Our picks of this week's events
A guy who swallows swords, an MC from the Middle East and more.
ART
Getting pictured
District 117 is a gallery that typically shows contemporary urban art, but it’s going photographic for the first time with its upcoming, aptly named exhibition, 1st Juried Photography Art Show District 117, in which 20 talented international photographers will be battling it out for the juror’s choice award. The show’s more than 50 international digital and film photographs are on view at both District 117 (1425 University Ave., Suite B) and Bamboo Lounge (1475 University Ave. in Hillcrest). The jury decision will be announced during the reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. www.district117gallery.com or 619-269-9178.
Between building: Thom Heileson isn’t interested in beginnings or endings—he’s all about the in-betweens. From construction sites to demolition sites, Heileson’s camera and video lenses capture scenes in various states of transition. The results are caught somewhere between representation and abstraction. For Ghost Space, his exhibition opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Luis De Jesus Seminal Projects (2040 India St. in Little Italy), Heileson will show his photography and digital works, as well as “Free Dissociation,” a video work created in collaboration with sound artist Wyndel Hunt. Also in the gallery is Big Beaver, an exhibition by San Diego architect and artist Chris Puzio, who’ll be presenting sculptural prototypes. www.seminalprojects.com or 619-696-9699.
LECTURES
Devine design
Advocates of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution tend to think conservative Christians are still living the Middle Ages. Likewise, many Bible-thumpers probably find it blasphemous that evolution’s believers are rejecting the decree of their Big Guy in the Sky. While the science-vs.-religion debate rages, the Rev. Michael Dowd, an author and evolutionary evangelist, claims to have found a progressive solution, which is explained in his book Thank God for Evolution! He’s not the first to explore this kind of thing, but with several Nobel laureates backing his logic, he just might have both God and science on his team. Dowd presents “Revival,” a talk based on the findings in his book, at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front St. in Hillcrest. Free. www.thankgodforevolution.com.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Take out
Unlike San Francisco or New York, San Diego isn’t blessed with a well-demarcated Chinatown. We do, however, have Convoy Street, home to some of the best Chinese restaurants, teahouses and markets in the city. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, Silk Road Productions and Louis Hung will drag the somewhat hidden culture to the surface of San Diego with Tickle the Moon, a Chinese New Year celebration featuring art by Fernando Apodaca, performances by Jane Lui, Karmen Guy, the Shimmy Sisters, the Choy Lee Fut Lion Dancers and a 10-course Cantonese-style meal. The event is going down at Jasmine Restaurant, 4609 Convoy St. in Kearny Mesa. Tickets start at $55 and can be purchased at www.ticklethemoon.com.
We heart you: Yes, it’s really just another holiday co-opted by our marketing-driven culture, but Valentine’s Day is likely here to stay, so it’s time you quit being the grumpy dissenter and start getting into the whole hearts-and-flowers thing. CityBeat will be getting down with cupid from 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at The Witherby (526 Market St., Downtown) for the second annual Buy Me Love Benefits Puppy Love Party, a singles auction benefiting the San Diego Humane Society. If you’re not brave enough to buy a date, you can kick it low-key and enjoy hosted red and white wine and appetizers. An after-party downstairs at Side Bar will follow. $35 and up. www.buymelovebenefits.com.
MUSIC
Not dead yet
The Applebrown Jazz Ensemble is a much-needed heart defibrillator for the local jazz scene. Not that the scene is in full cardiac arrest, but we haven’t heard a group as whimsical and deliciously experimental as Applebrown in—hmm, we can’t even remember. Headed up by saxophonist/composer Gabriel Sundy, the group will make its premiere appearance at Dizzy’s, which is currently located in The San Diego Wine and Culinary Center (200 Harbor Drive, Downtown) at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. $10. www.myspace.com/gabrielsundy.
NIGHTLIFE
Mid-East MCs
Israel’s top-selling hip-hop crew, Subliminal and the T.A.C.T. All-Stars, are likely tougher than even the most thuggie U.S. rappers. Nobody would argue that growing up in an American ghetto isn’t difficult, but in comparison with being raised in the war-torn Middle East (T.A.C.T. stands for Tel Aviv City Team), even South Central seems pretty tame. Although Subliminal’s alleged Zionist, pro-military stance is controversial for its support of Israel in its conflicts with Palestinians, his undeniable skills on the mic have led to collaborations with Wyclef Jean and Killah Priest, as well as an opening slot for 50 Cent during a show in Israel. Subliminal and T.A.C.T. perform with fellow Israeli musicians Coolooloosh and folk-rock singer Michelle Citrin at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown. $12.50-$17.50. www.hob.com.
PERFORMANCE
Um. Wow.
CityBeat once saw Murrugun the Mystic bend and then break a fork with his mind. Seriously—right in front of our eyes, he made matter do mystical things. At 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Lestat’s Coffee House (3343 Adams Ave. in Normal Heights), Mr. Mystic will be doing things like, oh, you know, swallowing swords, eating fire and glass, laying on a bed of swords and yogi flossing, a trick normally practiced in India by folks who train their entire lifetime. You might have crossed paths with Murrugun the Mystic at one of his improvised street performances at Ray at Night, but this will be his first solo show in more than a year. He’s been working on some new stuff, so be prepared to be possibly grossed out, but most definitely blown away. $6. www.myspace.com/murrugun.
Published: 02/12/2008
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