NOV. 19 - NOV. 26: Our picks of this week's events

ART

Into the spotlight

Local graffiti artist, painter and tattoo artist Sergio Hernandez isn’t very good at self promotion. He doesn’t have a website (although we’re told he’s working on one), and even though he’s shown his artwork around the world, he’d never tell you so. Hernandez’s second solo show at Planet Rooth Studios Gallery (3811 Ray St. in North Park) opens from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. We had to do some scouring, but we finally found some information, on Hernandez’s older brother’s blog, about what kind of work you might see at the show. According to the blog post, the artist often paints his experiences and memories of growing up in La Mesa and visiting extended family in Tijuana. About one of his paintings, “Saturday Morning in Tijuana ’82,” Hernandez says, “I tried to portray what it felt like going to Tijuana to visit the family on the weekends when we were little. I remember ninjas were awesome and Bruce Lee was the shit. I also remember random dangerous holes and cracks in the ground. Paleteros. The stories of [our brother] Gaston being like the local dog whisperer. I also included Gramma Esperanza in her lime green pants.” Sounds like the guy’s got some experiences worth painting, no? www.rayatnight.com, 619-297-9663.

Doing things: If you missed the opening of Movers and Shakers—a big show at Art Expressions Gallery that was billed as featuring portraits of some of San Diego’s most active and important cultural figures, painted by some of San Diego’s most well-known artists—don’t stress; you have the chance to see a few of the movers and shakers in Who Do You Love?, a show opening from 8 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at L Street Fine Art (628 L St., Downtown). Critics have called the idea behind Movers and Shakers “self indulgent” and “out of touch with reality,” but with Who Do You Love?, the curators have responded by inviting and encouraging attendees to view some of the best portraits created for Movers and Shakers, then perhaps commission an artist to do a portrait of someone they know and love. Hopefully, people leave with the feeling that everyone deserves to be immortalized as art. www.lstreetfineart.com.

DESIGN

Mid-century madness

If you, like everyone else we know, have caught the mid-century-modern bug, you’ll want to head up to the Del Mar Fairgrounds’ Bing Crosby Hall for The Century of Style Antiques and Design Show. From Eames-inspired chairs to kitschy kitchen illustrations from the ’50s, the show will bring together more than 100 exhibitors including LA Modernism, Objects USA and 20th Century Antiques, for an all-out, three-day display of arts and crafts, mid-century-modern design, art nouveau and art deco. The show opens with a special preview gala ($40 to $60) at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, and continues from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23. $8. www.centuryofstyle.com, 626-791-8310.

SPOKEN WORD

From Dark to light

Spoken-word performance artist Kimberly Dark isn’t afraid of a thing. She talks about sex, body image and whatever else is on her strong-willed, feminist mind. We’d quote her and give you a little taste, but her words really should be heard, not read—such is the art of the spoken-word performer. Dark will be at Eveoke Dance Theatre (2811 University Ave. in North Park) at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, to celebrate the release of her new spoken-word CD, Location is Everything. $5. www.kimberly dark.com, 619-708-8115.

FILM

Secrets of the Salton

The documentary Plaques & Pleasures on the Salton Sea really couldn’t have been narrated by anyone but the King of Trash himself, John Waters. Who else could talk about a half-crazed Hungarian revolutionary, a failing hole-in-the-wall cafe, a failed resort town, tons of rotting fish and a guy who built a mountain-like shrine to God? No one. The doc investigates the social and environmental impacts of what happens when you try to build a lake and a community in the middle of the desert. It’s a good one, made even better by Waters’ commentary, and it screens at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. Director Chris Metzler will attend and is open to a post-screening Q&A. $6 to $8. www.saltonseadoc.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Sushi’s home

A victim of Downtown redevelopment in 2004, Sushi Performance and Visual Art is finally returning to its roots. The new ground-floor art and performance space is located at 11th Avenue and J Street and fills 6,000 square feet. Sushi will put the big new space to good use if their exciting-looking “2009 Inaugural Season Back Home” is any indication. The official grand-opening celebration is from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, and features Beyond Theory, an exhibition of paintings, videos and installations. Additionally, six artists whose work reflects the contemporary art scene in Serbia will perform and/or discuss their work. The show will be on view through Dec. 20, and the artists and curator will be in residence at the new space for 10 days following the opening. $20. www.sushiart.org, 619-235-8466.

COMEDY

Pink-slip party

Comedians Kitty Martini and Candice Reed are capitalizing on the faltering economy. The two self-proclaimed “anti-career experts” are running a blog (jobs4your firedass.wordpress.com), working on a book about being fired and, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Carlsbad Village Theatre (2822 State St.) starring in a live stand-up comedy show, Thank You for Firing Me. The show is described by organizers as “comic relief for the working world and those worried about being downsized, laid-off, fired or pink slipped.” Martini and Reed will be joined by Malibu Mike, who’ll be playing Dick Tator, the idiot boss who fires everyone in sight. $18-$22. www.after5comedy.com.