San Diego Unseen: An Urban Portrait
Godel by hallie Chavis
Art
Algebraawesome: It’s been 12 years since director Darren Aronofsky changed the way we think about math with Pi, his cinematic examination of the mythology, beauty, mania and intrigue of theoretical mathematics. Twelfth graders at High Tech High Media Arts School are finding new ways to reveal the mystery of math in their senior projects, which cover topics ranging from predicting traffic jams to Galileo’s battle with the Catholic Church. And, like Aronofsky, they, too, are fascinated with pi, the Fibonacci sequence and madness. Their multimedia works— sound video, photography, installation—will be exhibited in the show, Illuminated Mathematics, at Sushi Performance and Visual Art (390 11th Ave., Downtown) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. It’s certainly the coolest math fair we’ve ever heard of. Free. margaretnoble.net/educator/math
For everyone: The
artists in Plastik Circus exist to make art more accessible. The SDSU
students formed the art collective with the desire to eliminate the
“pretentious stigma” associated with the fine-art world. Artists like
Ben Liddi, who makes fine art with spray paint, and Jack Stricker, who
uses his serious painterly skills to animate subjects as diverse as
lonely old men to a 40-ouncer of beer, are among the artists in the
group, which will help Alexander Salazar open his new art-auction house at 1040 Seventh Ave., Downtown. The grand opening starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, followed by a preview of the auction beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and a live auction starting at 6 p.m. sharp. alexandersalazarfineart.com
Comedy
Funny lady: Maybe you’re responsible for one of the more than 30 million hits on comedian Anjelah Johnson’s YouTube video “Nail Salon,” in which she re-enacts a visit to the nail salon with hilarious accuracy. Or maybe you’ve seen her on MADtv, where she spawned yet another viral hit, “Bon Qui Qui,” playing a fast-food worker with a serious crazy streak. Johnson has dabbled in acting (you can see her in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and Our Family Wedding), but she continues to tour with her stand-up act like any self-respecting comedian would. On Saturday, Dec. 18, she’ll do two performances at Pala Casino’s Event Center (one at 7:30 p.m. and one at 10:30). We can only hope “Bon Qui Qui” and “Tammy the Nail Salon Lady” make appearances. $25. palacasino.com, anjelahnicolejohnson.com
Food & Drink
Drink, drank, drunk: Hillcrest, you’re brilliant. Get people soused while they shop? Fantastic! At Hillcrest Taste n’ Tinis, happening from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, you’ll be given a map to 15 local retailers who’ll mix up holiday-themed cocktails for you to enjoy while you shop and 25 restaurants that’ll serve samples of their cuisine. Participants include Babycakes, Bangkok Thai, Flash backs, Bamboo, The Tractor Room, Village Hat Shop, Cathedral and Twirl. Once you’re good and toasted and laden with shopping bags, head over to the will call booth for complimentary gift-wrapping. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day-of. To sample the cocktails, you must be at least 21. fabuloushillcrest.com
Holiday
Tasty competition: For last year’s first-ever Gingerbread Collective, the Bankers Hill home-design firm Arclinea invited local architects to create eye-popping gingerbread houses, showing off the results for the public and raising thousands of dollars for the local charity Second Chance. This year, Arclinea points its challenge to local chefs—from Cucina Urbana, Bali Hai, Stone Brewing and more—who’ve been asked to create dishes and beverages inspired by gingerbread. For $20 (which again will benefit Second Chance), you get five food/drink tickets, two raffle tickets and a chance to vote for your favorite recipe at the taste-off from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Arclinea’s showroom, 2515 Fifth Ave. There’ll also be a canned-food drive, so please bring a can or two. You can check out Arclinea’s event page on Facebook.
She’s crafty: The quality of local shopping events this holiday season’s been rather awesome, with plenty of chances to buy handmade goods from crafty county folks. One more won’t hurt, especially since it’s happening a mere nine days before gift-giving day. From 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, stop by the North Park Craft Mafia’s Last Minute Holiday Shopping Event at one of our fave new eateries, El Take It Easy (3926 30th St. in North Park). The Craft Mafia is a collective of talented ladies who, a few years ago, lit a fire under the local DIY movement. Show ’em some love while you sip a calimocho, munch on empanadas and browse through locally made jewelry, art and accessories. sandiegonorthparkcraftmafia.com
Film
Riversong: It’s not often that you get a remix of something before the original version actually comes out. But that’s the case with Flood Tide: Remixed, a preview of sorts for the upcoming indie film that follows a group of artists traveling down the Hudson River in monstrous boat creations amid the 2008 energy crisis. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s La Jolla’s location (700 Prospect St.) was one of the few venues chosen for this special event, which mixes live music from indie folk act Dark Dark Dark, whose members star in the film, with exclusive footage from the boat trip. The film will screen at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 16 and 17. $20. floodtidefilm.com
Dance
New blood: It’s great to see talented young people who are extremely driven and, even better, someone giving them a chance to shine. Jean Isaacs, San Diego Dance Theater’s artistic director, along with a panel of experts, chose 11 finalists out of 46 submissions to compete for the San Diego Young Choreographers Prize. Many of the choreographers are recent college graduates working with local dance companies like Malashock Dance and Eveoke Dance Theater. At 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at The Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla, the choreographers will perform their work, and then a panel of local dance and art patrons (with a little help from the audience) will choose the winner. $20 includes a post-performance reception. sandiegodancetheater.org.
Want your event to be considered? Email carissac@sdcitybeat.com.
