Our picks of this week's events
Houses built of books, hi-tech projects by high-tech kids and more
BOOKS
Fantasy island
Since self-publishing his Starchild series in the early ’90s, author and illustrator James A. Owen has become a sensation among collectors of graphic novels and fantasy-tinged literature. His most recent creation is the Imaginarium Geographica trilogy, a collection of Tolkien-esque novels. Heady stuff for sure, but the D&D set should be mighty pleased with the author’s allusive style and intensely detailed drawings. Owen will sign and discuss the latest book in the trilogy, The Search for the Red Dragon, at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at Mysterious Galaxy Books, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 302, in Clairemont. www.myst eriousgalaxy.com or 858-268-4747. Free.
Weird workshops: Is your predictable postmodern existence slowly killing you? Let go of logic at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, and spend An Evening of Shamanism with author Katie Weatherup at Tree of Life Metaphysical Books and Gifts, 4870 Santa Monica Ave. in Ocean Beach. Weatherup will cover all things Shamanic, including spirit guides and power animals, techniques, healing practices and how the philosophy can be applied to the modern Western world. www.treeoflife store.com. $10.
WORKSHOPS
Bark like a dog
We all know a friend of a friend who quit smoking through hypnosis—now it’s your turn to test your own skepticism. From 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, medical hypnosis specialists Greg Turner and Lynn Whitmire will be offering free hypnotherapy sessions to help you keep your New Year’s resolution to kick that nasty habit. You risk nothing by trying it, save for perhaps barking like a dog every time someone claps hands. The event is happening at 810 Emerald St. in Pacific Beach. Call ahead for reservations. 858-270-5756 or 619-788-6909. Free.
COMEDY
Stand-up guys
Everybody knows that nothing makes you feel better than laughing hysterically. Of course, you can sit on your duff and chuckle at reruns of Beavis and Butthead, but you’d be better served by checking out Laugh for Recovery on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Belly Up Tavern, 143 South Cedros Ave. in Solana Beach. The show, hosted by nonprofit Mental Health Systems Inc., features local comedian Dat Phan, winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, along with Kenny Kane and several other funnymen. Proceeds go to services for mentally ill patients and recovering addicts, so you’ll be busting a gut for the well-being of others. The show starts at 8 p.m., and pre-sale tickets are available for $25. www.bellyup.com or 858-573-2600.
ART
Place to think
Plato’s allegory of the cave is the first bit of Philosophy 101 that might pop into your head when viewing Portland artist Aaron T. Stephan’s sculptures. Made completely of discarded books from across New England, Stephan makes small house-like structures that have surprising curves and intimate interior space perfect for, oh, say, reading a book. The irony, of course, is that the books are instead being used for the basic human need of providing shelter, which must be met before one can leave Plato’s dark cave of ignorance in exchange for a more enlightened existence of experience and knowledge. Stephan’s piece “Building Houses/Hiding Under Rocks” will open with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Quint Contemporary Art, 7739 Fay Ave. in La Jolla. www.quintgallery.com or 858-454-3409.
TECHNOLOGY
The kids
What the hell are kids up to these days? Have computers and video games completely muddled their brains yet? It’s easy to worry, bitch and moan about them, but the truth is, the kids seem OK. From 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, join the High Tech High Media Arts inaugural class, a group of 22 tech-savvy kids whose senior projects include photo and sound essays, documentaries and video installations examining issues most college students still don’t quite understand. From the underground cultures of raving and graffiti to the larger-scale issues of water shortages and youth activism, the pieces will probably leave you thinking that at least these kids are more than just OK. The opening will be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Downtown, 1001 Kettner Blvd. www.hightechhigh.org.
FILM
Rock the Ken
If you got a kick out of last year’s Control, the black-and-white biopic of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, you should hit Landmark’s Ken Cinema, 4061 Adams Ave. in Kensington Saturday, Jan. 5, at midnight (well, Saturday night, but, technically, Sunday at midnight) for Michael Winterbottom’s 24 Hour Party People, the strange post-modern take on Joy Division manager Tony Wilson and his exploits in putting together Factory Records. No one makes films quite like Winterbottom, who constantly breaks down the fourth wall as he lets Wilson—played by comedian Steve Coogan—narrate his own story, interspersing it with real concert footage. The midnight one-off inaugurates a short music-oriented film series at the Ken that will include This is Spinal Tap, Stop Making Sense, A Hard Day’s Night and our favorite, Tom Waits’ Big Time. And, if 24 Hour Party People isn’t quite enough rock ’n’ roll for you, turn it into a double-feature; the Ken’s main attraction at the time is Kurt Cobain: About a Son (for more on that, turn to Page 22). 619-819-0236 or www.landmarkthe atres.com.
MUSIC
Black and blue
Many musicians might sing about the blues, but only a select number can portray them with any honesty or credibility. Growing up as a black woman before the civil-rights movement, Jeannie Cheatham has a lifetime’s worth of hardships and triumphs to touch upon, lending an authenticity to her music that is hard to duplicate. UCSD’s Geisel Library opens a retrospective of her work at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, with Jeannie and friends reading chapters from her memoir, Meet Me with Your Black Drawers On, followed by a performance of her best-known songs. The exhibit will be on view through Jan. 31. artslib.ucsd.edu or 858-534-8074. Free.
Published: 01/01/2008
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