San Diego Unseen: An Urban Portrait
“Everything I’ve Seen” by Mike Maxwell
Art
Letting go: Artist Mike Maxwell’s blue-faced historical figures have successfully infiltrated the San Diego landscape. They pop up in Downtown murals, album covers and T-shirts, and we recently spotted one painted on a guitar. People dig what he does so much that he could probably do the same thing for the rest of his career. But Maxwell has a curious, explorative mind, and we’re not surprised that he’s been experimenting with abstraction and a looser painting technique for his upcoming solo show, Extra Sensory: New Works by Mike Maxwell, opening from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Subtext (2479 Kettner Blvd. in Little Italy). Expect to see elements of Maxwell’s more recognizable style, but be ready to witness the transition. subtextgallery.com
Room to roam: Quint Contemporary Art is one of San Diego’s arts-scene gems, exhibiting the latest work by young up-and-comers like Kelsey Brookes as well as career retrospectives by beloved talents like Kim MacConnel. From 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Quint will open its new exhibition space with Behind What it’s in Front Of, featuring paintings by John McLaughlin and sculpture and video by Roy McMakin. Conceived of by McMakin, the show is his homage—and response—to McLaughlin’s minimalist works created in the ’60s and ’70s. Quint’s new space is at 7547 Girard Ave. in La Jolla and, if you’ve packed into one of the gallery’s openings in the past, you’ll be happy to hear that the new spot is almost double the size of the former. quintgallery.com
Dance
Emerging trends: Is it just us, or has there been a rise in local dance performances showcasing the choreography of emerging dancers? It ain’t easy being an aspiring choreographer, so we’re glad to see the trend. At 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Pacific Beach Middle School (4676 Ingraham St.), California Ballet Company presents the 2011 Choreographer’s Concert, a forum for its dancers to explore their own choreography and for other artists in town to put together original works. The performance features Amanda Daly, Carlo Di Dio and Bernadette Torres of California Ballet and Michael Mizerany of Malashock Dance. $15-$25. californiaballet.org
Film
Short-movie frenzy: Admit it, you’ve always wanted to attend a world premiere. Well, there probably won’t be paparazzi or even a red carpet, but on Saturday, May 21, two San Diego filmmakers will debut their new work. At 6 p.m. at U-31 (3112 University Ave. in North Park), JT Bruce will show Strange Matter, a 20-minute, postapocalyptic short that swings between live action and gorgeous animation. Then, at 7:45 p.m., at the Calit2 theater on the UCSD campus, former CityBeat inteJay Drose will premiere The southern Question, a drama about a musician’s manager who’s agonizing over what to do with his client’s posthumous work. That screening will be preceded by an hour or so of snacks, drinks and socializing. Which one should you see? If you drive fast, you can catch them both. strangemattermovie.com, jaydrose.com
Special Events
Bike time: When’s the last time you rode a bicycle? If the answer is more than a year ago, then it’s simply been too long. On Friday, May 20, as part of Bike to Work Day, a whole lot of people will put down their car keys, strap on their helmets and ride their bikes to work. You should be among them. No matter where you are in the county, there’ll be pit stops along the way where you can refuel with snacks, drinks, bike tune-ups and bike-related prizes (from 6 to 9 a.m.). As for the ride home, you’re on your own. Visit icommutesd.com for a list of pit stops so you can plan your trip. While you’re there, register to be eligible for prizes.
FAQ you: “It started at the grungiest, dirtiest bar in San Diego, and it became this rough and tumble trivia night, with lots of chair throwing and yelling,” quizmaster Kipper Schauer recently told the Mountain Xpress about his Asheville, N.C.-based hipster pub quiz, “Kipper’s Totally Rad Trivia Night.” He started it in 2005 at Scolari’s Office, until the bar closed, then moved it to Whistle Stop Bar (2236 fern St. in South Park). A couple years ago, Schauer left for the semi-deep South and handed off the reins—but this week, as part of the bar’s 10th anniversary celebration, Kipper’s back as guest host. The special, extra-rowdy edition of Whistle Stop Pop Culture Trivia Night starts at 9 p.m. Monday, May 23. It costs $2 per player (five per team, max). whistlestopbar.com
Performance
Back at the farm: Located just north of the Mexican border, in the Tijuana Estuary, is Wild Willow Farm (2550 Sunset Ave.), where the aim is simple: Grow organic food for the local market using sustainable practices. At 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21, the Mid-City Propagators—an artist / farmer collaborative that includes David Krimmel, whose WhEAThaRvesT public-art project has been nominated for a 2011 San Diego Architectural Foundation Orchid—present A Watershed Tale. Employing papier-maché puppets, stilt-walking and song, performers will tell a good-versus-evil tale of a farm, its plants and animals. A potluck follows at 5:30 p.m.; if you’d like to stick around, bring something to share, plus your own utensils and a plate. Admission is a $10 donation to the Wild Willow Farm & Education Center. wildwillowfarm.sandiegoroots.org
Books/Community
Reef rules: Shaun Tomson is a modern-day, South African, surfing Moses. Instead of ascending Mt. Sinai and returning with 10 commandments, Tomson rode his board into the world’s largest waves and returned with 12 lessons that he published in his book Surfer’s Code. They include the wisdom to never fight a riptide and to surf a wave every day, even if only in one’s mind. First among them is: “I will never turn my back on the ocean.” Coast-lovers can keep that pledge at the Cardiff State Beach Clean Up at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21.To follow it up, Tomson will present a free slide show and sign copies of his book at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 22. Both free events are at the Cardiff-by-the-Sea branch of Patagonia (2185 San Elijo Ave.). patagonia.com/cardiff
