Dynamic Duo
Art
Let it stain!
If the painting and collage style in the works of CJ Stain’s Paper Wreckage show looks familiar, there’s a reason. CJ Stain is the new alias of San Diego artists Carla Naden and Janelle Carter, and Naden is part of an artist duo known as Mulletpony, which has displayed its abrasive “art hybrid” works everywhere from the Art of Framing Gallery to Whistle Stop Bar. From 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 18, CJ Stain will unveil new works at The Linkery (3794 30th St. in North Park) with an artist reception that will include drink and food specials. www.mulletpony.com.
Politics
Mad as hell
In 2007, U.S. Attorney David Iglesias was fired. For most people, getting canned isn’t newsworthy, but when you’re one of nine U.S. Attorneys fired within days of one another, it tends to get some attention. It even happened here in San Diego, where Carol Lam also got the boot from President Bush. But unlike Lam, Iglesias, who served in New Mexico, has been a vocal critic of the events that led to his firing, and he even wrote a book about the scandal. At 7 p.m. on Monday, April 20, at the Price Center East Ballroom at UCSD, Iglesias will deliver a lecture centered on these events titled “Do the Right Thing: When Good Institutions Do Bad Things.” Free.
Dance
Cohen, choreographed
If the ticket price for Leonard Cohen’s recent concert in San Diego was too rich for your blood, here’s another way to publicly appreciate his music: At 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, and at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, Malashock Dance will present Shadow of Mercy, a dance-theater performance set to Cohen’s music. Malashock, a troupe of 10 dancers, describes the show as one that combines “skill and grace with acrobatics and acting for an unparalleled evening of storytelling.” It takes place at the Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive in La Jolla. Friday’s performance is discounted at $18 to $28 ($14 for students); otherwise, it’s $20 to $32 ($16 students). 619-260-1622, www.malashockdance.org.
Fashion
No boys allowed
Christie’s Boutique in Mission Hills totally gets that you’re short on time but big on a desire to support local retailers. That’s why from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, the women’s clothing store hosts Girls Nights In, during which Christie’s will feature new spring lines (like Sweden’s fab Odd Molly). Makeup and skincare experts from Little Italy’s Be Beauty boutique will be on-hand to help you make your face pretty, and the owner of Stephanie’s Shoes in La Jolla will work the foot-level scene. Plus, Conchita Ramirez will display her delicate bead-and-leather handmade jewelry. The event is free and includes wine, Champagne and appetizers, plus gift bags for the first 50 attendees. 928 Fort Stockton Drive, 619-692-3802. www.christiesboutique.com.
Multimedia
Techno troupe
It’s hard to believe that a little group of circus performers have made their backyard shows successful enough to be going strong after a decade, but that’s exactly what Technomania Circus has pulled off. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, the cast of performers play under an “Everything Goes” theme that appeals to families, indie cats and theater geeks alike. Highlights include a human jukebox that can perform 5,000 different songs, a death-metal tuba band and illusions and comedy galore. They’re also welcoming back past performers to keep with the retrospective vibe. It happens at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18 at the Center for the Amusing Arts (2428 Commercial St. in Logan Heights), with a kids performance at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18. $10. 619-231-1950, www.technomaniacircus.com.
Books
On the rocks
Usually, reading books about rocks and minerals sounds about as exciting as bingo night with grandma. But there’s a reason that everyone from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to The Washington Post is raving about Tom Zoellner’s Uranium: War, Energy, and the Rock that Shaped the World. In enlightening and entertaining prose, the author explains that without uranium, we wouldn’t have split the atom. Without an isotope of this unique element, world leaders wouldn’t have the ability to destroy life as we know it just because they don’t like the peas served at the welcome banquet. Then again, without uranium, we wouldn’t have the potential to power whole cities from one relatively small plant. Zoellner will discuss the pros and cons at 7 p.m. on Thursday April 16, at The Book Works, 2670 Via De La Valle in Del Mar. Free. www.book-works.com.
Special Events
From busk to dawn
Nothing gets the spring season kicked off like some good, old-fashioned sword-swallowing, stilt-walking and fire-eating, right? Well, it would seem a normal rite at the third annual Seaport Village Spring Busker Festival. From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, witness every possible type of street performance worth your coin and give them your nod for the festival’s best act in the public voting. For the first time, the Buskers After Dark event on Saturday keeps things going into night, with music, dining and shopping from 7 to 10 p.m. for the 18-and-older set. Free. 849 W. Harbor Drive. 619-235-4014, www.seaportvillage.com/busker.
Music
Spin the black circle
With the rise of big-box stores and the increased availability of online music during the past decade, Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 as a way to celebrate our country’s finest independent music retailers. This year, two of the area’s most respected spots are giving us more incentive to get out and buy some music. At 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18, M-Theory Records (915 W. Washington St. in Mission Hills) opens its sidewalk sale, followed by in-store performances from Maren Parusel, The Silent Comedy, Anya Marina and Dramarama, plus a foosball tournament with the dudes from Menomena and, on cash-register duty, Pall Jenkins and Jimmy LaValle. Also at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Lou’s Records (434 N. Coast Hwy. 101 in Encinitas) offers a $5 tent sale and DJ sets throughout the day from Greaser, Adrian Demain, Eric Castaneda, Mike Keneally and more. Check websites for updates and full schedules. www.mtheorymusic.com and www.lousrecords.com. Free.
