Our picks of this week's events
Yes, it's Labor Day, but no, you can't leave. There's too much coolness going on
PHOTOGRAPHY
Lost toys
No one's bringing back alphabet blocks quite like John Purlia. Among the many layers in Purlia's bright, fanciful and slightly demented images, alphabet blocks are deliberately arranged in front of old photos of pinup girls, who in turn appear to be interacting with tiny plastic figurines that cavort on and around the blocks. Purlia's photos of these scenes are weird, wacky and totally original--see 'em at the opening reception of his new show, Vinyl Mysteries of the Caffeine Alphabet, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Pannikin Coffee & Tea, 7458 Girard Ave. in La Jolla. 858-454-6365 or www.johnpurlia.com.
BALBOA PARK
Vroom vroom
Parnelli Jones, Bruce Meyers, Ricky Bobby and Mark McMillin--one's a fictitious Indy 500 champion, but the other three are real superstars of off-road racing. If you knew that already, you probably know enough about the sport to get excited that the three real guys will be at the opening of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 exhibit at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. Beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, they'll be joined by Johnny Campbell, Malcolm Smith and other famous drivers to celebrate the opening of the exhibit, which features old bikes, new bikes, cars, dune buggies and more. www.sdautomuseum.org. Free.
BOOKS
Here kitty
Arden Moore has pretty much covered her bases when it comes to writing about dogs. With books like Doggy Day Care, Obesity (in Dogs), Come, Sit, Stay and Happy Dog: How Busy People Care for Their Dogs under her belt, the author has decided to move on to a completely different subject altogether--cats. Felines squint their eyes, flatten their ears and do all kinds of strange things that most owners observe but don't fully understand. Find out exactly what your cat is trying to non-verbally communicate when Moore signs her newest animal tale, The Cat Behavior Answer Book, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Warwick's Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave. in La Jolla. 858-454-0347 or www.warwicks.com.
THEATER
Flynn's flim-flam
Billy Flynn once said the world would be a different place if Jesus Christ had hired him as his defense lawyer. The thing is, he's probably right. Flynn never lost a case--and he never shied from whatever it took to keep his streak intact. If he could have gotten Jesus off, imagine what he can do for wannabe starlet Roxie Hart, who's just iced a sleazeburger in cold blood. In fact, you might have already seen him at work in Chicago, the landmark film taken from the socko Bob Fosse musical, or in 2004, when a stage version came here as part of Broadway/San Diego. If not, no worries. George Hamilton is reprising his take on Flynn just for you, as Broadway/San Diego brings Chicago back to the Civic Theatre, 202 B St., Tuesday, Sept. 4, through Saturday, Sept. 9. $19-$68. 619-570-1100 or www.broadwaysd.com.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Neighborly Love
The Habitat, Golden Hill's sweet little recording studio and intimate live-music venue, is spreading some neighborly love from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, with The Golden Hill Pop Luck, a community barbecue, potluck and showcase of local bands. Some of the best San Diego music makers, including Seasick Crocodile, Co-Star, Kite Flying Society, Bunky, Rafter and Red Pony Clock, will propel you as you groove your way through the tables of homemade grub. You have to be 21 or older to come to this free event at the corner of 21st Avenue and Broadway. www.thehabitat.info.
From paper to fashion: Abattoir was merely a cool French word meaning "slaughterhouse" until local Renaissance man Matt Fraynd, aka Kilgore Trout, started the art and literature 'zine Abattoir. Lately, it's been difficult to find a copy of the 'zine, but at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, Fraynd and friends will present Abattoir's clothing launch party at San Diego Sports Club, 1271 University Ave. in Hillcrest. Admission is $10, but a who's-who list of local DJs will make it worth your while--DJs Corey Biggs, Morgan Young, Junior, 1979 and Demon will spin the night away. www.myspace.com/abattoirclothing.
ACTIVISM
Learnin' is good
Are the best things in life really free? When it comes to sunsets and snuggles, absolutely--but what about education? Education sure makes life better, but most of the time it's pricey, which is why, if you have cash to spare, you should drop it at the City Heights Free Skool Benefit. Your donation will support art, Spanish, English, computer, gardening and other "skill-share" classes. All Free Skool offerings are, as the name implies, totally free. The benefit starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, and will include art, 'zines and snacks, plus music by Son Jarocho, Cathect!, Eve White//Eve Black and others. The City Heights Free Skool is located at 4246 Wightman St. $5. 619-528-8060 or www.cityheightsfreeskool.org.
FILM
Gore-y
Leonardo DiCaprio gets all Al Gore on us by producing and narrating The 11th Hour, his version of An Inconvenient Truth. Not quite as groundbreaking as Gore's Oscar winner, but Leo's heart is in the right place. The 11th Hour opens at La Jolla Village Cinemas, 8879 Villa La Jolla Drive, on Friday, Aug. 31. 619-819-0236 or www.landmarktheatres.com.
Inconthievable: It's actually been years since The Princess Bride swashbuckled its way into theaters. Packed full of swordfights, mawwaige, Billy Crystal, ROUSs, Andre the Giant, Wallace Shawn, a Wonder Years-era Fred Savage, true love and a ridiculous number of quotable lines, Rob Reiner's classic shows up in high-def at Cinema Under the Stars, 4040 Goldfinch St. in Mission Hills, Thursday, Aug. 30, through Sunday, Sept. 2, at 8:30 p.m. Sweet factoid: The guy Mandy Patinkin plans to kill ("My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.") is a pre-Waiting for Guffman Christopher Guest. Hit www.topspresents.com for details, and show up early for a sweet anti-gravity chair. 619-295-4221.
Published: 08/28/2007
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT