2 · San Diego CityBeat · August 9, 2017
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UP FRONT | FROM THE EDITOR
Big papa
I
’ll never forget the first time I met Doug missed Manchester’s testimony at a Senate Manchester. It was at some fancy societal Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing on gala (that was part of my beat in those his nomination last week. Most of it was par days) sometime around 2007. The real estate for the course, but what was most surprising developer, hotel magnate and staunch con- was Manchester’s renouncement of his once servative Catholic was all smiles, making the vehement anti-gay-marriage stance. “I want to clarify the issue that was a rounds and shaking everybody’s hands. A colleague introduced us and as I firmly huge mistake, and I have more than done evshook his hand, I made what I thought was erything to rectify that mistake,” Manchester told the Senators, speaking on a $125,000 the requisite introduction. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Manchester,” contribution he made to support Propostion 8, a 2008 ballot measure that made same-sex I said. His face got visibly annoyed. I don’t re- marriage illegal. “I certainly support gay and lesbian marmember exactly what Manchester said to me, but I do remember he almost scolded me riage, for the record,” he added later. Well then, credit where credit is due. for not calling him “Papa Doug.” All I could do was smile and apologize for the oversight. Perhaps Manchester has evolved a bit since 2008. Perhaps it has something to do with He rolled his eyes and quickly moved on. While there’s something to be said for ca- the more progressive Pope Francis. Perhaps sualness (after all, we live in a city where peo- he just realized that it was bad for business, ple show up to the opera in board shorts), this since he reportedly lost much more than exchange between myself and Manchester was $125,000 when the LGBTQ community boycotted his hotels. hardly an isolated incident. It now seems likely that My old editor had a similar Manchester will be conencounter. I heard similar firmed and on his way to the tales later when Manchester Bahamas, where he already bought the San Diego Unionowns a home in the posh Tribune and briefly turned Lyford Cay community on it into some kind of flagNew Providence Island. And waving Fox News spinoff. while I doubt Manchester This wasn’t casual. This was Doug Manchester would ever read a rag like someone with such a sense of self-importance that he automatically ex- ours, I would like to take this opportunity to pected everyone to immediately know who he challenge him to put his money where his was and to immediately know to call him by mouth is. Actually, he might take that too literally. I challenge him to take full advantage his preferred title. So it made sense that Manchester was an of his ambassadorship to, even if it’s subtly, unapologetic, MAGA hat-wearing early sup- push a human rights-friendly agenda in the porter of the Handchurian candidate. Be- Bahamas, which, while temperate and lovely tween Manchester and his, eh, Russian-born on the surface, has a troubled record when it wife, they donated and/or raised nearly a mil- comes to LGBTQ rights. There have been plenty of ambassadors lion dollars for Trump’s campaign and Trumpfriendly PACs. Considering this, it also makes over the years who used their position to sense that now President Trump would tap promote a more progressive agenda and Manchester to be his Ambassador to the Ba- while I doubt Manchester would ever use hamas. While literally thousands of crucial this opportunity to do so and, instead, use it and high-level government jobs remain un- as a paid vacation, his words in front of the filled, Trump found the time to fill a job that’s Senate did seem heartfelt. Most people hear the name “Papa Doug” more of a “thanks for all your support” reward and still think anti-gay. They remember the than it is a political appointment. So while most readers’ heads were prob- protests out of the Manchester Grand Hyatt. ably exploding from the news about Trump’s Now, he has the opportunity to change that. military ban on trans people or the ever-es- That’s how you earn a name like “Papa.” calating Russia investigation, they may have —Seth Combs This week’s CityBeat is much more like a Rhinestone Cowboy than a Wichita Lineman. Volume 15 • Issue 52 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 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 3
VERBALIZING THE PROBLEM Hey Seth! Just read your article on homelessness in SD [“Changing course,” July 26], and just felt moved enough to send you a quick email. I am a big believer that a lot of cops out there are genuine people trying to do good in our communities, but my time growing up in Atlanta, I saw a couple “good cops” that I knew very well treat the homeless terribly. I never understood how to verbalize the problem, or honestly that it was even a real national issue, until your article. I joined the “Homeless News San Diego” page and hope to find a way to lend a voice when I can. Angie Keilhauer Leucadia
CLEAN IT UP A BIT I look forward to each week’s CityBeat as a “piece of the puzzle” of what’s really going on in San Diego (not the typical “PR” lines, thanks to excellent columns by John Lamb and Seth Combs). That said, most of your columnists seem to be immature—incapable of writing a column without profanity. Example: Ryan Bradford’s column [“Zero chill at the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival,” Aug. 2] opens with, “The day is cloudy and muggy as f*ck.” Really? Get a thesaurus and learn to use it. His column should be called “Well, that was BORING.” Not edgy, just f’d up ramblings. Just because Trump won, we don’t all have to swim in his sewer! Why not try to publish an issue where they have to dig deep and avoid profanity— something you could use as an example of good writing. It can be done. Consider Richard Pryor—he would go all “blue” in live and film, but could turn in a brilliant performance on network TV with no bleeps!
4 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
D. Tovey College Area
UP FRONT From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Spin Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sordid Tales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 There She Goz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
This week’s pothole comes from David Blumberg, who had a lot to say on his find. “Let’s begin with the fact that the city simply striped right over the manhole. Work order closed. Check,” he jokes, berating the damage control of the pothole he spotted east of Park Boulevard on Broadway in the East Village. Blumberg was quick to throw in a plot twist and swerved (pun intended) into an analysis of the hole’s symbolic aesthetics. “Note the playful erosion of the asphalt around the base of the manhole and how it juxtaposes with the attempt at orderly decay as depicted by the rectangular settling,” he says. “The whole construct artfully captures the internal conflict felt by Man in the face of crumbling societal norms.” Whoa, that’s deep. Almost as deep as the pothole.
FEATURE: Dasher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Notes from the Smoking Patio. . . . . . . . 36 If I Were U. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Concerts & Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-41
Send your favorite pothole location and pics (but really, only if it’s safe to do so) to seth.combs@sdcitybeat.com.
Astrologically Unsound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
FOOD & DRINK The Beerdist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 FEATURE: The Food Issue. . . . . . . . . . 14-31 The World Fare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Dishing It Out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
THINGS TO DO The Short List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
ARTS & CULTURE Books: The Floating Library . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Film. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-34
MUSIC
LAST WORDS
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COVER PHOTO: POMEGRANATE’S BORSCHT BY TORREY BAILEY
UP FRONT | LETTERS
UP FRONT | OPINION
SPIN
CYCLE
JOHN R. LAMB
A little more light, Mr. Mayor Telling the difference between transparent and invisible is an acquired skill. —David Whiteland
B
ehold, the public records request. Without it, San Diegans might still be in the dark about the San Diego Association of Government’s shenanigans, secret SoccerCity shindigs and city pension pooch-screwing. Even our photo-opportunistic Republican mayor, Kevin Faulconer, lauded its virtue last year when he unveiled a revamped city website complete with a new swishy logo and a portal to new public-document adventures called NextRequest. “San Diego Leading on Transparency with Open Public Records Portal,” a press-release headline from the San Francisco-based startup proclaimed in March of last year. In the release, Faulconer said of the “major step forward”
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in municipal effectiveness, “San Diego is leading the way in creating an open and transparent city government that gives residents easier access to public records, documents and data. “This new public records portal created by NextRequest will give ordinary people access to wide swathes of information that would have been more difficult to acquire without this technology.” The release went on to venture that “the new website and public records portal put San Diego at the forefront of government efficiency, transparency and public engagement.” Does it feel that way, dear readers? Perhaps the nuclear glare coming from the Brooks Brothers moshpit that is modern-day Washington politics is warping our view of every-day newsgathering. Sure, leaks fuel the roundthe-clock news cycle, but arguably it is the unsexy public records
request that can sink or propel a political ship. As the city’s new local portal approaches its 5,000th records request, Spin thought it would be fun to dive into all those inquiries to see what people want in terms of public information, and how successful they were in receiving it. But what began as an earnest attempt to track each request ended in a blurry-eyed realization that the day just doesn’t want to be any longer than 24 hours. In the end, Spin reviewed about 1,700 requests—but they do shed some light on the process. Why do this all of this, you may well ask. Perhaps you recall a recent column alluding to the fourmonth effort to gain a copy of a joke-filled speech the mayor gave back in March at the annual Downtown San Diego Partnership installation gala. After several emails to the mayor’s office went unacknowledged, Spin decided to give NextRequest a crack. Perhaps a publicly reviewable request would shake the 11th floor into action, the thinking went. And sure enough, the speech arrived from Team Kevin just short of six weeks later. While flipping through the NextRequest site a short time later, Spin happened upon the form describing the speech request. But one thing seemed odd: Under the
JOHN R. LAMB
Mayor Kevin Faulconer talks about leading in government transparency, but does he walk it? header listing “Documents,” it read simply, “(none).” The opening page for the NextRequest portal contains this line: “All previous requests and responsive documents are viewable here online.” And yet, this particular responsive document was nowhere to be seen. How could that be? Spin asked the ever-pleasant manager of the city’s public-records program, Lea Fields-Bernard, about the phenomenon. “There are certain occasions when we determine that it is best to provide the records directly to the requestor as opposed to posting them online,” she wrote. “This occurs infrequently as you might be able to tell from looking at the requests that are posted.” A follow-up question about what criteria are used to determine what gets posted and what doesn’t went unanswered, so we’re left with anecdotal observations. One request asked for the mayor’s out-of-county travel itineraries and expense forms from 2014 to 2016. But the information is nowhere to be found because, as the NextRequest entry notes, it was “hand-delivered to the requestor.” Another record inquiry spawned by a San Diego Union-Tribune story that referenced a timeline provided by the mayor’s office of meetings and communications with SoccerCity backers, San Diego State University honchos and Chargers officials was also devoid of the actual timeline. Other requests are labeled “handled as media request,” without further explanation or access to that information. Other departments that deal in huge files, like Development Services, make frequent notations that the information is available for review in person. Nonetheless, many requests have prompted detailed responses from a wide swath of city departments, and the city insists improving the experience is a top priority. “We are in frequent and continual communication with the vendor to ensure that community members
have easy access to information on the portal,” city spokeswoman Alma Rife wrote Spin. “PRA compliance is being tracked as a performance measure beginning July 1, 2017, and performance actuals will be available in City budget publications.” Training of city employees on the nuances of the state Public Records Act has ramped up, Rife said, in hopes to “streamline departments’ process in responding to requests, and ultimately reduce the City’s response time to better serve requestors.” Some requestors, however, could use a little training of their own. There are numerous requests that fall outside the city’s purview, like requests for birth, marriage and divorce records that the county maintains. Others asked for information on hotels in Phoenix, a branch library in Imperial Beach, or code violations in Lakeside, Escondido, Vista and even San Antonio, Texas. Rife noted that not all public records requests come via NextRequest. Activist attorney Cory Briggs, a frequest records requester, said he’s used NextRequest about a dozen times but dislikes it so much he tends to email the city clerk directly. “Lame,” he wrote. “Never know who’s working on it at the time. Cannot see everything others get, as you know. Cannot upload correspondence; have to use its stupid data field.” Some other government agencies—the Port of Seattle and the cities of New Orleans and Albuquerque, New Mexico, for example—even post the name of the person requesting the information, something San Diego likely won’t be doing. Rife noted that the state Public Records Act “allows people to make requests anonymously and so does NextRequest to be consistent.” So, is San Diego “leading” on transparency? Hard to tell. Perhaps a little more light would help. Spin Cycle appears every week. Write to johnl@sdcitybeat.com.
AUGUST 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 5
UP FRONT | OPINION
EDWIN DECKER
SORDID
TALES
Make vocabulary great again
A
s we all know, President Donald J. Trump (a phrase so offensive to the cosmos, my keyboard winced as I typed it) is a nincompoop. And how do we know this? Well, look no further than the banal manner in which he speaks and tweets. This should have told us from the jump that he was not fit for the presidency. Yet somehow, so many of us missed it. More on that later. In Trump-speak (also known as Trumplish) everything he does or likes is tremendous or fantastic, or amazing or very amazing or the very, very most amazing thing in the whole wide world! He’s like a high schooler that got left back because he couldn’t grasp the test questions. Here’s a hypothetical: Test Question: What is the value of pi? Young Trump: Pi is a terrific number. Really, really terrific. It’s just so irritating. Not only does he communicate almost entirely in adjectives, but the only adjectives he uses are meaningless superlatives that inflate everything to a
6 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
preposterous pinnacle. At the same time, the adjectives are vague enough to where they can be taken to mean anything. For instance, when he said health care reform was going to be “really, really great,” it’s as if he thought those who depended on it were going to rejoice. Like, “Whew! I was so worried about losing my health insurance but POTUS says it’s going to be great! That’s so great! Great is always great. Oh wait, what’s that now? By ‘great’ he means gone? Our health care is going to be gone? Well, isn’t that just great!” When he remarked that his new energy policy was “very tremendous,” I howled with mirth. Tremendous how? Does it reduce emissions? Does it fortify out renewable energy infrastructure? And tremendous for whom? For his buddies in big business or for human beings who, you know, breathe and drink and eat off this planet? During his rally in West Virginia last week, moments before he brought Gov. Jim Justice on stage, Trump teased an announcement
and added, “This announcement is going to be very, very large. Do you understand? Large.” Actually, I don’t understand. How can an announcement be large? What did you do, write it on Mt. Rushmore? And notice how he beats the shit out of the word “very,” such as when he recently said his son was a “very, very, high quality person.” See, in Trumplish, you must use a multitude of adjectives so as to pile on the praise (or insult) to its inane, ambiguous and exaggerated apex. Do you see what I did there? I also piled on the adjectives. However, all these adjectives—inane, ambiguous and exaggerated— have meanings that are different from each other and therefore have a purpose beyond bombast. And I used them to qualify “apex,” a word that also has a specific meaning. But Trump defaults to a word like “quality,” which, in this context, is meaningless because it doesn’t specify the qualities of his son’s quality. Is he smart and/or kind? Or is he a stealth and savvy pussy grabber? Quality is as imprecise as nice or good and does not benefit from fortifiers such as very, very and high? It’s all just more of the same thing. He could have just as easily said, “Don Jr. is not merely a quality person; he’s not only a high quality person; he’s not even simply a very high quality person—My son is a very, very, high quality person and if you keep talking shit I’m going to throw in another high and two verys for good measure!” But my favorite was when he said Junior’s meeting with a Russian lawyer was, “very standard.”
Oh fer Crissake! You couldn’t just leave it at standard? How can something even be “very standard”? It’s like saying “very average.” “Standard” is the very opposite of “very.” It’s not an extremity, it’s the middle. And the middle can’t be very! I know what readers are thinking. They’re thinking, Ed, he’s a writer—a word nerd. Not everyone has an extensive vocabulary. Sure, I know we all talk like this from time to time. But this is something else. This is all he says. It’s why he Tweets so much. Twitter is a perfect venue for someone who is incapable of expounding on a subject. How often do you hear the President say why something was amazing? How often do you hear him deliver an unscripted sentence in which he coherently explains the nuances of his opinion? Dude is so bereft of depth, it’s frightening. But here’s the most frightening part. The fact that this man can’t deliver an intelligent sentence—the fact that everything he says sounds like a third-rate carnival barker outside the Amazing Bearded Woman tent— isn’t as troublesome as the fact that so many Americans buy into it. They love the pitchman and believe him when he says something is “amazing” so they pay the admission, enter the tent and never even notice that the bearded woman is just an old Bulgarian dame with monkey dander glued to her face. No, my friends, the most frightening thing about Donald Trump is not Donald Trump, but the millions who support him. They’re the scariest. The very scariest!
Sordid Tales appears every other week. Write to edwin@sdcitybeat.com.
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UP FRONT | VOICES
THERE SHE
ALEX ZARAGOZA
GOZ
Ice cream for the people!
T
he second my face felt the thick, clammy Havana air, my stress melted away. My contour makeup also melted away so my face looked like I’d just witnessed the opening of the Ark of the Covenant, minus the whole Nazi thing. Despite my melted face, I was excited to experience Cuban culture. That experience would involve drinking alcohol served in hollowed-out fruit, dancing to a fuck ton of reggaeton, catching some sun, wearing outfits that involve gold hoops and coochie cutters and, naturally, telling people I’m Pitbull’s girlfriend but that he stayed in Miami for work. But because I’m nothing if not a nerd for sociocultural examination and discussion (see 90 percent of my columns and all the dates I’ve ruined for proof), I was also fascinated in learning how a socialist, communist country functions on a daily basis, and there was a lot to dissect and study there. I did so with the help of a friend in Cuba who is a Ph.D. student studying Cuba’s agricultural history. I had been warned before my trip that Cuba was not a vacation spot that would force me to leave my top pants button undone on the plane ride home. After all, the country strictly regulates food products among its citizens to assure equal distribution and has felt the decades-long effects of the U.S. embargo that ended almost all imports. During the harshest years of the embargo, people were starving. So the fact that the majority of the food most readily available is ham and cheese sandwiches and spaghetti that’s basically hot, thick noodles covered in tomato soup and ham is not surprising. It fills your belly quick. When President Obama (side note: I miss u, B) lifted the embargo last year, it changed people’s access to food and ability to create a sustainable livelihood. As my friend explained, just a year or two prior it was practically unheard of for locals to own small restaurant businesses. It just wasn’t possible with the lack of ingredients available, especially as the ingredients that did come into the country were prioritized to hotels, restaurants and other services that catered to tourists. So the fact that someone can now buy a pizza from a small cafe owned by a single mom is incredible. (Local tip: Cubans eat their pizza folded in half while running to catch a taxi, which is how I want to do all my running from here on out). As of June, the dark orange lord, Voldetrump, announced new restrictions to travel and business in Cuba, reversing much of what Obama had accomplished when he lifted the embargo. The new limitations went into effect almost immediately, which will undoubtedly affect those small cafes. Funny enough, when Cubans asked me where I was from and I told them I’m Mexican and live in the U.S., they almost always responded with “Oh, your president hates your people, huh?”
Yeah, man. He hates all of us. One of my favorite things to do when visiting foreign countries is grocery shopping. The markets I visited in Cuba had food items mostly behind glass counters manned by shopkeepers who hand people their allowed amount of products. You can’t walk in and buy all of the powder milk, for example. Equal distribution. There was one type of potato chip I saw, which was more of a flavored wheat puff. It’s vastly different from the supermarkets of America, with their endless piles of ‘roided up vegetables and 47 types of Flaming Hot Cheetos alone. People wait in long lines for eggs and WiFi cards. Then we came upon the longest line I had seen in Cuba. A line that could rival one outside a churro donut shop in Brooklyn or a free STI testing clinic in Pacific Beach. This one, however, was for one of the most sought after, heavily regulated items available in the entire country: ice cream. A bit of history: In the ‘60s, Fidel Castro had Cuba’s ambassador to Canada to ship him a bunch of ice-cream from Howard Johnson hotel restaurants. He loved that dank Ho-Jo ice cream so goddamn much he decided all Cubans should have access to its creamy, cold deliciousness. And thus, he socialized ice cream. Fucking ice cream! For the people! Castro built an ice-cream factory so Cuba could produce its own frosty goodness, and then set up a huge state-run ice cream parlor called Coppelia. The two-story building is a beautifully designed midcentury structure with a Jetsons-esque mod, futuristic vibe. It’s rad. Obviously, I had to pose outside of it in my vacation coochie cutters. People wait an hour or more at Coppelia to get a scoop of one of the 26 flavors it sells at around four cents. For Cubans, who on average make $25 a month, that means they too can indulge in a sweet treat because it’s not a luxury, it’s a basic right. What was especially fascinating was finding out that there’s an underground market for ice cream. While American corporations or teenage Forever 21 employees may steal some of their product to sell at a higher cost to people with money but no access to their goods, Cubans working at the Coppelia factory do the same thing, selling stolen ice-cream to small businesses so they can sell to tourists at a higher cost, saving them a two-hour wait for a scoop of chocolate. People want to make that dollar, even in a communist society. I ate their ice cream, which was thick and sickly sweet, knowing all too well that it was much more than just a scoop of vanilla.
Cubans asked me where I was from and I told them I’m Mexican and live in the U.S., they almost always responded with ‘Oh, your president hates your people, huh?’
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There She Goz appears every third week. Write to alexz@sdcitybeat.com. AUGUST 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 7
UP FRONT | DRINK
THE
BY ANDREW DYER
BEERDIST
When good beer isn’t good enough
I
n late June, Intergalactic Brewing Co. took to Facebook to announce a new direction for the brewery—it was for sale. “It is with great sadness that I must announce that I will be beginning the process of finding a new direction for Intergalactic Brewing Company by exploring all options, including, but not limited to, putting the business assets up for sale,” owner and head brewer Alex Van Horne said in the post. Van Horne opened Intergalactic in 2013 in a Miramar neighborhood that looked much different than it does today. Over the last four years, 11 more breweries and tasting rooms have opened nearby. Intergalactic isn’t the first local brewery to look outside for an investment or buyout, but considering it has won 34 awards for 18 different beers, it might be one of the best to do so. So what went wrong? Van Horne was unusually transparent on social media, engaging with critics and fans alike. He was similarly transparent talking to CityBeat. “I take criticism pretty well,” Van Horne says, “and I have a pretty good understanding of our capabilities and shortcomings.” Marketing is a big one, but the lack of startup capital from the beginning was the major challenge. “We [opened] on the cheap and I wouldn’t recommend it,” he says. “There’s been many days where we got through a month with $30 left in the bank. It’s scary doing that.” Without enough investors, the company took on debt to fund expansion and operations. Last year, it moved into a 3,000 square-foot tasting room. “With the bigger tasting room came a bigger brew house and more capacity,” Van Horne says. “We just ran out of money. Brewing is capital-intensive—you need money to make money.” Intergalactic, with its nano-sized production capacity, relies a lot on tasting room sales. Van Horne said this business model used to work, but as more breweries opened around the neighborhood, the customer pool was diluted. “When there’s a new brewery opening, an anniversary or a party going on, it’s a slower day for everyone else,” he says. “When revenue is almost
8 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
100 percent over-the-counter sales, it doesn’t matter how good your beer is. At some point, saturation is going to hurt your numbers.” Changing consumer trends have also affected sales. “When you have a new beer release every week— or every other week—that’s never been brewed before, and nobody’s ever had it, and there’s a line out the door, it dramatically changes how the industry does business. It used to be about developing quality beers that would become people’s favorites, but now it’s flash-in-the-pan one-offs. It’s making it difficult for people not able to adapt fast enough. Maybe I wasn’t.” ANDREW DYER
Intergalactic Brewing’s owner/brewer Alex Van Horne Van Horne says the business is at the breakeven point, but needs to expand capacity to continue to grow. It could be an attractive opportunity for someone ready to take it on. “We’re already licensed and running, with everything needed to brew beer and serve it,” he says. “The brewery is much larger than most nanos, because the goal was to grow. If you’re good at marketing and have a great brewer but no idea how to run a business or start one, it’s an opportunity to take something over that’s pre-built. It’s turnkey.” In the meantime, Intergalactic is open and operating as normal. How long it will remain open is up in the air. The Beerdist appears every other week. Write to andrewd@sdcitybeat.com
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SHORTlist
EVENTS
ART
the
THREE YOU HAVE TO SEE
COORDINATED BY
SETH COMBS
HILLCREST
LIVING FOR THE CITY
San Diego certainly has plenty of outdoor festivals this time of year (just see the two events below for further proof), but CityFest remains one of our favorites. In fact, over the 33 years it’s been happening, the annual neighborhood party has grown into the largest single-day street festival in the city with over 150,000 attendees every year. What’s the appeal? Variety, variety, variety. “Every year, we celebrate the community as well the history of the neighborhood,” says Eddie Reynoso, the Marketing and Member Services Contractor for the Hillcrest Business Association who puts on the festival every year. “It’s always been an event where everyone is welcome and there’s something for everyone.” Those things include hundreds of street vendors selling everything from art to clothing. The dozens of Hillcrest boutiques and shops along the Fest route (5th Ave. between University and Robinson Avenues) will also be open, with many offering special promotions. There will also be carnival rides, a beer garden, 50 different food vendors, and two stages of live music from headliner Leon Else and DJ Taj, as well as local bands such as Imagery Machine, The Tighten-Ups, The Strawberry Moons and more. It all ends with an all-ages dance party under the
POINT LOMA
Hillcrest sign, which is suitable considering the history of the event. “The festival originally started off as a way of celebrating and also repairing the Hillcrest sign back in 1984, because it had fallen into disrepair” says Reynoso, who points out that a portion of CityFest’s beer and liquor proceeds go right back into beautifying the neighborhood. “This includes everything from trash removal and lighting projects to flower baskets and public art.” CityFest happens from noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. See hillcrestcityfest.com for full info, maps and times. SD PIX
Summer is supposedly all about being out in the sunshine, which is a bummer for many art enthusiasts since most of their favorite exhibits happen inside frigid museums (not to mention a general aversion to the sun). Thankfully, some geniuses came up with the idea for art lovers to observe paintings and sculptures while absorbing some vitamin D. ArtWalk @ Liberty Station is a fine arts festival where over 200 international, national and local artists will display their works of glass sculptures, fine jewelry, photography and basically all other creative mediums imaginable. There will also be live music, interactive art for families and a wine and beer pavilion. The free festival will go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 at Liberty Station’s Art District (2825 Dewey Rd). artwalksandiego.org/libertystation
HSketch Night at Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter. In honor of minis / A Group Show exhibition, Sparks hosts an evening of painting, sketching and collage making with live music and refreshments. Guest artists will join in the activities. From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. Free. 619-696-1416, sparksgallery.com/category/events HStu Acton Solo Pop Up at Little Dame Shop, 2942 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. The colorblind artist showcases his latest three-dimensional, geometric-centered art work in a pop-up exhibition. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11. Free. facebook.com/ events/348550952246149 Interactive Mural and Sculpture Collaboration at Señor Grubby’s, 377 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad. Creative Director Bryan Snyder will be painting a wall, in hopes of creating an interactive public space. Happens alongside a metal sculpture installation by Ale x Gall. Saturday, Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13. Free. 760-729-6040, eatgrubbys.com HCollide at Thumbprint Gallery, 920 Kline St., La Jolla. The gallery, which focuses on urban art and pop surrealism, presents new works by David Camisa, Eric Michael Hancock, Johnie Thornton and more. Opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. 858-354-6294, thumbprintgallery.com
CityFest
MISSION VALLEY
WALKIN ON SUNSHINE
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
TIKI TIME Long before The Grass Skirt and False Idol made tiki culture the go-to bar trend, there was Tiki Oasis, the annual celebration of all things kitschy and Polynesian. It’s now the largest and longest-running Tiki fest in the world. The main four-day fest is sold out but there are still plenty of cool (and free!) activities for enthusiasts. There will be an art show curated by Baby Doe Stroheim all weekend long, as well as a car show that includes live music from The Colony Boys and Maureen & the Mercury 5. The Tiki merch market on Saturday and Sunday includes vendors selling handmade, hand-carved goods and vintage aloha wear. All these events take place at various times, Friday, Aug. 11, Saturday, Aug. 12, and Sunday, Aug. 13 at the Crowne Plaza (2270 Hotel Circle North). Check tikioasis.com for full schedule.
Black & White at La Bodega Gallery, 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. A group show of black and white photography that focuses on the importance of contrast, light and composition. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. 619255-7036, labodegagallery.com HMikaela McLeish at orbARCHITECTURE, 3817 Ray St., North Park. The gallery will host a solo show of the Filipina-IrishAmerican painter as part of Ray @ Night, a monthly neighborhood artwalk. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. 619-564-7586, obrarchitecture.com HFresh Delights, Violent Heartbreaks at basileIE, 2070 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. A group show celebrating the gallery’s first anniversary, featuring new work from artists who had exhibitions during the inaugural year. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. 858361-9052, basile-ie.com HShiny Elements at Gelato Vero Caffe, 3753 India St., Mission Hills. A solo show by painter Jackie Warfield, as inspired by fire, earth, water and air. Opening from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. Free. 619-295-9269, facebook.com/ events/355887404829042 Nature of the Brush at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery, 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, Tierrasanta. The exhibition features Julia Roth and Gaye Lingley who are known for their use of Asian ink and brush strokes techniques. Opening from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. Free. 619-668328, mtrp.org HArtWalk at Liberty Station’s Art District, 2825 Dewey Road, Point Loma. The arts festival will host over 200 international, national and local artists who will display their works of glass sculptures, fine jewelry, photography
ArtWalk @SDCITYBEAT
Tiki Oasis
H = CityBeat picks
and all other creative mediums. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. Free. artwalksandiego.org/ libertystation
BOOKS Tyler Gage at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The cofounder and Chairman of RUNA will be promoting his new book, Fully Alive: Using the Lessons of the Amazon to Live Your Mission in Business and Life. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9. Free. 858-4540347, warwicks.com HDaniel H. Wilson at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The bestselling author of Robopocalypse will sign and discuss his newest novel, The Clockwork Dynasty, which reimagines history with robot servants. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9. Free. 858-2684747, mystgalaxy.com Swan Huntley at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The author of We Could Be Beautiful will sign and discuss her empowering new novel, The Goddesses. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks. com HLinda Gallo Hawley at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. As part of Warwick’s ongoing Weekend with Locals program, Hawley will sign and discuss Nature Adventures: A Guidebook to Nature Facts, Songs and Hikes in San Diego County. At noon Sunday, Aug. 13. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com Renée Carlino at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The author of multiple bestselling novels will be promoting her latest, Wish You Were Here. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com
COMEDY Stand Up Comedy Show at Gossip Grill, 1220 University Ave., Hillcrest. A night of comedy to support Lucky Pup Dog Rescue, a nonprofit that saves small and medium breed shelter dogs from kill shelters across California. VIP ticketholders get a front row seat, raffle ticket and drink. From 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. $15-$25. 858-9458341, luckypupdogrescue.com 40 oz. to Funny at Bay City Brewing Co, 3760 Hancock St., Old Town. A comedy night hosted by Tommy Lucero featuring various acts and hosted by local comedian Colin Dodge. Celebrates the brewery’s new space dedicated to events. At 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11. 619-727-4926, baycitybrewingco.com HSteve Martin and Martin Short at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, 5500 Campanile Drive, College Area. The two comedians continue on their North American joint tour. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $39-$150. 619-5940234, as.sdsu.edu/calcoast
DANCE Dancing with the Stars: Live! Hot Summer Nights at Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., Downtown. Season 24 winner and NFL running back Rashad Jennings will join his partner, Emma Slater, and other former contestants to showcase ballroom and modern dance as seen on the hit ABC show. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9. $42-88. 619-5701100, sandiegotheatres.org
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AUGUST 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 9
BOOKS: THE FLOATING LIBRARY
EVENTS EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
lively performance. From 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. $21-$71. 619-2350800, sandiegosymphony.org
PADL West Dance Festival at City Heights Performing Annex, 3750 Fairmount Ave., City Heights. A fourday intensive with dance instructor Sara Shelton Mann, plus free classes and events. At various times Friday, Aug. 11 through Tuesday, Aug. 15. $120$240. 619-641-6100, facebook.com/ events/1907734179503736
HThe White Buffalo at Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. The bearded, smooth-voiced troubadour 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. 11. $6-$20. 858-7551141, dmtc.com
FASHION Well Suited’s Summer Progressive Sale at My Sister’s Closet, 146 N El Camino Real 146, Encinitas. Join the annual sale and shop for never before seen items, including designer bags, shoes, accessories and more. Also happens at the store’s La Jolla location. At 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. 760-4363600, mysisterscloset.com
FOOD & DRINK HCelebrate El Borrego at El Borrego Restaurant, 4280 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. The Mexican eatery celebrates their plans for expansion and the family shares their testimony about being the first El Cajon business to be funded by the Small Business Access to Capital Program. From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. Free. 619-281-1355, facebook.com/ events/885950174904265 HBurgers & Brews at Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Enjoy 10 beer tastings from award-winning craft breweries, as well as unlimited samples of the burgers and gourmet fries. Ticket price includes racetrack admission. From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $25-$42. 858-7551141, burgersandbrews.com NPBC 1st Anniversary IPA Celebration at North Park Beer Company, 3038 University Ave., North Park. With IPAs from Abnormal Beer Co, Arts District, Bagby Beer and others, the festival features over 30 hoppy treats from the brewery, neighbors and friends. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $25-$30. 619-255-2946, facebook.com/ events/1114759298667967 BeerX Festival at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy, Little Italy. Reggae bands like Iration and J BOOG, plus many others, perform live while guests enjoy unlimited craft beer from over 120 breweries from Southern California and beyond. From noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $50$199. beerxsandiego.com Bottlecraft Sour Fest at various locations. County Bottlecraft locations will pour different kegs from wild and sour producers such as Beachwood Blendery, Firestone Walker Barrelworks, Modern Times and more. From noon to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. facebook. com/events/506324206425937 HNo Borders Ceviche Showdown at 57 Degrees, 1735 Hancock St., Middletown. More than 15 restaurants from both San Diego and Mexico will vie for the title of best ceviche at this fourth annual event. From 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. $25. 619-234-5760, fiftysevendegrees.com
MUSIC Latin Jazz Masters at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, Downtown. As part of the San Diego Symphony’s Bayside Summer Nights series, Latin jazz artists including Justo Almario, Oscar Hernandez and Gilbert Castellanos will be putting on a
Darryl Williams at California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Composer and bassist Darryl Williams brings his unique styles smooth jazz to town. At 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11. Free. 760-839-4138, artcenter.org HHans Zimmer at Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive, College Area. The Oscar-winning composer known for musical scores from Inception, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, Black Hawk Down and many more will lead a live orchestra. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $33-$237.619594-7315, as.sdsu.edu/viejas_arena HLudacris at Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. The Atlanta rapper and actor known for hits like “Roll Out” and “What’s Your Fantasy” will perform after Saturday’s races. Free with admission. At 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12. $6-$20. 858-755-1141, dmtc.com HFood Not Bombs at Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. A benefit show to support local food with performances by Zombie Surf Camp, Malleable Mary, Kemtrell and more. Donations of food, silverware and feminine products encouraged. From 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $5 suggested donation. 619-516-4767, tiltwoclub.com KAABOO Discovery Tour at Moonshine Beach, 1165 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Emerging artists compete for the chance to perform at KAABOO. Performances by Johnny Oskam, Band of Gringos and more. From 6 to 10:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. $10. 858-999-0158, moonshinebeachsd.com HSummer Jazz Concert at San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Jazz music featuring performances by the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame Orchestra. All proceeds from the event will go to North County schools for music education programs. From 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. $5-$25. 760436-3036, sdbgarden.org HJill Scott at Copley Symphony Hall, 780 B St., Downtown. The three-time Grammy award-winning R&B singersongwriter is best known for her hits “A Long Walk” and “Gettin’ in the Way.” At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15. $42-$228. 619235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
POETRY & SPOKEN WORD 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 HSan Diego Poetry Annual Reading at San Diego Writers, Ink., 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 202, Point Loma. Poets whose work appears in the San Diego Poetry Annual 2016-17 will be sharing some of their poems at this event, hosted by Judy Reeves. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. 619-696-0363, sandiegowriters.org
10 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
Satan in the age of Trump
I
’ve noticed in recent weeks a tendency to read books through the lens of the Trump administration. I’ve found this to be especially true in work that features cartoonish corruption, creeping authoritarianism and post-apocalyptic dystopia. Just as every war movie is a commentary on both the war it depicts and the war being fought when the film was made, the current administration invites comparison to the worst aspects of our society. It’s a sign of the times I suppose. But I didn’t expect to find it in a 19th century book about Satanism. J.K. Huysman’s Là-bas was published in 1891 after it was serialized in a French newspaper. The book is infamous for supposedly having the most accurate description of a black mass in Western literature. The black mass is pretty lame by 21st century standards and reading it was a bit like listening to Mötley Crüe. Much to my surprise, Là-bas is, in its own way, a charming book about a writer and his circle of friends who are all obsessed with the Middle Ages. They gather to discuss the “lost arts” of astrology, bell ringing, homeopathy and magic. The writer, an odd fellow named Durtal, is writing a book about Gilles de Rais who fought alongside Joan of Arc in the 15th century, was obsessed with alchemy, may have invented modern theater, and most certainly murdered hundreds of children
POLITICS & COMMUNITY 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 HTiki Oasis Art Show, Car Show and Marketplace at Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2270 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley. A Polynesian celebration full of vintage finds and limited edition items, as well as a car and art show featuring some the country’s top tiki artists. Various times. Friday, Aug. 11th, Saturday, Aug. 12, and Sunday, Aug. 13. Free. tikioasis.com HBooty Bassment: Millennial Pink at San Diego Art Institute, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. DJs Dimitri Dickinson and Rob Moran, of the rap-based dance club night, host a dance party to celebrate the exhibition dedicated to the evolution of queer aesthetics and sexual fluidity. From 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11. $5-$10. 619236-0011, sandiego-art.org/new-events/ millennial-pink PSL PCoR Fundraiser at Kimball Park, E 12th St., National City. The Party for Socialism and Liberation hosts an eat and greet with Cuban-inspired dishes to raise money in hopes of sending a delegation of party members to the People’s Congress of Resistance. At 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. facebook. com/events/337610359997767
in heinous fashion. Durtal’s research leads him to people with a passion for arcane details that can help him with his project and who share his dissatisfaction with the modern age. Like most novels written in serial fashion, Làbas is not without its faults. Durtal’s introduction to Satanism is facilitated through Madame Chantelouve with whom he is having a most improbable affair. After receiving an anonymous letter, much hand wringing ensues until the “amorous somersaults” are finally consummated. But what I found most striking was Durtal’s renunciation of society, a sentiment one can find every night of the week in political conversations on Twitter. “Literature has only one excuse for existing; it saves the person who makes it from the disgustingness of life.” I read these lines the night Trump’s short-lived communication director, Anthony Scaramucci, told The New Yorker that he wasn’t an enthusiast of auto-fellatio like other members of Trump’s staff. At the end of Là-bas, Durtal and his friends allow themselves to express some hope for the future just as a throng in the street gathers to celebrate the results of an election. One gets the sense that Durtal wishes he could summon an army of Satan’s demons to wipe the slate clean. I know the feeling.
HSurf Border at Border Field State Park, 1500 Monument Road, San Ysidro and Playas Tijuana, Av Del Pacifico 690, Playas, Monumental, Tijuana. Hosted by visual artist and surfer Diego Palacios, this event invites people to participate in a surf day at the U.S.-Mexico border to foster cross-border connection and offer a unique vantage point. From 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. 213483-8761, machineproject.com Superheroes’ Night Out at The New Children’s Museum, 200 W. Island Ave., Downtown. A family-friendly event with dancing, circus performers, a superhero photo booth and more. Costumes are highly encouraged. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $15-$35. 619-2338792, thinkplaycreate.org HSan Diego Sea Chantey Festival at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown. A celebration of traditional sailing music, with performances by The Bilge Pump band and Gilman Carver. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. $8-$18. 619-2349153, sdmaritime.org HCityFest at the corner of University Ave. and 5th Ave., Hillcrest. San Diego’s largest single-day street fair, with plenty of arts, crafts, food, beer, cocktails and shopping. There will also be live music and DJs all day and into the night. From noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. Free. 619-299-3330, hillcrestcityfest.com OB Pier Jump at Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, 1950 Abbott St., Ocean Beach. A fundraiser that allows participants to legally pier jump to raise money for the Drowning Prevention Foundation of San Diego. At various times Monday, Aug.14. $75. sdjgfoundation.org
—Jim Ruland
SPORTS Goldfield Stage Bocce Bash at Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road, Mission Valley. Sign up and support the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl by playing in the annual bocce ball tournament. Event includes live music and beer from Coronado Brewing Company. At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $40-$200. 619-641-3100, holidaybowl.com
TALKS & DISCUSSIONS Dr. César Lozano at Balboa Theater, 868 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. The Latino author and radio voice, known for his focus on rejuvenation of the soul, hosts a Spanish conference centered on embracing the joys of life. From 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. $35-$75. sandiegotheatres.org Summer by Design: Graphic Design at Mingei International Museum, Plaza de Panama, Balboa Park. The museum’s Design Services Manager, Alexis O’Banion will host a discussion on design with Don Hollis from Hollis Brand Culture along with Mae Lin and Amy Levine from Visual Asylum. From 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11. Free-$5. 619-2390003, mingei.org HNo Housing No Choice at Grassroots Oasis, 3130 Moore St., Midway. Confronting the myths of the housing and homelessness crisis with various speakers, an open mic and a performance from Voices of Our City Choir. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. 858-945-6273, facebook. com/events/1760839290874606
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August 9, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 11
THEATER JIM CARMODY
Amanda Quaid and Matthew Amendt in Kill Local
Not for the squeamish
A
fter seeing the La Jolla Playhouse’s Kill Local, chances are theatregoers will never think of the old fireside favorite “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” the same way. In UCSD grad Mat Smart’s graphic tale about a family of assassins, the children’s song is the recurring, otherworldly refrain of beautiful contract killer Sheila (Amanda Quaid). It’s also one of Smart’s many unsubtle attempts at ironic black comedy in what is an otherwise gratuitously violent play. In this world premiere play directed by Jackson Gay, Sheila, her mother (Candy Buckley) and. to a lesser extent, her sister Abi (Xochitl Romero) are propped up as killers for hire. In between blowing people away, they are ordering takeout from Chipotle or, in Sheila’s case, working on a relationship with the possibility of marriage and even kids. But when Sheila makes a mistake after assassinating a corporate sleazo (Matthew Amendt) early on in the play, a complication arises that threatens not only the family business but Sheila and her kin’s lives. Smart builds the suspense with biting lines from the entire cast and shock value, as is the case of Mom’s second-act mutilation of a teenaged threat to the family (Carolyn Braver). But his characters’ balancing act of irreverence and self-examination is unconvincing. Sheila, for example, is the satellite of Kill Local’s twisted universe. However, we’re only teased with insight into why she keeps killing, whether she feels anything in so doing, or where her ruthless life is headed. In spite of an able performance from Quaid, as well as an entertaining one from Buckley as her mother, neither of their characters feel much like real people. In a play about murder, even one seeking horrified laughter, you have to care why someone lives as well as about those who die, “deservedly” or not. With an opening sequence that has the impact of a brick through a plate-glass window, Kill Local promises a journey into the mind of a remorseless killer who may also be a human being with deep-seated frailties. It only takes us halfway
12 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
on that journey, leaving us with a protagonist who is—and this is irony—a bloodless one. Kill Local runs through Aug. 27 at La Jolla Playhouse’s Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, UCSD. $40-$45; lajollaplayhouse.org
—David L. Coddon
Theater reviews run weekly. Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com.
OPENING: The Explorers Club: The San Diego premiere of Nell Benjamin’s comedy about a prestigious group of British explorers who fall into crisis when a woman is set to join the club. Directed by Robert Smyth, it opens Aug. 11 at Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado. lambsplayers.org Into the Woods: James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s Tony-winning musical that combines favorite storybook characters and fairy tales. Presented by Patio Playhouse, it opens Aug. 11 at Kit Carson Park Amphitheatre in Escondido. patioplayhouse.com Sunset Boulevard: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical about a former silent film actress and a struggling writer attempting to make it in an ever-changing Hollywood scene. Presented by Moonlight Stage Productions, it opens Aug. 16 at AVO Playhouse in Vista. moonlightstage.com
NOW PLAYING: Spring Awakening: The acclaimed musical featuring music from Duncan Sheik tells the tale of a group of teenagers discovering themselves and each other. Directed by Teri Brown, it runs through Aug. 12 at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista. onstageplayhouse.org Guys and Dolls: The classic Broadway musical about a degenerate gambler who falls in love with a missionary he’s been tasked to take to Havana. Directed by Josh Rhodes, it runs through Aug. 13 at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. theoldglobe.org
For full listings, visit “Theater” under Culture at sdcitybeat.com
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August 9, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 13
CANDICE ELEY
hen it comes to food, we all have issues. When it comes to dining out, many of us would rather just order food that we already know we enjoy. And whether it’s because we’ve tried a dish in the past or it just doesn’t appeal to us, our feeling of adventurousness often disappears as we get older resulting in something of a foodie rut. So for our annual food issue we decided to explore, well, those issues. For some, it was about confronting trauma and distressing childhood incidents involving food. For others, it was a matter of trying foods they’d never thought to eat before; essentially daring ourselves to get out of our comfort zones. For one writer, it was about trying some of the more exotic dishes in her hometown of Tijuana, while for another, it was simply about trying to like some of the more benign condiments that most people already use. But for all the writers, this issue was a means to offer readers unique dishes with an angle that isn’t often explored by other local publications. After all, a food issue should be recommendations as well as a reader service. Readers might not be ready to try fried worms, jellyfish or even the beet soup on the cover, but we do hope this issue serves as an inspiration to readers to get out there and get out of their comfort zones.
THE FOOD ISSUE CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
14 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
Roasted lamb’s head from Aqui es Texcoco
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August 9, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 15
TORREY BAILEY
Kid meals
Tasty Noodle House’s green beans
Rediscovering the dishes we were forced to eat as children by Torrey Bailey Every parent forces their kid to clean their plates at some point and, with each bite, instills revulsion for said forced food. Because I’m of Polish descent, cultural dishes were my archenemy come Christmas Eve. Not the Polish sausage kielbasa, the crepe-like nalesniki or the kruschicki cookies that were attractively plated among the buffet line. Nope, it was the borscht, it was the pickled herring and it was definitely the green beans that offended my palate. Borscht: This red beet soup originated in Eastern Europe, mostly finding its way into Ukrainian, Russian and, eventually, Polish kitchens. Each country’s version will vary, so I sought out the vegetarian borscht at the Russian/Georgian restaurant Pomegranate (2312 El Cajon Blvd., North Park). The bowl of steaming, blood-red liquid placed before me had a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro. My mind reeled to when my ciocia (aunt) would tell me that adults don’t add cream to their soup. She should reconnect with her inner child because when stirred in, the sour cream adds a level of complexity to the thin beet broth that I’d never tasted. Pomegranate also adds chunks of beets, onions and mushrooms generously. While the beets gave the dish an overall earthy taste, the dill comes through strongly in the broth. I could taste the trauma dissipating. Pickled herring: These slimy fish chunks are supposedly a delicacy when served in Poland on Christmas Eve. At my ciocia’s house, they were piled on top of one another, warming and glistening under the lights. However, at Mille Fleurs (6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe), the cooled herring is treated with vinegar, cut into bitesize pieces and evenly spaced on a rectangular glass platter. Beneath the herring, there are slices of (yay, more!) beets, cucumber and radishes. A sauce consisting of lemon, egg yolk and black sesame seeds is dripped over. These were not the salty, nauseating
16 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
meat blocks I knew. The herring’s characteristically fishy taste was contained and further kept at bay thanks to it being served with a shot of aquavit, a Scandinavian liquor that has the taste of caraway. In this case, the aquavit is meant to clear the palate between bites, but with enough shots of it, I’m sure Christmas dinner would taste just fine. Green beans: A flashback to childhood forced foods wouldn’t be complete without a vegetable. Something green and all-toonutritious for a kid’s sweet tooth. For me, my family’s green beans—largely uncooked, coated in butter and mixed with near-raw, minced garlic—were public enemy number one. But Tasty Noodle House (4646 Con-
Mille Fleurs’ pickled herring voy St. Ste 110, Kearny Mesa) actually roasts its garlic, pan fries the green beans and adds little bits of seasoned pork and shrimp. The string beans end up lightly battered and cooked to the vegetable equivalent of al dente. The exterior had crunch, and the interior wasn’t mush. Not only had the waiter recommended them, but the tables next to us had both ordered the dish before I’d left. So while I wouldn’t order it again due to my deep dislike of string beans that likely no recipe will reverse, those who already enjoy the vegetable would presumably love this.
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August 9, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 17
CANDICE ELEY
Adventure time Jellyfish? Face meat? We all have our limits when it comes to dining dares by Jeff Terich I consider myself a pretty adventurous eater. If something ends up on a plate in front of me, I’ll most likely eat it or, at the very least, indulge in a taste test. There aren’t that many dishes that make me squeamish or uncomfortable; I’ve had escargots, lengua (tongue) and various forms of liver on many an occasion. With the exception of dishes loaded with too much onion, there’s not much that I simply refuse to eat. That doesn’t mean I find all foods appetizing, at least in the abstract. Sometimes, the very idea of a particular dish is repellent. And while I’m an omnivore, most ofCANDICE ELEY
Dumpling Inn’s jellyfish
ten I find that the foods that turn my nose a bit are, in fact, meat. My reasoning doesn’t have much to do with morality, ethics or anything like that, even if I do find factory farming troubling. No, it’s more the meats that most Americans just wouldn’t bother to eat. For example… Jellyfish: Something about the idea of munching on a stringy, transparent, swimming blob simply doesn’t warrant a craving. Even the combination of words—“jelly” and “fish”—just doesn’t go together. But, then again, the idea of dining on such a peculiar catch makes the challenge all the more interesting. At Dumpling Inn (4625 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa), jellyfish is served as a cold appetizer—not what I was expecting at all. It’s surprisingly refreshing, and served with a light vinegar brine that gives it the taste of a chewier kimchi. And while the flavor profile isn’t as bold or memorable as the restaurant’s excellent bao dishes, it did offer a pleasing counterpoint to the heavier dishes, almost like a palate cleanser. Steak tartare: While I enjoy escargots, this commonly served French dish is most definitely not my jam. Comprising finely minced raw beef with capers, egg and other seasonings, I’ve been told it’s an acquired
Tijuana tastes When it comes to food across the border, don’t be afraid of the more, eh, exotic delicacies by Vitta Oliveri If growing up in Tijuana has proven anything to me, it’s that Mexicans can be resourceful when it comes to cuisine. I’ve always been impressed with the sheer ingenuity it took to think to make drinks from leftover tortilla dough or turn worms and mold into a delicacy. It’s proof that our food is about much more than taste. As many locals already know, there is much more to Mexican cuisine than tacos, but there’s also cultural dishes that remain unknown or simply unappetizing. But eating the ones below, I realized my ancestors were finding ways to incorporate natural resources in every bite. Tejuino: Known as the “drink of the gods” by the Nahua people, Tejuino has been historically served at festivities or social gatherings. Now, the refreshment has become so popular around the states of Mexico that it can be found in various plazas, parks and markets, such as Tijuana’s famous Mercado Hidalgo in a cart called Tejuinos Estilo Jalisco (Blvd. Sánchez Taboada 9351, Tijuana). The drink is made by mixing corn dough—often the same used for tortillas—with whole cane sugar. The ingredients are then boiled together leaving a thick liquid to ferment. Though it contains no booze, the result has the pungent smell of alcohol and is accented by lemon ice cream and whole grain salt. There’s a feeling of fullness after one glass and it can even cure an upset stom-
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Juniper & Ivy’s steak tartare taste. More specifically, one I haven’t acquired. My preferred steak is medium-rare, for the record. Yet it’s amazing what the right seasoning can do. Juniper & Ivy (2228 Kettner Blvd.) in Little Italy has its own unique variation, called Carne Crudo Asada, which includes the signature raw beef with jalapenos, cotija cheese and quail egg on toast. The spicy, savory meat combined with the crunch of the toast was rich and delightful. So delightful, in fact, I feel as if maybe I did acquire the taste after all. Lamb head: Psychologically speaking, there are few foods more conceptually unpalatable than those that look right back at you. While I eat meat, I rarely do so with
ach. Ever since I tried Tejuino, years ago, my palate begs for more, especially on a hot day, as it dually satisfies both the sweet and salty cravings that often come with the heat. Huitlacoche: Huitlacoche is a fungus that grows in corn and is considered a delicacy in Mexico. Originally co-opted from Aztec cuisine, huitlacoche comes from the southern states of Mexico and, locally, the dish can be found in La Oaxaquena (Blvd. Sanchez Taboada No. 935, Tijuana). The restaurant prepares the huitlacoche by stewing it with tomatoes, onion, chile and corn. It manages to smell both like a freshly cooked meal and leftovers forgotten in the car long ago. The fungus is blue, but cooking it in heat gives it its signature black color, and the moldy texture tastes like a combination of Portobello mushrooms and dirt. Huitlacoche is usually served inside quesadillas, empanadas or omelets and is mildly spicy. It does not matter how much love VITTA OLIVERI
La Oaxaquena’s empanada de huitlacoche
the head still intact, let alone the eyeballs. That’s a staring contest I can do without. That’s just it though—it’s psychological. Aqui es Texcoco (1043 Broadway, Chula Vista) serves up a roasted lamb’s head that’s delicious. The restaurant specializes in Mexican barbacoa, and the cabeza completa is tender, moist and flavorful, though diners should be prepared to do some work (read: eating one will require digging inside the skull). Three dishes attempted, three dishes enjoyed. Once again, being adventurous pays off, though it now raises the question of what other food challenges have yet to be conquered.
VITTA OLIVERI
La Diferencia’s gusanos de maguey goes into the handmade tortilla or the cheese; it’s the mold that demands attention in every bite. Gusanos de Maguey: Ever see a worm crawling on the sidewalk and wonder about its taste? Yeah, me neither. Gusanos de Maguey dates back to pre-Hispanic times and is a dish that contains loads of protein. It can be found at La Diferencia (Boulevard Sanchez Taboada in the Zona Rio, Tijuana), an upscale, traditional Mexican restaurant. This dish is only served during the months of May, June and July (they serve the red and white variety of worms) because the worms are seasonal. I was informed that the worm is conserved dead and then put on the fryer with salt leaving only the shell. They are then served with guacamole and handmade blue corn tortillas. The result has a unique, oily aftertaste and was a lot like biting into hard candy because of the crunchiness. I can’t say I’d like to try them again anytime soon, but it was definitely an experience of mixed emotions.
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August 9, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 19
Gators and boars and sharks, oh my! We may fear some animals IRL, but they sure are tasty by Michael A. Gardiner I never wanted to meet an alligator in a dark alley, much less eat one. I’ve never really wanted to eat any predator, for that matter. Humans generally don’t. Perhaps it’s a cross between “professional courtesy” and “there but for the grace of God go I.” Or maybe it’s because, just like that alligator in the alley, they scare the living shit out of me. Gators are seriously creepy things, what with their spooky eyes peeking just above the waterline and their shadowy, immense bodies trailing underneath and behind. It doesn’t get much better with other predators. Anyone who says a wild boar’s just a pig has probably never seen a wild boar. Think pig with devil horns jutting out from the snout. And sharks, yeah, the worst part of my honeymoon was going on a shark dive. There is nothing about any of that saying “good eats” except a creeping fear I’d be a good eat for a school of sharks. But the first step to conquering a fear is confronting it. And as a food writer there’s no better way to confront something than on a plate. Alligator: My first stop was Bud’s Louisiana Café (4320 Viewridge Ave., Kearny Mesa) for their gator sausage with fried pickles. I figured that there was nothing wrong
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MICHAEL GARDINER
with gator that couldn’t be cured by fried pickles. But those Andouille-style sausages needed no cure. The Cajun spices (and some pork) cut through the slightly gamey, astringent overtone of the gator, and a quick dip in the accompanying Creole mustard or tartar sauce yielded delicious bites. Still, I kept a lookout for the rest of the gators. Wild boar: Next up was Crazee Burger (2993 30th St., North Park) for wild boar burgers. If I was going to have to look at wild boar on my plate, an innocent-looking burger disguise seemed sensible. But someone at Crazee Burger must have had an unhappy face-to-face run-in with a wild boar. Pairing boar burger with mushrooms and bacon makes sense, but the idea of including poached red wine pears, cream and plum jelly sounds more like revenge than recipe. It was unlikely there was anything recognizable left of the boar in back. MICHAEL A. GARDINER
Bud’s Louisiana Café’s gator sausage
Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill’s shark tacos Shark: It’s not intuitively obvious to me why anyone would think shark would taste good. There’s not a lot of fat on those things: just 900 pounds of muscle and bad attitude. Oh, and teeth; don’t forget the teeth. But no one eats those teeth and the muscles are actually quite tasty, as I found at Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill (3667 India St., Middletown). There’s no better way to turn the tables on those sea monsters than in taco form. Blue Water serves them on El Indio corn tortillas with cabbage, tomatoes, red onions, cheese and a house-made white sauce. It was savory, cleanly grilled, with richness and a hit of sweetness from the white sauce and crunch from the cabbage. A liberal dose of Cholula hot sauce was all that was necessary to finish it off in style. Fears confronted, fears consumed.
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August 9, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 21
Pros and condiments When it comes to popular sauces, please hold everything by Ryan Bradford When I was in fourth grade, I was chosen to be in some sort of special, extracurricular project. I can’t even remember what the project entailed, but I remember it was such an honor that the teacher who led the group bought all the students a cheeseburger from McDonald’s. It was supposed to be a treat. Now, my parents knew that I was a picky eater, so—unbeknownst to me—they always ordered me plain cheeseburgers (meat, cheese, bun) to avoid food drama. Up to that point, plain cheeseburgers were all I knew. So, I reached into that greasy McDonald’s bag like the rest of the other kids, excited for my “treat.” I bit down. Ketchup, mustard and pickle filled my mouth. I stopped chewing. I held that piece of burger in the side of my mouth for nearly half an hour until finally choking it down. Since then, I’ve sworn off the big three condiments: ketchup, mustard and mayo (mayo was out after a ham sandwich bite). For this issue, I figured I’d try to find some variations on the big three, hoping that they wouldn’t give me a second go-around on the ol’ trauma train. Mustard: There’s little anyone could do to get me to eat mustard and that’s too bad, because I love hot dogs,
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sausages and brats. Still, there are few opportunities for me to eat them without looking like a toddler. Encontro North Park’s (3001 University Ave.) lamb sausage has my back, though. The spicy meat is slathered with a cool, tangy tzatziki sauce and mint leaves—which provides a nice counterbalance to the spicy meat. The whole thing is nestled in a deliciously crusty roll peppered with cornmeal. I know the tzatziki is not even close to being mustard, but it afforded the opportunity to eat a sausage like a grown-up. It was damn good, too. Mayo: I don’t think I’m being too unreasonable about my hatred of mayo—even condiment lovers seem to regard it as a necessary evil. Like, who loves mayo? (Well, Mormons do. Having grown up in Utah, I can testify to that). Aioli, on the other hand, is a fine substitute for mayo even if it’s just a fancier name for mayo. At least it’s trying to have flavor. The b.g.p. from Big Front Door (4135 Park Blvd., Hillcrest), for
RYAN BRADFORD
RYAN BRADFORD
Soda and Swine’s fries and condiments
Encontro North Park’s lamb sausage
example, has recently become my favorite sandwich in San Diego. It has roast beef, gouda, red onions and pepperoncinis, and is topped with a healthy dose of spicy chipotle aioli. The heat is a perfect complement to the beef, and makes every bite taste like a savory firecracker. Ketchup: Look, I’m sorry, world—I just don’t like ketchup. It’s too sweet and it looks like blood. People kept telling me to try the ketchup at Soda and Swine (2943 Adams Ave., University Heights), because “it’s not too ketchupy.” It’s not really ketchup, but a tangy, chipotle barbecue sauce, which tastes like ketchup. So I tried it, and yeah, it was too ketchupy for my tastes. Plus, I don’t like it when foods confuse me—is it ketchup? Is it barbecue sauce? In the end, however, the fries at Soda and Swine are great without condiments—crispy, salty and covered in garlic. Naked, just as God intended.
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August 9, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 23
VICTORIA DAVIS
Chew blues
CUCINA urbana’s roasted squash
When it comes to squid and cow tongue, texture is everything by Victoria Davis When it comes to food, strange and uncomfortable textures have always been a bit of a deal-breaker for me. No matter how great the actual flavor might be, I’ve always had a sensitive gag reflex and, for years, allowed that to dictate what food I would or would not try. Applesauce, sweet potatoes, clams and fatty ribs were just a few of the foods constantly put on the backburner in fear I might become red-faced and/or make rather unholy noises at the table. Still, I know this fear of textures has kept me from trying foods that I could potentially enjoy. Here’s three foods my instincts told me to reject. Cow tongue: In Mexico, France and Japan, beef tongue is a classic dish, but knowing full well the texture of my own tongue, the idea of biting into a cow’s is utterly disgusting (no pun intended). Thankfully, at a little Kearny Mesa joint called Tsuruhashi Japanese BBQ (3904 Convoy St.), I was able to cook fresh bovine tongue myself on a small grill in the middle of the table. The raw, thin slices turned from a bright pink to a greyish color. This process did help it to look more appetizing but, after finally getting to bite into it, I found that it actually tasted like bacon or Taylor ham. It was tough and definitely chewy. Since the tongue is entirely muscle and fat, I had to forcibly rip pieces off with my teeth. With the lemon sauce, it tasted even better. My downfall was I became too brave, shoved a whole tongue in my mouth and ended up gagging it up into a napkin. So yeah, small bites… always small bites. Roasted squash: Even the name sounds mushy. I had only ever known squash to be a big yellow pile of stringy mash that would cause my eyes to water as I tried to force it down. Little did I know, there’s other ways to prepare and serve squash that don’t result in a mushy mess. At CUCINA urbana (505 Laurel Street, Bankers Hill), an Italian restaurant with some California flair, the roasted squash is served in cubes, maintaining the outer layer of the vegetable. Biting into it, the center is still soft and squashy like applesauce but the crunchy exterior evens out the texture so it’s easier to consume. The browned Gold Bar, Eight Ball and Patty Pan variety of squashes are locally grown and marinated with a sweet and sour apricot sauce. This dressing adds a spicy aftertaste, helping to ease the gooey substance down the gullet with a pleasant, tingling sensation. Mashed and steamed squash will
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remain on my list of food enemies, but I would undeniably try CUCINA’s take on it again. Squid: Slimy tentacles with suction cups bumping against the lips as one slurps in a squid arm... that is what I pictured when I sat down at the sushi bar of Japanese restaurant, Nobu (207 5th Ave., Downtown). I watched whole plates of sea urchins and octopus arms being served in baskets and came very close to chickening out. Luckily, biting into the squid sushi roll was like sinking my teeth into butter. The sushi was made, not with the tentacles, but with the squid’s mantel (the largest part of the body). The arms are removed from the Yarika squid, the body is cleaned out, cooked VICTORIA DAVIS
Tsuruhashi Japanese BBQ’s cow tongue for one minute and then put on ice. The chef in front of me sliced up little pieces of the mantel and filled it with white rice. It was slimy, certainly, but it was easy to chew. In fact, the more I gnawed, the creamier the squid got. It felt like I was eating a wet, overcooked noodle. The problem was the squid never actually broke up, so it essentially had to be swallowed whole. My sushi never resurfaced, so I count that as a success.
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Eat your fruits and vegetables! Sure, they’re good for us, but even popular ones can taste funny to some by Beth Demmon In my book, the five food groups may as well be: cheese, bread, charcuterie, apple fritters and raw fish. But as someone who mostly writes about beer, the occasional salad and fruit bowl works wonders for my poor, mistreated liver and digestive system. Just not these revolting ones. Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes are a sugary food masquerading as savory, which means they’re generally profoundly disappointing. Why would anyone want to ruin a perfectly good starch with sweetness? I bet the heathens who find sweet potatoes irresistible are the same weirdos who enjoy honey mustard (blech), kettle corn (nope) or bread and butter pickles (abominations of nature). I’ll acquiesce that there are exceptions to almost every rule. The “small” menu at Neighborhood (777 G St., East Village) boasts all the obligatory appetizers seemingly required at hip establishments (truffle fries, something pickled, mac ‘n’ cheese, etc.), but it’s the sweet potato fries that shine. Dressed with malt vinaigrette and gratuitously sprinkled with blue cheese crumbles—two of my favorite accoutrements—it’s almost like they know how much sweet potatoes suck on their own and exactly what to do to make them palatable. Watermelon: Look here, watermelons are just fleshy trash water gourds reminiscent of barely thawed out sheets
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of damp plastic. On top of that, they’re filled with a thousand tiny choking hazards. It’s not even good in beer form. I’ll begrudgingly allow the smallest crack in my ironclad anti-melon stance. Union Kitchen and Tap (333 Fifth Ave., Downtown) has managed to pull off the (nearly) impossible—its watermelon salad, featuring ricotta salata, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and avocado on a bed of arugula lightly tossed with sherry vinaigrette, is, against all odds, refreshing and healthy without being aggressively so. The peppery bite of arugula tamps the sickly-sweet watermelon flavor beautifully, while the sprinkled ricotta and avocado give the entire dish a rich depth not often found in an exclusively fruit-and-veggie combo. Patrons can add chicken, salmon or shrimp for a protein kick, but this gluten-free option stands tall all on its own. Onions: Growing up, not a week passed when my mother wouldn’t say the same thing about my lifelong aversion to onions. “They’re in everything! You’ll learn to love them,” she’d confidently declare. By now, I’m fairly sure my tastebuds are done developing and the onion ship has sailed UNION KITCHEN AND TAP GASLAMP / FACEBOOK
Union Kitchen and Tap’s watermelon salad
BETH DEMMON
Mastiff Sausage Company’s French onion soup from Port Palate. Every time I see my niece eating a raw onion like an apple, I love her a little bit less. Still, I can’t deny the scientifically-proven appeal of caramelizing food, and onions have deep-buried potential within their layers of eye-burning yuckiness. Since browning and smothering them with a surplus of cheese seems to be the only method capable of transforming onions from grotesque to great, French onion soup is one of the only ways I can choke them down and perhaps even cautiously enjoy them. Mastiff Sausage Company inside the North Park Beer Company (3038 University Ave.) serves its take on the classic comfort food simply but decadently: two types of ooey-gooey cheeses smother a cauldron of braised oxtail, caramelized onions and garlicky croutons for a hearty counterbalance from the brewery’s lighter beer offerings. It’s a bit heavy for summer, but remains a pretty compelling argument in favor of an otherwise garbage veggie.
AUGUST 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 25
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JAMIE BALLARD
Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s mac & cheese
Save the trauma
A bad experience can put us off even the most favorite of foods by Jamie Ballard Compared to other writers—who ate bugs, face meat and even jellyfish—my choices for this issue may seem dull. But I faced a different sort of challenge: to overcome my dislike of foods that I’ve had somewhat traumatic experiences with in the past. After truly horrible gastrointestinal encounters involving all of these items, I had avoided them for years. That is… until now. Mac and cheese: The last time I ate mac and cheese, I experienced the deepest, gastrointestinal betrayal of my life. I got an internal staph infection (similar to food poisoning) from eating ill-prepared mac and cheese at a large event. Six people went to the hospital after eating it. To remedy this deep-seated aversion, I went to Karl Strauss Brewing Company (1157 Columbia St., Downtown), which, although it’s best known as a brewery, boasts mac and cheese offerings that the menu claims “could quite possibly change your life.” I hoped so. Dishes are made with gorgonzola, gruyere, cheddar cheese and parmesan breadcrumbs, with options to add bacon, ham, veggies, or chicken. I went for “The Norm,” a no-frills take on the classic comfort food. It’s rich, hearty and just generally delicious. Minus some minor flashbacks, I had no problem enjoying this dish. It also pairs nicely with the Columbia Street Amber or the Red Trolley Ale. Gazpacho: When I was younger, I went to a restaurant with some family friends, and some well-intentioned adult ordered me gazpacho and said I’d like it. I was too anxious to tell anyone that I didn’t like it, so I ate the whole thing and then threw it up a few hours later. But since it’s been over a decade, I figured I’d try again. I went to Costa Brava (1653 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach), a Spanish restaurant where the gazpacho gets great reviews. The main ingredient is tomato, accompanied by cucumber, bell pepper, green onion and garlic, all pureed together into a cold soup. They tossed some extra cucum-
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bers on top, which added a nice refreshing crunch. Thankfully, I didn’t get sick this time around, but I’m sorry to say that gazpacho still isn’t for me. Even when it’s done well, as it was here, I couldn’t enjoy this dish. The grainy texture of blended tomatoes reminded me vaguely of oatmeal, and the garlic was a little too overpowering for my taste buds. JAMIE BALLARD
Costa Brava’s gazpacho Strawberry ice cream: A classic and familiar tale: kid eats too much strawberry ice cream, kid pukes strawberry ice cream, kid avoids strawberry ice cream well into adulthood. San Diego has many options when it comes to good ice cream, but I headed to Herb and Wood (2210 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy). It had a strawberry, lavender and honey sorbetto that literally made me say “whoa” when I took a bite. Dishes with lavender are oftentimes more about the aesthetic than the taste, but the lavender flavor is strong here—and it’s good. Still, ice cream and sorbetto are technically different, so in the interest of accurately re-creating my experience, I headed to Hammond’s, (3077 University Ave., North Park) which boasts “super premium” ice cream, and ordered a scoop of the strawberry. It was exactly what ice cream should be: creamy, smooth, and not overly sweet.
AUGUST 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 27
Dessert daze
SETH COMBS
pleasing acidity to it, which is perfectly complemented with chunks of brown sugar and a powdered azucar topping. I saw a kid licking the powdered sugar off her fingers while I was there. I feel ya, kid. Macaroons: Quick primer: Macaroons are not macarons (the French, multi-colored cookies with buttercream filing). Macaroons are essentially coconut and almond cakes that are sometimes topped with chocolate. And while the chocolate-topped macaroon is certainly worth ordering at Thyme in the Ranch (16905 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe), it’s the one with orange glaze that had me ordering some to go. It had a sweet, but earthy and herbal flavor, which was accented well with the citrus glaze. I inquired about the secret ingredient and the staff was quick to point out that I had probably tasted the fresh basil they add to the mixture. Basil? In a macaroon? Hey, it was enough to give me a sweet tooth craving for another.
For someone with no sweet tooth, classic confections are better when they’re simple by Seth Combs Honestly, I’ve never understood the point of desserts. I’ve just eaten a large meal and now I’m doing what exactly? Rewarding myself for being a massive glutton? Some purists would argue it’s more about balance. A nice mix of salty, savory and, eventually, sweet. But that logic only works if you have a sweet tooth in the first place. Still, there’s certainly a part of me that wishes I liked allAmerican desserts like apple pie and cheesecake. So I asked around about some particularly good sweets and received many suggestions (it seems people are very passionate about the subject). Did I find my sweet tooth? It’s a possibility. Carrot cake: Both my parents love carrot cake’s understated spiciness. For me though, I always looked at it like Anthony Anderson’s character on Black-ish when he was rhetorically asked by a co-worker what carrot cake would be like without the carrots. Anderson’s answer? Well, it would be spicy, delicious cake. Why are carrots even in there? I have to say though, the carrot cake at Figaro Dessert Café (3011 University Ave., North Park) may have made me a believer. Straddling the line between straightforward and decadent (thanks to the layers of cream cheese frosting), the cake itself was the perfect mix of nuts, cinnamon-spiced cake and, best of all, bits of toasted coconut. And as much as some readers may hate to hear the word, the cake was moist
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SETH COMBS
Figaro Dessert Café’s carrot cake and had an agreeable texture that reminded me of freshly baked French bread. I probably would have eaten the whole thing had I not ordered it with an equally pleasing double espresso. Apple pie: Who doesn’t like apple pie, right? Well, this guy. Apple pie just always had this crunchy and syrupy texture that I couldn’t abide. Serve me apple pie and I’ll probably eat around the apples to enjoy the crust. And yes, I’ve tried the Julian pies. That’s what makes the Apple Pie Turnover at Sugar and Scribe Bakery (7660 Fay Ave., La Jolla) a fantastic alternative to the typical apple pie. It’s light, flakey and instead of big chunks of apples, Chef Maeve Rochford opted for an apple filling that isn’t too sweet or overpowering. It has a
Sugar and Scribe’s apple pie turnover
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August 9, 2017 · San Diego CityBeat · 29
BY MICHAEL A. GARDINER
THE WORLD
FARE Fish market fresh
I
t’s a surefire formula that’s no secret: The best way to make really good food is to get incredibly fresh ingredients and not screw them up. That’s harder than it sounds, sure, but it’s even harder to make great food without following that formula. And that, perhaps, is the best reason to go get lunch at Point Loma Seafoods (2805 Emerson St., pointlomaseafoods.com). Part fresh fish market and part restaurant, Point Loma Seafoods grew out of the sport-fishing trade in 1963 when the Christianson family began selling fish purchased from sport anglers. Soon after, the Christiansons expanded the business by smoking and processing the fish. A restaurant followed. The Point Loma Seafoods market offers a wide variety (but not always the same varieties) of fresh fish at retail. From local albacore and yellowtail to crab and lobster, there are always good choices. The best strategy may be to go for whatever is local and cheapest: that’s going to be freshest. The restaurant’s menu includes many of the usual seafood shack suspects: fried seafood, cocktails and chowders, salads and sandwiches. But the menu isn’t the best place to go. Rather, take a hard left after entering the shop and head for the smoked fish case; it’s one of the things the Christiansons generally (but not always) do really well. Once there, go for any fish collars they have available (halibut, yellowtail, tuna or salmon, for instance). The fattiness of collars makes them one of any fish’s most flavorful parts and helps it stand up to the smoke. The halibut collar may be the best with its white flesh glistening from the fat and the smoke acting as a slightly piquant spice. If the collars aren’t in, go for the tuna jerky. However,
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there is no better way to finish off a meal at Point Loma Seafoods than its “squaw candy.” It’s a sweet, smoked salmon belly: fish in candy form. The “get great stuff and don’t screw it up” approach is far from foolproof. It fails most often when someone tries to get fancy or does something silly. Take, for example, Point Loma Seafood’s lobster rolls. The lobster itself is great, no doubt, but it cohabits rolls that are barely supermarket quality along with somewhat crunchy lettuce with mayo that is sub-Hellman’s at best. The clam strips are breaded to the point one wonders if “clam” isn’t a euphemism or a reference rather than a reality. Its chowders are average, at best, with the best being an off-menu 50/50 combination of Manhattan and New England styles. Pro-tip: screw with them and say they put the red inside the white rather than the other way around. It’s always good for a laugh. MICHAEL GARDINER
Smoked halibut collar Better yet, stay off-menu and grab a small tin of picked crab and a baguette. Slice the baguette open, slather it with the house tartar sauce and stuff it with the crab. This is unpretentious perfection: great crab, good bread (if not baked in-house) and good tartar sauce. It is simple, rustic and a crucial ingredient that is definitely not screwed up. And just as with the tartar sauce, that is what Point Loma Seafoods should be, and mostly is, about; not screwing up.
The World Fare appears weekly. Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.
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BY JAMES VERNETTE
DISHING IT
the yellow tomato gazpacho, a cold pureed soup of fresh yellow tomatoes with some olive oil and a little chili. It was fruity, tangy and refreshing—like summer in my mouth. The wife thought it had too much of a pucker, but I could have eaten four bowls. As it is, I finished both mine and hers. However, Getting carded she really loved the heirloom tomato salad with peppered burrata. Each tomato just bursting with s there any San Diego neighborhood with a peak-of-season flavor. A good chef doesn’t hide a more unfortunate name than Bay Ho? It’s a nice food’s natural flavor, they simply enhance it. That’s area, but I always feel funny when I tell people what Larson is doing here. The watermelon poke blew us away. We couldn’t I’m going to Bay Ho. believe it was vegetarian. Basically, the chef takes JAMES VERNETTE cubes of watermelon and cooks it in a soy sauce marinade sous vide style so the water evaporates leaving the fruit with the same texture as tuna. Well, almost. The poke flavor was there, with some additional sweetness from the watermelon. It’s one of those dishes that makes you bang your head in shame because you never realized it was a possibility. We taunted our poke-loving daughter by sending her pictures. Another enjoyable dish was the fried vegetables, which were crisp, not greasy and served with a lemon aioli that reminded me of a dish I had in southern Spain. The wine and beer list is small, but thorough: My $11 Rioja came with a generous pour and my wife was happy with her Malbec. And the service was professional and attentive without getting in the way. The wife was happy with her entree: Watermelon poke Spaghetti with a pomodoro sauce and cherry tomatoes, and I enjoyed my Well, I better get used to it because now I have hanger steak and fries—especially the fries, cooked a reason to spend more time in Bay Ho thanks in beef tallow for extra flavor. Next time, however, I think we will just stick to the Red Card Café (4140 Morena Blvd.), a charming soccer-themed bistro that is inexplicably with the small plates as that’s where most of the in an industrial park-type setting. It’s not the freshness, both in food and innovation, seemed to best location for a restaurant, but once inside, it’s be. I truly hope people in Bay Ho appreciate Larson quite charming. What’s more, Red Card Café does at Red Card Café because this place would probably have some great menu items thanks to its newly be killing it if it were located in more food-centric hired chef, Jeff Larson, who previously worked as neighborhoods such as North Park, Little Italy or Executive Chef at the Michelin-starred Goose and University Heights. Still, it’s worth driving to Bay Ho even if it’s a Gander in Napa Valley. Larson has only been at Red Card Cafe since the little embarrassing to say out loud. last week of July, but he has already introduced some delicious menu items. On my visit, I started out with Dishing It Out appears every other week.
OUT I
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AUGUST 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 31
CULTURE | VOICES
RACHEL MICHELLE FERNANDES
THANK YOU FOR
STARING
Where my termites at?
I
’ll never forget the day I became a cinephile. I was studying theater, thinking I wanted to direct plays, when my freshman year roommate told me I needed to come see her film professor lecture. Jean Pierre Gorin, former collaborator with Jean Luc Godard, was a whirling dervish of intellect, a cineevangelist preacher and provocateur. On this particular day he was ranting about Manny Farber’s famed White Elephant Art vs. Termite Art argument, taking down the bloated epic The English Patient and praising the modest drama Secrets and Lies. The argument goes something like this: White Elephant Art is obsessed with being a masterpiece, or in the words of Farber, treating “every inch of the screen and film as a potential area for prizeworthy creativity.” Termite Art on the other hand “goes always forward eating its own boundaries and, likely as not, leaves nothing in its path other than the signs of eager, industrious, unkempt activity.” I was mesmerized and irreversibly hooked. I promptly switched majors, pledg-
ing my devotion to the God of cinema and my life to the championship of termite art. Moving out of San Diego confirmed my faith in cinephilia. In San Francisco I volunteered at the Artist’s Television Access, a micro-cinema that operates on a shoestring budget but houses mindblowing screenings and performances. In New York City, where I later lived, I found myself in a world-class cinema society. I made friends who made shared spreadsheets to cover all the screenings they plan to attend on a weekly basis. If I was in a funk or felt isolated, I knew I could show up to the cinema and worship with my tribe. Now that I’m back in San Diego, I hunger for that kind of connection. Where is it? Sure, theaters such as the Ken and Landmark show decent films occasionally. Digital Gym in North Park holds solid screenings and KPBS’s Beth Accomando (AKA the “Cinema Junkie”) offers some interesting viewing opportunities via her group Film Geeks SD. Still, something is seriously missing. I know San Diego is not a metropolitan
32 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
city like San Francisco or New York, and it’s ridiculous to expect this community to be able to provide similar experiences. But what about Austin? Portland? Los Angeles? Tijuana? These cities (some of them our neighbors) manage to foster an interest in cinema that goes beyond an occasional screening. I’m talking about curated, well-researched series, lectures, and discussions. Theaters such as the Alamo Draft House and Cinefamily have a well-developed calendar full of contemporary and vintage titles and a roster of incredible speakers. We need resources to foster a connected community of nerds who love to watch films and talk about them. We need fastidious termites. Not clunky white elephants. Is anybody out there? Recently I caught up with filmmaker and programmer Ryan Betschart who, along with his wife Rachel Nakawatase, puts on the San Diego Underground Film Festival, which happens later this month. He grabbed my attention by calling me out for my comment at the end of my first column, which criticized the cinema scene here. He cited his festival, as well as other fests like the long-running Asian Film Festival, as reasons why the scene here doesn’t actually suck. I agreed with him about the festivals and certain screenings being legit, but pointed out the lack of overall consistent culture and programming. We soon realized that we were actually on the same page. “I’m super pumped about the prospects for a thriving artistic scene in San Diego, but it won’t come easy,” Betschart told me later in an interview. He also programs for
Slamdance in Park City and formerly for the Chicago Underground Film Fest. “David Byrne says a scene starts with rent control,” says Betschart. “San Diego not only has a housing problem, but an outrageous problem with money in general… It’s really distorted. Lack of money seems to be the excuse for artists not to make great work, for institutions to not show great work, and for the wealthy not to fund great work.” Word. He then explained their process of collecting films from all over the world and hustling hard to put together a festival that barely breaks even but brings something unique to the table—namely, blending experimental and narrative filmmaking with a global perspective. Meanwhile at UC San Diego, Gorin has retired but Babette Mangolte is still teaching. Mangolte shot my ultimate favorite piece of termite art, Chantal Akerman’s feminist pièce de résistance Jeanne Dielman. When Akerman passed in 2015, Betschart tried to organize an in memoriam event with Mangolte. Everyone around town turned him down, as they worried the event wouldn’t generate enough interest or money. Despite this kind of infuriating ignorance, I remain hopeful. I know my fellow termites are out there ready to eat away at the boundaries of these ivory towers until they collapse. We just need to band together and let the feast begin. Thank You For Staring appears every other week.
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CULTURE | FILM
Snow and silence
Wind River
Taylor Sheridan’s directorial debut is a cold, moralistic mountain western by Glenn Heath Jr.
N
ot since William A. Wellman’s Track of the Cat somehow Wind River ends up being even more clunky has a film respected the power of cold on the and sanctimonious about minority identity and dishuman body like Wind River. Blizzards dump enfranchisement, attempting to cover its tracks with down feet of powder with biblical force, covering every sharp western dialogue (“Luck don’t live out here”) inch of the Wyoming countryside with a thick white and pummeling, close-quarter violence. Often, the blanket. Long periods of exposure turn feet blue and film successfully sets aside its moralism for down and lungs red, hardening skin and exploding blood vessels dirty thrills. The extended climax that takes place at a with equal certainty. Dense snow packs aren’t just fuel company drill site rivals the tense border standmajestic backdrops, they become symbolic of the col- off in Sicario, proving once again that Sheridan has a lective immobilization afflicting an entire way of life. uniquely visceral fetish for devastating sniper fire. The isolated region is home to the Wind River NaJane and Cory aren’t immune to the chaos that tive American Reservation, a vast and unforgiving envelops them both, but they do feel like aloof Anspace where the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern glo vessels gaining revenge for the helpless victims Arapaho tribes live in exile from modern society. Pov- and family members that can’t (or aren’t allowed) to erty, drug abuse and violence have left the residents speak for themselves. The issue of jurisdiction comes further compromised, turning the community into a up a lot in Wind River, and one gets the sense Sheridan prison with no walls. isn’t just talking about the physical This frostbitten setting prokind, but also the mental and spirivides an epic backdrop for writer/ tual spaces that have been taken WIND RIVER director Taylor Sheridan’s pulpy away from local tribes. Directed by Taylor Sheridan neo-western, which uses B-movie By the time title cards flash over tropes to address the ongoing Starring Elizabeth Olsen, the end credits lamenting the lack trauma enacted by American govof missing person statistics reJeremy Renner, Gil Birmingham ernment intuitions on indigenous garding Native American women, and Graham Greene peoples. FBI Agent Jane Banner Wind River reveals itself to be a Rated R (Elizabeth Olsen) experiences this full-fledged message movie. This resentment almost immediately shift in tone, while not surprising upon arriving to investigate the considering the cartoonish villains death of a young woman whose body was discovered and muted sentiment, goes against the film’s natumiles from the nearest habitation by local hunter ral instincts to move and sound like the trio of wild Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner). Due to inadequate lo- mountain lions Cory spends much of the film hunting. cal police presence, the two team up to try and solve Olsen does her best Emily Blunt impression, the case. watching manly situations devolve until she’s forced Wind River is more spiritual revenge film than po- to stand her ground with convincing force. Renner’s lice procedural, one that relies upon certain thematic tortured mountain man could have been a stock charbinaries to bluntly express itself. Cory talks about the acter, but he infuses the outsider archetype with fittwo options someone faces in the woods (“survival ting organic fury. Wind River, which opens Friday, Aug. and surrender”), and the relationship between preda- 11, never does either character’s complexities much tor and prey that applies to both wild animal and hu- justice. Instead, it keeps them both sturdy and oneman. There’s also a distressing subtext regarding pa- dimensional, as if to remind the audience that they rental failure, which produces a feeling of grief that too are occupying forces despite whatever worthy ineven the most judicial violence can’t quell. tentions send them into the cold. Such primal territory is a slight diversion from the forceful political genre engineering of Sheridan’s Film reviews run weekly. previous scripts for Hell or High Water and Sicario. Yet Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com
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AUGUST 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 33
CULTURE | FILM
Step
Dance dance revolution
A
manda Lipitz’s rousing documentary Step, which follows three different teenage girls from a Baltimore high school dance team over the course of their senior year, takes place in the wake of Freddie Gray’s death and the riots that followed. While the cost of police violence on black bodies is often recognized (sometimes in the dance performances themselves), the film functions more as a portrait of personal and collective accountability standing in defiance of oppressive social realities that demoralize the subjects on a daily basis. Attending the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, a public charter school known for its mission of obtaining a 100-percent college acceptance rate for graduating seniors, the trio are key members of the step team, the school’s hip-hop dance troupe that has long struggled with consistency and focus. Blessin Giraldo, the group’s charismatic and volatile captain, is a natural performer who struggles with prioritizing studies over socializing. Meanwhile, fellow step dancer Cori Grainger refuses to make excuses for any hardships she encounters and is determined to be her class’ valedictorian and eventually attend Johns Hopkins University. There are also Tayla Solomon’s frustrations with her overprotective mother. Teachers, coaches and guidance counselors act as surrogates connecting the dots between success and responsibility. In the case of Blessin, these educators are the only ones providing a safety net for a troubled young woman on the verge of going down the wrong path. Lipitz bridges the efforts of educators with those of each stressed-out parent, who in their own ways become the emotional backbone of the film. Step, which opens Friday, Aug. 11, pays respect to the small decisions and conversations that help empower disenfranchised families to break free from crippling cycles of poverty and fear. During the school’s commencement ceremony, one student has written “Black Girl Magic” in glitter on the top of her graduation cap. If education is power, then personal expression can be a spellbinding force for change.
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—Glenn Heath Jr.
OPENING A Life in Waves: This documentary explores the life and innovations of electronic music pioneer and sound creator for Atari and Coca Cola ads, Suzanne Ciani. Opens Friday, Aug. 11, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park. Annabelle: Creation: The possessed doll returns to wreak havoc on the life of her creator, his wife and a visiting nun. Brigsby Bear: A young man who lives underground is obsessed with a children’s television show that is his only window into the outside world. Step: Three high school seniors from Baltimore face social and economic challenges while competing on the school’s step team. The Fencer: A young Estonian fencer flees from the Russian secret police and tries to start a new life in his hometown. Opens Friday, Aug. 11, at the Ken Cinema. The Girl Without Hands: Inspired by a fairy tale from The Brothers Grimm, this hand-drawn animated feature is about a young woman who must try to escape the devil after being betrayed by her father. Opens Friday, Aug. 11, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park. The Glass Castle: Based on the memoir by Jeannette Walls, this drama tells the story of a young girl who comes of age in a dysfunctional family led by an eccentric artist (Naomi Watts) and an alcoholic father (Woody Harrelson). The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature: A group of frantic animals led by Surly the squirrel try to save their hometown from becoming an amusement park. The Untamed: In Amat Escalante’s new film, a family unit is dismantled by their discovery of several secrets, including the presence of an extraterrestrial creature. Opens Friday, Aug. 11, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park. Wind River: An FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) teams up with a game tracker (Jeremy Renner) to solve a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.
ONE TIME ONLY Friday: Two friends (played by Ice Cube and Chris Tucker) scramble to come up with the money to pay back a scary drug dealer in South Central Los Angeles. Screens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma. Harold and Maude: Hal Ashby’s seminal ‘70s romance depicts the relationship between an eccentric teenager (Bud Cort) who likes to fake his own death and a lively septuagenarian (Ruth Gordon). Screens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Athenaeum Outdoor Patio in La Jolla.
For complete movie listings,
visit F ilm at sdcitybeat.com.
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ANNA POWELL TEETER
MUSIC
nder normal circumstances, a band like Dasher should have already been touring behind their second album by now. In 2014, the then-Atlanta-based band was getting ready to release their debut album when, shortly after wrapping up recordings, they broke up. This left drummer/vocalist Kylee Kimbrough in the frustrating position of having to start from scratch, with the added urgency of having to get a new band ready in time. Instead of getting the ball rolling as soon as possible, Kimbrough took a different course of action: She pulled up stakes and moved to Bloomington, Indiana. It’s where her label, Jagjaguwar, is located, but more importantly, it’s where her family lives. And due to some personal struggles she had at the same time as the band’s split, it was important for her to have a support system. “I had lost my entire lineup, which had never happened before,” she says. “It was a lot of stress and a lot of drama. But that gave me this new window to move somewhere, because I could then reform the band but do it in a different city. I needed my family, and my family lives in Indiana. “Part of what was the big cause was the breakup in the first place,” she adds. “I have since found out that I have high functioning autism, but at the time I didn’t know what was going on. I had been misdiagnosed a lot and I was on a lot of medication I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to take until later. But at the time I was a big mess, and needed to be closer to my parents, who were helping me navigate through that situation. It wasn’t really fair to put all that on my friends, because that’s all I had in Atlanta. Just buddies of mine, no family.”
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Dasher Sodium, Dasher’s full-length debut, was finally released in July, and it’s a powerful blast of noisy punk rock. Despite the period of hibernation, it’s a set of music that feels charged and explosive, featuring two-minute anthems rife with psychedelic guitars, pummeling beats and cathartic screams. It’s melodic music and often quite catchy, but there’s a ferocity at the heart of the album that makes it feel more dangerous and on edge than a typical punk album. The album art, which shows Kimbrough pounding away at her drums in a cloud of flour, depicts the energy and urgency of the music pretty accurately. At no point did Kimbrough ever consider not releasing Sodium. It simply took a little longer to release than she had planned. Yet the unintended consequence of sitting on the recordings was that she ended up writing a lot more music in the meantime— music that she’s itching to complete much sooner than the first record. “It was awful,” she says. “And it’s also crazy because I’ve written so much since then. That these songs are just now get-
ting out there, and they’re old to me, I don’t even want to play them a lot anymore. I’m always trying to play catch up.” Kimbrough has since reassembled Dasher with a new set of musicians: bassist Gary Magilla and guitarists Steve Garcia and Derek McCain. Over the past year, they’ve been working on enough material to complete a second album, though Kimbrough says she discards as much material as she ends up keeping. So while she actually might have written enough songs for two more albums, half of them ultimately didn’t live up to her high standards, which she admits can be frustrating for the other members of the band. “I make my own little demos and decide if I want to keep it,” she says. “I’m not playing anything that I don’t 100 percent like. I’ve written some stuff and taken it to the band, and then just all of a sudden cut it and my bandmates get upset because they’ve already learned it. If I’m not stoked, I won’t play it. I don’t want any filler bullshit.”
Dasher are finally back on stage and on the road, able to support a record that took far longer than expected to make it to listeners’ headphones. And with any luck, it won’t take nearly as much time before another set of music makes its way to the public. The important thing for Kimbrough, however, is the ability to keep playing live. She’s quick to point out, however, that live music is her method of catharsis no matter who else is in the room with her. “That’s my favorite thing to do is play music live, whether it’s at practice or in front of people,” she says. “I think it’s my way of getting my wiggles out. I don’t know if it’s important...in terms of whether other people see that—not necessarily. But it’s important to me to do it, because it helps me mentally. Whether I’m on stage or in my basement, it doesn’t matter who’s looking.” Write to jefft@sdcitybeat.com and follow him on Twitter @1000TimesJeff.
AUGUST 9, 2017· SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 35
MUSIC
NOTES FROM THE SMOKING PATIO LOCALS ONLY
M
egan Liscomb of Soft Lions has started a new solo project called p.j. sparkles. She’s continuing to make music with Soft Lions, and even plans to release new music with the band later this year. However, the new songwriting project, which has more of an atmospheric folk sound to it, came about because of some unexpected changes outside of her music. “I had a lot of change in my life,” she says. “I got laid off from my full-time job, and ended up doing more part time and freelance work. And I ended up having this free time at weird times when nobody else was around. I found that I like writing by myself. I get up in the morning and make some coffee and write music. It’s probably my best time to do it.” Liscomb has released one new track so far, titled “Green Apple,” and it sounds much different than that of her other band, as well as previous projects like Boy King. She says that having the extra time to herself gave her an opportunity to try something different. “It’s fun to explore different styles,” she says. “Soft Lions is something I’m very passionate about. But it’s also good to have something fresh, with a different vibe.”
p.j. sparkles Liscomb says that she liked how the name p.j. sparkles evokes other bands, specifically PJ Harvey and Sparklehorse. Though that’s secondary to what actually led her to choose the name for the project. “It was the name of a doll I had when I was a kid,” she says. “My dad played with a bluegrass band when I was younger, and sometimes I would go onstage and sing a couple songs with them. And I’d have that doll with me. “It was a cool doll.”
—Jeff Terich
THE CHE LIVES
L
ast week, UC San Diego, as part of an agreement with student-run on-campus cooperatives, renewed the lease for long-running music venue and food co-op The Che Cafe, ending two years of negotiations over the space. As of fall 2014, the future of the Che looked bleak, with the university serving the space an eviction notice, which a judge upheld that October. Funny how much can change in a couple years. A press release states that the lease has been renewed for one dollar per year, with free utilities, and with UCSD providing investment in repairs and safety for the venue, which opened back in 1980. The lease has been continued for 40 months, with an option to renew for four more years at the end of the current lease. After years of conflict, debate, eviction notices, occupation of the space and countless appeals to keep this historic, all-ages venue open, it’s a relief to finally see a happy ending in the saga. It’s always good news when a long-running venue that’s hosted many iconic artists can continue to operate. It’s even better news for the community when one of a small number of all-ages venues in town gets a chance to exist at least another eight years. Earlier this year, I wrote a feature for CityBeat’s Local Music Issue on the challenges facing all-ages venues, and one of the takeaways was that all-ages venues are essential to the health of a music scene. I can attest to that; I go to many more shows than the average San Diegan, most of them are in bars, and
36 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
The Che Cafe many of the faces I see are older than mine, and I’m no spring chicken. “Kids don’t go to shows because there aren’t many for them to go to, and then they move away without ever discovering the cool musical groups that San Diego has to offer,” Big Bad Buffalo’s Jordan Krimston told me back in March, noting that a lack of options for kids to discover early on adds to a stigma about a music scene in trouble. For now, one all-ages venue has been saved, and because of that a younger generation can get in on the ground floor. It’s not a cure-all for San Diego’s scarcity of all-ages venues, but if there’s still a place that an under-21 crowd can go to discover new music, then that’s something to celebrate.
—Jeff Terich @SDCITYBEAT
MUSIC
JEFF TERICH
IF I WERE U A music insider’s weekly agenda WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9
PLAN A: Of Ennui, Half Eaten, Battery Point, Heirgloom @ Soda Bar. Earlier this year, we handed Of Ennui the honor of ExtraSpecialGood in our Local Music Issue based on their heavy, noisy and just a little dreamy layered-guitar sound. Catch up with one of the best local bands of the moment. PLAN B: Creepseed, Matt Lamkin and the Confirmation, Jimmy Ruelas @ Belly Up Tavern. More great local music! Creepseed is a dark, garagey project that’s loud but catchy, which are two great things for a band to be.
THURSDAY, AUG. 10
PLAN A: Daedelus, Wylie Cable, Eraserfase, Goodnight Cody, Mystery Cave @ SPACE. Los Angeles’ Daedelus has been making innovative beat-driven music for a long time. He’s hard to miss, what with his sideburns and bespoke attire, but it’s his psychedelic, whimsical electronic sounds are even more fascinating. PLAN B: Steel Panther @ House of Blues. Or you could opt for the lowbrow: Steel Panther is unapologetically schlocky. Their over-the-top butt-rock antics aren’t subtle, nor are they sophisticated. But goddamn if they’re not fun.
get a dark dance party going on the weekend. A band after my own heart.
SUNDAY, AUG. 13
PLAN A: Meat Wave, Dasher, Rad Payoff @ Soda Bar. Read my feature this week on Indiana punks Dasher, whose hardcore style is intense and a little psychedelic. At the show, make sure to stick around for Chicago noise-rock outfit Meat Wave, who have been one of my favorite contemporary bands for a couple years. PLAN B: Systems Officer, Hexa, Montalban Quintet @ The Casbah. Systems Officer, fronted by Pinback’s Zach Smith, slowed down for a while but has been more active as of late. This is great news, since Smith’s songwriting is top notch and the band has some of the best musicians in town.
FRIDAY, AUG. 11
PLAN A: Nite Jewel, Geneva Jacuzzi, Harriet Brown @ The Casbah. Nite Jewel’s music is dreamy, danceable and, in some of her best moments, impossibly smooth. But then again, when collaborating with DamFunk, Los Angeles’ Ramona Gonzalez can bring the grooves as well. She’s a versatile musician who’ll get you dancing one way or another. PLAN B: The Creepy Creeps, The Bassics, DJ Jello Biafra @ Soda Bar. The Creepy Creeps and The Bassics are two great local live groups, which you should already know about. Jello Biafra is DJing this show so let’s not bury the lede here. See some great bands, hear a punk legend’s record collection. BACKUP PLAN: The White Buffalo @ Del Mar Racetrack.
SATURDAY, AUG. 12
PLAN A: GZA, Sims, Boon League, Ruslan KD @ Music Box. If GZA did nothing beyond 1995’s Liquid Swords, he’d still earn every bit of acclaim that’s come his way. He’s also a veteran member of Wu-Tang Clan and an all-around hip-hop all star. Plus he can kick your ass in a chess game. PLAN B: Band Aparte, Glass Spells, Forest Forest, Soft Lions, The Kathys, Twin Ritual, Low Points @ Soda Bar. This show is another edition of Glass Spells’ “Disco Goth” shows, in which they line up a long list of bands to
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Nite Jewel
MONDAY, AUG. 14
PLAN A: Fake Tides, Bad Kids, Perra Galga @ The Casbah. Imperial Beach group Fake Tides know their way around a great guitar tone, not to mention a stellar pop melody. If you dig the jangle of Real Estate or Mac DeMarco, then you’ll love these guys.
TUESDAY, AUG. 15
PLAN A: The Alarm, Manual Scan @ The Casbah. I’ll admit that I didn’t even know The Alarm were still around. For the uninitiated, the UK new wave group had their share of ‘80s hits that recalled the likes of U2 (“The Stand”) and Springsteen (“Rescue Me”). I was reminded recently just how anthemic those songs are, and this is a great chance to hear them played in a small venue. BACKUP PLAN: Secret Drum Band, INUS, Necking @ Soda Bar.
AUGUST 9, 2017 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 37
MUSIC
CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!
Todd Rundgren (Music Box, 9/1), Hellogoodbye (Irenic, 9/29), The Blow (Soda Bar, 10/3), Rosetta (Soda Bar, 10/6), The Aquabats (HOB, 10/14), Little Steven and the Disciples (Humphreys, 10/18), The Bronx (Casbah, 10/19), Gojira (Observatory, 10/19), Have Mercy (Irenic, 10/22), Delicate Steve (Soda Bar, 10/25), Mayhem (Observatory, 11/17), Jonny Lang (BUT, 12/6), The English Beat (BUT, 12/22-23), Mac Sabbath, Dwarves (Brick by Brick, 12/30).
GET YER TICKETS Dead Cross (Observatory, 8/19), 311 (Open Air Theatre, 8/20), Mew (Observatory, 8/24), Pelican, Inter Arma (Brick by Brick, 8/26), Ira Glass (Balboa Theatre, 8/27), The Pharcyde (Observatory, 8/31), Thundercat (Observatory, 9/1), 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 Chili Peppers (Del Mar Fairgrounds, 9/15-17), Against Me! (Observatory, 9/16), The Church (Music Box, 9/16), Future Islands (Open Air Theatre, 9/17), Zola Jesus (Casbah, 9/21), Atlas Genius (HOB, 9/22), U2 (Qualcomm Stadium, 9/22), Swervedriver (Casbah, 9/22), The Beach Boys (Humphreys, 9/23), Ben Folds (HOB,
38 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
9/23), WAND (Soda Bar, 9/24), Sublime With Rome, The Offspring (Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, 9/26), Foxygen (Music Box, 9/28), 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), 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), Shooter Jennings (BUT, 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), Torres (Casbah, 10/17), Mason Jennings (BUT, 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), Tera Melos, Speedy Ortiz (Casbah, 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), Donavon Frankenreiter (BUT, 12/28), Josh Ritter (BUT, 1/16).
AUGUST 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 Queers, 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 by the Bay. Matthew Sweet at The Casbah. Mt. Joy at SPACE. YOB, SubRosa at Brick by Brick. Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts at Soda Bar. Spooky Cigarette at Belly Up Tavern.
THURSDAY, AUG. 17 X at Belly Up Tavern. Brazilian Girls at The Casbah. Real Numbers at Soda Bar. Monk Parker at Whistle Stop.
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 40
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MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 SATURDAY, AUG. 19 Dead Cross at Observatory North Park. Mrs. Magician at Soda Bar. Maceo Parker at Music Box. Dead Feather Moon at The Casbah.
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. Plane Without a Pilot at The Casbah.
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. Warsaw at Whistle Stop.
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. Chill Clinton at The Casbah. Sudan Archives at Whistle Stop.
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. Bosswitch at Whistle Stop.
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.
THURSDAY, AUG. 31 The Pharcyde at Observatory North Park. Mrs. Henry at The Casbah.
MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 41
40 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
SPOTLIGHT Hans Zimmer may be a classical composer in the streets, but he’s a rockstar at heart. What other composer could blow the fedoras and feather-headdresses off the Coachella crowd, as Zimmer did earlier this year? Now, he’s taking his orchestra on the road, performing epic renditions of his best-known work live, including songs from Christopher Nolan’s movies (Inception, The Dark Knight trilogy and Dunkirk). Fingers crossed that he plays something from Boss Baby, too. Hans Zimmer plays Saturday, August 12 at Viejas Arena. —Ryan Bradford
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MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40
SEPTEMBER FRIDAY, SEPT. 1 Thundercat at Observatory North Park. Throw Rag at Soda Bar. One Republic at Mattress Firm Amphitheatre. Revivalists at Del Mar Racetrack. Todd Rundgren at Music Box.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2 Frankie Cosmos at The Irenic. Warren G at Observatory North Park. Inquisition at Brick by Brick.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 3 Spotlights at Soda Bar. Grieves at The Casbah. Steve Aoki at Del Mar Racetrack.
MONDAY, SEPT. 4 Stickup Kid at Soda Bar.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 5 Carbon Leaf at The Casbah. See Through Dresses at Soda Bar. Minus the Bear at Observatory North Park.
rCLUBSr
710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Fri: Dubbest, The Hashishians. Tue: Strictly Skunk.
Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘Interconnected’ w/ DJs Impera,Yaser Aly (Bala), Brian Scanell. Thu: ‘Libertine’ w/ DJ Jon Wesley. Sat: ‘Juicy’ w/ Mike Czech. Sun: ‘Chvrch’ w/ DJs Karma, Alice. American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth Ave., Downtown. Wed: Ryan O’Flanagan. Thu: Michael Ian Black. Fri: Michael Ian Black. Sat: Michael Ian Black. The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Fri: Sentient Divide. Sat: Little Heroine, Network, Craig Shannon. Sun: Phantom Witch, Elektrix, Age. Mon: Sound Etiquette. Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., North Park. Wed: ‘Shock: 80s New Wave’. Thu: ‘Grown Folks Music’. Sat: The Milkcrates DJs. Sun: ‘Rat Sabbath’. Mon: DJ Thug Wave. Tue: Alvino and the Dwells. Bang Bang, 526 Market St., Downtown. Fri: Andrew Luce, Ramzoid. Sat: Bill Patrick. Beaumont’s, 5665 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Thu: Sam Bybee. Fri: Moonage Daydreamers. Sat: Greasy Petes. Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: Creepseed, Matt Lamkin & The Confirmation, Jimmy Ruelas. Thu: Steve Earle and the Dukes, The Mastersons (sold out). Fri: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Gene Evaro Jr. Sat: Wayward Sons, Way Cool Jr. Sun: Pokey LaFarge, Ruston Kelly. Mon: Neon Indian, Dream Joints. Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., City Heights. Thu: Uptown Rhythm Makers. Fri: The Mice, Russian Tremors, Loose Cannons. Sat: Jordani and the Sun Kings, The Great Silver Sun. Blonde, 1808 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. Wed: ‘Dance Klassique’ w/ Jon E. Thin. Thu: ‘Something Special’ w/ Stellios Vassiloudis. Sat: ‘Forward’. Mon: Tennis System, Belladon, Pretty Vacant. Tue: Elliott Smith live tribute. Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave., Carlsbad. Fri: ‘Club Musae’. Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., Bay
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Park. Wed: September Mourning, Edge of Paradise, 222, AndEver. Sat: Shot Out Hoods, 13A, Spice Pistols, Mezzoa. Tue: Hemlock, Dead Serial Killers. The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. Wed: Tyler Childers, Eddie Berman. Thu: Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels, Christian Taylor and the Rhythm Makers, Heather Nation, JP Hennessey. Fri: Nite Jewel, Geneva Jacuzzi, Harriet Brown. Sat: The Queers, The Ataris, Alive and Well. Sun: Systems Officer, Hexa, Montalban Quintet. Mon: Fake Tides, Bad Kids, Perra Galga. Tue: The Alarm, Manual Scan. Dirk’s Nightclub, 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove. Fri: Wild Rumours. Sat: Cover Conspiracy. Dizzy’s, 1717 Morena Blvd., Mission Bay. Wed: Kawsak. Tue: I.Am.Calm., Dayna Stephens, Curtis Taylor. F6ix, 526 F St., Downtown. Fri: DJ Rags. Sat: DJ Rell, Paris Paul. Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave., Downtown. Fri: Bamboozle. Sat: Young Dolph. Hoffer’s Cigar Bar, 8282 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. Sat: Mark Augustin. House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Wed: Stu Larsen. Thu: Steel Panther. Fri: The House On Cliff, Dalton Rapattoni, Lauren Carnahan, Kenny Holland. Sat: 2 Chainz, Young Dolph. Tue: Robin Henkel. Humphreys Backstage, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. Wed: Tradewinds. Thu: B-3 Four. Fri: Detroit Underground. Sat: Viva Santana. Sun: Tre’Sure. Mon: Mercedes Moore. Tue: Backwater Blues. Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., Middletown. Wed: Poler Nights. Thu: Digital Cocoon. Fri: ‘Purps n Turqs’ w/ Justin Campbell. Sat: Memo Rex, Alien. Sun: ‘Stabalize’. Tue: Mandapa. Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Fri: Samer Bakri, Home. Sat: Mark Geary, Renata Youngblood. Sun: Jody Quine, A Movement in the Air. Mc P’s Irish Pub, 1107 Orange Ave., Coronado. Wed: Goodall Boys. Thu: Harmony Road. Fri: Ron’s Garage. Sat: In Midlife Crisis. Sun: Gene Warren. Mon: JG Solo. Tue: Glen Smith. The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: The Wind Playing Tricks, Pretty Please, Horsefly. Thu: Enormodome, Daytrip. Fri: Kid Wilderness, Matthew Phillips, Coral Bells, People Might Scream. Sat: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Monolith, Vanguard, SentineL, Raise the Guns. Sun: ‘The Playground’ w/ DJ Heather Hardcore. Mother’s Saloon, 2228 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Fri: Mango Habanero. Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy. Thu: O-Town, Nu Ethnic, Lindsay Perry, Taylor Grey. Fri: One More Time: A tribute to Daft Punk, The Hype, GOOSE ^ MAVRK. Sat: GZA, Sims, Boon League, Ruslan KD. Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd., Hillcrest. Fri: ‘Uncut’. Sat: ‘Club Sabbat’. Sun: R&B Divas. The Office, 3936 30th St., North Park. Wed: ‘One, Two, Three’ w/ DJ EdRoc. Thu: ‘No Limits’ w/ DJ Myson King. Fri: ‘After Hours’ w/ DJs Kid Wonder, Saul Q. Sat: ‘Strictly Business’ w/ DJs Kanye Asada, Gabe Vega. Sun: ‘Uptown Top Ranking’. Mon: ‘Reflex’. OMNIA Nightclub, 454 Sixth Ave., Downtown. Thu: Julian Jordan. Fri: Kaskade. Sat: Slander. Panama 66, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. Fri: Juice Box. Sat: Mochilero All Stars.
Sun: ‘Tap Jam’ w/ Claudia Gomes, Trio Gadjo. Rich’s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest. Wed: DJs John Joseph, Kinky Loops. Thu: DJ Kiki. Fri: DJs Will Z, Mxyzliplix. Sat: DJs K-Swift, Taj. Sun: DJs Cros, Kitty Glitter. Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz’ w/ Jason Hanna. Thu: Chloe Lou and Davies. Fri: Fanny and the Atta Boys. Sat: Mittens, Dirty Pennies. Rosie O’Gradys, 3402 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Fri: Johnny Tarr. Sat: Soul Ablaze. Seven Grand, 3054 University Ave., San Diego. Wed: Robert Dove Trio. Thu: Jimmy Ruelas. Fri: dB Jukebox. Sat: Juice Box. Mon: ‘Makossa Monday’ w/ DJ Tah Rei. Tue: Clinton Davis Duo. Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Wed: Of Ennui, Half Eaten, Battery Point, Heirgloom. Thu: Brick + Mortar, Split Party, Small Culture. Fri: The Creepy Creeps, The Bassics, DJ Jello Biafra. Sat: Band Aparte, Glass Spells, Forest Forest, Soft Lions, The Kathys, Twin Ritual, Low Points. Sun: Meat Wave, Dasher, Rad Payoff. Mon: Electric Elms, Aviator Stash, Vinyl Moods. Tue: Secret Drum Band, INUS, Necking. SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway. Fri: The MandoShanks, Drunkin Punkin Idiots, Sculpins, Authentic Sellout, Guns of Eden, Making Incredible Time. Sat: Mainsail, Sounds, Lost Dakota, On The Upswing, Controlled Chemistry. SPACE, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Thu: Daedelus, Wylie Cable, Eraserfase, Goodnight Cody, Mystery Cave. Sat: Swingin’ Utters, Nothington, The Widows. Sun: ‘Make Yourself At Home’. Mon: ‘Left Hand Path’ w/ DJs Handsome Skeleton, Justin Cota. Tue: Pop Warner, Causers. Spin, 2028 Hancock St., Middletown. Fri: ‘Baile do Victinho’. Sat: ‘Lucent’ w/ Neptune Project. Sun: Dale Howard. Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Wed: ‘Dreams’ w/ DJ Gabe Vega. Thu: Bird Bath, Weird Neighbors. Sun: The Big Decisions. Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Thu: The Natives, Le Yikes Surf Club, Sixes. Fri: Nocando, Preacher vs Choir, 10-19 w/ Aki Kharmicel, Sighphur One, Kaus and Emphasize, DJ Willy Gutz. Sun: Pants Karaoke. Mon: Redneck Nosferatu, Russian Tremors, Idiot Bombs, Avenue Army. Tue: The Head, Color, The Wind Playing Tricks. Tin Roof, 401 G St., Downtown. Wed: Kenny and Deez. Thu: Southbound. Fri: Coriander. Sat: Coriander, Noah Rickertsen. Tue: Kenny and Deez. Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., City Heights. Sat: AK, Motorbabe, Cat Chasers. Sun: Matamoska, Be Like Max, Brass Cats. Tue: Sleeping Jesus, Fresh Brunettes, Dream Joints. U-31, 3112 University Ave., North Park. Wed: ‘Yes Lawd!’ Thu: ‘Boom Boxx Thursday. Fri: DJ Junior the Disco Punk. Sat: DJ Bacon. Sun: Ras-Ijah Eternalfyah, Blaine Mazzetti, King Martyr. Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park. Fri: Soft Kill, Human Leather, DJs Carrie Hexa, Brandy Bell. Sat: ‘Booty Bassment’ w/ DJs Dimitri, Rob. Sun: Rank, Xerox. Tue: Videodrome. Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Wed: Cliftones, DJ Carlos Culture. Thu: Tatanka. Fri: Sandollar, Blue Still. Sat: Bang Pow, Cumbia Machin. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: The Higgs.
AUGUST 9, 2017· SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · 41
LAST WORDS
CHRISTIN BAILEY
ASTROLOGICALLY
Semi-weekly forecasts from the so-called universe
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Every shot you take will fly squarely between the goal posts. Unfortunately, “the goal posts” also refers to the 7-10 split in bowling and shooting right down the middle, missing the two pins, is just about the worst thing you can do.
ARIES (March 21 - April 19): You are going to come up with a great business plan this week. Unfortunately next week you will realize that you just accidentally invented an illegal pyramid scheme again.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Clinging to eternal youth may sound appealing but just remember that no one thinks the bog people are beautiful, though they remained young long after their time. And definitely nobody wants to kiss them.
UNSOUND TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You really want to have that friendly greeting where you identify yourself as a gracious host and ally painted on your roof before the extraterrestrials start showing up, and then you really need it. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): The deep well of the universe and the positions of the cosmos
cannot make you promises. They only offer you guidance that the warning labels are all being straight with you and you should not eat those silica gel packets. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Stressful week? Take your mind off things by picking up a good book, ideally a heavy volume like a desk dictionary, and knocking yourself unconscious with it. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Change is inevitable… Climate change. Oh, what? Do you think all of these are supposed to be about your personal life. Grow up. And stop using aerosols.
42 · SAN DIEGO CITYBEAT · AUGUST 9, 2017
this is crazy but hear me out—have you ever tried just getting aces every time? CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19): It is always advisable to focus your attention on one thing instead of many, but can you really think of an oncoming army as “just one thing”? Well you’re going to have to try. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): If you are floating on dark waters and don’t know how far the depths beneath you stretch or what magnificent horrors lurk there, calm yourself by humming a cheery song. Though that might just get their attention.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): You walk through the world so boldly, with your shoulders back, intrepid and unafraid. Gutsy, just like the noble dodo bird, whose complete fearlessness turned out to be a very fatal survival strategy.
PISCES (February 19 - March 20): Your lucky number this week will be 8, like a bag of hot dog buns. Your unlucky number will be 2, the amount of hot dogs you’re going to have to eat bunless.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21): Have you ever tried—and
Astrologically Unsound appears every other week. Follow Christin Bailey on Twitter at @hexprax.
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