San Diego CityBeat • Sept 14, 2016

2 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

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September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 3

4 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

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UP FRONT | FROM THE EDITOR

Measure K is necessary tinkering

Y

OU’D THINK THE ESTABLISHMENT of members on the city council—including Chris Cate, election law would be like a science—and Lori Zapf and Mark Kersey—oppose Measure K, part of the process is—but it’s astounding saying it’s unnecessary and adds unneeded expense how much of it is akin to creating art. Like (quantification of which has been debatable). paintings in a museum, no two elections are alike.

“I have never met a voter who thought camPrimary dates vary; who’s eligible to vote for what paigns should go longer—ever,” Kersey recently told differs; ballot language is argued. There’s little con- City News Service. formity across federal, state and local levels and exDemocrats see the benefit of extra votes in the isting rules are ever-changing. Is this any way to run fall; studies point to more Dems voting in Novema democracy? ber than June. Outgoing city councilmember Todd Cue the tinkering suggested by Measure K, viewed Gloria and his successor Chris Ward—both Demoby many as the biggest local partisan issue in the up- crats—support Measures K and L. This is despite the coming November general election. fact that Ward won District 3 outright in June; and Measure K calls for a citywide change to the pro- Gloria, who is running for state Assembly, picked cess of electing officials (mayor, city up 72 percent of the vote in the priattorney, city councilmembers). As mary but still must run again against city law now stands, candidates from second-place finisher Kevin Melton all political parties run for office in in November (per state election law). a June primary and the top two vote Measure K would be a return of getters advance to the November gensorts for the city to pre-1989 election eral election. But—if a candidate gets law status. Before ’89, city council primore than 50 percent of the primary mary races were limited just to voters vote, that candidate wins outright and within each district, with general elecno runoff election is required. tions then shifting citywide. When Measure K would eliminate the city law was changed to also keep 50-percent-plus-one rule and require general elections within districts the that the top two vote getters in city 50-percent-plus-one rule was added. office primaries always move on to a Why? Because it made sense and November runoff—same as the laws passed a logic test? Because scienthat apply to state and federal races.

Jeff Marston tific process showed that was the best Along with Measure K, there’s way to do it? Or, because that was the a companion issue on the ballot—Measure L—that brushstroke that was painted at the time on the city’s would amend the city charter to require most future canvas? citizens’ initiatives and referendum measures be “At that time there wasn’t as much attention paid placed on the November election ballot, rather than to voter turnout,” said Marston. “Nobody was lookthe June primary. ing at that.”

What’s the big difference?

If Measure K passes it would affect 2018 races for “It’s a fact that more people vote in November city council in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8. However, Meageneral elections than do in June primaries,” said sure K doesn’t cover countywide elections, meaning, former state Assemblymember Jeff Marston, co- for example, that the race to fill outgoing County Suchair of the locally based Independent Voter Proj- pervisor Ron Roberts’ seat could be decided—unlikeect. “And we firmly believe that elections should be ly as it might seem—in the June 2018 primary. held when the most people are participating.”

This would appear to call for even more tinkering Voter turnout records show that roughly twice as to conform San Diego city and county election laws. many San Diegans vote in the general election than Measures K and L are good steps in the right divote in the primary. And, people of color are three rection. A democracy is better off when more people times more likely to vote in November elections, participate in that democracy. And perhaps in some while younger people are five times more likely to not-too-far-flung cycle—and hopefully with time to spare before the apocalypse—we’ll get it just right vote in November, according to Political Data Inc. Marston said Measures K is nonpartisan in ori- when it comes to determining election law. gin. Still, support and opposition has split directly

—Ron Donoho along party lines.

Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer and GOP Write to rond@sdcitybeat.com This issue of CityBeat thinks Chargers head coach Mike McCoy’s deplorable season-opening collapse trumps Hillary Clinton’s.

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September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 5

UP FRONT | LETTERS

WHAT THE SHELL?

I seldom get angry enough to respond to an article that irks me.

But your [“The shell game that is Measure C,” Sept. 7] article infuriated me with its backward thinking rehash of the same tired “taxes for billionaires” comments, albeit a slightly different approach, but same tired message.

Full disclosure, I am a Charger fan but not a fanatic. I seldom go to games but watch most games on TV. I don’t buy gear, memorabilia, etc., but do feel a certain amount of civic pride that the Chargers are my team. I live in the city. But that’s it.

Most people get their cues from the media, so when you say we are “raising taxes” to pay for a Chargers stadium it is technically true but rather misleading. Playing down the fact that San Diegans are not being taxed is rather disingenuous since most readers won’t go any further in their analysis. However your analogy to the Las Vegas stadium situation was a nonsensical red herring. I have been paying for crap in Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indianapolis and major cities of the states for years through tourist taxes, without a second thought. It is the most innocuous tax around.

It’s like the tax we pay at the gas pump, or on our phone bill. It does

not affect our life one iota and for the tourism industry to say that four extra dollars of every hundred a tourist spends will hurt them is a flat out lie and you should not let them get away with it.

Sure, if we were Omaha, it might, but in this major tourist city that competes with other major cities for tourism dollars, it’s at worst a wash, and at best still lower than our competitors.

Finally it is time that reporters stop referring to this as the Chargers stadium. True, the Chargers are a major tenant, but they occupy this facility for about 18 weeks a year (with gaps in-between). For the greatest part of the year this is to be a city stadium of world-class proportions with everything that brings Super Bowls, Final Fours, events and money. It is a stadium that will serve this community for the next 40 years—long after the politics of financing is forgotten.

But let’s forget about the politics for a second. Petco Park transformed the inner city and the impact on the community has been amazing. The new stadium will, too. Because that’s what big cities do. They get beyond the fight (remember the fights over Horton Plaza, the convention center, Petco Park, the library) and pro-

6 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

vide services and facilities that big cities deserve. Yes money is important but not everything can be measured on a balance sheet.

Just ask any city that has lost their football team and I assure you they all agree that they could have handled things differently, and are sorry they didn’t.

Brian Marks, Normal Heights

MONKEY BUSINESS

Regarding “Kids in breweries is not a civil right,” [Aug. 31], it’s not only about whether “snot-nosed miscreants can infiltrate the world’s dive bars without parental culpability.” There’s another issue here. Though it has little to do with the brewpub itself, Monkey Paw’s management acknowledges that it’s not a place for kids at night. East Village had more violent crimes last year than any of the 124 other San Diego neighborhoods. The immediate area (federal census tract) around the brewpub had 12 times the citywide average for alcohol crimes.

Having thriving nightlife can reduce some problems endemic to downtown areas, but like it or not, the East Village nighttime vibe is adult-oriented.

ON THE

COVER Fall brings a horn of plenty of arts related events and activities, as depicted in the cover cornucopia created by art director Carolyn Ramos. This year’s Fall Arts Preview was orchestr ated by arts editor Seth Combs, and provides insider intel into the local worlds of film, music, theater, literature, dance and visual arts. The sneak peeks begin on page 17.

TABLE OF CONTENTS UP FRONT From the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

Backward And In High Heels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

At The Intersection . . . . . . . . . . .

5 6 7 8 9

FOOD & DRINK

The World Fare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Dishing It Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Final Draught. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

THINGS TO DO Short List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . 13-14

Again, props to Monkey Paw for understanding this.

Local residents understand these nuances better than a tourist might. All that having been said: Research tells us that families having meals together at home strengthens family bonds. Kids are healthier, they do better in school and have fewer substance abuse problems. I’m not sure if the same holds true when a family vacation theme is tasting rooms, breweries and gastropubs.

Rob Hall, El Cajon

ARTS & CULTURE Fall Arts Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29

MUSIC FEATURE: Cass McCombs. . . . 30 Notes from the Smoking Patio . . . . . . . . . . . 33 If I Were U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Concerts & Clubs . . . . . . . . . 35-37

LAST WORDS Advice Goddess . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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UP FRONT | OPINION

SPIN

CYCLE

JOHN R. LAMB

Split the toxic baby at the elbow!

Tell the truth, and so puzzle and confound your adversaries.

—Henry Wotton, Sr.

an Diego Unified Port District commissioners have been an unpredictable bunch the past couple of months, and last week was no different.

On a wish-list spree of late to redesign much of the tidelands it governs along San Diego Bay, the commission two months ago surprised many when it wrapped up competition early for the negotiating rights to redevelop 70 acres in the Central Embarcadero area that includes Seaport Village, choosing from six competitors a development team headed by the son of Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs.

Last Thursday, commissioners convened again to choose be-

S

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tween two visions proposed for the 57 acres that comprise the eastern portion of Harbor Island and the emptying car-rental property across from Lindbergh Field.

But instead of selecting between the divergent proposals from local heavyweights OliverMcMillan and Sunroad Enterprises, port leaders opted to “split the baby,” as several commissioners deemed it. Team members from both sides seemed stunned by the decision.

The biggest loser of the day might well have been Tourism Marketing District board Chairman Bill Evans, whose hotelier family was in line with the OliverMcMillan plan to operate three hotel sites on the property, including a proposed 800- to 1,100-room convention hotel on the so-called “elbow,” presently a massive parking lot just east of the Sheraton

San Diego Hotel & Marina.

That 9-acre segment, however, was granted to the Sunroad team, which argued that it had spent $2 million over 11 years to procure the development rights to that site, despite strong criticism of its previous high-rise hotel proposals from city officials and the state Coastal Commission.

What may have tilted that decision was a rare appearance by Aaron Feldman, the intensely private but feisty patriarch of the Sunroad empire, which includes millions of square feet of commercial real estate, car dealerships, a Poway country club and a San Diego Bay marina just east of the “elbow.”

While Feldman’s son, Uri, did most of the talking while trying to convince port commissioners—save for Rafael Castellanos, who recused himself because his law firm represents Sunroad—to reject a staff recommendation to select OliverMcMillan, it was the father’s comments that delivered, as one commissioner described it, the “gut punch.”

“It’s going to be…unfair for the port now to take that elbow and give it to somebody else after we have worked on this for so many years,” the elder Feldman said.

Over the years, Sunroad’s proposal for the site has ranged from

JOHN R. LAMB

Port commissioners opt to split the East Harbor Island makeover baby. high-rise hotels that former mayor Jerry Sanders once called “galling” for their proximity to Lindbergh Field to now two smaller hotels with 325 rooms.

With the Coastal Commission’s previous objection to those high-rise hotels, Commissioner Bob Nelson wondered aloud why staff was backing an OliverMcMillan plan with a similar large hotel proposed for the “elbow.”

One staff member explained that the Coastal Commission objection came a decade ago and that the new plan includes many things the state agency was seeking, including public access and “promenades and connections that we do feel this proposal does achieve.”

In the end, however, the question will be what exactly can be achieved on a stretch of land and water that will present some significant environmental challenges, including an earthquake fault line that runs through the property and some toxic hotspots that date back to its use by military contractors.

Just last month, the port district sued Lockheed Martin, accusing the aerospace behemoth of leaving behind an environmental nightmare at its Marine Terminal Railway Facility near the entrance to the man-made peninsula on Harbor Island Drive. Used to test submersibles beginning in 1966, the sediment in the marina next to the shuttered facility now contains 2,000 pounds of mercury that was used as ballast, leaving “some of the highest concentrations of mercury contamination found in San Diego Bay,” according to the lawsuit, which aims to force the company to clean up the site.

And on the east side of the development site sits Convair Lagoon, which features a sand cap intended to contain what the Los Angeles Times in the 1990s described as “the highest recorded levels on the West Coast of cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs” that were discharged from the former neigh-

boring Teledyne Ryan.

OliverMcMillan has proposed urban beaches near both sites, although for the Convair Lagoon location the firm’s president, Paul Buss, acknowledged to commissioners that “you probably want to do a wall and actually make it feel like a beach but not actually right down into the water...”

The firm’s plan also includes new headquarters for the port and Harbor Police overlooking the lagoon, including what appears to be a dock for police boats jutting into the lagoon. OliverMcMillan also wants to cut canals into the northern portion of the site, but Buss suggested they might not be connected directly to the bay to hasten environmental approvals.

Buss said he envisioned concrete channels that would not “go down that deep. We know that there is World War II contamination underneath all of this.”

“We know less about the land than we do about the water,” Commissioner Nelson told Spin Cycle later. “Obviously, a lot of investigation remains.”

After the decision, representatives from both teams huddled in groups to talk about their newly invoked forced alliance. To say the gatherings appeared tense would be an understatement.

While commissioners urged the parties to come up with an integrated plan that they hope will become a regional attraction, that will likely be as daunting a task as the necessary environmental cleanup required.

But at least Thursday, port Chairman Marshall Merrifield seemed optimistic about the billion-dollar dream. “Yeah, there’s a challenge in lots of ways, whether it be in entitlements or regulations or infrastructure,” he said. “But we don’t want those parking lots to stay there. The alternative of not doing anything is not an option.”

Spin Cycle appears every week.

Write to johnl@sdcitybeat.com.

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 7

UP FRONT | OPINION

AARYN BELFER

BACKWARDS & IN

HIGH HEELS

Keeping Kaepernick in the headlines

I

t’s a scary thing to sit out a patriotic ritual in a country rabid with patriotism.

I say this as a private citizen who stopped saying the Pledge of Allegiance way back in high school. I refused to pledge my life to a swath of fabric representing stolen land watched over by a god I didn’t believe in, and that reserved liberty and justice for the melanin challenged. A rough proposition in Utah, to be sure, land of conservatives with magic underwear. But I did it as a young teen and I’ve not changed my stance since.

Never was this particular abstention so frightening as when I was elected to my community council more than 10 years ago. That first time I sat through the Pledge as an elected board member alongside 19 white, mostly-elderly community members, my heart nearly stopped. The collective heart of the cane-wielding mob that unleashed their outrage toward me almost stopped, as well. We could have died together, the blue hairs and me, right there in the library beneath the fluorescent lights and a knockoff of Betsy Ross’ tapestry.

This was what I thought of when I first read about Colin Kaepernick’s lone (at the time) protest against state-sanctioned violence against black people in America. Only he knows the full evolution of his thinking that has set his name alongside other activist athletes in our country’s history.

For sure, given his notoriety and national platform, he had to be sweating his balls off when he sat out the National Anthem.

The three weeks since that night have been the kind of rough I can only imagine, though he is less alone every day. (Aside from a few like soccer star Megan Rapinoe, however, white peeps are proving Kaepernick’s point about inequality and structural racism by not joining him.) He’s running the gauntlet, no doubt.

There are the off-with-his-head folks who have taken to burning his jerseys, which is hilarious because they first had to buy those jerseys at what? $80 a pop? Most excellent, guys. Throw some books on there while you’re at it.

There are petitioners who think Kaepernick, as an athlete and role model, should be fired for exercising his free speech. Ryan Lochte pissed his free speech all over Rio while wrapped in the flag and draped in medals. Then he lied about being held at gunpoint by Brazilian police. But he’s just a kid. Just a 32-year-old kid. We are all looking forward to his Dancing With The Stars redemption.

There are half-brains who think that Kaepernick should find another country in which to live.

There are the I-agree-with-him-but-don’tagree-with-his-method Monday morning quarterbacks. This contingent may want to guide us all on exactly the best way for black people to move

through the world to seem less menacing to their, you know, liberty. Should they jog? Stroll? Saunter?

Levitate? Or maybe they should just…kneel. The (white) guy who convinced our bicep-kissing protagonist to take a knee—rather than sit—during the National Anthem is among this group. Nate Boyer should get the Pulitzer for vetsplaining and the Nobel for tone policing.

There is at least one nitwit who has said Kaepernick’s not black so he can’t possibly know the black struggle, and many other nitwits who once championed the ambiguously biracial baller only to suddenly find his blackness unpalatable because it’s making them uncomfortable. These folks are flummoxed. After all, their former hero was raised by Good White People, with Good White People Values, and got Good White People Grades. How can he be acting like such a…such a…thug?

A report late last week in USA Today featured Rick and Teresa Kaepernick’s home where “Old Glory” was flying high outside, yet the couple remains silent with respect to their son’s protest. “It’s not in our best interest or Colin’s best interest,” to weigh in, said his adoptive mom. Meanwhile, National Anthemgate has displeased Heidi Russo, Kaepernick’s birth mom who took to Twitter to publicly disagree with her son’s protest.

His birth mother’s and adoptive parents’ responses have unleashed a virulent and uninformed backlash from the many people who have a Disney view of adoption as a “blessing.” Heidi Russo and Teresa Kaepernick are both moms to the quarterback— white moms, it should be noted—with white world views and all the white privilege. But their whiteness doesn’t go with their son into the world. In other words, the adoption narrative about saviorism is bullshit.

It is impossible that Colin Kaepernick, a lightskinned black man, hasn’t been on the receiving end of our country’s habit of racism. Black (and brown) people cannot educate their way out of it.

They cannot degree their way out of it. They cannot earn their way out, or smart their way out, or play their way out. I’m guessing a lifetime of microaggressions and some identity development, and being witness to what is going on in the streets of small communities around our country are what brought Kaepernick to his knee.

If we can all just get past the bullshit reactions and overt display of white fragility, maybe we can have the necessary and way-past-due conversation Kaepernick is trying to invoke. I’m all for it. I sit with Kaepernick.

“

I refused to pledge my life to a swath of fabric representing stolen land watched over by a god I didn’t believe in.

“

8 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

Backwards & In High Heels appears every other week. Write to aaryn@sdcitybeat.com.

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CULTURE | VOICES

MINDA HONEY

AT THE

INTERSECTION

Southern California Without You

Y

ou’d think a woman who closed out the summer single AF would be a little bitter about checking out a romance movie alone. But my love of the First Family runs so deep I was willing to see Southside With You solo. When I settled into a chair inside the theater, what I expected was to spend the next 90 minutes in a black love bubble, what I did not expect was a complete upending of the “Angry Black Woman” stereotype. Southside With You is as much a story about President Barack Obama’s first date with First Lady Michelle Obama as it is the story of how Michelle Robinson navigated both love and career successfully as a black woman in a world that wasn’t interested in her having either.

Please believe I took notes.

California’s black population is less than 7 percent. So, when you factor in an endless list of variables—gender, sexual orientation, age, availability— it’s no wonder that I and so many of my beautiful, accomplished black women friends have cried over the dearth of suitable black male suitors.

We’re often encouraged to date outside our race, but I fully understood what Barack meant when he told Michelle that he stopped dating white women after a white partner brought him home and he looked up at all the photos of white faces on the wall and realized, “I couldn’t spend any more of my life being an outsider.” I spend much of my life traveling in spaces where I am the only black face or one of few; I don’t want to come home to that feeling, too. I’ll accept love in any form it presents itself in, but I believe this is why so many black women are keeping the hope for black love alive. I’m just a Michelle out here looking for her Barack.

But in 1989, over on the Southside of Chicago, Michelle Robinson, played by Tika Sumpter, wasn’t worried about a man. She was focused on her law career. She agreed to an outing with Barack, played

by Parker Sawyers, but made it clear it wasn’t a date, even though he clearly believed it to be one.

We followed the couple through scene after scene of smart black banter that flitted across black cultural touchstones such as Good Times, Gwendolyn Brooks and Do The Right Thing. As an audience we began to wonder why Michelle wouldn’t let Barack shoot his shot. Yes, they work at the same law firm and she’s concerned about office gossip, but we found ourselves pulling for Barack to get what he wanted. We wanted her to stop being so difficult.

Michelle did eventually warm to Barack’s advances and leaving a showing of Do The Right Thing, they

ran into a senior partner at their law firm. Although Michelle had been at the firm longer than Barack and held a higher title, the partner gave Barack all the glory and, with a wink-wink-nudge-nudge, instructed Michelle to take good care of Barack.

Michelle was humiliated. She was angry. She went off on Barack. This was why she didn’t want to go out on a date with him. Why couldn’t he have just respected her boundaries like she asked? She explained that as a woman she has to work so much harder to be respected and her blackness cancels out all of that hard work and she is left working even harder to advance in her career. Until this moment, Barack didn’t get it. We as an audience didn’t get it. Society doesn’t get it.

Black women are often pegged as angry, but what isn’t understood is that we’re under so much additional pressure to gain any amount of status or respect in this society we aren’t afforded the luxury to be easygoing. And we are among a special cohort of women who are penalized for that success when we do achieve it. We are not good enough and too much at the same time. Michelle Obama is too angry. Serena Williams is too confident. Misty Copeland is too muscular. Yet, still we strive.

This movie is so much more than a romance movie. It’s about so much more than putting positive images of black love on display.

This movie felt like a love letter to black women. Sitting there in that dark theater, it was like a light came on and illuminated some of my core struggles as a black woman today. Much of the conversation in the film was fictionalized, but it all felt real to me. I could even relate to discussions around Michelle fighting with herself because she wanted the status and power that came with working at a high-powered law firm, but didn’t know how to reap the rewards of that lifestyle and do work that actually mattered; work that was going to change the world. Once you become the black woman that finally won the fight for a seat at the table, it’s really hard to give up that seat, even if you don’t have an appetite for what’s being served.

Michelle wasn’t being difficult. She just wasn’t sure if Barack was going to be worth complicating her life over. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when the right love’s come along, the type of love that’s worth risking it all for. I think we all know what decision Michelle made by the end of the film.

“

I’m just a Michelle out here looking for her Barack.

“

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At The Intersection appears monthly.

Write to rond@sdcitybeat.com

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 9

UP FRONT | FOOD

BY MICHAEL A. GARDINER

THE WORLD

in a spiced corn flour batter and then deep fried before being sautéed with onion, chilies, garlic and other spices as well as no small amount of soy sauce and, believe it or not, ketchup. It feels vaguely Chinese, yes, but features the unmistakably rich flavors of India. It is addictive.

“Chinese” food done Indian-style andAspiced lot of Rasraj’s dishes bear familiar names: spring rolls, fried rice, Hakka noodles. Not all of t crept up on us some time around the early them represent exactly what you’d expect from 2000s—a growing recognition that P.F. Changs the name. The spring rolls—more along the lines has little to do with “Chinese” food. Watered of fried egg rolls—were well rolled, featuring a down Chinese? Perhaps. Chinese stylings for cabbage and carrot based filling. Crisp on the outAmerican taste buds? Certainly. Embarrasing? side, tasty on the inside, they were competent if Definitely. But we’re hardly alone in this interna- not excellent. tional exercise in culinary cynicism. Take, for exThe fried rice, on the other hand, was a poor ample, India’s play on the theme. You can taste it take on one of my favorite classes of Chinese at Rasraj (9252 Miramar Road). dishes. The vegetables themselves—peas, cabAt its base, Indo-Chinese cuisine is just the bage, carrot and green onions—were decent, and adaptation of Chinese flavors and techniques to the rice was competently cooked. But the dish as Indian tastes. Created when Chinese migrants a whole was dreadfully under-seasoned.

MICHAEL A. GARDINER Hakka noodles is Indo-style chow mein: cooked noodles with stir fried, sliced vegetables (green beans, cabbage, carrots, peppers, chilies, etc.) seasoned with salt, soy sauce, vinegar and a mild chili sauce (a chili, garlic, sugar and vinegar concoction). Hardly the best Asian noodle dish I’ve tasted it was easily the most “Chinese” of Rasraj’s Indo-Chinese offerings.

Rasraj has many straight Indian options from up and down the sub-continent. But I couldn’t resist the dosa, thin and crispy rolled pancakes made from a fermented batter of rice and black lentils.

A cylindrically rolled pancake is served with a selection of sauces including sambar (a lentil based stew) and a variety of chutneys. While the Manchurian-stuffed dosa sounded better than it turned out to Fried rice and Gobi Manchurian be, the “plain” version was full of texture as well as flavor, and ripping and dipping the thing settled in Calcutta and adapted their food to local was child-like fun. ingredients, Indo-Chinese food has since become Is Indo-Chinese food “watered down,” “basan important part of the Indian culinary culture. tardized,” “cynical” and not “authentic?” It’s One of the reasons for this is the ready adaptabil- all of that and none of it. It is its own thing and ity of Chinese cuisine to vegetarianism, an impor- should be tasted as such. While Rasraj’s Indotant factor in the largely Hindu country. Rasraj, Chinese flavors are neither quite Chinese nor for example, is a vegetarian restaurant. quite Indian they are fascinating and enjoyable Perhaps the most famous Indo-Chinese dish is on their own terms. called “Gobi Manchurian” despite the fact it has absolutely nothing to do with Manchuria. It is, The World Fare appears weekly. however, delicious. Cauliflower florets are dipped Write to michaelg@sdcitybeat.com.

FARE I

10 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

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UP FRONT | FOOD

BY JAMES VERNETTE

DISHING IT

OUT

Minding the kids menu

T

here are times when I prefer staycations to the real thing—like most of the time.

It’s tough to leave San Diego during the summer knowing the weather will probably be too hot, too humid or too mosquito-y anywhere else I go.

So given the choice of staying in a hotel in some other Godforsaken part of the country or by a pool in San Diego, I say, screw it, I’m staying home—or “in-house” as I like to say.

We did that recently when we went up to the Sheraton Carlsbad near Legoland. My kids are at that awkward age where they are outgrowing that place but don’t realize they are.

The hotel is cool because it has an entrance to the park.

More important for foodloving dads, it has a damn good restaurant with Twenty/20 Grill (5480 Grand Pacific Drive).

As a family guy foodie, my pet peeve is when a restaurant has a good menu for adults, but slacks off on the kids menu (if they have one). I understand why: Kids are rotten judges of what makes good food. Why else would dinosaurshaped chicken nuggets have been invented?

I don’t fault restaurants that have shitty kids menus, but I appreciate nice places that go out of the way to make meals for kids that are special as well.

OK, here’s the deal with my son: I wouldn’t call him a picky eater, but he is particular. I can usually dare him to try new stuff, but he would be happy eating bean-and-cheese burritos for every meal, given his druthers. So when we went to Twenty/20 after a day at the pool, I was wondering how my son might react.

I needn’t have worried: When I saw that the kids menu at Twenty/20 Grill had a build-yourown fish or chicken taco plate that used highquality meat, I was pleased. So was my son, who was thrilled at being the master of his own destiny.

He was so happy that it was easier to get him

#SDCityBeat

to try some of the other, more adult menu items, such as the calamari fries appetizer: deep-fried squid cut up in the shape of fries with a chipotle mayo dipping sauce.

He liked them a little too much. I didn’t get to eat as many as I wanted.

Twenty/20 Grill isn’t a “family” restaurant. It’s a nice hotel restaurant that realizes its proximity to Legoland means it’s going to get families—so they make sure to keep the kids happy.

And the adults, too. I was happy with the Spanish Margarita, made with Azunia Blanco tequila, Jalapeno-infused agave nectar with a muddled blackberry garnish on top. Great way to get on the same level as my kids.

The apple-jicama salad was a refreshing starter for the meal and the cotija cheese blended well with the green goddess dressing. I was also impressed with my pan-roasted salmon with roasted cauliflower. The skin on the fish was crispy while the rest of the fish was moist and flavorful.

My wife, who eats mostly vegetarian, was JAMES VERNETTE pleasantly surprised by the So-Cal Stir Fry, which comes with brown rice, broccolini, heirloom carrots and spinach and peppers. Lots of times vegan dishes are bland at restaurants, but Twenty/20 Grill added a touch of Italy by using a lemon and fennel pesto instead of a teriyaki.

My daughter was more Calamari fries adventurous than my son, and also older, so she didn’t order off the kids menu.

She got the Pork Duo: A mix of moist tenderloin and pork belly with truffled black-eyed peas. (I loved my salmon, but I kept asking for bites of hers and made sure to eat the leftovers.)

As much as we enjoyed our meal, the highlight may have been dessert: A sampling of six different desserts held on a tree-shaped rack. There was tiramisu, raspberry mousse, piña colada mousse, chocolate peanut butter mousse, all of it delicious.

We left satisfied and feeling like we’d been on a culinary journey.

Hotel restaurants have had the reputation of catering to lowest common denominator, but Twenty/20 Grill doesn’t do that. It’s a great place to take kids for something close to fine dining without having them gripe. For me, that’s a win-win.

Dishing It Out appears every other week.

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 11

UP FRONT | DRINK

FINAL

BY BETH DEMMON

DRAUGHT Wet hopped and wild

many of which are still available), but there are more on the horizon to whet your wet hop desires before being inundated with pumpkin beers and opheads rejoice! The end-of-season hop fall-forward Märzens. ChuckAlek Independent harvest is upon us and with the last gasp Brewers will have at least two wet hop beers of summer has come a cascade of wet hop available at both their Ramona and North Park beers flowing across San Diego. posts this weekend, with the latter location “Wet hop” beers call for fresh, whole hop also serving a wet-hopped cask version of their flowers rather than the more commonly used Foreman Bitter ESB. dried pellets. Typically, wet hop beers also use Wet hop enthusiasts will also be able to get more hops than “traditional” beers—often several their fix at this weekend’s three-day annual times as many—despite the fact that the hop San Diego Wet Hop Weekend at O’Brien’s Pub flowers will only simmer in the beer for a fraction (4646 Convoy St.), kicking off Friday, Sept. 16. of the entire brew process time. Still, craft brewers Focusing on beers brewed with locally grown and drinkers seem to agree that the cost is worth hops, O’Brien’s will ALLAGASH BREWING it for the fresh flavor have approximately 25 that can’t be replicated craft options on tap to with anything else. choose from. And if its And if you can get the enthusiasm for craft is fresh hops into the any indication, there beer faster, so much will probably be some the better. surprises in store as Historically, the well.

Pacific Northwest has If you prefer to dominated the hop quaff your brews outfarm landscape (and doors, Nopalito Farm’s still does) thanks to first annual Wet Hop its wetter climate, Campout commences but over the past Saturday, Sept. 17 at decade San Diego 4 p.m. onsite at the has welcomed 15 farm (30321 Castleclocal hop farms of Fresh hop flowers ready for harvesting rest Drive). The allour own, which have night campout includes all-you-can-drink craft taken root in the northern and eastern reaches beers brewed with hops from the farm, includof the county. With varieties such as Chinook to ing selections from Border X Brewing, Mission Cascade and Horizon to Nugget, farms such as Brewery, Fall Brewing Co. and more, plus live Nopalito Farm in Valley Center, SD Golden Hop music from Country Club, Family Freako and Farm in Fallbrook, and Star B Ranch and Hop the Homesick Hitchers and food from Royale Farm in Ramona can now deliver hops directly to With Cheese (although you can pack in your breweries where they may make it into a brew on own food as well). Limited to just 100 people, the same day as the harvest—perfect for August this $50 event is sure to be the perfect way to and September’s wet hop focus. close out summer and prep for the forthcoming Many local breweries have already released Oktoberfests. their wet hop creations over the past month

H

(Monkey Paw Brewing, Pure Project, Nickel Beer Co., Duck Foot Brewing, Thorn Street Brewery and Amplified Ale Works to name just a few,

12 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

Write to bethd@sdcitybeat.com, check her out on Twitter at @iheartcontent.

#SDCityBeat

SHORTlist

EVENTS

ART

the

THREE YOU HAVE TO SEE

COORDINATED BY

SETH COMBS

LITTLE ITALY

1

EVE OF ADAM

Adam Conover is the ultimate contrar- another when a comedian tells you.

One of Conover’s more popular episodes is ian. As the host of the popular truTV and web series, Adam Ruins Everything, he ad- “Why Rigging Elections is Totally Legal” (nearly mits that he’s the type of guy who’ll show up to two million YouTube views) and the electoral a party, hear a lighthearted conversation about spirit (or lack thereof ) is on full view in the Adam the Oscars and immediCOURTESY TRUTV / F. SCOTT SCHAFER Ruins Everything Election Special, which will air in ately start talking about October. Until then, audihow the awards are deences can catch some of termined by who spent the new material when the most money marketConover stops by The ing to voters. Think DebMusic Box (1337 India St.) bie Downer, but with an on Friday, Sept. 16, at 8 amazing, sponge-like inp.m. (tickets are $35-$50 tellect and charisma. at musicboxsd.com). For “I have always Conover, the live shows been that person,” says are an attempt to get back Conover. “I just always to his stand-up roots, alsort of collected informabeit with an elaborate tion. It was definitely an stage show, interactive elannoying trait and people ements and plenty of auwould always say, ‘Come dience participation. He on, man! Why do you have describes it as a “stand-up to tell us this stuff?’ But Adam Conover special meets a TED Talk.” once I started putting that “I love doing the material live, because when trait into my stand-up comedy, people started to it’s live, you can hear the laughs. It’s like the difperk up when you tell them that information.”

He has a point. It’s one thing when your best ference between porn and sex,” Conover jokes, friend shows you her engagement ring, and you before admitting that might not be the best analimmediately start regaling her with facts about ogy. “People think this is the craziest election year how there was no such thing as a diamond engage- ever and what we want to do is take a historical ment ring until a De Beers ad campaign. It’s quite perspective and say, ‘Was it really?’”

LA JOLLA

2 SPOCK DOC

Vulcan nerve pinches, awkward alien encounters and, eh, groundbreaking special effects sparked a cult following when Star Trek was first televised in 1964. Fascinating.

Half a century later, Adam Nimoy, son of Leonard Nimoy (aka Spock), began sorting through memorabilia, interviews and outtakes to create the documentary, For the Love of Spock to detail his personal experience growing up with Leonard and Spock. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the film makes its San Diego premiere with Nimoy there for a Q&A about the doc, which includes unseen footage and interviews with William Shatner, Zachary Quinto and JJ Abrams. It premieres at 7 p.m. at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theater LFJCC, Jacobs Family Campus (4126 Executive Drive), and plays again at the Carlsbad Village Theatre (2822 State St.) on Thursday, Sept. 22.

Tickets run from $13.25 to $15.25. sdcjc.org

DOWNTOWN

3 TIME OF THE SEASONING Ask your average Joe or Jill what “adobo” is and you might get varying answers. A clay house? A computer program that we’re not entirely sure we need? Actually, adobo is a delicious cooking method mostly consisting of marinating meats in a mixture of stock and spices. Popular everywhere from the Philippines to Spain, those unfamiliar with the dish may want to get acquainted at the inaugural Adobo Throwdown at Ocean Pacific Grill (531 F St.) on Tuesday, Sept. 20. For $25, patrons will be able to taste four local chefs’ special recipes and vote for the best one. There will also be live music from Aaron Butler and beer specials all night. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. and the winner will be announced at 8:30.

Check out facebook.com/OPGinSD.

COURTESY OF GRAVITAS VENTURES/455 FILMS

Adam and Leonard Nimoy

#SDCityBeat

Adobo Baby Back Ribs

HSea Walls: Murals for Oceans at La Bodega Studios and Gallery, 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. A reception to celebrate the completion of over a dozen new murals that are meant to bring attention to the PangeaSeed Foundation. There will be live painting, prizes and musical performances by The Verigolds. From 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14. Free. cohortcollective.com HDowntown at Sundown at MCASDDowntown, 1001 Kettner Blvd. MCASD’s after-hours event offers free admission and guided tours of exhibitions at MCASD and the SDSU Downtown Gallery, as well as specials at local businesses, a book club and live music. From 5 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 15. Free. 858-454-3541, mcasd.org/events/downtown-sundown-9 HWith Abandon: Works by SDSU Alumni 2011-2016 at SDSU Downtown Art Gallery, 725 West Boradway, Downtown. Guest-curated by SDAI’s Ginger Shulick Porcella, this exhibition shares five years of work from SDSU School of Art + Design alumni. Artists include Adam John Manley, Lee Lavy, and Marisa Scheinfeld, among others. Opening from 5 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 15. Free. art.sdsu.edu La Vida De Colores at Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton St., Spring Valley.

This art show explores the rich history, diversity, and spirit of Latino culture and is comprised of 17 fine art and graphic design pieces created by Platt College students and alumni. From 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. Free. platt.edu HLittle Death at Linksoul Lab, 530 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside. North County based artist Tara Centybear showcases a somber yet tranquil painting series of birds that explore the intersection of pain and beauty within the human experience.

Opening from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept.

16. Free. thehillstreetcountryclub.org Jungle Fever at San Diego Sculptor’s Guild, Gallery 36, 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park. The San Diego Sculptors Guild will showcase nature-themed pieces to benefit wildlife habitat preservation. Includes a special Brazilian Carnival show by Energia Entertainment. Opening from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. 619-2380522, sandiegosculptorsguild.com Nature’s Expressions at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor’s Center, One Father Junipero Serra Tr., Mission Hills. A nature-themed exhibition featuring six award winning artists who work in various mediums. Names include Robyn Garcia, Elaine Harvey, Joan Nies, Jennifer Spencer, and more. Opening from 1 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. 619-668-3281, mtrp.org HThe Secondary Intent at Space 4 Art, 325 15th St., East Village. Two multimedia installations of objects and imagery by artists Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón with a motivation to re-contextualize surreal moments of low-culture kitsch, ornate beauty and mundane principles of taste and pleasure. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.

Free. sdspace4art.org Art on Paper at Hess Brewing North Park, 3812 Grim Ave., North Park. A showcase of artwork on varying forms of paper from local artists such as Adam Nichol, Brooke Snyder, Deana Freeman, and more. Opening from 6 to 10 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 21. Free. facebook. com/events/168695363564710 HSEE ART at The Hideout, 3519 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. This new night features local artists, jewelry-makers, and DJs. Featured artists include Nate Bergeron, Jenna Bogorad, Tommy Knudson, Katie Newell, and more. From 7 p.m. to midnight.

H = CityBeat picks

Wednesday, Sept. 21. Free. 619-5016540, thehideoutsd.wordpress.com

BOOKS Marisa Silver at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The bestselling author of Mary Coin will discuss and sign her new novel, Little Nothing, about the trials of a dwarf woman. At 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 15. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com Amor Towles at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The novelist will discuss and sign his latest, A Gentleman in Moscow, about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept.

16. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com HLocal Author Meet and Greet at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. Several local writers will be promoting their latest books. Names include Jill Amadio, Roland Colton, Mike Duran, Sharon Hawes, Peggy Hinaekian, and more. At noon.

Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com Peggy Hinaekian at La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave., La Jolla. The local artist and author will be promoting her new book Of Julia and Men which explores the possibilities of what can happen when a smart, passionate, ambitious woman lets herself really taste what life has to offer.

From 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.

858-552-1657, lajollalibrary.org HWriters 2 Watch: Shadab Zeest Hashmi at Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., East Village. The winner of the the San Diego Book Award and the Nazim Hikmet Poetry Prize will read from and discuss her books, Kohl and Chalk and Baker of Tarifa. From 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept.

18. Free. 619-236-5800, sdfocl.org HGina Frangello at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The local author of A Life in Men will be promoting her new book, Every Kind of Wanting. Includes a Q & A session with CityBeat book critic Jim Ruland. At 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19.

Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com Alex Dolan at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The writer will be promoting his new crime novel, The Empress of Tempera, which explores the value and meaning of art through the tale of one painting and two artists, separated by four decades. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20. Free. 858268-4747, mystgalaxy.com Jay Paris at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The local sports writer will discuss and sign his new book, Game of My Life San Diego Chargers, which includes first-hand interviews from over a dozen iconic players. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.

20. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com Affinity Konar at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The author will sign and discuss her new book, Mischling, about twin sisters who survive the Holocaust. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.

21. Free. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com HJoseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor at Mysterious Galaxy Book Store, 5943 Balboa Ave., Ste. 100, Clairemont. The creators of the popular podcast, “Welcome to Night Vale,” will be promoting their two new script books, Mostly Void, Partially Stars and The Great Glowing Coils of the Universe. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.

21. Free. 858-268-4747, mystgalaxy.com

COMEDY HAdam Conover at Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy. The host of the pop-

EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 13

THEATER COURTESY OF NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE

though palpable tension builds as these silver spooners reveal themselves to each other. John likes to say “penis,” by the way—that’s pointed out by his snarky sister Nina (a quite funny Shana Wride). The chief question at hand is whether Bradley, who’s put the kibosh on the play, and son John will ever come to an understanding.

Given their mutual self-absorption, you wonder why they would care.

The Cocktail Hour runs through Oct. 2 at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. $43-$50; northcoastrep.org *** weet Charity debuted on Broadway 50 years ago, with Gwen Verdon in the role of a dance-club hostess (with benefits) who dreams of a better life, or at least of true love. You may remember its signature numbers “Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now.” Seen today at the Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido, it’s a total throwback to the “swingin’” ’60s, with an ensemble dancing the frug (look it up) and an Act Two opener featuring gyrating tiedyed hippies (“Rhythm of Life”). Hokey as all this sounds—maybe it was in 1966— Sweet Charity had some heavyweights behind it, including Bob Fosse (the choreography), Cy Coleman (the music) and Neil Simon (the book). Welk’s production directed by Ray Limon is a star vehicle for the versatile and adorable Natalie Nu-

S

J. Michael Flynn (left) and Chris Petschler in The Cocktail Hour

Drinking game

I

t’s hard to get too jacked up about the squabbles among a privileged northeastern family. Yet that’s what we’re asked to do by playwright A.R. Gurney in his autobiographical The Cocktail Hour. Struggling part-time playwright John (Chris Petschler) shakes up a family reunion that’s missing only its favorite son by announcing he’s written a play

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 ular truTV and web series, Adam Ruins Everything, presents an election-themed performance with an elaborate stage show, interactive elements and plenty of audience participation. At 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. $35-$50. 619-736-0026, musicboxsd.com The Open Mic Show at Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., South Park. This new open mic stand-up comedy night intends to take the car-accident-like entertainment of open mics, and put it in the context of the actual-entertainment-like-entertainment of a comedy show. From 8 to 11 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 19. Free. 619-284-6784, amodernprofession.com

DANCE Breaking it Down at Tango Del Rey, 3567 Del Rey St., Mission Bay. A new performance from the PGK Dance Project featuring guest choreographers alongside work by founding director Peter Kalivas. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, Saturday, Sept.

17 and Sunday, Sept. 18. $15-$25. 858689-2422, thepgkdanceproject.org

FILM HRoutine Pleasures at San Diego Model Railroad Museum, 1649 El Prado # 4, Balboa Park. A new film directed by UCSD professor emeritus Jean-Pierre Gorin that examines the Pacific Beach and Western Model Railroad Club located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in 1986. From 6 to 9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16. $15-$20. 619-696-0199, brownpapertickets.com/event/2592140 HFor the Love of Spock at David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Dr., La Jolla. A San Diego premiere of the documentary recounting the life

about them all. Of course this pisses off everybody, especially the all-eyebrowsand-irascibility patriarch Bradley (J. Michael Flynn), who is the center of both John’s play and this one. The booze flows (though none of the characters ever seems very smashed), as do the passive-aggressive quips, put-downs and resentments.

North Coast Repertory Theatre’s production directed by Rosina Reynolds begins as overly chatty and overly quippy,

of Star Trek’s Mr. Spock and the actor who played him, Leonard Nimoy. Director Adam Nimoy (Leonard’s son) will be in attendance for a post-screening Q & A. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21. $15.25.

858-362-1348, lfjcc.org

FOOD & DRINK HPints for Prostates at AleSmith Brewing Company, 9366 Cabot Dr., Miramar.

Attendees can enjoy AleSmith beers while supporting the efforts of Pints for Prostates to spread the word about the importance of early detection. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15.

Free. pintsforprostates.org Karl Strauss Oktoberfest at Karl Strauss Pacific Beach, 5985 Santa Fe St., Pacific Beach. Karl Strauss will be holding their annual party which will feature more than 20 handcrafted beers on tap, pretzels and lederhosen. From 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. $15. karlstrauss.com HSDAPI Culinary Fusion Festival at Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, 404 Euclid Ave., Lincoln Park. A showcase of Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine from local restaurants in San Diego. A food demonstration will also take place to show how popular Asian dishes can be transformed into nostalgic, healthier alternatives. From 10 to 3 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. 619-527-6161, strivesandiego.org HTaste of South Park at South Park.

The tasting event will feature samples of food and drink from some of South Park’s premiere brick-and-mortar eateries. Participants include The Rose, Kindred, The Big Kitchen, and more. From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. $30-$35. southparkscene.com HBaja Wine Tasting at The Wine Pub,

14 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

2907 Shelter Island Dr., Shelter Island.

Enjoy an expert-led tasting of some of the best Valle de Guadalupe wines. A portion of the proceeds from bottle sales benefit Corazon de Vida, an organization providing support for orphaned and abandoned children in Baja, Mexico.

From 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. thewinepubsd.com HAdobo Throwdown at Ocean Pacific Grill, 531 F St., Gaslamp. Local chefs showcase their signature recipes of marinated meats. Patrons will be able to taste all four and vote for the best one while also enjoying live music and beer specials. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20. $25.

619-578-2828, oceanpacificgrille.com

MUSIC Julio Iglesias at The Events Center at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center.

The Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter brings his swooning style to San Diego. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

15. $39. 760-751-3100, harrahssocal. com/events/ HAntonín Dvorák: The Complete Works for Violin and Piano at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Victoria Martino and James Lent celebrate the 175th birthday of Antonín Dvorák with a performance of the beloved Czech composer’s complete works for violin and piano. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept.

16. $35. 858-454-5872, ljathenaeum.org HKAABOO Music Festival at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. The three-day music fest features dozens of national acts including Jimmy Buffet, Aerosmith, Jack Johnson, Lenny Kravitz, and more. From noon to 1:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, noon to 2:30 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17, and noon to 10 p.m.

cci, whose comic timing and song-anddancing are top shelf. In fact, the whole show’s as nimble and good-natured as Charity Hope Valentine herself.

Sweet Charity runs through Nov. 30 at the Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido. $49. welkresorts.com

—David L. Coddon

Theater reviews run weekly.

Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com.

OPENING: Manifest Destinitis: Set in 1800s Alta California, this world-premiere satire is about a crazed Don Aragon, who’s trying to marry off his daughter, but little does he know she’s in love with (gasp!) a guapo Americano. Written by Herbert Siguenza, it opens Sept. 15 at the Lyceum Space in the Gaslamp. sdrep.org Dangerous Obsession: A disturbed man obsessed with the death of his wife terrorizes a married couple. Directed by Jay Mower, it opens Sept.

16 at PowPAC Community Theatre in Escondido. powpac.org 13: Teen and young adults make up the cast of this musical about teens and young adults in small-town Indiana. Presented by STAR Repertory Theatre, it opens Sept. 16 at the Thomas and Pearl Martinez Auditorium in Escondido. starrepertorytheatre.com

For full theater listings,

Sunday, Sept. 18. $299-$849. 858-7551161, kaaboodelmar.com Michael Lewin at California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. The gifted concert pianist will play a repertoire of the greats such as Chopin, Beethoven, Rachmaninov and other favorites. At 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. $25-$35. 760-839-4190, artcenter.org Summer Jazz in the Park at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd., Sorrento Valley. Listen to the music of The Young Lions All-Stars presented by Gilbert Castellanos. A light brunch and a picnic blanket are provided to the first 50 people in attendance. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 18. Free. 760-754-5370, HBob Boss Quartet at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Bob Boss and fellow musicians Gilbert Castellanos, Dean Hulett and Richard Sellers will take the stage for a special jazz concert. At 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19. $17-$22. 858481-1055, northcoastrep.org HMusical Benefit for Louisiana Flood Victims at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., Bay Park. Gator By The Bay and The Bon Temps Social Club of San Diego present this special concert featuring seven top San Diego zydeco, blues and swing bands. Proceeds benefit the Louisiana Musicians’ Flood Relief Fund. From 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21. $10. 619542-1462, gatorbythebay.com

PERFORMANCE HOpera on Track at various locations.

The new series will feature opera singers performing a free, 30-minute version of Rossini’s Cinderella. Happens at 10 a.m. at the Mission Valley Library Branch, noon at the 24th Street Station in National City

visit “Theater”at sdcitybeat.com.

and 2 p.m. at the E Street Trolley Station in Chula Vista. Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. sdopera.org

POETRY & SPOKEN WORD HLong Story Short: Swept Under the Rug at The Ink Spot, 2730 Historic Decatur Rd., Barracks 16, Suite 202, Point Loma. So Say We All’s monthly improv storytelling night features five minute stories with no notes where anyone can take the stage. This month: stories about the times we tried to hide something. From 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. 619696-0363, sosayweallonline.com

SPECIAL EVENTS HSDAPI Culinary Fusion Festival at Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, 404 Euclid Ave., Lincoln Park. A showcase of Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine from local restaurants in San Diego. A food demonstration will also take place to show how popular Asian dishes can be transformed into nostalgic, healthier alternatives. From 10 to 3 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. 619-527-6161, strivesandiego.org Cake & Whiskey Hobnob at Tradesmen, 21 16th St., Barrio Logan. Businesswomen can network, enjoy sweets and sip small batch spirits fromLiberty Call Distilling while supporting Alzheimer’s San Diego. From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. $30. 619-940-7318, hobnob. brownpapertickets.com HSage Sisters Happy Hour at Sage Sisters, 3060 University Ave., North Park. Enjoy complimentary flower-infused cocktails and Venissimo cheese

EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 #SDCityBeat

#SDCityBeat

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 15

EVENTS COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 at the new neighborhood flower and gift shop. Includes an open “stem bar” where patrons can make their own flower arrangements. From 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. Free. 619-630-5541, shopsagesisters.com HFamily Moon Festival at San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, 404 Third Ave., Downtown. Celebrate the brightest moon of the season. Kids will have a chance to make their own mooncakes and museum staff retell Chinese legends about the jade rabbit and fairy princess living on the moon.

From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Free$5. 619-338-9888, sdchm.org *Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival at Naval Air Station North Island, 200 Alameda Blvd., Coronado. Fleet Week’’s marquee event features fast-paced auto racing and exhibitions for car enthusiasts of all ages at one of the most distinctive race track locations. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept.

18. Saturday, Sept. 17. $25-$45. coronadospeedfest.com HMira Mesa Street Fair at Camino Ruiz and New Salem St., Mira Mesa. Crafters and other vendors, non-profit and business information booths and food from around the world will be at this 16th annual event. There will also be carnival-style entertainment, a beer garden and music stage. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. 858-609-6629, miramesatowncouncil.org HCelebrating 100 Years of Roald Dahl at Balboa Park, Balboa Park. Write Out Loud celebrates the 100th birthday of writer Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) with art workshops, story readings and more. See

“Mia and Hawk” by Tara Centybear will be on view at Little Death, a solo show opening from 7 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16, at Linksoul Lab (530 S. Coast Hwy.) in Oceanside. website for locations and schedule. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Free$5. writeoutloudsd.com *Music Cures at San Diego Automotive Museum, 2080 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park. Members of the community come together in an outdoor concert to help raise money for ongoing immunotherapy for Maria Letitia Gimpaya. At 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19. $10-$30. 619231-2886, https://fundraise.com/paulkruse/music-cures

TALKS & DISCUSSIONS HOut At the Archives: Jim Obergefell at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights. The plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that brought marriage equality to all 50 states will be speaking about his experience and his

16 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

new book, Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality. At 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. $20-$55. 619-220-0097, diversionary.org Authentic Aztec versus Conquistador Cuisine at Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., East Village. Culinary Historians of San Diego and author Linda Civitello will discuss what the Aztecs ate before the Conquistadores came. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Free. 619-236-5800, culinaryhistoriansofsandiego.com HCommunity Stories: Conversations With Dilkhwaz Ahmed at Women’s Museum of California, 2730 Historic Decatur Rd., Barracks 16, Point Loma. Recently returned from Iraq, Dilkhwaz discusses her work with helping Yazidi women, many of whom had been kidnapped. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20. 619-233-7963, womensmuseumca.org

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September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 17

Maria Mingalone

ince opening its doors to the public almost 20 years ago, the Oceanside Museum of Art has built a reputation for showcasing some stellar exhibitions, but more recently, OMA has had some, well, let’s call them troubles.

One could argue that these troubles began with the 2015 resignation of museum director Daniel Foster. A few months later, a scheduled exhibition centering on the arts criticism of former San Diego UnionTribune art critic Robert L. Pincus was abruptly cancelled. More recently, James Peck, who replaced Foster, also resigned after five months on the job.

However, things are looking brighter for OMA. The Board of Trustees unanimously chose Maria Mingalone as the new executive director after a nationwide search. Museum staff and members praised the hiring.

The fact that she was signed to a three-year contract also serves to stabilize matters.

Still, while Mingalone has an impressive resume of curatorial work, most notably at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she says she isn’t going to immediately shake things up. When I spoke to her, she had been introduced to OMA members only a few nights before at the opening of two new exhibitions, Space, Structure, Light: The Art of Russell Forester (through Feb. 5) and Irving J. Gill: A Comfortable Fit (through Oct. 23).

“It’s only been my second week here and I can already see that it’s a very exciting museum and organization,” says Mingalone, who also chose to live in Oceanside.

“This is a fantastic area and we have a com-

18 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

munity here that is really uplifted and appreciates an institution of this caliber.”

She’s right in that OMA has become an integral part of the community and one that that has managed to appeal to both older and younger demographics. This is most evident in OMA’s upcoming exhibitions and programming. First, there’s Oceanside-based textile artist Michelle Montjoy’s series of “Stitch and Suds” workshops, each happening at the museum on rotating Thursdays through October. Essentially, the public is invited into Montjoy’s creation process, helping her construct a knitted installation out of old t-shirts. The results will be displayed in a March exhibition entitled River.

Secondly, OMA is also rebooting and revamping its “Art After Dark” party, which will happen on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. in conjunction with the opening of a new pop-up exhibition called Beauties Beasts.

The Bob Self-curated show will feature work from accomplished pin-up artist Olivia De Berardinis and Hollywood monster designer Jordu Schell.

While these events and exhibitions were planned before Mingalone’s arrival, she agrees both are emblematic of OMA’s longstanding appeal and, more pressingly, a sign that things are looking up for the museum.

“This institution bridges so many communities and kinds of people from different backgrounds,” says Mingalone, who says she will “help direct the vision” of the exhibition programming moving forward. “The exhibitions have always been a collaborative process and I’ll hope it will continue to

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COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS

Beauties Beasts: work by Olivia De Berardinis and Jordu Schelli be that way, because I think that’s how the museum reflects diverse interests.”

MORE VISUAL ART Last call: Just before the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla closes its doors for a much ballyhooed and controversial expansion, be sure to check out the final exhibition in the old space. The Uses of Photography: Art, Politics, and the Reinvention of a Medium features a number of local photographers who experimented with the medium in the ’60s through the ’80s, to startling results. Names include Martha Rosler, Allan Sekula, Carrie Mae Weems and more. It opens Saturday, Sept. 24. mcasd.org

ton Plaza yet, then (and we don’t say this too often) get down to the mall now. Nestled hilariously next to Victoria’s Secret, future opening include textile artist Daniel Barron Corrales (Saturday, Oct. 7), Scott Nielsen (Saturday, November 4) and Melissa Beck (Saturday, Dec. 1). As for the Institute itself, be sure to stop by the Balboa Park location throughout October for a bunch of Halloween-themed programming themed around their dual spooky exhibitions, The Haunted Art of T. Jefferson Carey and The Dead are Not Quiet: A Group Exhibition of Macabre Art. Both open on Saturday, Oct. 1. sandiego-art.org COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

Baja beauties: Since opening earlier this year, neighboring spaces CM Curatorial and Basile I.E. have become a welcome addition to an already thriving Barrio Logan arts scene. Curator Chris Martino’s emphasis on supporting local and regional artists is clearly evident in Southern Exposure, a new series focusing on up-and-coming artists south of the border. For the inaugural show—which opens Saturday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m.—Tijuana-based Pablo Lano will showcase his signature “sweet art” where he incorporates discarded junk food wrappings to make vivid, thought-provoking sculptural pieces. basileie.com Byrd is the word: Stefani Byrd specializes in “video, new media and interactive technologies” to make broad and beautiful statements on everything from gun control to breathing. It’s no wonder then that she was chosen as the “Launchpad Artist” for this year’s Art San Diego contemporary art fair (Thursday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Balboa Park Activity Center). Expect to see Byrd’s work peppered throughout the fair. art-sandiego.com Secret’s out: If you haven’t checked out the San Diego Art Institute’s SDAI Project Space in Hor-

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“Wicked Spray I” by Pablo Lano

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 19

NIQUI CARTER

IRL by Tommy Pico

lthough Tommy Pico has lived in New York for 14 years, his roots are here in San Diego. He left the Viejas Indian reservation of the Kumeyaay nation when he was 18 years old to attend Sarah Lawrence College, but his experience growing up on the reservation informs a good portion of his astonishing poetry debut, IRL, published this month

by Birds, LLC. Told in streams of unconventionally punctuated sentences, IRL is peppered with Internet slang, acronyms and abbreviations. The entire book is made of “a single long poem with a narrative undertone,” Pico says.

Reading IRL [Internet slang for “in real life”] is like looking over the shoulder of a young gay artist as he scrolls through various social media feeds searching for sex, inspiration, a relief from the stultifying boredom of a hot Brooklyn summer, and finding something else. On the page the poem is compressed into a narrow column of words that stretches for almost 100 pages, like an epic monologue in messages: Where I’m from, in the valley I lived in for thousands of years, once someone has passed or pushed or pressed into the next life that I don’t

20 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

believe in, their name is forbidden. Reference them, but don’t use the name bc it distracts them from heaven Sullies the peace they rest in. I don’t want to be a sullier.

The narrator of IRL struggles to assimilate whether he’s back home on the rez or navigating the streets and subways of his adopted home in Brooklyn.

“The character is really struggling where I don’t,” Pico says. “I found very early you can never get away from yourself. I don’t have that kind of anxiety but it felt really important for the character I was writing to be conflicted.”

This anxious search tends to go in one of two directions: forward into a projection of pleasure the night might bring or back to the past and the poet’s “expressions of Indian-ness.”

It would be easy to cherry pick quotes from either and make a case that the author is making a statement about the way social media disconnects us from the past or interferes with our ability to connect in real life, but the poem’s format makes these strands impossible to separate.

“I think by necessity they have to be coiled together. They are indelible parts of myself,” Pico says.

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ANDRES MURILLO

The Travelers Club reading Pico has a great deal to say on a number of topics. “Rooftop/parties r the payday/ of summer” appears on the same page as “Tradition is a cage,/like an Edward Curtis pic/of high copper cheekbones—/totemic, fabricated.”

There’s a tendency to think that IRL is no different than being online where cultural criticism (“I survive seven generations/into a post-apocalyptic America/that started in 1492. Maybe/you’ll live too?”) sits along side artful musings (“The thing that compels you/to sing? Don’t then challenge/it to a singing contest.”).

But it’s unlikely your “friends” are as clever or courageous as Pico—either on screen or IRL.

MORE LITERATURE Going to Warwick’s: One of our favorite independent bookstores, Warwick’s in La Jolla always has a solid lineup of local and international authors stopping in to promote. If we had to pick just a few, try not to miss Gina Frangello discussing her excellent new novel, Every Kind of Wanting, with CityBeat’s Jim Ruland on Monday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m. We’re also excited to hear/read Pulitzer Prize-winner Geraldine Brooks (7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20), actress and environ-

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mentalist Jane Alexander (7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19), and neuroscience genius Daniel Levitin (7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14). warwicks.com Voices raised: Local writer Andres Murillo, working under the name The Travelers Club, has been holding some awesome spoken word readings at The CHRCH in Barrio Logan emphasizing San Diego’s vast community of minority voices. Dubbed The Color Theory, the next reading on Wednesday, Sept.

28, at 7 p.m. will feature notable names like Manuel Paul Lopez, Hari Aluri, Lizz Huerta and over a dozen more. thetravelersclubsd.com Something sweet: For those whose reading habits mostly consist of trying to learn how to whip something up in the kitchen, local health expert Laura Marquis will be promoting her new cookbook, Sweets in the Raw: Naturally Healthy Desserts, on Sunday, Sept.

25, at noon at Warwick’s in La Jolla (warwicks.com).

On Sunday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. at The Chino Farm in Rancho Santa Fe, James Beard Award-winning baker Nancy Silverton will be serving up some tasty bites and promoting her new book, Mozza at Home, which was co-written by local journalist Carolynn Carreño.

Banned for life: Grossmont College’s annual Fall Readings Series never disappoints and this year will honor National Banned Books Week with a reading on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. from novelist Matt de la Pena (Mexican White Boy, Ball Don’t Lie), who was the first Latino to win the Newberry Prize in literature. Also save the date for the Lester Bangs Memorial Reading on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. The annual event will feature readings, film screenings and discussions about Bangs, a Grossmont alumnus and “America’s Greatest Rock Critic.” grossmont.edu

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 21

JIM CARMODY

Trolley Dances rehearsal at Fault Line Park

ven for a choreography veteran, it can be difficult to come up with fresh concepts and create innovative movements that connect with audiences. Nobody feels this pressure more than Monica Bill Barnes. In her seventh Trolley Dances, Barnes says she feels the pressure to create something new each and every time.

“I feel so supported in this environment, but I actually think that there’s more pressure,” says the onetime local who’s now based in New York. “You don’t ever want to repeat yourself, and for an audience to get to know your aesthetic does invite you to step up your game each time you come back.”

In its 18th year, San Diego Dance Theater (sandiegodancetheater.org) has evolved Trolley Dances into a respected piece of the San Diego cultural

22 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

community. Since the late ’90s, founder Jean Isaacs has commissioned acclaimed choreographers, like Barnes, to create site-specific dance pieces around San Diego trolley stops. Although each choreographer creates a distinct and separate piece, Trolley Dances continues to receive more attention because of the unique experience it provides to the audience.

“What’s funny is that if you think about how often you go see a show, you don’t feel a community with the people you’re seeing it with,” says Barnes.

“I think with Trolley Dances, Jean really creates a community with each audience.”

This year’s tour through Barrio Logan on the MTS Blue Line will give choreographers Bill Shannon, Zaquia Mahler Salinas, Jean Isaacs, Jess Humphrey and Barnes a chance to work with surround-

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COURTESY OF THE RUSSIAN GRAND BALLET

where she began to make connections between philosophy, choreography and humor.

“I think philosophy actually relates really well to choreography because it is essentially asking you to articulate really difficult ideas clearly, and I feel like choreography is asking you to articulate abstract ideas clearly so that an audience feels invited into the experience you’re making and not alienated from it,” Barnes says.

Although Barnes finds herself pushing her creativity for the upcoming Trolley Dances, her goals that she has upheld throughout her career remain the same.

“I think my hope with anything I make is that it’s communicative and the audience feels invested by it,” Barnes says. “Often times I use gesture and familiar situations so that the audience doesn’t feel like they’re seeing something entirely abstract, but rather that they’re seeing something that can relate to an experience they’ve had. So, the hope is that the work is broad and you feel pulled into a common experience.”

MORE DANCE Swan Lake ings untapped by any previous Trolley Dances.

Since Barnes’ previous involvement in Trolley Dances in 2012, she has continued to develop her quirky style and immerse herself in new projects, including a collaboration with Ira Glass, called Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host. This humorous production, along with many others, has led Barnes to be dubbed the “Tina Fey of dance” by the The Washington Post. Although she has years of experience, she did not land in San Diego with a plan. For Barnes, it seemed logical to develop her choreography when she arrived at her Fault Line Park location.

“All of the ideas develop on-site. You can have the best idea, then you can put it to use and it can be terrible. So for the first couple days, there’s a lot of trial and error. Also, for me, it’s important to understand what the dancers are like and how to highlight their personalities,” she says.

Though it may seem risky to arrive without a plan, Barnes is no stranger to taking risks and succeeding. As a philosophy student at UC San Diego, she planned on going to law school. However, last minute decisions and a gut feeling led Barnes to continue to pursue her passion for dance. Nevertheless, her time at UCSD did not go to waste, as it was there

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Viva Cuba: The embargo has been lifted and Cuba has landed in San Diego. For three nights, the Cuban salsa scene will take over with music, dance lessons, world-class performances and over 60 workshops in the inaugural Cuban Dance Congress.

Dancers of all levels are welcome to join in the fun from Thursday, October 13 through Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Town and Country Resort in Mission Valley. Admission prices range from $20 to $280. cubandancecongress.com Quack, quack: For one night only, The Russian Grand Ballet will present Tchaikovsky’s classic Swan Lake, the story of a prince who works to free a swan maiden from an evil spell. The RGB has an established reputation for versatility while adhering to some of the more timeless choreographic elements. According to Ballet Master Vladimir Troshenko, the performance is “an incredible opportunity for both the younger and older generations to experience the arts and enjoy a ballet classic.” The performance takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m. $29-$79. russiangrandballet.com Signed, sealed, delivered: Malashock Dance will kick off their November series, Malashock Signatures II, by revitalizing fan favorites and delving into new areas of contemporary dance. The series will focus on maintaining intimacy with the audience, while highlighting choreographer John Malashock’s knack for physical storytelling. The performances take place over two weekends (Nov. 3-6 and Nov. 10-14) at The Abbe Wolfsheimer Studio (2650 Truxtun Road) in Point Loma. $15-$25. malashockdance.org Light it up: The award winning PGK Dance Project will present a mash-up of holiday classics in their newest performance, Joy and Light. This holiday celebration will feature contemporary/ modern and tap dance as performers showcase unity between cultures, while interacting with audience members to make them a part of the performance. Performances will take place at The California Center for the Arts in Escondido at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6. thepgkdanceproject.org

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 23

24 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

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JULIE LICARI

he idea of remixing chamber music isn’t necessarily a new one. Search the archives of Soundcloud and you’ll find a pretty deep catalog of EDM DJs putting their wait-for-the-drop spin on stringladen classics. But that’s not what Camarada’s REMIXX series is all about. Named for its blend of visual art and music—wherein the San Diego chamber group takes different styles and genres and reinterprets them into a new context—REMIXX takes the group out of the chamber and into a more interactive urban setting.

The REMIXX series, which begins on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Bread & Salt, is in its third year, and follows a residency at the La Jolla Athenaeum, where it was initially called MIXX. The name change comes about in part because of the change in venue, though the partnership is likely to be a long-term one for Camarada. Bread & Salt houses a grand piano that was recently gifted to the chamber group (and is large enough to necessitate a permanent, open space). But the modern feel of the art space is one that artistic director Beth Ross-Buckley says works well for the kind of outside-the-box concerts they put on. “[Bread and Salt is] always showing interesting and edgy art exhibits,” she says.

“It’s a little bit gritty, and people love being there. We kind of just go with the flow.”

The first of the fall REMIXX concerts is called “Meet The Americans,” and juxtaposes pieces by Gershwin and jazz musician Chick Corea against a contemporary composition by San Francisco musician and composer Stefan Cwik, who will be joining the group for the performance. Past installments have included interpretations of Irish folk music and Bossa Nova, among

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other themes, and while the planning phase can take a couple of months, “the most fun part is finding these pieces of music,” RossBuckley says. Or, put a different way, she adds, “They find us.”

“The first thing that comes to mind is I have to really love the music, finding music that really moves me,” she says, adding that the planning is a collaboration between her and co-artistic director Dana Burnett. “Each piece complements each other. They all flow and bring the listener to a new place. It’s a combination of this passion and love for music, and how we’re playing it.”

The next two concerts to follow “Meet the Americans” are “Tango Obsession” on Tuesday, Feb. 14, and “Cantos de Amor,” on Sunday, May 6. And though there might be familiar names in the composers of each night’s music (Piazzolla for “Tango,” Schubert and Brahms for “Amor”), RossBuckley says they go out of their way to introduce audiences to something new.

“We always try to perform something that people haven’t heard, so it’s current,” she says. “If we’re passionate about it, we hope people feel the same way.”

MORE MUSIC: Farewell performance: San Diego Civic Organist Dr. Carol Williams has been a beloved fixture in San Diego music for 15 years, having performed free concerts at Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion since 2001.

More recently, she’s performed a variety of fun and unconventional concerts, including two David Bowie tributes and a set accompanying the recently reunited Drive Like Jehu. However, Williams will be leaving San Diego to move to Virginia with her husband. Before she leaves, she’s giving one last performance on Sept. 25, at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. The concert is open to all ages. Free. spreckelsorgan.org

Camarada chamber ensemble Book ‘em: The Stay Strange concert series, cu- Vista Social Club. She’s embarking on a solo tour for rated by Sam Lopez, always highlights the weirder her 85th birthday, where she’ll be treating listeners to and more avant garde happenings in the San Diego a repertoire of Bolero and Cuban jazz classics, which underground. Just in time for Halloween, however, will bring her to The Balboa Theatre on Friday, Oct. 7, Balboa Theatre. $24.50 to $73.

Stay Strange will be taking up LUKE HAUGHWOUT AND REGEN MAGAZINE sandiegotheatres.org residence at the Downtown Central Library for Checked Machine music: Opera is an Out 2016, on Saturday, Oct. old enough art form that most 29. The show will feature of us have an idea in our minds performances from Author & of what it entails. However, a Punisher, Planet B (featuring new collaboration between UC members of The Locust) and San Diego and Stanford comSkrapez, as well as a perforposers aims to change permance using the building itself ceptions with a program of unfrom Scott Nielsen and Steve conventional takes on opera, Flato. It’s open to all ages, and including an absurdist narrasince it is almost Halloween, tive featuring Ronald Reagan it’ll also include a build-yourand Judy Garland, and an own-monster component.

Author & Punisher interactive component that opFree. staystrange.com erates like a video game. The Muy buena: Cuban singer and dancer Omara Por- Voice Machine’s premiere is on Friday, Oct. 7, at tuondo has been performing since she was a teenag- the UC San Diego Department of Music Experimental er in her native country, but American audiences most Theatre, with an encore performance on Oct. 8. Free. likely recognize her for her performances with Buena musicweb.ucsd.edu

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 25

DAREN SCOTT

hen Intrepid Theatre Company opens its seventh season on Oct. 1 with a production of Yasmina Reza’s comedy ART, it will do so in the 10th performance space Intrepid has used in six years, the Horton Grand Theatre downtown. Married co-founders Christy and Sean Yael-Cox believe they’ve found a permanent home at last.

“It’s (the 250-seat Horton Grand) always been one of my favorite theaters in town,” said Sean YaelCox, who is Intrepid’s artistic director and director of operations. “It’s not too big and it has the feel of an intimate space.”

Christy Yael-Cox, Intrepid’s CEO and producChristy and Sean Yael-Cox ing artistic director, is equally enthusiastic about the Horton Grand, in which the company earlier with some of the humor. For a company that’s done this year, as guest residents of the formerly manag- an awful lot of heart-wrenching pieces, when we ing Lamb’s Players Theatre, staged Edward Albee’s find a comedy that we like it really sticks out.”

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ? and Peter Glazer’s To Christy, ART is “smartly funny, emotionally Woody Guthrie’s American Song. “What I love most resonant for people. It explores platonic relationships about it is you can sit in the back row and still feel between men, which is not explored much in this like it’s an intimate space. You’re so close.” country.”

It’s been a, well, intrepid ride for Intrepid in Like the rest of Season 7, ART is just right for the company’s short history. Its first production, of Intrepid’s new downtown home, as Sean declared, Macbeth, was staged in Hillcrest’s Compass Theatre “This season has a downtown feel.” (now ion theatre’s space) before Intrepid became a nomadic North County-based organization with various homes in Encinitas, Carlsbad and San MarMORE THEATER cos. The Yael-Coxes also presented Peter Quilter’s Once upon a time in California: The tumultuous Alta CaliEnd of the Rainbow last year in the San Diego Reper- fornia of the 1840s and ’50s is the setting for Culture Clash cofounder Herbert Siguenza’s world-premiere comedy Manifest tory Theatre’s Lyceum Space.

In addition to all the moving, Intrepid underwent Destinitis, an unlikely adaptation of Moliere’s The Imaginary Invalid. Besides writing the play, Siguenza appears in the cast as a name change (from Intrepid Shakespeare Compa- a clownish manservant from India. Thursday, Sept. 15, through ny to Intrepid Theatre Company) and a redirection Sunday, Oct. 9, at San Diego Repertory Theatre’s downtown Lyof focus. “We started as a Shakespeare company,” ceum Space. $35-$64. sdrep.org. said Christy. “We wanted to make Shakespeare ex- August in autumn: Every year, Cygnet Theatre in Old Town presents two shows in rotating repertory citing and accessible. The essence JOAN MARCUS that showcase the work of a prominent of that remains. It felt like an organplaywright. This time around, it’s August ic and natural evolution to expand Wilson, whose Seven Guitars and King beyond that.”

Hedley II are both part of his 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle that focused on the 20thAdded Sean: “Over the past century African-American experience. Both number of season’s we’ve found plays will be staged Thursday, Sept. 29, our feet and our voice as a compathrough Sunday, Nov. 6, in the Old Town ny. We’ve developed a structure for Theatre. $36-$57. cygnettheatre.com. what works for us.”

Cat’s meow: You may not have heard of Intrepid’s seventh season inBenjamin Scheuer, but you’ll know everything about him once you’ve seen and cludes, in addition to ART, Ayad heard his musical autobiography, The Akhtar’s The Invisible Hand, Alan Lion. The 70-minute, one-man show beJanes’ Buddy: The Buddy Holly gins Thursday, Sept. 29, and runs through Story and Suzan-Lori Parks’ Father Sunday, Oct. 30 on the Old Globe’s Sheryl Comes Home From The Wars, Parts Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Harvey White Theatre stage. $29 and up. oldglobe.org.

1, 2 & 3.

“We’re attracted to great writing,” said Christy, Building a mystery: What exactly is a Southern Gothic romancomedy? It may well be Bathsheba Doran’s The Mystery of who will direct all four productions. “I’m most pas- tic Love and Sex, which is getting its San Diego premiere thanks sionate about creating art and telling stories that to University Heights’ Diversionary Theatre. The play had a wellreviewed Lincoln Center Theater production last year starring change people’s lives.”

As for Shakespeare, he hasn’t been abandoned. Tony Shalhoub (Monk) and Diane Lane. Friday, Nov. 25 through “We have plays (by The Bard) that we are dying to Saturday, Dec. 24. $15-$45. diversionary.org. do,” Christy added. “We’re getting settled here first A long, strange trip: It took 16 years for Hedwig & the Angry Inch, a gender-bending rock musical written by John Cameron before we do another one.”

Mitchell and Stephen Trask, to go from Off-Broadway to BroadFor now the attention is on the new season’s way. In the years in between, the show became a worldwide inaugural production. Sean calls ART “a great, fun sensation. It inches its way into San Diego Tuesday, Nov. 29, and argument between three friends. It’s a little brutal runs through Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Civic Theatre in downtown. $25-$92. broadwaysd.com

26 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

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COURTESY OF CATALINA JORDAN ALVAREZ

ur city’s cultural scene received a necessary dose of punk when the San Diego Underground Film Festival (SDUFF) debuted at Ultrastar Mission Valley Cinemas last October. Organizers Rachel Nakawatase and Ryan Betschart wanted to shake things up by showing a wide array of experimental shorts, features and documentaries from around the world. They decided to curate programs based around theme, an approach that immerses the viewer inside a subjective headspace instead of being confined to labels of genres or social issues.

This fall, SDUFF returns for its second year with an expanded program (and an extra day), running from Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center in downtown. Along with providing audiences a chance to see the latest in avant-garde cinema, the festival will showcase new Paco programs as part of its sophomore growth spurt.

“We’ve made a huge effort to play as many fea- for mutilating himself onstage. Performances by Rikk tures as we could by introducing a new program Agnew Band and Gitane Demone Quartet will follow called The Catacombs—the festival within the fes- the screenings.

Other musical acts will fill the time between short tival,” says Betschart and Nakawatase. “It’s a program that is exclusively for feature films that will be film blocks, and an Artist’s Alley will be on exhibit in played on loop for the entire duration of the festival.” the venue space. With an exciting second edition on Eight features in total will be screened for this series, tap, SDUFF will hopefully be defying convention for and each should be a must-see for any adventurous many years to come. sdundergroundfilm.com cinephile looking to have a hallucinatory experience.

MORE FILM SDUFF also wanted to make it a priority to give local films a platform during this year’s event. Notables Locals only: San Diego film lovers have come to expect that will screen in the festival proper include UC San single-screen North Park theater Digital Gym to program innovative and experimental films from around the world. Now Diego alumnus Christina C. Nguyen’s short Parallel comes “The Locals”, a new film series that will showcase Inquiries, a playful, colorful blast of texture and shad- works from local artists residing in the San Diego and Tijuana ing with a grid-like visual structure and dense sound border region. Look for a variety of releases in the coming design that mimics the furious flapping of moth wings. months from both sides of the border. Screening times can be found at digitalgymcinema.com.

Also, San Diego native Omar Lopex’s 14-minute Sin Eater, a grotesque and funny two-hander about a pair That’s amore: Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 12-day San Diego Italian Film Festival features the best in Italof scraggly witches dressed in fur COURTESY OF DOUBLE WAVE PRODUCTIONS ian narrative, documentary and short coats rambling through the forest film programs. Opening night kicks off with a showing of the thriller They Call speaking in code. It’s like a verMe Jeeg Robot from director Gabrielle sion of Grey Gardens directed by Mainetti. Screenings run from WednesDario Argento. day, October 5 through Sunday, Oct. Some wild card recommenda16, at the Museum of Photographic Arts and La Paloma Theatre. sandiegoitaltions from other short programs ianfilmfestival.com include Catalina Jordan AlvaMinute by minute: On July 18, 1984, rez’s mind-bendingly distastea gunman walked into a San Ysidro Mcful Paco, which tells the story of Donalds and committed one of the worst a charming, mustached vagrant mass shootings in history, killing 21 peowho provides passersby with 77 Minutes ple and injuring 19. Charlie Minn’s new doc, 77 Minutes, examines the day’s some much needed physical affection. Brian Jordan Alvarez’s brilliantly unhinged tragic events with rare archival footage while also highlighting the stories of victims and first responders with first hand accounts lead performance borders on genius. Isabelle Aspin’s and interviews. Opens Thursday, September 22 at The Front in animation/doc hybrid Rituals only scratches the sur- San Ysidro and Friday, Sept. 23, at the Ultrastar Mission Valley face of the eco-disaster that has struck Tulare Coun- Cinemas. 77minutesfilm.com ty, California, in recent years. Its innovation and so- Masterpiece theatre: Every few months, the iconic Ken Cinema programs a series of classic films for its Ken Cinema Clascial importance begs for feature treatment.

For opening night, SDUFF will screen 12-minute sics week. From Friday, Oct. 21, through Thursday, October 27 audiences will be able to experience David Lynch’s masteroddity Half Human, Half Vapor by Mike Stoltz, which piece Mulholland Drive, Robert Wise’s musical The Sound of deals in all kinds of visual and sensory erosion. This Music, a new digital restoration of Michelangelo Antonioni’s La will be followed by feature documentary Dead Hands Notte, Joel and Ethan Coen’s noir debut Blood Simple, Alan J. Dig Deep, which examines the tortured life and ca- Pakula’s methodical newspaper yarn All the President’s Men, Jean Cocteau’s surrealist Beauty and the Beast, and Robert reer of Temecula-based black metal musician Edwin Aldrich’s nasty melodrama Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

Borsheim, who became infamous in the mid 1990s landmarktheatres.com

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September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 27

CULTURE | FILM

No escape Restorations of two classic film noirs open at the Ken Cinema

by Glenn Heath Jr.

Elevator to the Gallows

I

n a bit of inspired programming, Landmark’s ping 1958 debut. In the opening scene, secret lovKen Cinema will showcase new digital restora- ers Julien (Maurice Ronet) and Florence (Jeanne tions (thanks to Rialto Pictures) of two film noir Moreau) speak cryptically over the phone. Beginclassics beginning Friday, Sept. 16. Carol Reed’s The ning in close-up, the film cuts back and forth beFallen Idol and Louis Malle’s Elevator to the Gallows tween the two characters trading sweet nothings couldn’t be more different stylistically—the former before pulling out to respective wider angles. Even is politely bleak while the latter remains a jazzy, while expressing longing and hope, the camera tells panicked rush of fate and comeuppance. Of course, us their permanent separation has already begun. thematic connections abound: Each functions as Sure enough, these two lovebirds never speak a brilliant case study in how prolonged dishonesty again. Julien murders Florence’s husband and and delusion begets amazing bad luck. makes it look like suicide only to get trapped in the Released in 1948, The Fallen Idol predates Reed’s elevator during an attempt to recover some key inbetter-known masterpiece The Third Man by one criminating evidence. This begins a domino effect year, but some of the same post-war anxieties about of blunders that splinters off to include the exploits purpose and trust are apparent. The film takes of a younger couple (played by Georges Poujouly place almost entirely inside and Yori Bertin). Simple decithe sprawling confines of Lonsions like taking a joy ride or don’s French Embassy where a giving a false identity end up THE charismatic butler named Bacarrying weighty repercusFALLEN IDOL ines (Ralph Richardson) and sions. his domineering wife (Sonia Elevator to the Gallows utiDirected by Carol Reed Dresdel) babysit the ambassalizes an effortlessly suave muStarring Ralph Richardson, dor’s young son, Phillipe (Bobsical score by Miles Davis to Michelle Morgan, Bobby Henrey

by Henrey), while his father is conjure up an overall feeling of and Sonia Dresdel away. chaos that surrounds the charNot Rated Events unfold primaracters’ every move. Blistering ••• ily from the boy’s perspective. trumpet notes rain down from Concerned with making paper the heavens as Florence wanELEVATOR TO airplanes and talking with his ders the streets of Paris suffoTHE GALLOWS pet snake, Phillipe sees only cating in doubt over her lover’s incomplete flashes of the adult disappearance.

Meanwhile, Directed by Louis Malle world. What he does witness Julien must come to grips with Starring Jeanne Moreau, seems contradictory and unthe reality of his newly minted Maurice Ronet and Lino Ventura important compared to child’s cell, left to wonder how his Not Rated play. Baines’ sneaky rendezbest-laid plans came crashing vous with another woman down so quickly.

(Michelle Morgan) becomes Malle spins new webs an especially confusing point of contention. “There around typical noir conventions, giving darker imare lies and lies. Some lies are just kindness,” Baines plications of fate and comeuppance a fresh verve. tells the lad, trying to rationalize his growing pen- While both couples are haunted by similarly reckless mistakes and assumptions, their paths only chant for fibs.

Written by the great Graham Greene, the film cross briefly, permeating an endless feeling of isobuilds up pressure subtly over time, creating an en- lation. The noose around their neck will never stop tire narrative around the cascading consequences tightening, no matter how hard they try to wiggle of dishonesty. Labyrinthine interiors of the embassy free.

The Fallen Idol and Elevator to the Gallows are not contain endless hiding places flanked by massive glass windows. It’s a layered and precipitous space screening as a typical double feature (separate tickfor futile efforts of men and women trying desper- ets must be purchased) during their run at the Ken ately to cover their tracks. The Fallen Idol may end Cinema. Still, when viewed back-to-back they form with a rush of confessions and closure, but the truth a stirring indictment of human weakness at its lowest point. Watch and learn, people. seems more obscured than ever before. *** Infidelity and unrequited love also reside at the Film reviews run weekly. black heart of Elevator to the Gallows, Malle’s grip- Write to glennh@sdcitybeat.com.

28 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

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CULTURE | FILM

Transpecos

Border insecurity

T

he death-by-bludgeoning that occurs in the opening scene of Transpecos feels like an apt metaphor for the film itself. Greg Kwedar’s desert thriller loves fire and brimstone, giving three border patrol agents a nearbiblical reckoning of conscious and spirit over the course of one 24-hour time period.

Set on a desolate stretch of West Texas land known for drug smuggling routes and unrelenting weather, the film uses its harsh environment to produce an otherworldly sense of menace. Early on, veteran Hobbs (Clifton Collins Jr.) predicts trouble on the horizon thanks to the gusting wind.

Moments later, a suspicious vehicle rolls up to their checkpoint, and upon the threat of inspection, attempts to escape. The ensuing gunfire leaves younger agents Flores (Gabriel Luna) and Davis (Johnny Simmons) in a

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sticky situation reminiscent of a classic film noir.

Kwedar’s lean set-up illuminates the drug cartel’s almost supernatural ability to corrupt American national security through intimidation (if only we had a gigantic border wall to protect us). Even the most “heroic” archetypes are lame gazelle waiting to be picked off by an unseen lion.

Transpecos grapples with this reality, and how it impacts codes of professionalism and masculinity in friendships between first responders. Much of the heated conversations between Flores and Davis devolve over this issue.

Each man begins to recognize the futility of their own actions despite help they receive from empathetic supporting characters. One mesmerizing scene involving a Mayan woman and a makeshift operation hints at a far more complicated version of reality pushed to the fringes.

Thunderously obvious lines of dialogue emanate from each characters mouth. “We put the borders here,” is the thesis of one self-righteous speech. This speaks to the problematic split personality of Transpecos, which opens Friday, Sept. 16, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park. Eventually,

it comes across as a toned down Sicario offering very little beyond veiled cynicism and beleaguered attempts at social relevance.

London-set film noir concerns the shady dealings of a butler whose wife has “accidentally” fallen to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy.

Opens Friday, Sept. 16, at the Ken Cinema.

—Glenn Heath Jr.

Transpecos: A trio of border patrol agents find themselves in a sticky situation after they confiscate a large load of cocaine at a West Texas checkpoint. Screens through Thursday, Sept. 22, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

OPENING Blair Witch: Maryland’s infamous Black Hills Forest once again plays host to a number of supernatural horrors in this new reboot from director Adam Wingard (The Guest).

When Two Worlds Collide: Indigenous environmental activists take on corporate polluters destroying the Amazon rainforest

in this social justice documentary. Screens through Thursday, Sept. 22, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

White Girl: After a night of hard partying goes wrong, a young woman tries to do everything she can to win back the affections of her former lover. Opens Friday, Sept. 16, at Angelika Carmel Mountain Cinemas.

For a complete listing of movies go visit “F ilm” on sdcitybeat.com.

Bridget Jones’s Baby: Renée Zellweger reprises her role as the romantically disillusioned Londoner who meets a dashing new beau and unexpectedly gets pregnant.

Elevator to the Gallows: Jeanne Moreau and Maurice Ronet star as secret lovers whose murder scheme goes terribly wrong due to a series of fateful events and bad luck in Louis Malle’s brilliant debut film from 1958. Opens Friday, Sept.

16, at the Ken Cinema.

Kampaii: For the Love of Sake: This documentary investigates the traditional world of sake, Japanese rice wine, through the eyes of three outsiders.

Screens through Thursday, Sept. 22, at Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

Mr. Church: Eddie Murphy stars as a talented chef who befriends a young girl and her cancer-stricken mother, acting as their cook during hard times and the good.

Snowden: Oliver Stones dissects the life and career of famous NSA hacker/whistle blower Edward Snowden in this expansive (and sure to be controversial) biopic.

The Fallen Idol: Carol Reed’s 1948

September 14, 2016 • San Diego CityBeat · 29

RACHAEL PONY CASSELLS

MUSIC

ASS MCCOMBS THRIVES on imperfection and spontaneity. The songwriter is notorious for beginning a song idea with lyrics and leaving his bandmates to improvise the rest. Even as he works through his own illustration of the creative process, there’s some improvisation in how he describes it, never too quick to answer, often pausing to think before speaking.

“We��������������������������������� ’�������������������������������� re not trying to achieve perfection, we’re trying to create something that is flawed, and kind of fucked up and crazy, and a little bit silly and,” he pauses, “absurd, but beautiful and unique.”

The California singer/songwriter could be defined simply as an indie-folk artist, but his creative blood runs thicker than that. He decided he wanted to be an artist when he was 13 years old, and now at 38, he’s built up a large body of work that reflects a work ethic of, as he puts it, “going against the grain, purposefully.” On the newly released Mangy Love, his eighth fulllength album within 13 years, Cass looks to give back to the world, spewing generosity and musical maturity while maintaining his playful style. Sweet and sour, warm and frigid, he has created his most contradictory album to date.

The album is a blend of different styles and approaches that include—but are not

limited to—psychedelic-punk, folk, reggae, soul and even R&B. The 12 tracks offer an abundance of tones and emotions, from the somber guitar and vocals that create a sensation of crawling through a boggy marsh on “I’m A Shoe” to the spunky reggae painted with flutes, horns and lyrical wit in “Laughter is the Best Medicine.” Mangy Love is laden with replay value, as sadness and beauty intertwine.

The guiding force in his songs is a thoughtful, poetic outlook, which could be considered his greatest attribute. McCombs takes the listener through a paradoxical world of thought-provoking political innuendoes, which examines the oppression of women, healing, brutality and the distraction of mind-numbing activities. McCombs tackles a corrupted world with empathy and concern. “[We are] trying to give something back to the planet—which seems to be crying out all the time—people are a part of this earth and we tend to want to separate ourselves and think of ourselves as individuals,” McCombs says of the message behind Mangy Love. “Some musicians want to react to that by making happy music or repressive music and ignore the pain of the world. My reaction is to create a song that is a very simple vibration, that I think most people— that I know at least—would enjoy.”

30 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

There is an array of stellar musicians (22 to be exact) featured on Mangy Love. One of the most notable is Mike Gordon of famed jam band Phish, as well as indie singer/songwriter Angel Olsen. The cordial collaboration between McCombs and his bandmates brings out a generous and collaborative spirit between everyone involved.

“Everyone’s coming from different walks of life, kind of like Star Trek,” he says.

“It’s a weird tribe that is trying to say something together. The thing that unites us—I like to think—is a certain kind of feeling that what we do here will actually be a beautiful and positive creational vibration.”

Describing the working relationship behind Mangy Love, Cass speaks of his bandmates as if they were family members: “It’s all generosity and love. The music is a sacrament, it brings people together, even when you’re talking about horrible things like oppression.” That communal spirit of creativity carries into their live performances as well. When on stage, McCombs doesn’t shy away from taking risks, making a point not to play his songs exactly as they appear on

the album. Instead, he and his band compose a performance with substance and character.

“People are okay with things to be a little rough around the edges,” he says.

“People like that—I like that. I don’t like perfect music, and when I go see a band, I definitely don’t want them to sound like they did on the record. I want them to do something that’s memorable and exciting and strange and sometimes confusing, and a little bit scary.

That’s what I look for in live music.”

Cass McCombs’ raw approach to music results in a wholesome product with selfless collaboration and love. Sometimes it’s colorfully melancholy and concerned, but it carries a sense of comic relief, both lyrically and musically, which lightens the mood. Going with the flow, yet always against the grain, McCombs never overprepares or overthinks what he does—but he always reaches his destination.

“There might be a loose outline of what we’re trying to shoot for, but usually, we change courses mid-stream,” he says. “It’s a journey.”

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September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 31

32 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

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MUSIC

NOTES FROM THE SMOKING PATIO LOCALS ONLY

A

cid Varsity is becoming a radio show. The electronic music event, which happens every third Thursday at Kava Lounge, will now have a companion one-hour program on KNSJ 89.1 FM, every Wednesday night from 9-10 p.m. The first show happens Sept. 14, and will feature a guest appearance from UK producer Neil Landstrumm. Tyler Detweiler, host of both the show and the DJ night, has a degree in sound engineering and has done podcasts and other radio shows in the past.

Still, he says, this will be his first proper electronic music radio show, which he says will have eclectic programming.

“It’s not the dance music you typically hear,” he says. “For most people, if it’s not EDM, then it’s obscure. So it’s not EDM.” The show will follow a particular format, in which the first 20 minutes will comprise all vinyl electronic music that Detweiler will be playing, and the other two thirds of the show will feature an instudio guest who will be performing live and talking Tyler Detweiler of Acid Varsity about their music. And Detweiler says that if people have been to his night at the Kava Lounge, and heard ones we’d have in the studio,” he says. “It’ll be similar performances from some of the guests it brings to to our event. It’s hard to describe, but it’s not all acid. town, then that should give them a pretty good idea It’s just obscure dance music at the end of the day.” of what they’ll hear on the show.

—Jeff Terich “The people we normally have at Acid Varsity are

FALL LOCAL MUSIC PREVIEW

N

Seeing as how this is the Fall Arts issue, it only made sense for me to devote some space in this column to the new music releases on the horizon this fall. A bunch of San Diego bands have music on the way, and I wanted to highlight as many as I could.

A few releases have already snuck onto digital platforms in the last couple weeks. Bit Maps just released their new album, You & Me & Dystopia, which follows their excellent album On Demand Living, while Exasperation—featuring former members of Ditches and Cuckoo Chaos/Deaphones— just released a new two-track EP, Points of Light. Likewise, The Midnight Pine played a CD release show last week for their new self-titled album, which will hit digital outlets soon. And Rob Crow, fresh from releasing a new solo album earlier this year, just issued Necronomidonkeykongimicon, with his campy heavy metal project, Goblin Cock.

After releasing a new album with Mrs. Magician earlier this year, Tommy Garcia will be releasing more new music, this time with his band Lowlands. On Oct. 12, they’ll release Lovers Blessings, which will be immediately followed by a tour with True Widow. Hideout, featuring Garcia’s Mrs. Magician bandmate Cory Stier, are also planning on releasing new music this fall, having debuted new track “Changing Us All” back in August.

INUS, featuring Bobby Bray of The Locust, will be issuing a new full-length album before year’s end, while The Locust’s label, Three One G, will be releasing a new album by Mexicali neighbors Silent,

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titled A Century of Abuse, on Oct. 28.

After releasing Rebel Jake, King of the Shake, Creepseed (Joshua Kmak of Shady Francos) will drop yet another full-length less than six months after the debut. A new Ash Williams EP will be out this week, and after reuniting following a seven-year hiatus, Buckfast Superbee will finally be releasing a new album.

Earlier this year they released a track titled “Chorea,” so there was more where that came from.

Other bands releasing new music include Soft Lions, Bad Vibes, Quali, Citrus and Katie, Neutral

Goblin Cock aka Rob Crow Shirt, Slow Death, Low Points, The Kabbs, PRGRM, The Mark Dresser Seven, Wild Honey, Wicked Tongues, Weight of the Sun, AJ Froman, Gravvyard, Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, Dark Lumen, Svelte and Big Bad Buffalo.

—Jeff Terich September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 33

MUSIC

JEFF TERICH

IF I WERE U A music insider’s weekly agenda WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

PLAN A: Entrance, Joshua Emery Blatchley @ Soda Bar. Entrance, sometimes known as The Entrance Band, does bluesy rock music that feels particularly haunted. Guy Blakeslee writes a catchy tune, yet howls like a madman. That’s my kinda blues rock.

PLAN B: Noisem, Amygdala, Poison Headache, Bonebreaker @ Brick by Brick. Baltimore’s Noisem combine grindcore and thrash metal in a fun fusion between Slayer and Napalm Death.

Recommended if you like metal, full stop.

BACKUP PLAN: Chuck Ragan and the Camaraderie, Nathan Maxwell, WT Nelson @ The Casbah.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

PLAN A: Local Natives, Charlotte Day Wilson @ Observatory North Park. Local Natives keep on gradually making their way toward a mainstream breakthrough, but even if they don’t,

sounds sublime. BACKUP PLAN: Carla Morrison @ Observatory North Park.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

PLAN A: Eryn Allen Kane, Mimi Zulu, Inspired and the Sleep @ Soda Bar. If you’re looking for a voice to keep you captivated for the evening, Eryn Allen Kane has what you’re looking for. Hers is a fun and richly arranged R&B, with a voice that takes it over the top. PLAN B: Bob Log III, Deadbolt, Toothless George and His One Man Band @ The Casbah.

There’s also this option, wherein Bob Log will serenade you with twisted blues songs sung through a CB radio in an aviation helmet.

they have sublime indie pop songs with rich arrangements that sound simply wonderful. PLAN B: Guerrilla Toss, Post Attraction, Sumatraban @ Soda Bar. If it’s a dance party you’re looking for, then here’s your best bet. The Boston group makes beat-heavy dancepunk that’ll keep you moving all night. BACKUP SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 PLAN: Porches, Japanese Breakfast, PLAN A: Khruangbin, Sugar Candy Rivergazer @ The Irenic.

Mountain @ The Casbah. Khruangbin have a name that’s a bit tricky to pronounce, but their music is considerably less FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 forbidding. The Texas-based group deals PLAN A: Retox, Silent, Foreign Bodies in laid-back, lightly psychedelic funk that’ll @ Soda Bar. I’m a fan of hardcore bruisers end your weekend on a groovy note.

Retox, but I’m even more excited about Silent, a Mexicali post-punk band that MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 splits the difference between Metz PLAN A: Seratones, Hiroshima and Savages. They’re going to be your Mockingbirds @ The Casbah. Monday new favorite band once you see them. night isn’t usually for rocking, but you PLAN B: Cass McCombs Band, Big can and should make an exception for Search @ The Casbah. Read Matthew Louisiana’s Seratones. They’re fiery and Burke’s feature this week on singer/ soulful and put most contemporary rock songwriter Cass McCombs, whose music bands to shame. is never too carefully planned but always

34 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

Dinosaur Jr.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

PLAN A: Dinosaur Jr., Heron Oblivion @ Belly Up Tavern. Dinosaur Jr. have more great songs in their catalog than they can possibly fit into one set, so that’s a sign that they’ll give you a great show no matter what. Add to that J Mascis’ wailing guitar solos and a reputation as one of the loudest live bands ever, and you have yourself a party. PLAN B: Animal Collective @ Observatory North Park.

Animal Collective’s new album Painting With isn’t my favorite of theirs, but that’s hardly a complaint with a discography that features the trippy Merriweather Post Pavilion and hypnotic Sung Tongs.

They’re indie heroes for a reason. BACKUP PLAN: Xenia Rubinos, Bakkuda @ Soda Bar.

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MUSIC

CONCERTS HOT! NEW! FRESH!

Demilich (The Merrow, 10/18), The Moth and the Flame (Soda Bar, 10/22), Denzel Curry (SOMA, 11/9), Slightly Stoopid (Observatory North Park, 11/12), Take Over and Destroy (Soda Bar, 11/20), Hirie (Music Box, 11/25), Gemma Ray (Soda Bar, 11/28), Helmet (Casbah, 12/2), Kevin Fowler (BUT, 12/7), Maria Bamford (Balboa Theatre, 1/14), Griffin House (Soda Bar, 2/11).

GET YER TICKETS Tegan and Sara (Observatory, 9/25), Molotov (Observatory, 9/26), DJ Shadow (HOB, 9/27), Sloan (Casbah, 9/27), Glen Hansard (Observatory, 9/28), Thievery Corporation (BUT, 9/29), Frankie Cosmos (Irenic, 9/29), Okkervil River (BUT, 10/1), Phantogram (Observatory North Park, 10/1), Modern Baseball (Irenic, 10/2), Pete Yorn (BUT, 10/4), The Clean (The Hideout, 10/5), Sia, Miguel (Viejas Arena, 10/5), SURVIVE (Soda Bar, 10/5), Failure (Music Box, 10/6), Wynton Marsalis (Balboa Theatre, 10/6), Kamasi Washington (Humphreys, 10/7), Florida Georgia Line (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 10/9), Colbie Caillat (Humphreys, 10/12), Legendary Pink Dots (Soda Bar, 10/13), Danny Brown (Observatory, 10/14), The 1975 (Open Air Theatre, 10/15), Prophets of Rage (Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 10/16), Yellowcard (HOB, 10/16), The

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Julie Ruin (Music Box, 10/16), Jethro Tull (Balboa Theatre, 10/17), Quantic (Music Box, 10/18), The Faint, Gang of Four (Observatory, 10/18), Screaming Females (Soda Bar, 10/18), Alessia Cara (Copley Symphony Hall, 10/18), Tricky (BUT, 10/21), Ziggy Marley (BUT, 10/24-25), Preoccupations (Irenic, 10/26), Kongos, Joy Formidable (Music Box, 10/26), Damien Jurado (Irenic, 10/27), Dillinger Escape Plan (Brick by Brick, 10/28), Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Death from Above 1979 (HOB, 10/28), M83 (SOMA, 10/29), Suicide Machines (Irenic, 10/29), Psychedelic Furs (BUT, 10/30), Ms. Lauryn Hill (Copley Symphony Hall, 11/1), Andra Day (Humphreys, 11/2), Tory Lanez (Observatory, 11/3), Tony Bennett (Harrahs, 11/4), Diamond Head (Brick by Brick, 11/5), Daughters (Soda Bar, 11/6), Bush (Observatory, 11/8), Protomartyr (Soda Bar, 11/9), Diarrhea Planet (Soda Bar, 11/11), Sleigh Bells (Observatory, 11/11), SubRosa (Soda Bar, 11/12), Lupe Fiasco (HOB, 11/14), Rae Sremmurd (Observatory, 11/16), Trash Talk, Antwon (Soda Bar, 11/18), Neko Case (Poway OnStage, 11/19), Warpaint (Observatory, 11/22), Red Fang (Casbah, 11/22), John Mayall (BUT, 11/20), Porter Robinson, Madeon (Valley View Casino Center, 11/29), Daughter (Observatory, 12/1), Besnard Lakes (Soda Bar, 12/1), Two Door Cinema Club (Harrah’s Resort, 12/3), Amy Schumer (Valley View Casino Center, 12/3), The Album Leaf (Irenic, 12/9), Pere Ubu (Casbah, 12/10), Henry Rollins (Observatory, 12/27), Mannheim Steamroller (Civic Theatre, 12/28), Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven (Music Box, 12/29), Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot (BUT, 12/30), Brian Setzer Orchestra (BUT, 12/31), The Devil Makes Three (Observatory,

1/4-5), Blind Boys of Alabama (BUT, 1/29).

SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14 Post Malone at Observatory North Park.

Counting Crows, Rob Thomas at Open Air Theatre. Noisem at Brick by Brick.

Entrance at Soda Bar.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 15 Local Natives at Observatory North Park.

Julio Iglesias at Harrahs Resort. Subhumans at Brick by Brick. Saint Motel at House of Blues. Chance the Rapper at Open Air Theatre (sold out). Stanley Clarke at Music Box. Wove at The Casbah.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 Retox at Soda Bar. Nukem at Brick by Brick. Carrie Underwood at Valley View Casino Center (sold out). Kraftwerk at Balboa Theatre (sold out). Carla Morrison at Observatory North Park. Kaaboo Festival w/ Jimmy Buffett, Fall Out Boy at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 Crystal Castles at Observatory North Park. Luke Bryan at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Kaaboo Festival w/ Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 18 Anthony Green at Quartyard. Six String Society at Belly Up Tavern. YG at Observatory North Park (sold out). Kaaboo Festival w/ Jack Johnson, Avett Brothers at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

MUSIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 35

MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 MONDAY, SEPT. 19 Seratones at The Casbah (sold out).

Butch Walker at House of Blues.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 20 Animal Collective at Observatory North Park. Xenia Rubinos at Soda Bar. IAMX at The Casbah.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21 Leon Bridges at Humphreys (sold out).

Cold War Kids at Observatory North Park. Lindsey Stirling at Copley Symphony Hall. Still Corners at The Casbah.

Mick Fleetwood Blues Band at Belly Up Tavern.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 22 …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead at Soda Bar. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue at Humphreys by the Bay. The Naked and Famous at Observatory North Park.

Squeeze at Belly Up Tavern (sold out).

Grupo Fantasma at Music Box. Thirdstory at House of Blues (sold out). Oni at Brick by Brick.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 23 Alice Bag Band at The Casbah. Sigur Ros at Copley Symphony Hall (sold out). Goatwhore at The Merrow. Atmosphere at Observatory North Park (sold out). Goatwhore at The Merrow. Air Supply at Humphreys by the Bay. WAR at Belly Up Tavern. Twin Peaks at The Irenic. Ash at Soda Bar. Audiotopsy at Brick by Brick.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24 Crystal Bowersox at Poway OnStage.

Piebald at Soda Bar. A Tribe Called Red at The Hideout. Band of Skulls at Belly Up Tavern. Skatalites at The Casbah.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 25 Tegan and Sara at Observatory North Park. Delta Rae at Music Box. O.A.R. at Humphreys by the Bay. Metal Church at Brick by Brick.

MONDAY, SEPT. 26 Molotov at Observatory North Park. The Specials at House of Blues (sold out).

TUESDAY, SEPT. 27 DJ Shadow at House of Blues. Sloan at The Casbah. Dolly Parton at Valley View Casino Center.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28 Glen Hansard at Observatory North Park. Cymbals Eat Guitars at Soda Bar. Fruit Bats at The Hideout. Mary Chapin Carpenter at Belly Up Tavern (sold out).

King at The Casbah. Aaron Lewis at Humphreys by the Bay. Bear Hands at Music Box.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 29 Thievery Corporation at Belly Up Tavern. Well Well Well at Soda Bar. Frankie Cosmos at The Irenic. The Four Tops, The Temptations at Humphreys by the Bay (sold out).

FRIDAY, SEPT. 30 Soul Rebels Sound System with Talib Kweli at Belly Up Tavern. Paula Pound-

36 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

stone at Humphreys by the By. Adam Green at Blonde. Keith Sweat at California Center for the Arts. The Dread Crew of Oddwood at The Merrow.

OCTOBER SATURDAY, OCT. 1 Jim Jefferies at Humphreys by the Bay. Okkervil River at Belly Up Tavern. El Ten Eleven at Music Box. Phantogram at The Irenic. Steve Gunn at Soda Bar. CRSSD Festival w/ Miike Snow, Zhu, Cashmere Cat at Waterfront Park.

SUNDAY, OCT. 2 Alice in Chains at Copley Symphony Hall. KT Tunstall at House of Blues. The Quebe Sisters at California Center for the Arts. Echo and the Bunnymen at Humphreys by the Bay. Blind Guardian at Observatory North Park. Ani DiFranco at Belly Up Tavern (sold out). CRSSD Festival w/ Miike Snow, Zhu, Cashmere Cat at Waterfront Park. Modern Baseball at The Irenic.

rCLUBSr

710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave., San Diego. Pacific Beach. Fri: The Moves Collective, Carlos Bandana. Sat: Johnny Love, I-Abide, A La Lune. Tue: Triloc.

98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd. Ste. 110, San Diego. Little Italy. Fri: The Eric Evans Project. Sun: The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio.

AleSmith Brewing Company, 9366 Cabot Dr., San Diego. Miramar. Thu: Pints for Prostates.

American Comedy Co., 818 B Sixth

Ave., San Diego. Downtown. Wed: Rory Scovel. Thu: Julian McCullough. Fri: Julian McCullough. Sat: Julian McCullough.

Sun: Megan Gailey.

The Bancroft, 9143 Campo Rd., Spring Valley. Spring Valley. Thu: ‘Darkwave Garden’. Sat: Trelic, Ghost Syndicate, 1001.

Bang Bang, 526 Market St., San Diego.

Downtown. Fri: Scuba.

Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., San Diego.

North Park. Wed: Taurus Authority. Thu: DJ Ikah Love. Sat: ‘Neon Beat’. Sun: ‘Rat Sabbath’. Mon: ‘Motown on Monday’.

Tue: Alvino and the Dwells.

Beaumont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Thu: The Heart. Fri: Scratch. Sat: The Jones Revival. Sun: Kayla Hope.

Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Wed: ‘Jackass’. Thu: Joseph, Duncan Fellows. Fri: Pine Mountain Logs. Sat: Betamaxx, Graceband.

Sun: Six String Society. Tue: Dinosaur Jr., Heron Oblivion.

Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., San Diego. City Heights. Thu: Mu, Primitiva, Subtle Control, Astral Touch. Fri: The Schizophonics, Bosswitch. Sat: Quali.

Blonde, 1808 W. Washington Street, San Diego. Thu: ‘Ceremony Night’.

Boar Cross’n, 390 Grand Ave., Carlsbad. Fri: ‘Club Musae’.

Brass Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave., San Diego.

Hillcrest. Sat: ‘Sabado en Fuego’ w/ DJs XP, KA, K-Swift. Mon: ‘Manic Monday’ w/ DJ Junior the Disco Punk.

Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., San Diego. Bay Park. Wed: Noisem, Amygdala, Poison Headache, Bonebreaker.

Thu: Subhumans, Kicker, Raukous, Subhumans, Kicker, Raukous. Fri: Nukem,

Unicorn Death, Cave Bastard, Defixion.

Sat: Gus G & Angel Vivaldi, Dolan Brotherhood, Rammoth, Bred Dogs.

Cafe Sevilla, 353 Fifth Ave., San Diego.

Downtown. Sat: Flamenco Dinner Show.

Sun: Buena Vista Sundays.

The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. Midtown. Wed: Chuck Ragan and the Camaraderie, Nathan Maxwell, WT Nelson. Thu: Wove, No Sympathy, The Anomaly. Fri: Cass McCombs, Big Search. Sat: Bob Log III. Sun: Khruangbin, Sugar Candy Mountain. Mon: Seratones. Tue: IAMX, Cellars.

The Che Cafe, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Wed: Lowest Priority, Instinct, Frontside, Maricon.

Chico Club, 7366 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa. Sat: Takillya.

Dirk’s Nightclub, 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove. Lemon Grove. Fri: FX5. Sat: DJ Alex.

Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, San Diego. Mission Bay. Sat: Joshua White Trio.

Sun: ‘Sunday Classics’.

F6ix, 526 F St., San Diego. Downtown.

Thu: ‘Trill Thursday’.

Fluxx, 500 Fourth Ave., San Diego.

Downtown. Fri: Rob Stone, Koko + Bayati. Sat: Chachi.

The Hideout, 3519 El Cajon Blvd. (City Heights), San Diego. City Heights. Sat: ‘Boogie Down’.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego. Downtown. Thu: Saint Motel, JR JR, Weather. Fri: Josh Abbott Band, Carly Pearce, Eli V. Sat: Saved by the 90s. Sun: Jack Garratt, Brasstracks. Mon: Butch Walker, The Wind + The Wave.

The Irenic, 3090 Polk Ave., San Diego.

#SDCityBeat

MUSIC North Park. Thu: Porches, Japanese Breakfast, Rivergazer. Sat: This Wild Life, Movements, Have Mercy.

Java Joe’s Normal Heights, 3536 Adams Ave., San Diego. Normal Heights.

Fri: Jeff Berkley, Peter Bolland. Sat: Kahlil Nash.

Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. Midtown. Wed: ‘Family Matters’.

Thu: JFX. Fri: ‘Progress’. Sat: Monarch, Youtopia. Tue: ‘Tribe Night’.

Rich’s, 1051 University Ave., San Diego.

Hillcrest. Wed: DJ John Joseph. Thu: DJ Moody Rudy. Fri: DJs Drew G, Moody Rudy. Sat: DJs Hektik, Luke Allen. Sun: DJs Hektik.

Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa. La Mesa. Wed: ‘Boss Jazz’ w/ Jason Hanna. Thu: Swing Thing.

Fri: Rio Peligroso. Sat: Jason Hanna and the Bullfighters.

Kona Kai Resort & Spa, 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. Shelter Island. Fri: Robin Henkel & Whitney Shay.

Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. City Heights. Wed: Entrance, Joshua Emery Blatchley. Thu: Guerilla Toss, Post Attraction, Sumatraban. Fri: Retox, Silent, Foreign Bodies. Sat: Eryn Allen Kane, Mimi Zulu, Inspired and the Sleep. Sun: Highasakite. Mon: Alive & Well, The Montell Jordans, Hard to Hit, Colour Til Monday. Tue: Xenia Rubinos, Bakkuda.

Lestat’s West , 3341 Adams Ave., Normal Heights , San Diego. Normal Heights.

Wed: The Gorgeous Boyscouts. Sat: Elise Trouw. Sun: Melissa Polinar, Justin Young.

SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. Midway. Sat: Peace in Terror, Born For War, Raw Dawg, Suntorn, Pissed Regardless, Petrichor.

The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., San Diego. Hillcrest. Fri: The Delerians, Unsteady, 2000 Tons of TNT. Sat: Sic Waiting, The Avenues, Pour Habit, Hard Fall Hearts, Old News.

Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Thu: Mojo Jackson. Sun: Deer County, Jonny Wagon.

Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave., San Diego. Kensington. Fri: Pope Virgins, Biriuk, Nein Lives, Bat Lords. Sat: Let’s Face it, Making Incredible Time, The ABortz, Hardly Human.

Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego.

Little Italy. Thu: Stanley Clarke. Fri: ‘Adam Ruins Everything Live’.

OMNIA Nightclub, 454 6th Ave, San Diego. Thu: Seeb. Fri: Markus Schulz.

Sat: Vice.

Parq, 615 Broadway, San Diego. Fri: DJ Scene. Sat: Joe Maz. Sun: Diplo.

Plaza Bar @ Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., San Diego. Downtown. Fri: Gilbert Castellanos. Sat: Allison Tucker.

Mon: Julio De La Huerta.

#SDCityBeat

Tango Del Rey, 3567 Del Rey St., San Diego. Mission Bay. Fri: The PGK Dance Project in ‘BREAKING IT DOWN’. Sat: The PGK Dance Project in ‘BREAKING IT DOWN’. Sun: The PGK Dance Project in ‘BREAKING IT DOWN’.

Til-Two Club, 4746 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. City Heights. Wed: Kiddead, Preacher vs Choir, Nikki and the Mongo, Golden Gages, D’sol, Adder. Thu: Slowdraw the Hungry Eskimo, Breaker Breaker, Beevil. Fri: The Delta Bombers, The Sleepwalkers, Rip Carson. Sat: The Art Dealers, Neurotic Mirage, Mindsail. Sun: Foodie (Japan), Skapeche Mode, Sound Lupus & Los Shadows at Til-Two Club,

Foodie, Skapeche Mode, Sound Lupus, Los Shadows.

The Tin Roof, 401 G Street, San Diego.

Gaslamp. Wed: Stacy Antonel Duo. Thu: J Liberio. Fri: Coriander. Sat: Kenny and Deez, Diana Ferrer. Tue: Chuck Prada and Israel.

Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., San Diego.

Bay Park. Thu: Mercedes Moore. Fri: Funks Most Wanted. Sat: Detroit Underground. Tue: Strange Crew.

Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., San Diego. City Heights. Thu: Black Dots, Western Settings, Vena Cava, Gentlemen Prefer Blood. Fri: Amigo, Dali’s Llama, Supersonic Dragon Wagon. Sat: Dead on the Wire, Slaughter Boys, Dead 77, Daggers.

Turquoise, 873 Turquoise St., San Diego. Pacific Beach. Wed: Tomcat Courtney. Thu: Fred Hardy, Fred Hardy. Fri: Gabby and Friends. Sat: Doug Trip, Tomcat Courtney, Salsa With Nicole. Sun: Sounds Like 4. Tue: Gypsy Caravan, Tomcat Courtney.

Ux31, 3112 University Ave., San Diego.

North Park. Fri: Bang Pow, Strat and Mouse. Sat: DJ Qenoe. Sun: ‘Reggae SD’.

Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St, San Diego.

South Park. Wed: Open Oscillator. Thu: ‘Girls Girls Girls’ w/ DJ Lizeth, ‘Girls Girls Girls’ w/ DJ Lizeth. Fri: ‘F-ing in the Bushes’ w/ DJs Daniel Sant, Rob Moran. Sat: ‘80s vs. 90s’ w/ DJs Gabe, Saul.

Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., San Diego.

Ocean Beach. Wed: Synrgy, Two Story Zori, DJ Carlos Culture. Thu: Anuhea.

Fri: The Bassics, The Green Machines, Marujah. Sat: Strangely Strange. Sun: Burlesque Sunday Tease. Mon: Electric Waste Band. Tue: The Sweet Lillies.

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 37

LAST WORDS | ADVICE

AMY ALKON

ADVICE

GODDESS Casualties of War Paint

Buddy Surfing

I dragged my boyfriend into the makeup store Sephora, and he said, “Save your money! You don’t need any of this stuff. I like you better without makeup.” Huh? Why is there a huge makeup industry when so many men say they don’t even like makeup?

—Pretty Confused

This guy and I have been friends with benefits for six months. We were casual friends for two years prior to hooking up, but we have gotten much closer since. So, can FWB things ever turn into real relationships, or did we blow our chance?

A friend of mine, bioethicist Alice Dreger, tweeted, “True story: I was on Oprah for a show about how appearance doesn’t matter and there was a whole guy tasked with doing just her eyelashes.”

A whole lot of us are in some denial about makeup. And sure, there are men who really do like women better without a drop of the stuff. And then there are those who just think they do—like the men on Reddit who posted all of these supposed “no makeup!” photos of female celebs. I particularly loved one of Jenna Jameson that a guy captioned “before all the surgeries and without makeup.” Meanwhile, tiny type below the photo lists the makeup and hair goo she actually has on.

My other favorite was one of Rihanna, who also very clearly was not sans maquillage. Guys, sorry, but cat-eye liquid eyeliner does not appear naturally on the female eye in the wild.

Biological anthropologist Douglas Jones finds that men are attracted to women with somewhat “neotenous” features—meaning somewhat baby-like ones like big eyes, full lips, a small jaw and chin, and clear skin—which correlate with health and fertility. So, basically, what we call “beauty” is evolution’s version of a street-corner sign spinner: “Genes passed on here!!! Best babies in town!!!”

In other words, makeup is fakeup—a woman’s way of making herself out to have more neotenous features and thus a higher mate value than she actually does. (The male version of this is leasing a top-of-the-line Tesla while living in a tent in Grandma’s backyard.)

So, a man will think he has an aversion to makeup, but it’s really an aversion to being deceived by it. This doesn’t mean you have to stop wearing it.

Just keep in mind that—except for special occasions and those special dudes who are into your looking like your office is a pole—men generally prefer the “natural look.” Of course, the reality is, this sort of “natural” is about an hour and a dozen products away from being “au naturel.” What ultimately matters is that you don’t look so dramatically different in makeup that when your boyfriend bumps into the barefaced you at the fridge in the wee hours, he puts his hands up and yells, “Take whatever you want; just let me live!”

—Hoping

Friends-with-benefits arrangements are, to some degree, replacing dating. Unfortunately, trying to turn an FWB thing into a relationship can be like trying to return a shirt. One you’ve worn. For a while.

You march straight up to the counter and lay the thing out. The guy at the register frowns: “Ma’am, Macy’s closed six years ago. This is Chipotle now.”

It’s helpful to understand what anthropologist Helen Fisher and her colleagues have discovered— that lust, love and attachment aren’t just emotions; they are motivational systems (ultimately for the purpose of reproduction and child rearing). Lust eventually wanes (which makes sense, because “Ohhh, baby” needs to give way to feeding the baby).

The neurochemistry behind lust “can trigger expressions of attachment,” Fisher explains. However, in men, high testosterone—in general or from having sex—“can reduce attachment.” This is probably more likely if a man has a “high baseline level of testosterone,” which is typically reflected in a strong jaw and chin, a muscular body and dominant behavior.

Because you two were friends first and seem to care about each other, maybe you can be more than sex friends. Tell him you really enjoy hanging with him, and ask whether he’d be up for more than FWB. But take the low-pressure approach: You don’t want an answer on the spot; you’d just like him to think about it.

This should make you seem less desperate and possibly let him feel like having more was his idea. If he wants less, you should probably stop seeing him—at least naked—for a while. He may end up missing you, which could energize his interest in you in a way FWB tends not to do. (They call it “the thrill of the chase,” not the thrill of “you can text any day at 2 a.m. and she’ll let you come over.”)

“

A man will think he has an aversion to makeup, but it’s really an aversion to being deceived by it.

“

38 · San Diego CityBeat · September 14, 2016

(c)2016, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved.

Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol. com (advicegoddess.com). Weekly radio show: blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon Order Amy Alkon’s book, “Good Manners For Nice People Who Sometimes Say The F-Word” (St. Martin’s Press, June 3, 2014).

#SDCityBeat

#SDCityBeat

September 14, 2016 · San Diego CityBeat · 39