San Diego CityBeat • Aug 2, 2017

UP FRONT | FROM THE EDITOR

SANDANG

W

hat’s the big deal?

This is a refrain many of us have heard over the last few months especially when it comes to the myriad scandals coming out of Washington. Maybe it’s the result of a general acceptance of the notion that all politicians are corrupt in some way. Perhaps it’s just blind partisanship; the idea that we’re much more willing to accept the transgressions of a politician if said politician’s values closely align with our own. One person’s what happened with the Russians? is another person’s but her emails!.

And then there’s the recent scandal involving the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). I, for one, didn’t see what the big deal was at first when Voice of San Diego first reported that the organization’s executive leadership possibly misled voters when it came to forecasting the amount of funds that would be generated by Measure A, a 0.5 percent sales tax increase that was on the 2016 ballot.

But the measure was defeated. So why should readers care about the numbers on an economic forecast that doesn’t even affect them?

Well, first, it’s important to point out that the multi-member SANDAG does hold a lot of power. They are the region’s primary planning agency, in charge of a lot of money and with the power to decide important infrastructure and transportation projects. Second, it’s im-

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portant to understand the scope of the scandal. There are some excellent primers by Sara Libby on the Voice of San Diego website and

by Doug Porter on the San Diego Free Press website that I encourage all readers to check out, but here’s the gist: SANDAG, using outdated forecast models, possibly knew that they were off by a billion or so dollars when they were trying to encourage voters to vote yes on Measure A. What started as a rather general inquiry by Voice’s Andrew Keatts about this discrepancy in the economic forecast has blown up into a full-fledged scandal with revelations that multiple executive leaders of SANDAG (including Executive Director Gary Gallegos) instructed employees to begin deleting documents and emails so as to circumvent public records requests.

Make no mistake: This is a smoking gun.

One that will likely result in (we hope) resignations by SANDAG’s leadership and a complete overhaul in their economic forecast systems.

Again, it’s easy to be dismissive. Voice investigated the economic forecast, which resulted in an independent investigation, and now we have the results from that. The bad guys seems to have been caught even if the results of that independent investigation found that there was “no intent or deliberate effort” to deceive the voters. So we can all move on, right?

Not exactly.

First, the executive leadership are not yet obligated to step down. They are not under any criminal investigation and only pressure from

the region’s mayors and city officials would persuade them to do so. What’s more, according to the investigation Gallegos—a former Caltrans director who was hired to oversee SANDAG in 2001—instructed employees to delete documents using a separate server. As this issue went to press, California State Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher was referring the SANDAG revelations to Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office and asking for a state audit of SANDAG’s reporting practices.

This is only going to get uglier. What’s worse, if there is a state-level audit and SANDAG’s economic forecast models are found to be, indeed, outdated and unreliable and that execs knew that, there will have to be a complete overhaul of SANDAG. That will take a

lot of time and energy. Time that could have been spent coming up with tangible solutions to the county’s vast infrastructure and transportation needs.

To think, this could have potentially been avoided if SANDAG execs had just admitted their mistake. It’s likely that everyone would have moved on. By actively trying to cover it up, not only did they ostensibly admit their guilt but showed the entire city that they cannot be forgiven or trusted. Instead, they tried to cover their asses and, as the coming weeks and months should prove, it’s San Diegans who will have to pay the price.

That is a big deal. That is why we should care.

—Seth Combs

This issue of CityBeat already misses The Mooch.

Volume 15 • Issue 51 EDITOR Seth Combs MUSIC EDITOR Jeff Terich WEB EDITOR Ryan Bradford ART DIRECTOR Carolyn Ramos ASSOCIATE EDITOR Torrey Bailey STAFF WRITER Jamie Ballard COLUMNISTS Aaryn Belfer, Edwin Decker, Minda Honey, John R. Lamb, Alex Zaragoza

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AUGUST 2, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 3

UP FRONT | LETTERS

LEADING THE CHARGE I just wanted to write and tell you thank you for your op-ed regarding San Diego County Gun Owners and the “special day” bestowed upon them by city council [“Clinched fist of truth,” July 5]. I am the San Diego leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and lead the charge on opposing them in city hall. I appreciate your self-reflection regarding your own opinions about guns and really loved your article. The SDCGO are the San Diego arm of the NRA and we must counter them at every turn. While Moms Demand Action supports the second amendment, we do not share SDCGO’s vision of arming every person in San Diego County and allowing more people to conceal carry guns in our county. Thanks again for drawing attention to this important topic.

Wendy Wheatcroft Group Lead San Diego Del Cerro

PRIDE FOR ALL Why do you have a straight person cis-splaining Pride and discussing to her fellow straights what she thinks the rules of Pride are [“Don’t reign on their parade,” July 12]? Y’know, the QUILTBAG community is pretty prevalent and we would have been happy to consult on writing a piece.

First point: Pride should be treated as a holiday to celebrate love. We love allies! We would literally not be here if it weren’t for our friends and family! So what if bystanders are wearing commercialized rainbow products and using Pride as an excuse to make out? More power to them. I’ve only experienced respect in bars; people care more about what you drink and the craft beer, more than anything else in San Diego. My sexual orientation doesn’t matter at the bars. We all want to get wasted. Alcohol doesn’t discriminate.

Second point: assholes come in all sizes. We’ve got thick skin and we’re okay with letting people know if things aren’t cool. We’re also okay with migrating or letting the bouncer know if there’s an asshole (after all, this is standard operating procedures for dealing with assholes) in the midst. No need to become woke by preparing research before you go to your first Pride celebration. Don’t treat it like an exhibit at the zoo.

Also, we don’t bite (unless you’re into that).

Third point: as an Asian American who immi-

UP FRONT From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Spin Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Backwards & In High Heels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Well, That Was Awkward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 4 6 7 8

FOOD & DRINK The World Fare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Anatomy of a Cocktail Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Final Draught. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

THINGS TO DO The Short List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14

ARTS & CULTURE After Hours: About Last Night. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 FEATURE: Kearny Mesa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-19 Film. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-22

MUSIC FEATURE: Swirlies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Notes from the Smoking Patio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 If I Were U. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Concerts & Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-29

LAST WORDS Advice Goddess. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 COVER PHOTO BY TORREY BAILEY

grated ten years ago, I wouldn’t dare explain to other Asians about how to treat Dia De Los Muertos, or anything vastly outside my league. Research and education are poor substitutes for life experiences. You can be an anthropologist and still commit faux pas. Come in and learn from the natives.

Overall, thanks but no thanks. We can take it from here.

A.S.

Chula Vista

This week’s pothole comes from staff writer Jamie Ballard, who noticed this peninsular atrocity near her neighbors’ house on Dorothy Drive near SDSU. It’s about 10 feet long, obscuring the home’s entire driveway, and on most days is decorated with a red solo cup or two. The good news? Since the hole is to the side of the road, it’s easy for most drivers to avoid.

The bad news? While no one deserves to have a 10-foot pothole right in front of their home, the residents of this house proudly hung a poster of a “famous” EDM DJ in the window. “They can be found hosting raucous beer pong tournaments in the front yard almost daily,” Ballard says. “If anyone deserves a little extra inconvenience, it’s these assholes.”

Send your favorite pothole location and pics (but really, only if it’s safe to do so) to seth.combs@sdcitybeat.com.

4 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

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August 2, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 5

UP FRONT | OPINION

SPIN

CYCLE

JOHN R. LAMB

Oh mercy, Mark Kersey!

The American people never carry an umbrella. They prepare to walk in eternal sunshine.

—Al Smith

T

he national Republican controversy du jour has created an interesting, less-attention-grabbing sub-universe for local moderate Republicans who appear ready to combat our civic woes with less-insane solutions.

While Mayor Kevin Faulconer tweets about a rigorous schedule of picture posing and giant-scissor usage on poor, unsuspecting lengths of thick red ribbon, it is refreshing to see other Republicans tussling for the spotlight as we hurtle toward the 2018 election season.

Exhibit A last week was San Diego City Councilmember Mark Kersey. The photogenic North County infrastructure wonk didn’t have Luke Skywalker visiting his district for an honorary street-

naming ceremony like fellow Republican Chris Cate. But Kersey did manage to spring off his own rickety launching pad into a 2018 California Senate bid.

On the same day, he managed to get his hat handed to him on a subject—speeding up the city’s hiring process—that has local labor groups scratching their heads about its true motivation.

It was a Thursday that Kersey likely won’t soon forget. He started the day all bright-eyed and clean-shaven on the set of KUSI’s Good Morning San Diego. The show is known for being a favorite drop-in spot for San Diego’s conservative brain trust who prefer collegial banter over tough questions.

The buzz all week was that the councilmember had grown antsy over five years and had his eye on the 38th District state Senate seat of termed-out arch-conservative

6 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

Joel Anderson. That morning, he pulled the trigger.

“I’m in the race,” Kersey said emphatically. “Sacramento impacts our daily lives, and we need people up in Sacramento who have proven records of bipartisan problem-solving. And that’s what I’ve done on the City Council for the last five years.”

Kersey is set to face at least one Republican in the Senate race, since former state Assemblymember and current Santee City Councilmember Brian Jones long ago announced his run for the seat.

Jones has already racked up a significant list of GOP endorsements, including newly minted county Supervisor Kristin Gaspar.

But Kersey suggested that the scorched-earth ways of the local GOP brass weren’t his cup of tea: “The only way we’re going to get anything done in Sacramento, particularly on the Republican side because our numbers just aren’t that good up there, [is] we’re not going to go up there and be bombthrowers and be effective.”

He said the trick is to “build relationships” and find issues that matter to both sides of the aisle— like roads and housing affordability—that are “substantial but not overly partisan, because those big partisan battles you’re just going to lose. You know you are.”

JOHN R. LAMB

The normally low-key San Diego Councilmember Mark Kersey went all Jean-Baptiste Zorg last week over the city’s hiring process.

But when asked about running against another Republican, Kersey instead launched into diatribe about the Department of Motor Vehicles, even leaving the interviewer wondering aloud about the “random” nature of the topic.

“The DMV is terrible!” Kersey bellowed. “Have you been to the DMV lately? The DMV needs fixing.”

Asked if this wasn’t more of a “low-level issue,” Kersey replied, “Not when you’re there.”

His solution was “better people” and “more technology.” But then the interview trailed off into Kersey’s vision of an early 2019 special election to fill the remainder of his council term. In his words, he’ll deal with that “come November of 2018” when he wins the senate race.

“I’ll still be on the council the next year and a half, at least,” he assured his inquisitor.

Hours later, Kersey had a different timeline in mind as he pitched a city charter amendment intended to speed up municipal hiring, a proposal he wants to run past voters in June 2018—coincidentally the same primary election in which he’ll be running for state Senate.

His plan is to shift some hiring duties away from the city’s Civil Service Commission and into the political realm of the mayor’s office. When this plan was not faring well among colleagues on the council’s Rules Committee Thursday, Kersey appeared uncharacteristically miffed when agreeing to delay a decision.

“I’m only going to be here for another three years,” he snapped.

“If we don’t solve this problem, I’ll be gone. The people who are here working at the city deserve to be hired faster. That is the bottom line. I have no skin in this. And if my colleagues don’t want to see this go forward, that’s fine. We can move on to another challenge.”

The problem with the proposal, however, was that it came with few details. A Kersey staffer told the

committee that “our goal is to fill funded vacancies more efficiently by removing proscriptive language from the city charter and bringing the hiring function under the umbrella of city operations”—similar, Kersey argued, to methods used in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose.

Kersey had informally polled local labor groups on the proposal and seemed genuinely surprised that labor leaders largely avoided testifying on Thursday. Those who did came down hard on the vague plan to speed up hiring.

“It’s unfortunate that the folks who have complained the loudest about how long it takes aren’t actually here today because they were supportive of this initially,” Kersey said.

Brian Marvel, president of the San Diego Police Officers Association, said his organization was at first supportive until it was realized that the plan had little meat to it. He also said targeting the city’s Personnel Department for the brunt of criticism in hiring delays was unfounded.

“I think the majority of issues with that department has been resolved,” Marvel said.

Kersey acknowledged his proposal wouldn’t tackle the primary hindrance to recruiting—pay and benefits in a post-pension world.

Rodney Fowler, president of the AFSCME Local 127 that represents blue-collar workers, had another take.

“I think it’s bullshit,” he told Spin. “I think if you want to create an initiative to put the Personnel Department under the mayor’s office, just come out and say it like that. Then we can have an open and honest debate about what it is you’re trying to accomplish.”

Otherwise, Fowler said, this is just another ambitious politician “using this as a launching pad for something else.”

Spin Cycle appears every week.

Write to johnl@sdcitybeat.com.

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UP FRONT | OPINION

AARYN BELFER

BACKWARDS & IN

HIGH HEELS

The follies of Southeast’s Gang Suppression Unit

S

inger and activist Wilnisha “Tru7h” Sutton is raising her 10-year-old son by herself in Southeast San Diego. This vibrant community largely composed of Black and Brown people is often stereotyped as a dangerous place by media and law enforcement. Sadly, this becomes the narrative for those who don’t live there.

The truth is far more complex than a single story can reveal, and those who live there want what we all want: To live their lives in peace. To be free to come and go in their community without scrutiny. To go to work and to make ends meet. To have access to healthy food and health care. To gather with friends and loved ones. To get the kids out the door to good schools, and to know that they are safe. They want to have their humanity recognized.

But this community suffers from over-policing at disproportionate rates, particularly as it pertains to law enforcement efforts to document people—kids and adults—as gang members. On Saturday, August 5th, Pillars of the Community as well as Sutton, Aaron Harvey and others, will be offering a free, one-day conference to tackle this issue. The DocumentMe Conference at the Educational Cultural Complex (4343 Ocean View Blvd.) will examine the ways in which the community can help fight against the devastating impacts of gang documentation, gang injunctions and gang conspiracy laws.

If all this sounds unfamiliar to readers, it’s probably because they don’t live in Southeast.

After all, no SDPD patrol car is coming to bust up a gang of white surfers. Yet, for Black and Brown people in Southeast, that is precisely what’s going on.

Twice a week, from 4 p.m. until well after sundown, the Gang Suppression Unit patrols the residents of Southeast, criminalizing them in advance. The patrols—which do not take place in Bay Ho or Serra Mesa or UTC, by design—are a shameful infringement on personal liberty and civil rights that cause no small amount of trauma to community members across generations. But it’s the actual documentation that really changes lives.

“It’s really discouraging,” Sutton tells me by phone. “I am afraid that my son will be documented as a gang member just because I can’t afford to live anywhere else.”

Her concerns are not unwarranted. A 2016 audit of CalGang, the “shared criminal intelligence system” or statewide database, which is used voluntarily by law enforcement agencies, affirmed what residents of Southeast San Diego already knew; children as young as one year old documented as gang members. Innocent people were being pigeonholed as criminals. This list is a contemporary method by which law enforcement can survey, track and document poor people of color.

With little oversight or regulation, CalGang has been abused by law enforcement and has grown to

contain thousands of names of supposed gang members, a delineation that leaves people vulnerable to all kinds of trouble and, as the audit found, violates privacy laws. Assemblymember Shirley Weber worked with community members last year to pass legislation mandating notification when someone’s name is added to the database.

And how does someone end up in CalGang? They have to meet at least two of 10 criteria—certain tattoos, being seen with other known gang members, wearing certain colors, to name just three—and then law enforcement marks them.

There’s a metaphor in there somewhere.

This made me think that my name, too, could be added to the CalGang database for my activities with Showing Up for Racial Justice San Diego. We are a group of people working together, sometimes toward what certain institutions might consider “antisocial” ends, so that makes us a gang. We frequently wear the same t-shirt with a specific color. How come we haven’t had the police helicopters circling overhead trying to document our movements?

The system as it exists destroys lives and tears apart families. Two years ago, I wrote about Aaron Harvey, a young resident of Southeast who is also affiliated with the DocumentMe Conference. He got caught up in gang conspiracy charges with roots in the CalGang system, but he was not in a gang, nor did he have a criminal record. In fact, he wasn’t even living in San Diego at the time of his arrest when Bonnie Dumanis used then-obscure penal code 182.5 to charge Harvey with murder because he was documented as affiliated with a gang that has allegedly committed murder. Harvey, a law-abiding citizen, spent nearly eight months in jail and faced life in prison before a judge threw out his case. He now spends his time working to make policy changes.

“The goal of the conference is to educate people and then give them actions,” said Harvey when we spoke. “We want to build a localized coalition to fight gang documentation, and to assist Pillars in advocating for the community.”

When I ask Harvey how his experience feeds into his work, he demurs. “I don’t like to focus on me. I’m just one of thousands. As much as we can, I want to highlight the work that Pillars is doing. I have a lot of support. I don’t want others to be left out. This is a community push.”

There are serious, long-lasting, negative consequences to the CalGang system. But that same system has turned out some very important activists as well. And they are seizing this opportunity, with other engaged citizens, to change the landscape for their kids.

This list is a contemporary method by which law enforcement can survey, track and document poor people of color.

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Backwards & In High Heels appears every other week.

Write to aarynb@sdcitybeat.com.

AUGUST 2, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 7

UP FRONT | OPINION VOICES

RYAN BRADFORD

WELL THAT WAS

AWKWARD Zero chill at the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival

T

he day is cloudy and muggy as fuck. My skin shines with the sweat and grime akin to a thousand McDonald’s PlayPlaces. In the South Pole, an iceberg the size of Delaware has broken off Antarctica, and in my peeved state, my discomfort is on par with that global calamity.

But my animosity toward the weather is just a symptom of a larger affliction, which doesn’t have an official name but often seems to infect the whole goddamn city of San Diego. It’s a result of perfect weather and an easy lifestyle. It’s caused by tan skin, reggae music and craft beer.

I call it the Chillening.

Both the world and I have zero chill right now.

This is no good, because I’m on my way to the San Diego Smooth Jazz festival, which, I assume, is the Chillest Place on Earth™. I’m imagining the event as less of a music festival and more of an endless waiting room with Muzak pumped through small speakers at subliminal levels. I’m also imagining an endless elevator ride where sexy saxophone will soundtrack my slow descent into hell. In fact, this excursion is not even an attempt to educate myself on smooth jazz, but to see how bad it is and how much I can endure.

Walking through downtown, I see a Toyota SUV with a license plate that reads “SUBLIME.” It makes me shudder, but it also feels like a bad omen. The universe is mocking me: hey Ryan, why can’t you just chill out? Here’s that white-boy reggae band that everybody loves except you. Hang loose! One love! Shaka!

When I hit the Embarcadero, I can already hear the shrill sounds of a saxophone emanating from a distance. It’s like a siren song—repulsive... but also a little seductive. I shake that thought out of my head.

Don’t succumb to The Chillening, I tell myself.

Flip-flopped, cargo-shorted tourists nod slightly to the music; overpriced ice cream drips from their cones and covers their fingers. It’s the epitome of “no bad days.”

The woman at the media check-in tent asks what organization I’m from.

“San Diego CityBeat.”

“Oh, that’s one I actually like!” she says. Her compliment is a light salve for my irritation, and I bask in it before she asks who my photographer is—a quick reminder that I am alone. Not just physically, but a sole island of irritation in a sea of chill.

“It’s just me,” I say.

I stroll through the festival, begrudgingly remarking that it is truly a beautiful venue for a festival. I’m

immediately struck by how relaxed everything is. Of course, this is coming from a guy whose festival experiences are Warped Tours, rock radio shitshows and beer fests. Where are the shirtless bros? Why is no one puking or bleeding on themselves?

In front of the stage are tables for VIP ticket-holders, who drink water, lemonade and iced tea from a beverage station nearby. It’s delightful—even more so when I realize my press creds give me access to the beverage station.

Beyond the VIP section, the rolling green lawn is covered with people sitting in chairs. They’re wearing nice Sunday hats—an after-church crowd, for sure.

The air is sweet with cigar smoke. No one is elbowing each other for a closer view. Yes, it’s chill, but a dignified chill.

I venture over to the press tent because I heard there’d be food for us. There’s a handful of photographers snapping pics of a group in front of a Smooth Jazz Fest background, so I take out my camera and take a couple too. I have no idea who they are.

The photographers vie for their attention.

“Turn this way!”

“Over here!”

“Uh, yeah,” I say quietly.

After the group leaves, I ask a woman who seems to be in charge of the press area who it was that I just photographed.

“That’s Curtis Brooks’ band,” she says, raising her eyebrow like I just asked who Justin Bieber is.

“Where are you from, sweetie?” I say CityBeat and she says, “OK,” and points me me to an area where they have brownies.

The clouds break apart. The mixture of sunshine and a cool ocean breeze have raised my spirits immensely. Plus, the brownies have been sitting underneath a window, so they’re nice and soft. I take two. I’m on the verge of chill, and it’s vaguely frightening.

Eric Darius takes the stage. He possess his sax—or the sax possesses him?—like the sexy sax man from The Lost Boys. I join the group of photographers as we all try to capture his passion, but what camera could ever capture the love between a man and his sax?

Darius busts out a tinier sax and says “this one is for the lovers.” I look back and half the crowd is fanning itself. We have all reached maximum chillage.

Then, on my way out, a man jokingly sprays me in the face with a water bottle for walking on the wrong side of the sidewalk. I feel all that hard-earned chill wash away.

Flip-flopped, cargo-shorted tourists nod slightly to the music; overpriced ice cream drips from their cones and covers their fingers. It’s the epitome of “no bad days.”

8 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

Well, That Was Awkward appears every other week.

Write to ryanb@sdcitybeat.com

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UP FRONT | FOOD

BY MICHAEL A. GARDINER

THE WORLD

loin. There were gorgeously roasted vegetables on the plate, each superb product cooked perfectly.

But they never got in the way of the message of that pork tenderloin, and the horseradish cream was enough to frame it perfectly. Everything was enhanced, and nothing either over-complicated things or got in the way.

It’s not just about the garden Remarkably, given the small size of her kitchen t would be easy to write off Chef Coral Fodor and staff (basically a small home kitchen with only Strong’s Garden Kitchen (4204 Rolando Blvd.) Strong and a sous-chef behind the stove) Garden as yet another restaurant trying to jump on the Kitchen’s menu changes nightly. On one evening, “farm-to-table” bandwagon. It isn’t. For one thing, an appetizer of fried baby artichokes was, again, that bandwagon crashed long ago. For another, Gar- nothing particularly fancy. It was just a fried vegeden Kitchen is about more than just the garden; it’s table. But the tempura batter was as light as it posabout the simple, good and honest food coming out sibly could be, the artichoke warm and pleasantly acidic inside, and the creamy fennel sauce—readof that kitchen. And it seems vaguely magical. ing like a loose ranch dressing— MICHAEL GARDINER cooled things down.

On another visit, Strong roasted asparagus spears wrapped in phyllo dough and served them over arugula with a balsamic reduction. The peppery arugula contrasted with the bright, clean flavors of the asparagus and the richness of the phyllo, with the sweetness and acidity of the balsamic reduction tying the whole dish together. The star of the dish was that asparagus, the rest of the ingredients were just there to show it off.

Strong’s dishes aren’t generally long on plating. It’s flavor she focuses on, not painting or Phyllo-wrapped asparagus sculpture. A charcuterie board is a testament to that. And her take Strong tells us the story of her father, a com- on a caprese salad was all about the gaudy beauty mercial fisherman, who came to Garden Kitchen of two different tomatoes—both in flavor and colwhen the restaurant first opened. When she made or—with the basil and an arugula pesto.

A large part of what makes Garden Kitchen spehim a plate, the confused look on his face said it all before he did: he had no idea what most of things cial is a sort of charmed atmosphere. On a stretch of University Avenue that’s hardly anyone’s idea of on his plate were even called.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “Focus on the thing in either elegant or bucolic, it’s a peaceful place that the middle of the plate.” He did, and liked it. And, stands apart. Garden Kitchen serves food that isn’t as Strong tells it, before long he was geeking out on fancy and isn’t exactly luxurious but somehow seems as if it is. Not to repeat myself, but it’s simgarnishes like a full-on foodie.

It’s a theme on nearly every Garden Kitchen ple, it’s honest and sometimes—especially today— plate: well-executed, straightforward food orga- the truth is rare enough to be special. nized around a single, approachable main focus that speaks clearly from Strong to the diner. Take, The World Fare appears weekly. for example, her dish of Kurobuta pork tender- Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.

FARE I

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AUGUST 2, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 9

UP FRONT | DRINK

ANATOMY OF A

BY IAN WARD

COCKTAIL SCENE #11: Persistence and patience at Tamarindo

milk. Turn off heat and add the juice from two lemons. When the milk begins to separate, add punch to milk. Cover immediately, then let sit overnight. had first heard about the cocktail from one of the Using a cheesecloth, strain out curds and serve inchefs at Addison. He had described it as “the sin- dividual portions in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish gle best cocktail” he’d ever had, having tried it with star anise and citrus peel.

I know that, for some, this recipe may be far too at an event put on at the upstairs loft of The Lion’s Share. For about five minutes the chef had talked long-winded and seems like an exhausting underabout the cocktail and couldn’t figure out the pro- taking. Hell, that may be right, but flavors don’t build cess by which it was made (the cocktail is a clarified them fucking selves. Chiles, star anise, cinnamon Milk Punch, or clear milk) and how it had so much and chocolate are all flavors that work together, but not without effort. I’m sure most have heard that a flavor built into it. great mole takes time to make and this cocktail is Then I started hearing other IAN WARD no different. Much like the beloved respectable “industry” professionsauce, this cocktail is incredibly als in town discussing the cocktail, decadent, yet strangely elegant. It’s its complexity and the intrigue deceptive in its clarity. Strong notes into how it was made. So, I talked of spice, of the baking and chile vato Mark Broadfoot of Tamarindo riety, marry with fruit aromatics and Latin Kitchen & Bar (2906 Unirich notes of chocolate and black versity Ave.), the creator behind the tea. Together, it all comes gunning Mexican Chocolate Milk Punch. He for your throat from a crystal clear admitted that the four-day process glass. required to bring about the cocktail Years ago, I helped open a resis one of his most frequently asked taurant in La Jolla called Whisknlaquestions by both guests and coldle, and proudly written above its leagues. Broadfoot was kind enough doors were the words: “You get out to share the recipe, and while this column usually has a cut-out recipe Mexican Chocolate of the pot what you put into the pot.” box at the end, regular readers will Milk Punch These are words that have burrowed themselves inside me. They have berecognize that the Mexican Chococome something that I live by. Sure, late Milk Punch required a little more room to include it within the text, as it is truly a labor of love. crafty cocktailers can make a presentable milk punch Day One: Peel 15 lemons, five oranges and without going through the arduous process listed muddle them in four cups of sugar and let sit for above, but chances are it will taste like a glass full of 24 hours, occasionally agitating, which creates an cut corners.

The amount of time and thoughtfulness that oleo-saccharum (sugared oil).

Day Two: Add to the oleo-saccharum four goes into this cocktail is evident from the recipe ground cinnamon sticks, 10 cloves, 30 ground cori- above. However it doesn’t begin to depict the pasander seeds, two ground star anise pods, three cups sion that it takes to bring a cocktail like this into of reposado tequila, two cups mezcal, three cups creation, and the dedication and effort required to rum, two cups sotol, two cups orange shrub, three put forth something like this on a daily basis is trumangos, six dashes of bitters, two dried chiles, ly impressive. It showcases a commitment to one’s three peppers, two cups tea, four cups lemon juice, craft that is extremely hard to find, and more imone cup orange juice, three-and-one-half cups of portantly, it tastes like it too.

I

water and mix in (gasp) two bars of Mexican chocolate. Let infuse for 48 hours.

Day Four: Strain out everything. Boil 80 oz. of

10 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

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

@SDCITYBEAT

UP FRONT | DRINK

FINAL

BY BETH DEMMON

DRAUGHT Abnormal finds a new way

ABNORMAL KOREA FACEBOOK

A

s San Diego marches toward an inevitable tipping point of independent breweries, some brewery owners are getting creative when it comes to expanding. Some choose to open more tasting rooms within county limits, while others rely on niche brews to appeal to very specific palates. However, more and more San Diegobased beer operations are opting to grow in new regions such as Idaho (Mother Earth Brew Co.), the East Coast (Green Flash Brewing Co., Bottlecraft, Ballast Point and Stone Brewing Co.) and abroad (Stone in Berlin, Germany).

Most recently, Abnormal Beer Company has stayed true to its name by exporting their offbeat approach to beer and food to Haeundae Beach in Busan, South Korea. The brewery has already positioned itself as outside-the-standard brewery model by integrating craft beer, wine and fine dining into one concept, but its 800 square foot South Korean outpost—which opened in early June—features a more California-casual vibe as a taphouse and cantina in the heart of one of South Korea’s most famous (and most crowded) beaches.

“The location has a heavy influence from our location here in Rancho Bernardo, with a mixture of textures of wood and brick, creating a refined but relaxed atmosphere,” says Matt DeLoach, owner of Abnormal Company (which encompasses the entire empire).

The partnership blossomed by chance when its distributor in South Korea, Andrew Frank, “came across an awesome opportunity for a location,” according to DeLoach. With an accelerated timeline of four months from concept to completion, he gives credit to Frank’s tireless efforts for achieving this “incredible feat.”

It couldn’t have come at a better time—the demand for craft beer in South Korea is skyrocketing.

Since 2012, more than 20 craft breweries, spearheaded by South Korean nationals and expats alike, have opened across the country. Even Big Beer-backed outfits like AB InBev-owned Goose Island have laid down roots in cities like Seoul.

“We are using this as a way to prove a model of continuing expansion further into the country and

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Abnormal Taphouse & Cantina in South Korea play a larger role in the development of craft beer in South Korea,” confirms DeLoach.

Beer isn’t the only thing on Abnormal Korea’s menu. San Diego Executive Chef Scott Cannon developed a “fun and approachable” street tacoinspired menu to give locals a taste of Baja-Cali.

He’ll collaborate with the South Korean team to keep the menu fresh and incorporate local seasonal ingredients. “[Cannon has] done a fantastic job creating a menu that gives our patrons overseas a taste of California and relaxed cuisine that translates our culture to a completely new market,” says DeLoach.

Despite the fact that Abnormal Korea is an autonomously operating franchise, DeLoach assures patrons that the San Diego Abnormal Company will maintain overall control of the brand. Though they’re starting small by importing brews from San Diego (as well as serving other local beers), DeLoach doesn’t dismiss the notion of brewing overseas in the future.

“As we continue to grow and expand we would love to be able to open a full on brewing facility in South Korea if it makes sense.”

Write to bethd@sdcitybeat.com, check her out on Instagram at @thedelightedbite, or via Twitter at @iheartcontent.

AUGUST 2, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 11

SHORTlist

EVENTS

ART

the

THREE YOU HAVE TO SEE

COORDINATED BY

SETH COMBS

DOWNTOWN

FATHER JOE’S VILLAGES

1 WALK THE WALK

There’s been a lot of talk when it comes to the increasingly scary plight of our city’s homeless population. Much of it, sadly, has been just that: talk.

For most of us, there is always that underlying feeling of “what can I really do to help?”. Volunteering at local homeless charities and showing up to city council meetings certainly make a difference, but those are often individualized activities.

That is, it’s not that often there is an opportunity to make a collective and declarative statement as an entire city of concerned citizens.

A Short Walk Home hopes to be such an event.

The inaugural walk to end homelessness will be put on by Father Joe’s Villages and also serves as a fundraiser for the local organization, but Father Joe’s Bill Bolstad says the 5K walk (registration contributions range from $15 to $30 at fjvwalkhome.com) will also serve another purpose.

“The really heartbreaking thing when it comes to homelessness is that it’s absolutely something we can do something about. We can end this,” says Bolstad, who serves as Father Joe’s Chief Development Officer. “It is an optional thing, but it requires two things: awareness and resources. This walk is geared towards addressing both of those. The more we can draw public awareness to this issue, the more we can show our leaders here in town that there is a groundswell of support for doing some-

HThe 26th Annual Juried Exhibition at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. A reception to celebrate this year’s Athenaeum juried exhibition, with pieces chosen by gallery director Alessandra Moctezuma and San Diego Library arts manager Kara West. Opening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4.

Free. 858-454-5872, ljathenaeum.org Friday Night LIberty at NTC at Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma. This monthly gallery and studio walk features open artist studios, galleries, live performances, shopping and entertainment throughout NTC’s Arts and Culture District. From 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Free. 619-573-9300, libertystation.com

Father Joe’s residents thing about this. The larger the crowd we can get, the quicker they’ll know.”

Bolstad also thinks A Short Walk Home will hopefully serve as a catalyst for people to become more involved and for other orgs to hold similar fundraising events. This walk happens Saturday, Aug. 5 at 8 a.m. beginning at Embarcadero Marina Park South (200 Marina Park Way) and ends with participants walking through an oversized front door at the finish line.

“The cure for homelessness is housing. That’s why we have people walking through that open door,” Bolstad says. “It’s the idea that you’re helping people find their way home.”

SOUTH PARK

2

CHULA VISTA

NATURE CALLS

Even the most ardent of wine lovers aren’t aware that many of the wines they enjoy are loaded with additives and chemicals. Nat Diego, a natural wine festival, works as both a tasting event and educational workshop.

Happening at various times, Friday, Aug. 4th, Saturday, Aug. 5th and Sunday, Aug. 6th, the “fermentation” themed event will feature different activities each day. The first day starts with a “locals only” party that showcases local natural wine makers, the second day will have a bus tour and last but not least, the event wraps up with a closing party spotlighting rare and large bottles.

Guests will not only drink, but learn about winemaking and its fermentation process from distinguished winemakers, importers, writers and advocates. Most of the events will be hosted at The Rose Wine Bar + Bottle Shop (2219 30th St.) and tickets are $20 to $145 at natdiego.com.

Gallery Selections 2017 at Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. A group show exhibiting 15 Southern California artists as hand-selected by gallery staff. Includes artists Alexander Arshansky, Andrea Rushing, Anna Van Fleet and more. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3. Free. RSVP required. 619696-1416, sparksgallery.com

3

BEST COAST

When people think of getting close to California’s wildlife, most reference popular choices such as the San Diego Zoo or Sea World. But there’s a hidden bayside gem dedicated to coastal wildlife education, where visitors don’t have to fight the typical touristy crowds. The Farm to Bay fundraiser, at Living Coast Discovery Center (1000 Gunpowder Point Drive), is not just a tasting event. Sure, foodies and beer enthusiasts can enjoy samples from local restaurants, craft breweries and wineries, but the event also serves to showcase Living Coast’s raptors, reptiles, rays and more. So guests can enjoy some Amore cheesecake and a Bay Bridge beer while also feasting their eyes on some of nature’s coolest creations. The event goes from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Tickets are $100 at thelivingcoast.org.

Colored Pencil Art Show at La Bodega Gallery, 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan.

For one night only, this pop-up art show exhibits works from over 50 artists who only used colored pencils to make their creations. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Free. 619-255-7036, labodegagallery.com

HOceanside International Film Festival at various locations. The fall film-festival season kicks off in Oceanside with a collection of features, documentaries, shorts and more. Event details and venues can be found on the website. Various times.

Sunday, Aug. 6 through Sunday, Aug. 13. $10-$50. osidefilm.org

FOOD & DRINK

HGenii Loci: The Ecology of Relationships at Art Produce, 3139 University Ave., North Park. An exhibition exploring the complex relationships between both macro and micro ecological systems through community engagement activities and the use of hyper-simplified sculptural forms. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. 619-584-4448, artproduce.org

HHops on the Harbor Craft Beer Dinner Cruise at Flagship Cruises & Events, 990 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown. Enjoy Pizza Port beers and a special evening of food, craft beer and waterfront views. Includes food that pairs with the distinctive flavors of each brewer’s beer selections. From 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. $41.70-$69.50.

800-442-7847, flagshipsd.com

NASTY City Approved #3 at Visual SD, 3776 30th St., North Park. An art exhibit

by Unique, E.VIL and Keemowerks with sounds provided by DJ Ole. Opening from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Free.

619-501-5585, visualshopsd.com

Maritime Museum Beer Festival at Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown. This beer fest will feature live music, lots of local beers on tap and a 17th century Napoleonic-era cannon will fire each hour during the festival. From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. $10-$50.

619-234-9153, sdmaritime.org

HNostalgia at Thumbprint Gallery, 920 Kline St., La Jolla. The closing reception of the group exhibition featuring works that are culled straight from the respective artist’s memory. Features work from Andrew McNamara, Jacki Geary, Somaramos (she’s so cool) and dozens more.

From 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. Free.

858-354-6294, thumbprintgallerysd.com Fixate at House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. A 21-and-over party featuring more than 50 visual artists, photographers, fashion designers and makeup artists. Plus, live music, performance art and a runway show. From 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9. $22-$30. rawartists.org

BOOKS

HDaniel H. Wilson at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The bestselling author of Robopocalypse will sign and discuss his

12 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

Sign Painters at Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. A screening of the 2014 documentary that examines the 150-year history of artists and sign painting throughout the country.

Featured artist Roderick Treece will demonstrate his process before the film and participate in a discussion afterwards.

From 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. $5. 619704-7495, mingei.org

HTransition Lines at The Nest on Third, 260 ½ Third Ave., Chula Vista. A solo exhibition by local artist Melody​D ​ e​​Los​​ Cobos,​​who draws on her Mexican heritage to create art with unconventional materials such as ​corn​ ​husk​ ​and​ ​eggshells.

Opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Free. 619-821-8223

THE LIVING COAST FACEBOOK

Farm to Bay

FILM HQueercore: How to Punk a Revolution at San Diego Art Institute, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. The San Diego premiere of a documentary that highlights how the gay punk revolution of the mid-1980s fought homophobia in punk culture. From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3. $5-$8. 619-2360011, sandiego-art.org

HNat Diego at various locations. A three-day festival celebrating natural wine, which is wine that is free of additives and chemicals. “Fermentation” is this year’s theme, and participants will have the chance to learn more about the process. Various times. Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 6. $20-$145. NatDiego2017.eventbrite.com

James Manns at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. As part of Warwick’s ongoing Weekend with Locals program, Manns will sign and discuss his essay collection, I Don’t Like to Complain, But…. At noon Sunday, Aug. 6. Free.

858-454-0347, warwicks.com

Nat Diego

newest novel, The Clockwork Dynasty, which reimagines history with robot servants. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9.

Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com

H = CityBeat picks

HFarm to Bay at Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista. The eighth annual event includes dozens of restaurants, wineries, breweries and farms coming together for a night of snacks and sips. Benefits LCDC’s programs to educate locals on ways to protect and sustain coastal wildlife. From 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. $100. 619-409-5900, thelivingcoast.org HBattle of the Briskets at Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Professional and amateur chefs will take over the infield as they battle over who has the best BBQ. Includes local brews, live music and Family Fun Day activities.

Free with admission. From noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 6. $6-$20. 858-755-1141, dmtc.com

MUSIC San Diego Summer Choral Festival at St. Andrew’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, 1050 Thomas Ave., Pacific Beach. A concert with both sacred and secular pieces, including music by Eriks Esenvalds, Herbert Howells and composer-in-residence Shawn Kirchner. At 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4.

Free. 609-937–6619, sdproartevoices.org

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EVENTS HEagles of Death Metal at Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Indie-soul band responsible for hits like “Hang Me Up To Dry” and “First” will perform after the last race as part of the 4 O’Clock Friday Summer Concert Series.

Free with admission. At 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. $6-$20. 858-755-1141, dmtc.com HGilbert Castellanos: Portraits In Jazz at San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. The Latin jazz musician presents an inaugural tribute concert to Duke Ellington, with speaker Ken Preston and the Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

From 8 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. $10-$25. 619- 232-7931, sdmart.org Sergio Mendes at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, Downtown. A performance by the 1960s bossa-nova musician who defined the Brazilian sound with chart-topping hits such as “The Look of Love,” “The Fool on the Hill” and “Mas Que Nada.” At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org

own floating lanterns to keep or release at the garden. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Free-$10. niwa.org HLatin American Festival and Mata Ortiz Pottery Show at Bazaar del Mundo, 4133 Taylor St., Old Town. The annual fest features San Diego’s largest collection of Latin American folk art and Mata Ortiz pottery. Includes a vast array of artisan jewelry, vibrant Mexican clothing and colorful collectibles. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. Free.

619-296-3161, bazaardelmundo.com HA Short Walk Home at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way. Local nonprofit Father Joe’s Villages hosts San Diego’s first-ever walk to end

homelessness. The 5K route will end with participants walking through an oversized front door to symbolize that every person should have a home. From 8 to 11 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 5. $15-$30. my.neighbor. org/event/short-walk-home Women’s Jewelry Association Maker’s Project Event at Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. Silent auction items, live auction items and raffle prizes are all up for grabs at this annual event, which benefits Women’s Jewelry Association scholarship programs. From 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. $20-$25. womensjewelryassociation.com Pinot and Ping Pong at The Wine Pub, 2907 Shelter Island Dr., Point Loma. A philanthropic Ping-Pong tournament where the winner will choose the afternoon’s ben-

eficiary. All registration fees and 20 percent of the food and beverage proceeds will be donated. At 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. $10.

619-758-9325, thewinepubsd.com.

HChula Vista Lemon Festival at Third Avenue Village Association, 353 3rd Ave., Chula Vista. To celebrate Chula Vista’s heritage, Third Avenue will feature hundreds of vendor booths, live bands, sour contests, a craft beer garden and a kids’ fun zone with rock climbing and bungee rides. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. Free. 619422-1982, thirdavenuevillage.com

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS HCommunity Dialogue on Art as Activism with Borderclick at SDSU Downtown

Gallery, 725 West Broadway, Downtown.

For the final part of the transborder identity community dialogues, young individuals who live and work between Tijuana and San Diego talk about art as activism, community service and a way to humanize the border experience. From 6 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 3. Free. 619-594-6511, art.sdsu.edu

WORKSHOPS HSummer Pickles DIY Fermentation Workshop & Beer Tasting at ChuckAlek Biergarten, 3139 University Ave., North Park. Guests will learn the ins-and-outs of fermentation and taste a variety of summer fruits and veggies paired with Chuck Alek’s beers. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 5. $40. facebook.com/ events/1921112654816434

HBay Sessions: The Redwoods Revue at Loews Coronado Bay, 4000 Loews Coronado Bay Road, Coronado. Redwoods artists like Rebecca Jade and the Cold Fact, Birdy Bardot, The Midnight Pine, Dani Bell and the Tarantist and more perform at part of the new Loews concert series. From 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. Free with RSVP. 619-424-4000, dosd.com/baysessions

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD HWords and Music Tour at Red Brontosaurus, 3022 North Park Way, North Park. Chris Clavin, Morgan Eldridge and Adam Gnade will read poetry and prose from their respective catalogues. There will also be music from Drew Andrews and Demetrius Antuna. From 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2. $5 suggested donation. 619-795-1282, facebook.com/events/1400819449966647 HWalk N Roll at Ryan Bros Coffee, 1894 Main St., Barrio Logan. So Say We All partners with Circulate San Diego for their new neighborhood storytelling project, where locals will share personal stories both good, bad and weird about their Barrio Logan homes. From 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9. Free. sosayweallonline.com

POLITICS & COMMUNITY HDocumentMe Conference at Educational Culture Complex, 4343 Ocean View Blvd., Lincoln Park. A day of discussion, brainstorming and strategizing to address the issue of over-policing in communities of color. Experts will be available to speak about gang documentation, gang injunctions and gang conspiracy laws. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Free.

619-752-6859, eventbrite.com/e/documentme-conference-tickets Next Steps to Independent Civilian Oversight of SDPD at Grassroots Oasis, 3130 Moore St., Point Loma. Women Occupy San Diego will host a meeting to present an updated draft ballot of Measure G, answer questions and lead a discussion on the next steps to accomplish gaining the Citizens Review Board on Police Practices in 2018. From 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 9. Free. facebook.com/ events/154785971751547

SPECIAL EVENTS HObon Festival at Japanese Friendship Garden, 2215 Pan American Road East, Balboa Park. Celebrating the circle of life, this annual festival hosts a variety of cultural Obon activities each day, including Toro Nagashi where guests create their

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AUGUST 2, 2017· SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 13

AFTER HOURS: ABOUT LAST NIGHT COURTESY OF SPIN NIGHTCLUB

Spin Nightclub

A new spin

W

“

hen I was asked to go over there and pick up a bartending shift, I was like ‘This place is a...shithole,’” says Brandon Colt about Spin Nightclub (2028 Hancock St.). That was four years ago. He’s now the general manager and director of operations and completely devoted to the venue’s resuscitation.

Formerly, the multi-level space was best known as Club Montage, a revered gay club that ran for 10 years. Just before 2010, it became the version of Spin Nightclub where Colt was asked to bartend.

“It was barely breathing for the most part,” he says. “There were some weekends where we were closed.”

Colt and some coworkers at the Gaslamp Quarter nightclub Voyeur (RIP) convinced the managers to hand over the reins. Since then, Spin has quietly undergone a steady but sporadic transformation.

Over the years, Colt and his team have made alterations both big and small, including revamping the sound system and reshaping the dance floor.

“I’ll get a wild hair up my ass, and say ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if we did this?’ I kick the idea around for a couple weeks.

Then I have a snapping point and I go to Home Depot, I spend 1,000 bucks on what-the-hell-ever, I do construction for

14 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

the next two weeks and I rope everybody into helping me with it.”

At the moment, Colt is helping to rebuild VIP seating and get rid of the shredded black couches. This is part of Spin’s latest phase of renewal, which more importantly includes a complete overhaul of its website that will feature an events calendar—something its current out-of-date site has lacked. Also, new lighting rigs are on the agenda since the new AV technician, Shane Webb, stepped in last month.

“Ever since he started, we’ve been doing nothing but talking about lighting upgrades and making stuff a whole lot better in the club.”

But overall, Spin has fought to rebrand a tarnished name. Before, Colt says it was hard to get patrons in the door. He also adds that by being more selective with the promoters they work with, he hopes to a draw a crowd that is both edgy and unpretentious.

“If they’re in it for monetary gain or because they want to be cool, we don’t work with them. If they’re in it because they want to have a good time, they’re really passionate about what they’re doing and they want to create something, that’s the people we want to work with.”

—Torrey Bailey

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THEATER JIM COX

Manoel Felciano (left) and Daniel Reece in Ken Ludwig’s Robin Hood!

The return of Robin Hood

T

he exclamation point at the end of the title of this world-premiere comedy at the Old Globe is very much intentional. Ken Ludwig’s Robin Hood!, a new depiction of legend’s most famous robber of the rich and giver to the poor, is closer to Mel Brooks’ mid-‘90s parody Robin Hood: Men in Tights than it is to Russell Crowe’s brutal 2010 film Robin Hood. But coming as it does from the skillful pen of playwright Ludwig (Lend Me A Tenor, Crazy For You and Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, the latter seen at the Globe two years ago), this Robin Hood tale is a delightful improvement on either of those extreme interpretations. Its comic antics never sink to the level of lowbrow, nor do its moments of noble earnestness ever take themselves too seriously.

Director Jessica Stone has a rogue’s gallery of Ludwig-spawned characters to frolic and swordfight on the Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White stage in the round. To complement the requisite dashing Robin (Daniel Reece), there’s a Maid Marian (Meredith Garretson) who wields a bow and arrow like Katniss Everdeen, a bawdy Friar Tuck (Andy Grotelueschen) who’s about as devout as a hambone, a towering Little John (Paul Whitty) who doubles as a musician, and a nefarious Prince John (Michael Boatman) who “quotes” Shakespeare (who wasn’t even born at the time this story is set—the 12th century). Robin’s chief nemesis is Sir Guy of Gisbourne, played with Harvey Korman-like villainy

by Manoel Felciano. There’s also the doltish Sheriff of Nottingham who is portrayed by Kevin Cahoon and is just as hysterical here as he was in the Globe’s Love’s Labor’s Lost last summer.

Besides boasting a roundly talented ensemble, this production proves inventive in staging derring-do in compact confines: A 200-foot castle wall is “climbed” horizontally; a rousing archery tournament is held, with invisible arrows flying; and the swordplay throughout is vigorous and strictly in fun.

Like so many new comedies for the theater these days, this one is perhaps 10 to 15 minutes too long, but the merriment of this show’s merry men—and

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women—is contagious, making Ken Ludwig’s Robin Hood!’s exclamation point well deserved.

Ken Ludwig’s Robin Hood! runs through Sept. 3 at the Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Balboa Park. $39 and up; oldglobe.org.

—David L. Coddon

Theater reviews run weekly.

Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com.

OPENING: Evita: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lavish musical about Eva Peron’s rise from the slums of Argentina to the country’s first lady.

Presented by San Diego Repertory Theatre, it opens Aug. 3 at the Lyceum Stage in Downtown. sdrep.org The Drowsy Chaperone: This classic musical comedy set in the ‘20s is actually a parody of musical comedies. Yeah, that’s pretty meta, but it won a bunch of Tonys. Presented by Vista’s Broadway Theatre, it opens Aug. 4 at the Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido. broadwayvista.biz Bring it On The Musical: The Tony-nominated musical based on the 2000 film about rival cheerleading squads from different sides of the tracks. Presented by Center Stage Productions, it opens for three performances Aug. 4 at the California Center for the Arts Escondido. artcenter.org Hamlet: When the prince of Denmark’s father mysteriously dies, he sets out to find the truth and get revenge in Shakespeare’s classic play. Directed by Barry Edelstein, it opens Aug. 6 at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. theoldglobe. org Love Letters: A one-night reading of A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer finalist about a two lifelong friends who exchange letters for 50 years. Read by David Ellenstein & actress Denise Young, it happens Aug. 7 at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org Monty Python’s Spamalot: The two-night concert run of the legendary comic troupe’s parody musical about the Knights of the Round Table will benefit Cygnet Theatre’s Artist Advocate Program. It happens Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 at the Old Town Theatre. cygnettheatre.com

For full listings, visit “Theater” under Culture at sdcitybeat.com

AUGUST 2, 2017· SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 15

TORREY BAILEY

ver the past couple of years, Kearny Mesa has worked hard to rebrand itself. Historically, the neighborhood was more known for office complexes, car dealerships and worn-down Asian restaurants. In many ways, the neighborhood is largely characterized by the demographics of its population, which is 18 percent Asian, according to SANDAG. The area struggled to unify immigrants who moved here from various Asian countries in the ‘90s. But as families became rooted and grew, so did the sense of community.

Convoy Street has earned a deserved reputation as an ethnic cuisine epicenter. Japanese ramen stores, Thai dessert shops and Korean karaoke bars are condensed into strip malls from Dagget

Street to Engineer Road, all of which bustle with college students until near-midnight each day of the week. There’s also plenty of places offering $20-per-hour foot reflexology, as well as a Korean spa that specializes in bone-skimming exfoliating treatments (just ask Conan O’Brien). Because of Kearny Mesa’s Pan-Asian population, it’s become a cultural hub that’s seemingly more unified than Los Angeles’ Chinatown or Orange County’s Little Saigon. But Kearny Mesa isn’t just the Convoy Street strip. The neighborhood is also home to several television news stations and a Jack in the Box headquarters and taste-test facility. Plus, there’s a board gamers’ sanctuary, MontgomeryGibbs Executive Airport and, of course, contagious car dealership jingles.

An employee of Tea n More (7380 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.) tries to win a plush toy from the shop’s crane arcade game.

16 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

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Convoy Street caters to night owls. Not for the sake of clubbing, but because both karaoke and ramen are served until 2 a.m. An increasing number of Asian dessert shops have opened and adopted the late-night hours as well, closing around midnight every day. Many specialize in ice cream, but each varies stylistically by region of origin.

Here’s my take on a couple hot spots: Boba Bar and Desserts (4619 Convoy St.): Ever heard of a puffle? Yeah, me neither, but it’s basically an egg waffle that looks like bubble wrap. The fluffy cake was popularized in Hong Kong and is used as an ice cream cone. Here, puffles are made in a range of flavors, such as chocolate and matcha, to best complement the ice cream and toppings. Sprinkled with cereal or stuffed with Pocky, they’re a lot to look at. But the ice cream itself is pretty normcore. Grade: B+.

Iceskimo (4609 Convoy St., Ste. B): No offense to Taiwan, but this may be ice cream’s worst form. A block of frozen ice cream is slapped onto a machine that spins the ice cream around and shaves it into thin slices.

The result is a watered-down, fast-melting, barely Instagrammable (because that’s important these days) product, especially by the time toppings are plopped on. Grade: B-.

Bing Haus (4425 Convoy St., Ste. 216): I was most skeptical of Thai rolled ice

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COURTESY OF BOBA BAR

Boba Bar cream. The tightly packed rolls look like they’re suffering from frostbite—chapped and pale. So I said “fuck it” and ordered the black sesame flavor, because this is CityBeat and we like our stuff goth. Surprisingly, this was the best take on ice cream yet. By way of toppings, Bing Haus is simple; a dash of black sesame seeds (yay, more black!), whipped cream and honey appropriately sweetened the unexpectedly creamy rolls.

Grade: Solid A.

—Torrey Bailey

I like karaoke. A lot. Hardly a week goes by where I’m not belting my heart out in the urinal-smelling stage of Til-Two Club or the similarly aromatic corner of Ken Club.

It’s not that I’m a great singer (or even that good), but as a dude who occasionally likes hamming it up for an audience, it has severely cut down on my stage fright and microphone phobia.

But private-room karaoke still scares the hell out of me. Unlike bombing it in front of a room full of strangers, your close friends will never forget the time when you butchered Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff” in a private room (true story).

However, when the stakes are higher, so are the opportunities for greatness, and Kearny Mesa is rife with places in which to achieve private-room karaoke stardom.

Chorus Karaoke seems to be the most popular among noobs, but Min Sok Chon (4620 Convoy) is the real deal. Me and CityBeat staffers/contributors Torrey Bailey, Carolyn Ramos and Julia Evans scored “the big room,” which seemed huge at first, but after a couple happy-hour beers and a round of delicious, lychee-flavored soju, it seemed the perfect amount of space to flail and dance along to Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac and (gulp) Celine Dion.

Which is to say, the song selection isn’t the best. But who cares? It’s not like anyone

TORREY BAILEY

Ryan’s love for karaoke will go on and on. will remember your super-passionate backup vocals on “My Heart Will Go On.” Heh, heh... right, guys?

—Ryan Bradford

AUGUST 2, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 17

There’s something beautifully nostalgic about the quarter-fed vending machine. For 25 cents or more, a mechanical funnel system spits out a capsule with a toy or candy. Is it the surprise factor? Our seemingly insatiable need to spend money on crap? And while they used to be everywhere in supermarkets, they now seem especially relegated to the waiting areas of Kearny Mesa eateries. Here are a few of my favorites along with some recent prizes I came away with.

Taegukgi Korean BBQ House (7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #501): Nestled next door to Zion Market, the industrial-designed Taegukgi is a fantastic beginner spot for Korean BBQ, but the wait can be long. I pass the time dropping dollar after dollar into the many plush toy claw machines and vending machines, which include Pokemon stickers, punch balloons and Splatterz sticky hands.

Best score: A “Bok Choy Boy” mini ninja figurine which I immediately felt bad about liking because of the rather, eh, racially questionable name.

KULA Revolving Sushi (4609 Convoy St., Suite F): OK, so this place doesn’t have a waiting area but I had to include it because of the mechanical toy dispenser that spits out a capsuled prize if diners eat a certain amount of plates. Those plates are dispensed on a revolving beltway system that snakes around the entire restaurant. I mistakenly thought

The San Diego car dealer commercial is an institution; people who grow up in this city might not be able to name all of its best musicians, but we all know the Mossy Ford jingle (“Mossy Ford means more!”). As a tribute to these 10-second troubadours who convince us that a low-mileage pre-owned Hyundai is the right choice for us, here’s a roundup of some of the best jingles for dealerships in Kearny Mesa, one of the major hubs for auto sales in the city

18 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

“I want to buy a car”? Makes you think…

(4761 Convoy St.) Mossy Nissan: “Mossy Nissan Moves You” is like “Jingle Bells” in that there are verses people don’t even realize. A 1988 commercial reveals a line about “A hard-driving beat called the rhythm of the street.” So many layers! This is one of San Diego’s greatest musical legacies. (8118 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.)

Kula Revolving Sushi I only had to insert 10 plates into the tableside slots in order to receive the prize. Turns out I had to eat 15. I ate 17. Boom! Best score: A nigiri pencil eraser, but that seared flounder dish was the real score.

Tea N More (7380 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #111): Arguably the best selection of boba teas in the area, plus a giant selection of toy vending machines that include fake mustaches, Adventure Time figurines and something called “California Gold!” that dispenses rings and necklaces of questionable quality. Best score: A blinged-out “gold” ring that only fit on my pinky and definitely did not turn my finger green.

—Seth Combs

1988 Mossy Nissan commercial

1984 Pacific Honda commercial Pacific Honda: We’ve all heard this one a million times. “Pacific Honda! For all the right reasons…” It’s kind of introspective in a way. What other reason do you need than,

Kearny Pearson Ford: I’m impressed at Kearny Pearson Ford’s ability to adapt.

Taking the now retired “at Fairmount and El Cajon” jingle, the dealer simply changed the words to “We’ve got your ride on Clairemont Mesa east of 805!” with the same melody. No use in messing with the classics. (7303 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.)

—Jeff Terich

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PHOTOS BY TORREY BAILEY

Co-Board President Convoy District Partnership

“This used to be a Sears and a Kmart for 20 or 30 years. I used to come here when I was a kid,” says Convoy District Partnership CoBoard President Tim Nguyen, looking around at what’s now Zion Market (7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.), a Korean grocery store. This shift from big-box industries to family-owned businesses is one example of Kearny Mesa’s ongoing transformation, Nguyen says. He committed to guiding the neighborhood’s metamorphosis while earning an MBA at SDSU in urban planning with a focus on ethnic communities. His thesis: How Convoy can become Little Italy. He explains that Kearny Mesa’s second-generation immigrant families will play a large role in developing a sense of community. “With the first generation, there was a language barrier and almost a cultural barrier. Whereas now, we are all Americans, we speak the same language, we grew up here and have a connectivity to this neighborhood.” With that, Nguyen and the Convoy District Partnership are molding the Kearny Mesa Community Plan Update to increase walkability and opportunities for residences, small businesses and tech incubators. “We want to respect the culture, of course, but also bring it to the next century.”

—Torrey Bailey

Owner of Game Empire

“What’s really interesting is to sit there and look at a table and see a homeless guy competing against a neurosurgeon in a board game,” says Clifford Robbins, owner of Game Empire (7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Ste. 306). Game Empire is an activity center where customers can learn to play and compete in 1,000 strategy, party and family board games, such as Settlers of Catan, Warhammer 40,000 and Exploding Kittens. “We have a lot of diversity going on here, and that’s always fun to watch.”

Robbins knew the importance of having a location for the gaming community, which he describes as “an impulse buy store.” Robbins owes his passion to his older brother who showed him how to play historical simulation games, such as Trireme, at the age of five. After working at Game Towne, a former game store in Old Town, Robbins started independently selling second-hand board games at Kobey’s Swap Meet. He reminisces on his busy schedule managing school, work and his booth at the swap meet, plus weekly gaming meetups in his garage. “I didn’t get a lot of sleep, but I was able to make my dream come true.” Robbins now spends most of his time teaching game playing and working with children during the summer where “they can learn social skills and how to be a graceful winner and a graceful loser.”

—Vitta Oliveri

Owner of Rakiraki Ramen and Pokirrito

In the mid ‘80s, Junya Watanabe was living in New York, running a 7th Avenue storefront for his clothing line and ascending the tiers of the fashion industry. But he sensed potential elsewhere. “We were making dresses, and all this time ... I saw this development of ramen culture.” Late after work, he would visit what he says was the only ramen shop in the city at the time. When fast fashion brands such as Forever 21 began mimicking his designs on the cheap, Watanabe left the industry. He spent the next 11 years studying ramen under five chefs in Japan. Achieving expertise, he returned to the states in 2011 in search of a restaurant location with a core Asian population, but also multi-cultural exposure. He found it on Convoy Street. “I wanted to have a mixture of all these races...I just want to kind of wake people up to new food.” In popularizing ramen at Rakiraki (4646 Convoy St.), as well as crafting sushi burritos at Pokirrito, Watanabe has done just that. Up next is a neighboring restaurant that solely sells hand rolls, or temaki. He’s expanding simultaneously with the Convoy District. “Anywhere you go, the best streets in Tokyo or New York, they just keep growing. That’s why location is the most important thing.

Convoy Street will get better and better and better.”

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—Torrey Bailey

AUGUST 2, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 19

CULTURE | ART

SEEN LOCAL DOUBLE TAPPED

L

ast month, a surveillance video at Los Angeles’ to avoid spectacle or art that is billed as more of a pop-up gallery 14th Factory went viral after a attraction. Standing in line or paying a special ticket woman’s selfie attempt caused $200,000 in dam- price to see a special attraction in a gallery or museum just seems silly and insincere.” ages. Mid-photo, the woman lost her @GUMISFORLOVERS Regardless of whether an exhibit balance, initiating a domino effect is intentionally curated for Kodak of the pedestals within artist Simon potential, visitors have inserted selfBirch’s installment. ies into the gallery experience. Paul This isn’t an isolated example of art notes the Panca exhibit at Bread and being put in harm’s way for the sake Salt was photogenic, as well as Lee of a photo. Local public relations firm Materazzi’s PLaY at Quint Gallery, Bay Bird Inc. was recently admonished but she doesn’t believe selfie culture for climbing, without permission, atop is “consciously on the forefront of a piece of artwork at Bread and Salt for those venues’ minds.” a photo opp. And at SDSU Downtown She adds, “There’s always going Gallery’s opening of We Are Here/ EsPANCA exhibition to be a population who wants to be tamos Aquí, some selfie-takers got at Bread & Salt seen as being cool or in the know or too close to the unframed works of art, against the warning of gallery employees. SDSU having a great social experience somewhere. That’s Downtown Gallery Director Chantel Paul says such ac- always going to be a part of kind of selfie culture as long as we have cameras in our pockets virtually evcidents happen on a near-weekly basis.

These instances document the increased sense of erywhere we go.”

But it’s not all bad. The SDSU Downtown Gallery acownership visitors feel over their gallery experience, which could be due to interactive art exhibits that tually encourages photo sharing and location tagging.

“I do not see it disrupting visitors, but generally propagate Instagram culture.

“I have seen a trend in artworks that seemed to be I feel like it’s a positive way for people to connect or ‘selfie’ oriented,” wrote local artist Thomas DeMello to remember their experience,” Paul says. “And if that in an email. He lists Wonderspaces and Rain Room at makes it more memorable, then it’s okay as long as LACMA among such exhibits. “As an art viewer, I tend the artwork is not harmed in the process.”

—Torrey Bailey

TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE: MILLENNIAL PINK sented mean to explore millennials’ embracing of nonbinary gender identities and sexual fluidity.

Many of the artists do an excellent job at conveying here was a moment at the opening of Millenthis theme. Carlitos Galvan’s “Gay Stuff II” photos were nial Pink where I just literally could not.

It was around my waiting to check out Jesi a brilliant extension of the series, consisting mainly of Guitierrez’s “No Llores,” an interactive piece that portraits that are exquisite in their androgyny. Vabiexplores her Xicana culture and incorporates a anna Santos has worked in text-on-paper-based works before, but her “A River” piece is part of a Walkman-style cassette tape recorder.

SETH COMBS new series that addresses, as she puts it, I watched as three, eh, youngish people “mixed statuses in cultural distinctions fumbled over how to use the outdated including gender, race and economic contraption, wondering aloud as to background.” One of the more popular what to swipe. pieces at the show was Mauricio Muñoz’s I had a choice to make. I could either “Shopping List,” a neon sign that unsubplay the part of the diplomatic elder tly criticizes the gay community by literstatesman and show these millennials ally spelling out some of their misogynishow to work a Walkman or, I could simtic and discriminatory preferences from ply roll my eyes before they finally gave dating sites. up and moved on.

Some might see the work as agenSo, I showed them the “play,” “stop,” da-driven, but that would be missing “rewind,” and “fast-forward” buttons. the point. The dozens of artists on disThey seemed appreciative enough until play are exploring the theme, not getone of the women casually inquired. ting bogged down in it, and that’s what “What’s fast-forward?” makes Millennial Pink itself worth exI just could not.

Millennials often get a bad rep, some“Shopping List” ploring. Viewers will come out of it with

by Mauricio Muñoz their own questions and—hopefully for times deservedly, but more often than the older ones—a fresh outlook on the not, it’s a rep that is pushed and perpetuated by Gen X and Baby Boomers who forget that their younger generation’s perspective on important topown generational forbearers often criticized them in the ics. Most of them may not know how to use a Walksame way. Millennial Pink, a new group show that runs man, but they’re steering our culture in a progressive through Sept. 3 at the San Diego Art Institute (sandi- direction where gender and sexuality will be both an ego-art.org), explores the “evolution of queer aesthet- afterthought and more important than ever. The kids, ics.” The show itself is named after a shade of pink that it seems, are all right after all. They don’t need our is neither masculine nor feminine, and the works pre- help anymore.

In this semi-regular department, Seth Combs reviews a notable new art show or exhibition.

T

20 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

—Seth Combs

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CULTURE | FILM

City on fire

Detroit

Kathryn Bigelow confronts destructive cycles of marginalization and segregation

by Glenn Heath Jr.

K

athryn Bigelow doesn’t revise genres; uncertainty.

From here the film jumps into the fray. she douses them with lighter fluid and lights a match. Her films are muscular, A haphazard police raid of a local bar sets immediate, and propulsive, but never lack off fire bombings and looting, inspiring Gov. emotional heft. At their heart is the issue of George W. Romney and President Lyndon camaraderie under pressure—see the bank B. Johnson (seen only in archival footage) robbing fraternity of Point Break, the travel- to mount a militarized response with riot ling band of vampires in Near Dark, and the police, National Guardsmen and two Army squadron of bomb-defusing soldiers that try Airborne divisions. Bigelow masterfully maneuvers the escalation of hostilities, showto survive The Hurt Locker.

Zero Dark Thirty, a sweeping dramatiza- ing the brutally swift occupation of a comtion of the decade-long hunt to track down munity space that has long suffered under and kill Osama bin Laden, was a shift in the stranglehold of poverty. Tanks roll down scale for Bigelow. While similar conflicts of the street firing into windows, police stations overflow with black loyalty and morality play prisoners, and entire out within Jessica Chasblocks burn indiscrimitain’s shadowy operative, DETROIT nately. there’s a grander focus Eventually, Detroit on the linkage between Directed by Kathryn Bigelow centers on the tragic interrogation and terror.

Starring John Boyega, events that transpired beThis theme connects the Will Poulter, Algee Smith tween two days in July at dots between state-sancand Anthony Mackie the Algiers Motel where tioned fundamentalism Rated R a trio of local policemen and morally abhorrent (played by Will Poulforeign policy. ter, Jack Reynor and Ben Detroit, which is set during that city’s harrowing July 1967 ri- O’Toole) terrorize and murder three innocent ots, inverts this motif to expose how long- black youths. The nearly hour-long set piece gestating domestic injustice constrains the forces the viewer to experience every moment lives of vulnerable citizens. Spilling out into of fear and terror from the ground level, a horthe open streets with hand-held urgency, rifying portrait of abuse, racism and insecuthe film brazenly addresses the fractured re- rity masquerading as authority.

The incident unfolds almost in real time lationship between disenfranchised minorities and compromised institutions that are through a relentless series of interrogasupposed to protect and serve. Messy, timely tions. John Boyega’s well-meaning security and rightfully enraged, Bigelow’s docudra- guard can only intervene at pragmatic times, watching helplessly as the innocent victims ma is eerily relevant.

An animated prologue (reminiscent of suffer pointless acts of humiliation. The exthe filmmaker’s anti-poaching short film tended duration and close proximity make it Last Days) briefly chronicles black migration all the more unsettling.

If the Algiers set piece is stress incarnate, and segregation in the 20th century that produced irreconcilable tensions in cities like the aftermath produces a numbing sense Detroit. This edifying stylistic statement is of isolation that is almost unbearable. Bigthe first of many that don’t always cohere elow’s patient camera keeps coming back to with each other. Bigelow’s core goal is not the tragic character of Larry Cleveland (Alto create a seamless historical narrative, but gee Smith), a traumatized Motown singer jarringly oscillate between personal perspectives entrapped by the same pervasive DETROIT CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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AUGUST 2, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 21

CULTURE | FILM

DETROIT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 whose bookended musical performances give the film its soulfulness.

Late in Detroit, which opens Friday, Aug. 4, segregated black citizens momentarily refuse the courtroom’s order to “all rise.”

Their white peers, including those police officers on trial, turn around and stare at them intimidatingly.

The group begrudgingly acquiesces, but not without their own collective reverse shot of defiance that reclaims a sense of justice no matter the court ruling.

Indeed, authority figures don’t own Detroit. It’s a film that belongs solely to the people who are fed up with the status quo and continue to demand better. In this context, it’s an essential historical echo of Ferguson, Baltimore, Charlotte and every distraught community that still struggles to obtain those inalienable human rights that are promised but are so rarely delivered.

Film reviews run weekly.

Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com

Analog days

L

ooking back through rose-colored glasses, the 1990s might seem like simpler times, a pre-Internet and post-Communism sweet spot ripe for nostalgic interpretation. But Gillian Robespierre’s wise romantic comedy Landline refuses to accept the false narrative that sex, romance and coming of age were any less complicated before the advent of smartphones and online dating. Instead, the film tries to unpack how emotions were shared and reconciled before technology became an all-encompassing intermediary.

The Jacobs family seems normal enough on the surface. Alan (John Turturro) works a 9-to-5 job, but has dabbled in playwriting.

Pat (Edie Falco) helps run a local

22 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

Landline

non-profit that specializes in environmental issues. Their children, twenty-something Dana (Jenny Slate) and high school senior Ali (Abby Quinn), are both whip-smart young women facing stages of imminent uncertainty.

Set in Manhattan circa 1995, Landline is a casual period piece that doesn’t elevate the importance of pop culture iconography and political events. Whatever references Robespierre and co-writer Elisabeth Holm do make are directly connected to the characters’ experiences.

Early on, a carpool karaoke rendition of Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” masks the family’s collective turmoil. Dana subverts the coffee shop pretentiousness of an acoustic grunge performance by laughing her

ass off, much to the chagrin of old college flame Nate (Finn Wittrock).

During the film’s final act, Abby screams out “I said no!” to a policeman immediately before getting arrested for buying drugs, summing up the absurdity of Nancy Reagan’s infamous campaign slogan.

All of these moments help paint the Jacobs as fallible good people who experience failure differently. For a family with this many secrets, coming clean is just the first step in defeating the selfpity and resentment defining their relationships up to this point.

Robespierre, who previously collaborated with Slate on the excellent Obvious Child, further proves herself to be a deft chronicler of prickly characters in transition.

—Glenn Heath Jr.

OPENING An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power: Former Vice President Al Gore is back preaching the gospel of climate change ten years after the original documentary made it a popular social issue.

Detroit: Kathryn Bigelow’s harrowing thriller takes place during the 1967 Detroit riots where amidst the chaos three white police officers murdered a trio of black youths who they suspected of being snipers.

Footnotes: In this winning French mu-

sical inspired by the films of Jacques Demy, a young woman’s dreams of financial stability are threatened when she finds out that the luxury shoe factory where she has just begun to work will be sold. Opens Friday, Aug. 4, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Kidnap: Halle Berry plays a distraught but determined mother who will stop at nothing to get back her kidnapped son.

Killing Ground: A couple’s romantic camping trip becomes a desperate fight for survival in this ultra-raw, graphic and unhinged kill ride. Opens Friday, Aug. 4, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Landline: Set in Manhattan during Labor Day of 1995, a Jewish/Italian family comes to grips with secrets and lies in Gillian Robespierre’s wise romantic comedy starring Jenny Slate, Edie Falco, Abby Quinn, and John Turturro.

Lost in Paris: When a woman visits her aunt in Paris for the first time, her life changes after meeting an emotionally unstable homeless man. Opens Friday, Aug. 4, at the Ken Cinema.

The Dark Tower: Idris Elba plays the mythical Gunslinger who is at perpetual war with a mysterious villain (Matthew McConaughey) who wants to take over the world.

The Ornithologist: Directed by Portuguese provocateur João Pedro Rodrigues, this surrealist survival story reimagines the legend of Saint Anthony of Padua through a queer lens. Opens Friday, August 4, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

For complete movie listings, visit F ilm at sdcitybeat.com.

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC t seems like a small miracle that Swirlies never broke up. Founded in Boston in 1990, the shoegaze group has gone through several periods of inactivity, the longest being from 2003 to 2009 when they neither toured nor released any new music. And since their beginning, they’ve run into their share of obstacles, from lineup changes to members moving to different cities (vocalist Damon Tutunjian moved all the way to Sweden), as well as problems with an old record label they signed to in the ‘90s.

Yet Swirlies live on. Since 2009 they’ve been gradually growing more active, touring about once every two years, and expanding the duration of those tours each successive time. And in 2016, they released the single “Fantastic Trumpets Forever,” their first new music in more than a decade. After 13 years, the band—which includes Tutunjian, bassist Andy Bernick, drummer Adam Pierce, keyboardist Deb Warfield and guitarist Elliott Malvas—are finally making their way back to the West Coast.

In a phone interview, Bernick says that time away from each other just might be the thing that kept them going for so long, even though on paper it seems like it should have ended the band.

“Distance—that’s probably what made it possible to go that length of time without ever having officially split with each other,” he says. “I’m not sure it would have worked the same if we were in the same town. I don’t know if it would have lasted as long.”

While the band’s activity has slowed considerably over the years, their legend has grown. Swirlies are often associated with the shoegaze movement that rose up in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s in the UK. Named for musicians’ tendencies to stare down toward their effects pedal boards, the genre became briefly buzzy through bands such as My Bloody Valentine and Ride, and Swirlies benefited from being mentioned in conjunction with those groups. In fact, their 1993 album Blonder Tongue Audio Baton—reissued last year by Taang! Records—was ranked eleventh on Pitchfork’s list of the 50 best shoegaze albums of all time. And just a few months before that, their song “Park the Car by the Side of the Road” was featured on Still in a Dream, an extensive box set chronicling the history of shoegaze.

Bernick says that the band is appreciative of the renewed interest, and for that matter the press acclaim. But he also never thought they were actually a shoegaze band.

“We seem to float around in that genre sometimes, in articles or whatever. We were kind of like a satellite group in there,” he says. “We didn’t feel like we were the closest fit to it, but I understand why that happened. We had a different background and different DNA than the other bands. I grew up listening to hardcore and noisy stuff. That kind of influenced what we did early on than other bands at the time.”

While having their debut album back in print is a boon to some of Swirlies’ fans, it’s a mixed blessing for the band.

They only released three proper studio albums during their career, but two of them are owned outright by Taang!, which means that they don’t make any money off of the reissue.

@SDCITYBEAT

Bernick says that not owning the rights to their first couple records has become “a source of consternation,” and was the result of being young and inexperienced with business contracts when they first started making music. In fact, opportunities have arisen throughout the years that could have been mutually beneficial to them and the label, but ultimately ended up going nowhere.

“It’s not a new thing,” he says. “Lots of bands have had this happen to them. When you’re younger you sign a contract and you’re not as savvy, or you’re more involved with making the music than what’s in that paper.

“The only record that we kind of own outright is 2003’s

SWIRLIES August 3 • Space Bar rcarchives.com/swirlies

Cats of the Wild,” he adds. “Anything before that, our old label owns it. I don’t feel like anyone’s making lots of money off of it, but the lack of control, lack of autonomy...it’s a pretty demoralizing situation. Even the lack of ability to speak to them in a productive way, or to do something with those songs that would make sense. We had interest from other labels to reissue the Blonder Tongue Audio Baton record, but Taang! wasn’t interested.”

In spite of the hard-earned lessons of the music industry, Swirlies haven’t been discouraged by the setbacks. They continue to perform, and there’s even been talk of recording a new album at some point. Between tending to issues of family and career, the friendship between band members and joy for making music continues to bring them back onstage.

“Every time we get together there’s an interest in continuing on and making something new and not just being static. For Damon and I it’s something we’d like to do, but it’s difficult for a number of reasons,” Bernick says. “But we’ve been friends forever, so it’s always a possibility.”

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

AUGUST 2, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 23

MUSIC

NOTES FROM THE SMOKING PATIO LOCALS ONLY

L

ocal hip-hop artist Jack King, better known under his stage name Parker Edison, has established a new art collective called Meridien Art. King describes it as “sort of like an artists’ guild,” and includes a network of musicians, artists, filmmakers, writers and even accountants. Together, their goal is to help develop and foster young talent, particularly in the hip-hop scene. King says in a phone interview that because San Diego has little to no infrastructure when it comes to hip-hop, so he thought it was important to be able to use the combined experience of veterans in the scene to help those who are coming up right now.

“Some of the cats I hang out with, we started this as a way to help support the projects we do individually,” he says. “There’s no staff or support for rap artists here, we kind of use our scholarship and expertise and experience to help out other artists.”

Some of the projects Meridien Art is involved in include video projects, one for King’s own band Parker Meridien, as well as business-related ven-

tures, including a distribution deal with Smoke Break Records for the Bittersweet Mystery mixtape. A lot of what they’ll be doing will involve smaller local artists, however, with some specific goals in mind.

“We’re doing three things that are really important,” he says.

“We want to do projects that make money, so the art pays for itself.

At the same time we want to help artists fill in their rolodex. And we want to make it cool to have intergenerational events, so you have old-school heads teaching these younger cats.”

King says that the business aspect of music can be the most difficult thing for an artist to learn.

However, the reason for that locally, he says, is mostly because of San Diego’s unique geography.

“I do think it’s the hardest part, Parker Edison but I think it’s because we’re L.A.’s little brother,” he says. “So nobody here wants to brag. We want to use our collective knowledge to help more of us to succeed.”

—Jeff Terich

ALBUM REVIEW Dead Cross Dead Cross (Ipecac)

W

hen members of Retox and The Locust first announced they were teaming up with former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo to form a thrashy new hardcore band called Dead Cross, every indication suggested the band would be pretty intense. You don’t put together musicians in some of the loudest, fastest and heaviest bands in North America without expecting the project to end up being totally nutso. But when vocalist Gabe Serbian ultimately decided to step away from the band to spend more time with his family, things got even more insane: Mike Patton, legendary vocalist of bands such as Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and Fantomas, stepped in to fill the void with his own mutant screech.

The band’s self-titled fulllength debut is pretty much exactly what an album featuring Patton, Lombardo, Justin Pearson and Mike Crain should sound like. It’s a blistering, brutal, 27-minute hardcore juggernaut that never relents. The only real moment of pause on the whole thing is the sound of a dial-up modem at the beginning of opening track “Seizure and Desist,” which soon enough explodes into pummeling thrash session that will likely leave

24 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

the listener feeling like a slab of tenderized meat.

It really only gets more insane from there. “Idiopathic” moves at a pace that would seem impossible for human hands to play, while Patton’s erratic bark of the title of “Shillelagh” is more abrasive than any guitar sound that Crain manages to come up with. And that’s saying a lot; this is an album that’s not intended to soothe or go down easy. Dead Cross are all aggression, all agitation, all the time.

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t moments of accessibility, however. The power-chord-driven “The Future Has Been Cancelled” roars like vintage Slayer, while “Gag Reflex” finds the band slowing their tempo and stretching out over a surprisingly epic and psychedelic four minutes (which, for Dead Cross, is a marathon). There’s also one other unexpected treat: a buzzing, gnarly cover of Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” that trims about seven minutes off of the original. But when your M.O. is making the maximum amount of noise in the shortest amount of time, there’s no point in dragging anything out any longer than necessary.

—Jeff Terich @SDCITYBEAT

@SDCityBeat

August 2, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 25

MUSIC

JEFF TERICH

IF I WERE U A music insider’s weekly agenda WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2

PLAN A: Curren$y @ Observatory North Park. New Orleans emcee Curren$y has been low-key building up an incredibly consistent catalog of jazzy, weeded-out hip-hop over the past decade, starting with his first Pilot Talk installment. That album’s a classic, as far as I’m concerned. PLAN B: Alex Napping, Little Heroine, Weird Neighbors @ Soda Bar. Not as sleepy as their name suggests, Alex Napping plays dreamy, rhythmically intricate indie pop (or, if readers prefer, math-rock) that’s quite beautiful.

THURSDAY, AUG. 3

PLAN A: Swirlies, Cruel Summer, Witness 9, DJ Jon Blaj @ SPACE. Read my feature this week on Swirlies, a shoegaze band founded in Boston who have undergone label woes, long breaks and changes in lineup, only to keep on making sweet noise.

PLAN B: Oh Spirit!, Bit Maps, Strange Ages @ The Casbah.

Here we have a stellar lineup of local bands, including upbeat indie pop outfit Oh Spirit! And one of my personal favorites, the lushly layered and apocalypse-focused Bit Maps. BACKUP PLAN: Inspired and the Sleep, Lightning Cola, Chroma, High Minded @ Belly Up Tavern.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4

PLAN A: Chastity Belt, Never Young, Exasperation @ SPACE. Chastity Belt keeps it real. The Seattle group writes songs that never take themselves too seriously, but are all too relatable, especially to the oftmaligned millennial generation. Sure, everyone thinks my generation sucks, but Chastity Belt at least shows we can have fun.

PLAN B: In the Valley Below, Flagship @ The Casbah. In the Valley Below makes synth-heavy alternative rock that reminds me of Garbage and Depeche Mode, with some excellent vocal harmonies. That, to me, sounds like a pretty solid mix of sounds, although they also swirl in some folk, gospel and pop for good measure.

SATURDAY, AUG. 5

PLAN A: Amigo the Devil, Wil Ridge @ Soda Bar. Amigo the Devil’s gothic murderfolk is inspired by the likes of Johnny Cash and Nick Cave, with songs that range from the gloomy to the explicitly macabre. If it’s got to be folky, then it should at least be this dark.

26 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

SUNDAY, AUG. 6

PLAN A: Nails, Negative Approach, Bloodclot, Final Conflict, Deadbeat @ Brick By Brick. You can probably count on one hand the number of songs in Nails’ catalog that are longer than two minutes.

The California power-violence group does devastation in minute-long increments.

Any longer and you’d probably need medical attention. PLAN B: KRS-One, Slick Rick @ Observatory North Park. Two hiphop legends come together for one night of jams. KRS-One is a living legend, dropping science since Boogie Down Productions in the ‘80s, and Slick Rick is too, famous for his hit “Children’s Story.” BACKUP PLAN: Rebecca Jade and the Cold Fact, Birdy Bardot, The Midnight Pine, Dani Bell and the Tarantist, Cardinal Moon @ Loew’s Coronado Bay Resort.

Chastity Belt

MONDAY, AUG. 7

PLAN A: Bent Knee, Heartwarmer, Big Bad Buffalo @ Soda Bar. Monday night’s alright for prog rock. Bent Knee’s brand of prog is cerebral and ornate, with big synthesizers and complicated time-signature shifts. It’s surprisingly accessible, no matter how out there the band gets.

TUESDAY, AUG. 8

PLAN A: Neil Diamond @ Valley View Casino Center. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in the CityBeat office with a negative word to say about Neil Diamond.

Our web editor Ryan Bradford wrote about his experience seeing the legendary singer a couple years ago, and even if all readers know is “Sweet Caroline,” then they’re probably already convinced. PLAN B: Age of Collapse, Lungs, Fantasy Arcade, Beira @ Til-Two Club. A solid group of some of San Diego’s heaviest bands are playing this show headed up by crust punks Age of Collapse. It’s about as far from Neil Diamond as one can get, now that I think about it.

BACKUP PLAN: James Vincent McMorrow @ Belly Up Tavern.

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC

CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!

Thundercat (Observatory, 9/1), Symbolic (Brick by Brick, 9/8), Dennis Quaid and the Sharks (Music Box, 9/9), Greensky Bluegrass (Observatory, 9/14), Atlas Genius (HOB, 9/22), Love Theme (SPACE, 9/26), Foxygen (Music Box, 9/28), Superjoint (Brick by Brick, 9/28-29), Citizen Cope (BUT, 10/1), Jonwayne (Soda Bar, 10/4), Post-Malone (Observatory, 10/4), Shooter Jennings (BUT, 10/8), JD McPherson and Nikki Lane (BUT, 10/11), Trevor Sensor (SPACE, 10/12), The Aggrolites, The Skatalites (BUT, 10/15), Mason Jennings (BUT, 10/17), Bloody Beetroots (Music Box, 10/27), Tera Melos, Speedy Ortiz (Casbah, 11/16), Chad VanGaalen (Soda Bar, 11/16), Mild High Club (Irenic, 11/17), Donavon Frankenreiter (BUT, 12/28).

GET YER TICKETS Neon Indian (BUT, 8/14), Royal Blood (Observatory, 8/15), YOB, SubRosa (Brick

by Brick, 8/16), Matthew Sweet (Casbah, 8/16), Dead Cross (Observatory, 8/19), 311 (Open Air Theatre, 8/20), Mew (Observatory, 8/24), B-Side Players (Music Box, 8/26), Pelican, Inter Arma (Brick by Brick, 8/26), Ira Glass (Balboa Theatre, 8/27), The Pharcyde (Observatory, 8/31), Stiff Little Fingers (BUT, 9/6), Quicksand (BUT, 9/11), Goo Goo Dolls (Open Air Theatre, 9/12), Green Day (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 9/13), Manchester Orchestra (Observatory, 9/13), Kaaboo Festival w/ Tom Petty, Muse, Red Hot

@SDCITYBEAT

Chili Peppers (Del Mar Fairgrounds, 9/1517), Against Me! (Observatory, 9/16), The Church (Music Box, 9/16), Future Islands (Open Air Theatre, 9/17), Zola Jesus (Casbah, 9/21), U2 (Qualcomm Stadium, 9/22), Swervedriver (Casbah, 9/22), The Beach Boys (Humphreys, 9/23), Ben Folds (HOB, 9/23), WAND (Soda Bar, 9/24), Sublime With Rome, The Offspring (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 9/26), Bleachers (Observatory, 9/27), Benjamin Booker (BUT, 9/29), Jay Som (Soda Bar, 9/30), The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Loft, 9/30), The Shins, Spoon (Open Air Theatre, 10/1), Algiers (Soda Bar, 10/1), Chelsea Wolfe (BUT, 10/2), Sheer Mag, Tony Molina (Soda Bar, 10/2), Ms. Lauryn Hill, Nas (OAT, 10/3), Irma Thomas, Blind Boys of Alabama (BUT, 10/5), Depeche Mode (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 10/6), Pinegrove (Irenic, 10/6), Coldplay (Qualcomm Stadium, 10/8), Obituary, Exodus (Observatory, 10/8), Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile (HOB, 10/11), The Afghan Whigs (BUT, 10/12), The National (Open Air Theatre, 10/12), The Black Angels (HOB, 10/17), Torres (Casbah, 10/17), Café Tacuba (Observatory, 10/17-18), Arcade Fire (Viejas Arena, 10/18), Mastodon (HOB, 10/19), City of Caterpillar, Thou (Soda Bar, 10/19), Linkin Park (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 10/20), The Kooks (Observatory, 10/20), KMFDM (HOB, 10/20), Tegan and Sara (Balboa Theatre, 10/20), Jimmy Buffett (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 10/21), Carla Morrison (Humphreys, 10/22), M. Ward (BUT, 10/24), Real Estate (Music Box, 10/24), Thievery Corporation (BUT, 10/26), Turnover (Irenic, 10/27), Roky Erickson (Casbah, 10/27), Iron and Wine (Balboa Theatre, 10/28), The Drums (Observatory, 11/1), Black Heart Procession (Casbah, 11/4), ‘Live Wire 25th Anniversary’ w/ Rocket from the Crypt (Observatory, 11/4), Halsey (Viejas

Arena, 11/5), Cults (Irenic, 11/5), Hamilton Leithauser (BUT, 11/9), D.R.I. (Brick by Brick, 11/10), Fall Out Boy (Viejas Arena, 11/15), Gary Numan (Observatory, 11/15), Ariel Pink (BUT, 11/16), Boris, Torche (Casbah, 11/17), Blues Traveler (HOB, 11/19), Mogwai (Observatory, 11/20), New Found Glory (HOB, 11/25), METZ (Casbah, 12/13), Julien Baker (Irenic, 12/15), Jay-Z (Viejas Arena, 12/19), Josh Ritter (BUT, 1/16).

Metallica at Petco Park. Nails at Brick by Brick. 10,000 Maniacs at Belly Up Tavern.

Parker Gispert at Soda Bar. KRS One, Slick Rick at Observatory North Park.

The Delta Bombers at The Casbah.

AUGUST

Diana Krall at Humphreys by the Bay. James Vincent McMorrow at Belly Up Tavern. Stage Kids at Soda Bar.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2 The Buttertones at The Casbah. Alex Napping at Soda Bar. Curren$y at Observatory North Park. Brawley’s Barroom Brawl at Belly Up Tavern.

THURSDAY, AUG. 3 Swirlies at SPACE. Chevelle at House of Blues. Rooney at The Irenic. Mobina Galore at Soda Bar. Inspired and the Sleep at Belly Up Tavern. Oh, Spirit! at The Casbah.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4 Wheeler Walker Jr. at House of Blues.

Chastity Belt at SPACE. Eagles of Death Metal at Del Mar Racetrack. Peking Duck at Music Box. In the Valley Below at The Casbah.

SATURDAY, AUG. 5 Turnpike Troubadours at Belly Up Tavern (sold out). Amigo the Devil at Soda Bar. The Crystal Method at Music Box. The Paladins at The Casbah.

SUNDAY, AUG. 6 Ed Sheeran at Valley View Casino Center.

MONDAY, AUG. 7 Bent Knee at Soda Bar. Satellite Sky at The Casbah.

TUESDAY, AUG. 8

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9 Rag’n’Bone Man at Observatory North Park. Of Ennui at Soda Bar. Creepseed at Belly Up Tavern. Tyler Childers at The Casbah.

THURSDAY, AUG. 10 Sam Hunt at Mattress Firm Amphitheatre.

Steve Earle and the Dukes at Belly Up Tavern (sold out). Barns Courtney at House of Blues. O-Town at Music Box. Brick and Mortar at Soda Bar. Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels at The Casbah. Daedelus at SPACE.

FRIDAY, AUG. 11 Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe at Belly Up Tavern. Nite Jewel at The Casbah. The White Buffalo at Del Mar Racetrack. Incubus, Jimmy Eat World at Mattress Firm Amphitheatre. Betty Who at Observatory North Park. The Creepy Creeps at Soda Bar.

SATURDAY, AUG. 12 Steve Martin and Martin Short at Open Air Theatre. Ludacris at Del Mar

Racetrack. 2 Chainz at House of Blues.

Petit Biscuit at Observatory North Park.

America at Humphreys by the Bay. Hans Zimmer at Viejas Arena. Swingin’ Utters at SPACE. Wayward Sons at Belly Up Tavern. GZA at Music Box. Glass Spells at Soda Bar. The Ataris at The Casbah.

SUNDAY, AUG. 13 The Black Dahlia Murder at House of Blues. Meat Wave at Soda Bar. Pokey LaFarge at Belly Up Tavern. Systems Officer at The Casbah.

MONDAY, AUG. 14 Neon Indian at Belly Up Tavern. Electric Elms at Soda Bar. Fake Tides at The Casbah.

TUESDAY, AUG. 15 Royal Blood at Observatory North Park.

The Alarm at The Casbah. Secret Drum Band at Soda Bar.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16 The Doobie Brothers at Humphreys.

Matthew Sweet at The Casbah. Mt. Joy at SPACE. YOB, SubRosa at Brick by Brick. Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts at Soda Bar.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17 X at Belly Up Tavern. Brazilian Girls at The Casbah. Real Numbers at Soda Bar.

FRIDAY, AUG. 18 Dungen at The Casbah. Steel Pulse at Del Mar Racetrack. Pickwick at SPACE. The Flatliners at Soda Bar. X at Belly Up Tavern (sold out). Jidenna at Music Box.

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

AUGUST 2, 2017· SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 27

MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 SATURDAY, AUG. 19 Dead Cross at Observatory North Park.

Mrs. Magician at Soda Bar. Maceo Parker at Music Box.

SUNDAY, AUG. 20 Atmosphere at Observatory North Park (sold out). Young Dubliners at Belly Up Tavern. 311 at Open Air Theatre. Warbly Jets at Soda Bar. Vesperteen at House of Blues Voodoo Room.

MONDAY, AUG. 21 Moon Honey at The Casbah.

TUESDAY, AUG. 22 VNV Nation at The Casbah (sold out).

Mark Stoermer’s Filthy Apes and Lions at Soda Bar.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23 Old Man Wizard at Soda Bar. Bryan Ferry at Humphreys by the Bay.

THURSDAY, AUG. 24 Slaughter and the Dogs at Soda Bar. Mew at Observatory North Park. John Mayall at Belly Up Tavern.

FRIDAY, AUG. 25 Dierks Bentley at Mattress Firm Amphitheatre. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Dogg Pound at Observatory North Park. U.S. Bombs at Soda Bar. Amos Lee at Copley Symphony Hall. Lord Huron at Del Mar Racetrack.

SATURDAY, AUG. 26 The Kickback at Soda Bar. Sylvan Esso at Observatory North Park (sold out). Pink Martini at Humphreys by the Bay. B-Side Players at Music Box. Slightly Stoopid at Del Mar Racetrack. Pelican, Inter Arma at Brick by Brick. Metalachi at The Casbah.

SUNDAY, AUG. 27 Starover Blue at Soda Bar. The Gipsy Kings at Humphreys by the Bay. Ira Glass at Balboa Theatre. Residente at Observatory North Park. GBH at The Casbah. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at Open Air Theatre.

MONDAY, AUG. 28 Black Oak Hymnal at Soda Bar.

TUESDAY, AUG. 29 Sundrop Electric at Soda Bar. Kaleo at Open Air Theatre.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30 The Strawberry Moons at Soda Bar. San Cisco at The Irenic.

FRIDAY, AUG. 31 The Pharcyde at Observatory North Park.

rCLUBSr 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Fri: Convey, Stray Monroe, The 23s. Sat: Raggabond, Jambless. Tue: Top Shelf Shake.

Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th

28 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

St., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘YouSpin’ w/ DJ Dirty Honey. Thu: ‘Centerpiece’ w/ DJ Eliasar Gordillo. Sat: ‘Juicy’ w/ Mike Czech. Sun: ‘Chvrch’ w/ DJs Karma, Alice.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Jak Knight. Fri: Joel McHale. Sat: Joel McHale. Sun: Shane Torres.

The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Thu: Paco Lipps, TALIA. Fri: Danger Field, War Fever, SOS, Systematic Abuse, Acceptable Losses, Underground Alliance. Sat: Absence of Despair. Sun: The Devil in California, Dahmer’s Realm.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., North Park. Wed: Joke-e-Oke. Thu: DJ Chris Freeman. Fri: ‘First Friday Hip-Hop’. Sat: DJ Mike Delgado. Sun: ‘Rat Sabbath’. Mon: ‘Motown on Monday’. Tue: The Fink Bombs.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St., Downtown.

Fri: Bixel Boys.

Beaumont’s, 5665 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Thu: Rand Anderson Duo. Fri: Part Time Model. Sat: Emotional Rescue. Sun: Kayla Hope.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: Brawley’s Barroom Ball, Gethen Jenkins. Thu: Inspired and the Sleep, Lighting Cola, Chroma, High Minded. Fri: Through the Roots, The Late Ones, Tyrone’s Jacket. Sat: Turnpike Troubadours, Charley Crockett (sold out).

Sun: 10,000 Maniacs, Cindy Lee Berryhill.

Tue: James Vincent McMorrow.

Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., City Heights. Thu: Rude Dog DJs. Fri: Zigtebra, Battery Point, Duping the Public. Sat: G Burns Jug Band.

Blonde, 1808 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. Wed: ‘Dance Klassique’. Fri: ‘Dance From Above’. Sat: ‘Through Being Cool’.

Sun: Diamond Hands, Wyatt Blair, Little Heroine. Mon: Prince vs. Michael Jackson dance party. Tue: The Killers live tribute.

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

Fri: ‘Club Musae’.

Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., Bay Park. Sat: Damage Inc., Hellbent, Lies N Roses, Rage Again. Sun: Nails, Negative Approach, Bloodclot, Final Conflict, Deadbeat. Mon: ‘Metal Monday’.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Wed: The Buttertones, Frankie and the Witch Fingers. Thu: Oh Spirit!, Bit Maps, Strange Ages. Fri: In the Valley Below, Flagship. Sat: The Paladins, The Bedbreakers, The Casey Hensley Band. Sun: The Delta Bombers, The Sleepwalkers.

Mon: Satellite Sky, Z Etc., Mainsail. Tue: Imagery Machine, Tiger and the Teller, Melvus.

Dizzy’s, 1717 Morena Blvd., Bay Park.

Thu: Chase Morrin Trio. Fri: Richard Thompson, Malesha Taylor.

The Field Irish Pub, 544 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Wed: Fiore. Thu: BJ Jezbera.

Fri: Clint Westwood. Mon: Eric French.

Tue: Joseph Carroll.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave., Downtown. Fri: Sage the Gemini. Sat: Dynamiq.

Hoffer’s Cigar Bar, 8282 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. Sat: Ben Grier.

The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach. Wed: Black Market III, Rhythm Turner. Thu: This Wild Life, Dryjacket, A Will Away, DJ Mancat. Fri: DJ OMZ, Spencer Yensen. Sat: DJ Mancat, Natural. Sun: Bartek, Duxplosion, Brandon Vazquez, Dr42, Sarah Crandberry, Luis Tryptic, DJ Kafa, Tucker, Feral Jesus, Navjeet. Tue: Rude Creation, Thicker Than Thieves.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Chevelle, Black Map, Dinosaur Pile-Up. Fri: Wheeler Walker Jr., Whitney Rose. Sat: ‘Back to the ‘80s’ w/ the Molly Ringwalds. Tue: Robin Henkel.

The Irenic, 3090 Polk Ave., North Park.

Thu: Rooney, Run River North.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Wed: ‘Producers Social’. Thu: Psilo.

Fri: ‘Hustle’. Sat: ‘Club Ascension’. Sun: Paul M Lopez.

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave., Kensington. Fri: Flag on Fire, Skipjack, The Lucky Eejits, Hilltop Rats, Parade of Horribles.

Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Fri: Rainbow Girls, BR Lively. Sat: Sahara Grim, Lizzie Waters.

Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave., Coronado. Wed: Gene Warren. Thu: Jackson and Billy. Fri: Never 2L8. Sat: Ron’s Garage. Sun: Ron’s Garage. Mon: JG Solo. Tue: 3 Guys Will Move U. The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: Came To Conquer, We Had a Name, Dirge For November. Thu: ‘All That Dance Party’. Fri: Manufactura, Waste, Theodore the Blacksmith. Sun: ‘Back Alley’ w/ DJ Heather Hardcore.

Mr. Peabody’s, 136 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas. Thu: Fanny and the Attaboys. Fri: The Wonderdogs, Chugboat. Sat: Freeze Frame, Blue Light. Sun: Tony Ortega Jazz Jam. Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy. Fri: Peking Duk, Colour Vision, Jon Wesley, Casmalia. Sat: The Crystal Method, Omega Squad, Viejo Lowbo. Tue: Ballyhoo!, The Hold Up, Kash’d Out.

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

@SDCITYBEAT

MUSIC CHRIS CARRASQUILLO / WAR ON WOMEN FACEBOOK

MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd., Hillcrest. Fri: ‘Uncut’. Tue: Karaoke Latino.

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

Thu: ‘No Limits’ w/ DJ Myson King. Fri: ‘Nite Moves’ w/ DJ Beatnick. Sat: ‘Strictly Business’ w/ DJs EdRoc, Kanye Asada.

Sun: ‘Uptown Top Ranking’.

OMNIA Nightclub, 454 Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Craig Smoove. Fri: Dirty South. Sat: Jack Novak.

Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park.

Fri: Pall Jenkins. Sat: Lorraine Castellanos Quartet. Tue: Robert Dove Quartet.

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

Rich’s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest.

Wed: DJs Kiki, Kinky Loops. Thu: DJs Moniq, Mxyzliplix. Fri: DJs John Joseph, Moody Rudy. Sat: DJs K-Swift, Taj. Sun: DJs Hektik, Drew G. Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz’ w/ Jason Hanna. Thu: Swing Thing. Fri: Taken by Canadians. Sat: Baja Bugs.

SPOTLIGHT Old-school punk rockers love to disparage the long-running Warped Tour festival for its gradual incorporation of other genres, but there’s still plenty of rage to be had this year. If anything, War On Women—the blistering, confrontational woman-fronted band who called out The Dickies’ misogynist festival antics—is probably worth the price of admission alone. The Warped Tour goes down Saturday, August 5 at Qualcomm Stadium.

—Ryan Bradford

@SDCITYBEAT

Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave., San Diego. Thu: Jimmy Ruelas. Mon: ‘Makossa Monday’ w/ DJ Tah Rei. Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: Alex Napping, Little Heroine, Weird Neighbors. Thu: Mobina Galore, Elise Trouw. Fri: The Goddamn Gallows, Strikers, Sam Hell. Sat: Amigo the Devil, Wil Ridge. Sun: Parker Gispert, Bad & the Ugly. Mon: Bent Knee, Heartwarmer, Big Bad Buffalo. Tue: Stage Kids, Monobody, WINE.

SPACE, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Thu: Swirlies, Cruel Summer, Witness 9, DJ Jon Blaj. Fri: Chastity Belt, Never Young, Exasperation. Sat: ‘Boogie down’ w/ XL Middleton, Cookie Crew.

Spin, 2028 Hancock St., Midtown. Fri: DISTRIKT. Sat: ‘United by Bass’.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Fri: ‘Skinhead Jamboree’ w/ DJs Yaya Skinbird, Nuttyboi, Killowarhop. Sat: Wilderness Dream, Pissed Regardless, Viral, Surface Report. Sun: Pants Karaoke.

Tue: Age of Collapse, Lungs, Fantasy Arcade, Beira.

Tin Roof, 401 G St., Downtown. Wed: Laren Leigh and Sam. Thu: Bandcat. Fri: Keep Your Soul, Chad and Rosie. Sat: Keep Your Soul, Chad and Rosie. Sun: Austin Gatus Band. Tue: Lauren Leigh and Sam. Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., City Heights. Thu: Opposition Rising, Rum Rebellion, Christ Killer. Fri: ‘Hip Hop vs.

Punk Rock’. Sat: TV Heads, Badabing.

Mon: Cauche Mar, Evers.

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

Wed: ‘Sweet Spot’. Thu: ‘Boom Boxx Thursday’. Fri: DJ Kid Wonder. Sat: DJ Freeman. Sun: KL Noize Makers.

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park.

Fri: ‘Girls Girls Girls’ w/ DJ Lazer Lizeth.

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach.

Wed: Psydecar, DJ Carlos Culture. Thu: Zeke Beatz. Fri: Maiz. Sat: Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, Euphoria Brass Band. Sun: Earl Thomas Band. Mon: Electric Waste Band.

AUGUST 2, 2017· SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 29

LAST WORDS | ADVICE

AMY ALKON

ADVICE

GODDESS To Have And To Mold My otherwise wonderful husband always leaves his wet towel on the bed (on my side!). I’ve asked him countless times to stop doing this, but I don’t think he’s being passive-aggressive or anything. I think he just spaces out after showering.

How can I get him to remember?

—Soggy It’s good for a man to have goals, though ideally not one that involves growing a fern out of your comforter.

As you appear to understand, the problem isn’t ill will; it’s I, Robot. The first time your husband wondered “Where do I put this wet towel?”—perhaps at age 10—his brain said, “Easy peasy… just drop it right there on the bed.” Sadly, it seems his superhero bedspread didn’t pipe up: “Superman’s got a ton to do today, and flying your wet towel over to the hamper is not on his agenda.”

Our brain is an efficiency expert. Figuring things out the first time around (a la “what

should I do with this towel?”) takes a bunch of energy. But, as neuroscientist Donald Hebb pointed out (in somewhat more neuroscientific terms), as you do an action over and over, your brain goes, “Oh, that again.” The trigger for the action—in this case, approaching the bed (while in a towel, ready to get dressed)— becomes automatic. Automatic means there’s no stopping to muse, “Wait! I have a wife now, and she’s threatening to Saran Wrap the bed.”

There’s only the old familiar launch code: “Bed!”—cueing “Drop wet towel here!”

This automation thing—with thinking removed from the equation—is the reason nagging or even asking nicely before or after the fact is so often useless in changing behavior. You need to break in to the automatic sequence as it’s in progress (when he gets to the bed), kind of like an air traffic controller coming in over the plane’s intercom— “Attention Southwest two-two-niner…”

Interrupting the trigger sequence allows you to send a yoo-hoo to areas of his prefrontal cortex, the brain’s department of ra-

30 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 2, 2017

tional thought—asking them to kindly wake the hell up and take over from the basal ganglia and other parts of the brain’s department of automation.

No, I’m not suggesting you stand guard by the bed like one of those decorative architectural lions, waiting for wet towel time.

And hiring one of those street-corner sign spinners would probably be both impractical and a little creepy.

To grab your husband’s attention in a positive way, I suggest collecting cartoons (like one of my faves, “Bizarro,” by Dan Piraro) and leaving one marked “Towel alert! xo” on the area of the bed he turns into terrycloth swampland. (Pair it with a battery-operated flashing light if he ends up dropping his towel on top of it.) The cartoon should break him out of his auto-daze, reminding him to return the wet towel to its ancestral home, Ye Olde Towel Rack. (If there is something missing for the two of you in bed, it probably isn’t mildew.)

Fame Fatale I’m a novelist who’s suddenly getting successful (after 20 years of crappy jobs and rejected manuscripts). Every day, several people make this annoying and rather insulting comment to me: “Don’t forget about me when you’re famous!”

This got me wondering: What keeps some people grounded while others let success go to their head?

—Published

Of course you’ll stay in touch with your old friends. You’ll have your assistant call them to see whether they’d like to come over and clean out your rain gutters.

Humility is the quality that keeps success from turning you into, well, Kanye East.

People confuse humility—being humble— with being humiliated. However, humility is basically a healthy awareness of your limitations—what social psychologist and humility researcher Pelin Kesebir describes as “a down-to-earth perspective of yourself in relation to all other beings.”

That’s something you’re more likely to have when you make it at 40—after 20 years of working crappy jobs, driving a car held together with duct tape and hope, and selling your blood to buy a tuna melt. Contrast that with hitting it big at 17: “Bro, I was just on my hoverboard at the mall, and some dude handed me a recording contract!”

The cool thing is, social psychologist Elliott Kruse and his colleagues find that you can bolster humility by expressing gratitude—appreciation for how another person has helped you. Expressing gratitude both “inhibits internal focus” and “promotes external focus”—focus on others. This sort of wider view may help you keep any fame you get in perspective. After all, there’s a way to live on in the hearts and minds of many, even after you die, and it’s by creating brilliant, spirit-moving art—or by being a chinchilla videotaped while eating a Dorito.

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August 2, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 31