailsd.com. Thu: ‘Muscle’. Fri: ‘Deeply Rooted’. Sat: ‘Sabado En Fuego’ w/ DJs XP, KA. Sun: ‘Noche Romantica’ w/ Daisy Salinas, DJ Sebastian La Madrid. Mon: ‘Manic Monday’ w/ DJs Junior the Disco Punk, XP. Cafe Sevilla, 353 Fifth Ave, Downtown. cafesevilla.com. Wed: Aro Di Santi. Thu & Sat: Malamana. Fri: DJ Rhubino. Sun: Oscar Aragon.

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

Wed: Lizzi Trumbore. Thu: Danny Green Trio. Fri: Ruby Blue. Sat: Mark Fisher.

Sun: Irving Flores.

Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay. dizzyssandiego.com. Sat: JazzKatz Project.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 33

Epicentre, 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd, Mira Mesa. epicentreconcerts.org. Sat: Nuclear Sunday, Hannibal, Offshore Impact, Chrysalis, Lose Control, Caravan.

F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown, Downtown. f6ixsd.com. Fri: Nipsey Hussle. Sat: DJ Bamboozle. Sun: DJ Brett Bodley.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave, Downtown. fluxxsd.com. Thu: Riff Raff. Fri: Brett Bodley.

Sat: Sid Vicious.

Gallagher’s, 5040 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach. 619-222-5303. Wed: Neighbors to the North, Barbarian. Thu: Simpkin Project, DJ Reefah. Fri: Pool Party. Sat: DJs R2, Chelu, RM. Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave, Downtown. hardrockhotelsd.com. Sat: ‘Intervention’ w/ Redfoo. Sun: ‘Intervention’ w/ Gareth Emery.

Henry’s Pub, 618 Fifth Ave, Downtown. henryspub.com. Wed: Johnny Tarr, DJ Christopher London. Thu: Mark Fisher, DJ Yodah. Fri: ‘Good Times’. Sat: DJs E, Yodah. Mon: ‘Kinetic Soul’. Tue: Big City Dawgs.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave, Downtown. houseofblues.com/sandiego. Thu: Wild Cub, Night Riots. Fri: Nipsey Hussle.

Sat: DSB. Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. kavalounge.com. Thu: Walkie Talkie, Dunga, Dr. Kananga, Gabonano, Dream Ghost, Winter Inter. Fri: DJs Karma, Paolo, Tripsy, Justin Campbell, Bruno da Mata. Sat: ‘Ascension’. Sun: ‘The Edge’. Tue: ‘High Tech Tuesday’.

Sat: ‘Bear Night’. Sun: ‘Joe’s Gamenite’.

Tue: Karaoke Latino.

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

Queen Bee’s, 3925 Ohio St, North Park. queenbeessd.com. Tue: Open mic.

Rich’s, 1051 University Ave, Hillcrest. richssandiego.com. Wed: ‘Mischief with Bianca’. Thu: DJs Casey Alva, Von Kiss.

Fri: DJs Dirty Kurty, Will Z. Sat: DJ Taj. Sun: ‘Stripper Circus’.

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

Thu: Downs Family. Sat: Baja Bugs.

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave, North Park. sevengrandbars.com/sd. Sat: Ugly Boogie. Mon: ‘Motown Monday’ w/ DJ Artistic.

Shakedown Bar, 3048 Midway Drive, Point Loma. theshakedownsd.com. Wed: Moonpool, Viva Apollo, The Steinbacks, The Cobra-Las. Thu: ‘Darkwave Garden’.

Fri: ‘Pistol Grip Pump Tour’. Sat: Plastic Planets.

Side Bar, 536 Market St, Downtown. sidebarsd.com. Fri: ‘S-Bar’. Sat: Kyle Flesch.

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave, Kensington. 619-284-2848. Fri: Dancing Strangers, Zombie Barbie.

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

Wed: Reigning Sound, The Heartaches, International Dipshit. Thu: Rusty Maples, Jimmy Ruelas. Fri: Ringo Deathstarr, Hills Like Elephants, The Cardielles, Killer Hertz, Gloomsday. Sat: Amen Dunes, Axxas/Abraxxas, Octagrape. Sun: Foreign Suns, Boychick, Future Age. Mon: Thunders, R.A. Rosenborg, Splavender.

Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd, Hillcrest. numberssd.com. Thu: ‘Varsity’. Fri: ‘Uncut’.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St, Midtown. spinnightclub.com. Thu: AudioFly. Fri: ‘Fab Fri-

34 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

day’. Sat: ‘Revive’. Sun: ‘Reggae Sunday’.

Face, Never Pass Go.

Stage Bar & Grill, 762 Fifth Ave, Downtown. stagesaloon.com. Thu: Superbad, Dubstep DJs. Fri: Disco Pimps. Sat: Hott Mess, DJ Miss Dust. Mon: Karaoke.

Tin Can Ale House, 1863 Fifth Ave, Bankers Hill. thetincan1.wordpress.com.

Wed: Dead Broke Down, Zach Oakley, David Zimmerle. Thu: Stewardess, Arms Away, Crooked Rulers. Sat: Gayle Skidmore, Laura Gravelle, Saba. Mon: ‘Tin Can Country Club’ w/ Gregory Michael Thielmann.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., San Diego, Normal Heights. sycamoreden. com. Thu: Ed Ghost Tucker, The Whiskey Circle. Tue: Ezekiel Morphis.

The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Rd, Spring Valley. 619-469-2337. Wed: Karaoke.

Sat: Magnvm Chaos. Mon: Wild Orchid karaoke.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd, Midtown. casbahmusic.com. Wed: Brother and Bones, Soda Pants, Crimson House.

Thu: Metalachi, Geezer. Sat: The Creepy Creeps, Schitzophonics, Love Hungry Men. Tue: Magic Man, Night Terrors of 1927, Prides.

The Che Cafe, UCSD campus, La Jolla. thechecafe.blogspot.com. Wed: Todos Caeran, Butler, Pale, Uncle Jesse. Fri: Pathos Mathos, Roman Candles, Calvin Jalandoni. Sat: ROAR, New Lungs, Diners, Bad Kids, Space Missionaries. Sun: Big Bad Buffalo, The Obsessives, Peru 4 U, Monty.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave, Hillcrest. rubyroomsd.com. Wed: Open mic. Sat: Unicorn Death, Botanist, Blood Dancer, TrashAxis. Sun: Karaoke.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St, Bay Park. tioleos.com. Thu: Rockin’ Aces. Sat: Karaoke. Tue: DJ Pat Mueller.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave, City Heights. thetowerbar.com. Thu: ‘Hip Hop vs. Punk Rock’ w/ Nikki and the Mongoloid, Nuclear Tomorrow, Sculpins, Preacher vs Choir. Fri: The Bloodflowers, Poontang Clam, Christ Killer.

Turquoise, 873 Turquoise St, Pacific Beach. theturquoise.com/wordpress.

Wed: Vera Cruz Blues (4 p.m.); Tomcat Courtney (7 p.m.). Thu: Talia (4 p.m.); The Jade Visions Jazz Trio (7 p.m.). Fri: Gabriela Aparicio (4 p.m.); Tomcat Courtney (7 p.m.); Afro Jazziacs (9 p.m.). Sat: Tomcat Courtney (4 p.m.); Tony LaVoz and Cold Duck Muzick (7 p.m.). Sun: Sounds Like Four. Mon: David Hermsen (4 p.m.); Stefanie Schmitz and Choro Sotaque (7 p.m.). Tue: Stefanie Schmitz (4 p.m.); Grupo Globo (7 p.m.).

The Office, 3936 30th St, North Park. officebarinc.com. Sat: DJs EdRoc, Kanye Asada.

Whistle Stop Bar, 2236 Fern St, South Park. whistlestopbar.com. Wed: ‘New Best Thing.’ Thu: ‘KNTRL.’ Sat: DJ Cros One. Sun: Dream Nite DJs. Mon: Trivia.

Tue: ‘Videodrome.’

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights. tiltwoclub.com. Fri: Hard Fall Hearts, The Silverhounds, Chemtrails.

Sat: ‘Aaron Ward Benefit Show’ w/ Motionless, The Binge, Moosejaw, The Attacks, Run Barbara Run, Blue in The

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St, Ocean Beach. winstonsob.com. Wed: Open mic. Thu: The Routine, Soulside Players. Fri: ‘Ocean Boogie’. Sat: Punch Card. Sun: Destructo Bunny. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: The Foreign Exchange.

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 35

36 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 37

38 · San Diego CityBeat · July 2, 2014

July 2, 2014 · San Diego CityBeat · 39