Our picks of this week's events
From Urban Trees to books about murders in Amish country, we've got this city's cultural happenings covered
WORKSHOPS
Bead big
Local jewelry designer Denise Bonaimo makes quirky/cool pieces that include everything from bracelets made of bingo placeholders to necklaces inspired by the Dead Sea Scrolls. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Colosseum Fine Arts (2400 Kettner Blvd., Suite F, in Little Italy) Bonaimo presents Frankenstein’s Jewelry Lab, a workshop that’ll leave even the most inexperienced participant with a handmade piece of wearable art. Attendees are encouraged to bring in trinkets, charms, baubles, random found objects, broken necklaces and orphaned earrings, plus pliers and cutters. The rest of the materials will be provided. $30. www.colosseumfinearts.com or 619-795-3704.
ART
Outside art
San Diego isn’t a city known for its cutting-edge public art. For evidence, see “Unconditional Surrender,” the ugly giant sculpture of the sailor kissing a nurse at the G Street Mole. That said, the Port of San Diego’s Urban Trees program, depending on which tree you’re looking at, can be pretty cool. At 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, the Port will celebrate the unveiling of the most recent trees in Urban Trees 5 at the Cruise Ship Terminal, 1140 North Harbor Drive. Meet the 31 artists who made trees this time around, including Joey Vaiasuso, Tom Roberts and Robert Verhees, while enjoying family activities and fresh air. www.portofsandiego.org/publicart or 619-686-6200.
By choice: The jury process can be grueling for both artist and juror. Typically, a ton of art is submitted and the juror has to whittle the selection down to a small percentage of the submissions, sometimes passing over some really good pieces. Jurors Deborah Klochko of the Museum of Photographic Art and Robin Clark of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego just went through the process for the 17th Annual Juried Exhibition at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., in La Jolla. The two have settled on 39 artists, including Joseph Bennett, Marie Najera, Brenda York and Philip Petrie, whose work will be on view at the Athenaeum through Aug. 30. The show will open with a wine-and-cheese reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, and those who attend the Aug. 28 A List Members Choice event will get to vote on first, second and third prize. www.ljathenaeum.org or 858-454-5872.
MUSIC
Month of melody
The La Jolla Music Society kicks off SummerFest, an annual month-long celebration of classical music, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, with a new arrangement by Julian Milone of Astor Piazolla’s composition “Death of an Angel,” plus performances by such SummerFest faves as pianist Garrick Ohlsson and violinist Cho-Liang Lin. If you can’t make the opening, look out for the newly added free outdoor concert, SummerFest Under the Stars, on Aug. 14 and the Evening with Leon Fleisher show on Aug. 20. $40-$60. www.ljms.org or 858-459-3728.
The end: Joshua Nelson gives Jewish liturgical music the soul it never knew it needed. As a black Jewish man, Nelson grew up listening to the traditional synagogue stuff, and then he heard the soulful sounds of the “Queen of Gospel” herself, Mahalia Jackson, and he was officially a convert. Now Nelson tours the world as one of the only purveyors of what he calls “kosher gospel.” At 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, Nelson closes out this year’s San Diego Jewish Music Festival at the Lawrence Family Community Jewish Center, 4126 Executive Drive in La Jolla. $24. www.lfjcc.org or 858-362-1348.
NIGHTLIFE
Lesbian life
FlawLes, the website that provides essential who’s-who and what’s-what news for San Diego’s lesbian community, has expanded into the print realm. From 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at Universal (1202 University Ave., Hillcrest), the lovely ladies behind the modern-day-lesbian movement will celebrate the new magazine with DJs, tap dancers and other outside-the-box entertainment. www.flawles.com.
BOOKS
Amish skirmish
Local author Ron Yeakley grew up in an Amish settlement in Pennsylvania. Yeakley’s Amish-insider status makes Death Takes a Buggy Ride, his book about the murder of an Amish man and the ensuing love mystery, an insightful read that’ll educate you about the Amish traditions and beliefs while keeping you guessing about the who and why of the murder the whole time. Hear Yeakley read from his book at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at the Encinitas Library Community Room, 820 E St. 760-753-7376.
SPORTS
Sand soldiers
As you may or may not know, CityBeat’s official stance on Crocs—those plastic clogs that are selling like crazy and supporting the Republican Party (one of Bush’s fund-raisers was held at the Croc CEO’s house)—is that the shoes are both aesthetically and ethically offensive. We’re willing to put the Croc sponsorship aside and head out to Mariner’s Point on West Mission Bay Drive for the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Crocs Slam starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday Aug. 1, and running through Sunday, Aug. 3. Why? Beach volleyball is fun to watch, both for the explosive spikes and the hot volleyball beach bods. $20-$40. www.avp.com or 310-426-8000.
THEATER
Musical madness
The trippy tale of Alice and her magical Wonderland is retold by local composer Jon Lorenz in Alice, a modern-day musical set to open at the East County Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Main St. in El Cajon at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Produced by the Christian Community Musical Theater and starring local folks like Brad Davis and Sean O’Donnell of the rock band Reeve Oliver, and Dallas McLaughlin, FM 94/9 deejay and founder of the hilarious sketch-comedy troupe The Geese, the show is about a hip high-school girl who’s at the stage in life when questioning, exploring and wondering are the norm. Expect original music, beautiful imagery and contemporary dance choreographed by Jason Russell of local nonprofit Invisible Children. $17-$33. www.cctmusicaltheater.com or 619-58-0206.
Published: 07/29/2008
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