Reports from the scene

Locals Only

Two prominent musicians have confirmed that they’re moving to Northern California. Jimmy LaValle (The Album Leaf) and Emily Neveu (singer and guitarist of Calico Horse) will be leaving within the next month for Santa Cruz and San Francisco, respectively. Although it seems likely that Calico Horse will end (the band has no more shows scheduled, and bassist Dave Pettijohn and drummer Tom Peart aren’t moving as of yet), Neveu says that, for now, the band will “play it by ear” and possibly play some shows in the future.

LaValle, who’s never lived anywhere but San Diego, said his move to Santa Cruz is likely temporary. “My wife has been accepted into the social documentation master’s program at UC Santa Cruz,” he said in an e-mail interview from Iceland, where he’s finishing the new Album Leaf record, set for release in early 2010. “The plan is to move back, but we’ll see what happens after she graduates.”

LaValle also says his touring band, which consists mostly of San Diegans, will remain intact and that the move will be productive from a creative standpoint. “Most definitely. They’re my dudes,” LaValle said. “I’ll be coming down to practice and vice versa for the next couple of years. We don’t know anyone in Santa Cruz yet, so my plan is to write as much new material as possible while up there.”

After reuniting last year, No Knife will perform their last show on Thursday, June 18, at the Belly Up, according to their MySpace page.

Roots-rockers The Farmers will hold a CD-release show for Fulmination on Thursday, June 18, at The Casbah. The band is an offshoot of The Beat Farmers and features members of that band, The Penetrators and The Jacks. 

The Enrique Experience

I have craigslist’s Casual Encounters section to thank for many unforgettable nights (some of which required a full round of antibiotics), but none so great as a recent posting for “the hottest private introduction party” for cross-dressers, transsexuals, transvestites and the men who love them, dubbed Trannylicious.

“It’s kinda dull here for the girls, so this gives them a fresh space to come to,” said organizer Tsunami Kai.

Located inside a photography studio, atop an H&R Block in North Park, this high-heeled BYOB honky-tonk offered half-off the cover to those in drag, and thanks to the wonders that lurk inside my trunk, I was able to pull it off—two-day beard and all—courtesy of a platinum blond pageboy wig I used as part of my He-Man Halloween costume of ’08. Awkwardly, every third song coming from the iPod Nano-powered sound system was by Lady GaGa, and thanks to my blond bangs, the crowd expected a show that never came. Props for the Glamour Shots-style photo shoots that take place there during the day, like a floral-print chaise lounge and a Shoji screen, lined the walls, making room for an empty dance floor.

“Frankly, I don’t know what these bitches’ problem is,” a partygoer told me. “In Miami, we’d be all up on it. It ain’t a party unless you dance so hard, you loose an article of clothing. I once made it home with no drawers on.”

The men’s-room scene was unlike any other I’ve encountered; Barbasol, disposable shavers and duct tape abounded.

Cranberry juice, Red Bull and other mixers were sold outside, as well as chips from a Frito Lay variety box, which, along with the Patron bottles, cans and Styrofoam coolers, gave it a tailgate-party feel, albeit one in which the terms “eligible receiver” and “ball carrier” take on a whole new meaning.

Around 2 a.m., the party was in full force, and a stripper-pole battle had ensued. Sauced and hopped up on Cool Ranch Doritos, I gave it a go and came in second place to a girl who “made it clap.” Surprisingly, I made it home, drawers and all. Touchdown!

Another Trannylicious soirée will go down on July 18. www.wildnspicy.com.

Busty ball

It was my boyfriend’s wet dream of a party. “Slutty Victorian,” he sighed as he ogled countless ample bosoms spilling out of corsets. The event? Sushi Performance and Visual Art’s Red Ball fundraiser at the nonprofit’s Downtown performance space. The theme? Steampunk.

“I’m still not sure what Steampunk is,” said my man, dressed quite appropriately in a red tie, striped socks and his signature “pirate pants.” (I call them “man capris,” but one of the DJs also wore scissor-cropped Dickies.) Steampunk, I explained uncertainly, is for Burning Man types who are really into science fiction and fantastical contraptions, like H.G. Wells and Jules Verne with Mad Max attitude.

That would explain the eyewear. Many of the evening’s guests wore glam red attire with swim or ski goggles strapped around their foreheads. Not quite as authentic as the party’s performers from Zirk Ubu, who traipsed through the crowd showing off their enviable faux-period costumes, from tiny top hats to gold goggles rigged with a magnifying lens. Also on hand were the expected goth types in their buckled platform-boot splendor, girls with unruly Marie Antoinette wigs, a man in a kilt, and plenty of attractive artsy couples, several in coordinated clothing.

Memorable moments include the sword swallower, Murrugun the Mystic, who put even the lustiest girls and gay men to shame with his deep-throat skills. He also pushed a piece of wire through his bicep as Arlinka Gabore, a ghostly creature in a white Victorian dress, played the accordion. Next, tame burlesque broads in striped bloomers shook their bottoms before a pair of dancers did a sexy Steampunk pas de deux.

We snuck outside during the art auction, where we ran into friends with a flask. As we took a swig of whiskey, a tired stilt walker shuffled by. Later, we piled into a smaller space, where a DJ backed a gypsy-punk band and ladies in skimpy outfits—some edgy, some stripper-like—writhed around us. All the flesh and weirdness worked its magic.
“I think we should go home soon,” whispered my boyfriend as he dipped me on the dance floor.

Night moves

Our semi-regular guide to the after-dark events we’re either crazy about or just really looking forward to.

Estilo Night @ The Office: You’ll need a local to find the best club nights in Tijuana, so just head to North Park for this new Wednesday night. DJs Mike$ki and Cros 1 will spin the best in Latin hip-hop and remixed classics while, in best TJ fashion, buckets of beer, tequila poppers and TJ dogs are on special. Wednesday, June 17.

Nite Vision @ Voyeur: Now that North Park is turning into P.B. (did you see all the cop cars in front of True North on Sunday night?), the hipster invasion of Downtown continues. DJs Gabe Vega and Adam Salter are breaking Voyeur’s cherry, and while we’re not sure what the theme implies, it apparently involves not that many lights. Bring your flashlight? Thursday, June 18.

Vanity @ Beauty Bar: Beauty Bar remains one of the few places you can see some kick-ass local bands and then dance your booty off. This Friday is a pretty good one. The Old In Out and The Bloodflowers tear it up onstage, followed by DJ C Wizard and Flo. Bonus: A hosted round of Fernet shots at 10 p.m. Friday, June 19.

Neon Beat @ Bar Pink: Anyone who misses DJ Bart and Atari’s Tuesday-night throw-downs at Bar Dynamite should fret no longer. Not only is it back, but it’s got a new night and a new venue. Saturday, June 20.